tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6312917337484133762024-03-13T23:19:51.701-07:00Book Cover JunkieA Book Cover Showcase of All GenresUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger487125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631291733748413376.post-35511335903748394722024-02-23T05:26:00.000-08:002024-02-23T05:30:08.558-08:00❀New Historical Fiction Book Alert❀: The Dreaming Team by Chris Wallace<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsxP7N3gSPvJmkRse68k9lTaQ3EsmzxomuMD0DRE2tFcaPqByMwDvbFNI-x8ysZzkEHfGm4fsnjSZ_GlLzTKkYB9cHaoaWtO_wbV0JhfpZ-rkNyxxiMZdsoWUFu2VTK8ZttNyJ_cTVxbUGKJ5cAU_DgGAl7V6eOkbQDFxALsibzQhNrJAdLHXTAlm4Ztq/s532/The%20Dreaming%20Team%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="352" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsxP7N3gSPvJmkRse68k9lTaQ3EsmzxomuMD0DRE2tFcaPqByMwDvbFNI-x8ysZzkEHfGm4fsnjSZ_GlLzTKkYB9cHaoaWtO_wbV0JhfpZ-rkNyxxiMZdsoWUFu2VTK8ZttNyJ_cTVxbUGKJ5cAU_DgGAl7V6eOkbQDFxALsibzQhNrJAdLHXTAlm4Ztq/s320/The%20Dreaming%20Team%20cover.jpg" width="212" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Title: The Dreaming Team</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt;"> Author: Chris Wallace</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt;"> Publisher: Round Lake Publishing</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt;"> Pages: 368</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt;"> Genre: Historical Fiction<br /></span><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">In
the 1850s, Australia was a thriving colony of the British Empire, with
its own sense of importance and sophistication. But the people who had
occupied this vast land for upwards of 40,000 years didn’t fit well with
colonial expectations of the future. In every way imaginable, white
Australia tried to keep its “darkies” in line. It is against this
backdrop in the 1860s that the amazing story of an all Aboriginal
cricket team, the first Aussie team to do so, played at Lords, the home
of cricket in England. Conventional wisdom predicted that Indigenous
Australians would die off by the next generation. <b><i>The Dreaming Team</i></b>
brings those Indigenous players to life and follows them on an
adventure that would appear to be unbelievable if it weren’t true. They
not only changed the minds and perceptions about Aboriginal
Australians, they arguably changed the course of Australian history.
Praise for The Dreaming Team: <i>“A beautiful story, beautifully
written, about a piece of Australian history that, if you don’t know
about, you probably should. Heartwarming, heartbreaking and brimming
with relevance for today’s Australia. A poignant example of how far
we’ve come and how far we haven’t.”</i> <i>“The Dreaming Team tells the
true story of the all Aboriginal cricket team from Victoria who did a
tour of Great Britain back in the 1860s and all the drama, setbacks, and
cultural divide between the Aboriginals and white Australians involved.
Considering the state of affairs for Aboriginal people in those days,
the team’s accomplishments are no small feat!”</i> <i>“What an
interesting story. It is truly an Australian story about indigenous
Australians. The story grabbed me from the first chapter, and drew me
further in to where I could not put it down. I don’t want to give
anything away, so I will say that the twists and turns makes you want to
know what happens next at the end of each chapter. To say it is a
sports story is not fair, it is a people story, told from the heart,
about the hearts of people who love the land, and their story. I
recommend it highly, and look forward to more from the author, Chris
Wallace!”</i></span></span> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">You can purchase your copy at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dreaming-Team-Chris-Wallace/dp/0645968706/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1700139793&sr=1-1">Amazon</a>. </span></span></p>
<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Cherry Swash"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: 'Cherry Swash'; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Book Excerpt</span></b></p><blockquote><h2 class="wp-block-heading"><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Mr.
Buckingham has asked Black Johnny to come into the shearing shed. They
stand together, both uncomfortable for different reasons. Unaarrimin
wonders if he’s done something wrong. He has always tried to be a good
worker. Never complained about anything. Was happy just to be there on
the station What could he have done? In the very back of his mind, he
wonders if it has anything to do with Alice but dismisses the thought
as soon as it comes. Mr. Buckingham is uncomfortable because he doesn’t
like confrontation. And especially this one. He is perfectly happy
with Black Johnny, finds him easy going, cooperative and good at his
job. It’s only because of his wife that he is in this position. After a
few more awkward minutes, Buckingham clears his throat and begins.
“You know . . . Um . . . You see . . . If it was up to me . . . Well . .
. Er . . . The Missus has a bit of ah . . . Oh, damn it, I’m going to
have to let you go. That’s the size of it. You’ll have to leave the
property. I’ve arranged some provisions for you, tea and sugar, salt, a
blanket, a billy, matches, a good knife. But you’ll have to go.”
Unaarrimin can only look at this man dumbfounded; this man who has been
his guardian since he was orphaned as a little boy. “What have I done?”
Unaarrimin asks. “Well, that’s just it, you see. It isn’t that you’ve
done anything. It’s more like . . . um . . . look, Johnny, let’s just
leave it that the Missus would rather you weren’t here anymore. Like I
said, if it was up to me, we wouldn’t be having this talk. But you’ve
got to go. Here, take this letter with you. It’ll help you get a job
somewhere else. But she wants you off the property tomorrow. Early.”</span></i></i></span></h2><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Alice
and Unaarrimin had been inseparable when they were children. She
claimed him. She taught him to read. As she learned them, she taught
him manners. They hiked all over Mullagh Station together. He taught
her how to live in the bush, showing her what plants were edible; how to
make bread, how to build a proper fire. They got into all manner of
mischief together, stealing honey from Mrs. Buckingham’s cupboard and
tobacco from Mr. Buckingham’s pouch. One time Unaarrimin twisted his
ankle jumping from the roof of the shed because Alice dared him. When
they saw that he was alright, they rolled on the ground together in fits
of laughter. He remembers how infectious Alice’s laugh is. It’s like a
melody, like music to him. He would always do anything to make her
laugh. And she always did. One day he was teaching her how to throw a
boomerang. “<i>Hold it like this,’ he says. “Throw from the
shoulder”. Alice cranks her arm for a mighty toss and cracks Unaarrimin
in the nose. She starts laughing her magical laugh. Even when it
starts bleeding, she’s still laughing. And by now, he is laughing
too. Alice takes a handkerchief from her pocket and begins dabbing the
blood. Then she gives it to him so he can apply enough pressure to stop
the bleeding. All the while they are laughing uncontrollably.</i></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But there
is no laughter now. Now, he is filled with sadness as he empties the
remains of the billy onto the fire and rolls up his swag. Where is he
to go? What is he to do? He ambles away from the billabong, no longer
conscious of freedom, but thinking of what he has lost, wondering if
he’ll ever see her again. <br /></span></p></span></h2><p></p><p></p></div><p></p></blockquote></h2><p style="text-align: left;"></p></blockquote><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19.9733px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">About the Author</span></span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"></span></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0S36osNBsGcY7eJLDhKkyNOw97PRByTSek880t6I-ON3bkS54U_ZHxTfx87BVaoIbd6h8sX-1XPTTrPIvFoTv8vTOGV7A0vd2nshMG-NRrOdFgFX8v-KOge9I7AR35ijKvdGnfVWWgqVsdqb6RGAMgxMYKgD2kJ_ZsbM3qef9cW_quu3g8WhTdcBye0G/s426/Chris%20Wallace%20author.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="388" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0S36osNBsGcY7eJLDhKkyNOw97PRByTSek880t6I-ON3bkS54U_ZHxTfx87BVaoIbd6h8sX-1XPTTrPIvFoTv8vTOGV7A0vd2nshMG-NRrOdFgFX8v-KOge9I7AR35ijKvdGnfVWWgqVsdqb6RGAMgxMYKgD2kJ_ZsbM3qef9cW_quu3g8WhTdcBye0G/s320/Chris%20Wallace%20author.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>Chris Wallace is a creative resource. <p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">As an actor, he was a regular on the hit daytime drama, <b>All My Children</b>, created the role of The Half-Percenter in Joe Papp’s production<b>, Mondongo</b>, appeared in countless television programs, including <b>The Incredible Hulk</b>, <b>The Mary Tyler Moore Hour</b> and had a starring role in the holiday horror classic film, <b>New Year’s Evil</b>. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">As a producer, he put on <b>New York: A Great Place to Live</b>
at Lincoln Center which kicked off New York City’s Diamond Jubilee; for
Channel Five in New York, he produced the highly acclaimed <b>Harlem Cultural Festival</b>; at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, he produced <b>Uptown Sunday Afternoon</b>,
which was hosted by Harry Belafonte and featured Richard Pryor, Bill
Withers, and a galaxy of other performers; for the National Organization
for Women, he produced <b>A Valentine’s Day Tribute to Woman</b> at New York’s Town Hall; was associate producer of the first <b>Ali-Frazier Heavyweight Championship Fight</b> at Madison Square Garden, and produced the gigantic block party, hosted by Gwen Verdon, which named West 46<sup>th</sup> Street as <b>Restaurant Row</b>. .</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">He earned the Silver Award at the New York International Film and Television Festival for <b>In the Balance</b>,
a film that advocated sustainability and common sense in wildlife
management. It was also singled out by the Department of the Interior
as one of the best films of its kind. Chris wrote, narrated and wrote
the musical score for that film.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">He
performed on several children’s television programs in New York,
Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and Jacksonville, singing his
original children’s songs. In Hollywood, he performed them for all
denominations of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America. He created a
musical, <b>A Special Thing to Be</b>, at the Los Angeles Children’s Museum that featured his kids’ songs and the museum’s children’s chorus.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">He wrote the songs for two children’s theatre productions in Hollywood, <b>Hooray, Here Comes the Circus</b> and <b>Sleeping Beauty</b>; wrote and performed the songs on <b>Strong Kids, Safe Kids</b>,
a video produced by Henry Winkler for Paramount that dealt with the
protection of children from sexual molestation and exploitation. He
created his first musical revue, <b>Greatest Hits</b>, in Hollywood, which played several venues, including Carlos ‘n’ Charlie’s on Sunset Strip and The Backlot in West Hollywood.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Upon relocating to Australia, he produced <b>A Helping Hand</b> at the Victorian Arts Centre, a benefit for Quadriplegic Hand Foundation; wrote book, music and lyrics for <b>Nothing to Wear</b>, a musical based on “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” also produced at the Victorian Arts Centre. He created a one-man show, <b>A Thing of Shreds & Patches</b>, for the Melbourne Fringe Festival; created another one-man show, <b>The Mark Twain You Don’t Know</b>, which toured Australia, then Pacific Palisades, California, and played in New York City on the 100<sup>th</sup>
anniversary of Mark Twain’s death. He created several cabaret shows
for The Butterfly Club in Melbourne, most notable of which was <b>Les Femmes</b> which featured an all female cast. He wrote, produced and performed in <b>Huckleberry: A Musical Adventure</b> which premiered in Melbourne.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Which brings us to <b>The Dreaming Team</b>. This is his second book. The first, <b>Hollywood Mosaic</b> is written under the pen name, Pete Joseph.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">You can visit his website at <a href="http://www.olentangymusic.com"><b>www.olentangymusic.com</b></a>.</span></span> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631291733748413376.post-54494683742004116502024-01-31T05:57:00.000-08:002024-01-31T05:57:27.839-08:00❀New Romantic Action Adventure Book Alert❀: Pinball Wizard by Michael D. Meloan<p><span><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjlvqwX5SicKNpfHuAzkhCNd3iALsHGSO5obSQTPEmm2n6ucDIjIpW2cuSiljLn-dd6iuKa1oQRMrWEocwEYO7Y2iIifJM7c2geyOvy7HEgG6FLdmkxMyZN1TVMQuARg9YyeO9Fipglq0QKzB7Xtby_PLeTuvDrKM_5fvlVegEAo_LsHouLN_XK7-lOQm/s528/Pinball%20Wizard%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="344" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjlvqwX5SicKNpfHuAzkhCNd3iALsHGSO5obSQTPEmm2n6ucDIjIpW2cuSiljLn-dd6iuKa1oQRMrWEocwEYO7Y2iIifJM7c2geyOvy7HEgG6FLdmkxMyZN1TVMQuARg9YyeO9Fipglq0QKzB7Xtby_PLeTuvDrKM_5fvlVegEAo_LsHouLN_XK7-lOQm/w260-h400/Pinball%20Wizard%20cover.jpg" width="260" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Title: Pinball Wizard</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt;"> Author: Michael D. Meloan</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt;"> Publisher: IFSF Publishing</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt;"> Pages: 136</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt;"> Genre: Novella<br /></span><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Michael
D. Meloan’s new novella PINBALL WIZARD is a story of love, sex, jets,
and Bukowski. Ralph is buffeted between a controlling father,
international intrigue in the US defense industry, and a friendship with
the writer Charles Bukowski. A wild girlfriend also ratchets-up the
action.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">“Are
you the Pinball Wizard or the pinball?” asks Ralph’s manager inside a
nuclear hardened bunker in England. That is the question driving Michael
D. Meloan’s new novella–a story of love, sex, jets, and Bukowski.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Lights
flash and bells ring as Ralph is buffeted between a controlling father,
international intrigue in the US defense industry, and a friendship
with the writer Charles Bukowski. A wild girlfriend also ratchets-up the
action.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">But in the end, it is Ralph’s turn at the controls.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">“My
mailbox contained a surprise a week or so ago: PINBALL WIZARD, a
novella by Michael Meloan. It is one of the most satisfying reading
experiences I’ve had in recent years, in part because it handles a
famous writer (Charles Bukowski) as one of its main characters with
nonchalant deftness. Meloan’s slightly picaresque story is hard to
classify, which is one of the things that makes it such a pleasure to
read. He has a gift for writing unapologetically masculine prose; it’s
flavorful without being exotic, and it doesn’t hurt that he has a fine
ear for dialogue.”–Bill Mohr, writer, critic, and English Literature
Professor at California State University, Long Beach</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">More information on the book PINBALL WIZARD can be found at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pinball-Wizard-Michael-D-Meloan/dp/1733386483/">https://www.amazon.com/Pinball-Wizard-Michael-D-Meloan/dp/1733386483/</a>. <br /></span></span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Cherry Swash"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: 'Cherry Swash'; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Book Excerpt</span></b></p><blockquote><h2 class="wp-block-heading"><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">“You think every woman is a whore. You hate women. Admit it!” said
Linda. “You can’t look a woman in the eye and relate to her as a human
being. All you see is fishnet stockings, tits, and a hole.”</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">“You’re starting to piss me off,” Bukowski replied. “If it wasn’t for
me, I don’t know what the fuck you’d be doing. That shitty little
restaurant would be out of business in a week. What would you do if you
had to go out and get a real job? I guess you could make Slurpees at
7-Eleven. Or sell oranges on a freeway on-ramp.”</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">“You’re the kind of vile piece-of-shit that makes people jump off
buildings or blow their brains out. You have a genius for sucking every
ounce of hope and joy out of anyone around you.”</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">“At least I have a genius for something. How many even have that?”</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">“You’re right. I’m sure Hitler was a genius, too.”</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">“Why don’t you move out? Go ahead and go! Do you think you’re the only woman I can get?”</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">“No, I’m well aware that the lure of fame—even second-rate fame like yours—is a powerful aphrodisiac for trailer trash women.”</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">“That’s it!” Bukowski planted his foot underneath the wooden coffee
table and kicked it over, launching glasses of wine into the air. “Get
out of my house! You DON’T live here anymore! I mean it. We’re through!”
Bukowski and Linda stared at each other. Linda’s jaw flexed
rhythmically. Then he moved in close. “I mean it! LEAVE!” he screamed,
spewing spittle in her face. Tears streamed down her cheeks.</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">She stood up and looked at me. “Get me out of here,” she said.</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">“OK,” I replied.</span></p><p></p></div><p></p></blockquote></h2><p style="text-align: left;"></p></blockquote><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19.9733px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">About the Author</span></span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQMthbxOmGXy7T8sMeqOta_9jHC7ua7P36U3tTTqRgVz5jU5J8GB46rmvLTG47NDnVwyPE0FKjQt8IBNa5fTFTMIkfJQHBN5tvuc-onPCNVDv6PN8FUigy76-dhlCHBTyo_s0dQPxQqHxrQ8n9Y3UnERX0w3RTmN04f6d2zWaiOFKYIvzR0yZod_EKrzu/s534/Michael%20Meloan%20author.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="351" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQMthbxOmGXy7T8sMeqOta_9jHC7ua7P36U3tTTqRgVz5jU5J8GB46rmvLTG47NDnVwyPE0FKjQt8IBNa5fTFTMIkfJQHBN5tvuc-onPCNVDv6PN8FUigy76-dhlCHBTyo_s0dQPxQqHxrQ8n9Y3UnERX0w3RTmN04f6d2zWaiOFKYIvzR0yZod_EKrzu/s320/Michael%20Meloan%20author.png" width="210" /></a></div>Michael
Meloan traveled extensively to England, Germany, and South Korea
supporting the Department of Defense as a software engineer. He met the
real Top Guns at Ramstein, Germany. He also wrote short stories for
Larry Flynt, Buzz, Wired Magazine, and many literary journals. With his
brother, Steven, he penned a published novel called The Shroud. Also
with his brother, he wrote journalism for The Huffington Post.<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">In
the ‘80s and ‘90s, Meloan was friends with Charles Bukowski and his
wife Linda. Bukowski enthusiastically encouraged his writing and invited
him and his wife Cathy to many Hollywood events.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Meloan
was also good friends with NPR monologue artist Joe Frank. Their
regular brunches at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills were among the
most fascinating encounters of his life. They discussed sexual failure,
the nature of existence, godly realms, and the existential abyss. Meloan
had the privilege of co-writing a number of radio shows with Frank that
appeared on the NPR syndicate. The documentaries</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Bukowski: Born into This and Joe Frank: Somewhere Out There both contain interviews with Meloan.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Visit the book’s website at <a href="http://www.pinballwizardbook.com">www.pinballwizardbook.com</a>.</span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631291733748413376.post-66667310234318407362024-01-24T21:00:00.000-08:002024-01-24T21:00:00.244-08:00❀New Romantic Suspense Book Alert❀: Homecoming Chaos by D.W. Brooks<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQ7TMsKOWcqhCLeZnRRYvHDVIVQgzpbIGaLd5E290J5xnzpn6FRYvCZ4sui6bM_BKSRZuGjDbeQZ8OFEh7pPkGfUsqXHrCEa7xq4KRLM2brLJsl4YOCFx9XL5lCetAVTuZDa5daUBgxu746y5UGbC5QmEv4_AhczbQNDYrGksnlGICqUkvH-80RrxzsxW/s598/Homecoming%20Chaos%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="378" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQ7TMsKOWcqhCLeZnRRYvHDVIVQgzpbIGaLd5E290J5xnzpn6FRYvCZ4sui6bM_BKSRZuGjDbeQZ8OFEh7pPkGfUsqXHrCEa7xq4KRLM2brLJsl4YOCFx9XL5lCetAVTuZDa5daUBgxu746y5UGbC5QmEv4_AhczbQNDYrGksnlGICqUkvH-80RrxzsxW/w253-h400/Homecoming%20Chaos%20cover.jpg" width="253" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Title: Homecoming Chaos</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt;"> Author: D.W. Brooks</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt;"> Publisher: Life: The Reboot LLC</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt;"> Pages: 448</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt;"> Genre: Romantic Suspense<br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Jamie
Scott’s life fell apart four years ago when she broke off her
engagement, turned down a dream job, and went overseas to run away from
her life. Now she’s back, but the reunion is not without problems. She
arrives home just in time to attend the soiree her mother planned, but
she’s not prepared for what she finds—a dead employee in the parking
lot.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Detective
Nick Marshall is assigned to the murder case at the forensics lab owned
by Jamie’s family. He meets the headstrong Jamie, but he has a job to
do. And his attraction to her… well, he’s a professional.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Jamie
knows the stakes are high. She has to face the past and save her
parents’ business while dealing with her family drama and an uncertain
future. She also has to deal with Nick, who wants her out of the way of
his investigation. But fate keeps throwing them in one another’s paths…
and into chaos that they both want to avoid, but neither can seem to
escape.</span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;">Buy Links:</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Homecoming-Chaos-D-W-Brooks-ebook/dp/B0CKS9P7PF"><strong>Amazon</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1144277742"><strong>B&N</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/homecoming-chaos"><strong>Kobo</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/homecoming-chaos/id6469733473"><strong>iBooks</strong></a></span></span></p><p></p><p></p><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Cherry Swash"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: 'Cherry Swash'; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Book Excerpt</span></b></p><blockquote><h2 class="wp-block-heading"><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">The sound of the flight attendant on the loudspeaker startled Jamison
Jones Scott out of her light sleep. Despite having traveled frequently
in her lifetime, she still couldn’t sleep comfortably on a plane. The
seat location— first-class or economy—didn’t make a difference. The
plane was nearing its destination, so the passengers needed to finish
filling out their declaration cards. Jamie was returning to Atlanta to
stay at her parents’ home with only the clothes on her back, a computer
bag, the few items of clothing in her duffel, and a stethoscope. She had
nothing to declare. </span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">Her seatmate appeared to be sleeping through the announcements. Jamie
was jealous. The four-year-old in front of her turned around and
started babbling excitedly in French. She must have noticed that Jamie
was finally awake. With her head still fuzzy from her nap, Jamie
couldn’t completely follow the child’s rapid words, but the gist was
that she wanted something from Jamie. Something about a playdate? Jamie
smiled at the girl and hoped the girl’s mother would intervene. No such
luck; she was asleep as well. The child eyeballed Jamie expectantly.
Jamie realized she and the seatmate had started this situation by
playing with the dark-haired child while they were over the ocean. Now,
when she didn’t agree to the latest request, the little girl scrunched
up her face to cry. </span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">“Nous atterrissons bientôt. Elle ne peut pas aller avec vous,”
Jamie’s seatmate answered, eyes still closed. “Mais vous pourriez être
en mesure de visiter. Je suis sûr qu’elle tu aimerait garder les
enfants.” He grinned.</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">Jamie gasped while the young girl clapped. This guy had just volunteered her as a babysitter! </span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">“Je suis désolé, mais il se trompe. Je ne serai pas disponible,”
Jamie stated. “Je parie qu’il a une surprise, pour toi.” The child
looked at Jamie’s seatmate for her present and clapped again. This reply
made him open his eyes. </span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">“Qu’est-ce que c’est? Qu’est-ce que c’est?” the child asked.
Startled, her pregnant mother woke up and turned around in her seat
sheepishly. </span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;"><em>I’m sorry</em>, she mouthed. She made her eager daughter turn
around in her seat and asked her to leave the other passengers alone.
The girl was disappointed, but her mother handed her a shortbread, which
made her forget the people behind her. </span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">Her seatmate smiled, opened his eyes, and said, “I could have given
her the stuffed bear I bought. I have a daughter the same age.” He
stretched gingerly. “I can’t wait to get home. I’ve been traveling for
too long. What about you? Looking forward to getting home?”</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">Jamie thought about her return to Atlanta. She hadn’t been home in a while, so she wasn’t sure how she felt. </span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><em style="font-weight: normal;">Revel in the chaos. </em></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><em style="font-weight: normal;">Revel in the chaos. </em></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><em style="font-weight: normal;">Revel in the chaos. </em></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">Jamie tried to live by this motto for most of her life because her
life seemed to invite chaos. She learned to expect—and sometimes
encourage—complications. As the plane taxied to a halt, she repeated her
motto to herself. This phrase, tattooed on her right hip, particularly
applied now. </span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">The international terminal of Hartsfield-Jackson Airport had changed
since she was last there. Her brother, Jonathan, would pick her up at
the baggage claim—alone, she hoped, and not sporting a clingy
girlfriend. Time to re-acclimate and re-establish family bonds. Dealing
with an unknown woman in her face when she wanted to spend time quietly
with her brother wasn’t at the top of her to-do list.</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">As she waited in line to get through passport control, she thought
about how she got to this point—back in Atlanta after several years
abroad. She had spent two of those years working with the non-profit
organization Doctors Overseas. Jamie worked in several locations,
including the Central African Republic. She had her reasons for joining
the charitable organization; not all were altruistic, and she kept those
to herself during her entrance interview. The horrors she witnessed
overseas helped her put her personal chaos into perspective. She
realized her issues were nothing compared to what people endured in
other parts of the world. This realization allowed her to embrace her
job and enjoy what she was doing, despite the frequent threats of bodily
harm. To help maintain her sanity while overseas, she traveled a lot
and spent six months in Italy working with a designer friend. </span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">The agent summoning her snapped her out of her reverie. Handing over
her passport, she said, “Nothing to declare. Coming back home for my
mother’s birthday and Christmas.” </span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">At the check-in counter, the inspector carefully examined her and her
passport photo. Jamison understood the scrutiny. At the time of that
picture, she had been at the height of her glamor phase with a history
of modeling and a resulting, above-average concern about how she looked.
In medical school, she often showed up at rounds with perfectly coiffed
hair and more than a swipe of mascara and lip gloss. </span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">But in Africa, those concerns fell away. Right now, Jamie was
makeup-free, and a baseball cap covered her hair. She was still
beautiful, but now it was a girl-next-door beauty. Jamie had high
cheekbones, almond-shaped dark brown eyes, a straight nose, a square
jawline, and her golden-brown skin was still smooth. She wasn’t stomping
down runways anymore, as in her past life, because she had shifted her
priorities. </span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">Her mother would hate it. </span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">“Welcome to Atlanta,” the inspector said as she stamped her passport. “Have a pleasant stay.”</span></p><p></p></div><p></p></blockquote></h2><p style="text-align: left;"></p></blockquote><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19.9733px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">About the Author</span></span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90bk8stC9TI1ft4mirlBjnO2YGYMX3LPyeK7jWva82wrxmVKVdUjMjOOp6Ar4M3gwtmd2_s7_SyQWuvdALEtAuMpXv9POz8Wp1n0biAAm8Q94JJv-K2bKLHkmkqKKgNRVgYW0x3IL00fU1NtLR6p8IU0J7zsb1mXGbq_s3r34U0CvPTMRfc2rtI0ai3kv/s410/D.W.%20Brooks%20author.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="310" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90bk8stC9TI1ft4mirlBjnO2YGYMX3LPyeK7jWva82wrxmVKVdUjMjOOp6Ar4M3gwtmd2_s7_SyQWuvdALEtAuMpXv9POz8Wp1n0biAAm8Q94JJv-K2bKLHkmkqKKgNRVgYW0x3IL00fU1NtLR6p8IU0J7zsb1mXGbq_s3r34U0CvPTMRfc2rtI0ai3kv/s320/D.W.%20Brooks%20author.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>The
author lives in Texas with her husband and children. She enjoys trying
to stay in shape, sporadically cooking, reading (still), writing, and
working on her blog. She is eternally grateful to the woman who donated a
kidney to her over 5 years ago and continues to advocate for organ
donation as much as she can.<p></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><strong>Author Links </strong> </span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><a href="https://authordwbrooks.com">Website</a> | <a href="http://www.twitter.com/lifethereboot">Twitter</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/authordwbrooks">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://instagram.com/authordwbrooks">Instagram</a></span></span></p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631291733748413376.post-17520000687527647282024-01-17T21:00:00.000-08:002024-01-17T21:00:00.241-08:00Book Cover Junkie Interviews Travel/Memoir Short Stories Author Donna Fletcher Crow<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSqS6rIsNyHLGT9H4y12QcRRFDG4_6xw-arwsWxqIKfamX_1w52cMpqexyqjJijkvVm4c2Sjvk_1_4sw4HfTgJz7VEovVv6EJw16sr1SXSuLl9s-e2oQ-cfTViE1EbcHIgrIaAsA-g8N2gRMJBCObtTOWEt5lPMPi30MJ2m7Z0IxVv_mblJz7vMwvfdxp/s610/Donna%20Fletcher%20Crow%20Author.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="408" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSqS6rIsNyHLGT9H4y12QcRRFDG4_6xw-arwsWxqIKfamX_1w52cMpqexyqjJijkvVm4c2Sjvk_1_4sw4HfTgJz7VEovVv6EJw16sr1SXSuLl9s-e2oQ-cfTViE1EbcHIgrIaAsA-g8N2gRMJBCObtTOWEt5lPMPi30MJ2m7Z0IxVv_mblJz7vMwvfdxp/s320/Donna%20Fletcher%20Crow%20Author.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>Donna
Fletcher Crow, Novelist of British History, is an award-winning author
who has published some 50 books in a career spanning more than 40 years.
Her best-known work is <em>Glastonbury,</em> The Novel of Christian
England, a grail search epic depicting 1500 years of British history.
The Celtic Cross is a 10-book series covering the history of Scotland
and England from the 6th to the 20th century. <p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Crow
writes 3 mystery series: The Monastery Murders, contemporary clerical
mysteries with clues hidden deep in the past; Lord Danvers Investigates,
Victorian true-crime stories within a fictional setting; and The
Elizabeth and Richard literary suspense series, featuring various
literary figures. Where There is Love is a 6-book biographical novel
series of leaders of the early Evangelical Anglican movement. The
Daughters of Courage is a semi-autobiographical trilogy family saga of
Idaho pioneers.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Reviewers
routinely praise the quality of her writing and the depth of her
research. Crow says she tries never to write about a place she hasn’t
visited and one of her goals in writing is to give her readers a
you-are-there experience.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Donna and her husband of 60 years live in Boise, Idaho. They have 4 children and 15 grandchildren, and she is an avid gardener.</span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><strong>Author Links </strong> </span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><a href="https://www.donnafletchercrow.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/DonnaFletcherCr">Twitter</a> |<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063745772509"> Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/56147.Donna_Fletcher_Crow">Goodreads</a></span></span></p><p></p><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b> </b></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b>Interview:</b></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<p><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tell us about your book, <em>Going There: Tales from the Riviera and Beyond</em>! What inspired you to write it?</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I had no idea I was going to write about the amazing trip I took to the Riviera, the Loire Valley, and Switzerland with my daughter-in-law Kelly and granddaughter Jane in the middle of Covid. Then I realized I was seeing settings that would make perfect backgrounds for stories with various characters I have written about over the years. Kelly, Jane, and I started talking about story ideas and asking each other questions about situations. Sometimes I tried out plot devices on them and Jane was quick to spot the clue that identified the villain. The whole thing just grew from there.</span></span></p>
<p><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;"><span style="font-size: large;">How did you choose the title for your book? Did it come to you right away, before you started writing it, or did it come later?</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sometimes titles do come that way--but this one certainly didn't. My working title was simply Riviera Stories--which I knew barely cut it even for a working title. My husband and I always sit down about 3:00 in the afternoon for a cup of tea and a catch-up on our day's events. I was nearly through the rough draft stage and getting really concerned because a title hadn't presented itself yet, so I asked my husband for ideas. We brainstormed for a long time, but when he suggested <em>Going There</em> I knew I had it. I wanted a title that left room for the ideas of mystery and romance and the difficulties of traveling during a world-wide pandemic. I felt that title did it.</span></span></p>
<p><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tell us about the cover design process. Did you have a basic idea of what your book cover would be like? </span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I knew from the beginning I wanted a cover reminiscent of the Art Deco travel posters that were done during the Golden Age of Riviera travel:</span></span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 101px; overflow: hidden; width: 69px;"><img height="101" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/tVXJ0ZNZ7ToXOo0vMYJy-DvYNbzyu_8RJ2KBiaLLDl_OhO5xYzhr3_VCaO64AR1gjba7OgaehJylcHeRlEED0ylKCGTSfr36OF18NgL3wHJlLW-ejG2twSfsUp--o1-XpjiT7VmnY6BmHgyG4Xan1A" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="69" /></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The first mock-up my artist sent me was beautiful, but I felt the blue tones were too cold:</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 118px; overflow: hidden; width: 75px;"><img height="118" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/PqD5B20oO6UXGZpyfzm16B3xaJfipmJZpwIV6NF8bvnFUDzmOMghg39ygSnaQMlJBMD0RT69UOpd7pMEE_ZZqOi8gb8CrwGOV6YVbuLUmWXdDAwfg9iX-tBZ3JBU2V2lH2dzNisFi-aLKB2zDYLH1w" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="75" /></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I asked for something sunnier, and loved his response:</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 108px; overflow: hidden; width: 70px;"><img height="108" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/GVoFHaIEAxBFrAk3LCN7bHH5xhBV0tEiC_nbGEHAZ2LOLk2fWxoZK1DREPu9vmWtjRQZy_-uAm5mkfSusBYibx4lKtFqN6L8DQ8kRRAzOGKrZRV3n6r_HtMrvQneaNktJrj1FsYMiX_4k6yNrEkugw" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="70" /></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span></p>
<p><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;"><span style="font-size: large;">Who is your cover designer and how did you find him/her?</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">My cover designer is <a href="http://kenraneyartandillustration.blogspot.com/">Ken Raney</a>. In 2022 Greenbrier Books was bringing about the backlist of my Lord Danvers Investigates Victorian True-crime series. They hired Ken to design covers for that series. I took one look at his designs and said, "Ken Raney is a genius!" Since Greenbrier ceased publishing, I have had Ken do all my work for Verity Press.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 18pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 96px; overflow: hidden; width: 316px;"><img height="96" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/j_37ee2w4xIl7jfbKkHUwXEKjhLw-4GglzezAjDx1ZMZZWknuqyViGQZdQjA2WGzkVIFj2E-GGOJ9V6y4GbnvhFN8HA23S9XuMCpVrjxWDWr1wbCpf8gr5H91Z3OTVjsKcofPpsFl4ScwphJqerpHQ" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="316" /></span></span></p>
<p><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;"><span style="font-size: large;">What has been the readers’ response to your cover?</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Enthusiastic. I think they respond to the feeling of a warm welcome to a place they would like to be right now.</span></p>
<p><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;"><span style="font-size: large;">What tips would you give to authors who are looking for a cover designer?</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Look at examples of their past work and choose one who designs covers that make you want to open the book. It's also important to find someone you enjoy working with--someone who will buy into your vision for your book, but still add their own creativity. Because I write in various genres set in different time periods, it's important to me to have a designer who will stay with me to get the portrayals accurate. Ken has been super in all these areas. Oh, and do look for someone who will work within your budget, too.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 18pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 84px; overflow: hidden; width: 340px;"><img height="84" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/eGAjFU9P6RGo-KRpRPu3NSQd_KgOJHotDoxysyqDjjcuGTLe4COn1ss6ntuNOZEpddDCxtKkNVG8WMUBfKptP3xJkH_zTmd_a_B2TzCnE1yB2kRnVhF2Vp3SOa_mqyCp2by5VXAOQzVbOm3tEXl-5Q" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="340" /></span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 18pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 79px; overflow: hidden; width: 315px;"><img alt="A collage of pictures of a child
Description automatically generated" height="79" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/phTJVi7hqSoMKA023uty_QS43d_LcsSYrCV5Oesp_sVPIyIMAS64wtyCPQ1gLCQNxmdDQ2lmJt_Ls7QD4sKZYgSTSLNWHZBz10Kw1AtNSsKOMUuY4K4wYWAMYdOMOsrCXe8NXYDdkOTy2MsEaX2wKw" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="315" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 18pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 212px; overflow: hidden; width: 279px;"><img height="212" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/p8QDYdfYa_W2MsvfBBm_og_GaeWl6HaOYKHHd9XV8Af8YWOh0yJKIqQNMFFF485B22QqCuuskZXj_oelsI2uJZwiWNJt262SM1O9LO3I61w0GjUrZQ_Qn4HyklJWGk6tGQgtroEPpNo3QTFzfC7mqw" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="279" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-5be924cf-7fff-9b4c-c573-02908c1f8a5f" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 18pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 96px; overflow: hidden; width: 309px;"><img height="96" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/tIT81EK4aWBiDyMNn0oKVubEIwR_18zpIctPhOXY1pc7nfSnPk7UO4K-ilFiF95m8P8Wo8Bj8_V23ybPt9XsMShgSkfRF-Uz8zS4bRX7R4au76RlID4o4rgenBau8lj2YwpcDiwuATfYbFXaSVtm_A" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="309" /></span></span></p>
<p><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anything else you’d like to say about your book?</span></strong></p>
<p><em>Going There</em>, Tales from the Riviera and Beyond is a new venture for me. Although I have always used my research trips to develop the backgrounds for my novels, this is my first travel memoir. Working in the short story genre is also something of a departure me. I have loved the experience of going to new places--both in my travel and my writing and am thrilled that it has given me the opportunity to meet new readers. </p>
<p>Thank you so much for letting me be your guest today. Readers who would like more information can see all my work, as well as pictures from my research albums and my garden on my website: https://www.donnafletchercrow.com/ </p>
</div><p>
</p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"></span>
<p></p><p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"> </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Going-There-Tales-Riviera-Beyond-ebook/dp/B0CPHBRVJH?ref_=ast_author_mpb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="289" height="57" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPWt2fq7NjjY54mZNElFIIKk4MexaT6HMNG7WAPvNBWcyXgtVwyTgsHX4FXlVGjjk7FG96PlFaxoSf8j-bOz6XHj4t56QSwkD02XNCHL5gnV5N0BI2ER93N333Gnh7_PywZ52_rHH5o6RgsqMHAnhS4w6Ykhtj-1Es948oceu7Uw1dGescCH91rkZTA/s1600/CLICK%20HERE%20TO%20PURCHASE.jpg" width="289" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631291733748413376.post-22888492451786339322024-01-15T21:00:00.000-08:002024-01-15T21:00:00.132-08:00❀New Historical Biography Book Alert❀: Echoes of a Voice for Justice by Anita Hackley Lambert<p> </p><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name"></h3>
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<p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7WhvO8y1omd8NvT0DYk7CcNMKwYVvrWGjLHLH4v_yT6eyS8Zf0iVEfkYnIkKFGCrV9Ug8q_xINjTKlwCyC5IE5qi44iEL7hp4oyV1rqVNK4VR45GuKaERyN1nXtYXy7lDSM_1Pc8-ZEcP8jo1QxY8ckXpr9Xrf0E5lq3GfgiAy7ohY9isk4oqdJlLJEi/s716/Echoes%20of%20a%20Voice%20for%20Justice%20lg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="489" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7WhvO8y1omd8NvT0DYk7CcNMKwYVvrWGjLHLH4v_yT6eyS8Zf0iVEfkYnIkKFGCrV9Ug8q_xINjTKlwCyC5IE5qi44iEL7hp4oyV1rqVNK4VR45GuKaERyN1nXtYXy7lDSM_1Pc8-ZEcP8jo1QxY8ckXpr9Xrf0E5lq3GfgiAy7ohY9isk4oqdJlLJEi/s320/Echoes%20of%20a%20Voice%20for%20Justice%20lg.png" width="219" /></a></div>Title: Echoes of a Voice for Justice</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt;"> Author: Anita Hackley Lambert</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt;"> Publisher: HLE Publishing</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt;"> Pages: 296</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt;"> Genre: Historical Biography<br /></span><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Experience
the extraordinary life of Barry Antonio Murray, an unwavering champion
for the progressive Black movement of the post-Reconstruction era. Ms.
Lambert masterfully tells the riveting tale of this unsung civil rights
activist, influential publisher, and uncompromising editor in this
historic biography. Uncovering a 50-year-old family secret, Ms.
Lambert’s captivating narrative begins at her book's debut, where chance
encounters forever altered her life. Delve into Barry Murray’s legacy,
his ties to F.H.M. Murray, a civil rights trailblazer and the
great-grandfather he never knew—yet, walked in his shoes. Readers gain
insights into the nation’s racial divide and witness the heart-wrenching
conclusion and his questionable sudden death. This captivating
biography sheds light on Barry’s remarkable journey, celebrating his
unwavering activism, pursuit of justice, and empowerment of the
community. This saga intertwines history, personal struggles, and family
secrets, leaving an indelible mark on readers, showcasing the
indomitable spirit of one man’s triumphs and divine destiny.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><em>“Barry
was one of those Black people who was loyal to his belief in the need
to sacrifice for full Black freedom. People like him often make great
sacrifices but do not benefit from their sacrifices. He never got
rewarded by the community for his service to the community – most never
do. If we all lived as Barry did we would be free.” -- </em><strong><em>Wayne Young, Editor of Port of Harlem Magazine</em></strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><strong>Buy Link:</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3T8UDka"><strong>Amazon</strong></a></span></p><p></p><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Cherry Swash"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: 'Cherry Swash'; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Book Excerpt</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i></i></p><blockquote><h2 class="wp-block-heading"><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em style="font-weight: normal;">Prologue</em></h2>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Echoes of a Divine Encounter</span></h1>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">God blessed me, then set me up to bless me again. </span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">Call it an omen if you like. I know better. It was a clear
demonstration of God's favor in my life, as He has always been present.
In His infinite wisdom, the Holy Spirit sent a message to my spirit,
assuring me that great things would transpire once my book, <em>F.H.M. Murray: First Biography of a Forgotten Pioneer for Civil Justice</em> was released. Little did I know how astonishingly accurate that message would prove to be. </span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">As a first-time author entering the arena of Pulitzer Prize-winning
authors, the journey behind the creation of this book is remarkable in
itself. Allow me to indulge in a few eventful affirmations leading to
this book.</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">Revelation At Harpers Ferry</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">DAY 1. Over three remarkable days, I experienced an
extraordinary blessing. The journey began with a captivating audience of
history enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the scholarly presentation of my
book. Hosting the event was none other than the talented actor and
orator, Fred Morsel, adding an extra layer of prestige to the occasion.</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">DAY 2. The second day brought an unforgettable
collaboration as I joined forces with the esteemed Dr. Henry Lewis
Gates. Together, he and our volunteer group embarked on a historical
reenactment that transported us back in time, allowing us to breathe
life into the past. The experience was nothing short of awe-inspiring.</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">DAY 3. As the event's third and final day unfolded,
it delivered an exceptional finale that surpassed all expectations.
Amidst a captivating photo shoot, I had the incredible honor of meeting
the Pulitzer Prize-winning author and esteemed historian, David Levering
Lewis. His approval of my book was a momentous validation, solidifying
its significance in the literary world. Furthermore, I had the pleasure
of engaging with readers and selling and signing copies of my book--an
experience that felt like a dream come true for a first-time author.</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">But the wonders did not end there. On this very same day, I had the
privilege of capturing memories alongside the illustrious Dr. DuBois
Irving, the great-granddaughter of the legendary W.E.B. DuBois, as well
as Reverend Walter Fauntroy. It was a surreal convergence of influential
figures embodying the legacy and impact of the subject I had delved
into within my book.</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">In retrospect, I realized how mistaken I was to believe that the day
couldn't get any better. This trifecta of days had become the pinnacle
of a first-time author's aspirations, a once-in-a-lifetime culmination
of success, connections, and reflective experiences. It was an
unforgettable chapter in my life, ever etched in my memory.</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">The true purpose behind our fateful meeting that day in Harpers
Ferry, West Virginia became crystal clear, and its significance can
never be underestimated. It felt as if the forces of destiny were at
work, orchestrating every detail. Joan Anderson and her daughter Kelly
had embarked on a journey with a singular objective in mind: to find me
and engage in a discussion. Their presence was no mere coincidence; they
sought me out with a determination reminiscent of an eagle's relentless
pursuit of its prey.</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">As they made their way across the paved courtyard towards me, I
immediately sensed an air of urgency and purpose. Joan, with a
noticeable limp and relying on a cane for support, locked eyes with me.
The tremor in her voice betrayed her emotional state as she began to
speak. What she revealed next left me utterly stunned. "My son, Barry,
has been a closely guarded family secret for half a century," she
confessed. Her words hung heavy in the air. "He is none other than
F.H.M. Murray's great-grandson. He shares a bloodline with you."</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sensing the watchful eyes of curious onlookers, Joan guided me away
from the crowd, creating a cocoon of privacy amidst the bustling
celebration. She revealed that other family members were in attendance,
yet she chose to trust me, a stranger, with her most painful secret. As
she spoke, her words carried a weight of sincere love and immeasurable
loss. It was palpable how deeply she cherished her son and the
devastation she felt in his absence. </span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">The burden she had carried for so long was finally lifted, and she entrusted it to me, a confidant she had only just met.</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">In that moment, the weight of generations converged, extraordinarily
intertwining our lives. The revelation brought forth a deep sense of
connection as if a hidden mystery of familial ties had been unveiled.
Our encounter was far more than a chance meeting—it was a cosmic
convergence guided by an unseen hand. It was as if the universe itself
conspired to bring us together, weaving together our shared heritage and
the legacy of our ancestors.</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">I sat in awe as Joan continued to unveil the depths of her long-held
secret, her words flowing uninterrupted. It was as if she bore the
weight of this revelation for years, and now she was resolute in her
purpose. There was a certainty in her voice, an insightful understanding
of the task before her. With a firm determination, she looked directly
into my eyes as if she could anticipate my very thoughts.</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">You have been chosen," she declared, her gaze piercing into the depths of my soul, "to write Barry's story."</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">At that moment, the weight of responsibility and privilege
intertwined. For over fifty years, the truth about Freeman Murray's
audacious fight for African-Americans had remained buried, neglected by
historians and authors who failed to uncover his significant
contributions. Yet, she believed that I, and only I, possessed the
ability to breathe life into Barry's legacy, to connect him to his
Murray lineage, and to share his untold journey with the world. Joan was
adamant, unyielding in her conviction that it was my divine purpose to
write Barry's biography.</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">An inexplicable connection enveloped us instantaneously as if the
threads of fate had bound our lives together across the ages. It felt as
though I had stumbled upon the long-lost sister I had conjured in my
childhood fantasies. Joan articulated that our bond symbolized her
"freedom," a newfound purpose that propelled her forward. As I grappled
with the weight of this extraordinary opportunity, I contemplated
whether I dared embrace an encounter that would bind me by an
unbreakable oath while simultaneously liberating her.</span></p><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">Though cognizant of the commitment that awaited me, I recognized it
as a remarkable honor to undertake. The magnitude of this chance was too
extraordinary to overlook. It held the promise of a cherished
friendship, a sisterhood forged in the depths of shared secrets, a bond
of cousinhood, and the revelation of a hidden familial legacy. Moreover,
it presented an unparalleled opportunity to craft yet another
captivating book, exceeding my wildest aspirations. The first book had
merely set the stage, but this authorized biography, bestowed upon me
like precious rubies, was a treasure of immeasurable worth. It came
accompanied by invaluable documentation, slashing through the dense
thicket of research and providing a shortcut to truth.</span></p>
</div><p></p></blockquote></h2><p style="text-align: left;"></p></blockquote><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19.9733px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">About the Author</span></span><br /></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: Cherry Swash; font-size: 18px;"></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCT25-RvWpoNPuP35eo9NFpc0t0mpIr2yCDual6tVKlPZ3SvjFY5qJoV9CmaVxdXCd2ui_2DO6D8rNyHPLtYE4Y3MqiETg2m73xtiRvJeTwqsGsxa-LdiEOrVR-w6v9Zde61GXiTiJv2xQVtVx_2HBLm_bAeUbq0I2joOFtNQa8aUDQIWP2a3zhb2gBX9/s563/Anita%20Hackley%20Lambert.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="560" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCT25-RvWpoNPuP35eo9NFpc0t0mpIr2yCDual6tVKlPZ3SvjFY5qJoV9CmaVxdXCd2ui_2DO6D8rNyHPLtYE4Y3MqiETg2m73xtiRvJeTwqsGsxa-LdiEOrVR-w6v9Zde61GXiTiJv2xQVtVx_2HBLm_bAeUbq0I2joOFtNQa8aUDQIWP2a3zhb2gBX9/s320/Anita%20Hackley%20Lambert.png" width="318" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ms.
Lambert, a distinguished genealogist, historian, and biographer,
achieved historical acclaim with her inaugural book, praised by
luminaries such as Pulitzer Prize-winner David Levering Lewis and
historian Charles Patterson. As an unrivaled familial authority, she
penned insightful biographies of visionary businessmen and civil rights
champions F.H.M. Murray and Barry A. Murray. Nestled in the Appalachian
Mountains of West Virginia with her husband, Ms. Lambert continues her
literary journey, poised to add two more captivating biographies and
contribute to a quartet of nonfiction gems, that showcases her
unwavering commitment to illuminating the human experience.</span><p></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><strong>Author Links </strong> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.anitahackleylambert.com">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/AnitaLambe49625/">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Anita-Hackley-Lambert-Author/61552071992665/">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/anitahackleylambertauthor/">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.googlereads.com/author/show/718627.Anita_Hackley_Lambert">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://linkedin.con/in/anita-hackley-lambert-148021a/">LinkedIn</a></span></p><p><br /></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631291733748413376.post-1416557374963530812023-12-14T14:54:00.000-08:002023-12-14T14:54:00.244-08:00❀New Crime Fiction Book Alert❀: Her Dying Kiss: Detective Katie Scott Book 10 by Jennifer Chase<p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXba6BXDGkS4MCk1HrCzBzWixwWAVd_LkTpB0z4HyzsCP0hcu-YbekEtP3YLuoVHj6nK9-KYjs1BfBw5hV93GJG3bPXK7_LHLZJQH640f7xC7smBxElTq0TOHPPdlCH3r6H3XVC7l15I6XgyJG5QEtxfBcDdOFaPPPJoxR83nCU9B9uG55gOhcnjBca8P/s2339/Her%20Dying%20Kiss%20lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="1524" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXba6BXDGkS4MCk1HrCzBzWixwWAVd_LkTpB0z4HyzsCP0hcu-YbekEtP3YLuoVHj6nK9-KYjs1BfBw5hV93GJG3bPXK7_LHLZJQH640f7xC7smBxElTq0TOHPPdlCH3r6H3XVC7l15I6XgyJG5QEtxfBcDdOFaPPPJoxR83nCU9B9uG55gOhcnjBca8P/s320/Her%20Dying%20Kiss%20lg.jpg" width="208" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Title: Her Dying Kiss: Detective Katie Scott Book 10</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> Author: Jennifer Chase</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> Publisher: Bookouture</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> Pages: 370</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> Genre:Crime Thriller<br /></span><p></p><p></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: Cherry Swash; font-size: 18px;">She
wakes to the dawn light streaming through the window and rolls over to
whisper good morning to her fiancé. But panic floods her veins. His side
of the bed is empty and cold. Blood trails towards the open door. All
trace of him is gone…</span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: Cherry Swash; font-size: 18px;">It’s
been one month since Detective Katie Scott’s fiancé, Chad, went missing
without a trace. Devastated Katie is still working tirelessly day and
night to track down the love of her life, barely sleeping and chasing
every new lead. But now the case has gone cold.</span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: Cherry Swash; font-size: 18px;">When
the body of beautiful Gina Hartfield is discovered among the pine
needles in a clearing on Lookout Ridge, Katie swallows her own pain and
knows she must focus on finding Gina’s killer. The young woman was found
with a pink velvet blindfold shading the hollows where her eyes had
been removed. Katie is certain she is chasing a sadistic individual who
will soon take another life…</span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: Cherry Swash; font-size: 18px;">But
the autopsy reveals Gina’s body was washed before being abandoned,
leaving no trace of evidence behind. And with no witnesses to Gina’s
disappearance, the women of Pine Valley are terrified to go out alone.</span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: Cherry Swash; font-size: 18px;">Desperately
combing the crime scene, when Katie sees a newspaper article about her
previous cases pinned to a nearby tree, she is certain Gina’s murder is
personal. Then tire tracks found in the forest are matched to a truck
seen following Chad in the days leading up to his disappearance. Katie’s
blood runs cold.</span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: Cherry Swash; font-size: 18px;">Is
there a link between Chad’s disappearance and Gina’s brutal murder, or
is the killer playing a twisted game with Katie? Can she find out the
truth before they take another life?</span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: Cherry Swash; font-size: 18px;">Here’s what critics are saying about <b><i>Her Dying Kiss</i></b>!</span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: Cherry Swash; font-size: 18px;"><i>“I
couldn’t put it down… action-packed with excellent plot twists… I had
no idea what was coming next… so gripped with many twists and turns.”</i> <b>Goodreads reviewe</b>r</span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: Cherry Swash; font-size: 18px;"><i>“Excellent,
nail-biting thriller with a plot that’s had me enthralled from page
one… I’ve been gripped through each twist and turn… jaw-dropping and
totally unexpected… brilliant.”</i> <b>NetGalley reviewer</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Cherry Swash; font-size: 20px;"><b>Buy Links:</b></span></p><p>
</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Swash; font-size: 18px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Her-Dying-Kiss-addictive-Detective-ebook/dp/B0C43HX694/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Jennifer+Chase&qid=1694716344&sr=8-3"><b>Amazon</b></a><b> | </b><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/her-dying-kiss-jennifer-chase/1143739504"><b>Barnes & Noble</b></a><b> | </b><a href="https://bookouture.com/books/3074/"><b>Bookouture</b></a></span></p><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Cherry Swash"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: 'Cherry Swash'; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Book Excerpt</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i></i></p><blockquote><h2 class="wp-block-heading"><blockquote><p><span style="font-weight: normal;">Chapter One</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">One Month Later</span></p>
<p><em style="font-weight: normal;">Tuesday 1130 hours</em></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">There was a dead body, which was
the focus of the synchronized police search. A deceased woman had been
found by the utility company during their routine check and maintenance
of the meters along the roadway. The body was efficiently wrapped in a
large piece of dark brown burlap that had been rolled several times
leaving only her head exposed. If not looking closely you would
misinterpret the body dump for some type of discarded rug.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">The victim was a brunette woman
with long, perfectly combed hair with the strands resting on the burlap.
At first, it seemed she was relaxed and had merely gone to sleep when,
in fact, there were pink velvet pieces of fabric covering her eyes, as
if shading her view of something.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">John Blackburn, Pine Valley
Sheriff’s Department’s forensic supervisor, kneeled down and carefully
lifted one of the pieces of velvet, revealing the dark empty socket the
eyeball had once occupied. The eye had been cleanly detached. It gave
the body a more macabre appearance than the usual fixed eye stares of
the dead.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">John’s face was deeply sad and his
mouth was turned down as he prepared to take a few more photos to
document the scene before the medical examiner’s office took possession.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">He carefully circled the body,
taking the appropriate photographs—overall, medium range, then
close-up—before collecting any evidence he could find. The young woman
looked to be resting as the late afternoon sunshine cast down on her
face. Her complexion, pale and ashen, appeared to be scrubbed clean,
giving her a waxy doll-like exterior. There were no evident signs of
makeup, dirt or blood on her face.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">The south district area of Pine
Valley was known for several warehouses that had been empty now for more
than six months after a manufacturing company had vacated to a newer
and more modern facility in an adjacent town. The front area to the one
where the body had been found was overgrown, the weeds a few feet tall
and garbage strewn around from where it had fallen out of an overturned,
rusted-out dumpster. The dreary grey building looked more like
emergency bunkers from a long time ago than a plant that had recently
manufactured automotive parts.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">Parked along the cracked driveway
leading to the loading docks were several police cruisers, county
vehicles and the forensic van. The main area of interest was near one of
the loading bays. There were numerous cones and flags around, marking
various pieces of evidence for photography documentation. The emergency
personnel monitored the area and were conducting grid searches and
making sure that no one was in or around the area that wasn’t supposed
to be there, in addition to searching for more potential evidence.
Everyone moved with precision and unity for the common goal of
maintaining the crime scene.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">“What do you think, John?” asked
Detective McGaven. His towering height made him noticeable from a
distance. His badge and gun were attached to his belt. “Is it the same
as the other at Lookout Ridge?”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">John walked up to the detective
and nodded slowly. “We won’t know for sure until the body is unrolled
and examined under controlled conditions, and I can run some tests… but,
the signature appears to be similar if not the same, with the removed
eyes.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">McGaven scratched his head, still
observing the latest victim. His thoughts returned to his partner,
Detective Katie Scott, and how he wished she were there examining the
crime scene. Her perspective, instincts, and experience over the past
year and half had been more than exemplary—her methods sometimes
bordering on unorthodox, but always getting results. He had left several
messages for her in hopes that she would open communications and
ultimately return to work. His expression was solemn. It was as if a
part of him was missing without her. He wanted to go to her house, but
respected her need for privacy at this difficult time.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">“Wish Katie was here?” said John watching the detective closely.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">McGaven looked at the forensic supervisor and nodded. “How’d you know?”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">“I feel it too. It seems strange not having her here.” He gazed around the area as if he expected to see Katie appear.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">“Anything new with this scene?”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">John shook his head. “Not that I can see right now. But we’ll know more soon.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">McGaven was disappointed, but knew
that John would do everything he could to find any evidence. The last
thing the detective wanted was for these homicides to go cold. He turned
away and saw Detective Hamilton speaking with the utility workers. It
wasn’t his optimum partnership, but he respected the detective and would
overlook personality differences to make it work. “Thanks, John,” he
said as he walked away, moving carefully around the area, looking for
possible entrances and exit locations of the killer.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">A young blonde woman with short
hair was bent over taking a tire impression with a type of dental stone,
waiting for it to harden. She looked up when McGaven approached. “Hi,
Detective,” she said and smiled.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">“How’s it going, Eva?”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">“Good. This is my third
impression. Two were consistent to each other and this one is different
and definitely older. It’s probably not the killer’s, but John said we
needed to be thorough.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">McGaven nodded. “I agree. If this
crime scene is connected to the other one at Lookout Ridge, then we need
the evidence to tie them together.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">“Ten-four,” she said and continued her task.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">McGaven saw that Hamilton was
speaking with the officers first on the scene so he took the opportunity
to check out around the building. Everything was extremely overgrown,
looking more as though it had been abandoned for years, not months. The
weeds were extremely tall and had folded over due to their height and
weight. There was an area where pallets, recyclable materials, and
miscellaneous pieces of metal equipment had been stacked in the deserted
area.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">Still walking carefully, he was
trying not to step on something potentially hazardous or possibly
evidence-oriented. The further he walked the quieter it became—the
voices around the crime scene seemed to settle to a low hum as he
studied the back area. The sun was high and beat down on him making
perspiration trickle down his back. He kept walking, but nothing
appeared out of the ordinary. He thought about what Katie would do—he
had been with her at many crime scenes and knew she would try to get a
sense of the area, to look for places where the killer might have been.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">The back of the building looked
much like the front except more weather-beaten. The grey paint faded in
areas and the windows on the second floor were dirty with some broken
out. He observed the inconsistencies of the exterior of the building.
Even though there wasn’t any graffiti to deface the area, the elements
had caused rough and weathered places resembling an industrial mosaic
appearance.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">As he perused the area, he noticed
a trail where weeds had been trampled, not by animals, but by something
bigger. A person. Stopping in his tracks, he systematically scanned the
area. There were no other signs indicating disruption to the weeds, so
he cautiously moved forward. He spotted some paper or a piece of garbage
rolled up tightly and wedged into the crevice of an exterior vent. It
could have been easily missed or even dismissed, but something in
McGaven’s gut made him take notice. He was going to alert John and Eva
in order to have them search and document the area, but his instinct
drove him to verify the origins of the paper first after quickly taking a
photo of it with his cell phone.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">Taking two more steps to meet up
with the wall, he retrieved his gloves and slipped them on, and then
carefully touched the paper. Leaning in, McGaven noticed that it
appeared to be consistent to ordinary computer paper that had something
printed on it. It wasn’t weathered and the printing was dark and
readable. In fact, the paper appeared to be recent.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">McGaven gently unrolled the paper.
The condition and edges were as if it had been placed recently – there
were no folds or fragile areas. As he continued to unroll it, he saw it
was an article most likely printed from the internet. To his shock, the
title read: <em>Pine Valley Detectives Solve Three Murders in Coldwater Creek.</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">McGaven took a step back—his
senses were now heightened as he glanced around, surmising that the
killer had placed this article for them to find.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">Why?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">Was it the killer’s calling card? Was he taunting the police?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">Was there another article hidden at the previous crime scene at Lookout Ridge they had missed?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: normal;">The article concerned the last
case that he and Katie had worked in a neighboring town. All the details
flowed through his mind. It had been tough and dangerous. He carefully
replaced the paper where he had found it and hurried to alert John.</span></p></blockquote></h2><p style="text-align: left;"></p></blockquote><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 19.9733px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">About the Author</span></span><br /></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: Cherry Swash; font-size: 18px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Hi-suqiKcPp2gCu4BTUDsAxjXCeZYWAcHbEj4j5tPgdHLFRpS0xi_83um8REnlRG_0_BxOU-KbwxyCNbU9RHAmj7lGfBGS11hc1rLLoLPAx8NaBQwAEg9KSDa0qFjJzAy0p5Y-8h0J9WeaU9EDLMqx3lVgvkP2PUOuJNmJEMT4gby5ViFjVSVeGXC1zb/s469/Jennifer%20Chase%20author.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="421" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Hi-suqiKcPp2gCu4BTUDsAxjXCeZYWAcHbEj4j5tPgdHLFRpS0xi_83um8REnlRG_0_BxOU-KbwxyCNbU9RHAmj7lGfBGS11hc1rLLoLPAx8NaBQwAEg9KSDa0qFjJzAy0p5Y-8h0J9WeaU9EDLMqx3lVgvkP2PUOuJNmJEMT4gby5ViFjVSVeGXC1zb/s320/Jennifer%20Chase%20author.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>Jennifer
Chase is a multi award-winning and USA Today Best Selling crime fiction
author, as well as a consulting criminologist. Jennifer holds a
bachelor degree in police forensics and a master’s degree in criminology
& criminal justice. These academic pursuits developed out of her
curiosity about the criminal mind as well as from her own experience
with a violent psychopath, providing Jennifer with deep personal
investment in every story she tells. In addition, she holds
certifications in serial crime and criminal profiling.<br />
<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 21px;"><b>Author Links </b> </span></p><p>
</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><a href="https://authorjenniferchase.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/search?search=jennifer+chase">BookBub</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/jchasenovelist">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJenniferChase">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jenchaseauthor/">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2780337.Jennifer_Chase">Goodreads</a></span></p><p></p><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631291733748413376.post-83796709560371908682023-11-12T21:00:00.000-08:002023-11-13T04:55:58.940-08:00❀New Children's Book Alert❀: Scrapper's Christmas Story by Maria J. Andrade #ScrappersChristmasStory<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJjMtbqusK6Yl9AoDwsiVpZotloV171d_nIYdlfMPquHF3F2SqjbmN4jzWJnNfdYXOqmdjrza85hfpzBNZON2D68rwmPk43by4BAsyC4rJs7a5FV4awpFex7ZQLSesiBTwFdjBxmOqmqNagvGrWYJG3PAfzC5WeUn0Th2OpZOKEpmmH0cOsf4AzsVG29n/s1250/Scrapper's%20Christmas%20Story%20lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJjMtbqusK6Yl9AoDwsiVpZotloV171d_nIYdlfMPquHF3F2SqjbmN4jzWJnNfdYXOqmdjrza85hfpzBNZON2D68rwmPk43by4BAsyC4rJs7a5FV4awpFex7ZQLSesiBTwFdjBxmOqmqNagvGrWYJG3PAfzC5WeUn0Th2OpZOKEpmmH0cOsf4AzsVG29n/s320/Scrapper's%20Christmas%20Story%20lg.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div><h2 id="docs-internal-guid-580d7d28-7fff-0026-bbb9-38580b77c0d5" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Gabriela; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Title: Scrapper's Christmas Story</span></span></h2><h2 style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Gabriela; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Author: Maria J. Andrade</span></span></h2><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Publication Date: November 18, 2022</span></span></p><h2 style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Gabriela; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Pages: 36</span></span></h2><h2 style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: Gabriela; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Genre: Children's Fiction</span></span></h2>
<p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-ce6eaf03-7fff-3a80-6ff9-231a101bf8df" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela; font-size: large; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-ce6eaf03-7fff-3a80-6ff9-231a101bf8df" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela; font-size: large; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Ever wonder why there are “mews” in “amewzing”?</span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-ce6eaf03-7fff-3a80-6ff9-231a101bf8df" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela; font-size: large; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-ce6eaf03-7fff-3a80-6ff9-231a101bf8df" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 6pt;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela; font-size: large; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This collection of cat poems will tickle your whiskers and your funny bone.
They’re the purr-fect way to brighten your day and celebrate the furry friends in your life.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: large; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: large; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Prepare to laugh out loud as you read about cat adventures with magnets, candles, strawberry milkshakes, and plush balls—but don’t let me ruin the surprise, you’ll have to read to find out! </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: large; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 6pt;"><span style="font-size: large; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Get ready to laugh your tail off!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 6pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela; font-size: large;">Buy Links:</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CG4SWS5P" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Amazon</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> | </span><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1144095515" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Barnes & Noble</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> | </span><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/catnip-plushie-balls-and-q-tips" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Kobo</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> | </span><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/catnip-plushie-balls-and-q-tips/id6467057280" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Apple</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> | </span><a href="https://www.scribd.com/book/672356868" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Scribd</span></a><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> | </span><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1454247?ref=" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Smashwords</span></a></span></p></div><div><p></p><p></p><p></p></div><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Cherry Swash"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Book Excerpt</span></b></p><p><i></i></p><blockquote>
<div><h2 class="wp-block-heading"><i style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1a1a1b; font-family: Gabriela; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The magnets are so cute</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1a1a1b; font-family: Gabriela; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">that I must knock them off</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1a1a1b; font-family: Gabriela; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">but get yelled at for this,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1a1a1b; font-family: Gabriela; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">so the new approach is soft.</span></p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1a1a1b; font-family: Gabriela; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I sit by the fridge</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1a1a1b; font-family: Gabriela; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">staring at those squares</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1a1a1b; font-family: Gabriela; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">and when Human isn’t looking</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1a1a1b; font-family: Gabriela; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I lick with tongue hairs.</span></p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1a1a1b; font-family: Gabriela; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">All was going good</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1a1a1b; font-family: Gabriela; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">until one was quite sticky</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1a1a1b; font-family: Gabriela; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">leaving a bad taste,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1a1a1b; font-family: Gabriela; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">and I’m not so picky.</span></p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1a1a1b; font-family: Gabriela; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I bite at the air</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1a1a1b; font-family: Gabriela; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">to get rid of the taste</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1a1a1b; font-family: Gabriela; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">then knock down that magnet;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1a1a1b; font-family: Gabriela; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">good riddance, post-haste.**</span></p></span></i></h2><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></h2></div>
</blockquote><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">About the Author</span></p><div><p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHtdJy1FHIMAagcQ1HtITI3AHDoPm1yLPl-RoxDuSeNIucEFjcxvY8Gn9NYuiKVzFcgvPD9MfK42TdbpVZfmUtAxXN77YjnUzCDU_w6ZetO2x8LVD2YbMggiiZgcrSU3MXDoDZL0MXKQeBnoQBCNNwZ5mCDsbpQHJnA6ZUBV70paqeKWd68kHNrcyYt5j/s640/M.G.%20Rorai%20author.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="640" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHtdJy1FHIMAagcQ1HtITI3AHDoPm1yLPl-RoxDuSeNIucEFjcxvY8Gn9NYuiKVzFcgvPD9MfK42TdbpVZfmUtAxXN77YjnUzCDU_w6ZetO2x8LVD2YbMggiiZgcrSU3MXDoDZL0MXKQeBnoQBCNNwZ5mCDsbpQHJnA6ZUBV70paqeKWd68kHNrcyYt5j/s320/M.G.%20Rorai%20author.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />M.G. Rorai enjoys hanging with her cats and annoying her husband. Her latest book is Catnip, Plushie Balls, and Q-Tips.<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela; font-size: large;"><b>Author Links </b> </span></p><p>
</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela; font-size: large;"><a href="https://wrathofkitties.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wrathofkittieswriting">Facebook</a></span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631291733748413376.post-31823408053035113192023-10-01T21:00:00.001-07:002023-10-01T21:00:00.166-07:00Book Cover Junkie Interviews Self Help Author Jamie Linn Saloff<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Gabriela; font-size: 14pt;"><strong></strong></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LZMnep4BNoaOVQOVlAbbF90ZLCpyuJgFI3bEjm-10yB9yMJMxwwpEopucxKmLxg-iPuiE0sfoRSeVuSs1VZi8E5b8ZaJwUfuwyW6se3E-E790nLse05xWCtgUO0e1Toy1WlMkrfGL-kyLWg0jukKerYp1SKq1AuPd2ynEUG0DmvyWyljHi_Y_0xkRUC3/s410/Jamie%20Saloff%20author.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="410" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LZMnep4BNoaOVQOVlAbbF90ZLCpyuJgFI3bEjm-10yB9yMJMxwwpEopucxKmLxg-iPuiE0sfoRSeVuSs1VZi8E5b8ZaJwUfuwyW6se3E-E790nLse05xWCtgUO0e1Toy1WlMkrfGL-kyLWg0jukKerYp1SKq1AuPd2ynEUG0DmvyWyljHi_Y_0xkRUC3/s320/Jamie%20Saloff%20author.jpg" width="320" /></a></strong></div><strong>Jamie Linn Saloff</strong>
is passionate about aiding fiercely independent, misfit, square pegs
trapped in an unfulfilling life. Author, teacher, story weaver,
spiritual counselor, seer of visions, pathfinder, for over thirty years
Jamie’s taught how to reignite your heart by listening to your body
groan and your soul weep. She is the author of twelve books including <em>Hatch: A Change Your Life Guide</em> and her <em>Marvelous Messages™</em> series.<br />
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Gabriela; font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Author Links </strong> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Gabriela; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.MarvelousMessages.com">Website</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JamieSaloff">Facebook</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/JamieLSaloff">Facebook Author Page</a> | <a href="http://twitter.com/JamieSaloff">Twitter</a> | <a href="http://instagram.com/jamie_saloff">Instagram</a> | <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiesaloff">LinkedIn</a> | <a href="https://tinyurl.com/38dknc49">Amazon Profile</a></span></p><p></p><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b> </b></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b>Interview:</b></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b> </b></span></span></span></div><p>
</p><p><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;">Tell us about your book, <em>Hatch: A Change Your Life Guide</em>! What inspired you to write it?</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">I struggled a lot with finding my place in life. I didn’t seem to fit into normal circles of friends. As I began to find my path, my life broke wide open. Amazing things began to happen. I knew I wanted to share what I’d learned with others. I wanted them to know, no matter what you’ve been through—illness, trauma, grief, etc. These are the things that </span><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkbqLe-5C4EP7T2aZzV3A7wwXYxEuPGyOCusrkcbGG0DCLGUffMm9dhmtdAQ300ss375r6Aui8oyGdIVLBKEOxG0RQA6_gv6_omxl_m1zVu6bpsmEcJW-xssmP2TqLsM7Bqi5Gur9AdyTIr3KXH0_mr_PaKOwcM4HnaRubW9cqrTmKDysfIMOAUP8-bIM/s534/Hatch%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="435" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkbqLe-5C4EP7T2aZzV3A7wwXYxEuPGyOCusrkcbGG0DCLGUffMm9dhmtdAQ300ss375r6Aui8oyGdIVLBKEOxG0RQA6_gv6_omxl_m1zVu6bpsmEcJW-xssmP2TqLsM7Bqi5Gur9AdyTIr3KXH0_mr_PaKOwcM4HnaRubW9cqrTmKDysfIMOAUP8-bIM/w326-h400/Hatch%20cover.jpg" width="326" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><br />make us who we are and guide you to who you were meant to be. Having been in a place where I never believed life could get better, I couldn’t rest until I shared how I changed my path’s trajectory and turned it for good. I found myself utterly driven to share my story to help others so they too could follow their heart and make their life the best it could be.</span><p></p>
<p><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;">How did you choose the title for your book? Did it come to you right away, before you started writing it, or did it come later?</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">This book went through many transitions. As I mentioned above, I’ve always had a difficult time finding my place. I think I started out being too shy and afraid to be fully open about my own experiences. In fact, a funny story, I had planned to write under a pseudonym. I didn’t want to embarrass my family or cause harm to my husband’s career. And just prior to the publication of that book, four different people approached me, unbeknownst to the others, and told me to publish under my own name—my husband included. I do a lot of work with word meanings. I like words that have multiple meanings or uses. I liked the connotation of people who may feel stuck or trapped in their life, (like the shell of an egg), how they might need an “escape hatch” or, more likely, needed to realize that outside of the life they feel trapped in, is a whole other world “out there” waiting for them if, like a tiny bird, they just “hatch.” </span></p>
<p><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;"> </strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pUjD16bJt9RQHSXX62nQKDCJY_YSueKMEP0ApZqwrAvmT038CXemHq05G8idUbjyaO0-jn55bt-QQSulUGEC7HP6Chpf0Rhyphenhyphen8zt6YIj732x6vk7jilxc77vqMGFCbIqtTrRjPkiO-5KShP3KSQBx3QotJoYvSLzObnDesmept1frEqY8lMiJSC6a6dkV/s640/Hatch%2022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pUjD16bJt9RQHSXX62nQKDCJY_YSueKMEP0ApZqwrAvmT038CXemHq05G8idUbjyaO0-jn55bt-QQSulUGEC7HP6Chpf0Rhyphenhyphen8zt6YIj732x6vk7jilxc77vqMGFCbIqtTrRjPkiO-5KShP3KSQBx3QotJoYvSLzObnDesmept1frEqY8lMiJSC6a6dkV/w508-h381/Hatch%2022.jpg" width="508" /></a></strong></div><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;"><br /></strong><p></p><p><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;">Tell us about the cover design process. Did you have a basic idea of what your book cover would be like? </strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">I love designs that pop, particularly using contrasting colors and ideas that grab the reader right away. However, I had gone through several designs on <em>Hatch</em> without finding the right one. I went to bed one night and dreamt of a baby swan coming out of the door of a spaceship. (Think <em>Close Encounters of the Third Kind</em> with light emanating from the hatch of the ship and people and beings emerging from the doorway. It didn’t take long to realize I only had an inkling of an idea and that the spaceship wasn’t going to work. From there, I began looking at stock images. Because I sought bursts of light, the search engine showed me all sorts of objects and designs that matched the keywords “light bursts” and the like. I found the eggs designed by Elymas, and they grabbed me. They just felt right. The baby swan (by Lifeonwhite) ended up on the back cover of the print edition. I’ve been chided for putting it there. (All I can say is it makes sense if you read the book.) </span></p>
<p><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;">Who is your cover designer and how did you find him/her?</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">I did my own cover. I don’t recommend that in most cases. However, I have been consulting on covers for over twenty years, have won cover awards, live with an artist-minded husband, and have a cover-designing son who is always ready to tell me where I went wrong. I’ve been blessed to work with some tremendous cover designers over the years. I’m always learning new things. </span></p>
<p><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;">What has been the readers’ response to your cover?</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">When I showed the cover to someone I had been mentoring with, I was told it was all wrong. I also got the impression she had shared the cover with a colleague and that together, they thought it was silly. I showed her some research I had done on the colors and styles in my genre. She tried to disagree. In speaking with her, she recommended almost the exact cover I had on my book called <em>Transformational Healing</em>. When I showed it to her, she could do no more than to wish me luck. I knew she didn’t like it. <em>Hatch</em> is a fairly new release, so only time will tell if the cover is laughed at or understood. My hope is that readers will see the cover, relate to the concept it conveys, and know they are entering into the adventure they expect. </span></p>
<p><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;"> </strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-M1nsPMRvWYuIboQlEJrd7_qhdJZb0qb7l6dJR-1-9DqvSPPNHcb8NAomZsUfnP8Ao7WKt0WEykSOlF5ZDvywo1l4y-WDea7hy6iVW0IZMEiBH4arnHTThRirrtz9hQEZxJPHZ7SYfYN3oWVddnqu668eoKCkr1l9orShGCCiPOMA4rl94WgUBDCNpWd/s640/Hatch%2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-M1nsPMRvWYuIboQlEJrd7_qhdJZb0qb7l6dJR-1-9DqvSPPNHcb8NAomZsUfnP8Ao7WKt0WEykSOlF5ZDvywo1l4y-WDea7hy6iVW0IZMEiBH4arnHTThRirrtz9hQEZxJPHZ7SYfYN3oWVddnqu668eoKCkr1l9orShGCCiPOMA4rl94WgUBDCNpWd/w509-h382/Hatch%2020.jpg" width="509" /></a></strong></div><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;"><br /></strong><p></p><p><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;">What tips would you give to authors who are looking for a cover designer?</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">When it comes to designing a cover, most authors make two big mistakes. The first is they become too attached to their first idea. They go to a cover designer and say, “Do it exactly like this.” They lose out on the tremendous potential they have tapped into, a seasoned designer who knows what sells, what pops, what attracts attention. They need to let their designer take their idea and enhance it. If you let them, they can take it to a higher level. You’ll likely have a better cover if you let them use their imagination and expertise. Secondly, I can’t tell you how many authors find a single photo or image and then tell me they have a “cover.” Uh, no, you don’t. You have an image. The font that makes the title, the other layered items that make that image pop, and the rest of the cover items (spine, logo, barcode, company info, blurb, and more) all combined, make a cover. It’s not something your cover artist spits out in five minutes. Respect the work they have to do to make this all come together. Lastly, you can pay anywhere from $25 to $1500 or more for a cover. It’s not the price that makes the best cover. It's a cover that conveys to the reader what your book is all about without making them guess. Talk to multiple designers. You want someone who understands your concept and also knows the industry. Then give them your trust. </span></p>
<p><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;">Anything else you’d like to say about your book?</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">“Whoever you are, whatever you’ve been through, you are a being with tremendous potential.” Some periods in our lives are difficult. We may feel stuck. We may feel there’s no way it can get any better. When I look back at the different times in my life when I felt like that, if I would have stopped there, I would have missed so much. I still am amazed at all I have accomplished, experienced, and enjoyed. My hope is to show others how to bring this type of potential alive in their lives as well. </span></p>
<p></p><p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"> </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hatch-Change-Your-Life-Guide/dp/1737941902?tag=namespacebran556-20&asc_campaign=6e16b497add9c6202f291765484e6eaa&asc_source=01H4JN10JTSAPMVDHTSHW3ZHWZ&keywords=hatch+jamie+saloff&sprefix=%2Caps%2C251" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="289" height="57" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPWt2fq7NjjY54mZNElFIIKk4MexaT6HMNG7WAPvNBWcyXgtVwyTgsHX4FXlVGjjk7FG96PlFaxoSf8j-bOz6XHj4t56QSwkD02XNCHL5gnV5N0BI2ER93N333Gnh7_PywZ52_rHH5o6RgsqMHAnhS4w6Ykhtj-1Es948oceu7Uw1dGescCH91rkZTA/s1600/CLICK%20HERE%20TO%20PURCHASE.jpg" width="289" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631291733748413376.post-5319068657207984792023-09-11T21:00:00.003-07:002023-09-11T21:00:00.139-07:00Book Cover Junkie Interviews Coming-of-Age Author LJ Ambrosio<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlR1YtQclMdx7eQ-fUrmI_b3NjDuS2Kj2FtH5MQGy5cHimVh5r4gNzZQunGp09o92QyhQvZ9bMm6sQbFpl3ToreFlhI8c6pR61JXecxjOcK_SEA10pz8rB7oWLY6-y1Lf6AyCeQjvbrpN0VPWfaNFtkR31i5H5emb987KWNBflurRwfN9-XP1qBpkuc_d/s410/LJ%20Ambrosio%20author.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="410" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlR1YtQclMdx7eQ-fUrmI_b3NjDuS2Kj2FtH5MQGy5cHimVh5r4gNzZQunGp09o92QyhQvZ9bMm6sQbFpl3ToreFlhI8c6pR61JXecxjOcK_SEA10pz8rB7oWLY6-y1Lf6AyCeQjvbrpN0VPWfaNFtkR31i5H5emb987KWNBflurRwfN9-XP1qBpkuc_d/s320/LJ%20Ambrosio%20author.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Louis
J. Ambrosio ran one of the most nurturing bi-coastal talent agencies in
Los Angeles and New York. He started his career as a theatrical
producer, running two major regional theaters for eight seasons. He
taught at over 7 universities in America. Ambrosio also distinguished
himself as an award-winning film producer and novelist over the course
of his impressive career. <p></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Author Links </strong> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.ljambrosio.com">Website</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/louis.ambrosio">Facebook </a>| <a href="https://twitter.com/authorlambrosio">Twitter </a>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ljambrosioauthor/">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.tumblr.com/ljambrosio">Tumblr </a>| <a href="https://linktr.ee/ljambrosio">Universal Link</a></span></p><p></p><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b> </b></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b>Interview:</b></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b> </b></span></span></span></div><p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tell us about your book! What inspired you to write it?</b></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">It is a buddy book two men travels through western USA and
Europe. it si </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09n876YOQUYkUfpma34Qb4tgZkqb5P7bijCRAklXk_5FksVEt_n9eaeo6458d-ehRuyqnX4tu1xmb73AjZLNcgOa6RlCc6Gizu39LTsOIBYFtJ1v9KJdqJM_mCp-CpJozBWqwwltd3sg8WyeNBq3MLJHou20LT1E_GzjG4qHc0RU76rkyIDzMYAksqjHE/s562/Reflections%20book%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="378" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09n876YOQUYkUfpma34Qb4tgZkqb5P7bijCRAklXk_5FksVEt_n9eaeo6458d-ehRuyqnX4tu1xmb73AjZLNcgOa6RlCc6Gizu39LTsOIBYFtJ1v9KJdqJM_mCp-CpJozBWqwwltd3sg8WyeNBq3MLJHou20LT1E_GzjG4qHc0RU76rkyIDzMYAksqjHE/w269-h400/Reflections%20book%20cover.jpg" width="269" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />funny and tender. Very eye opening on life and death—Read
my amazon reviews to get a greater understanding.</span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: Gabriela;">How did you choose the title for your book? </b></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">What inspired me are all the people I have spoken to on benches.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: Gabriela;">Tell us about the cover design process. Did you have a basic idea of what your book cover would be like?</b></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Three images front the Notre Dame the Seine river and the two guys.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Back cover wants in a semi cartoon of two guys driving.</span><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: Gabriela;">Who is your cover designer and how did you find him/her?</b></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">He is a young (20) man from India—I found him on fiverr we work
with images I sent him. He is half finished with the new book but has
disappeared for two months the cover is done but not the back.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: Gabriela;">What has been the readers’ response to your cover?</b></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">They all love it becomes the second comment after they tell me how great the book is.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: Gabriela;">What tips would you give to authors who are looking for a cover designer?</b></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Go to fiveer the best and very affordable.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: Gabriela;">Anything else you’d like to say about your book?</b></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Read it enjoy it ---I never thought someone could have al the critical response</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">It is eye opening ---it's fun and tender</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"> </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Reflections-Boulevard-Michael-Trilogy/dp/B0C2SQ8P8K?tag=namespacebran556-20&asc_campaign=6e16b497add9c6202f291765484e6eaa&asc_source=01H4JN10JTSAPMVDHTSHW3ZHWZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="289" height="57" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPWt2fq7NjjY54mZNElFIIKk4MexaT6HMNG7WAPvNBWcyXgtVwyTgsHX4FXlVGjjk7FG96PlFaxoSf8j-bOz6XHj4t56QSwkD02XNCHL5gnV5N0BI2ER93N333Gnh7_PywZ52_rHH5o6RgsqMHAnhS4w6Ykhtj-1Es948oceu7Uw1dGescCH91rkZTA/s1600/CLICK%20HERE%20TO%20PURCHASE.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p>
</p><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631291733748413376.post-88392189922136615692023-09-11T21:00:00.001-07:002023-09-11T21:00:00.139-07:00Book Cover Junkie Interviews Children's Book Author Negrita Smart<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwoZ-34hGMjFH6d6HIVdNl0aK9nM13LRPriKmxRdoy7eCzIDxGUPOCj-ah_wMoac6LHBCUmjFbvq6WevHrv76VGrdr9EDhAyDOz7aliBrjQcI5Sv0k5pFZhg8s4vjpI5kkdOyCE01myhmBp2eh58pVuIS3zstMX_al7CnyQIrI16_KjE9uh6sM435RxBT/s430/Negrita%20Smart%20author.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="430" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwoZ-34hGMjFH6d6HIVdNl0aK9nM13LRPriKmxRdoy7eCzIDxGUPOCj-ah_wMoac6LHBCUmjFbvq6WevHrv76VGrdr9EDhAyDOz7aliBrjQcI5Sv0k5pFZhg8s4vjpI5kkdOyCE01myhmBp2eh58pVuIS3zstMX_al7CnyQIrI16_KjE9uh6sM435RxBT/s320/Negrita%20Smart%20author.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Negrita Smart is a small-town girl from Dadeville, Alabama. She is a wife, sister, believer, and teacher at heart. </span></span></span><p></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Gabriela;">The
first of her family to graduate from college, Negrita holds a Masters
in Business Administration and the insurance designation of Chartered
Property & Casualty Underwriters and holds insurance licenses in
Property and Casualty and Life and Health. She credits and shares her
accomplishments with her supportive family. </span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Gabriela;">Negrita
loves spending time with her family and has happily taken on the
official role of Event Planner bringing family members together through
fun and love. </span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Gabriela;">In
her professional life, Negrita utilizes her talent for sharing
knowledge and information as a new-hire trainer creating user-friendly
webinars, courses, tests, and gauge learning within business areas such
as auto, property, and agriculture. </span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Gabriela;">As
an author, Negrita is a member of the Society of Children’s Book
Writers and Illustrators always looking to connect, share and grow with
fellow writers. </span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Gabriela;">An
active supporter of her local church ministry, Negrita is driven to
share life lessons with children through story-telling and relatable
characters. </span></span></p>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Gabriela;">Follow her on Instagram at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/negritasmart/">https://www.instagram.com/negritasmart/</a>.</span></span><p></p><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b> </b></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b>Interview:</b></span></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: Gabriela;"></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: Gabriela;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ObyFlg1LZ1AmJMVdVz1d36sAEn8GbWZKyoalZTIdb6kWFBW2NiIUayLA_vzgTuneuKAgQWyrnukvOvvnDxrM2e3m_WlrEb6vLUuWRgBzEc-HFQpTVDrsWOJ0yQPutnf0ZtPXN0kwiu-CjyqjHWEoR3f1et6fg7zhU05DvgwHvKJd7uSCPLBaIiyI-HDT/s442/Grace%20and%20the%20Golden%20Rule%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="442" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ObyFlg1LZ1AmJMVdVz1d36sAEn8GbWZKyoalZTIdb6kWFBW2NiIUayLA_vzgTuneuKAgQWyrnukvOvvnDxrM2e3m_WlrEb6vLUuWRgBzEc-HFQpTVDrsWOJ0yQPutnf0ZtPXN0kwiu-CjyqjHWEoR3f1et6fg7zhU05DvgwHvKJd7uSCPLBaIiyI-HDT/s320/Grace%20and%20the%20Golden%20Rule%20cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: Gabriela;"><br />Tell us about your book! What inspired you to write it? </b></span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><i>I</i><i> was inspired by God to write a book that would teach children lessons based on the</i><i> principles in the bible. </i></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><b>How did you choose the title for your book? Did it come to you right away,</b><b> before you started writing it, or did it come later? </b></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><i>The title came to me right away! It was the foundation for writing the book. I wrote</i><i> </i><i>the book around the title and the passage of the bible that teaches about the Golden</i><i> Rule (Matthew 7:12). </i></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><b>Tell us about the cover design process. Did you have a basic idea of what</b><b> your book cover would be like? </b></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><i>Yes! For this first book, I wanted a huge headshot of Grace who is the main character</i><i> in the book. I wanted the reader to be able to quickly identify Grace. </i></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: Gabriela;">Who is your cover designer and how did you find him/her? </b></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><i>The Illustrator of the book also designed the cover. He lives in California. The publisher</i><i> </i><i>solicited samples from different Illustrators. This particular Illustrator connected with</i><i> my vision of the cover and appearance of the Grace and we began working together. </i></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: Gabriela;">What has been the readers’ response to your cover? </b></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><i>The hair! Most people first comment on Grace’s free spirited hair. The hair was</i><i> intentional in creating Grace. She’s different and proud of it. </i></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><b>W</b><b>hat tips would you give to authors who are looking for a good cover</b><b> designer? </b></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><i>D</i><i>on’t settle for “that will do.” Make sure the cover designer connects with the vision</i><i> and message of the book. </i></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: Gabriela;">Anything else you’d like to say about your book? </b></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="font-family: Gabriela;">Regarding the book cover, I selected the color purple for a couple
of reasons. First, it is my favorite color. Secondly, it is the color
of royalty.</i></span></p>
<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://tinyurl.com/3zh4de8f" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="289" height="57" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPWt2fq7NjjY54mZNElFIIKk4MexaT6HMNG7WAPvNBWcyXgtVwyTgsHX4FXlVGjjk7FG96PlFaxoSf8j-bOz6XHj4t56QSwkD02XNCHL5gnV5N0BI2ER93N333Gnh7_PywZ52_rHH5o6RgsqMHAnhS4w6Ykhtj-1Es948oceu7Uw1dGescCH91rkZTA/s1600/CLICK%20HERE%20TO%20PURCHASE.jpg" width="289" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631291733748413376.post-21267937366119752052023-08-20T21:00:00.001-07:002023-08-20T21:00:00.139-07:00Book Cover Junkie Interviews Christian Thriller Author Linda Armstrong-Miller<p><span style="color: black; font-family: Gabriela; font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGq5gZIyXQhE1RUrrb-9febJZYNaf7V3JBsDAjvrE9BNrkS9viz7TQ1fQcZKM7oSoJ8DbmDY_kLeG7Ma9ohus7XTTM9Zzj4UtQUBZ_NAlhfK12GWk3Kg4i36KX0Ghl0zWYwT2lHTgTvXOxeHspZ50ffZBJ3ZvCmYcKXt7msSkVX-vT7uLN_a0_pyvNL6T/s336/Linda%20Armstrong-Miller%20author.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="334" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGq5gZIyXQhE1RUrrb-9febJZYNaf7V3JBsDAjvrE9BNrkS9viz7TQ1fQcZKM7oSoJ8DbmDY_kLeG7Ma9ohus7XTTM9Zzj4UtQUBZ_NAlhfK12GWk3Kg4i36KX0Ghl0zWYwT2lHTgTvXOxeHspZ50ffZBJ3ZvCmYcKXt7msSkVX-vT7uLN_a0_pyvNL6T/s320/Linda%20Armstrong-Miller%20author.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>Linda Armstrong-Miller
has worked in the medical field for over twenty years. In that time she
has worked as a counselor, registered nurse in the emergency room, ICU,
Recovery Room, and she has worked with children placed in psychiatric
hospitals. She understands when a family is in crisis and she has been
with them during their time of distress, depression, anxiety and
difficulty. She believes in God and uses her belief as well as her
experience when writing. Blood and Water is her second book published.
Touched is her first book. Currently she is working on a young adult
trilogy. <p></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-family: Gabriela; font-size: 14pt;">Website: <a href="http://www.lindaarmstrongmillerauthor.com">http://www.lindaarmstrongmillerauthor.com </a></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-family: Gabriela; font-size: 14pt;">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/lindaam1">https://twitter.com/lindaam1 </a></span></p>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Gabriela; font-size: 14pt;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100039732613292">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100039732613292</a></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b> </b></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b>Interview:</b></span></span></span></div><br /><p><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Tell us about your book! What inspired you to write it?</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Blood and Water deals with loss, family conflict, trauma and tragedy, but it does have a </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxo4e1LbrOWr9gYZhZailb43Nf1ok52k3lQ3Ykc6A3xarCe114gK8_qKolYpMwEvnf_x3HhnAVzwxdbE74ckP8MF4-Usf2jcZwzh1P6xHpzR-tCsVZ2xS_9ZuLJYbQ4itPdWJzJTn_S2s78hXt8O8n14V1lAJ7IlmTmnKAEFeKBW_eDCy7NiG6IzpQQpHw/s547/Blood%20&%20Water%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="364" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxo4e1LbrOWr9gYZhZailb43Nf1ok52k3lQ3Ykc6A3xarCe114gK8_qKolYpMwEvnf_x3HhnAVzwxdbE74ckP8MF4-Usf2jcZwzh1P6xHpzR-tCsVZ2xS_9ZuLJYbQ4itPdWJzJTn_S2s78hXt8O8n14V1lAJ7IlmTmnKAEFeKBW_eDCy7NiG6IzpQQpHw/w393-h590/Blood%20&%20Water%20cover.jpg" width="393" /></a></div><br />happy ending. My work as a registered nurse and counselor inspired me to write it.<p></p>
<p><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;"><span style="font-size: medium;">How did you choose the title for your book? Did it come to you right away, before you started writing it, or did it come later?</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Conflict is like blood and water. The two can’t mix. Hurt and pain will bring blood eventually. The title came to me after the story came to me.</span></p>
<p><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Tell us about the cover design process. Did you have a basic idea of what your book cover would be like? </span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">I did have an idea. I told my publisher what I wanted and they came up with my beautiful cover.</span></p>
<p><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Who is your cover designer and how did you find him/her?</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">The wonderful people at Dorrance were good at listening to me when it came to everything about my book. I enjoyed working with them. I have heard readers love the book and that it is fast paced.</span></p>
<p><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What has been the readers’ response to your cover?</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">People have liked it. It’s the first thing they comment on. Then they say, I can’t believe you wrote a book!</span></p>
<p><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What tips would you give to authors who are looking for a cover designer?</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Just to be specific. If they are working with a publisher talk to them, keep communicating.</span></p>
<p><strong style="font-family: Gabriela;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anything else you’d like to say about your book? </span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Just that I hope everyone enjoys the cover. Afterwords, open it and enjoy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"> </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://tinyurl.com/35nwbkz3 " style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="289" height="57" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPWt2fq7NjjY54mZNElFIIKk4MexaT6HMNG7WAPvNBWcyXgtVwyTgsHX4FXlVGjjk7FG96PlFaxoSf8j-bOz6XHj4t56QSwkD02XNCHL5gnV5N0BI2ER93N333Gnh7_PywZ52_rHH5o6RgsqMHAnhS4w6Ykhtj-1Es948oceu7Uw1dGescCH91rkZTA/s1600/CLICK%20HERE%20TO%20PURCHASE.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><p> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631291733748413376.post-56933276721792482572023-07-20T21:00:00.001-07:002023-07-20T21:00:00.141-07:00Book Cover Junkie Interviews Time Travel Author John R. York #TheFiveWatches<p> <br /></p><p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5FkvTBPEa1qxuv6PkF99H2_XJwEO1qd7CUJ-OkY-5L6OyUfY7U6Bkxok7MOwxHW3mv9urZD2kIsTZQqHQgcEk1BwJAqiyL0eAoUgZZNWp-FC1rpJuG4Jq4pzhWzbC_gBKLh6hok4PVuZG00ROs3gHcY8NYF3Bupdbn2fVrFx1heaptxHLuoDe0XZmwMI/s432/John%20R.%20York%20author.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="288" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5FkvTBPEa1qxuv6PkF99H2_XJwEO1qd7CUJ-OkY-5L6OyUfY7U6Bkxok7MOwxHW3mv9urZD2kIsTZQqHQgcEk1BwJAqiyL0eAoUgZZNWp-FC1rpJuG4Jq4pzhWzbC_gBKLh6hok4PVuZG00ROs3gHcY8NYF3Bupdbn2fVrFx1heaptxHLuoDe0XZmwMI/s320/John%20R.%20York%20author.png" width="213" /></a></div>John R. York has been
writing and publishing his stories since 2016, but he’s always been a
storyteller, even as a kid in Central Ohio where he grew up. His life
experiences provided him with a wealth of tales to share with others and
resulted in his debut work, Wolf’s Tale. He has since published five
more novels, including the award-winning <em>Journey to Eden</em>. A retired high-tech executive, he currently lives with his wife, Paula, in New Port Richey, Florida. <p></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Website: <a href="http://www.johnryork.com">www.johnryork.com</a><br />
</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/john.york.9277">https://www.facebook.com/john.york.9277</a><br />
</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@johnryork">https://www.tiktok.com/@johnryork</a> and <a href="http://www.tiktok.com/@dreamwriter">www.tiktok.com/@dreamwriter </a></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Amazon Author Page: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/John-York/author/B0771RCZJ2?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true">https://www.amazon.com/stores/John-York/author/B0771RCZJ2?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
</a><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21571052.John_York">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21571052.John_York</a></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b> </b></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b>Interview:</b></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="font-family: inherit;">Tell us about your book! What inspired you to write it?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>The Five Watches: An Accident of Time</em> is a time travel tale. The story begins with the beginning of creation and time itself. Five bits of matter are transformed into the very first </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_seF5X-ir_pi0kFuu4Hn2wj5am_PQctWnoAooqkWnk32dimAHFxBP0MRgMqED6EsKdatNDK0x5Ksj6RjAyVv_sXxjqsMWMeHVLomc9OJOqKeudGUdphO5d6RhvWptoAXKndlCdmBSIGKdpFeIRox-0FbNMQWvLFXsNJbdqih6hdtcA-WWDAmtO8sYMhO/s2700/The%20Five%20Watches%20lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_seF5X-ir_pi0kFuu4Hn2wj5am_PQctWnoAooqkWnk32dimAHFxBP0MRgMqED6EsKdatNDK0x5Ksj6RjAyVv_sXxjqsMWMeHVLomc9OJOqKeudGUdphO5d6RhvWptoAXKndlCdmBSIGKdpFeIRox-0FbNMQWvLFXsNJbdqih6hdtcA-WWDAmtO8sYMhO/w266-h400/The%20Five%20Watches%20lg.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />stars. Eons later those stars burn out to become powerful Star Stones, still bits of matter but imbued with infinite power. The stones eventually end up in human hands as a result of an impulsive stunt by a supernatural being, and that ultimately results in an accident of time.</span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A nineteenth-century scientist, Dr. Wilhelm Gussen, passionate about improving the welfare of mankind, begins a journey through time in a quest to learn about future advances in epidemiology. Physicist Emory Lynch, from the twenty-seventh century, studies an old pocket watch, said to be a time travel device, and accidently stumbles into the twenty-first century. In 2019, Jim Zimmerman, the neighborhood go-to guy, finds himself caught in the middle of a clandestine, future conspiracy. He becomes inextricably involved in future affairs that ultimately compel him to attempt to save humanity from itself—dragging his wife and a few neighbors along for the ride.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The violence and unrest reported in the nightly news over the last year, the generally poor reaction to the pandemic, all the vitriol churning around in social media, the concerns over climate, and our over reliance on technology keep me awake at night. It feels like humanity is on a course of self-destruction, and I wanted to write about this.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I enjoy reading and writing science fiction, and time travel seemed to me to be the ideal mechanism for examining human behavior over hundreds of years and to come up with a way to pull our proverbial fat out of the fire. I decided to use every day regular people for my protagonists. I wanted to emphasize that ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things when put to the test.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="font-family: inherit;">How did you choose the title for your book? Did it come to you right away, before you started writing it, or did it come later?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have to laugh at that question. I’ve never had any problem coming up with a title for any of my novels, but this one really stumped me. It seemed like all the really good names for a time travel novel had already been used. I ended up with a list of 18 possible titles, and I wasn’t at all sure that any of them were right. I asked several family and friends to tell me which one they liked the best, but their choices were all over the map.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I finally settled on the very first one that I’d come up with, <em>The Five Watches</em>, but at the last minute decided to add a subtitle, <em>An Accident of Time</em>, which my wife, Paula, agreed was a good idea.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="font-family: inherit;">Tell us about the cover design process. Did you have a basic idea of what your book cover would be like? </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Once I completed the story outline, I had a very solid idea of how I wanted the cover to look. I spent a lot of time searching the Web for graphic art related to time travel. I found several images that combined a mystical sense of passing through time while using the abstract notion of an ancient clock as being the method of transference. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The font selected for the cover is also important. I wanted something different and dramatic. My cover designer took my input and came up with our cover on the first try. I like the colors, the font, and the image. The lone man walking through the time fold perfectly represents the story’s theme of how each of us can make a difference if we have the courage to act.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="font-family: inherit;">Who is your cover designer and how did you find him/her?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My cover designer also happens to be my publisher, Ginger Marks, at DocUmeant Publishing. When we began this project, I told her I wasn’t comfortable working with the previous designer and she offered to take a shot at it herself. I knew she was a very talented graphic artist, so I went with it. I am pleased with the result.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="font-family: inherit;">What has been the readers’ response to your cover?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Very few people have seen this cover. The book publishes on August 15 and I haven’t started a full-throttled promotion until now. Family and friends tell me they like it, but they would probably tell me that even if they didn’t like it – they’re family and friends. The cover is already on my website, but I haven’t received any specific feedback on it yet. I would really appreciate reactions from your followers.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="font-family: inherit;">What tips would you give to authors who are looking for a cover designer?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I believe a book’s cover is very important, and that authors should be personally involved in the defining and designing process. Even if you’re not artistically inclined, you probably have some thoughts about what a cover should look like. It’s important to work closely with the cover designer. It’s very important to find a cover designer who is willing and has the patience to work with you.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="font-family: inherit;">Anything else you’d like to say about your book?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I wrote <em>The Five Watches: An Accident of Time</em> to be an entertaining story, but it is also a cautionary tale. I hope readers pick up on the messages woven throughout the novel. I think the most important message is that ordinary people often achieve extraordinary things when they put their minds to it. Time is precious, we should use it wisely.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to connect with your readers.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></p>
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href=" https://tinyurl.com/46fjjp6f" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="289" height="57" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPWt2fq7NjjY54mZNElFIIKk4MexaT6HMNG7WAPvNBWcyXgtVwyTgsHX4FXlVGjjk7FG96PlFaxoSf8j-bOz6XHj4t56QSwkD02XNCHL5gnV5N0BI2ER93N333Gnh7_PywZ52_rHH5o6RgsqMHAnhS4w6Ykhtj-1Es948oceu7Uw1dGescCH91rkZTA/s1600/CLICK%20HERE%20TO%20PURCHASE.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><p> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631291733748413376.post-63284163082554705602023-07-18T04:59:00.000-07:002023-07-18T04:59:29.782-07:00Book Cover Junkie Interviews Memoirist Melissa M. Monroe<p> </p><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name"><a href="https://bookcoverjunkie.blogspot.com/2023/06/book-cover-junkie-interviews-ya-fantasy.html"></a>
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<p style="text-align: left;"></p><p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSGSyu-vm-SA9CYr-G-r94trXgHWMm3sPO6GhS3oZ4sOCNPHTR7Lxo89KWdh_kzJlIwr_Cb9RIwyUObcPPtOVPVsfn7Pa4cs3aTRQl_GGMbBrv3GzXWWUIiP4uFy8dQFFQy3SSvu6NXxcKzzcUfsAp_KFwcAzAZP6_zbTNUKEBOu8NwlIhOmXUPgru6Ka/s656/Melissa%20M.%20Monroe.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="656" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSGSyu-vm-SA9CYr-G-r94trXgHWMm3sPO6GhS3oZ4sOCNPHTR7Lxo89KWdh_kzJlIwr_Cb9RIwyUObcPPtOVPVsfn7Pa4cs3aTRQl_GGMbBrv3GzXWWUIiP4uFy8dQFFQy3SSvu6NXxcKzzcUfsAp_KFwcAzAZP6_zbTNUKEBOu8NwlIhOmXUPgru6Ka/s320/Melissa%20M.%20Monroe.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Now living in Los
Angeles with her daughter Grace, Melissa M. Monroe was born in Yuma, AZ.
She attended Loyola University in Chicago. After finishing at Loyola,
she studied modern dance at University of Chicago. In 1995, she moved to
California to train in Pilates, yoga, and acupuncture, which she
practices as a professional. <p></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Website: <a href="http://www.melissamariemonroe.com">http://www.melissamariemonroe.com </a><br />
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<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/tripleMMeaning">https://twitter.com/tripleMMeaning</a><br />
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<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MelissaMarieMonroeAuthor">https://www.facebook.com/MelissaMarieMonroeAuthor</a><br />
</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Tik Tok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@triplemmeaning">https://www.tiktok.com/@triplemmeaning</a><br />
</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/melissammonroe/">https://www.instagram.com/melissammonroe/</a><br />
</span></p>
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-monroe-b0b1197/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-monroe-b0b1197/</a></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b> </b></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b>Interview:</b></span></span></span></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><b>Tell us about your book! What inspired you to write it?</b> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">I began to blog about a month after my two-year-old daughter Alice died in her sleep of </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUF97mnr2I1CxBU3G3Sr0ZQ3AhfCQIFSMkFE0Bop2-bxG7iWGPy1NinWHVYpmnMi1HLV8AAyZs3L2tjnu1dp0HCWYWhV0qqY3rxd_r_BnMzfz-Rw0WKQ8CPhN5YxlSbojJcySdX-Zppmgv-sV7PnjN49DdlZBDVAvkypPu1ROqvY5YYmXlobduQZAaGNQW/s558/Mom's%20Search%20for%20Meaning%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="374" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUF97mnr2I1CxBU3G3Sr0ZQ3AhfCQIFSMkFE0Bop2-bxG7iWGPy1NinWHVYpmnMi1HLV8AAyZs3L2tjnu1dp0HCWYWhV0qqY3rxd_r_BnMzfz-Rw0WKQ8CPhN5YxlSbojJcySdX-Zppmgv-sV7PnjN49DdlZBDVAvkypPu1ROqvY5YYmXlobduQZAaGNQW/w268-h400/Mom's%20Search%20for%20Meaning%20cover.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br />unknown causes (<a href="http://sudc.org/">SUDC</a>) because I could barely speak, and folks wanted to know how I was doing. They also wanted to know what happened. <p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">I thought some friends and family would read the blog, and I'd save
my breath and sanity because re-telling the story over and over was
traumatizing. But the blog took on a life of its own, something I didn't
expect. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Eventually, my friend Teresa Strasser (author of <i>Making It Home</i>) ordered me to turn it into a book and send her chapters, and I always (sometimes) do what I'm told.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><b>How did you choose the title for your book? Did it come to you right away, before you started writing it, or did it come later?</b> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">It's funny. I generally have the name early in the process, often
before I start. But not this time. Teresa (Strasser, author of <i>Making it Home</i>)
used that phrase to describe the book in her notes on my manuscript.
And then I remembered that grief guru David Kessler says that "finding
meaning" is the sixth stage of grief. While discussing potential titles
with another friend, <i>Mom's Search for Meaning</i> was the clear
winner. I found myself searching for meaning long before I knew it was
advisable to do so. In cases like Alice's, where no cause of death can
be determined, one's need for "closure" becomes unattainable, and
therefore, finding meaning can become a driving force.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><b>Tell us about the cover design process. Did you have a basic idea of what your book cover would be like? </b> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">I clearly envisioned what I wanted it to be, and Jason Arias
beautifully executed it. The image comes from a vision-of-sorts I
describe in the book. I sent Jason a mock-up and the passages I wanted
to inform the image, and then he produced the cover. It went as smoothly
as it could have gone. It was a joy to work with him. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><b>Who is your cover designer and how did you find him/her?</b> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">I found the fabulous Jason Arias on Reedsy. He also has an Instagram page. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><b>What has been the readers' response to your cover?</b> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. I keep hearing, "It truly draws me in!" and “It’s perfect, Melissa!” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><b>What tips would you give to authors who are looking for a cover designer?</b> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Great question! In my opinion, you have to research the work of
several designers, then pitch a few. At this point, you will learn their
fee structure, proposed turn-around time, and what exactly they will
provide for that fee. During this phase, you can get a sense of how
someone works and if it that works for you. While discussing terms with
Jason, a few things stood out:</span></p>
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">He seemed genuinely moved by the topic</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">He provided clear responses in a timely fashion</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">He was strategic and thorough in his questions about what I was looking for... which saved so much time. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">He respected what I envisioned, which was evident in his follow-up questions </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">He was kind and compassionate to this naïve, debut author</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">Clearly, he had work experience that would save us many headaches during the frustrating formatting process. </span></li></ul>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">I went for kind, efficient, experienced, clear communication, clear expectations, and top-tier work. And I hit the jack-pot. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;"><b>Anything else you'd like to say about your book?</b> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Gabriela;">I realize people are afraid to discuss grief in general and child
loss in particular. Still, I promise your life will be fuller and your
relationships more satisfying if you spend some time considering these
topics. My book is more a love letter than a eulogy. It's a love letter
to my daughters, my community, the Southern California Counseling
Center, trauma therapy, and to every person who is willing to sit with
another human during their Dark Night of the Soul. </span><br /></p><p><i></i></p><i><br /></i><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href=" https://tinyurl.com/yrmuumc6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="289" height="57" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPWt2fq7NjjY54mZNElFIIKk4MexaT6HMNG7WAPvNBWcyXgtVwyTgsHX4FXlVGjjk7FG96PlFaxoSf8j-bOz6XHj4t56QSwkD02XNCHL5gnV5N0BI2ER93N333Gnh7_PywZ52_rHH5o6RgsqMHAnhS4w6Ykhtj-1Es948oceu7Uw1dGescCH91rkZTA/s1600/CLICK%20HERE%20TO%20PURCHASE.jpg" width="289" /></a></div></div><p> </p><p> </p><p>
</p><br /><p> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631291733748413376.post-64370398444960629002023-07-17T06:22:00.003-07:002023-07-17T06:22:57.089-07:00❀New Nonfiction History Book Alert❀: An Atomic Love Story by Shirley Streshinsky & Patricia Klaus<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4vDZ_NRsWlZxXKmd2Gyix2YAFCr-ZKGGAaGCoYZpfqGFWugbS7M3O6Zod78vhZWAHe1DMC3gsoOYVA8dqyWQKah12CtJ_UE1Lde64-NIwzAKUYa9Bf7QR5m_iFPLG_O2U6GQPEbiw7S0wrUbrVMuACVbjhT4b6wNHYKMistp4jZj3NacNiMA7Pv_4LWS/s500/An%20Atomic%20Love%20Story%20lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4vDZ_NRsWlZxXKmd2Gyix2YAFCr-ZKGGAaGCoYZpfqGFWugbS7M3O6Zod78vhZWAHe1DMC3gsoOYVA8dqyWQKah12CtJ_UE1Lde64-NIwzAKUYa9Bf7QR5m_iFPLG_O2U6GQPEbiw7S0wrUbrVMuACVbjhT4b6wNHYKMistp4jZj3NacNiMA7Pv_4LWS/s320/An%20Atomic%20Love%20Story%20lg.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Title: An Atomic Love Story: The Extraordinary Women in Robert Oppenheimer’s Life<br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> Author: Shirley Streshinsky & Patricia Klaus</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> Publisher: Turner Publishing Company</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> Pages: 380</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> Genre: Nonfiction/History<br />
</span><p></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Set against a dramatic backdrop of war, spies, and nuclear bombs, <i>An Atomic Love Story </i>unveils
a vivid new view of a tumultuous era and one of its most important
figures. In the early decades of the 20th century, three highly
ambitious women found their way to the West Coast, where each was
destined to collide with the young Oppenheimer, the enigmatic physicist
whose work in creating the atomic bomb would forever impact modern
history. His first and most intense love was for Jean Tatlock, though he
married the tempestuous Kitty Harrison—both were members of the
Communist Party—and was rumored to have had a scandalous affair with the
brilliant Ruth Sherman Tolman, ten years his senior and the wife of
another celebrated physicist. Although each were connected through their
relationship to Oppenheimer, their experiences reflect important
changes in the lives of American women in the 20th century: the conflict
between career and marriage; the need for a woman to define herself
independently; experimentation with sexuality; and the growth of career
opportunities. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Beautifully written
and superbly researched through a rich collection of firsthand accounts,
this intimate portrait shares the tragedies, betrayals, and romances of
an alluring man and three bold women, revealing how they pushed to the
very forefront of social and cultural changes in a fascinating, volatile
era. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Amazon: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/3zpafmk5">https://tinyurl.com/3zpafmk5 </a></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Bookshop: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/2ecxvwjt">https://tinyurl.com2ecxvwjt </a></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Target: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/4r39hn3m">https://tinyurl.com/4r39hn3m </a></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Barnes & Noble: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/4pj6t9d2">https://tinyurl.com/4pj6t9d2 </a></span></p>
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17290412-an-atomic-love-story">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17290412-an-atomic-love-story</a></span><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Cherry Swash"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: 'Cherry Swash'; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Book Excerpt</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i></i></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: left;">June 14, 1943</p><p></p>
<p><strong><em>The light was fading by the time Robert Oppenheimer left Le Conte Hall.</em></strong></p>
<p>He walked across campus at his usual fast clip, heading for the
streetcar that would take him into San Francisco. He would have allowed
his mind to skim over the consequences of what he was about to do. Not
that he was weighing them; he had already made the decision to see Jean
Tatlock. It would be more of an exercise to keep his mind occupied, to
block the uncertainty of how he would find her.</p>
<p>Radiant or remorseful. Perfect or flawed.</p>
<p>There would be hell to pay, that he knew. He would have stopped to
light a cigarette, maybe taking the opportunity to glance around for the
Army security agent he knew would be there. He was too important to the
war effort to be allowed to go loose in the world. His slender,
six-foot frame and his signature porkpie hat made him an easy target to
tail. The security agents would inform Pash, and Pash would be delighted
to inform General Groves, and the general would be livid.</p>
<p>Oppenheimer was the new scientific director of the Los Alamos section
of the Manhattan Project, hidden on a mesa high in the Sangre de Cristo
Mountains of New Mexico. It was possible that seeing Jean could cause
him to be removed from the project altogether. The idea was so
disturbing that it would have had to be put out of his mind, along with
the wife and two-year-old son he left behind in Los Alamos.</p>
<p>After one last deep drag of his cigarette, he would have flicked it
away, then swung onto the Key System train that would carry him over the
Oakland Bay Bridge and into the city. He was thirty-nine that June.
Jean was twenty-nine. They had known each other, loved each other, for
seven years. He would always want her; twice he had come close to
marrying her.</p>
<p>Three months before, when he had been about to leave Berkeley for Los
Alamos, Jean had asked to see him, but he had not gone to her then. Too
much was happening, too fast. He wasn’t allowed to tell her why he was
leaving or where he was going, could not confide what he and a
remarkable band of scientists were attempting to create. Probably he was
glad for that; Jean would not have approved.</p>
<p>She was one of the most principled people he had ever known; she
believed above all else in the sanctity of life. She was a physician
now, a resident in psychiatry at Mount Zion Hospital, working with
troubled children. She did not know that ending World War II might
depend on his group’s ability to develop a weapon of mass destruction so
horrific it would defeat America’s enemies, unless the Germans got it
first. That grim possibility played on his mind. The Germans were intent
on conquering all of Europe, the world. Would Jean, with her kind and
open heart, be able to grasp the enormity of such a catastrophe?</p>
<p><em>Oppenheimer arrived at 9:45 PWT, </em>the FBI report reads. <em>He rushed to</em> <em>meet a young lady, whom he kissed and they walked away arm in arm. They entered</em> <em>a 1935 green Plymouth coupe and the young lady drove. The car is registered to Jean</em> <em>Tatlock. She is five foot seven, 128 [pounds], long dark hair, slim, attractive.</em></p>
<p>She drove east along the Embarcadero—the scene of much of the labor unrest she had reported in the <em>Western Worker</em>—then
turned west on Broadway. She had decided where they would eat; not one
of the posh restaurants he would have chosen, but a shabby place not far
from her apartment on Telegraph Hill, good for the spicy food he
favored and some proletarian privacy. An agent waited outside.</p>
<p>He would report: <em>Drove to Xochiniloc Cafe, 787 Broadway, at 10 p.m. Cheap type bar,</em> <em>cafe, and dance hall operated by Mexicans. Had few drinks, something to eat, went</em> <em>to 1405 Montgomery where she lives on top floor...Appears to be very affectionate and intimate...At 11:30 lights went out.</em></p>
<p>Within two weeks, Lieutenant Colonel Boris Pash, chief of
counterintelligence for the Ninth Army Corps in San Francisco, would
send a memo to the Pentagon recommending that Dr. Oppenheimer be denied a
security clearance and be fired as scientific director of the Manhattan
Project, citing among other things this overnight tryst with Jean
Tatlock, identified as his mistress and a known Communist.</p></blockquote><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">About the Authors</span><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Shirley Streshinsky</strong>
is a critically acclaimed author of three works of nonfiction and four
historical novels. As a journalist and travel essayist, she has written
extensively for a wide range of national magazines such as <em>Glamour, Preservation, American Heritage, The American Scholar</em>, and <em>Conde Nast Traveler</em>.
She is the recipient of the Society of Magazine Writers’ Award for
Excellence and the National Council for the Advancement of Education
Writing award, and was cited by The Educational Press Association of
America for “superlative achievement in features.” Her travel essays
have been a feature on National Public Radio. She was married to the
late photojournalist Ted Streshinsky and lives in Kensington (Berkeley),
California. </span></p>
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Patricia Klaus</strong>
is an independent scholar who attended the University of California at
Santa Barbara, and then Stanford University where she earned a Ph.D. in
Modern British History. She taught twentieth-century British history at
Yale University, was a visiting lecturer at the University of Virginia
and Stanford, and has written a number of historical articles. Her
particular interests are women in nineteenth and twentieth century
England as well as the study of war and literature, which made working
on a book about the remarkable women of the Atomic Age especially
appealing.</span><p style="text-align: left;"></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631291733748413376.post-19411144356480938592023-07-14T04:58:00.005-07:002023-07-14T04:58:59.849-07:00Book Cover Junkie Interviews Nonfiction Author Kristina Mand-Lakhiani #BecomingFlawesome<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BHYz1-0BzJ4XUOGIIZwnymF4WHLyQ8ZP/view"></a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDAxIIHJVU2eFN8mzacBI2b2z8L7TsmlCUKYUNnUNcRFZU4rw_4eAbq4CBjRvuhgvPHFLMIcuHNMk9O4g5ciB7LMXg1C0F6W2pBUUHX7vQEQ0umJ2_bwhJr6BqWhEbKSnbPV1T7VU9Vkg-zzazBUPM79Yv_2xj8XqZxLUp4c2OTWF23bQvqQGNRGFu3ZF/s752/Kristina%20Mand-Lakhiani%20lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="752" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDAxIIHJVU2eFN8mzacBI2b2z8L7TsmlCUKYUNnUNcRFZU4rw_4eAbq4CBjRvuhgvPHFLMIcuHNMk9O4g5ciB7LMXg1C0F6W2pBUUHX7vQEQ0umJ2_bwhJr6BqWhEbKSnbPV1T7VU9Vkg-zzazBUPM79Yv_2xj8XqZxLUp4c2OTWF23bQvqQGNRGFu3ZF/s320/Kristina%20Mand-Lakhiani%20lg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Kristina Mand-Lakhiani is an international speaker, entrepreneur, artist, philanthropist, and mother of 2 kids. As a co-founder of <a href="https://www.mindvalley.com">Mindvalley</a>,
a leading publisher in the personal growth industry, Kristina dedicated
the last 20 years of her career from teachers like Michael Beckwith,
Bob Proctor, Lisa Nichols, and many more. <p></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">She started her career
in a government office in her native Estonia and, by her mid-20s,
achieved a level of success mostly known to male politicians at the end
of their careers. It was shortly after that Kristina and her
then-husband Vishen founded Mindvalley. From a small meditation business
operating out of the couple’s apartment in New York, the company grew
into a global educational organization offering top training for peak
human performance to hundreds of thousands of students all around the
world. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Kristina believes life
it too important to be taken seriously and makes sure to bring fun into
every one of her roles: as a teacher, mother, entrepreneur,
philanthropist, and world traveler. Kristina helps her students to
virtually hack happiness by taking them through her unique framework –
“Hacking happiness” – a unique framework of balancing your life, taking
in every moment, and paying close attention the small daily choices. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Kristina is also the author of three transformational quests – “<a href="https://kristinamand.com/7-days-to-happiness/">7 Days to Happiness</a>“, “<a href="https://kristinamand.com/#programs">Live By Your Own Rules</a>.”
and “The Art of Being Flawesome.” Kristina talks about personal
transformation, authenticity, understanding and accepting oneself, and a
path to happiness. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">In July 2023, with the help of Hay House Publishing, Kristina releases her very first book – “<a href="http://mindvalley.com/book/flawesome">Becoming Flawesome</a>”
#BecomingFlawsome. In her book, Kristina shares her own journey from
being on top of a personal growth empire like Mindvalley to stepping
aside, conscious uncoupling from her husband, and walking her path
towards being more honest with herself. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Website: <a href="https://kristinamand.com">https://kristinamand.com</a></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kristinamand">https://www.facebook.com/kristinamand</a></span></p>
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">LinkedIn: <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-mand-lakhiani-73168414">http://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-mand-lakhiani-73168414</a></span><p> </p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b>Interview:</b></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b> </b></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Tell us about your book! What inspired you to write it?</span></p>
<p>The idea didn't randomly come to me out of the blue during my
ordinary life. As a co-founder of one of the world's largest educational
platforms for personal growth and transformation, surrounded by friends
who have written best-selling books in various fields, the notion of
writing a book became something I simply assumed would happen sooner or
later. It was the same as we take for granted attending dinners and
parties.</p>
<p>However, the real question for me was not about whether I would write
a book, but rather finding my own unique message. It's tempting to
gravitate towards ideas that deeply resonate with us and bring us joy.
So, the journey of my book truly began when I sensed that my message was
fully formed and was ready to be delivered. Writing the book </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLomVP3OMyufRE75JVXMPewPhpV3WVgciTB4BcZoZVQ0b_Yyv943vvUtRx20lPY3Ah6WX7-nztGf_73BV9DSOhoFbr5vRmpj1eqVQFW8w8krxqzEbKSz2kXMsu-T8otMQL4ccbaUD5kHH94MMB1-VPDISIfPuEoqQ9VkSaocTMzlniZT2hjYoSPn6CKZD/s927/Becoming%20Flawesome%20lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="927" data-original-width="600" height="539" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLomVP3OMyufRE75JVXMPewPhpV3WVgciTB4BcZoZVQ0b_Yyv943vvUtRx20lPY3Ah6WX7-nztGf_73BV9DSOhoFbr5vRmpj1eqVQFW8w8krxqzEbKSz2kXMsu-T8otMQL4ccbaUD5kHH94MMB1-VPDISIfPuEoqQ9VkSaocTMzlniZT2hjYoSPn6CKZD/w349-h539/Becoming%20Flawesome%20lg.jpg" width="349" /></a></div><br />was driven
by the genuine desire to share something meaningful that I had within
me and wished to share with others.<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large;">How did you choose the title for your book? Did it come to you right away, before you started writing it, or did it come later?</span></p>
<p>It definitely came to me later on, I think when I had my first draft.
I came across this word “flawesome” and instinctively loved it, it was
perfect! Then I tried to find its origin due to copyright and I could
not find anyone to claim it. So it became my title.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Tell us about the cover design process. Did you have a basic idea of what your book cover would be like?</span><b> </b></p>
<p>When collaborating with creative individuals, my approach is to grant
them artistic freedom without imposing any restrictions, and then we
build upon their ideas. I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly we
finalized the cover for the book. I had anticipated a prolonged
back-and-forth process, with me being picky about every detail. However,
to my delight, I instantly fell in love with the presented book cover
at first sight.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Who is your cover designer and how did you find him/her?</span></p>
<p>The cover design was entrusted to Hay House. I requested them to
design the cover because it holds a significant marketing aspect. Hay
House has an impressive track record of publishing remarkable works, and
they possess a deep understanding of the cover's role in capturing
readers' attention. As the writer, my primary concern lies in what lies
within the book's pages. So my cover designer is Karla Baker, she
created the cover without any constraints and made the process
remarkably effortless for me.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large;">What has been readers’ response to your cover?</span></p>
<p>Actually, I don't know yet. I haven't received feedback from readers
regarding the cover. Thus far, the only response I can gauge is from
observing others picking up the book and glancing at it. Some
individuals have expressed admiration for the title of my book, and it
does stand out on bookstore shelves. However, I have yet to receive
specific feedback directly related to the cover itself.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large;">What tips would you give to authors who are looking for a cover designer?</span></p>
<p>Trust your intuition, and you'll instinctively recognize the design
that speaks to you. Remember, there's no need to feel guilty or
pressured by the number of revisions. This is your book, and only you
can determine the perfect cover for it.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Anything else you’d like to say about your book?</span></p>
<p>Here's a surprising fact about my book that might catch you off
guard: it's not your typical personal growth book. While you might find
it in the Self Help section of the bookstore, it's not a conventional
self-help book. Sure, I did add some elements later in the editing
process to make it more traditional, but if you actually read the book,
you'll discover that it's more of a journey. It takes you through
various landscapes of thought and doesn't dwell too long on one
particular idea. That's something that often surprises people.</p> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b></b></span></span></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://tinyurl.com/mwtzj3jx" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="289" height="57" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPWt2fq7NjjY54mZNElFIIKk4MexaT6HMNG7WAPvNBWcyXgtVwyTgsHX4FXlVGjjk7FG96PlFaxoSf8j-bOz6XHj4t56QSwkD02XNCHL5gnV5N0BI2ER93N333Gnh7_PywZ52_rHH5o6RgsqMHAnhS4w6Ykhtj-1Es948oceu7Uw1dGescCH91rkZTA/s1600/CLICK%20HERE%20TO%20PURCHASE.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631291733748413376.post-25653217746688219152023-07-12T21:00:00.002-07:002023-07-12T21:00:00.137-07:00❀New Dark Urban Fantasy Romance Book Alert❀: Hush Hush City by Jo Denning<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4CzdVXYWsneDfuOAZzxp7oXKP1Xal2iUNESbT0BUq6U-rah0V-cV_xuXYGMgdWt1UVAc-1PqZvl6hm4klv-EUv7tv2cZObMi9kHpNq9gdsHpiQ_U56AWM9-SHliy0KoERpyKoQO6n1wbPATEJqkD8l69rb2pVX_-lhVkV_5z9xgxT3V8fdKvXYNdifOk/s611/Hush%20Hush%20City%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="404" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4CzdVXYWsneDfuOAZzxp7oXKP1Xal2iUNESbT0BUq6U-rah0V-cV_xuXYGMgdWt1UVAc-1PqZvl6hm4klv-EUv7tv2cZObMi9kHpNq9gdsHpiQ_U56AWM9-SHliy0KoERpyKoQO6n1wbPATEJqkD8l69rb2pVX_-lhVkV_5z9xgxT3V8fdKvXYNdifOk/s320/Hush%20Hush%20City%20cover.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />Hush Hush City<br />
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Jo Denning<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Leabhar & Fola Publishing House<br /></span><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">330 pages</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Dark Urban Fantasy Romance<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p>Cruel Prince meets Law & Order in Hush Hush City, the thrilling
sequel to Dead Blood City and second installment in the Saoirse Reilly
series! Saoirse Reilly, police detective and wayward psychic, is still
reeling from the events of Dead Blood City. Her lies are piling up but
there’s no time to deal. She and her loved ones are in danger once
again. While investigating the murder of a Boston blueblood, Reilly is
drawn into a supernatural power struggle centuries in the making. </p>
<p>Ancient monsters are prowling the streets and Domenico Alderisi,
newly installed vrykolakas master, needs Reilly’s help securing his
territory – which just so happens to be her hometown. Alderisi, once her
enemy, may be the only one who can save the city. But he has his own
agenda and a taste for Reilly’s blood. The only way for Reilly to
protect all she holds dear may be to rely on her two-faced teacher, Dr.
Emrys Somerled. The criminal psychologist and occult expert is something
more than human. If anyone can take on monsters, it’s him. And he’d
like to get closer to Reilly than ever before. There’s just one problem.
Somerled is keeping secrets, too, and there’s nothing more dangerous.
After all…</p>
<p>Stepping out of the silence is scary but secrets can kill.</p>
<p>Will Reilly escape the web of death and deception?</p>
<p>Find out in this urban fantasy meets gritty noir detective novel
featuring imperfect heroes and slow burn dark romance with beautiful
monsters who can’t be trusted.</p>
<p>Amazon: <a href="https://amzn.to/41Z1UUq">https://amzn.to/41Z1UUq</a></p></div><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Cherry Swash"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: 'Cherry Swash'; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Book Excerpt</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i></i></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><i>I felt a shift in the air as the winding road through Boston’s
jumbled brick became a straight shot cutting through the tidy squares of
Cambridge. Full trees obscured my view of the pastel mansions along
Brattle Street aka The King’s Highway, a moniker worth a thousand words.
While a sense of belonging was a rarity in my life, the disconnect was
inescapable in the well-to-do neighborhood Somerled beckoned me to. </i></p><p></p>
<p><i>West Cambridge once housed revolutionaries and artists. Now the historic homes priced the average resident right out the door. </i></p>
<p><i>The good doctor must feel at ease here. </i></p>
<p><i>Me? I wanted to go back to bed in my barely-within-the-realm-of-reasonably-priced, cramped South End apartment. </i></p>
<p><i>What the fuck was I doing? </i></p>
<p><i>Not three months ago, I would’ve told Somerled to jump in the
Harbor if he told me to meet him anywhere at three thirty-two a.m. </i></p>
<p><i>Or anywhere at any time of day, for that matter. </i></p>
<p><i>Now I was parking my dusty Jeep on the street in front of some
Boston Brahmin’s inviting eight-foot-high steel fence. The vehicle took
the brunt of my frustration as I slammed the door. Manicured hedges
might have softened the fence but their lines were even harsher than the
metal tines piercing the night sky. </i></p>
<p><i>There was an intercom by the entrance. Before I could lift my hand to it, the gate creaked open. </i></p>
<p><i>Because that wasn’t creepy at all. </i></p>
<p><i>A fountain percolated in the center of the verdant grounds. Some
people milled around near the entryway. On closer inspection, I realized
they were statues. Bronze approximations of regular humans, unlike the
residents of the butter-yellow mansion at the other end of the
cobblestone path. </i></p>
<p><i>If the front yard was fancy, the house itself was fucking excessive. </i></p>
<p><i>It was at least four stories. Towering columns banked the grand
entrance and fussy white trim wrapped the windows. Multiple brick
chimneys stacked along the exterior walls for the multiple fireplaces
inside. The whole display was topped off with a balcony fit for Juliet
to hang from. </i></p>
<p><i>Jamming my hands in my pockets, I trotted down the stupidly long
front walk. I took the many, many front steps two at a time and stopped
at the front door. Now what? </i></p>
<p><i>The pure white door opened, depositing Somerled’s unfairly dapper
form onto the piazza. He wore a three-piece suit in burgundy plaid
despite the late summer heat because, well, you already know why. </i></p>
<p><i>“Ah, Saoirse,” he said, “I see you have arrived without issue. I
wondered if you would be too inebriated for travel at this time of
day.” </i></p>
<p><i>“Fuck you,” the curse dropped from my lips without conscious thought. “What do you want? And you’re welcome, by the way.” </i></p>
<p><i>I could be polite. </i></p>
<p><i>He smiled. “Of course. It is gratifying to find you here.” </i></p>
<p><i>“You told me to come here. And I stopped drinking! Fuck knows why. You’re the one—” </i></p>
<p><i>“So I did. Shall we go inside?” </i></p>
<p><i>I planted my feet on the piazza, arms crossing over my chest. “Not until you tell me what’s going on.” </i></p>
<p><i>“It appears one of my patients has been the victim of a homicide,” Somerled said as though commenting on the muggy weather. </i></p>
<p><i>“What?” </i></p>
<p><i>“I believe—” </i></p>
<p><i>“No, I heard you just… what?” I scrubbed my hands over my face. “What happened? Why are you here?” </i></p>
<p><i>He clicked his tongue. “His family requested my support with this
delicate matter.” “Okay,” I said, “you need to do whatever the cops tell
you.” </i></p>
<p><i>“Yes, and what is that?” </i></p>
<p><i>No. This is not happening. </i></p>
<p><i>“You did call the cops, right?” </i></p>
<p><i>“Obviously, I am currently engaged in that process,” he scoffed. </i></p>
<p><i>An inadvertent sound encompassing all of the frustration of interacting with Somerled escaped me. </i></p>
<p><i>“Saoirse?” </i></p>
<p><i>“No, not me,” I shouted. “Like the actual— Like dispatch!” </i></p>
<p><i>He laughed. He actually fucking laughed at me. “The actual police? To whom am I speaking?” </i></p>
<p><i>“What if the guy’s not dead?” My voice pitched higher with disbelief and a touch of panic. </i></p>
<p><i>“I assure you he is.” </i></p>
<p><i>My hands went from cradling my forehead to ripping out my hair. “Is the scene secure? Do you even know if it’s safe? What if—” </i></p>
<p><i>“Calm yourself,” he said. “It is your job to attend to such eventualities, is it not?” “For fuck’s sake. You stay out here.” </i></p>
<p><i>“It is a bit late for that, I am afraid.” </i></p>
<p><i>“Stay. Here.” I pointed to a patch of wood planking. “And call nine-one-one!” I threw open the door and stepped inside. <br /></i></p></blockquote><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">About the Author </span><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;">Jo Denning is the author of the Saoirse
Reilly series. She has spent her career as a behavioral health therapist
supporting kids and teens who struggle with addiction. Jo began writing
supernatural crime thrillers as a way of processing the traumatic
things she has seen and heard. Her characters may be supernatural but
their stories, their fear, and their pain are real. So, too, are the
triumphs over impossible odds.<br /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">When she’s not writing, Jo enjoys baking,
drawing, and watching trashy reality TV. She makes her home somewhere in
the contiguous United States with her husband, one fluffy cat, and one
barely domesticated cat.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">Let’s Connect!</span><br /></p>
<p><a href="https://www.jodenning.com/">Website </a>| <a href="https://twitter.com/jo_denning">Twitter </a>| <a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Author-Jo-Denning/100075794838908/">Facebook </a>| <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21978316.Jo_Denning">Goodreads</a></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631291733748413376.post-85586335111693413692023-07-10T21:00:00.004-07:002023-07-10T21:00:00.143-07:00❀New Nonfiction Book Alert❀: Becoming Flawesome by Kristina Mand-Lakhiani #BecomingFlawesome<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2QyG62DigMqk5zGv6T0BDPinOkXGvU9_g0_BqXGRnPQYYQbBEph73ChQvJvWHjBXTcaOGBvARvV7MBJWmryt4LmHIyXldXPisabMy6E-rNbGdbzgclVBnftJlcjWfzEmAXviBpE6nix0Rp3x1TLNMbutzzg4n5eWfG46ToxlKDoIjbeoN-ykq_x2t-SR/s640/Becoming%20Flawesome%2012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2QyG62DigMqk5zGv6T0BDPinOkXGvU9_g0_BqXGRnPQYYQbBEph73ChQvJvWHjBXTcaOGBvARvV7MBJWmryt4LmHIyXldXPisabMy6E-rNbGdbzgclVBnftJlcjWfzEmAXviBpE6nix0Rp3x1TLNMbutzzg4n5eWfG46ToxlKDoIjbeoN-ykq_x2t-SR/w513-h385/Becoming%20Flawesome%2012.jpg" width="513" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><br /><p></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5JxtRKZlEHw6VgzubfiWUk_W0zs7Zcou7FUncevddaBbMor-iHXH6DGQ5q6soEOBO-r-SPa2XUJPHqjmWb5e7pLhy9D64QtwLVbGGJWzmzpPytHEkh4V1t9M85L09BBeyKp6tr4WBIAsLJcGp7HTuTz1CHCxPihc2THrTt9_IVS3u813Vox4ZbCTRX0Y/s927/Becoming%20Flawesome%20lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="927" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5JxtRKZlEHw6VgzubfiWUk_W0zs7Zcou7FUncevddaBbMor-iHXH6DGQ5q6soEOBO-r-SPa2XUJPHqjmWb5e7pLhy9D64QtwLVbGGJWzmzpPytHEkh4V1t9M85L09BBeyKp6tr4WBIAsLJcGp7HTuTz1CHCxPihc2THrTt9_IVS3u813Vox4ZbCTRX0Y/s320/Becoming%20Flawesome%20lg.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>Becoming Flawesome<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Kristina Mand-Lakhiani<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Hay House<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">280 pages</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Nonfiction<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Perfection. We all dream of living by it, feeling it, <em>being</em> it. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">And it is in the name
of perfection that we demonize our flaws, make ourselves ‘less-than,’
and render ourselves vulnerable to the shame of not being good enough. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">We live in a society
that subliminally encourages us to wear metaphorical masks, slay our
inner sadness, and ignore our imperfections, or as Kristina refers to
them, her ‘dragons.’ <strong>Even within the world of personal development and spirituality, toxic perfectionism lurks in the shadows.</strong> </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">In Kristina’s upcoming book <em>Becoming Flawesome #BecomingFlawesome</em>, she reflects on her own story, her <strong>battle against perfectionism</strong>, and what it took for her to return to what she now deems to be her most authentic self. Being described as “<strong>10 years worth of therapy in one book</strong>,” <em>Becoming Flawesome</em> is a celebration of our whole selves, warts and all, and the glory that is to be found in living in our truth. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Every chapter is
closed with reflection points and exercises to encourage the readers to
dive deep into the essence of who they truly are, what their values are,
and how to navigate an oftentimes overwhelming world. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">In this book, Kristina breaks the mold as she takes the reader on a journey through: </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">• The dark, controversial side of ‘personal growth,’ and the insecurities that thrive on it </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">• Self-care vs. self-love, and why you need both </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">• What authenticity actually is, beyond the buzz </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">• The ‘hermione Syndrome,’ and how to diagnose if you’re secretly suffering from it </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">• How to create aligned lifestyle habits that stick </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> • Why the more you judge others, the more you judge yourself </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> • Societal masks, and how to remove them from your psyche </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> • Imposter syndrome in the world of high-flyers </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> • Emotional literacy: how to cope with strong, painful emotions healthily </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Amazon: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/mwtzj3jx">https://tinyurl.com/mwtzj3jx</a><br />
</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Mind Valley Books: <a href="https://www.mindvalley.com/books/flawesome">https://www.mindvalley.com/books/flawesome</a></span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p></div><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Cherry Swash"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: 'Cherry Swash'; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Book Excerpt</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i></i></p><blockquote>
<p>The Key to Living an Imperfectly Authentic Life</p>
<p>Introduction</p>
<p>Let’s Begin</p>
<p>It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a good book has to start with a proper introduction.</p>
<p>And by “proper” I mean that it has to prime the reader for the journey, raise excitement and set expectations, explain the process, and make reading the book an experience both profitable and smooth. After all, we are about to spend some time together on this journey.</p>
<p>Therefore, I was not surprised when on the first meeting with my publisher I was asked if I would consider writing a proper introduction to my book. You see—the original manuscript started with a story of me pondering my future book while standing in the shower, warm water running down my back, and my finger absentmindedly drawing random patterns on the fogged-up glass.</p>
<p>I started this book during the long years of successive COVID confinements, and I was planning to self-publish it because I wanted the freedom to make decisions about the book—how to write, what to write, what stories to include, what kind of experience to offer to my reader. So, naturally, it wasn’t following any universally acknowledged truths or conventions.</p>
<p>Yet, by the time I had to present my book-baby to the world, I felt that I wanted to give it the best possible future, and I had to face the big decision between my heart and my brain: Will it be self-published (heart), or will I work with a traditional publisher (brain)? Going the traditional way meant facing more choices between my quirky and obstinate self-expression and conventional ways of doing things.</p>
<p>This book is about finding your way back to yourself, about understanding who you really are, accepting your dents and scratches, your quirky uniqueness and even your flaws. It is about thriving in being unapologetically you, most flawesomely.</p>
<p>This book has been through the hands of several editors ever since I put the last stop on its original manuscript. This journey has been both emotional and transformative for me. I had to face my biggest dragon by far—my obstinate need for pure self-expression—over and over again.</p>
<p>When do you follow convention, and when do you stick to your own principles and values?</p>
<p>There is no simple answer to this question, except: you have to learn to balance.</p>
<p>If you follow all the rules that your peers expect you to follow, you bet all there is on a slim chance of the grand prize, but you do it at the price of your own unique self-expression. At times, I felt like I had to “sell my soul to the devil” for a chance at success.</p>
<p>But if you obstinately stick to your own unique quirks and principles, you might end up being unheard and misunderstood so universally that there is no point in writing a book. For it is the readers who make a writer. Without the readers, a book is just a private diary.</p>
<p>Reader, will you judge me if I tell you that this book is a delicate balance between convention and my own uniqueness? Of course, I want you to succeed. But I cannot give you the proper introduction to my book because every book is a journey. This book has been my journey, and</p>
<p>now it is yours. I walked my path to my true self, to understanding what makes me truly me . . .</p>
<p>and what of that unique quirkiness is simply noise. You see, your flaws and your dragons are there for a reason—they make you who you are, but they also hold the key to your biggest value, to your mightiest strengths, if you choose to look your dragons in the eye.</p>
<p>Now I am hoping that you will take this journey with me to your unique destination—to finding the path back to you. I will be your companion on this journey, but it is yours to take.</p>
<p>So why wouldn’t I tell you what’s ahead? Imagine if Gandalf told Bilbo Baggins that on his journey, he would encounter trolls, go through a perilous enchanted forest, and face a dragon in a far-away mountain. Wouldn’t that be a bit of a spoiler?</p>
<p>I want you to take this journey back to you without any spoilers, with an open heart, and trust that the destination is going to be worth your effort. Because becoming flawesome is the best gift you can give to yourself.</p>
<p>So, if you are ready, let’s begin!</p>
</blockquote><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">About the Author <br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"></span><br /><p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BHYz1-0BzJ4XUOGIIZwnymF4WHLyQ8ZP/view"></a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWK811nRhqKORJC8ATome9lBSHFjoUSPsXpfA8cvy5SQYwQ8s89cX1mIj4h-4UiNTD1XMH5KHwyfwBURJY01FGpKx5TwN79CZ6UklZc5Z3woDr7GVzi-dnrbPIIu048JTiHnP7F19i8Zm0iXIue-IxdoYJEXNfx9tGXkbXU0QxEj8Sl0_m6UCDE7TMz04/s752/Kristina%20Mand-Lakhiani%20lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="752" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWK811nRhqKORJC8ATome9lBSHFjoUSPsXpfA8cvy5SQYwQ8s89cX1mIj4h-4UiNTD1XMH5KHwyfwBURJY01FGpKx5TwN79CZ6UklZc5Z3woDr7GVzi-dnrbPIIu048JTiHnP7F19i8Zm0iXIue-IxdoYJEXNfx9tGXkbXU0QxEj8Sl0_m6UCDE7TMz04/s320/Kristina%20Mand-Lakhiani%20lg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Kristina Mand-Lakhiani is an international speaker, entrepreneur, artist, philanthropist, and mother of 2 kids. As a co-founder of <a href="https://www.mindvalley.com">Mindvalley</a>,
a leading publisher in the personal growth industry, Kristina dedicated
the last 20 years of her career from teachers like Michael Beckwith,
Bob Proctor, Lisa Nichols, and many more. <p></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">She started her career
in a government office in her native Estonia and, by her mid-20s,
achieved a level of success mostly known to male politicians at the end
of their careers. It was shortly after that Kristina and her
then-husband Vishen founded Mindvalley. From a small meditation business
operating out of the couple’s apartment in New York, the company grew
into a global educational organization offering top training for peak
human performance to hundreds of thousands of students all around the
world. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Kristina believes life
it too important to be taken seriously and makes sure to bring fun into
every one of her roles: as a teacher, mother, entrepreneur,
philanthropist, and world traveler. Kristina helps her students to
virtually hack happiness by taking them through her unique framework –
“Hacking happiness” – a unique framework of balancing your life, taking
in every moment, and paying close attention the small daily choices. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Kristina is also the author of three transformational quests – “<a href="https://kristinamand.com/7-days-to-happiness/">7 Days to Happiness</a>“, “<a href="https://kristinamand.com/#programs">Live By Your Own Rules</a>.”
and “The Art of Being Flawesome.” Kristina talks about personal
transformation, authenticity, understanding and accepting oneself, and a
path to happiness. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">In July 2023, with the help of Hay House Publishing, Kristina releases her very first book – “<a href="http://mindvalley.com/book/flawesome">Becoming Flawesome</a>”
#BecomingFlawsome. In her book, Kristina shares her own journey from
being on top of a personal growth empire like Mindvalley to stepping
aside, conscious uncoupling from her husband, and walking her path
towards being more honest with herself. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Website: <a href="https://kristinamand.com">https://kristinamand.com</a></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kristinamand">https://www.facebook.com/kristinamand</a></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">LinkedIn: <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-mand-lakhiani-73168414">http://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-mand-lakhiani-73168414</a><br />
</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631291733748413376.post-70615471377456767252023-07-04T21:00:00.001-07:002023-07-04T21:00:00.140-07:00SMOOTH BOOK BIRTHDAY BASH & GIVEAWAY!<div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfN71qDZAE69pRq3gGEdhHED2ZiLep1XErA7J2zPa5FGn6XRm1v-k1GAusYA4k7KbFHdtkaM5YKeXEi91NQakCgOgOrKl49IM0aDId382e9FpFNJdTSxuJGAETWKMd-OutnFCpUp_Gdtr_4G89ymsPr_wnQeCizuBQU1IIPPfBqfrpahRjetNMFEIeg/s640/Smooth%20Happy%20Birthday%20Bash%20Invitation.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfN71qDZAE69pRq3gGEdhHED2ZiLep1XErA7J2zPa5FGn6XRm1v-k1GAusYA4k7KbFHdtkaM5YKeXEi91NQakCgOgOrKl49IM0aDId382e9FpFNJdTSxuJGAETWKMd-OutnFCpUp_Gdtr_4G89ymsPr_wnQeCizuBQU1IIPPfBqfrpahRjetNMFEIeg/w574-h430/Smooth%20Happy%20Birthday%20Bash%20Invitation.jpg" width="574" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Cookie;"><span>We're
thrilled to announce the release of Celia Bonaduce's new book, SMOOTH: LIFE HACKS TO GET YOU SMOOTHLY THROUGH CHEMO today!
To help celebrate, we are asking our readers if you can please pretty
please pick up a copy at<a href="https://tinyurl.com/ywf2mjc3" style="color: #15a3a3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"> Amazon</a> and come back and tell us how you liked it? Or, leave a review while you're there!</span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Cookie;"><span> </span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Cookie;"><span> </span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Cookie;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_YQg3D-e1x-w-MLw4xzXhfb8vcZXhjOwQQwjevdideQwAv5z_zT4vMFyLyLmhOmINbVqKYAe9gft0iVgyTiQ201VU0EETyT1fMLZlvSmJuJ9_LvdeCMr8bKyFsq_YarJaqS1a5N3FbLWHl_r7Fh12gZYDHkU2iO5MbOFIhQHKNJJpXfXkvgU93k/s716/happy%20book%20birthday%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="716" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_YQg3D-e1x-w-MLw4xzXhfb8vcZXhjOwQQwjevdideQwAv5z_zT4vMFyLyLmhOmINbVqKYAe9gft0iVgyTiQ201VU0EETyT1fMLZlvSmJuJ9_LvdeCMr8bKyFsq_YarJaqS1a5N3FbLWHl_r7Fh12gZYDHkU2iO5MbOFIhQHKNJJpXfXkvgU93k/w553-h254/happy%20book%20birthday%206.jpg" width="553" /></a></div><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-family: Cookie;"><span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Congratulations, Celia, on your new release, Smooth: Life Hacks to Get You Smoothly Through Chemo!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arvo; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arvo; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arvo; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arvo; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXk3-4D718J-kiBomnRMFKXKBtZWcmqW3aY9meJkvtsdyaQtyhhXUSpobDLZnfrzoUp4ouomg_pV4nFZUTx7bJ6YFGrAEVZaH63F69boLPhrQmykxojbW439Tqe_gBUyCbXrBMOSimYIg/s1600/balloons+2.png" style="color: #15a3a3; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1025" data-original-width="1600" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXk3-4D718J-kiBomnRMFKXKBtZWcmqW3aY9meJkvtsdyaQtyhhXUSpobDLZnfrzoUp4ouomg_pV4nFZUTx7bJ6YFGrAEVZaH63F69boLPhrQmykxojbW439Tqe_gBUyCbXrBMOSimYIg/s320/balloons+2.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></span></div><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arvo; font-size: 15.4px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arvo; font-size: 15.4px;" /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZy6rj_E9GrLVoWS8rkSxVYzVYEeuNn5UMVNOGqx18BKy7lXWnFT6CKGZE0Wi-KmgVX5iS8X_9TbLForlS9TQEgmDMwZrCE_IXq4Dm3LRN_TBdiKynI9tINtmVNtQlHUOJ5Z-6XS-LSg1ATfY3_p1A_6raJmRLpPH1lajS2ELix5vDGbDAvPBgg3bLPA/s373/Smooth%20xxx.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="115" data-original-width="373" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZy6rj_E9GrLVoWS8rkSxVYzVYEeuNn5UMVNOGqx18BKy7lXWnFT6CKGZE0Wi-KmgVX5iS8X_9TbLForlS9TQEgmDMwZrCE_IXq4Dm3LRN_TBdiKynI9tINtmVNtQlHUOJ5Z-6XS-LSg1ATfY3_p1A_6raJmRLpPH1lajS2ELix5vDGbDAvPBgg3bLPA/s320/Smooth%20xxx.png" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dhiSwiooiCNZrldycURh1lvYejnUkM8qzK-O0ZCkEZI2gJClMTjjS3bMXiV58OLadoXhL2eurSYZEM7GeRs2E1kD6Z_gLStLWADptMFONXyc4lqBuQmnTkujc4sEVtRTUaHMR4QpgGXvrNJzixO4F7DppAq9-dq3fdUGcNmiZ6JbbZ8fU16PuYo/s1245/Babe%20in%20the%20Woods%20xxx.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arvo; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Is Now Available in Paperback!</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arvo; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFK1cOBKgqCI_NKFqQxZ-qG-cdsvGTZVdjBGuekc5oE9RF2N7UvKKbuPLUz1scrfzI6c6iwW1ZypcnPJPs0pqnK8QothOKLM2SQ5qSN-zH1VMUPjXCoAw9_Nx9xZXE12D-ABxb3buXhMGB_a1hAouDp35I3w_nhuMIVk-Mh3XiJUN0Yw9cY5s_UXMiA/s640/Smooth%20happy%20book%20birthday%20anim.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFK1cOBKgqCI_NKFqQxZ-qG-cdsvGTZVdjBGuekc5oE9RF2N7UvKKbuPLUz1scrfzI6c6iwW1ZypcnPJPs0pqnK8QothOKLM2SQ5qSN-zH1VMUPjXCoAw9_Nx9xZXE12D-ABxb3buXhMGB_a1hAouDp35I3w_nhuMIVk-Mh3XiJUN0Yw9cY5s_UXMiA/w589-h442/Smooth%20happy%20book%20birthday%20anim.gif" width="589" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIBnhrNSPCU8mpCdZNZS4NMmr7YItDOfCIWjyAiAp8OCAb6rnlJFo5KCwAMH_BBu0Z8GIHwNSA8o0LezGl1zKaE1Q6HrchTFa3FyYkgIiHD31w11Vn0DBKNvM1d6QapGZ5ZEQOgrhuW_ovwYWPY3_MA84h6iKxrDUf4SagLSmxalxL5-q8ihsGXeing/s513/About%20the%20Book%20books.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="513" height="70" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIBnhrNSPCU8mpCdZNZS4NMmr7YItDOfCIWjyAiAp8OCAb6rnlJFo5KCwAMH_BBu0Z8GIHwNSA8o0LezGl1zKaE1Q6HrchTFa3FyYkgIiHD31w11Vn0DBKNvM1d6QapGZ5ZEQOgrhuW_ovwYWPY3_MA84h6iKxrDUf4SagLSmxalxL5-q8ihsGXeing/s320/About%20the%20Book%20books.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arvo; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"></p><p><span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt;" style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfd1lu8Kz1NM6NOEVpj427jdah2JhR6sqX7S8P471I_0NXGPr_rhssx4Ru8sCO1dHX_Y_R1KzrT3W-crWRuT6kh0z5h3WZxVdj1ihvIMekbRld3yhCkEH2Zcisu0Zlsod-XeiDOQ_rjebaJdXmCloZ6oQRwHZyqBaQfaerAU8NYBb_WjdvRTHQW-tZQ/s694/Smooth.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="694" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfd1lu8Kz1NM6NOEVpj427jdah2JhR6sqX7S8P471I_0NXGPr_rhssx4Ru8sCO1dHX_Y_R1KzrT3W-crWRuT6kh0z5h3WZxVdj1ihvIMekbRld3yhCkEH2Zcisu0Zlsod-XeiDOQ_rjebaJdXmCloZ6oQRwHZyqBaQfaerAU8NYBb_WjdvRTHQW-tZQ/w640-h530/Smooth.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Title: Smooth: Life Hacks To Get You Smoothly Through Chemo</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> Author: Celia Bonaduce</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> Publisher: BookBaby</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> Pages: 100</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> Genre: Nonfiction<br />
</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">When cancer got in the
way of Celia traveling for her day job as a field producer on the hit
HGTV show, House Hunters, she did not let it stop her creativity. While
the road to her first nonfiction book was anything but SMOOTH, it was a
path that Celia felt compelled to explore. This collection of life hacks
comes from Celia’s own experiences living through chemo. </span></p>
<span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Amazon:<a href="https://amzn.to/3pmQoFa"> https://amzn.to/3pmQoFa</a></span><p><span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt;" style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwX5fwfa8X_ZOWqrVsfm3BPuRVnATj-K-76_UwNBVqPJHxnkFZizxnZT8wLQpWWLoX7oiagxM10QQF_QPnI4DyBhjeePJwUYFAgcpt8atx0SQWlWYaEeH81F-NvTrynPIR4MxY0y_oMDxX5yACNiEntWUDY4aRWBOxiedksWftEC7_IBnpGBNAXDk67g/s782/Smooth%20happy%20book%20birthday%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="618" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwX5fwfa8X_ZOWqrVsfm3BPuRVnATj-K-76_UwNBVqPJHxnkFZizxnZT8wLQpWWLoX7oiagxM10QQF_QPnI4DyBhjeePJwUYFAgcpt8atx0SQWlWYaEeH81F-NvTrynPIR4MxY0y_oMDxX5yACNiEntWUDY4aRWBOxiedksWftEC7_IBnpGBNAXDk67g/w506-h640/Smooth%20happy%20book%20birthday%202.jpg" width="506" /></a></div><p></p><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-weight: 700;"><span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></span></p><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-weight: 700;"><span><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-weight: 700;"><span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLYcij7jSwh7BUEJmoGteBpo2Rc2h8fg7leGoLwPZC6OXQV7z15QM44Zgwfl_A-fBy9MU8700CXTXrXOQJiLyUl6nqlYYuDrGSQVO5d59YJH8sPYxJai9iuyLf6h7omlcMfUALATA1TVXCfTFlg06XL9cBa7FlWl6Dh5RmS5HaJcPxnaOobSjYw5eLQ/s266/excerpt%20books.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="111" data-original-width="266" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLYcij7jSwh7BUEJmoGteBpo2Rc2h8fg7leGoLwPZC6OXQV7z15QM44Zgwfl_A-fBy9MU8700CXTXrXOQJiLyUl6nqlYYuDrGSQVO5d59YJH8sPYxJai9iuyLf6h7omlcMfUALATA1TVXCfTFlg06XL9cBa7FlWl6Dh5RmS5HaJcPxnaOobSjYw5eLQ/s1600/excerpt%20books.png" width="266" /></a></span></span></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-weight: 700;"><span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></span><p></p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">One test had led to the next and then the next. I’d had two mammograms, an ultrasound, and a biopsy. So when the call came, I was ready.</span></span></i></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">“Hi, Celia…” my doctor said, her voice trailing off. “It’s cancer.”</span></span></i></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">“Yeah,” I said, picturing my life as a novelist and a TV producer grinding to an immediate halt. “My village would have to be missing its idiot for me to not have suspected this.”</span></span></i></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">So then I did the breast cancer thing—lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. I learned a lot about breast cancer (for example, that mine was Stage 1-B triple-negative breast cancer). But here’s a secret: while there are lots of books out there about women’s personal stories during their breast cancer journeys, when you’re going through it, you don’t give a rat’s ass about anyone else’s story. You just want to know how to get through it yourself.</span></span></i></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This isn’t a personal retrospective, nor is it a medical journal. But I do have some recommendations I’d like to pass along—just some ideas that might make your life easier during this most stressful of times. All the products mentioned are my personal favorites from my own chemo adventure. No company has endorsed, sponsored, or bribed me. The photographs of the products are beautiful and professional looking because my beautiful and professional friend Justine shot them.</span></span></i></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">As you start your journey, you will wonder where you will get the mental as well as physical strength to voluntarily show up for chemo month after month. But you will find that strength or that strength will find you. I hope these tips will make your trip easier.</span></span></i></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Because it’s all about you.</span></span></i></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">As it should be.</span></span></i></h2>
<p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-weight: 700;"><span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1fGEXX_5xyzSvior6glgwgSgQB11d8OcHAEToN-esWFqtU9XcmioTOHGHmz_A4od5BLlCRR7eZVB7R6ce0v39UZeXDlmtB-5tyg1z6U8veNKbN3pdXJOC6qqjKiQw3TuGIoOtd8507nu2d_QK0j9r5suZ0glJdB-r8yZTfCf650kVIUSxUd9FtWiGA/s581/About%20the%20Author%203.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="581" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1fGEXX_5xyzSvior6glgwgSgQB11d8OcHAEToN-esWFqtU9XcmioTOHGHmz_A4od5BLlCRR7eZVB7R6ce0v39UZeXDlmtB-5tyg1z6U8veNKbN3pdXJOC6qqjKiQw3TuGIoOtd8507nu2d_QK0j9r5suZ0glJdB-r8yZTfCf650kVIUSxUd9FtWiGA/w400-h78/About%20the%20Author%203.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400;"><p><span data-mce-style="font-family: Cherry Swash; font-size: 14pt; color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: Cherry Swash; font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMOkYwcvxVI4-7RthXMrwaBAlJxnD3aMwvx3sR1p8WQ1MkMoIjYM0j9E6h4p4udyjof-wbe78rPSuzaumn70yMpsZjDy9kkhLZsKrdATH5xdwArplvBz3RafbefNs1ELfhI6UvK58j0p9ITVU88dm4A5-QFf5IM6sE4XXo4_SRDHDE67rC9QcqLg3Mw/s592/Celia%20Bonaduce.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="545" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMOkYwcvxVI4-7RthXMrwaBAlJxnD3aMwvx3sR1p8WQ1MkMoIjYM0j9E6h4p4udyjof-wbe78rPSuzaumn70yMpsZjDy9kkhLZsKrdATH5xdwArplvBz3RafbefNs1ELfhI6UvK58j0p9ITVU88dm4A5-QFf5IM6sE4XXo4_SRDHDE67rC9QcqLg3Mw/w374-h406/Celia%20Bonaduce.png" width="374" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Celia Bonaduce is an
award-winning novelist, podcast writer, and television producer. Celia
spent fifteen years as a producer-director in lifestyle programming on
shows that include ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and HGTV’s House
Hunters and Tiny House Hunters. As a novelist with Kensington
Publishing, Celia has written three trilogies: the Venice Beach
Romances, the Fat Chance, Texas series, and the Tiny House Novels. The
Tiny House Novel series won top honors with a Grand Finalist nod from
the New Apple Official Selection, first place in the Book Excellence
Awards and Gold from both the National Federation of Press Women and the
Elite Choice Awards. Celia is also a co-author of <i>A Texas Kind of Christmas</i>, an Amazon #1 Best Seller in Historical Romance that took Gold from the National Federation of Press Women. </span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Website: <a href="https://www.celiabonaduce.com">https://www.celiabonaduce.com </a></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Twitter: <a href="https://www.twitter.com/CeliaBonaduce">https://www.twitter.com/CeliaBonaduce </a></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CeliaBonaduceAuthor">https://www.facebook.com/CeliaBonaduceAuthor </a></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/celiabonaduce">https://www.instagram.com/celiabonaduce </a></span></span></p>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Bookbub: <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/celia-bonaduce">https://www.bookbub.com/authors/celia-bonaduce</a></span></span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); color: #333333; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400;"> </span></div></b><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbdFNhNs4bSJFSYQxliqR9ZIt10kejCB1h_A8WZ2kFWZqUabRq5LobGeIAwA51oNgYKiVf0rwASmBp63Q787-PHDkm_DMv1mDNiPmTIWHsCyAQ3FarS9xkq3p6p8LY26_MaAw49H3Ry_T0fdp3VLxcn42o-1nWY2__xF0_lu9-BJnFke2Whch9gWEIA/s306/giveaway%20books.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="111" data-original-width="306" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbdFNhNs4bSJFSYQxliqR9ZIt10kejCB1h_A8WZ2kFWZqUabRq5LobGeIAwA51oNgYKiVf0rwASmBp63Q787-PHDkm_DMv1mDNiPmTIWHsCyAQ3FarS9xkq3p6p8LY26_MaAw49H3Ry_T0fdp3VLxcn42o-1nWY2__xF0_lu9-BJnFke2Whch9gWEIA/s1600/giveaway%20books.png" width="306" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br id="docs-internal-guid-cc67bdfe-7fff-0e20-880f-bb89187ebb78" /><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 18pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 17pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Celia Bonaduce is giving away one $25 Amazon Gift Card!</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Terms & Conditions:</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Amazon Gift Card.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">This giveaway ends midnight July 5.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Winner will be contacted via email on July 6.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Winner has 48 hours to reply.</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Good luck everyone!</span></p><h3 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">ENTER TO WIN!</span></h3><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.44; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1a49cf61257/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"></span></a><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="1a49cf61257" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1a49cf61257/" id="rcwidget_4wwlx6p5" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script><br /></p> </div><br /></div></b><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/85dOq4pDPz0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><br /><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); color: #333333; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400;"></span></div></b></div><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); color: #333333; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400;"> </span><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"></b></div></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzg2aAxndG0EAOUrOmdj8CyPslod-V6yx1B6iX4Yi1kpxcSZpiEhVUzRf_s6rhBT36GwXzIgNfODsjY-WU-Say0gd4lmXYpERi2WH6gSOEPdYBZMsn9rkLyDaVJUcLjFz6Wqt7oxe_6JTCyB7JBEVnP58moieNJjygeEVp79QOuzRaBjEB6A5L2hU=s268" style="color: #15a3a3; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="268" height="449" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzg2aAxndG0EAOUrOmdj8CyPslod-V6yx1B6iX4Yi1kpxcSZpiEhVUzRf_s6rhBT36GwXzIgNfODsjY-WU-Say0gd4lmXYpERi2WH6gSOEPdYBZMsn9rkLyDaVJUcLjFz6Wqt7oxe_6JTCyB7JBEVnP58moieNJjygeEVp79QOuzRaBjEB6A5L2hU=w640-h449" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /></div><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631291733748413376.post-41777144708653276132023-06-27T05:49:00.004-07:002023-06-27T05:49:56.879-07:00Book Cover Junkie Interviews Mystery Author Marilyn Meredith <p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiAOHslqfe8UavLsK0bzxONt92lPqUOqVLj7bmRXz81alKgR-lSK2n-lGX4Tv6XJz-wbsDeX_Kd-2AdgjZ5TSFck2e4-OxcZqybqTlDrJhi4BhzRbfpz_zrorpu10pjNjA4z1e2eaFYXMEaFcRfRPxivOliisDEr0BkU5Ouav9nyPacDbHLzWww82fFqf/s445/Marilyn%20Meredith%20author.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="407" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiAOHslqfe8UavLsK0bzxONt92lPqUOqVLj7bmRXz81alKgR-lSK2n-lGX4Tv6XJz-wbsDeX_Kd-2AdgjZ5TSFck2e4-OxcZqybqTlDrJhi4BhzRbfpz_zrorpu10pjNjA4z1e2eaFYXMEaFcRfRPxivOliisDEr0BkU5Ouav9nyPacDbHLzWww82fFqf/s320/Marilyn%20Meredith%20author.jpg" width="293" /></a></div>Marilyn Meredith is the author of over forty published novels,
including the award-winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series. She is
a member of Sisters in Crime and on the board of the Public Safety
Writers Association. She’s taught writing in many venues and appeared on
numerous panels at mystery cons. Her home is in the foothills of the
Southern Sierra, a place much like the fictional Bear Creek of the Tempe
Crabtree mysteries. When not writing, Marilyn enjoys spending time with
her large family.<p></p>
<p>Website | <a href="http://fictionforyou.com">http://fictionforyou.com</a> </p>
<p>Twitter | <a href="http://www.twitter.com/marilynmeredith">http://www.twitter.com/marilynmeredith</a> </p>
<p>Facebook | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/marilynmeredith">https://www.facebook.com/marilynmeredith</a> <br /></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b>Interview:</b></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b> </b></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Tell us about your book! What inspired you to write it?</span></p>
<p>Marilyn: I knew this book would be the last in the Tempe Crabtree series so I wanted to include some of the </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNG-oclty6EpYcmXnXBF5d0X0m2UWheuGKxgbFHtXrmLLP9JP0ZPxdTapnAnqcNNhlmSMxe8H_mBhWxSaCuq3kXxMd5c0LI2WHVgrGAX2I1gFOu7X2xMZpQBrPnZGhPwLb7GLT1U8r4SZT44r3Y5KDHTyM5d6n38UVsfcP4UHi-_D_U9IW7tKdpJq3Zpj/s900/A%20Final%20Farewell%20lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="569" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNG-oclty6EpYcmXnXBF5d0X0m2UWheuGKxgbFHtXrmLLP9JP0ZPxdTapnAnqcNNhlmSMxe8H_mBhWxSaCuq3kXxMd5c0LI2WHVgrGAX2I1gFOu7X2xMZpQBrPnZGhPwLb7GLT1U8r4SZT44r3Y5KDHTyM5d6n38UVsfcP4UHi-_D_U9IW7tKdpJq3Zpj/w379-h569/A%20Final%20Farewell%20lg.jpg" width="379" /></a></div><br />characters who’d made appearances in some of the other books. I also wanted to send Tempe and her husband off on a new adventure, one readers would have to imagine for themselves. Scary events happen to Tempe and her husband, Hutch, changing their lives abruptly.<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large;">How did you choose the title for your book? Did it come to you right away, before you started writing it, or did it come later?</span></p>
<p>Marilyn: I wanted the word “farewell” to be in the title, but couldn’t come up with something that resonated with me. My editor fooled around with it a bit, but her husband, who also has designed several of my covers, came up with the perfect title, A Final Farewell.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Tell us about the cover design process. Did you have a basic idea of what your book cover would be like? </span></p>
<p>Marilyn: Larry Collins who designed the cover had the best idea. Since this was the last book in the series, he used the feather that had been on every book in the series, and enlarged it for the cover. Perfect! </p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Who is your cover designer and how did you find him/her?</span></p>
<p>Marilyn: Over the years I’ve had two different cover designers, who’ve come up with some wonderfully unique covers. When Lorna Collins became my editor and did the hard work of the actual publishing on Amazon, her husband took over designing the book covers. He did great creating designs following the themes of earlier covers.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large;">What has been the readers’ response to your cover?</span></p>
<p>Marilyn: I have very supportive readers and so far everyone has had a positive response to the cover for A Final Farewell.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large;">What tips would you give to authors who are looking for a cover designer?</span></p>
<p>Marilyn: Find someone who is easy to work with and will listen to your ideas about what the cover should look like.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Anything else you’d like to say about your book?</span></p>
<p>Marilyn: It has been difficult to say goodbye to the characters who inhabit this series, so difficult I’ve actually had two other Tempe Crabtree mysteries I thought would be the last. </p>
<p><i>A Final Farewell</i> is available in paper and for Kindle.</p> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/40YLA5V" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="289" height="57" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPWt2fq7NjjY54mZNElFIIKk4MexaT6HMNG7WAPvNBWcyXgtVwyTgsHX4FXlVGjjk7FG96PlFaxoSf8j-bOz6XHj4t56QSwkD02XNCHL5gnV5N0BI2ER93N333Gnh7_PywZ52_rHH5o6RgsqMHAnhS4w6Ykhtj-1Es948oceu7Uw1dGescCH91rkZTA/s1600/CLICK%20HERE%20TO%20PURCHASE.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><p> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631291733748413376.post-35492115870195246052023-06-11T21:00:00.000-07:002023-06-11T21:00:00.135-07:00Babe in the Woods Book Blast & Win Amazon Gift Card<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndcsd_09J6NaEoLAkYeNOd-ZqRn9qBGz_UedWCVtYWRMVJaXh6BNv7OJlzLmG5yCn0DT8oLsre8vqk8x9Kb-f5kinb31_DbfCaFmzOfixboA1UbpMBuHYHPUI2VLg8rn70yKyouGrlULQVhJ4we5mUB32BJEAYP2UE31JOQRdP-u_aDEq3YQDUo4/s688/Babe%20in%20the%20Woods%20banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="246" data-original-width="688" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndcsd_09J6NaEoLAkYeNOd-ZqRn9qBGz_UedWCVtYWRMVJaXh6BNv7OJlzLmG5yCn0DT8oLsre8vqk8x9Kb-f5kinb31_DbfCaFmzOfixboA1UbpMBuHYHPUI2VLg8rn70yKyouGrlULQVhJ4we5mUB32BJEAYP2UE31JOQRdP-u_aDEq3YQDUo4/w593-h211/Babe%20in%20the%20Woods%20banner.jpg" width="593" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Swash;"></span></span><p></p><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
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<div><p id="docs-internal-guid-163e1e2f-7fff-e74d-c102-93300b4c5efb" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><i><span id="docs-internal-guid-da539151-7fff-664b-9b30-6b1666d6dea9" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1111; font-family: Cherry Swash; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></span></i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-d3c01354-7fff-e837-3c2a-d0ef99d42910" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cherry Swash; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thirty-five</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cherry Swash; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-year-old </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cherry Swash; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hadley returns to her rural hometown, fresh from heartbreak in L.A., to write a play about a woman’s last moment of innocence, but when a hot, young rock-star wannabe she uses as fodder outsmarts her, she needs to decide if innocence is more important than believing in herself…</span></span></p><p id="docs-internal-guid-163e1e2f-7fff-e74d-c102-93300b4c5efb" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><i><span id="docs-internal-guid-da539151-7fff-664b-9b30-6b1666d6dea9" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1111; font-family: Cherry Swash; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></i></p><p id="docs-internal-guid-163e1e2f-7fff-e74d-c102-93300b4c5efb" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Swash;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpSPl4HSzFRFvHDS1EBEylQHJzmeXNXX3yYAMxAQEz6bJNTlkQThmsvore9fxHeZJF_z6V0G9M3k5BFqyKHIEd5rH773E0KCDwHLIffwbdQKtLhqRHC8kN2uG8DLOAsx0pqZursGgK0FZUi5rjSP4CrHsjSwL1dc2AsB21gt2JjR26-xto40FrbM/s715/Babe%20in%20the%20Woods.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="530" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpSPl4HSzFRFvHDS1EBEylQHJzmeXNXX3yYAMxAQEz6bJNTlkQThmsvore9fxHeZJF_z6V0G9M3k5BFqyKHIEd5rH773E0KCDwHLIffwbdQKtLhqRHC8kN2uG8DLOAsx0pqZursGgK0FZUi5rjSP4CrHsjSwL1dc2AsB21gt2JjR26-xto40FrbM/w474-h640/Babe%20in%20the%20Woods.png" width="474" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p id="docs-internal-guid-163e1e2f-7fff-e74d-c102-93300b4c5efb" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-4228c015-7fff-45a9-8d05-3a252dc97f26" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><p></p><p id="docs-internal-guid-163e1e2f-7fff-e74d-c102-93300b4c5efb" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Swash;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-73aceb05-7fff-a7b8-7299-7b7e161268cb" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></p><p></p><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arvo; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Oswald;"><span></span></span></b></span></p></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Oswald;"><span></span></span></b></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Oswald;"><span><span></span></span></span></b></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Oswald;"><span><span></span></span></span></b></span><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Title: Babe in the Woods</span><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"> Author: Jude Hopkins</span><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"> Publisher: Wild Rose Press</span><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"> Pages: 292</span><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"> Genre:</span><span style="color: black;"> </span>Women's Fiction</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"></span></p>
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</p><p>It’s September 1995, the first year of the rest of HADLEY TODD’S life. After a decade in Los Angeles, trying and failing to launch her career as a playwright, Hadley has returned to her hometown in rural New York to write and to be closer to her lonely, ailing father–not that he always welcomes the help. Between looking after him and teaching Shakespeare to teenage malcontents at the local high school, Hadley is determined to produce a masterpiece before 36. She even joins a writing group, thinking the structure will keep her focused. Hadley hopes to channel her recent heartbreak from being dumped in L.A. into writing a play about the last moment of a woman’s innocence, a play that an agent friend in Hollywood has promised to produce. But she struggles with writer’s block and seeks inspiration.</p>
<p>Enter TREY HARDING, a young, handsome sports reporter for a local radio station who covers sports at the high school where Hadley teaches. Trey reminds Hadley of her L.A. ex and is the perfect spark to touch off her imagination. Trey has two girlfriends who work at the school, giving Hadley a great perch from which to watch and write down their interactions. The fact that Trey is an aspiring rock star and she has L.A. record biz connections makes the alliance perfect. She dangles promises of music biz glory while watching his moves. But after they both go to Hollywood, Hadley learns that believing in herself is all the inspiration she needs.<br /></p>
<p>Amazon: <a href="https://amzn.to/41FoWQa">https://amzn.to/41FoWQa</a></p>
<p>Barnes & Noble: <a href="https://bit.ly/451nn20">https://bit.ly/451nn20</a></p>
<p></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-bb2c3c93-7fff-81ba-616c-dcad5ef352a7" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: -0.1pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.1pt; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Swash;"><span><b>Book Excerpt</b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Cherry Swash; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p></p><blockquote><p>
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<p></p><span style="color: black;"></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i data-rich-text-format-boundary="true"></i></span><blockquote><span style="font-size: medium;"></span> <p><i></i></p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivl3rlp3zrKrSvqiesupOsgmw2A94WKk0SYBIk_ucNonrDC4mPIcIszengSfmmaWS8ggi1blTxJkQifIXii2ZjyL0lVrQqrv5e61BYBKV6jzDjVV2Jk6-D-FCckvoDlJMmdQSOzc3-WpCRQosFgyapo8Tty2rj4cIo7IEsnUIc9dvprijrCn6KXOE/s1158/Babe%20in%20the%20Woods%207.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivl3rlp3zrKrSvqiesupOsgmw2A94WKk0SYBIk_ucNonrDC4mPIcIszengSfmmaWS8ggi1blTxJkQifIXii2ZjyL0lVrQqrv5e61BYBKV6jzDjVV2Jk6-D-FCckvoDlJMmdQSOzc3-WpCRQosFgyapo8Tty2rj4cIo7IEsnUIc9dvprijrCn6KXOE/w222-h640/Babe%20in%20the%20Woods%207.gif" width="222" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">She gazed into his face, his high color, those light eyes comprising both shades of teal and blue at once. If he kisses me again, I won’t stop him this time.</span></span></i></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">“Listen,” he said while taking her right hand in his. “We shook these hands on a deal that said you’d introduce me to someone in the music biz, right?”</i></span></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">She nodded. His hand was smooth and dry. She ever-so-slightly tightened her fingers in his grip.</i></span></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">“Then let’s skip these so-called lessons. I’ve already made arrangements through a friend to get a demo made this weekend. So all you have to do is honor that handshake and arrange for me to meet your connection in Hollywood, OK? Just a name, a phone call to introduce me.”</i></span></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">Her play would fail with no inspiration. And stuck with carrying out the worst part of the deal! How did this happen?</i></span></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">“OK,” she said, but not in a commanding voice.</i></span></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">“Good,” he said. He released her hand, breaking what she worried might be the last physical connection she’d ever have with him.</i></span></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">He grabbed his guitar case and headed for the door.</i></span></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">“Wait!” she shouted at him, taking long strides to keep him from leaving. “One more thing. What about you?”</i></span></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">“What about me what?”</i></span></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">“You. Have you ever fallen in love?”</i></span></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">He winked at her. “All the time.”</i></span></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">She’d have the last word, something she realized was important to her. “I think it’s wrong, all these women you lead on. Don’t you? I mean, they may get attached, fall for you. But you seem to use them, to see what you can get out of them for your own purposes. I think that’s wrong, They’re human beings, after all. With feelings.”</i></span></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">He turned around, his eyes drained of any light. “They use me, too. It’s not like they’re not getting anything out of it.”</i></span></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">“What am I getting out of this?” she asked him, if not rhetorically.</i></span></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">He stood on one hip, a move that made him appear more rakish than usual. “I really don’t know, Miss Todd. I wondered that myself. I thought perhaps you were bored or intrigued. Or maybe you’re a control freak.” He took a step toward her so he was within half an inch of her face. “Or maybe you’re just like the rest and can’t resist me.”</i></span></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">Hadley stood her ground. “How do you know when it’s over? The moment when love, or lust, turns into something else. Something not as passionate?”</i></span></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">“I don’t think about it,” he said, returning her gaze. “It’s something that happens. Maybe it’s not one moment. It just is.”</i></span></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>He turned around and walked out of the room.</i> </span></span></h2>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"></h2>
</blockquote><br /><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></div></div></blockquote></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Swash;">More...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Swash;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Swash;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksRd6_CvyARwJR-OLdMCcInCUJgJ4G9GwR8FBRM_FV0BW_j0i5VaWSHzM85jtH35Iu1DKI70ZV6muuY2ze3bjwRLanDiLhFZpPZDwgzDZNgOf7MVB953x69qcXNwNsgOSWZI7zZZGSxw8U1DbvSCGfSyzXGSKNeYZRoh8VOsnJJ78e1qMlX_06_I/s640/Babe%20in%20the%20Woods%2013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksRd6_CvyARwJR-OLdMCcInCUJgJ4G9GwR8FBRM_FV0BW_j0i5VaWSHzM85jtH35Iu1DKI70ZV6muuY2ze3bjwRLanDiLhFZpPZDwgzDZNgOf7MVB953x69qcXNwNsgOSWZI7zZZGSxw8U1DbvSCGfSyzXGSKNeYZRoh8VOsnJJ78e1qMlX_06_I/w570-h428/Babe%20in%20the%20Woods%2013.jpg" width="570" /></a></div><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0AaV6iIwZfUplp5N7Sq8I96aWKvw8hL_tEfbNMZTb9SNcUs8_FsWE1xDu0fLI9Gg5tcRE5Wq0vssEh8VRdBkJdj2Vjbl5to3D-Pb7Qd_cjyIjk6W0ROCuHAm_iqTT7ctO7zWt6GaaqNVQuRqpGA5Nx3ZvFDNrb0KRTu3jr8EJ_lcEviFIZZaGoM/s657/Babe%20in%20the%20Woods%2010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="451" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0AaV6iIwZfUplp5N7Sq8I96aWKvw8hL_tEfbNMZTb9SNcUs8_FsWE1xDu0fLI9Gg5tcRE5Wq0vssEh8VRdBkJdj2Vjbl5to3D-Pb7Qd_cjyIjk6W0ROCuHAm_iqTT7ctO7zWt6GaaqNVQuRqpGA5Nx3ZvFDNrb0KRTu3jr8EJ_lcEviFIZZaGoM/w440-h640/Babe%20in%20the%20Woods%2010.jpg" width="440" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHjmD4gZY4bC0BqIg1Agnrer_3gFRTaYGxBeDiExc069DR4P0EdkeYbFGAwhDwuPqoD7WNPMtGNYUcn13Jp3g2B01S9qAJNf2Na7WaJHyKI9Zpit2pgYONPd7r21Gm5VwiIdtcoh-FFZA_kL3fGc8rkSsoiB1rwtFcQA7VflEdJwYxeYsMrEqDfo/s640/Babe%20in%20the%20Woods%2012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHjmD4gZY4bC0BqIg1Agnrer_3gFRTaYGxBeDiExc069DR4P0EdkeYbFGAwhDwuPqoD7WNPMtGNYUcn13Jp3g2B01S9qAJNf2Na7WaJHyKI9Zpit2pgYONPd7r21Gm5VwiIdtcoh-FFZA_kL3fGc8rkSsoiB1rwtFcQA7VflEdJwYxeYsMrEqDfo/w571-h428/Babe%20in%20the%20Woods%2012.jpg" width="571" /></a></div><br /><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-1494820207040531290" itemprop="articleBody"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arvo; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Swash;"><b><span><span>_________ <br /></span></span></b></span></span><h2 style="text-align: center;"><b></b></h2>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Babe-in-the-Woods-Amazon-Giveaway.jpg">
</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOPJfiWjVJB01vBe3MJLUsrzByogV6tS2nCrKBqs08FFR_zV36pxXsaY-VNW_k0sAc-b-dSQf7XKc3Rb0xfrwg_1eoh2hIA99oW39ixt0-GC-MjUO3pM7zKyvXJXu9Vh7A2QIqhA8MP87G6wPJjjSIB3QPeU_Mnm8Rv59NQwrd4ekFLesd5ylYS0/s646/Babe%20in%20the%20Woods%20Amazon%20Giveaway.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="646" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOPJfiWjVJB01vBe3MJLUsrzByogV6tS2nCrKBqs08FFR_zV36pxXsaY-VNW_k0sAc-b-dSQf7XKc3Rb0xfrwg_1eoh2hIA99oW39ixt0-GC-MjUO3pM7zKyvXJXu9Vh7A2QIqhA8MP87G6wPJjjSIB3QPeU_Mnm8Rv59NQwrd4ekFLesd5ylYS0/w555-h312/Babe%20in%20the%20Woods%20Amazon%20Giveaway.jpg" width="555" /></a></div><span class="pibfi_pinterest"><br />
</span>
<p></p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Jude Hopkins is giving away one $25 Amazon Gift Card!</h2>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Terms & Conditions:</b></p>
<ul style="text-align: center;"><li>By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.</li><li>One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $25 Amazon Gift Card.</li><li>This giveaway ends midnight June 30.</li><li>Winner will be contacted via email on July 1.</li><li>Winner has 48 hours to reply.</li></ul>
<p style="text-align: center;">Good luck everyone!</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">ENTER TO WIN!</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="1a49cf61255" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1a49cf61255/" id="rcwidget_cet624ym" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script></p><br /><p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Swash;"><b><span><span>About the Author</span></span></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Swash;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjIdgWEBLIQvlNNFZmO2HI--QcN379vnS65SKeZ93GBDQRY18bUaZq_C1hFe2MezeYMpvh6aPv84b8MFPY3WAvulSV7ObEeTfZ-jpFxwM1q4eu8f1CNtg3TJ-XxeVNjGLlOSpxV2Ic-QSDIgt5LUnSdnGU2l6HO-v0x4VePERX_hfcTPHiIriF6E/s556/Jude%20Hopkins.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="556" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjIdgWEBLIQvlNNFZmO2HI--QcN379vnS65SKeZ93GBDQRY18bUaZq_C1hFe2MezeYMpvh6aPv84b8MFPY3WAvulSV7ObEeTfZ-jpFxwM1q4eu8f1CNtg3TJ-XxeVNjGLlOSpxV2Ic-QSDIgt5LUnSdnGU2l6HO-v0x4VePERX_hfcTPHiIriF6E/w400-h388/Jude%20Hopkins.png" width="400" /></a></div></div><span><span></span></span></b></span></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><div><div style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span><p></p>
<p>
</p><p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"></span>
</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;">Jude Hopkins has published essays in The Los Angeles Times, Medium, and elsewhere, as well as poetry in numerous journals and magazines. Her work can be found on her website at <a href="http://www.judehopkinswriting.net">judehopkinswriting.net</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/HeyJudeNotJudy">www.twitter.com/HeyJudeNotJudy</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Medium: <a href="https://medium.com/@heyjudehopkins">https://medium.com/@heyjudehopkins</a></p>
</div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqQ5CmLv5tdyNuK9KIAV5Jft05IHhinsl4-fAGhHFgUPPvqqxxLjkkj38OgJshWETytWjKJQ4UF938TupRchIEY9ZxzEudTwcP-jsj-r5hxwU9vAc8CneAkXu5GH5oZfkZflJuHB_beJYdu1AhbmNbMHQxqNrnd0aL6SkPTQLy0BLx-eqM-Z9vxs/s2720/Babe%20in%20the%20Woods%209.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1844" data-original-width="2720" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqQ5CmLv5tdyNuK9KIAV5Jft05IHhinsl4-fAGhHFgUPPvqqxxLjkkj38OgJshWETytWjKJQ4UF938TupRchIEY9ZxzEudTwcP-jsj-r5hxwU9vAc8CneAkXu5GH5oZfkZflJuHB_beJYdu1AhbmNbMHQxqNrnd0aL6SkPTQLy0BLx-eqM-Z9vxs/w640-h434/Babe%20in%20the%20Woods%209.png" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdV8Jdh5Fof8lO5-ZZu_gQHQeQJRtsoWaOzJ-lO15lMZOeP5Pam4oxjJ90sulVKeTre7AW0XybXnaiO4KI9N907CeR_cw2r98C-KBv5GDcD4ETWPKt9CKeZYqwCZfRelE39ZM9q2jhT6LMhIVPntsgHbKaPTssDyxXrefpast2Jkp1qvgddkS6lXk/s640/Babe%20in%20the%20Woods%20Book%20Blast.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdV8Jdh5Fof8lO5-ZZu_gQHQeQJRtsoWaOzJ-lO15lMZOeP5Pam4oxjJ90sulVKeTre7AW0XybXnaiO4KI9N907CeR_cw2r98C-KBv5GDcD4ETWPKt9CKeZYqwCZfRelE39ZM9q2jhT6LMhIVPntsgHbKaPTssDyxXrefpast2Jkp1qvgddkS6lXk/w601-h451/Babe%20in%20the%20Woods%20Book%20Blast.jpg" width="601" /></a></div><br /> </div><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather; font-size: large;">Sponsored By:</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br style="font-size: 15.4px;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arvo; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/" style="color: #888888; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="956" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnE4g1sXdFldzPlzjOLFmDhKdIB2H4Dyz3SPX4kYRNMLpbcuX-R9PrZLIAdP5Thys9VBDZdYl0abKCKgauzncfMiacguhAxNi5mUgkh9UBaOUJRclbossjjwdzVxP4qe7TnLiz4FKMW0/w400-h174/Pump+Up+Your+Book+Virtual+Book+Tours+Banner.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div></div></div><br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631291733748413376.post-24017299291114876282023-06-08T06:54:00.003-07:002023-06-08T06:54:37.460-07:00❀New Mystery Book Alert❀: All That Glitters by Mike Martin<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8jX2xHa7BSscyDWQ3MHdd27t8xz7kh4OT2vL4209wAFCQy_OPoG64wDIWPFDN9zQQOK2k1bk2c-6e2VT0Gj4GABAjVfJFw7VQ1uCf2Ox_Fl9CH-zptLiQnIh5snLVhLWxOcJJcE4DmTbiKOob5c2Mzf8LjVcEg5CcuWNP-2wEWozuSve17euFOWEBw/s640/All%20That%20Glitters%206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="640" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8jX2xHa7BSscyDWQ3MHdd27t8xz7kh4OT2vL4209wAFCQy_OPoG64wDIWPFDN9zQQOK2k1bk2c-6e2VT0Gj4GABAjVfJFw7VQ1uCf2Ox_Fl9CH-zptLiQnIh5snLVhLWxOcJJcE4DmTbiKOob5c2Mzf8LjVcEg5CcuWNP-2wEWozuSve17euFOWEBw/w550-h357/All%20That%20Glitters%206.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br /><p></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBoWtYHemPPbGxBi_L5_kBALPxx5B_Y9nwkzExRo36wYAqVhMMvq9YGspTIycwcnN-CYgdgkFDe_PrBNLJx7wGx7hScyYDNdofwS5p9urW330Z8c47moW93sSqVAyutetIt745gNyuy8Nwc9AQSQX740xPvupxq78Nh8dqdrOYw4ZF09WPUYKcioaJw/s640/All%20That%20Glitters%20lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="426" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBoWtYHemPPbGxBi_L5_kBALPxx5B_Y9nwkzExRo36wYAqVhMMvq9YGspTIycwcnN-CYgdgkFDe_PrBNLJx7wGx7hScyYDNdofwS5p9urW330Z8c47moW93sSqVAyutetIt745gNyuy8Nwc9AQSQX740xPvupxq78Nh8dqdrOYw4ZF09WPUYKcioaJw/s320/All%20That%20Glitters%20lg.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>All That Glitters<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Mike Martin<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ottawa Press and Publishing<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">282 pages</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Mystery<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p>Sergeant Winston Windflower is moving on to a new chapter of his
life, no longer an RCMP officer but now a Community Safety Officer in
his home of Grand Bank, Newfoundland.</p>
<p>But when a body is found in the bed and breakfast he co-owns,
diamonds are found in the body’s digestive system, and then Windflower’s
friend Dr. Sanjay, who was given the diamonds for safekeeping, is
kidnapped, it’s clear that crime has returned once more to Grand Bank.</p>
<p>Windflower finds himself back in the thick of it, helping his newly
promoted friend, RCMP Corporal Eddie Tizzard, track down a ruthless
diamond smuggler who will stop at nothing — kidnapping, even murder — to
pull off his dirty business.</p>
<p>This is another finely spun Windflower mystery that contrasts
suspense and tension with the joys of friendship, family, and gratitude.</p>
<p>Amazon (US): <a href="https://tinyurl.com/4ucyjwzv">https://tinyurl.com/4ucyjwzv</a><br /></p>
<p>Amazon (Canada): <a href="https://tinyurl.com/z9b2n5br">https://tinyurl.com/z9b2n5br</a></p>
<p>Barnes & Noble: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/2nzf687b">https://tinyurl.com/2nzf687b</a></p><p></p><p></p></div><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Cherry Swash"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: 'Cherry Swash'; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Book Excerpt</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i></i></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><i>After hugs and kisses and pats on the head all around, Windflower
managed to get out of the house and walked to the B&B. He had just
opened the front door of the beautifully restored inn when Levi Parsons,
the manager, came running towards him.</i></p><p></p>
<p><i>“We think he’s dead,” said Levi.</i></p>
<p><i>“Who’s dead?” asked Windflower. </i></p>
<p><i>“The man in Room 12,” said Levi. “Beulah tried to get in to make
up his room, but the door is locked and bolted from the inside. And
there’s not a sound.”</i></p>
<p><i>Beulah, the cleaner and part-time server, came around the corner from the kitchen when she heard Windflower arrive. </i></p>
<p><i>“I don’t know for sure, but there’s something funny going on,” she
said. “We haven’t really seen him all week, and now there’s no answer
when I knocks on his door.”</i></p>
<p><i>“Maybe he’s sleeping,” said Windflower.</i></p>
<p><i>“His breakfast tray is still outside his door. I knows we don’t
see much of him, but he always takes his meals in and leaves the empty
one outside. Then he often goes out in the morning, and that’s when I
cleans up,” said Beulah.</i></p>
<p><i>“Sneaks out,” said Levi. “I only seen him once. When he checked in. I haven’t seen him since.”</i></p>
<p><i>“Let’s not jump to conclusions,” said Windflower. “What’s his name?”</i></p>
<p><i>“Robert Smart,” said Levi. “From Burlington, Ontario. That’s his
Cadillac parked on the side. He wanted a safe and secure place for his
car.”</i></p>
<p><i>Windflower climbed the stairs to the second floor and walked down
the corridor to Room 12. He knocked on the door and called out the man’s
name. No answer. He took the keys from Levi and tried the lock. But
they were right. The deadbolt was locked from the inside.</i></p>
<p><i>He looked at Levi and then at Beulah. “Do you have a couple of hair pins I can borrow?” he asked Beulah.</i></p>
<p><i>The woman looked at him funny but reached into her hair and pulled out one bobby pin and then another. She handed them to him.</i></p>
<p><i>“Don’t look,” he said to Levi as he inserted the closed side of
one bobby pin into the bottom portion of the lock. Then he broke the
other pin in half and pushed it into the top of the lock and jiggled it
back and forth. After a little while he could feel the deadbolt moving
and finally unlocking. He swung the door open.</i></p></blockquote><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">About the Author <br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"></span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIbm_48qrF3mqpclqofRaDr7Y8GdK6G0mgFFeBko1PaOh_oqeilYSzLKyd08p0UhXab-QamyN_fyhh5bTlCs3f0P1PPl6rOKqXoZPpbarrAtJtHrvzgBEOTkgLPeXhn9YB9x8p5GJdmAJiiHQ49wABDbT3pP2CAeBxGRCWq6a4NVHXDnvpwoyTDTq_A/s640/Mike%20Martin%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIbm_48qrF3mqpclqofRaDr7Y8GdK6G0mgFFeBko1PaOh_oqeilYSzLKyd08p0UhXab-QamyN_fyhh5bTlCs3f0P1PPl6rOKqXoZPpbarrAtJtHrvzgBEOTkgLPeXhn9YB9x8p5GJdmAJiiHQ49wABDbT3pP2CAeBxGRCWq6a4NVHXDnvpwoyTDTq_A/s320/Mike%20Martin%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Mike Martin was born in St. John’s, NL on
the east coast of Canada and now lives and works in Ottawa, Ontario. He
is a long-time freelance writer and his articles and essays have
appeared in newspapers, magazines and online across Canada as well as in
the United States and New Zealand.<p></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">He is the award-winning and best-selling
author of the award-winning Sgt. Windflower Mystery series set in
beautiful Grand Bank. There are now 13 books in this light mystery
series with the publication of <i>All That Glitters</i>. </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><i>A Tangled Web</i> was shortlisted in 2017 for the best light mystery of the year, and <i>Darkest Before the Dawn </i>won the 2019 Bony Blithe Light Mystery Award. </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Some Sgt. Windflower Mysteries are now available as audiobooks and the latest <b>A Tangled Web</b> was released as an audiobook in 2023. All audiobooks are available from Audible in Canada and around the world.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Mike is Past Chair of the Board of Crime
Writers of Canada, a national organization promoting Canadian crime and
mystery writers and a member of the Newfoundland Writers’ Guild and
Capital Crime Writers.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Website: <a href="https://sgtwindflowermysteries.com/">https://sgtwindflowermysteries.com/</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/mike54martin">http://www.twitter.com/mike54martin</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore">https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore</a></p> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631291733748413376.post-23129054880424554032023-06-07T21:00:00.002-07:002023-06-07T21:00:00.137-07:00Book Cover Junkie Interviews YA Fantasy Author Christine E. Schulze<p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PYeTi3OyWblytMWAJtkbxthMqKyg6hnYvyxhms_K7Eu1mCTt9oebPJYceptCMdpg-1bM6X990yx9vgtTMtCueEwEz3mZwPKeyIQpCUESGa_ZCXaIY9HRz9cYzVzvfJJRfNUO4ll1JgEfuhyMvJxOiuk94vKxotR4kDe9yJHCbbaB1TLLwxWMBYQwQw/s602/Christine%20E.%20Schulze.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="602" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PYeTi3OyWblytMWAJtkbxthMqKyg6hnYvyxhms_K7Eu1mCTt9oebPJYceptCMdpg-1bM6X990yx9vgtTMtCueEwEz3mZwPKeyIQpCUESGa_ZCXaIY9HRz9cYzVzvfJJRfNUO4ll1JgEfuhyMvJxOiuk94vKxotR4kDe9yJHCbbaB1TLLwxWMBYQwQw/s320/Christine%20E.%20Schulze.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Christine E. Schulze has been living in
castles, exploring magical worlds, and creating fantastical adventures
and romances since she was too young to even write of such stories. Her
collection of young adult and children’s fantasy books, <i>The Amielian Legacy</i>,
is comprised of series and stand-alone books that can all be read
separately, but also weave together to create a single, amazing fantasy.<p></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">One of her main aspirations for <i>The Amielian Legacy</i>
is to create fantasy stories with characters that connect with readers
from many different backgrounds. Her current focus is to include
racially diverse characters and those with disabilities. The latter is
inspired by Schulze working with adults with autism and other
developmental disabilities at Trinity Services in Southern Illinois.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Schulze draws much of her inspiration from
favorite authors like Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Diana Wynne Jones,
favorite games like <i>The Legend of Zelda</i>, and especially from the people in her life. Some of her exciting ventures include the publication of her award-winning <i>Bloodmaiden</i>, as well as <i>The Gailean Quartet</i> with Words Matter Publishing. Her books for younger readers include <i>In the Land of Giants</i> and <i>The Amazing Captain K</i>.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Christine currently lives in a cozy Hobbit hole, but you can visit her on her website: <a href="http://christineschulze.com">http://christineschulze.com</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.authorchristineschulze.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/AuthorCESchulze">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorchristineschulze/">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@the_enchanted_book_queen">Tiktok</a></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Quicksand;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b>Interview:</b></span></span></span></div>
<p><b>Tell us about your book! What inspired you to write it?</b></p>
<p>Hello and thanks for having me and my book! <i>Larimar: Gem of the Sea</i> is a YA fantasy novella and part of <i>The Amielian Legends</i>, a series of stand-alone books, all set in my same fantasy universe, that can be read in any order. </p>
<p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwVtcoi-Kw-EbBD8Q1UaC2Nx0O2OCNT4eeEkl-4wZouWwWE3PXvkzOi-_Hx61S8xnC1mXVcQU9G4C7y7oXu0a3bUlO_huCEFBKboeuMfw0gG5-ARHbhWNHQ5SkUta93rOv30UUoBlznRjqn6j6aDPnAfVgTsJUC1fSWgg5k1Ncp3LWaOC3zCuqOpWTg/s626/Larimar%20lg.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="418" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwVtcoi-Kw-EbBD8Q1UaC2Nx0O2OCNT4eeEkl-4wZouWwWE3PXvkzOi-_Hx61S8xnC1mXVcQU9G4C7y7oXu0a3bUlO_huCEFBKboeuMfw0gG5-ARHbhWNHQ5SkUta93rOv30UUoBlznRjqn6j6aDPnAfVgTsJUC1fSWgg5k1Ncp3LWaOC3zCuqOpWTg/w383-h572/Larimar%20lg.jpg" width="383" /></a></i></div><i><br />Larimar</i> was originally inspired by my love for gemstones, including their lore and history. As a child, I created an entire breed of foxes in my stories that were each named after a gemstone and had magic powers based on those gemstones. I was super into rocks, gems, and minerals and still am. <p></p>
<p>The larimar stone was named by an explorer after his daughter, Larissa, and the Spanish word for sea, “mar.” What a cool name to use for an underwater city and race of people! I’m also into taking typical fantasy elements and putting my own twist on them. So, instead of mermaids, I created the Larimar, an underwater race of elves.</p>
<p><b>How did you choose the title for your book? Did it come to you right away, before you started writing it, or did it come later?</b></p>
<p>It’s been a while since I wrote the original version of the book. It used to be a short story several years ago and has since expanded into its currently published novella form. But I’m guessing I likely had the title pretty early in the writing phase. That’s often important to me. If I don’t have something to call my story, whether an official name or just as a placeholder, I find it difficult to get started. </p>
<p><b>Tell us about the cover design process. Did you have a basic idea of what your book cover would be like? </b></p>
<p>I pretty much always have in my head what I’m going for. I’ve worked with numerous artists and they like that I give detailed descriptions to get them inspired. That said, I’m always open to the artist’s ideas on how to improve my concepts. And I like seeing how artists add their own flare to my ideas. For <i>Larimar</i>’s cover, the amount of detail in her dress and flowing hair is really amazing.</p>
<p><b>Who is your cover designer and how did you find him/her?</b></p>
<p>The artist for <i>Larimar</i> is Juney Nguyen, and as I recall, I discovered her on Instagram. I’ve used Juney for multiple projects, including the cover for two other books of mine, <i>One Starry Knight</i> and <i>Narwhals</i> in the Stars (a companion to <i>Larimar</i>).</p>
<p>I also worked with Allegra Pescatore, who created the border, text placement, and a lovely back cover and spine for the book. I found Allegra in a Facebook group devoted to cover artists. I highly enjoy perusing such groups and looking at all the potential covers, and Allegra certainly caught my eye as she does lovely work. She designed the borders and text placement for each book in <i>The Amielian Legends</i> series, to give them a cohesive look. </p>
<p>Over the years, I’ve also found brilliant artists on freelance sites like Upwork. On Upwork, you can post the type of cover or other project you’re looking for, set your budget, and have artists bid on the project. Then, you pick the best fit for what you need.</p>
<p><b>What has been the readers’ response to your cover?</b></p>
<p>I’m still learning the art of online marketing and can’t speak on that aspect. However, readers respond positively to my book covers when I do in-person signings. I tend to sell out of a lot of books at events, which I take as the highest compliment.</p>
<p><b>What tips would you give to authors who are looking for a cover designer?</b></p>
<p>You can find a great artist in your budget by looking at Facebook groups, Instagram artists, or freelance sites like Upwork. I always recommend choosing from artists who have a decent portfolio on display, to make sure you’re getting the kind of art style you really want. Make sure whatever service you’re paying for is in writing. I’ve never been scammed by an artist but have been as an author in other ways. It’s always good to protect yourself and have everything spelled out clearly on both ends before beginning.</p>
<p><b>Anything else you’d like to say about your book?</b></p>
<p>I’d love readers to know that <i>Larimar</i> is available in paperback, Kindle (currently in KU), and as my first audiobook on Amazon! Auditioning narrators for the audiobook was a super fun process, especially asking them to sing the couple of songs I have in the book. I ultimately went with Jocelyn Duford as my narrator. She not only brings each of my characters to life just as I would imagine them, but also has a lovely singing voice. Her singing mid-book is really a delight. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/44u4tQY " style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="57" data-original-width="289" height="57" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPWt2fq7NjjY54mZNElFIIKk4MexaT6HMNG7WAPvNBWcyXgtVwyTgsHX4FXlVGjjk7FG96PlFaxoSf8j-bOz6XHj4t56QSwkD02XNCHL5gnV5N0BI2ER93N333Gnh7_PywZ52_rHH5o6RgsqMHAnhS4w6Ykhtj-1Es948oceu7Uw1dGescCH91rkZTA/s1600/CLICK%20HERE%20TO%20PURCHASE.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631291733748413376.post-25389069209663474432023-05-29T21:00:00.001-07:002023-05-29T21:00:00.153-07:00❀New Romantic Suspense Book Alert❀: Crossing a Fine Line: The McKay Series Book 5 by W.L. Brooks<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZ-TgrN2h--CBkLYZp3_nWj9FSSS76OUXBQ9PF_2AV3l8dYHvdLR0vLyS6m-D_a8SOKHLPtPhz9ZXThZfQFH-ml8yENNtG3ljQUamrLsZ-Ubu6cEx9-W2I8vtTqJeC4pJvg7XqL3oy11OzMMnhtScuSxzSdrFHNIszMusTiIy-i1HYgyJuzj8_9ZBTw/s640/Crossing%20a%20Fine%20Line%209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZ-TgrN2h--CBkLYZp3_nWj9FSSS76OUXBQ9PF_2AV3l8dYHvdLR0vLyS6m-D_a8SOKHLPtPhz9ZXThZfQFH-ml8yENNtG3ljQUamrLsZ-Ubu6cEx9-W2I8vtTqJeC4pJvg7XqL3oy11OzMMnhtScuSxzSdrFHNIszMusTiIy-i1HYgyJuzj8_9ZBTw/w536-h402/Crossing%20a%20Fine%20Line%209.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-FdhY-flemnLW1_GaidmFZbqPyskX9y8MOr5LzEYo-rxnBS5Oidhv5WWBSavRtQ988A0Ba2-1GyX17WWwdlAqga8v0M2hP5moQ0wVLPCz8OPHhTw-sI9uxMUUPJPSImCQWY-MWFe6HeubvRNt_XrV-_Dfls8JPj7DN4uKOL8eJbyutdCoSIPtgig3Q/s580/Crossing%20a%20Fine%20Line%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="390" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-FdhY-flemnLW1_GaidmFZbqPyskX9y8MOr5LzEYo-rxnBS5Oidhv5WWBSavRtQ988A0Ba2-1GyX17WWwdlAqga8v0M2hP5moQ0wVLPCz8OPHhTw-sI9uxMUUPJPSImCQWY-MWFe6HeubvRNt_XrV-_Dfls8JPj7DN4uKOL8eJbyutdCoSIPtgig3Q/w269-h400/Crossing%20a%20Fine%20Line%20cover.jpg" width="269" /></a></div>Crossing a Fine Line: The McKay Series Book 5<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">W.L. Brooks<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The Wild Rose Press<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">314 pages</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Romantic Suspense<br />
</span>
<p>Fletcher J. McKay has been shot, driven insane, and tortured by a
madman, so what’s one more psycho coming after her? But this foe’s
disturbing attempts to extinguish Fletch’s light leave her shaken.
Running out of options, she must consort with the enemy.</p><p>Fletcher
is undoubtedly Sheriff Noah Reed’s nemesis. Their discord began with an
irrevocable outcome of an unforeseeable trauma, but duty demands he
keeps her safe. The closer he gets, the more his loathing turns to lust.</p><p>Devastated
by loss, Fletcher agrees to go into Noah’s protective custody. Passion
takes them across the boundaries of their animosity, but is their
tentative bond enough? Or is the line between love and hate, as with
life and death, fixed.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"></h2>
<p>Pre-order eBook on Amazon: <a href="https://amzn.to/3TD6x4a">https://amzn.to/3TD6x4a</a> </p>
<p>Amazon (paperback): <a href="https://amzn.to/3FJd33G">https://amzn.to/3FJd33G</a> <br /></p><p></p></div><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Cherry Swash"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: 'Cherry Swash'; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></span></p></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Book Excerpt</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i></i></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Noah walked barefoot to his office and poured himself a scotch. He
closed his eyes as the liquid traced a molten path to his stomach.
Shaking it off, he sat at his desk and flicked on the TV for background
noise. On top of his stack of mail was a letter with his name on it, one
that hadn’t been there before. </i></p>
<p><i>Opening the drawer to his left, he pulled out a pair of latex gloves.
Using every precaution, he unsealed the envelope and dumped out the
contents. </i></p>
<p><i>He picked it up with his thumb and forefinger and unfolded the paper. </i></p>
<p><i>Reed around the rosy </i></p>
<p><i>Someone’s too damn nosy</i></p>
<p><i> Ashes to embers </i></p>
<p><i>Make sure he remembers </i></p>
<p><i>Ashes take flight</i></p>
<p><i> Someone dies tonight </i></p>
<p><i>What the hell? Someone had been in his house. He squeezed his eyes shut. She’d broken in before. Hadn’t she?</i></p>
<p><i> Damn it; this had gone too far. He got a plastic baggy from the
kitchen, put the note inside, slipped on his loafers, and grabbed his
keys. So much for getting any sleep tonight.</i></p></blockquote><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">About the Author <br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"></span> <p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwwVL1GmqHKtaL5PlQ-VTdfBPMUyH9tCMl87VsjQxfm6Xlvm4UToJIhXNJnL3dRa1BBdkVypEm_MN60f-Hgp_tFCPrOzZ_pZJXF3ybUyUb2jRBuDkZtA3du6uApKi4rAztyWW4FyunxbOjKarIqYUoeWSdfm6Z-8uiwylm7atbZFV7kB3p5khjAYIFA/s266/W.L.%20Brooks%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwwVL1GmqHKtaL5PlQ-VTdfBPMUyH9tCMl87VsjQxfm6Xlvm4UToJIhXNJnL3dRa1BBdkVypEm_MN60f-Hgp_tFCPrOzZ_pZJXF3ybUyUb2jRBuDkZtA3du6uApKi4rAztyWW4FyunxbOjKarIqYUoeWSdfm6Z-8uiwylm7atbZFV7kB3p5khjAYIFA/s1600/W.L.%20Brooks%202.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>W.L. Brooks was born with an active
imagination. When characters come into her mind, she has to give them a
life- a chance to tell their stories. With a coffee cup in her hand and
a cat by her side, she spends her days letting the ideas flow onto
paper. A voracious reader, she draws her inspiration from mystery,
romance, suspense and a dash of the paranormal.<p></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">A native of Virginia Beach, she is
currently living in Western North Carolina. Pick up her latest novel,
Unearthing the Past - available now!</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Website: <a href="http://www.wlbrooks.com/">www.wlbrooks.com</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/authorwlbrooks">http://www.facebook.com/authorwlbrooks</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16200243.W_L_Brooks">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16200243.W_L_Brooks</a></p></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631291733748413376.post-1398057686496876462023-05-18T06:46:00.002-07:002023-05-18T06:46:29.419-07:00❀New Thriller Book Alert❀: Fateful Connections by Karen Charles<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUui4wev3c3mwYPsf4m8kPB5_qNoeMFzt5HJlZGt8M4rnTAa3bfQ5n1KJ4P0yotO-jDfPWac1B-vplB8DDWw952HO2sPVC4P2Pja39n9hywuG6Zz2B_W_3TcLulcPi2vHuc-AkXD4-89HJQVMqsu5gWcgobak9QpKAsVEhqV3W89Yd4St7BslRjrvjZg/s640/Fateful%20Connections%2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUui4wev3c3mwYPsf4m8kPB5_qNoeMFzt5HJlZGt8M4rnTAa3bfQ5n1KJ4P0yotO-jDfPWac1B-vplB8DDWw952HO2sPVC4P2Pja39n9hywuG6Zz2B_W_3TcLulcPi2vHuc-AkXD4-89HJQVMqsu5gWcgobak9QpKAsVEhqV3W89Yd4St7BslRjrvjZg/w533-h400/Fateful%20Connections%2020.jpg" width="533" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fQMUUoKaPDrTxW9IsXidXNkdQ08jjvrvxsrYaBi26MHnujXsIHNN0MNpqrD9WXzAfMbtYPp_--LzgkTDjE3K1FryidtmsoRjQ36uo1d1XUNLnDjA7Jg5pTx0fLgqy6nHLl4P3y2eGkM1ddV-ovuyC1rjFA_YigCScGBTbnIlzIWErN0X1iWxWWT20Q/s565/Fateful%20Connections%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="379" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fQMUUoKaPDrTxW9IsXidXNkdQ08jjvrvxsrYaBi26MHnujXsIHNN0MNpqrD9WXzAfMbtYPp_--LzgkTDjE3K1FryidtmsoRjQ36uo1d1XUNLnDjA7Jg5pTx0fLgqy6nHLl4P3y2eGkM1ddV-ovuyC1rjFA_YigCScGBTbnIlzIWErN0X1iWxWWT20Q/s320/Fateful%20Connections%20cover.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Fateful Connections<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Karen Charles<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">BookBaby<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">91 pages</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Thriller<br />
</span>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Swash;"></span></span></span>Fateful Connections tells the story of four people brought together
by the tragic events of 9/11 in the United States. These four
individuals were attending a conference in Seattle, Washington, and
found it nearly impossible to make it back to their homes, which were
scattered across the country. They decide to rent a car and drive
together, as they cannot get any flights home. As rental cars are also
impossible to come upon, they find a friend who has access to a
repossessed car, which he is willing to rent out. Unbeknownst to the
friends, the rightful owner of the car wants his car back, and as they
find out, hidden inside the car are drugs and guns. What ensues is a
dangerous journey which impacts the four friends’ lives forever. The
story follows them on their harrowing journey home, then one and two
years later as they meet up for an annual reunion. </p>
<p>The strengths of this story are the easy-to-read narrative and
compelling plot. The author introduces four intriguing main characters,
as well as a number of antagonists, who hunt down the friends and engage
in dangerous and illegal plans to not only recapture their guns and
drugs, but also kill the friends so there are no witnesses to their
illegal activities. The reader is instantly drawn into the storyline,
and moves along with the characters as they experience fear, joy, love,
and relief. The plot is compelling, and the reader cannot help but
become invested in the lives of these four main characters.</p>
<p>Amazon: <a href="https://amzn.to/41WDECT">https://amzn.to/41WDECT</a></p><p></p></div><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Cherry Swash"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: 'Cherry Swash'; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></span></p></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Book Excerpt</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i></i></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><i>President Bush was making another
announcement. The Federal Aviation Administration had issued the first
national ground stop in US history, prohibiting departures for all
civilian aircraft. After the third hijacked plane struck the Pentagon,
all aircraft were ordered to land at the nearest airport. Three and a
half hours after the first plane hit, all US airspace was clear. </i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Suddenly,
Ethan, who had been unusually quiet, jumped to his feet. “Our flights!”
he yelled. “We don’t have any way to get home!” </i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>The room was silent. “Maybe we could rent a car,” Harper suggested. </i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Henry
sprang into action, calling every car rental agency in Seattle. Nothing
was available. Dismayed, he sank into his chair. “What are we going to
do now?” </i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>After thoughtful silence, Owen
spoke up. “I have a friend over on Yesler Way who repossesses cars.
Maybe he might have an idea what we could do.” </i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Everyone
agreed, hoping for a solution to their transportation dilemma. Ethan
had to get home to San Jose, California; Owen to Santa Clarita,
California; Harper to Phoenix, Arizona; and Henry to Austin, Texas. All
of them, industry-leading CEOs of No. 1 ranked companies, had flown in
to attend this elite executive conference. </i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Owen
interrupted a conversation about the ramifications of air travel being
halted. “My friend Jimmy says he has a car we can use. They don’t
usually rent them, but in these unusual circumstances, he doesn’t see
any problem. It was repossessed a while ago, so the guy has had lots of
time to make up his payments. Jimmy said we can pick it up anytime.” </i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>“Wait a minute,” objected Ethan. “Are you sure it’s legal?” </i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>“We don’t have any other options,” confirmed Owen. </i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>“Let’s pack, get some sleep, and leave in the morning,” instructed Henry, always the leader. </i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Jimmy had the car ready for them early the next day. </i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>“What happens if that guy gets the money and comes back for his car?” asked Ethan, still worried about this being a smart idea. </i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>“He’s probably got another set of wheels by now,” answered Jimmy. “Don’t think we’ll ever see his ugly face again!”</i></p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" id="docs-internal-guid-e5465832-7fff-022e-aaa6-57529c09c6ac" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><p></p></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><blockquote><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Swash;"></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Swash;"> </span></span></blockquote></div></div></blockquote></blockquote></i></span></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><blockquote><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Swash;"><br /></span></span></blockquote></div></div></blockquote></blockquote></i></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">About the Author <br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"></span> <p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcrcr4noazqA_KyxzgY-I__KzOzYuatJKvVoTzwoRGDChGuXJkkpqV9wT942PVrBu_YtEfPcLTV0XY1M1QnYXdZdfoLIofmUPT34BlfcoBJYFS-9dZykEUV0IsYCKaVt3Od9UWGZ7DqVrIFCWWzfjOxJl7wfjF5Brwr7_4kk9eaRl1XfVTPTgveh-nQ/s526/Karen%20Charles%20author.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="367" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcrcr4noazqA_KyxzgY-I__KzOzYuatJKvVoTzwoRGDChGuXJkkpqV9wT942PVrBu_YtEfPcLTV0XY1M1QnYXdZdfoLIofmUPT34BlfcoBJYFS-9dZykEUV0IsYCKaVt3Od9UWGZ7DqVrIFCWWzfjOxJl7wfjF5Brwr7_4kk9eaRl1XfVTPTgveh-nQ/s320/Karen%20Charles%20author.jpg" width="223" /></a></div><br />Karen Charles is a children’s book author
and educator. She lives with her husband on a beautiful bay in
Washington State. Her latest book is the thriller, Fateful Connections.<p></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Website: <a href="https://karenrabe18.wixsite.com/my-site-2">https://karenrabe18.wixsite.com/my-site-2</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Twitter: <span style="color: black; font-family: Cherry Swash;"><a href="https://twitter.com/karenra24229683">https://twitter.com/karenra24229683</a></span></p></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631291733748413376.post-18753176384999033402023-05-15T21:00:00.001-07:002023-05-15T21:00:00.137-07:00❀New Mystery Suspense Book Alert❀: The K-Frost Caper by James Blakley<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvO5Xwrih7473pnDBoduF5it5P1iYFfqEACnoxLzqzhrj-bcvUcMs-sJKoQyvVYQOdgqcUE_LI1LcIsyGe16SFSAdNpspcHXBwOjqcqM7Qr6Jb1hwyKpKwncso7poK2Bzg1DZjMWscPAhbXtU1RpNYy6fBxyHrOuy94isT0edSZ0hajEfWHsx3hq93Q/s640/The%20K-Frost%20Caper%208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvO5Xwrih7473pnDBoduF5it5P1iYFfqEACnoxLzqzhrj-bcvUcMs-sJKoQyvVYQOdgqcUE_LI1LcIsyGe16SFSAdNpspcHXBwOjqcqM7Qr6Jb1hwyKpKwncso7poK2Bzg1DZjMWscPAhbXtU1RpNYy6fBxyHrOuy94isT0edSZ0hajEfWHsx3hq93Q/w493-h370/The%20K-Frost%20Caper%208.jpg" width="493" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJZ6YRGDYcCY7m9LatOH-YVyoho-5Zia4sYWJT71iNA-tbIkT7PNJz0B3CVgr8aihTTvaY5gwReV0dScd2vZdQ02p7BawfW9uintmLGRXRSwrAlyicLwFenO5_BA_ryEKMdsQAhl7wTS6NyapOZAWCq-qyhvbgGpzNurF_xV37NT--DGEURuvDUMpbw/s933/The%20K-Frost%20Caper%20lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="583" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJZ6YRGDYcCY7m9LatOH-YVyoho-5Zia4sYWJT71iNA-tbIkT7PNJz0B3CVgr8aihTTvaY5gwReV0dScd2vZdQ02p7BawfW9uintmLGRXRSwrAlyicLwFenO5_BA_ryEKMdsQAhl7wTS6NyapOZAWCq-qyhvbgGpzNurF_xV37NT--DGEURuvDUMpbw/s320/The%20K-Frost%20Caper%20lg.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />The K-Frost Caper<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">James Blakley<br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The Powers That Be Publishing</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">141 pages</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Mystery | Suspense</span><br />
</span>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Swash;">A
cold case heats up when Kelvin Frost, believed to have drowned in
Alabama, returns from the dead to apply for more life insurance. Or has
he? When a body-a dead body-identified as Kelvin Frost, turns up in
Miami, murder complicates matters. Enter Luna Nightcrow, the insurance
fraud investigator whose “smartphone never sleeps.” After recovering a
valuable Cherokee relic, Nightcrow accepts Charmed Life Mutual
Insurance’s offer of $50,000 to sniff out and close down the K-Frost
Caper. But it won’t be easy with so few leads or clues. Paired with
cosmopolitan cop Tiago Toussaint, the two match wits and wiles, in
attempt to find out when is the last time anyone saw Frost … in Miami?</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Swash;">Amazon: <a href="https://amzn.to/3zru92q">https://amzn.to/3zru92q</a> </span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: Cherry Swash;">B&N: <a href="https://bit.ly/3KrkJdx">https://bit.ly/3KrkJdx</a> </span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: Cherry Swash;">Books-a-Million: <a href="https://bit.ly/3MssXnl">https://bit.ly/3MssXnl</a> </span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: Cherry Swash;">Walmart: <a href="https://bit.ly/3MazR0j">https://bit.ly/3MazR0j</a> </span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: Cherry Swash;">Goodreads: <a href="https://bit.ly/3nFV8Vp">https://bit.ly/3nFV8Vp</a> </span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: Cherry Swash;">BookBub: <a href="https://bit.ly/3GePsIf">https://bit.ly/3GePsIf</a></span></span></span></p>
</div><p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Cherry Swash"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: 'Cherry Swash'; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></span></p></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Book Excerpt</span></b></p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" id="docs-internal-guid-e5465832-7fff-022e-aaa6-57529c09c6ac" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><p></p></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><div style="text-align: left;"></div><blockquote><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Swash;"></span></span>Southern
Comfort Flight 213 landed smoothly at Miami International Airport
around 6 pm. Luna left the plane and walked to the baggage area. While
she waited for her luggage to arrive, her first thought was to call
Hector Luz’s cell. But, if he was corrupt, Luna’s call—even if she tried
to hide her number with a star 67 code—might tip him off that Charmed
Life increased its search for him. So she didn’t call.<p></p>
<p> When Luna’s luggage finally arrived, it wasn’t hard to find. Nor, it appeared, was she.</p>
<p> A dark-skinned man in a tan cotton suit and black tie spotted
her. He folded the newspaper he’d watch Luna from behind and rubbed his
goatee thoughtfully. Then he began to move. </p>
<p> Luna gathered her laptop, slung her purse, and extended the
handle of her rolling duffel bag. Just as she was about to start up, the
man with the goatee slowed her down. </p>
<p><em> “Luna Nightcrow?”</em> the man asked.</p>
<p> “Yes,” she answered.</p>
<p></p><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Cherry Swash;"> </span></span></div></blockquote></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"></p></i></span></span><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">About the Author <br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"></span>
<br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Cherry Swash;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmk2x2DhEPm_GjipyXtrr_rXGghZRcdS8e2weCXLHU48MJCQ6zKoBWQAP8V9JKcRRkVHIfY0uO-q7koWtAnGiWKjO5CfTrg8_gm3bBCp8rEUscAybgs--iOYjl0IFjwr6H9BiktX4z38M3wS_QyT80McGc8tgqtNqexLZNXXLeAcpt4zVVhg7BRiBFA/s408/James%20Blakley%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmk2x2DhEPm_GjipyXtrr_rXGghZRcdS8e2weCXLHU48MJCQ6zKoBWQAP8V9JKcRRkVHIfY0uO-q7koWtAnGiWKjO5CfTrg8_gm3bBCp8rEUscAybgs--iOYjl0IFjwr6H9BiktX4z38M3wS_QyT80McGc8tgqtNqexLZNXXLeAcpt4zVVhg7BRiBFA/s320/James%20Blakley%202.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>James
Blakley was educated at Missouri Western State College and Washburn
University. While at MWSC, he was a local and national award-winning
columnist and section editor of “The Griffon-News.” Blakley worked 10
1/2 years as a page and as an Assistant Librarian for the River Bluffs
Regional Libraries of St. Joseph, MO. He currently lives in Topeka, KS
where he worked for The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library and
several years in clerical and customer support capacities for
international computer companies, such as EDS and HP. Additionally,
Blakley has worked in information gathering and analysis for various
government agencies and programs.</span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0