tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51344931076532807802024-02-19T01:46:00.331-05:00My Reading ProblemQuality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.comBlogger755125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134493107653280780.post-18579740258279123242015-03-07T11:00:00.000-05:002015-04-30T16:49:30.273-04:00"In My Cell" #Excerpt from LUCIFER & THE INDIGO KIDS by @Lord_Ra_Krishna #AmReading #NonFiction <i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>In My Cell</b></span></i><br />
<br />
Sitting in my cell / meditating, half dreaming... <br />
See a picture on the wall / black girl in bikini<br />
<br />
And we’re both looking happy / we embrace and we smile <br />
<br />
As I got my eyes closed smoking on a black and mild...<br />
<br />
Better yet / a cigarette<br />
I wish I had one now<br />
<br />
Meditate a little harder...<br />
Then I crack another smile...<br />
<br />
Cause I'm back on the beach<br />
Sun shining on my face…<br />
<br />
Ask me what did I learn?<br />
Most of all / appreciate<br />
<br />
Every moment... every second...<br />
Every thought... every breath...<br />
<br />
While they’re killing all the prophets / I'm the last one left...<br />
<br />
With a wrist full of beads <br />
And a neck full of crystals...<br />
<br />
And the city that I'm from busting Shots with their pistols…<br />
<br />
But I'm sitting in my cell / and my soul's in outer space<br />
<br />
As I astral project / sun kissing on my face…<br />
<br />
Now I'm back on the beach<br />
With my son and my daughter<br />
<br />
And my son thinks’ he's God <br />
So he’s walking on the water…<br />
<br />
And my daughter thinks’ she God<br />
Cause that's what daddy told her...<br />
<br />
And they both think that they could save the world when they get older....<br />
<br />
As I'm sitting in my cell, <br />
My body's there but I'm not in it<br />
<br />
Tell my babies "Not to worry" <br />
I'll be home in a minute <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoeyqzhWDYQmMlRhT-ZFQu3LWpjydK9_1WOmwXC92YlU451SVHO9M5g53_uqaDutjTyGRCvZ23W9T9VJtlQAQ1OtfaeZCDeXRyNjoRAJsl8v43ufS2lmijwF5u6wcfX8h_PnK2ty7Mal9/s1600/10543606_799244456762857_1951121046706555738_n.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoeyqzhWDYQmMlRhT-ZFQu3LWpjydK9_1WOmwXC92YlU451SVHO9M5g53_uqaDutjTyGRCvZ23W9T9VJtlQAQ1OtfaeZCDeXRyNjoRAJsl8v43ufS2lmijwF5u6wcfX8h_PnK2ty7Mal9/s1600/10543606_799244456762857_1951121046706555738_n.png" height="320" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
"This
“new age” book of poetry reflects the diverse views and philosophies of
it’s author Ra Krishna EL. It’s an intimate, humorous and thought
provoking group of poems intended to evoke strong emotion. To quote the
German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, this style of poetry can be
called “Zukunfts poesie“ which translates into “Poetry of the future”,
where truly original ideas are presented thru poetry. Also known as post
Nietzschean poetry.<br />
<br />
It’s subjects include society, pop
culture, love, religious dogma, God and the new age of Aquarius. This
book was written and published during the false incarceration of its
author in Chicago’s notorious Cook County Jail, the largest jail in the
country."<br />
<br />
Bu<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">y Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Lucifer-indigo-kids-Last-Prophet-ebook/dp/B00L3VL7E8/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406567843&sr=1-1&keywords=lucifer+and+the+indigo+kids" href="http://www.amazon.com/Lucifer-indigo-kids-Last-Prophet-ebook/dp/B00L3VL7E8/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406567843&sr=1-1&keywords=lucifer+and+the+indigo+kids" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre - Poetry, Philosophy</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG-13</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Lord%20Ra%20Krishna%20EL&search-alias=books&sort=relevancerank" href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Lord%20Ra%20Krishna%20EL&search-alias=books&sort=relevancerank" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: bold ! important;">Connect</b> with Lord Ra Krishna EL on <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lord-Ra-Krishna-El/729737850380185?ref=hl" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lord-Ra-Krishna-El/729737850380185?ref=hl" target="_blank">Facebook</a> & <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/Lord_Ra_Krishna" href="https://twitter.com/Lord_Ra_Krishna" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134493107653280780.post-70218624009632979072015-02-26T07:00:00.000-05:002015-04-30T16:18:19.304-04:00#Freedom by Charlotte Piotrowski from GLIMPSES OF HEAVEN ON EARTH #NonFiction #SelfHelp <i><b>From the chapter on freedom by co-author Charlotte Piotrowski:</b></i><br />
<br />
“Until
such time as we achieve heaven on earth, we must enjoy our freedoms
responsibly. Our speech should not be harmful. Our religious practice
should welcome those of all faiths (and those without religious faith).
Our media should present unbiased truth and facts, rather than
one-sided opinion. We must not abuse our freedoms, but rather enjoy
them from a perspective of gratitude and wisdom. In doing so, we allow
others to enjoy their right to freedom. <br />
<br />
While
Americans and those of many other nations, especially other democracies,
already enjoy basic freedoms, many people around the globe are not
equally blessed. Through peaceful means, we must support our worldwide
brothers and sisters, as they work to achieve freedom from oppressive
governments. We can do this by encouraging the education of all
citizens. With knowledge comes power. And with power comes the
strength and ability to change. In a heaven on earth, every person will
enjoy freedom; and each person’s enjoyment of freedom will only serve
for the betterment of the whole, and never to the detraction of anyone
else.”<br />
<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Glimpses-of-Heaven-on-Earth.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Glimpses-of-Heaven-on-Earth.jpg"><img alt="Glimpses of Heaven on Earth" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-42087" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Glimpses-of-Heaven-on-Earth.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Glimpses-of-Heaven-on-Earth.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Editor
and author John E. Wade II has compiled a spiritual guide of invaluable
insight for finding peace and meaning in life while making the world a
better place for all. Along with co-authors Charlotte Livingston
Piotrowski, Daniel Agatino, Michael Nagler, and Martin Rutte, this
collection of enlightening essays and inspirational quotes from renowned
thinkers and leade</span></span>rs throughout history provides the intellectual tools needed to live a more harmonious life.<br />
<br />
Buy <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/GLIMPSES-HEAVEN-EARTH-Quotations-Insightful-ebook/dp/B00LOYGN3O/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1405439205" href="http://www.amazon.com/GLIMPSES-HEAVEN-EARTH-Quotations-Insightful-ebook/dp/B00LOYGN3O/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1405439205" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre - Inspirational</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – G</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=John%20E.%20Wade%20II&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank" href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=John%20E.%20Wade%20II&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: bold ! important;">Connect</b> with John E. Wade II on <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/jwadeii?ref_type=bookmark" href="https://www.facebook.com/jwadeii?ref_type=bookmark" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134493107653280780.post-34694234109557792742014-12-13T10:00:00.000-05:002014-12-14T04:24:10.494-05:00Pendelton Wallace on Not Letting Life's Detours Stop You Writing #AmWriting #Authors #WriteTip <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Practical Advice for Beginning Fiction (or other genre) Writers </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Read,
read, read. You need to know your genre. If you’re writing about
zombies and vampires, what kind of mythology has already been created?
Look for common threads in other works in your genre. Get to know what
the reader expects, then excite and thrill them. Exceed their
expectations.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Study other authors; find out what makes
their stories successful. If you’re writing Romance novels, then read
the leading authors in that genre. If you write horror, read everything
Steven King has written. Learn from the experts.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
really admire Elizabeth George. I try to write character driven
thrillers as she writes character driven mysteries. This goes against
the grain. Most thrillers are plot driven and all action. If you read
The Da Vinci Code, you will notice that there is no character
development in the entire novel. The characters are the same at the end
of the book that they were at the beginning. I want my characters to
have an arc and to grow and develop as a result of the situations they
are placed in. But I got this from reading many, many thrillers and
consciously deciding what I wanted to do.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Be
disciplined. Create your writing time and environment, then stick to it.
I write every morning, seven days a week. It’s my most creative time. I
get up, make coffee and sit down at my computer. After a couple of
hours, I get up, make breakfast, then go back to work.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When
I was working, I got up at 4:30 every morning and wrote for two hours
before I went to work. I produced a prodigious amount of work.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don’t
let life’s little detours stop you. We all have them. I sometimes have
temporary road blocks, but I always get back to work as soon as
possible. As I write this, we are six miles off of Cape Colonet Mexico,
heading north for San Diego.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Before we left La Paz, the
bearings on the drive shaft on my boat burned out. We spent two long
hard weeks repairing them and getting ready for the voyage. I got no
writing done during this period.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">However, as soon as we were off shore and headed north, I started writing everyday again.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes
you experience hardships. I can’t tell you how hard it is to type when
the boat is heeled over and I keep sliding away from the keyboard. But, I
keep writing anyway. I have to maintain my discipline.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Find
a writers’ critique group. I can’t over emphasize the importance of
having peers review your work. They find all sorts of little (and big)
problems with your writing that you might miss.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Look hard and find a group of people who can help you. I was in two critique groups before I found the right one.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
first group was a group of ladies that were hobbyist and beginning
writers. They didn’t want to say anything negative. They were very nice
people, but they weren’t helping me. I needed to hear what was wrong
with my writing.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The second group included a woman who
was brutally honest. She tore me to pieces and I went home thinking I
would never write again. After three or four days, I finally admitted
that she had a point and I needed to re-work that piece.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
problem was not her criticism, but how she gave it. I always valued
what she had to say, but she said it in such a mean way that it was
crushing.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finally, I was lucky enough to fall in with a
group of writers who were all better than me. I listened and learned,
contributing what I could. They really made me a writer.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Be
persistent. Never give up. Never stop trying. So what if an agent
rejects your work? That’s only one person’s opinion. Until you have
twenty or thirty rejections, just keep going. When you reach critical
mass on rejections, then it’s time to stop and think about what you’re
doing. What can you change to make your work more appealing.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But for heaven’s sake, don’t give up. Keep at it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let me leave you with a little story.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As
I was preparing to make my epic voyage south to Mexico, I decided that I
needed to read John Steinbeck’s The Log of the Sea of Cortez. Steinbeck
is one of my favorite authors and I was surprised that I hadn’t read
this book yet.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finding the Log was not easy. Your
corner bookstore probably doesn’t carry it. While I was searching for a
copy, I discovered that Steinbeck wrote a book about pirates, A Cup of
Gold. That’s right, one of my favorite authors wrote a pirate tale about
Captain Morgan and I never heard of it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I increased my search parameters and eventually found both The Log of the Sea of Cortez and A Cup of Gold.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
eagerly read A Cup of Gold and learned an important lesson. It was
Steinbeck’s first book, and it was awful. If he could start out with a
book this bad and still become John Steinbeck, then there is hope for
all of us.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Keep at it. Work hard every day. Learn. Grow. Get better at your craft. Success does not come to the faint of heart.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/hacker.jpg" /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If Clive Cussler had written Ugly Betty, it would be Hacker for Hire. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hacker
for Hire, a suspense novel about corporate greed and industrial
espionage, is the second book in a series about Latino computer security
analyst Ted Higuera and his best friend, para-legal Chris Hardwick. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
goofy, off-beat Ted Higuera, son of Mexican immigrants, grew up in East
LA. An unlikely football scholarship brought him to Seattle. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chris,
Ted’s college roommate, grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth. His
father is the head of one of Seattle’s most prestigious law firms. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ted’s
first job out of college leads him into the world of organized crime
where he faces a brutal beating. After being rescued by beautiful
private investigator Catrina Flaherty, Ted decides to go to work for
her. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Catrina
is hired by a large computer corporation to find a leak in their
corporate boardroom when the previous consultant is found floating in
Elliot Bay. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ted
discovers that Chris’s firm has been retained by their prime suspect.
Now he and Chris are working opposite sides of the same case. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ted
and Catrina are led deep into Seattle’s Hi-Tech world as they stalk the
killer. But the killer is also hunting them. Can Ted find the killer
before the killer finds him? </span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hacker-Hire-Ted-Higuera-Book-ebook/dp/B00KH3Z53W/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1405401192&sr=1-1&keywords=Hacker+for+Hire" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Mystery, Thriller</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – R</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Pendelton%20Wallace&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Connect</b> with Pendelton Wallace on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/penn.wallace" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Website <a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.pennwallace.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2-lvi4hquGvTx3TTco7IMaVQe7wYA" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.pennwallace.com</a></b></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134493107653280780.post-87046932758952010682014-12-13T07:00:00.000-05:002014-12-14T03:41:53.901-05:00Scott Moon on the Many Hats of #SelfPub Authors and Book Pricing @ScottMoonWriter #AmWriting <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Wherein we discuss the most agonizing decision a writer makes since deciding to publish</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Self-published
authors wear many hats–writer, editor, marketing director, cover
designer and more. Many of these tasks can, and often should be, left to
paid professionals. The indie crowd is full of creative people who can
do it all. I thought I was such a prodigy once, but realized I needed to
pay people to edit and design book covers. Could I do it? With training
and practice, why not? But there are issues of objectivity and time
management. Like many writers, I decided to focus on my first love and
put the other parts of self-publishing in the (very modest) budget.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Unfortunately,
decisions are harder to contract out. Which means I have to decide how
to price my urban fantasy and science fiction novels. In this post, I
will list factors I’ve considered and make some general statements
regarding my final decision.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Perceived value</b></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Readers
may judge a book by the price. Ninety-nine cents screams “indie
author.” Legions of angry writers clamor against low priced books,
calling the strategy a race to the bottom. How can the industry survive
if the product is so cheap?</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Business Pricing</b></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
cost of the book is balanced against how many units must sell at a
certain price to achieve a reasonable return on investment. The point is
to make money. The strategy is to price the book as high as it will
sell, following the rule of supply and demand.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Emotional Pricing</b></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Selecting
a price based on how much heart and soul the author put into the
manuscript. Emotional pricing could also be influenced by ego; real
authors use real prices. I tend to believe my writing is pretty darn
amazing. Things would be simpler if everyone would just acknowledge my
expertise in this area. I’m a hero author in my own mind. And my mom
says I’m special.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Wherein I just make a decision</b></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
did not set out to start a business. Like many writers, I have a
generalized goal of “writing full time.” Professional business persons
must cringe at this oft repeated, laughably vague declaration. It is
also a bit ridiculous, since few traditionally published authors have
achieved this gold standard of success. I know that I need to write
great books full of interesting characters striving toward compelling
goals. I know to show more often than I tell and I understand the value
of hiring the best paid editor I can afford.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
also understand I must build an author platform. If I wrote
non-fiction, I could build a resume based on knowledge and experience.
Do speaking engagements. Lead seminars. Get a PhD in awesomeness.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How does a novelist demonstrate expertise other than to write novels that can’t be put down, or turned off, or whatever?</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My
first marketing concern, after writing the best book possible, is to
get the word out. I want people to read my stories and be entertained.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For
quite a while, I read the blogs on ebook pricing and took the welfare
of the industry to heart. But in the end, the decision is really simple.
The price of a book should be the price that sells. A fat advertising
budget or a viral You Tube video might raise the perceived value and
demand. Skyrocketing sales would drive the price up, though some might
argue it shouldn’t.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At the end of the day I ask myself two questions. Is my book selling? Am I reaching more readers than I was yesterday?</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
is a hotly contested topic in the publishing world, so please abuse me
with your comments if you must. (But keep in mind I am an artist, and
thus very sensitive.)</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/enemyOfMan.jpg" /></span></span></div>
<h2 style="background-color: white; line-height: 40px; margin: 10px 0px; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
Lost Hero</span></span></h2>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Changed
by captivity and torture, hunted by the Reapers of Hellsbreach and
wanted by Earth Fleet, Kin Roland hides on a lost planet near an
unstable wormhole.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When a distant space battle propels a
ravaged Earth Fleet Armada through the same wormhole, a Reaper follows,
hunting for the man who burned his home world. Kin fights to save a
mysterious native of Crashdown from the Reaper and learns there are
worse things in the galaxy than the nightmare hunting him. The end is
coming and he is about to pay for a sin that will change the galaxy
forever. </span></span></div>
<h2 style="background-color: white; line-height: 40px; margin: 10px 0px; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
Books</span></span></h2>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Enemy
of Man: Book One in the Chronicles of Kin Roland was written for fans
of military science fiction and science fiction adventure. Readers who
enjoyed Starship Troopers or Space Marines will appreciate this genre
variation. Powered armor only gets a soldier so far. Battlefield
experience, guts, and loyal friends make Armageddon fun. </span></span></div>
<h2 style="background-color: white; line-height: 40px; margin: 10px 0px; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
Movies</span></span></h2>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If
you love movies like Aliens, Predator, The Chronicles of Riddick, or
Serenity, then you might find the heroes and creatures in Enemy of Man
dangerous, determined, and ready to risk it all. It’s all about action
and suspense, with a dash of romance—or perhaps flash romance. </span></span></div>
<h2 style="background-color: white; line-height: 40px; margin: 10px 0px; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
From the Author</span></span></h2>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks for your interest in my novel, Enemy of Man. I hope you chose to read the book and enjoy every page. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you have already read Enemy of Man, how was it? Reviews are appreciated! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have a great day and be safe.</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Enemy-Man-Chronicles-Kin-Roland-ebook/dp/B00DAIQO9A?tag=booaremag-20" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Science Fiction</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – R</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scott-Moon/e/B0082VIWL8/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <b>Connect</b> with Scott Moon on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/scottmoonwriter" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/Scottmoonwriter" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
</div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134493107653280780.post-50009981631304157472014-12-12T12:00:00.000-05:002014-12-12T12:00:02.420-05:00Craig Staufenberg on Book Covers That Tap Into the Theme of the Story @YouMakeArtDumb #WriteTip<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Why Book Covers are So Important</b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There’s
marketing, of course, but I don’t want to get too hung up in that. For
me, my book cover was so important because it gave me a way to like my
book again.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In
general, I like what I write because I write things that I’d like to
read. But the process of soliciting feedback, editing, and otherwise
sitting with your book in an analytical way can drive away a good chunk
of that affection. Especially when you’re about a year deep into the
project and you aren’t feeling quite the same rush you did when you
blazed through the first draft. And after you’ve been grappling with how
seriously to take the 1 out of 40 beta readers who ended up hating your
book and tearing it apart. I faced this scenario with my book, and I
was having a very, very hard time liking my book right when I was
finishing it up and getting ready to publish it.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But
working with a good friend of mine to design the book’s cover pulled me
out of this funk. The process and the final cover design helped me
like, and then even love, my book again.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Why?
Because instead of worrying about the text, I got to sit back and work
with her to create a piece of art that was beautiful in its own right,
but which also tapped into the book’s overall theme and tone.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What’s
more, I got to bring someone else in to help work on the book with me.
So I wasn’t just sitting by myself worrying about whether everyone was
going to hate what I wrote. Instead, my friend and I just chatted on the
phone, sent a lot of emails with pictures of book covers we liked, and
talked about art. And then we talked about what we liked about the book,
and why it resonated with the two of us. And suddenly I had this great
avenue for thinking about, and appreciating, the book, while remembering
why it meant so much to me in the first place.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Even
better, I was able to give my friend a great opportunity—she got to
design her first book cover from scratch. She’d worked on many book
covers before mine, but she didn’t get to take full ownership of a cover
design before. So no matter how I felt about the book, I knew that
putting it out there would at least help my friend take a step forward
in her career.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And
ultimately, the whole process gave me something to love about the book
that didn’t come from me. It’s always hard to feel totally positive
about something that you made with your own two hands. Even if you like
it, and even when you fall in love with it again, you still look at it
and see the seams. And hear everything negative anyone has ever said
about it. And think about all the worries, and concerns, and anxieties
that went into it. But I can look at this cover that my friend designed
and love it unconditionally. And that means there’s at least something
about this book that I can approach without doubt.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/The-Girl-Who-Came-Back-to-Life.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/The-Girl-Who-Came-Back-to-Life.jpg"><img alt="The Girl Who Came Back to Life" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-40597" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/The-Girl-Who-Came-Back-to-Life.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/The-Girl-Who-Came-Back-to-Life.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When
you die, your spirit wakes in the north, in the City of the Dead.
There, you wander the cold until one of your living loved ones finds
you, says "Goodbye," and Sends you to the next world. <br data-mce-style="color: #000000;" /><br data-mce-style="color: #000000;" />After
her parents die, 12-year-old Sophie refuses to release their spirits.
Instead, she resolves to travel to the City of the Dead to bring her
mother and father’s spirits back home with her. <br data-mce-style="color: #000000;" /><br data-mce-style="color: #000000;" />Taking
the long pilgrimage north with her gruff & distant grandmother—by
train, by foot, by boat; over ruined mountains and plains and
oceans—Sophie struggles to return what death stole from her. Yet the
journey offers her many hard, unexpected lessons—what to hold on to,
when to let go, and who she must truly bring back to life.</span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Who-Came-Back-Life-ebook/dp/B00JQRR0JM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402517344&sr=8-1&keywords=craig+staufenberg" href="http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Who-Came-Back-Life-ebook/dp/B00JQRR0JM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402517344&sr=8-1&keywords=craig+staufenberg" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Middle Grade</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG-13</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Craig-Staufenberg/e/B00J4CHMX8/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" href="http://www.amazon.com/Craig-Staufenberg/e/B00J4CHMX8/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Connect</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>with Craig Staufenberg through<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/YouMakeArtDumb?ref=hl" href="https://www.facebook.com/YouMakeArtDumb?ref=hl" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/YouMakeArtDumb" href="https://twitter.com/YouMakeArtDumb" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Website <a class="in-cell-link" data-mce-href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://craigstaufenberg.com/&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2-DrQ3iDj9YlxIz66ffrjCdBEDC8Q" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://craigstaufenberg.com/&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2-DrQ3iDj9YlxIz66ffrjCdBEDC8Q" target="_blank">http://craigstaufenberg.com/</a></b></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134493107653280780.post-33352443813299179672014-12-09T07:00:00.000-05:002014-12-09T07:00:06.791-05:00@KimberlyShursen on Getting Unstuck by Thinking of Pivotal Life Moments #SelfPub #AmWriting <div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Help! I’m Stuck in the Middle and I Can’t Get Out</b></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">By Kimberly Shursen</span></span></i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span>Author of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Itsy Bitsy Spider</i>,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Hush,</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Lottery</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ever
get to the middle of writing your book and didn’t have a clue what to
do next? You’ve set up the story; you’ve described the characters, the
scenery, the wallpaper in the kitchen, and now what? You’re excited to
write that unbelievable ending you already have conjured in your head,
but how in the world are you going to get there?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Answer: resolve the issue<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>before</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>you start staring at those intimidating blank pages on the screen.</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Have a secondary plot. By this I don’t mean a separate plot, but one that weaves nicely into your story. Using my novel<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>HUSH</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>as
an example, there is Ann and Ben’s life, and then there’s Ann’s lawyer
Mac McConaughey’s story. The plot remains focused on the main
characters, however, Mac and his wife Jazz’s life is a secondary
heart-warming storyline readers can identify with.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></li>
</ol>
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<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When you’re stuck, think of the
most pivotal moments of your life; the birth of a child, a challenging
life hurdle you’ve finally succeeded in overcoming, or the feeling of
finally letting go and falling in love. Bring these pivotal moments to
life in your characters. Set the platform in the first few chapters of
your book and you will have a beginning, a middle, and an end that,
although cliché, will wrap up into one sweet little package. Never write
a chapter that doesn’t have substance or doesn’t move the story
forward. Each single word, sentence, and chapter needs to have meaning;
so no cheating filling in with drawn out dissertations of the scenery.</span></span></li>
</ol>
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<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I never place my novels in one
city as it’s just too much fun to travel via the net. It is important
that my characters and the places they live or travel not become
redundant. In<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>HUSH</i>,
there are three cities I visited in cyberspace. How do I do this? Just
as a couple of examples, I use images, descriptions of buildings and
restaurants, and neighborhood overviews found in personal travel
documentations, along with studying the official websites of the city. I
do a ton of research so that if anyone who lives in these cities or
neighborhoods happens to read my book, they would think I’d been there
not just once, but several times. The bulk of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>HUSH<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>was
set in Minneapolis, and even though I lived in Minneapolis for many
years, I still had to check out the facts. How many miles around is Lake
Minnetonka where Mac’s wife Jazz lived? How far was it from Dinky Town
where Ann lived to the courthouse? Where are the prestigious
neighborhoods in Minneapolis? Which suburbs are the poorest? Mileage
from one place to the next takes me to Mapquest.</span></span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When I took<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>HUSH</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>to
Lake Geneva, Switzerland was when I really had to dig deep into the
bowels of the net, close my eyes and envision not only the Jet d'Eau
that surges 459 feet above the lake, but the Swiss Alps, and the
peaceful inlet of water that borders this quaint, wealthy city.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don’t
be afraid to reach the middle; embrace it. If you’ve done your
homework, and set up your storylines, there will be nothing to fear when
you proudly present your baby to the public.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/hush.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/hush.jpg"><img alt="hush" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-41080" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/hush.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/hush.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Soon
after Ann Ferguson and Ben Grable marry, and Ben unseals his adoption
papers, their perfect life together is torn apart, sending the couple to
opposite sides of the courtroom.</span></span></div>
<div id="postBodyPS">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Representing
Ann, lawyer Michael J. McConaughey (Mac) feels this is the case that
could have far-reaching, judicial effects -- the one he's been waiting
for.</span></span></div>
<div id="postBodyPS">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Opposing counsel knows this high profile case happens just once in a lifetime.</span></span></div>
<div id="postBodyPS">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />And
when the silent protest known as HUSH sweeps the nation, making
international news, the CEO of one of the top ten pharmaceutical
companies in the world plots to derail the trial that could cost his
company billions.</span></span></div>
<div id="postBodyPS">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Critically
acclaimed literary thriller HUSH not only questions one of the most
controversial laws that has divided the nation for over four decades,
but captures a story of the far-reaching ties of family that surpasses
time and distance.</span></span></div>
<div id="postBodyPS">
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>***
Hush does not have political or religious content. The story is built
around the emotions and thoughts of two people who differ in their
beliefs.</b></span></span><br />
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">EDITORIAL
REVIEW: "Suspenseful and well-researched, this action-packed legal
thriller will take readers on a journey through the trials and
tribulations of one of the most controversial subjects in society
today."<span style="font-family: inherit;"> - </span>Katie French author of "The Breeders," "The Believer's," and "Eyes Ever To The Sky."</span></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Hush-Kimberly-Shursen-ebook/dp/B00HZKBGW4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1404820465&sr=1-1&keywords=hush+and+kimberly+shursen" href="http://www.amazon.com/Hush-Kimberly-Shursen-ebook/dp/B00HZKBGW4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1404820465&sr=1-1&keywords=hush+and+kimberly+shursen" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Thriller</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG-13</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Kimberly-Shursen/e/B00C7ZBTIS/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" href="http://www.amazon.com/Kimberly-Shursen/e/B00C7ZBTIS/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Connect</b> with Kimberly Shursen through <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kimberly-Shursen-Author/286879094678995" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kimberly-Shursen-Author/286879094678995" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/kimberlyShursen" href="https://twitter.com/kimberlyShursen" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Website <a class="in-cell-link" data-mce-href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.kimberlyshursen.com/&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2-uex70LjIEkr9CbwWbuB4zDHIOKw" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.kimberlyshursen.com/&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2-uex70LjIEkr9CbwWbuB4zDHIOKw" target="_blank">http://www.kimberlyshursen.com/</a></b></span></span></div>
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Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134493107653280780.post-46469544412080831722014-12-06T12:30:00.000-05:002015-01-18T03:12:14.261-05:00Mike Hartner on How Not All Characters Can Be Heard at Once @MHartnerAuthor #AmWriting #HistFic <b>Inside the Mind of An Author</b><br />
<br />
In the Darkness
brought on by a closed room and narrow stairs, I slowly ascend to the
top and push the attic floorboard to the side. This stairwell,
conveniently hidden in a second floor wall, has been very dusty and full
of cobwebs. I’m really not sure what to expect when I go into the
attic. I have, however, heard strange noises.<br />
<br />
Climbing
up into the attic, into the mind of this author, I look around. The
walls are cluttered with post it notes, and most of them had small
symbols and some writing. There were papers that had fallen to the
floor, and the whole area looked like an old bomb shelter.<br />
<br />
I’m
immediately dodging the many different children who are running around.
The voices that each one uses to taunt the others are all different.<br />
<br />
I stop one of them. His name is James.<br />
<br />
“Are there any others around?”<br />
<br />
“Oh, there are plenty.”<br />
<br />
“Where are they?”<br />
<br />
“Sitting in a corner of the filing room in the back. They’re waiting for their opportunity to come join the fun.”<br />
<br />
“What are they waiting for?”<br />
<br />
“Why,
everyone knows that they’re waiting to be heard. Not all of us
characters can be heard at the same time. Sometimes, he listens to
three or four of us for a short time, and sometimes he listens to one of
us for a long time. But, we’re all here. Waiting for our chance to
be heard.”<br />
<br />
“So why are you three out here running around?”<br />
<br />
“We’ve
already been heard. He’s concentrating on us right now, and it’s our
chance to play and rest while he figures out what he wants us to do
next.”<br />
<br />
“How many are in the back room?”<br />
<br />
“The
last I checked, the room was crammed, and the waiting list was endless.
Lots of voices like us want to be heard. We want to tell our
stories.”<br />
<br />
James escaped from my vision and went back to running around.<br />
<br />
When
I saw them return, I also saw them carrying long sticks, using them as
play swords. I beat a hasty retreat from the mind of this author.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/IJames.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/IJames.jpg"><img alt="IJames" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-41780" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/IJames.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/IJames.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">James Crofter was ripped from his family at age 11. <br data-mce-style="color: #000000;" />Within a year the prince was a pauper in a foreign land. <br data-mce-style="color: #000000;" />Is nature stronger than nurture? And even if it is, can James find the happiness he so richly desires? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/I-James-Eternity-Book-2-ebook/dp/B00MQHIG0Q/ref=la_B009VJQBEA_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409891856&sr=1-5" href="http://www.amazon.com/I-James-Eternity-Book-2-ebook/dp/B00MQHIG0Q/ref=la_B009VJQBEA_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409891856&sr=1-5" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre - Historical Fiction, Romance</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Mike-Hartner/e/B009VJQBEA/" href="http://www.amazon.com/Mike-Hartner/e/B009VJQBEA/" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Connect</b> with Mike Hartner on <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-Hartner-Author/368690356556759" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-Hartner-Author/368690356556759" target="_blank">Facebook</a> & <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/MHartnerAuthor" href="https://twitter.com/MHartnerAuthor" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134493107653280780.post-27817896587251671072014-12-03T10:30:00.000-05:002015-03-20T02:31:49.079-04:00WHAT FREEDOM SMELLS LIKE : A #Memoir by Amy Lewis @AmyLewisAuthor #Abuse #Women <div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Why did I stay? I used to yell to the women on Oprah,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Why would you stay?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>I
had options. I had a family who loved me, who would take care of me if I
left. I wasn’t married to him nor did we have children together. The
only tie we had was the business, and on paper we owned it fifty/fifty.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Why put up with this? What is wrong with you?</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
don’t have a good answer. Not a logical one, only emotional answers.
When I fell in love with him, I fell too far to get out on my own. Maybe
this was the “has difficulty functioning in a way society accepts as
normal” part of my borderline personality. I saw the abusive Truth as an
imposter, and the real Truth, the one I loved, was locked somewhere
inside. If I tried hard enough, loved deeply enough, I could find him. I
might even say – rescue him. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As my self-esteem began to shatter, it
became impossible to put me back together, and shattered young women do
not make the best rescuers. When Truth exploded, along with the hitting,
he threatened me with much worse actions if I didn’t stay in line.
“I’ll kill you; I’ll kill your entire family.” The threats felt even
more painful than when he laid hands on me; eventually the physical
abuse came only in spurts – maybe once or twice one month then no flair
ups for a few months. He had learned how to control me without it – just
a look would be enough.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">During
the abuse, I split myself into many different parts. Time stretched and
molded to fit my needs. The tiniest expression of love or moment of joy
– a good night – expanded like a rubber band into a whole month. The
moments of greatest fear and terror collapsed into a blink of the eye. I
became author of my own fictional tale. I used my imagination to create
a portrait of a livable life. If you keep your eyes closed and your
mouth shut, you can exist forever in that state. If you saw me on the
street and asked how I was doing. I would smile and say fine.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>I’m doing just fine.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>If you weren’t really paying attention, you would believe me.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes
during our worst fights, everything seemed to happen in slow motion,
and an orchestral score played in the background. The strings increased
in intensity as I retreated away from him, the beating of the
percussions as he followed me, the flutes as I tried to calm him, as his
hands met my body, the crescendo hit with symbols clapping together at
the finale of a symphony. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I heard the music we listened to in my dreams
as two cultured, mature adults in love and enjoying the arts. As I
reached up to my face or back or stomach or chest to feel the damage, I
heard the audience applauding, jumping to their feet with a standing
ovation. Bravo! Bravo! Tears started to pour out of me, and the rest of
the audience, inspired by the music. The show had ended, and as the
sophisticated, art-appreciating couples walked to their cars to begin
talking about how the music reminded them of this or that, Truth came to
me and apologized. He didn’t mean for it to go this far. His most
vulnerable expressions to me came directly after his explosions. How
everything felt wrong. How he shouldn’t let stress do this to him. How
it would never happen again.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/whatFreedomSmellsLike.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/whatFreedomSmellsLike.jpg"><img alt="whatFreedomSmellsLike" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-41176" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/whatFreedomSmellsLike.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/whatFreedomSmellsLike.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
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<div id="postBodyPS">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Diagnosed
with Borderline Personality disorder, Amy struggled with depression and
an addiction to sharp objects. Even hospitalization didn't help to heal
her destructive tendencies. It took a tumultuous relationship with a
man named Truth to bring her back from the depths of her own self-made
hell.Amy's marriage to dark, intriguing Truth was both passionate and
stormy. She was a fair-skinned southern girl from New Orleans. He was a
charming black man with tribal tattoos, piercings, and a mysterious
past. They made an unlikely pair, but something clicked. During their
early marriage, they pulled themselves out of abject poverty into wealth
and financial security practically overnight. Then things began to fall
apart.</span></span></div>
<div id="postBodyPS">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Passionate
and protective, Truth also proved violent and abusive. Amy’s own
self-destructive tendencies created a powerful symmetry. His sudden
death left Amy with an intense and warring set of emotions: grief for
the loss of the man she loved, relief she was no longer a target for his
aggression.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Conflicted
and grieving, Amy found herself at a spiritual and emotional
crossroads, only to receive help from an unlikely source: Truth himself.
Feeling his otherworldly presence in her dreams, Amy seeks help from a
famous medium.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Her
spiritual encounters change Amy forever. Through Truth, she learns her
soul is eternal and indestructible, a knowledge that gives Amy the
courage to pursue her own dreams and transform herself both physically
and emotionally. Her supernatural encounters help Amy resolve the
internal anger and self-destructive tendencies standing between her and
happiness, culminating in a sense of spiritual fulfillment she never
dreamed possible.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">An amazing true story, What Freedom Smells Like is told with courage, honesty, and a devilishly dark sense of humor.</span></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/What-Freedom-Smells-Like-Memoir-ebook/dp/B00JTHDCSC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=" href="http://www.amazon.com/What-Freedom-Smells-Like-Memoir-ebook/dp/B00JTHDCSC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Memoir</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG-13</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Amy-Lewis/e/B00KERPYYQ/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" href="http://www.amazon.com/Amy-Lewis/e/B00KERPYYQ/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Connect</b> with Amy Lewis through <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/AmyLewisAuthor" href="https://twitter.com/AmyLewisAuthor" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Website <a class="in-cell-link" data-mce-href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.WhatFreedomSmellsLike.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2-u-DEq6B2o3ZSLOwj9JWZOYB9gHA" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.WhatFreedomSmellsLike.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2-u-DEq6B2o3ZSLOwj9JWZOYB9gHA" target="_blank">www.WhatFreedomSmellsLike.com</a></b></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134493107653280780.post-84407938231312468092014-11-12T08:00:00.000-05:002014-11-12T08:00:07.874-05:00Kirsten Mortensen on Bridget Jones, When Libby Met the Fairies & POV @KirstenWriter #AmWriting<b>First, Second, or Third Voice: The Power of POV</b><br />
<i>By Kirsten Mortensen </i><br />
<br />
Like
a lot of authors, I’ve experimented with voice. I’ve written in the
first person. I’ve written in the third person. And I’ve even toyed with
the second person—breaking the 20th Century rule of “no authorial
intrusion.” Because hey, I’m a rebel. Rules are made to be broken!<br />
<br />
So I thought I’d share a bit about what I’ve learned about voice.<br />
<br />
Some
of my insights are similar to what you’ve probably read elsewhere, or
know from experimenting with voice yourself. Certain genres lend
themselves naturally to first person POV, for example. I can’t imagine
classic chick lit (think Bridget Jones's Diary) in anything other than
first person. Ditto for hard-boiled crime fiction, like Raymond
Chandler’s Philip Marlowe novels.<br />
<br />
As a writer, first
person voice can be a kick as a literary device. There’s the fun of the
Unreliable Narrator, for example. The person telling the story
inevitably filters events through her assumptions or prejudices. She may
even lie outright to protect someone else, or to show herself in a
positive light.<br />
<br />
A person narrating a story is also on a
journey. He or she is discovering things, assembling puzzle pieces. Who
committed the murder? Is the handsome boss an unreliable flirt or a
modern day prince? With first person, we readers get to ride along as
the narrator solves these kinds of questions.<br />
<br />
First
person POV can also help make a reader’s experience more sympathetic. I
learned this the hard way. When I first drafted one of my novels (When
Libby Met the Fairies), I wrote it in the first person. But later, I
second-guessed myself and re-wrote the book in third person voice. It
was a newbie mistake: I should have trusted my original impulse, but I
didn’t. Then, when I published the novel, I discovered (to my horror)
that scenarios I thought were humorous came across, to readers, as
humiliating.<br />
<br />
You know the final scene in Brigit Jones,
where she runs out into the street in her tights to chase down Mark
Darcy? Imagine if that scene were done in such a way that, instead of
cheering her on, you got angry at Brigit for debasing herself. Chasing
after a man that way! Doesn’t she have any self-respect?<br />
<br />
That’s
what I managed to do with Libby! So perhaps, one of these days, I’ll
revise that novel again and let Libby tell the story with her voice. But
even if I don’t, it’s still a lesson that I learned, the hard way,
about the power of POV.<br />
<br />
Writing in the third person
gives a writer a completely different set of tools. My latest novel,
Dark Chemistry, is written in the third person. That let me shift points
of view among several characters, including two bad guys, a heroine, a
hero, and the hero’s friend and co-worker. I found that this let me add a
lot of richness and depth to the story. One of my bad guys is very very
creepy—telling part of the story from his point of view let me bring
that out. Using third person also let me show how my heroine, Haley
Dubose, evolved and matured during the course of the novel. She starts
out spoiled and shallow, but learns to value relationships, love, and
commitment more than clubbing and designer clothes. I had a lot of fun
with that, and decided to use third person in my next novel as well.<br />
<br />
So
now it’s your turn. If you’re a writer, what have you discovered by
experimenting with voice and POV? As a reader, do you enjoy first person
or third person more—and why?<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/darkChemistry.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/darkChemistry.jpg"><img alt="darkChemistry" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-41412" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/darkChemistry.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/darkChemistry.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
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<h1>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A woman's worst nightmare</span></span></h1>
<h2 data-mce-style="color: #cc6600;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Drugged by something...that makes her think she's fallen in love.</span></span></h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All Haley Dubose has ever known is beaches and malls, clubs and cocktail dresses.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>But now her father is dead.</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And if she wants to inherit her father's fortune, she has to leave sunny Southern California<br />for a backwater little town near Syracuse, New York. She has to run RMB, the multimillion dollar<br />chemical company her father founded. And she has to run it well.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Keep
RMB on track, and she'll be rich. Grow it, and she'll be even richer.
But mess it up, and her inheritance will shrink away before she gets a
chance to spend a dime.</span></span><br />
<h2 data-mce-style="color: #cc6600;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Donavon Todde is her true love. But is it too late?</span></span></h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He's RMB's head of sales – and the more Donavon sees of Haley, the more he's smitten.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sure,
she comes across at first as naïve and superficial. But Donavon knew
Haley's father. He can see the man's better qualities stirring to life
in her eyes. And Donavon senses something else: Haley's father left her a
legacy more important than money. He left her the chance to discover
her true self.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Donavon has demons of his own.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b><br />He's
reeling from a heartbreak that's taking far too long to heal. But he's
captivated by this blond Californian, and not only because of her
beauty.<i> It's chemistry.</i> They're right for each other. But has
Donavon waited too long to woo this woman of his dreams? Because to his
horror, his beautiful Haley falls under another spell.<i> Gerad's spell.</i></span></span><br />
<h2 data-mce-style="color: #cc6600;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A web of evil.</span></span></h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gerad
Picket was second-in-command at RMB when Haley's father was alive. And
with Haley on the scene, he's in charge of her training. But there are
things about RMB that Gerad doesn't want Haley to know.</span></span><br />
<h2 data-mce-style="color: #cc6600;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And he must control her. Any way he can.</span></span></h2>
<h1>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Romantic suspense for your Kindle</span></span></h1>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Will Haley realize that her feelings are not her TRUE feelings?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Does Donavon have the strength left to fight for the woman he loves?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Will the two of them uncover Gerad's plot to use RMB pheromones to enslave the world?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And even if they do – can they stop it?</span></span><br />
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Chemistry-Kirsten-Mortensen-ebook/dp/B00KEYP3QI/" href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Chemistry-Kirsten-Mortensen-ebook/dp/B00KEYP3QI/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> &<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/422146" href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/422146" target="_blank">Smashwords</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Romantic suspense</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG-13</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Kirsten-Mortensen/e/B001JP7X50/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" href="http://www.amazon.com/Kirsten-Mortensen/e/B001JP7X50/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Connect</b> with Kirsten Mortensen through<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kirsten-Mortensen-Writer/195344590544496?ref=hl" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kirsten-Mortensen-Writer/195344590544496?ref=hl" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>& <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/Kirstenwriter" href="https://twitter.com/Kirstenwriter" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Website <a class="in-cell-link" data-mce-href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://kirstenmortensen.com/&usd=2&usg=ALhdy29OlqrTvuWJGs0Xbb3RDK_7VviC8A" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://kirstenmortensen.com/&usd=2&usg=ALhdy29OlqrTvuWJGs0Xbb3RDK_7VviC8A" target="_blank">http://kirstenmortensen.com/</a></b></span></span></div>
</div>
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Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134493107653280780.post-46191309768705551122014-11-12T07:00:00.000-05:002015-01-21T04:50:30.250-05:00John Smith Last Known Survivor of the #Microsoft Wars by Roland Hughes #Excerpt #Dystopian<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">E</span>xcerpt from <span style="font-family: inherit;">Roland Hughes' </span>book, "John Smith Last Known Survivor of
the Microsoft Wars"</i></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">SK: That still doesn’t explain Earth That Was.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">JS: The seven continents.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">SK: What are you talking about? There are twelve continents!</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">JS:
Today, yes. Back in the day of Earth That Was, there were only seven
continents and that is a map of them. The picture hanging beside it is a
picture of Earth That Was taken from outer space on a clear day. As
you can deduce from the map, it shows much of the North and South
American continents.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">SK: American?</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">JS: <sigh> What is the first continent you encounter today when heading in the direction of where our sun sets?</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">SK: Dians.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">JS: What is the country we are in right now?</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">SK: Rica, but shouldn’t you already…</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">JS:
Back in the day of Earth That Was, Canada was a country occupying the
northern portion of the North American continent and the United States
of America occupied the lower portion of it before you got to this
skinny connecting piece. The sun traveled from this edge to that edge
of the continent each day.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After
the events of 2013, or during, depending upon how you look at it, part
of Canada became the land mass you now call the Dians continent. The
rest of the North American continent also turned and split up. Some say
it simply had an ocean form over part of it. The difference between
split or sink doesn’t really matter. Today, you cannot walk from one
chunk to the other, so they are considered separate continents.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
country we live in now was once called America. Several other chunks
floating around the globe were also part of America. You are having
trouble believing what you have been told because some big pieces that
are at the root of the story are under the ocean now. As a country, we
no longer have any means of getting to them or taking pictures for
others to see. At some point, perhaps we will regain that but not at
this point.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">SK:
Do you really expect me to believe that you have hanging on your wall a
picture taken from outer space? A beautiful picture in full color that
was somehow taken while someone or something was in outer space and
then given to you?</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">JS: It wasn’t given, it was downloaded by my grandfather. Many people had them back at that time.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">SK: Downloaded?</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">JS:
Yes. With a thing called a computer over something called the
Internet. America had some kind of organization known as NASA, which
sent ships, satellites and people into outer space.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">SK: Internet? People in outer space? I don’t know what you’ve been drinking but it would have been polite to share!</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">JS: <chuckle> Do you see that black rectangle resembling a book sitting over there?</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">SK: Yes.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">JS:
On the front of it is a little ridge, which you can push to the right,
then lift the top portion of it to open it. Good. Now near the bend
where the two pieces come together is a button with a circle and a line
sticking out of the circle.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">SK: I see it.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">JS: Press it.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">SK:
It is making noises. There are lights flashing. Things are appearing
and disappearing on the top piece that feels like glass. What is
OpenVMS?</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">JS: It is the most robust computer operating system ever created by man. Here, let me log in.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">SK: Log in? Computer operating system?</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/johnSmith.jpg" /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“John
Smith: Last Known Survivor of the Microsoft Wars” is one big interview.
It is a transcript of a dialogue between “John Smith” (who, as the
title of the book implies is the last known survivor of the Microsoft
wars) and the interviewer for a prominent news organization.</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/John-Smith-Known-Survivor-Microsoft/dp/193973200X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a> & <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/john-smith-roland-hughes/1102176003?ean=9781939732002" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">B&N</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Dystopian Fiction</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1?ie=UTF8&field-author=Roland+Hughes&search-alias=books&text=Roland+Hughes&sort=relevancerank" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Website <a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://johnsmith-book.com/&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2-70oxuHXvWgcvombsi9GJmpfL5eA" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://johnsmith-book.com/</a></b></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134493107653280780.post-37619890531929656362014-10-28T11:00:00.000-04:002014-11-29T07:59:39.628-05:00"Moxie’s Problems" by Hank Quense & What You Didn't Know @hanque99 #AmReading #Fantasy <b>Seven things you don’t know about Moxie’s Problems</b><br />
<br />
The
original Moxie story was a short story that I couldn't sell. I loved
Moxie’s character and I was determined to put her into her own novel. <br />
<br />
I
was half-way through Moxie’s Problems when I put it on the side to
write a series of non-fiction books called Self-publishing Guides. I did
that because I got angry at all the misinformation floating around the
internet on self-publishing. <br />
<br />
I was able to return to
the Moxie novel fairly easily because I always develop a series of
mind-maps for my novels before I start to write the first draft. I had
maps for the major characters, the plots and subplots and a third which
is a graphical synopsis. These mind-maps allowed me to get back into
the novel very quickly. <br />
<br />
Some of the adventures in the
novel, especially for King Artie were originally short stories I wrote a
long time ago, but were never published. The Dogs of War and the Isolde
adventure are two such short stores. The initial football game between
the Knights and the Saxons was a short story I sold four or five times.
<br />
<br />
Originally, the novel was set in a fantasy land and
Moxie was a dwarf. Her three knightly companions were a dwarf, an elf
and a human. The fantasy setting conflicted with my plan to use Camelot
as a backdrop so I had to change it.<br />
<br />
The Camelot
background bothered me for a while. The problem was my story bashed
against the traditional Camelot legends and not in a small way. My
Camelot was radically different and I felt it would annoy reads who
hoped for a retelling of the traditional legends. My solution to this
problem came with a sprinkling of scifi dust. Once I realized my
Camelot took place in a parallel universe, I had my justification and it
even encouraged me to develop more non-traditional aspects of Camelot. <br />
<br />
One
character I really enjoyed writing about was Tristan. In the story he
is Camelot’s Bard and the world’s worst poet. I wrote a number of
doggerel poems for him. I also made him a schizophrenic. His warrior
self and his poet self are in a constant battle for supremacy of his
mind. His poet self wants to soothe enemies with words, while his
warrior self wants to attack audiences with his sword.<br />
<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.3333339691162px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Moxies-Problem.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Moxies-Problem.jpg"><img alt="Moxie's Problem" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-42271" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Moxies-Problem.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Moxies-Problem.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Do
you enjoy untypical coming-of-age stories? Well, you won’t find one
more untypical that Moxie’s Problem. Moxie is an obnoxious, teen-age
princess who has never been outsider her father’s castle. Until now. The
real world is quite different and she struggles to come to grips with
reality. The story take space against a backdrop of Camelot. But it
isn’t the Camelot of legends. It’s Camelot in a parallel universe. So,
all bets are off!</div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.3333339691162px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Buy Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Moxies-Problem-Hank-Quense-ebook/dp/B00MK5UA80/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1409836365&sr=1-1&keywords=hank+quense" href="http://www.amazon.com/Moxies-Problem-Hank-Quense-ebook/dp/B00MK5UA80/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1409836365&sr=1-1&keywords=hank+quense" target="_blank">Amazon</a> &<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/448914" href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/448914" target="_blank">Smashwords</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Genre – Fantasy, Sci-fi</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Rating – G</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Hank-Quense/e/B002BM76IE/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1" href="http://www.amazon.com/Hank-Quense/e/B002BM76IE/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Connect with Hank Quense through<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/StrangeWorldsOnline" href="https://www.facebook.com/StrangeWorldsOnline" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>&<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/hanque99" href="https://twitter.com/hanque99" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.3333339691162px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b style="font-weight: bold !important;">Website <a class="in-cell-link" data-mce-href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://hank-quense.com/wp/&usd=2&usg=ALhdy29hrxwzFyEMQY_AGYyT9ew6gPqByA" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://hank-quense.com/wp/&usd=2&usg=ALhdy29hrxwzFyEMQY_AGYyT9ew6gPqByA" target="_blank">http://hank-quense.com/wp/</a></b></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134493107653280780.post-27643934295600566372014-10-10T10:00:00.000-04:002014-10-11T04:17:39.506-04:00Kelly Wilson on Finding Alignment in Your Writing @LiveCheap #AmWriting #WriteTip #Memoir <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><div class="p1" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">Finding Alignment in Your Writing</span></span></span></b></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">I had been in pain for months and didn’t know it. Rather, I didn’t pay attention until my left leg and hip were so weak that I could no longer walk.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">Pain gathered in my lower back, shooting down the leg into my foot. Tingling and numbness followed, to the point where I felt like my leg was a phantom limb. I could see it was there, but I physically felt like it wasn’t connected to the rest of my body.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">Maybe I was having an out-of-body experience that was limited only to my left leg. I tried to tell it to avoid the light, and called my chiropractor for help. Historically, my chiropractor has administered treatments that worked to cure my sciatic and lower back problems. But even<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="http://www.wilsonwrites.com/note-good-pain/" href="http://www.wilsonwrites.com/note-good-pain/"><span class="s3">the butt-flap table</span></a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>and the zippy-zappy electronic pulses into my muscles produced absolutely nothing. The wrenching adjustments simply served to prove that my back, hip and leg remained locked and disjointed.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">A friend of mine referred me to an Osteopathic Physician. I call him Dr. Magic, because the treatment that he provides should not work. Instead of the pushing and pulling and wrestling and cracking of my body on the chiropractor’s table, I simply lay on the table on my back while Dr. Magic arranged his hands underneath my back.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">Well, underneath my butt to start with, which can feel a little awkward at first. The treatment is about 20 minutes, during which he breathes with his eyes closed into the silence of the peaceful room. Slowly and with painstaking accuracy, he moves his hands, gently guiding and adjusting, all the way from my tailbone to the top of my skull.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">After my first appointment, I noticed an amazing improvement. My pain level was several notches lower and my leg had apparently decided to stay with me. And with additional regular treatments, I have almost healed up fully.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">The Power of Gentle Guidance</span></span></span></b></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">In activities that matter – like writing – it is incredibly tempting to try and apply force to get what we want, whether that’s finishing a manuscript or looking for marketing results or trying to get published. We are a people of action and production and results. We want to “get ‘er done” and we want it now.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">And then we get stressed and hate our work and want to burn it in our backyard, because<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>what forms in our soul and expresses itself through our writing cannot be forced, it can only be guided gently out from the darkness and into the light</i>. And to allow this process to happen, we need to provide structure.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">There is Freedom within Structure</span></span></span></b></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">I recently lost a job, which was the first time I had been without work in several years. I am used to working from home, applying self-discipline to meet deadlines. But – suddenly and without warning – I had no deadlines. My calendar was completely clear.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">People who are definitely not me might find this idea liberating, but I acted like a ping pong ball, bouncing from one idea and activity and problem and chore to another. I had no structure, and the resulting anxiety was driving me insane.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">A friend of mine suggested that I schedule out every single minute of every day for a week in order to give me some of the structure that I so clearly craved. Once I did, I actually felt calm enough to sit down and write, which led to more writing and more structure, and proved to be a better spiral overall to follow.</span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">Move within Structure</span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">The duality about structure – and about our literal bones – is that they require movement in order to move best. Our spines and bones aren’t rigid, they simply provide a framework. If your novel or your writing time or your character or your narrative arc are no longer working, have you provided a framework for them to work within?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">Structure provides boundaries that you can push against, containment for the chaos. Once the security of structure has been provided, then those nagging problems of the character or the pace or the novel itself can sort themselves out.</span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">Change the Structure When Needed</span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">There might be times that the structure itself is to blame for the issues. If your leg is trying to leave your body and you can no longer walk or use it, then it’s time to gently guide the structure (or, in this case, my spine) in a different direction. If you have decided to write every day at 5:30 in the morning but never actually keep the commitment and end up beating yourself up, it’s time to change the structure to something that will actually work.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">Because if you try and force it, there’s a good chance that the whole thing may fall apart.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">***********************************</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2"><b>Kelly Wilson's Bio </b>: Kelly Wilson is a Portland, Oregon author and comedian who apparently requires a specific kind of structure in order to feel calm and fortunately still has her left leg. She is the author of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/CHEAP-Strategies-Thrive-Tough-Economic/dp/1601457820" href="http://www.amazon.com/CHEAP-Strategies-Thrive-Tough-Economic/dp/1601457820"><span class="s3"><i>Live Cheap & Free</i></span></a>,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/DONT-PUNCH-PEOPLE-THE-JUNK-ebook/dp/B009FRSH5Y/" href="http://www.amazon.com/DONT-PUNCH-PEOPLE-THE-JUNK-ebook/dp/B009FRSH5Y/"><span class="s3"><i>Don’t Punch People in the Junk</i></span></a>, and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Caskets-Costco-Kelly-Wilson/dp/1626469156/" href="http://www.amazon.com/Caskets-Costco-Kelly-Wilson/dp/1626469156/"><span class="s3"><i>Caskets From Costco</i></span></a>, along with numerous articles and short stories for children and adults. Kelly Wilson currently writes for a living and lives with her Magically Delicious husband, junk-punching children, dog, and cat, with a stereotypical minivan in the garage. Read more about her at<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.wilsonwrites.com/"><span class="s3">www.wilsonwrites.com</span></a><span class="s2">.</span></span></span></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Caskets-From-Costco.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Caskets-From-Costco.jpg"><img alt="Caskets From Costco" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-42171" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Caskets-From-Costco.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Caskets-From-Costco.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For
twenty years, Kelly Wilson thought that she had been marching through
the stages of grief in a straight line. She had been following the
formula, crossing each processed grief experience off her list.<br />
<br />
Except
that Kelly was totally deluded. And she didn’t discover that until Jim,
her beloved father-in-law, died. She found herself drying off from her
shower the morning after his death, really hoping that he couldn’t see
her naked. Or, if he could, that he was averting his eyes.<br />
<br />
From
that moment, Kelly's path through grief resembled a roller coaster,
spiraling and twisting and turning, circling back around. Echoes of past
trauma, including childhood abuse and cheating death, would no longer
be ignored. She somehow needed to get from the beginning to the end of
this grief adventure, and she doesn't have a good sense of direction.<br />
<br />
But what is always present during a journey through grief, regardless of the path chosen?<br />
<br />
Hope.<br />
<br />
Caskets
From Costco is a funny book about grief that demonstrates the certainty
of hope and healing in an uncertain and painful world.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Buy Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Caskets-Costco-Kelly-Wilson-ebook/dp/B00J3G7FF0/" href="http://www.amazon.com/Caskets-Costco-Kelly-Wilson-ebook/dp/B00J3G7FF0/">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Genre - Memoir, Humor</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Rating – PG-13</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Kelly-Wilson/e/B0030ZX24S/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" href="http://www.amazon.com/Kelly-Wilson/e/B0030ZX24S/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-weight: bold ! important;">Connect</b> with Kelly Wilson on <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/WilsonWrites" href="https://www.facebook.com/WilsonWrites" target="_blank">Facebook</a> & <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/LiveCheap" href="https://twitter.com/LiveCheap" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
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Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134493107653280780.post-35448894770220435852014-10-07T08:00:00.000-04:002014-10-14T09:38:45.257-04:00@LoniFlowers Shares an #Excerpt from WITNESS TO MY HEART - #Romance #AmReading“So, how long have you been out of the Army?”<br />
<br />
“A little over a year.”<br />
<br />
“Did you leave when David did?”<br />
<br />
Max
stretched his arm across the back of the bench behind me. “We left at
the same time; but, no, David chose not to re-enlist when his term was
up. I wasn’t given any options.”<br />
<br />
That seemed kind of
harsh. Unless he was fighting or being disruptive—which I could
definitely see—why couldn’t he re-enlist? “Dishonorably discharged?”<br />
<br />
“I guess you could say that.”<br />
<br />
“What did you do to warrant that?”<br />
<br />
“I didn’t do anything.” What is this? Fifty Questions?”<br />
<br />
“It’s however-many-questions-you’ll-answer,” I said nonchalantly.<br />
<br />
“Oh, I see. And can I play this game too?”<br />
<br />
“I guess it depends on what you ask.”<br />
<br />
Max pivoted towards me and his right leg pressed against mine. “Okay, let’s get right down to it. What are you hiding from?”<br />
<br />
My
eyes bulged wide with disbelief. How did he know? I was no different
around him than anyone else. “What? What are you talking about? Who said
I was hiding from something?”<br />
<br />
He smirked with
amusement. “Denial. It’s okay. I get it. Tell me why you were so scared
in the lobby? You never showed that kind of fear towards me before.”<br />
<br />
“You
have no idea what you’re talking about. And I wasn’t scared. I couldn’t
see your face temporarily because of the bright glare from the sun.
When you grabbed me, it startled me.” As if I would confess everything
to him just because he asked. Yeah, right.<br />
<br />
“You know, you can’t ask me questions and expect answers, if you’re not willing to offer up anything in return.”<br />
<br />
He was right.<br />
<br />
It
wasn’t fair. I should have known better than most people how hard it
was to conceal personal facts about your life, and if Max didn’t want to
share his, I should have respected his choice.<br />
<br />
“You’re
right. I’m sorry. I hoped to ask you some basic questions. You know,
favorite color, favorite dessert, dog or cat, what you do for a living…
those types of things.”<br />
<br />
“Well, you haven’t asked me
those questions. But if you must know, I don’t have a favorite color. I
don’t do pets. They’re a responsibility I don’t want or have time for.
And I work for a buddy of mine in St. Louis as a private investigator.
It’s nothing like a full-time career, however, just whenever he needs
me. I don’t need the money, but it doesn’t hurt to get paid doing easy
jobs; and it keeps my mind focused on other things.” His finger curled
around a lock of my hair as he shifted beside me.<br />
<br />
“You forgot one,” I mumbled, enjoying his aimless tugging on my hair.<br />
<br />
“What?”<br />
<br />
“Dessert. What’s your favorite?”<br />
<br />
“Strawberries… and whipped cream, if it’s around. Lots and lots of whipped cream.”<br />
<br />
I
was about to bite into a carrot stick, but stopped with it halfway to
my mouth. His words seemed to drip from his lips. If he had leaned in a
few more inches and kissed me—minus the carrot—I would have let him. He
was only a few inches away, and I caught his eyes flickering from my
eyes to my mouth. My mouth watered, imagining how strawberries and
whipped cream would taste from his kiss. I licked my lips… and ate the
carrot.<br />
<br />
He leaned against the bench with a sly grin. “Does that about answer all your questions?”<br />
<br />
I recovered as best I could and peeked at my watch. “I supposed it’ll do for now. I have to get back.”<br />
<br />
Max stood and held his hand out to pull me up. “Until next time,” he said, walking me to the passenger side of his car.<br />
<br />
Settling
in the seat, I gave him a curious glance, not knowing if that were a
question or a statement. I answered with, “Maybe.” I still wasn’t sure
what to think about Max. He was an asshole one minute, a comforting
savior the next, and pure sex-on-a-stick twenty-four hours of every day.<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Witness-to-my-Heart.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Witness-to-my-Heart.jpg"><img alt="Witness to my Heart" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-41881" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Witness-to-my-Heart.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Witness-to-my-Heart.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Keep
a low profile. That's what Abigale Peterson was supposed to do,
especially when the person she was being protected from was one of the
world's worst crime lords. After seven years in the Witness Protection
Program, she felt no safer now than she did when she was seventeen.
Revenge was rarely forgotten when it came to a professional criminal
like Zerilli.<br />
<br />
Low profiles meant no social life and definitely no love life.<br />
<br />
Paranoia
and lies became daily habits, going against everything Abigale believed
in, but they kept her safe. They kept everyone safe.<br />
<br />
Until
a house fire puts her out of that safety and into the arms of a
stranger. Max Smith is sexy, smart, and has major attitude. He’s the
only one who seems to get her. He calms her fears and comforts her from
her nightmares. But he also sees right through her lies.<br />
<br />
Before
Abigale can stop, she’s in too deep; confiding too much and breaking
the one rule she promised herself to uphold: Never fall in love.<br />
<br />
Bu<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">y Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Witness-my-Heart-Loni-Flowers-ebook/dp/B00MLN4IFW" href="http://www.amazon.com/Witness-my-Heart-Loni-Flowers-ebook/dp/B00MLN4IFW" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Contemporary Romance</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – R</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Loni-Flowers/e/B00JOF1XYO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" href="http://www.amazon.com/Loni-Flowers/e/B00JOF1XYO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Connect with Loni Flowers through<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLoniFlowers" href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLoniFlowers" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>&<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/LoniFlowers" href="https://twitter.com/LoniFlowers" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134493107653280780.post-19528192035090542172014-10-06T08:00:00.000-04:002014-10-06T12:19:06.568-04:00#BookReview : The Bully Barn by Robert Gioia : #ReviewShare #Bullying<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20941381-the-bully-barn" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Bully Barn: A Lesson For Bullies, Bystanders and Victims" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1393700522m/20941381.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20941381-the-bully-barn">The Bully Barn: A Lesson For Bullies, Bystanders and Victims</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7908862.Robert_Gioia">Robert Gioia</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1073394854">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
Good books on bullying are hard to come by. This is for the simple reason that the stories become outdated or children can't relate to what is being said. The Bully Barn tackles this hurdle easily. Gioia uses simple words, colourful illustrations and a simple relatable plot to get his points across. Any young reader who is in school will be able to appreciate this book. <br />
<br />
Educating children about bullies, bystanders and victims will definitely have a positive impact on them. This is what I loved most about the book. If one child a day reads and understands bullying, imagine the difference this will make in 10 years. <br />
<br />
This book is full of helpful information in the form of Marty the Mouse. Real questions, thoughts and answers on bullying. In my opinion, although some people may find it difficult to believe, bullies need help too which is another point this book expertly raises. Must have as an essential tool to combat bullying in schools. <br />
<br />
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads UK Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for my book review. This book review is based on my thoughts, opinion and understanding of the book. This book review does not reflect the opinion of other book club members.
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/18470014-lacey-welch">View all my reviews</a>
Laceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12236711403373834728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134493107653280780.post-90518619518858379782014-10-06T07:00:00.000-04:002014-10-06T12:01:32.105-04:00#BookReview : Lethal Journey by @KimCresswell : #ReviewShare #Thriller <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18491811-lethal-journey" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Lethal Journey" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1379279102m/18491811.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18491811-lethal-journey">Lethal Journey</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6898395.Kim_Cresswell">Kim Cresswell</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1073377545">5 of 5 stars</a><br />
<br />
Talk about sitting on pins and needles. I couldn’t wait to finish each page because of the way the author had started the book. I knew something would develop through the pages and boy, was I right. Eric was not expected but definitely welcomed because his charm and passion for Lauren (the female main character) only made the story all the more interesting. <br />
<br />
This is one of those books where the author plays cards with the readers. A definite good game of bluff. Just when you think it’s going to go one way, it ends up another and yet, all the signs were in place right in front of you. This was a steamy, fast paced mystery read where the author worked her magic pen and I only hope she continues to churn out more books like these. <br />
<br />
Disclosure - As a Quality Reads UK Book Club member, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for my book review. This book review is based on my thoughts, opinion and understanding of the book. This book review does not reflect the opinion of other book club members.
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/18470014-lacey-welch">View all my reviews</a>
Laceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12236711403373834728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134493107653280780.post-47460653875581788832014-10-02T08:00:00.000-04:002014-10-31T11:41:53.085-04:00WHERE HAVE I BEEN ALL MY LIFE? #Excerpt by Cheryl Rice @RiceonLife #Women #Marriage How could I not have noticed just how adorable he was? I must have
been so focused on getting Alan to see my point during our couples’
counseling sessions that I’d hardly had time to glance at the referee.
But those sessions had ended. And now here I was—sitting alone on the
couch directly across from him, absorbing the gaze from his soulful blue
eyes, and wondering what I had been missing.<br />
<br />
His
third-floor office, cocooned in a converted Victorian house—the house of
my dreams—smelled cozy, like pinecones. My hands were sweating and my
heart was pounding. He was just my type: dark hair, wire-rimmed glasses,
a trim physique and boyish grin masking an impish and intelligent
curiosity. He asked me about my relationship with my mom and if I was
sharing my sorrow with Alan, while I was thinking about how nicely that
tweed jacket fit him. He looked at me with what felt like an
unprecedented intensity and listened to me with a rapt attention that
threatened to unwrap the gooey, gory, and oh-so-tender places deep
inside me.<br />
<br />
So I began therapy with David, hoping for a
psychic sanctuary. What I didn’t expect was to immediately find myself
thinking obsessively about him between sessions, planning the outfits
I’d wear to my appointments, and wondering if he preferred chocolate
chip cookies with or without nuts.<br />
<br />
Yes, I did want to heal. But, I also wanted to curl up in his lap and purr.<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Where-Have-I-Been-All-My-Life.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Where-Have-I-Been-All-My-Life.jpg"><img alt="Where Have I Been All My Life" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-41809" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Where-Have-I-Been-All-My-Life.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Where-Have-I-Been-All-My-Life.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Where
Have I Been All My Life? is a compelling memoir recounting one woman’s
journey through grief and a profound feeling of unworthiness to
wholeness and healing. It begins with the chillingly sudden death of
Rice’s mother, and is followed by her foray into the center of mourning. <br />
<br />
With wisdom, grace, and humor, Rice recounts the grief games she plays in an effort to resurrect her mother; her efforts to get her therapist, who she falls desperately in love with, to run away with her; and the
transformation of her husband from fantasy man to ordinary guy to
superhero. In the process, she experiences aching revelations about her
family and her past—and realizes what she must leave behind, and what
she can carry forward with her.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Bu<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">y Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Where-Have-Been-All-Life/dp/163152917X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405965204&sr=8-1&keywords=where+have+i+been+all+my+life%3F" href="http://www.amazon.com/Where-Have-Been-All-Life/dp/163152917X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405965204&sr=8-1&keywords=where+have+i+been+all+my+life%3F" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Memoir</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG-13</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Cheryl-Rice/e/B00J5OWIGQ/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1" href="http://www.amazon.com/Cheryl-Rice/e/B00J5OWIGQ/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Connect with Cheryl Rice through<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="%20https://www.facebook.com/yourvoiceyourvision " href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-admin/%20https://www.facebook.com/yourvoiceyourvision" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>&<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/RiceOnLife" href="https://twitter.com/RiceOnLife" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: bold ! important;">Website <a class="in-cell-link" data-mce-href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.yourvoiceyourvision.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2-KsIroKPbTLpqZOg7K5rhGXAchzg" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.yourvoiceyourvision.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2-KsIroKPbTLpqZOg7K5rhGXAchzg" target="_blank">www.yourvoiceyourvision.com</a></b></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134493107653280780.post-331850794181411172014-09-27T08:00:00.000-04:002014-09-27T08:00:02.503-04:00S.D. O'Donnell on "Shadow Journey" & Her Library of 15,000 Books @sdodonnell #AmReading<br />
<b>Tell us about your new book? What’s it about and why did you write it?</b><br />Shadow Journey is a novella told from the perspective of Mrs. Vera Blackstone, a well-loved character from my novel Deadly Memories. It’s about the time in her life that her husband developed a brain tumor and her struggles with that experience and loss.<br /><br />Mrs. Blackstone’s daughter Alice shows up in my next novel, Deadly Bayou, and I wanted a way to explain the rift between the two of them. As a thriller author, I don’t get much time to tell backstory or develop character in direct ways. You can read the novel without reading the novella but Shadow Journey will help the reader understand that relationship better.<br /><b><br />When you are not writing, how do you like to relax?</b><br />If I have a few days, I go to the mountains. I can feel stress leaving my body the higher in altitude we get. We live about 90 minutes from Rocky Mountain National Park. This park is a vacation destination for people from all over the world. And it’s close enough for us to make it a day trip. We have a favorite set of condos we stay at, right on Fall River and half a mile from the park boundary.<br /><br />If I don’t have time for a mountain trip, I like to take walks. We live by a lake with a bit of open space around it. Or just sit on my deck and drink wine.<br /><br /><b>How often do you write? And when do you write?</b><br />I go to my home office every day of the week and many times on Saturday. I do try to take Sunday off. I’m not always writing when I work. I also spend alot of time studying marketing, making marketing plans, and implementing them.<br /><b><br />What’s your favorite meal?</b><br />I love good food of any kind. The Steve that Shadow Journey is dedicated to was my brother-in-law. He was a professional chef and taught us how to eat with gusto. My father’s family is Cajun and I want my food to be spicy. I make a very mean Jambalaya and Gumbo. In fact, if you keep an eye on my website, www.sdodonnell.com, or sign up for my mailing list there, you’ll know when my next short project is complete. That will be instructions for how to make my famous Jambalaya and Gumbo. It’s worth cooking. And eating. I hope you find your way over there to get a copy. (I’m not promising a time table. I’d say it’ll be up and ready to download within a few months.)<br /><b><br />What movie do you love to watch?</b><br />I like Jane Austin movies, even thought they’re the one thing my husband doesn’t like watching with me. That’s okay. I don’t like watching war movies with him. When I need to reconnect with my spiritual side, I like to watch Thunder Heart. Since I grew up in the southwest (New Mexico), I’m comfortable with American Indian spiritual activities.<br /><br /><b>How do you feel about social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter? Are they a good thing?</b><br />I was never involved in social media before I started promoting my books. Then I joined Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads because the experts told me to. I keep up with them on a bare-minimum basis and it is not my favorite part of the day. On the other hand, I’ve connected with some very interesting people and learned alot of good information about marketing through these efforts. I’m not sure the activity has actually sold any books for me so sometimes I wonder why do I bother? On the other hand, I think it’s a positive thing to be available in multiple ways to anyone who might want to contact me as a fan.<br /><br /><b>Are you a city slicker or a country lover?</b><br />I’m both. I love going up to the mountains to hike, camp, or stay in a condo. I like sitting alone with nature and listening to only natural noises, especially the water flowing in a stream or creek. And then I like living in the city, where great restaurants and bookstores are only a short drive away.<br /><br /><b>How important are friends in your life?</b><br />My husband and I have what we call our extended family. This is a large group of friends that we are so close to we think we’re related. We act like a family and get together like a family. They are the foundation of our lives, along with our own small families.<br /><b><br />What social issues interest you the most?</b><br />Being a liberal American, I am rabidly supportive of my country finding a way to provide all citizens with quality health care. I have also been involved in environmental issues for many years. I am politically active and have tried to pass that passion on to my children. I tell them I don’t care if they vote the same way I do, as long as they vote. Their viewpoint will change many times as they age. Their commitment to being a part of the process never should.<br /><br /><b>When you get free time on the internet or you go to the library – what do you want to read about?</b><br />I spend much of my “free” time, meaning time when I’m not writing, reading about marketing. So it isn’t really time off, just time spent with a different focus. When I do actually get around to reading for fun, I like mysteries and thrillers and hard-to-categorize books that are just good stories that are well written.<br /><b><br />Do you find the time to read?</b><br />Reading is one of my favorite past times. Unfortunately, when I’ve spent the day working with words, I don’t always want to do anything that involves words in my spare time. I prefer gardening, watching TV or movies with my husband, cooking, or sitting around on my deck, talking with friends and drinking wine.<br /><br /><b>Have you ever had writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?</b><br />I don’t have writer’s block nearly as often as I get sidetracked from the task at hand. I sit down to write but first read my email. I get something from one of my marketing email lists. I intend to glance at it but there’s a link that looks very promising. I follow the link.<br /><br />You get the idea.<br /><br />But when I do have writer’s block, I decide what it is I’m trying to do (create a mood, advance the plot, etc.) and then go watch a movie that is similar in nature. Or maybe several movies. I also grab books I know are similar and go to the passages in them that I think might light my creative spark.<br /><br />This process is helped by the fact that my husband and I have never met a book we didn’t keep. We have a library of around 15,000 books. We also collect movies.<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Shadow-Journey.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Shadow-Journey.jpg"><img alt="Shadow Journey" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-41874" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Shadow-Journey.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Shadow-Journey.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Love ... Loss ... Secrets</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>A Haunting Psychological Read</i></span></span></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She starts alone.<br />
<br />
"I
SIT IN THE GAZEBO, alone. No cup of tea. No neighborly conversation to
help fill the silence. Haunted by 85 years worth of musings, I watch the
sun set and feel my age."<br />
<br />
She ends alone.<br />
<br />
And exposes a closely-guarded secret of 35 years in between.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">˃˃˃ Meet Mrs. Vera Blackstone</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">First
introduced in the thriller Deadly Memories, she quickly became a
well-loved character -- even though she isn't the main one. But you
don't have to read Deadly Memories before you enjoy this novella.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">˃˃˃ Warning</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This story will make you think a</span></span>nd stays with you long after the last word is read.<br />
<br />
Bu<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">y Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Journey-Mrs-Blackstone-Story-ebook/dp/B00M4MKAES" href="http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Journey-Mrs-Blackstone-Story-ebook/dp/B00M4MKAES">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Short Fiction</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG-13</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: bold ! important;">Connect</b> with S.D. O'Donnell on <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/SD-ODonnell/251731921625102" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/SD-ODonnell/251731921625102">Facebook</a> & <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/sdodonnell" href="https://twitter.com/sdodonnell" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: bold ! important;">Website <a class="in-cell-link" data-mce-href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.sdodonnell.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2942ymD6BzbR9nFaBC3N-JKFptdpg" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.sdodonnell.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2942ymD6BzbR9nFaBC3N-JKFptdpg" target="_blank">www.sdodonnell.com</a></b></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134493107653280780.post-57852568873515255152014-09-25T10:00:00.000-04:002014-10-02T09:24:27.531-04:00TOUCHING MADNESS (River Madden) by K S Ferguson #Fantasy #BookClub #AmReadingMy feet sped over the jogging path beside the river, a madman in
hoodie, jeans, and backpack, racing toward the setting sun. Winds of
change gusted behind my eyes, and the world tilted off kilter. The
ribbon of asphalt that lead back to Centralia, Kansas city center
disintegrated into a storm of silver glitter. Aw, hell. Another
psychotic break coming to a neighborhood near me.<br />
<br />
The
Dark Place sucked me in. Fire peeled back my flesh until my skin melted
away. Then muscles scorched, enveloping me in a sickening stench. Heat
bent my bones, shattering them into a thousand shards. Only my
hysterical thoughts remained. Songs of demons wailed in my
consciousness, and I wondered if this time I'd go permanently insane.
Maybe I already was.<br />
<br />
"Not real," I chanted, clinging to sanity through the hellish pain. "Not real, not real."<br />
<br />
The
tattooed runes that circled both my wrists itched worse than a million
spider bites. Clouds of nightmares scudded away from hideous fairytale
trolls, giant two-headed snakes, and a three-headed dog. They all fled
from an enormous demon I thought might be Satan himself. He strode on
cloven hooves through a landscape of fire and crystal and inside-out
structures that couldn't possibly exist, where up was down and down was
up, but none of that mattered because the creatures inhabiting the space
simply ignored gravity.<br />
<br />
"Not real. Survive. Done it before, do it again," I whispered as I streaked through the aberrant landscape.<br />
<br />
After
what seemed eternity, another onslaught of blinding silver glitter
whirled around me. Like a kaleidoscope being twisted, the glitter showed
first a late autumn pasture, then a dark, rain-swept alley, followed by
an apocalyptic cityscape, all soot-covered ruins. One of them was real;
the others not. Which one?<br />
<br />
"Please let it be the pasture," I prayed. "I like cows. Cows are nice."<br />
<br />
A
bruising thump against my chest signaled the return of sanity. It could
have been worse—I could have landed on the asphalt of the rainy alley
instead of the garbage pile. Cannon blasts of pain throbbed through my
head, a trickle of blood ran from my nose, and my heart raced. I waited.
Right on cue, my stomach arrived, twisting in contortions that made me
retch.<br />
<br />
I rolled over on a mountain of garbage-stuffed
plastic bags surrounding an overflowing dumpster that backed up against a
two-story brick building, typical of the style in Centralia's older
downtown district. Yep, garbage collectors out on strike again. Lucky
me. The rain turned to sleet, and I shivered, my toes and fingers aching
from the chill. Despite the cold and the need to get up, I lay there
unmoving, too exhausted to make the effort.<br />
<br />
Down the
alley to the west, a single light above a door marked Soo Ling's Chinese
Take-away struggled valiantly against the darkness, and I took stock,
just to reassure myself that I was intact. Two feet, long toes. Two
scrawny white legs none the worse for wear. Hip bones jutting against
skin, stark ribs you could play a tune on. Thin arms, dark blue wrist
tattoos still itching like mad. Male body parts intact, not that I had
any chance with girls. What woman would date a psychotic schizophrenic
who woke up naked in alleys wondering where he was and how he'd gotten
there?<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Touching-Madness.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Touching-Madness.jpg"><img alt="Touching Madness" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-41637" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Touching-Madness.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Touching-Madness.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Light
bulbs talk to River Madden; God doesn't. When the homeless
schizophrenic unintentionally fractures a dimensional barrier and
accidentally steals a gym bag containing a million dollars, everyone
from the multiverse police to the local crime boss—and an eight-foot
tall demon—are after him. Can he dodge them long enough to correct his
mistakes and prevent the destruction of three separate dimensions? If he
succeeds, will the light bulbs stop singing off-key?</span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007H9QPLA" href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007H9QPLA" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Contemporary, Urban fantasy</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – R</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=K%20S%20Ferguson&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank" href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=K%20S%20Ferguson&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Website <a class="in-cell-link" data-mce-href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.ksferguson.net&usd=2&usg=ALhdy28uYLnWK2puPbkhz-G_C7dYRTpoBw" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.ksferguson.net&usd=2&usg=ALhdy28uYLnWK2puPbkhz-G_C7dYRTpoBw" target="_blank">http://www.ksferguson.net</a></b></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134493107653280780.post-65749568612116476752014-09-24T11:00:00.000-04:002014-09-25T04:54:26.667-04:00Richard Parry Says No Plan Survives Contact With the Enemy @TactualRain #AmWriting #Fantasy<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No plan survives contact with the enemy, but plans are really useful anyway.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
thing is, my writing tends to be pretty organic. The conversations my
characters have aren’t manufactured through some formula. The path the
story takes? It’s not set in stone. I tend to outline just enough to
give me a path to follow, maybe some high points to hit, and then write.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
outlines I write are more detailed at the start of the story, and less
so at the end — often having a single outline point like, “Hero saves
the world.” I mean, that’s enough: it says everything it needs to say.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Making
characters real means you need to allow them some flex in their
interactions. If you need John to get that cat out of the tree, but
it’s more fun or interesting to have the cat escape from him instead,
you’re kind of screwed if your whole story revolves around him returning
to Andy with the cat.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The better writing gets lost in service to the outline you’ve drafted, and that’s not okay.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Different
writers have different views on this, and I think that’s great. I’m
not trying to tell people that there’s only one way to tell a story —
I’m saying that when I write stories, I try and make sure there’s room
for my characters to grow through that story. After you’ve spent
100,000 words with someone, they’re a lot more real than they were on
page one, right?</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When I wrote <i>Night’s Favour</i>,
the basic outline — hand drawn in blue pen — was on a page of my
notebook, and some supplementary pages for specific scenes. Writing <i>Upgrade</i>, a more complex story, I’ve needed to bust out Scapple to do a quick A4 on the moving parts. There’s lines <i>everywhere</i>.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Funny
thing is, both stories diverged from the originally planned ending.
It’s meant more work for me in terms of the writing, but it makes me
happier with the end result. I’d rather the end show a believable
outcome for my characters than keeping to an outline that was started
months — if not years — ago.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Outlines
are great, but like the rest of what I write, they’re disposable in
favour of the better story. To make things better, you sometimes need
to throw your initial thoughts into the trash.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/NightFavour.jpg" /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Valentine’s
an ordinary guy with ordinary problems. His boss is an asshole. He’s an
alcoholic. And he’s getting that middle age spread just a bit too
early. One night — the one night he can’t remember — changes everything.
What happened at the popular downtown bar, The Elephant Blues? Why is
Biomne, the largest pharmaceutical company in the world, so interested
in him — and the virus he carries? How is he getting stronger, faster,
and more fit? And what’s the connection between Valentine and the
criminally insane Russian, Volk?</span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EBNA0MU/ref=cm_sw_su_dp?tag=booaremag-20" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Action, Thriller, Urban Fantasy</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – R16</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Richard-Parry/e/B00EBQJTI8/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <b>Connect</b> with Richard Parry on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/therealrichardparry" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/TactualRain" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Website <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.rage.net.nz&usd=2&usg=ALhdy298b5_o0TqkCRTGBjb5UB4LozGGHQ" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.rage.net.nz</a></b></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134493107653280780.post-62281379676257453612014-09-24T08:00:00.000-04:002014-10-01T08:37:49.700-04:00Madi Brown on Book Designers that Fit Your Needs @Madithe1brown #AmWriting #Wwed #WriteTip<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Why Book Covers Are So Important</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Unless
you don't have eyes, people are visual. If there's a handsome guy
sitting across from me during my daily commute on the train, I'm going
to look. If I'm away on vacation, I'm going to appreciate the beautiful
sights around me, because I know that I'm there to relax. If my mom
bakes one of her yummy peach cobblers, I'm going to feast on it with my
eyes first, and then I'm going to devour it. In the world of books, book
covers work in the same way. There are probably millions of them out
there, but most readers are only looking for one title. Just think, your
book cover is going to be the very first thing that a buyer will see.
If you're suddenly feeling the pressure of of just how important a book
cover really might be, then continue to read on.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I've
penned a stellar novel. People are going to love me once they read what
I've written.” Plenty of authors are probably thinking the exact same
thing. But how are you going to let people know about this stellar body
of work that you've just created? I'll tell you how. You're going to
have a fabulous book cover that will make your book stand out from the
rest. And don’t worry, I get it. Writers aren't book designers, but
here's where you bring in someone to help with bringing your vision to
life. Outsourcing can be your new best friend.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">How to Find a Book Cover Designer That Fits Your Needs</span></b></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm pretty infatuated with the book cover for my debut novel,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>The Truth About Emily</b>,
but it wasn't a one step process of knowing what I wanted straight
away. It started with me doing research. Think about your storyline or
nonfiction topic. Jot down some ideas so that you have a place of
reference to pull from. Do you have a title already? Great. If you do,
then keep that in mind too, because it's another source. Now go online
and begin looking at other people's book covers. Are they popular
authors? Ask yourself what it is, if anything, that's drawing your eyes
to it. How do you feel about the colors, the images, the font style, and
the font size? Also, check out some of the books that you've previously
purchased; specifically on the strength of its book cover. What caused
you to click on buying it? Next up, what you want to do, is take all of
that information and keep it somewhere safe. We'll come back to it.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now
you'll need to find yourself a competent book cover designer. Fiverr
(an online company that will do almost any task for you for $5.00) has
loads of people on there who can assist you for a bargain, but just
remember that most of those people specialize in quantity over quality.
By this, I mean that you might end up with a book cover identical to
someone else or it may have an appearance that looks manufactured. This
isn’t to say that there aren’t some gems on there, but you'll have to
diligently seek them out. As for myself, I chose to go with a
freelancer. I was drawn to the element of selection in having access to a
host of talented designers with exceptional portfolios and being able
to make a choice based on a price that I’ve set. My final winning pick
was Gavin Pledger, Creative Soutions King).</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">By
now ,you’ve found yourself a book cover designer (as far as the work
contract is concerned, make sure that you add in how many times they’re
willing to revise. Negotiate a flat fee). The first thing that they’ll
want to know is what creative direction you’d like them to go in. This
is when you whip out the notes that you’ve been compiling for your
project. It’s your starting point. Don't be afraid to let them know what
works for you, and what doesn’t. A really good book cover designer will
be as excited as you are in getting right!</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/truthaboutemily.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/truthaboutemily.jpg"><img alt="truthaboutemily" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-41632" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/truthaboutemily.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/truthaboutemily.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" id="outer_postBodyPS" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div id="postBodyPS">
<h2 data-mce-style="color: #cc6600;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">"If you LOVE New York, if you’re a
name-dropping, fashion fiend careerist; fed up with serial dating,
plagued with a thirst for sex, then you’ll totally stalk me for what
I've penned.” - Author, Madi Brown</span></span></h2>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Description</i></span></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">29-year-old
Emily Greene looks the part, but she’s still working on becoming a
modern-day woman. Not that she’s one to back down from a challenge, but
living as an eternal work-in-progress wasn't exactly the goal that she
had in mind. It’s a harsh but true realization---the idea that that time
isn't on her side, and the notion that wanting to have it all, doesn't
mean getting it. The verdict is in; with zero prospects for a
relationship and a stalled blogging career, Emily has every reason to
believe that she’s been living a life too humdrum for her own good.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Making
the change won’t be easy. She’ll have to do whatever it takes; start
dating like a man, become more selective about which RSVP's she accepts,
and work even harder at getting her dream job.The payoff’s huge; a
modern twist on a storybook ending, but gains don’t often come without
risks. In the here and now Emily just may be forced to choose...It’s got
to be one or the other----the profession that she’s always wanted, or
the love that she’s never had.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">˃˃˃ Praise for Madi Brown & </span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">her debut novel, The Truth About Emily</span></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">"The
added depth of character promises complexity but wraps everything in
the saucy cloak of Emily's evolving personality and newfound beliefs
about life, love, and the real nature of happiness. And this is where
The Truth About Emily outshines many competitors, making it a
recommended read for those seeking more than a standard romance novel." <i>- D. Donovan, eBook Reviewer, Midwest Book Reviews</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">"This
book has just about anything a girl would love to read about. If
there's anything Emily Greene has is ISH and lots of it, oh the
ending... This book is a total keeper, just anything about fashion to
relationships to friends and family." <i>- Y. Sanchez, Goodreads</i></span></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Buy Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Truth-About-Emily-Madi-Brown-ebook/dp/B00MNIL5TW" href="http://www.amazon.com/Truth-About-Emily-Madi-Brown-ebook/dp/B00MNIL5TW" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Genre – Contemporary Women's Fiction</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Rating – PG18</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Madi-Brown/e/B00MNMD2ZS/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" href="http://www.amazon.com/Madi-Brown/e/B00MNMD2ZS/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Connect</b> with Madi Brown on <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/Madibrown.combooksandblog" href="https://www.facebook.com/Madibrown.combooksandblog" target="_blank">Facebook</a> & <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/Madithe1brown" href="https://twitter.com/Madithe1brown" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134493107653280780.post-74735081547713644142014-09-20T09:30:00.000-04:002014-09-25T03:43:54.194-04:00Kari Nichols on #Writing as a Form of Personal Therapy @TheKariNichols #AmWriting #HistFic<b>Why Writing is a Form of Personal Therapy</b><br />
<br />
I
use writing as therapy for several reasons. First, it’s the one thing
that I can always count on to calm me down no matter what else is going
on in my life. When I put all my concentration into the lives of my
characters, I don’t have to worry about what’s happening in my own life.
I guess it’s my own little escape from reality. Second, if I’m really
upset or excited about something, I can funnel those emotions into my
work. I enjoy taking the excitement of good news and using that
enthusiasm to connect with a character that is experiencing a similar
situation (and the same goes for when I’m feeling sad or angry).
Finally, when I’m able to see the fruits of the hard work that I’ve put
into my novels and short stories, I have the most incredible sense of
accomplishment and relief.<br />
<br />
When I write, I feel like
I’m developing as a person. Creating worlds and characters stretches my
mind and forces me to grow to new heights to attain the next level of
mastery I need in order to develop a unique story.<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rogue.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rogue.jpg"><img alt="rogue" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-41803" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rogue.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rogue.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
“We stand united, Family of Immortals. Plagued by life. Cursed by the hand of God …” <br />
<br />
Rogue
was born into an immortal family whose wealth is marked by a trail of
blood. But when he meets the unnervingly familiar assistant of his next
target, an unexpected rush of emotions begins to unravel his carefully
laid plans. <br />
<br />
Lissie lives a mundane life filled with
work … and little else. She hasn’t taken a risk since she moved to New
York City after college—seven years ago. But when the mysterious Matthew
McCloud walks through the door of her office, she finds herself diving
head-first into a whirlwind romance she never saw coming.<br />
<br />
Bu<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">y Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Rogue-The-Plagued-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B00MRO73PM" href="http://www.amazon.com/Rogue-The-Plagued-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B00MRO73PM">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre - Urban Fantasy, Contemporary Romance, Historical Romance</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG-13</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Kari-Nichols/e/B00MSDYFFS/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" href="http://www.amazon.com/Kari-Nichols/e/B00MSDYFFS/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: bold ! important;">Connect</b> with Kari Nichols on <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/TheKariNichols" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheKariNichols" target="_blank">Facebook</a> & <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/thekarinichols" href="https://twitter.com/thekarinichols" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: bold ! important;">Website <a class="in-cell-link" data-mce-href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://karinichols.com/&usd=2&usg=ALhdy28HIGv7lmiQgoz5heNUjD3hpL5yEA" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://karinichols.com/&usd=2&usg=ALhdy28HIGv7lmiQgoz5heNUjD3hpL5yEA" target="_blank">http://karinichols.com/</a></b></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134493107653280780.post-32767148330381129922014-09-03T09:30:00.000-04:002014-10-16T14:28:09.314-04:00Saga of the Nine : Area38 by Mikey D. B. @mikeydbii #SagaoftheNine #Dystopian #Thriller <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
rusty metal box is as tempting as it is frightening and the taunting
dilemma puts Joe and Jackson on the edge of their seats. Tentatively,
Jackson flips the latches and carefully unpicks the lock. Rust
particles tumble to the table top to yield a euphoric mystery. It was
buried for a reason--a reason good enough to kill for. Books will at
the very least put them on stage with Christopher; it’s conspiracy
against The Government. Audio is labeled as disturbing the peace,
therefore you’ll be on stage. Pictures disturb the mind, and ideas the
heart. The two friends are all too aware that the box most likely
contains something that will eventually lead to their demise.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Should we?” Jackson’s hands rest on either side of the lid hoping Joe says “no” but secretly wanting him to say “hell yeah!”.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hesitantly Joe masks his anticipation. “Yeah. Why not?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That’s
not confirmation filled with enthusiasm, but Jackson pries the rusty
box open without delving into the endless reasons as to why or why not.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“A book!” Joe instantly shouts, the memories flooding back to him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All
fear is gone. Joe yanks it out and begins flapping dust in every
direction as he flips through the delicate paper pages. Jackson counts
it and every artifact carefully to create a mental inventory: a black
fat book, three dark blue books, an ancient audio device, a series of
discs and a chain necklace.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Immediately
Jackson reaches for the only object that won’t get him killed and
begins to examine the tiny metal links of the necklace. He slips it
over his head and dangles the relic from his neck, watching the ancient
key swing from left to right until his jacket stops the momentum. Next
he reaches for the audio device, surprised technology like this can
still be found.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Holy
Bible? Odd word, bible.” Wonder why it’s holy, he thinks before
slamming the black book down, creating a wave of dust in the process.
Frantically, he then reaches for one of the discs and asks, “What’s a
CD?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“And
what’s an iPod?” Jackson mumbles to himself, reading the metallic
lettering. He flips the device over and notices a small red button.
Pressing it, the screen illuminates. A small white apple appears for a
short while until a bright menu takes its place.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Wow!” Joe proclaims. “It still works!”</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Yeah, I think it has one of those solar, nuclear, forever lasting batteries.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Where the hell did yuh hear that?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“A friend.” Jackson thinks of Conner and the tidbits of random knowledge he’s accumulated from him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joe
is about to delve in and interrogate Jackson as to which friend he is
talking about, but becomes distracted by the shimmering of the CD
object. “What do you make of these?” Joe hands him a small stack of
plastic square casings. Inside each casing sits a shiny, compact disc.
Joe picks up one labeled<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>John Mayer<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>and is quick to discover the glare that can be created when angling them just right. Without hesitating he blinds Jackson.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“These things are awesome!” He giggles with joy. He can’t believe he found it, and in all places Grandma Lisa’s old yard.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Yeah,
super cool.” Jackson places the small stack down and goes back to the
iPod device. He scrolls through the various menus until finding a
series of foreign words. “American Backstory, The USA: a founding?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Hey Jackson! This one has yer name on it. Well kind of.” Joe hands him one of the shiny encased discs labeled:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>The Rouge Family: DIA BBQ USA HQ Oct 14, 2037</i>.
Jackson shivers at reading the words, and as Joe continues to reflect
light throughout the room, Jackson makes one more discovery<i>. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>Picking up a petite tan envelope found in between one of the blue books labeled<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Journal</i>,
he compresses the contents to feel a number of different pieces of
papers. He spins it around to reveal one last spooky sight.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“To
Jackson from Mom and Dad.” He reads it reverently and in seconds, a
rush of adrenalin floods through his veins. “Joe. Put everything back
in the box. Now!” </span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Saga-of-the-Nine.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Saga-of-the-Nine.jpg"><img alt="Saga of the Nine" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-41059" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Saga-of-the-Nine.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Saga-of-the-Nine.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Change
affects everyone and it is no different for Jackson. Living in Area 38
for as long as he can remember, he knows of no better way to exist than
under the tyrannical rule of Christopher Stone, son of Stewart Stone
from The Nine of The United Governmental Areas, aka The UGA. This all
takes a dramatic turn when Jackson finds a red, metal box buried in his
yard, filled with illegal artifacts—journals, a Bible, CDs, etc.—that
are from a man of whom he has no recollection of: Mica Rouge.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The
year is 2036 and Mica, unlike Jackson, does know of a better way of
life but is torn apart as he sees his country, The United States of
America, crumbling from within by group known as The Political Mafia.
The Mafia has infiltrated levels upon levels of governmental resources
and it is up to Mica and a vigilante group known as The USA Division to
stop them and their dark Utopian vision. To their demise, and at the
country's expense, The Division fails and has no choice but to watch The
Constitution dissolve and transform into The UGA.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In
a final stand, having not given up hope, Mica and what is left of The
Division, give one final fight in Colorado, or better known as Area 38.
However, all is lost as The Division is betrayed by one of their own,
Stewart Stone. Mica is left with no choice but to hide in exile, leaving
what little history he can of himself and the great United States of
America, with his wife, long time friends, and newly born son in hopes
that they will one day finish what he could not.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jackson,
having found this legacy twenty-seven years later, decides to start the
war that will end The Nine, and he with an outcast group known as The
Raiders, begins his fight with Christopher Stone in Area 38. Filled with
betrayal, unity, despair, hope, hate and love Area 38 follows both Mica
and Jackson in their attempts to restore what they believe to be true
freedom, and where one fails, the other rises to the seemingly
impossible challenge.</span></span></div>
</div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Saga-Nine-Mikey-D-B-ebook/dp/B00I3I8R9W/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1391036693&sr=1-1&keywords=mikey+d.+b." href="http://www.amazon.com/Saga-Nine-Mikey-D-B-ebook/dp/B00I3I8R9W/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1391036693&sr=1-1&keywords=mikey+d.+b." target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Dystopian Thriller</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG13</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Mikey%20D.%20B.&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank" href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Mikey%20D.%20B.&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Connect</b> with Mikey D. B. on <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mikey-D-B/193122724228568?ref=hl" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mikey-D-B/193122724228568?ref=hl" target="_blank">Facebook</a> &<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/mikeydbii" href="https://twitter.com/mikeydbii" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Website <a class="in-cell-link" data-mce-href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.mikeydb.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy29rFXKoKCy5nHRPTeDOI1JD41dROQ" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.mikeydb.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy29rFXKoKCy5nHRPTeDOI1JD41dROQ" target="_blank">www.mikeydb.com</a></b></span></span></div>
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Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134493107653280780.post-37677801988773876712014-09-02T11:00:00.000-04:002014-09-13T18:27:26.019-04:00#Twitter 101 for Authors with HJ Lawson @hjlawson1 #WriteTip #BookMarketing <div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
attended a New York Writers Workshop in November; The Pitch Conference;
one of the speakers John Cusick from Greenhouse publishing recommended
that you build a social platform. He said that had tried blogging, and
it wasn't for him; but twitter seemed to work for him, he had 6998
followers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sitting at
the conference wondering how I would build my social platform when I
was not able to speak about my book, because at this point; I had just
begun my queries into how to get it published.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Leaving the
conference with a new insight into the writing world; I continued to
write, edit, delete and repeat. The idea of building my social network
was always in the back of my head.</span></span></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/socialnet.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/socialnet.jpg"><img alt="socialnet" class="aligncenter wp-image-41290" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/socialnet-300x109.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/socialnet-300x109.jpg" height="130" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="358" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fast
forward to January, book one complete, and currently with one agent and
two publishing houses. What if they don't pick up my book? This crossed
my mind again and again, so I decided it was time to build my social
network. Time to prepare for self-publishing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
set myself an ultimatum; if I don't hear back for the agent or
publishing house by April; I will begin the self-publishing process. I
needed to raise money to get my book professionally edited; so I decided
to try Kickstarters to help me raise the funds. Crowd funding only
works well when you have a crowd to work with; I needed to build a
social network.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
tried starting with a blog and I it was taking too much time; I work
full time as a designer, and have an active 5 year old little girl. I
didn't have time to blog, and my first novel needed editing, I have the
typo/grammar curse.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My
current schedule allows me fourteen hours a week; twelve hours spent on
the new book and two on marketing, meaning I have to plan my time
wisely.</span></span></div>
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<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In
the past, I had signed up for Twitter, but never understood the reason
behind it, but I thought I would give it a try with a fresh perspective.
Signing up with my pen name, and began to follower writers and indie
writers for writing tips etc. After a few days, I became addicted and
followed more people who had the same interests as me.</span></span></div>
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<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Within
three weeks of being on twitter, I had 1835 followers, one of my tweets
retweeted 303 times and I have posted 466 tweets with writing tips from
authors. I spent 10 minutes in the morning, tweeting/retweeting and
following back. Not a bad start.</span></span></div>
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<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Today
I have 9000 followers, which took around 4 months.From twitter, I have
gained knowledge from other authors, received help and motivation tips,
and some of my twitter followers have begun to follow me on Facebook.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Tip 1</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>-
once you get to 2000 follows you are blocked from adding more, in the
evening I delete 100 people which are not following me back on
www.justunfollow.com (100 per day is free).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Tip 2</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>–
Follow people that you find interesting, it’s not all about the numbers
it is about the content of the tweets from the people you are
following.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Tip 3</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>-
Try converting Twitter fans into Facebook fans; because it is easier to
build a fan base quickly on Twitter without paying for it, unlike
Facebook.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Tip 4</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>– Remember it is a social platform, be social and don’t constantly tweet ‘buy my book’</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Tip 5<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b>– Find the social network platform that works for you, and stick at it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/photo.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/photo.jpg"><img alt="photo" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-41302" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/photo-228x300.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/photo-228x300.jpg" height="300" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="228" /></a></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hayley
Lawson is the author of War Kids. She has written a young adult
contemporary novel set in Syria; a story about the Syrian Civil war
though the eyes of children.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">She
was born in Lancaster, England. Growing up in a single parent household
with five other siblings; was hard, and also character building.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As
a young child she found a passion for drawing, and continued this into
adulthood, graduating from the University of Central Lancashire, England
with a BA(Hons) in fashion design.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At
aged twenty seven, Hayley and her husband packed up their belongings
for a lifelong dream to move to California. Her America dream was
complete with the birth of her daughter. Her love for traveling,
continued after the birth of her daughter traveling around America with
the family, and the best travelled dog.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A
new job positioned opened up New York, and the family decide to
relocate to Long Island, NY, which is where she currently resides.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On August 21 she was moved by the images of the Syrian conflict, and embarked on an unlikely journey of writing her first novel.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/warkids.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/warkids.jpg"><img alt="warkids" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-41184" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/warkids.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/warkids.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>All profits from the book will be going to the save the children charity.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When
fourteen-year-old Jada wakes up in a hospital, the last thing she
thinks is that her life has completely changed forever. But when the
very real civil war forces her to flee from every open space, she must
use the firearm skills her father taught her to reunite with him and
protect herself. Armed with a single gun and a key to an unknown locker,
Jada crosses Syria on a journey with a group of children called the
Fearless Freedom Fighters. With the leader, Zak, they mount a plan to
rescue their fathers while they try to cope with the merciless murders
of their families. As Jada and Zak lead the group together, love
blossoms, but with soldiers hot on their tail, they need to stay
vigilant in the face of war.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Reviews from Wattpad</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Very interesting story, very powerful. I can really feel the emotion...Peter</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
book really touches my heart because there is so much truth is in this
book. The detail is so brilliantly displayed, its beautifuly written.
There are pretty intense chapters, its good... scrap that its excellent.
Loe the work ...although I am upset. I know this is a fictional story,
but I just can't help but feel extremely bad for all the lost lives
especially the innocent and young ones...Saddy</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A REMARKABLE BOOK, DEMANDS TO BE READ Goodreads review from Joe Eliseon</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/War-Kids-Syrian-Story-1/dp/0692254773/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1408353538&sr=1-1&keywords=9780692254776" href="http://www.amazon.com/War-Kids-Syrian-Story-1/dp/0692254773/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1408353538&sr=1-1&keywords=9780692254776">Amazon</a> | <a data-mce-href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/461213" href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/461213" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> | <a data-mce-href="https://www.createspace.com/4895612" href="https://www.createspace.com/4895612" target="_blank">CreateSpace</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre - Young Adult </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG-13</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1?ie=UTF8&field-author=H+J+Lawson&search-alias=books&text=H+J+Lawson&sort=relevancerank" href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1?ie=UTF8&field-author=H+J+Lawson&search-alias=books&text=H+J+Lawson&sort=relevancerank" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Connect</b> with H J Lawson on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22877720-war-kids" target="_blank">GoodReads</a> & <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/hjlawson1" href="https://www.facebook.com/hjlawson1" target="_blank">Facebook</a> & <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/hjlawson1" href="https://twitter.com/hjlawson1" target="_blank">Twitter </a></span></span></div>
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Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134493107653280780.post-55748916514653154672014-08-28T10:30:00.000-04:002014-09-17T19:29:43.849-04:00Across Worlds: Collision by S. A. Snow @BooksbySnow #AmReading #Excerpt #Erotica <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jane
slowed and stopped, her heart pounding in her chest. She lifted her
water bottle to her lips and drank deeply, droplets running down the
line of her throat. Her body was slick with sweat, and it pooled between
her breasts and at the small of her back.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
sun was coming up, and she placed her hands on her hips, leaning back,
both to stretch her back muscles and to marvel at the colors piercing
the sky. She glanced at her watch. Six-forty-two. Time to head home and
get ready for work. There was no telling when she would get to watch the
sun rise again—probably never.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jane’s
eyes widened and she gasped when the ground began to shake. She grabbed
a tree for stability and looked around wildly. Earthquakes weren’t
commonplace in Washington, D.C. The wind picked up, smacking leaves her
in the face and swirling dust around her just as a roar filled the air.
The sound of engines was deafening.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">She
craned her neck to look through the branches of the tree she held onto,
and her hand went to her mouth as she took several steps away from her
safety net. Her head fell back, and she stared in awe. It was the most
amazing thing she’d ever seen.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chrome
and metal melded together to make a hull that was almost matte and
looked like liquid all at once. It was dotted with windows, and she
could barely make out the lines of the doors. The engines were bigger
than the largest plane she had ever seen.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With
one shudder, the roar died down and the engines stopped spinning. Three
holes in the bottom of the ship opened up and great metal poles
descended. Jane couldn’t help her curiosity as she stepped closer. One
metal pole crashed into the ground a hundred yards from where she stood.
It broke soil, and claw-like structures folded down, creating an
anchor, presumably to keep the ship in place.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">She
approached it carefully. A small crowd gathered as other people made
their way over to see what was happening. Jane wound her way through the
people and reached out slowly, her hand making contact with the pole.
She jumped back before relaxing. It was cool and smooth to the touch.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/AcrossWorldsCollision.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/AcrossWorldsCollision.jpg"><img alt="AcrossWorldsCollision" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-40725" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/AcrossWorldsCollision.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/AcrossWorldsCollision.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jane expected six months undercover to be hard; she expected it to be lonely and bleak. She didn’t expect to find love. <br data-mce-style="color: #000000;" /><br data-mce-style="color: #000000;" />Jane
Butler, a CIA operative, is assigned the task of infiltrating the
Xanthians and determining if they’re a threat to humanity. Going
undercover as a Xanthian mate, she boards the transport ship and meets
Usnavi—her new mate. After spending six days traveling through space,
Jane is ecstatic to explore the Xanthian station and soon sets out to
complete her mission. The only problem? Usnavi—and the feelings she is
quickly developing. <br data-mce-style="color: #000000;" /><br data-mce-style="color: #000000;" />Fumbling
their way through varying sexual expectations, cooking catastrophes,
and cultural differences, they soon discover life together is never
boring. As Jane and Usnavi careen into a relationship neither of them
expected, Jane uncovers dark secrets about the Xanthians and realizes
she may no longer be safe. When it becomes clear she’s on her own, Jane
is forced to trust and rely on Usnavi. Simultaneously struggling with
her mission, her feelings for Usnavi, and homesickness, Jane faces
questions she never imagined she would have to answer.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Across-Worlds-Collision-S-Snow-ebook/dp/B00MANJM2M" href="http://www.amazon.com/Across-Worlds-Collision-S-Snow-ebook/dp/B00MANJM2M" target="_blank">Amazon</a> &<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/435337" href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/435337" target="_blank">Smashwords</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Blended Science Fiction, Erotica</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – NC17</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/S.-A.-Snow/e/B00MARDKL2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1" href="http://www.amazon.com/S.-A.-Snow/e/B00MARDKL2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Connect</b> with S. A. Snow on <a data-mce-href="http://www.facebook.com/booksbysnow" href="http://www.facebook.com/booksbysnow" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5134493107653280780.post-75374630306187936332014-08-26T11:30:00.000-04:002014-09-12T21:46:18.319-04:00Erin Sands on an Author's 3 Second Commercial @TheDunesBook #AmWriting #NonFiction <div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>FROM IDEA TO AUTHOR</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We
have all heard someone throw out the, “I should write a book” line.
Heck, I’ve even jokingly said it myself whenever a friend asked me about
a subject I felt pretty well versed in.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>I should write a book</i>,
five little words that are easy to say, but those of us who have dared
to plunge into the deep and surfaced with book in hand have learned that
the journey from idea to author is no small feat.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
most important aspect of any book is good writing. Whether you are an
indie writer or a best selling author, the litmus test remains the same;
is the book well written? The answer will be found on page one of your
manuscript, which is why every author must get comfortable with a very
simple truth. A first draft is merely that, a “first” draft. Excellence
comes from writing, re-writing, re-writing again and then re-writing
some more after that. There were many times while writing The Dunes that
I would give a draft to my husband and he would shake his head
indicating that it was not good enough yet. As infuriating as that was,
he was absolutely right. It made me go deeper, search for better words
and a clearer vision of how to share my ideas with readers. Writers
become better through exposure and feedback from editors and people we
trust. It is a part of the process that should never be avoided.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/1pwryZK" href="http://bit.ly/1pwryZK">http://bit.ly/1pwryZK</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
aesthetic design of your book is also essential. The cover of your book
is your first “hello” to the reader. It is your 3-second commercial and
it needs to give readers insight into your story at a glance. Finding
someone who is able to graphically illustrate the heart of your book is
key. I worked with my cover designer for months before we finally
settled on a cover that I believed masterfully articulated the beauty
and the transformative nature of The Dunes. Getting the interior design
of my book just right was also an integral aspect in my publishing
journey. The choice of font, the font size, the layout and page color
are all things that can make your book flow seamlessly in the readers
mind or be disruptive and jarring. It is important to take the time to
make sure that those choices compliment your book and allow for the
experience you want your readers to have.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/1pwryZK" href="http://bit.ly/1pwryZK">http://bit.ly/1pwryZK</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Another
important aspect of publishing is one that I am still learning, the
necessity of marketing. Finding unique ways to spread the word about
your book requires creativity and tenacity. These days, utilizing social
media is paramount, but a “following” isn’t born over night. It is
important to be consistent and patient. This process is indeed a
marathon. Also, never discount the grass roots approach. Networking with
other authors and good old-fashioned word-of-mouth are still priceless
tools for any author.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/1kO8xOR" href="http://bit.ly/1kO8xOR">http://bit.ly/1kO8xOR</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dunesfinalSB.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dunesfinalSB.jpg"><img alt="5DmkII_2226" class="aligncenter wp-image-40866" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/5DmkII_2226-198x300.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/5DmkII_2226-198x300.jpg" height="193" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="127" /></a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Born
in Cincinnati, Ohio and raised in the Bay Area of Northern California,
Erin grew up with an innate love for dance, theatre and the written
word. A graduate of Loyola Marymount University, Erin began her career
in the arts as an actress and choreographer. After booking several
notable roles in television and film, Erin began to use her gift of
writing in blogs featuring political and social commentary, as well as
developing content for theatrical use.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Although<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>The Dunes</i>,
is a divine departure from Erin’s previous writings it is by far her
most cherished work to date. “I wrote The Dunes initially as self
therapy because I needed to release some painful experiences and
disappointments from my past. I had this thirst to walk in the complete
fullness of life with joy as my constant companion. I had no idea what
effect it would have on other people. But when I saw people read it and
be released from fears that had held them back for years…when I saw
people forgive and be able to walk in the freedom forgiveness
brings…when I saw people commit and serve and how those things opened up
new opportunities in their life, I was just humbled. Humbled by the
awesome power of God and humbled that I had been allowed to go along for
the ride”.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When asked<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>why</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>she
writes, Erin pauses and reflects on the truth of her heart. “I write
because although I am only now beginning to truly love the process, I
have always loved the outcome. Like a composer, words become my notes. I
string them together in song eliciting the response of my reader,
grafting a picture of my soul. Where besides the written word can you
effect change so utterly and so succinctly? What besides the written
word can pierce the universal collective mind? Everything begins with a
thought, but it isn’t until that thought is articulated in written word
and those words passed down can life changing movement happen. It must
be written, it must be expressed on tablet, and when it is, we all
become greater, whether the writing be genius or fatuity, it has evoked
thought and debate. Why wouldn’t I want to be apart of that phenomenon?
Why wouldn’t I want to share my story, give my testimony…add my paradigm
to the mix? Whether it is a novel, a poem, an essay or an article, it
is humanity visited. An insight into a new or sometimes shared truth.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b>And with that I live my life”.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dunesfinalSB.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/dunesfinalSB.jpg"><br /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Dune.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Dune.jpg"><img alt="Dune" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-40719" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Dune.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Dune.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If there was a journey that could masterfully change your life in seven revelations...would you take it? <br data-mce-style="color: #000000;" /><br data-mce-style="color: #000000;" />In
life, sometimes the kernels of wisdom and the richness of revelation
can be found in the most innocent of stories; and so it is with The
Dunes. Join one man and one woman in an exquisitely simple yet
remarkably profound journey as you discover with them that the mountain
you must climb in order to live the abundant life of your dreams is
located squarely within your heart. <br data-mce-style="color: #000000;" /><br data-mce-style="color: #000000;" />Illuminated
in seven revelations; The Dunes carries the reader on a journey to not
only examine the obstacles that are holding them back in life but to
conquer and over come them as well. With each revelation The Dunes
intimately calls on the reader as the journey companion to face a
challenge…a dare if you will that requires an uncompromising commitment
to change. In the family of faith-based self help books, The Dunes
stands alone, simultaneously taking the reader from fiction to life and
back again, equipped with a tailor made journal for the readers inner
most secrets and reflections. The Dunes is part allegory, part testimony
and part journal, but the best part is the healing it offers your
heart. When you’re ready to step out of your comfort zone and step into
the miracle of your life…The Dunes awaits. <br data-mce-style="color: #000000;" /><br data-mce-style="color: #000000;" />CAUTION:
Readers of this book are subject to significant changes for the better.
Side effects may include frequent smiling and enjoying life in every
season.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Dunes-Release-Fears-Restore-Renew-ebook/dp/B00KO43L2Q/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1403131233" href="http://www.amazon.com/Dunes-Release-Fears-Restore-Renew-ebook/dp/B00KO43L2Q/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1403131233" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Non-fiction</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – G</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Erin-Sands/e/B00M5ZWIM6/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1" href="http://www.amazon.com/Erin-Sands/e/B00M5ZWIM6/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Connect</b> with Erin Sands on <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/thedunesbook" href="https://www.facebook.com/thedunesbook" target="_blank">Facebook</a> &<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="http://www.twitter.com/thedunesbook" href="http://www.twitter.com/thedunesbook" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Website <a class="in-cell-link" data-mce-href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.thedunesbook.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy29-Z7bqviUDISeSGG7sYWToCfcGIg" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.thedunesbook.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy29-Z7bqviUDISeSGG7sYWToCfcGIg" target="_blank">www.thedunesbook.com</a></b></span></span></div>
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