tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30296251566945609552024-03-12T17:13:32.416-07:00Shelf Full of BooksReviews of books recently published or about to be publishedAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.comBlogger862125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3029625156694560955.post-62470527096889192452016-03-15T05:00:00.000-07:002016-03-13T21:11:08.907-07:00If We Were a Movie Blog Tour and Giveaway with Kelly Oram<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/if-we-were-a-movie.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-3351"><img alt="if we were a movie" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3351" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/if-we-were-a-movie.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a> </div>
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<strong> If We Were a Movie </strong></div>
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<strong>by Kelly Oram </strong></div>
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<strong>(Power of the Matchmaker #3)</strong> </div>
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Music meets Movies in this sweet college romance from the bestselling author of Cinder & Ella. NYU freshman Nate Anderson is a triplet who is desperate to escape his wild and crazy brothers. </div>
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After they screw things up for him one too many times, Nate flees his housing situation and takes the first available room for rent as far from his brothers as he can get. Enter his new roommate Jordan--a quirky LA girl who believes that everything in life has already been done in the movies. </div>
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In this heartfelt tale of love, friendship and family, Nate learns how to deal with his new adult life using Hollywood films as a guide.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/If-Were-Movie-Power-Matchmaker-ebook/dp/B018W79WO2?tag=blasttours-20" rel="attachment wp-att-3196"><img alt="amazon" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3196" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/amazon.png" height="128" width="128" /></a><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/if-we-were-a-movie-kelly-oram/1123054502?ean=2940158076947" rel="attachment wp-att-3238"><img alt="barnes and noble" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3238" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/barnes-and-noble.jpg" height="124" width="125" /></a><a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/if-we-were-a-movie?utm_source=linkshare_us&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=linkshare_us&siteID=je6NUbpObpQ-9F8zpIxIxxyGZ5f0rVuRTA" rel="attachment wp-att-3237"><img alt="kobo" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3237" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/kobo.png" height="141" width="113" /></a> </div>
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<strong>What readers just like you are saying about <em>If We Were a Movie</em>:</strong></div>
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"WOW! This book is great! The concept is so inventive, and the writing is brilliant."</div>
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"I thought Cinder & Ella jerked with my emotions too much but this one might have it beat."</div>
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"I finished reading If We Were a Movie yesterday. I loved it! I fell hard for Nate. Jordan was amazing! And Pearl's timing was perfect! "</div>
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"Amazing concept with movies as chapters, and fantastic storyline." "I loved this story and was humming along to the songs from the book whilst reading. I can see this book becoming the movie it was written to be." "If We Were a Movie made me want to binge watch movies, listen to old playlists and re-read it all at once."<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/161683-power-of-the-matchmaker" rel="attachment wp-att-1672"><img alt="add to goodreads" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1672" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/add-to-goodreads.png" height="50" width="300" /></a></div>
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<strong>TEASER:</strong><br />
“So this is what a Pearl-approved guy looks like.” She shook her head once and cracked a smile. “She’s got good taste, I’ll give her that. You’re an odd mix of sexy and adorable. Don’t see that often.”<br />
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I was a little taken aback by the compliment, if that’s even what it was. She may have just been stating what she considered to be fact. She laughed at my surprise and held out her hand to me. “Nice to meet you. I’m Jordan Kramer.”<br />
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I’d been afraid of that. “You’re a girl.”<br />
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Jordan laughed. “That’s what it says on my birth certificate, but I’m really glad you were able to figure it out without needing to read it.”<br />
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Nope. I definitely didn’t need that.<br />
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<strong>TEASER:</strong><br />
I handed Jordan the electric guitar that I’ve had since I was twelve, and laughed when her eyes got really big. “You play the electric guitar, too?”<br />
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“Music major,” I teased, picking up my keyboard. “I play this, too. A little. And the bass guitar.”<br />
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“Awesome.” She examined the electric guitar with awe.<br />
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“Why do you seem so surprised?” She looked at me as if the answer to that question should be obvious.<br />
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“Hello. Have you met yourself? You with an acoustic guitar singing soft songs around a campfire or in a coffee house makes perfect sense. But I can’t picture you up on a stage, jamming on your electric guitar like a rock star.” She studied me a moment, then shook her head. “You’ll have to play for me, or I’m not going to believe it.”<br />
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<b>My Thoughts:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<i>If We Were a Movie</i> was a great movie for both movie and music buffs. The story and the characters were easy enough to follow even if you weren’t familiar with all the movies and songs which was my situation, but I believe I would have been able to relate even better to the characters if I were familiar to the references made to the movies in particular.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It was very easy to dislike Nate’s girlfriend Sophie. I found her to be immature while trying to act like a grown-up and ending up being a manipulative, selfish, revengeful child. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I honestly couldn’t understand how Nate managed to room with his brothers for as long as he did. The antics he put up with from them would have driven anyone crazy. As annoying as Sophie was, she was right about one thing: he definitely needed to get out of the dorm he was sharing with them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nate’s new roommate Jordan was a breath of fresh air and made the book a lot of fun. As a creative person herself, she understood the importance of the work he was trying to do and how much it meant to him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The thing that I liked about<i> If We Were a Movie</i> was the importance placed upon family relationships - even if you don’t always like your siblings all the time, you still remain loyal to them, and taking responsibility for your actions – as Nate planned to do even though it would have changed the course of his career and his life.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I enjoyed this novel and gave it a rating of 4 stars out of 5.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCB-kU-7jJgzNWzosaAr-1dI-DZxFolQsrzF7NxnqU2KkgLSsR4xC_09adlAo4ha5XJLPj2nVKHk664gfdzeLBQNy7-55x7Ep3BiBV_xL-HDtOs3XQXC7kFHm-AfGhvzcvspJfOqBJBmc/s1600/4+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="51" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCB-kU-7jJgzNWzosaAr-1dI-DZxFolQsrzF7NxnqU2KkgLSsR4xC_09adlAo4ha5XJLPj2nVKHk664gfdzeLBQNy7-55x7Ep3BiBV_xL-HDtOs3XQXC7kFHm-AfGhvzcvspJfOqBJBmc/s200/4+stars.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Thank you to the publishers for providing a copy of the novel in exchange for a fair and honest review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.</div>
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<strong>Author Kelly Oram</strong><br />
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<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Kelly-Oram.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-3371" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kelly Oram" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3371" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Kelly-Oram.jpg" height="200" width="161" /></a>Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen--a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which her family and friends still tease her. She's obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and likes to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, four children, and her cat, Mr. Darcy.</div>
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Don't miss the latest news from Kelly Oram! Sign up for her newsletter to receive e-mail notifications for all of her new releases, events, sales, & giveaways. This is a monthly newsletter often with exclusive giveaways and freebies from some of her favorite authors.<br />
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Signed copies of V is for Virgin & A is for Abstinence (1 winner, 2 books)</div>
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Open Internationally</div>
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Ends 3/15/16<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3029625156694560955.post-51383042681054974442016-03-07T13:27:00.000-08:002016-03-07T13:32:47.725-08:00Shards of Murder Blog Tour with Cheryl Hollon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZw2zVd_H_4gPWBiuVJJj88uYm2I1e1iT7QT-spIpFZGank4AhiMMehGI24WxdnQZo_stPZnMmdbDuSIyrTQyaI6frmzYMpDtrg9FliCQalL6WRTP1mLieZ20bPomZfaifSbWZCpdMuM/s1600/Shards+of+Murder+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZw2zVd_H_4gPWBiuVJJj88uYm2I1e1iT7QT-spIpFZGank4AhiMMehGI24WxdnQZo_stPZnMmdbDuSIyrTQyaI6frmzYMpDtrg9FliCQalL6WRTP1mLieZ20bPomZfaifSbWZCpdMuM/s320/Shards+of+Murder+Cover.jpg" width="195" /></a></div>
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<b>Shards of Murder</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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By Cheryl Hollon<o:p></o:p></div>
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Publisher: <span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Kensington</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Published: <span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Feb. 23, 2016</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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ASIN: <span style="background: white; color: #333333;">B00Y6RC07Y</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Amazon Synopsis:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333;">"A fresh and original new
series!" --Krista Davis,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i>New York Times<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>bestselling author<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
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<span style="background: white;">When a
glass-making competition turns deadly, glass shop owner Savannah Webb must
search for a window into a criminal's mind…</span><br />
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<span style="background: white;">As the
new proprietor of Webb's Glass Shop, Savannah has been appointed to fill her
late father's shoes as a judge for the Spinnaker Arts Festival, held in
downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. With her innovative glass works, the clear
winner is Megan Loyola, a student of Savannah's former mentor.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="background: white;">But when
Megan doesn't show up to accept her $25,000 award, rumors start flying. And
when Savannah discovers the woman's dead body on festival grounds, the police
immediately suspect her of murder. To keep from appearing before a judge
herself, Savannah sorts through the broken pieces of glass scattered around the
victim for clues as to who took this killer competition too far…</span><br />
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<span style="background: white;">"Cheryl
Hollon clearly knows her glass craft, but better still, she also knows how to
craft a good mystery." --Sheila Connolly,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>New
York Times<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>bestselling author<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b>Book Links<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shards-Murder-Webbs-Glass-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00Y6RC07Y/ref=sr_1_1_twi_kin_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1457381126&sr=1-1&keywords=shards+of+murder">Amazon</a>
* <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26110530-shards-of-murder?ac=1&from_search=1&from_nav=true">Goodreads</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>My Thoughts:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Savannah Webb finds
herself embroiled in another murder investigation just a few months after her
father’s murderer has been found. This time she is on the suspect list.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I like that this
story is not just about the murder, but develops the character of Savannah and
has her grow as a person as well, having her think about her future, her
relationships. She cares about the people that she works with like Jacob who
has autism. I especially liked that Jacob was included on her investigation
team as someone with a special skill, and not presented in the story as simply
someone with a disability.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The added dimension
of learning some of the aspects of fused glass and hot glassworks as Savannah
pursued her investigation also made the story more interesting and prompted my
interest in the possibility of glasswork classes in my home area.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Who the killer was,
was indeed a puzzle with the answer kept right up until the end of the story.
As you investigate Megan Loyola’s murder with Savannah, you’ll have the
opportunity to gather the clues and be led on the correct or incorrect path to
the killer or down a side road to other important, but unrelated events. Watch
your step, you never know who’s behind you!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I thoroughly enjoyed
<i>Shards of Murder</i> and gave it a rating
of 5 stars out of 5. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a cozy mystery.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66kJZUYiYR6RGZE5BE6w0A2zKNB2wUAci55ipN6TpvEfwCUY2cFwEa1ChBPgwSsdWx372JDtwvIUiUsDqnFGI_udJ-z8e4HRtrxZdH4KrHnRVih00k0fwlqv80sKym6cRQGGs74-IkRI/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="40" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66kJZUYiYR6RGZE5BE6w0A2zKNB2wUAci55ipN6TpvEfwCUY2cFwEa1ChBPgwSsdWx372JDtwvIUiUsDqnFGI_udJ-z8e4HRtrxZdH4KrHnRVih00k0fwlqv80sKym6cRQGGs74-IkRI/s200/Slide2.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Thank you to the
publishers via NetGalley for providing a copy of this novel for providing a
copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. A positive opinion
was not required. All thoughts are my own.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>About the Author:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrotkAnirLXuhL-QJLaTRbULeHi7LcwUn7rkjT6UnR5AFvlljrhCcAPlote8hrO26dfwouGq57Hscd1Fh5P4ivT239bp5piTCyQZszd8yyjvr7rJEAue3naur6OfcRUcwXaFXeNtJm91o/s1600/AuthorPhoto2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrotkAnirLXuhL-QJLaTRbULeHi7LcwUn7rkjT6UnR5AFvlljrhCcAPlote8hrO26dfwouGq57Hscd1Fh5P4ivT239bp5piTCyQZszd8yyjvr7rJEAue3naur6OfcRUcwXaFXeNtJm91o/s200/AuthorPhoto2.jpg" width="159" /></a><span style="background: white; color: #181818;">Cheryl Hollon writes full time after she left an engineering
career of designing and building military flight simulators in amazing
countries such as England, Wales, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan and India.
Fulfilling the dream of a lifetime, she combines her love of writing with a
passion for creating glass art. In the small glass studio behind their St.
Petersburg, FL, 1920's craftsman bungalow, Cheryl and her husband design,
create, and produce fused glass, stained glass and painted glass artworks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Author Links<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="http://cherylhollon.com/">Website</a> * <a href="https://twitter.com/cherylhollon">Twitter</a> * <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.hollon">Facebook</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9259834.Cheryl_Hollon">Goodreads</a> * <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cheryl-Hollon/e/B00SQGDNL8/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1">Amazon
Author Page</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3029625156694560955.post-18839930454369549262016-03-01T05:00:00.000-08:002016-03-13T20:22:05.077-07:00His Final Deal Book Blast with Theresa A. Campbell<div style="text-align: center;">
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#newrelease #christian #fiction #urban #fridayfinds</h3>
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His Final Deal</h3>
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by Theresa A. Campbell</h3>
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Raymond Brown, popularly known as Smooth Suave, is one of Jamaica’s biggest drugs lords. With eight children by six baby mommas and counting, he’s a player for life. A true baller, he lavishes in his wealth. He’s a shot caller with “soldiers” wheeling and dealing all over Jamaica. It’s Suave’s world, and everyone else just lives in it . . . or so he thinks.<br />
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However, his nemesis, King Kong, sees it differently. Rivals since childhood, King Kong is hell-bent on destroying Suave at any cost. As the war over power, drugs, and money intensifies—from Wilton Gardens (Rema) to Arnett Gardens (Jungle)—bodies are dropping like flies, washing the island of paradise in blood.<br />
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But it is the murder and kidnapping of two of Suave’s loved ones that bring him to his knees. Being framed for murder, hunted by the cops, pursued by his enemies, betrayed by friends, tormented by a horrid secret, and fighting to protect his family and empire, Suave is nearing his breaking point. Yet, he isn’t going down without a fight.<br />
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Voilà! Suave makes a deal to eradicate his enemies—but if it backfires, it could very well cause him his own life. Then God counteroffers Suave’s deal with His own—one that will undoubtedly give Suave the victory he needs but requires him to give up his drug empire and turn his life over to the Lord. With his motto being, “I don’t do God,” will Suave accept God’s deal or take the risk of his own deal?<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: #f6f6ec; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Today, I want to talk to you about redemption,” Bishop Hudson began. “Ephesians 1:7 says, ‘In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.’ Amen. Redemption is possible through the blood of Jesus! Hello, somebody? I said, you can be delivered from the bondage of sin and find peace with God. Am I speaking to somebody?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: #f6f6ec; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You better speak to me, Bishop,” a young lady in the choir yelled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: #f6f6ec; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Bishop Hudson paused, took off his jacket, and handed it to his assistant. He grabbed the microphone out of the stand and paced the pulpit. “We all are in need of redemption. You know why? Because we all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: #f6f6ec; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hmmm, interesting</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: #f6f6ec; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">, Suave thought. <i>Even Christians need redemption, too.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: #f6f6ec; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As if he read Suave’s mind, Bishop Hudson remarked, “So you can act like you were born holy, pure, and righteous all you want, but that’s not the case. We were able to become a child of God because Jesus paid the price for our sins on the cross. His death was in exchange of our life.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: #f6f6ec; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Praise the Lord,” “Thank you, Jesus,” and “Hallelujah” rang throughout the church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: #f6f6ec; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Do you want to be free from the burden of guilt?” Bishop Hudson asked, looking out at the congregation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: #f6f6ec; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Suave shifted in his seat, wondering why the bishop was looking at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: #f6f6ec; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Do you want to be free from curses and bondage?” Bishop Hudson stepped down from the pulpit into the aisle. “God already purchased our freedom,” he said, his eyes wandering from one face to the other as he moved closer to the back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: #f6f6ec; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He better stop picking on me, or else I’m stepping.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: #f6f6ec; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> With his arms folded and face screwed up like a dried apple, Suave defiantly stared at the bishop as he seemed to get closer. <i>I’m no punk.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: #f6f6ec; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I said, you can go from being a sinner to a saint if you accept God’s gift of eternal life.” Bishop Hudson was now at Suave’s bench where he paused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: #f6f6ec; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Suave glanced at the bishop through the corner of his eyes, his head held straight. He didn’t acknowledge the bishop, and for his own sake, Suave was hoping the bishop wouldn’t acknowledge him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: #f6f6ec; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m glad to see you this morning, my brother.” Bishop Hudson looked down at Suave, who still wasn’t looking at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: #f6f6ec; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">All eyes in the church turned toward the back where Suave sat. Alwayne and Annette held hands and nervously looked on. Bishop Hudson was known to prophesize to his members, revealing things that no one else knew but God. He would also predict certain happenings that always came true. This usually made some members excited about receiving a blessing, and others nervous when they hadn’t been walking on the “right” side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: #f6f6ec; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“God is going to give you a second chance.” Bishop Hudson rested his hand on Suave’s shoulder. “Those demons that are haunting you are leading you down a narrow road.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: #f6f6ec; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Suave’s heart began to gallop in his chest. He wanted to brush off the preacher’s hand, but he felt compelled to hear what the man had to say. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: #f6f6ec; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Your mind gets so mixed up at times that you find it hard to differentiate between the real thing and your imagination. But God says to tell you that He is going to give you the victory.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: #f6f6ec; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Some people were now standing on their feet clapping, some praying, and others speaking in tongues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: #f6f6ec; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Deliver him, Lord,” an elderly man shouted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: #f6f6ec; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Set your son free, Father Jesus,” screamed another member.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: #f6f6ec; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“God is going to right the wrong that was done to you, so you can be free to serve Him and His people.” Tears filled Bishop Hudson’s eyes as he leaned over to Suave, his face only inches away from Suave’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: #f6f6ec; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">On a will of its own, Suave’s neck turned, and he locked eyes with the bishop. Suave’s tears betrayed him and seeped down his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Theresa A. Campbell is the author of the captivating novels, "Are You There, God?" and "God Has Spoken." She was born and raised in Jamaica West Indies. She received her bachelor's degree in business administration from Baruch College, and a master's degree in business administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Theresa has had a deep passion for reading since she was a child. It is her desire to inspire readers by writing stories from the heart to uplift their faith in God</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3029625156694560955.post-70205777778621431452016-02-08T05:00:00.000-08:002016-02-08T16:32:43.728-08:00Not Always Happenstance Blog Tour with Rachael Anderson<div style="text-align: center;">
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<strong>Not Always Happenstance </strong></div>
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<strong>by Rachael Anderson</strong> </div>
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Lani has lived in Hana, Hawaii for five years. She’s learned to surf, fish, dive, and manage her grandmother’s bed and breakfast. She’s also learned to take one day at a time the way it should be taken—relaxed and unrushed, savoring every moment. But, like a large wave on the brink of breaking, her life is about to crash out of control. A proposal of marriage, a conniving grandmother, a cryptic Asian woman, and a handsome guest, and suddenly everything calm begins to churn, everything clear becomes confused, and all that was normal segues into peculiar. As Lani struggles against the current to hold her ground, she realizes that she can either continue to fight and eventually lose, or take a take a leap of faith, hold her breath, and ride the wave wherever it takes her.<br />
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***This book is part of the Power of the Matchmaker series that features one recurring character—the match maker—but it is a STAND-ALONE novel.***<br />
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<b>MyThoughts:</b></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US">Not Always Happenstance </span></i><span lang="EN-US"> is February's novel in <i class="">The</i><i> Power of the Matchmaker Series. </i>This time we meet Lokelani (Lani) who is helping her grandmother run a bed and breakfast in Hawaii. She has promised her fiancé that she will move back to California after the end of the summer season. She doesn't reckon on meeting Pearl, or Easton.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Easton is a traveling writer who comes to stay at the bed and breakfast in the "shack" that Lani's grandmother has left untouched for so long. Suddenly now, she wants it spruced up so this visitor can stay in it for the season. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Easton wants to get friendly with Lani and she doesn't want anything to do with him because she's engaged to Derek. Finally they come to an understanding that they can be just friends, but Lani finds herself attracted to Easton.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I liked the descriptions of the local flora and fauna of Hawaii and the author's knowledge of local culture. I don't know if the nature spot Lani and her friends visited that one evening really exists or if it was simply created for the novel, but it certainly sounds like a place that could be found in Hawaii.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I could understand Lani's anger at the betrayal she felt when she found out what kind of writer Easton was as compared to what he allowed her think he was. It's true he never told her a lie, but he didn't tell her the truth either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I didn't like Easton very much at the beginning of the novel. I found him to be a very self-centred, thoughtless, individual who used and then discarded people. However, during the course of the book he changed, grew and demonstrated a different side of himself in his interactions with Lani, her friends, and his own nieces and nephews that changed my mind about him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Lani also changed during the novel and learned more about herself, coming to realize how she really felt about Derek and gathering up the courage to do what she needed to do what she needed to do. I thought that took a lot of strength of character after he had waited for her so long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I enjoyed this light clean romance novel very much. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good clean romance novel. I gave <i>Not Always Happenstance</i> a rating of 4 stars out of 5.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Thank you to the publishers for providing a copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts are my own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Rachael.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-3302" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rachael" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3302" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Rachael.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a> <strong>Author Rachael Anderson</strong><br />
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A USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.<br />
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<a href="http://rachaelreneeanderson.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></div>
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$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 2/29/16 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from <a href="http://iamareader.com/" target="_blank">I Am A Reader</a> and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.<br />
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="0a0096831651" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0a0096831651/" id="rcwidget_mk8mnlsw" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a> <script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3029625156694560955.post-45376172198340291372016-02-04T05:00:00.000-08:002016-02-04T12:41:19.220-08:00Second Chronicles of Illumination Blog Tour with C. A. Pack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1uZitHg0GlBVEzP_nd6bH9RWTa48pM-tHacYPOsl31GUBhXPXolDzmUkVcSkCkGGQC2CZm7dAX9F5gg_QXHcW08Qyt4cQqIUk4JUsVLB18FUFsU7tas-k85fyEFnl-MUFB1eaTmZQ9Q/s1600/Second+Chronicles+of+Illumination+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1uZitHg0GlBVEzP_nd6bH9RWTa48pM-tHacYPOsl31GUBhXPXolDzmUkVcSkCkGGQC2CZm7dAX9F5gg_QXHcW08Qyt4cQqIUk4JUsVLB18FUFsU7tas-k85fyEFnl-MUFB1eaTmZQ9Q/s320/Second+Chronicles+of+Illumination+Cover.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
<h1 align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span class="a-size-extra-large"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Second Chronicles of Illumination (Library of
Illumination)</span></span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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By <span style="background: white; color: #111111; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">C. A. Pack</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Publisher: <span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Artiqua Press<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Published: <span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">June 30, 2015</span> <o:p></o:p></div>
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ASIN: <span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">B00WVH76N4</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Amazon Synopsis:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">When an alien invasion threatens the
existence of all the knowledge in the universe, eighteen-year-old Johanna
Charette and seventeen-year-old Jackson Roth must rely on their wits, guts, and
pluck to save the fantasy-come-to-life world of the Library of Illumination.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">It
wouldn’t be so bad—all right, it is bad but it would hurt less—if Johanna and
Jackson weren’t the ones responsible for breaching the portals to a dozen
distant worlds. Now, outside forces are causing shock waves in the space-time
continuum, and if that isn’t awful enough, someone from another dimension is
trying to steal a book of powerful spells created by a very famous wizard.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">At first,
traveling to other realms in a time machine seems like a fun perk. However,
discovering some inhabitants want to obliterate the teens doesn’t leave them
with a warm, fuzzy feeling. Instead, they find themselves forced to sacrifice their
own welfare and the safety of their loved ones for the greater good.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b>Book Links<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Second-Chronicles-Illumination-Library-ebook/dp/B00WVH76N4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454556981&sr=1-1&keywords=second+chronicles+of+illumination">Amazon</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25935852-second-chronicles-of-illumination?ac=1&from_search=1">Goodreads</a></div>
<a name='more'></a><o:p></o:p><br />
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<b>Excerpt:</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="left" style="padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-top: 0cm;" valign="top">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 75%; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: column; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-linespan: 2; mso-element-wrap: auto; mso-element: dropcap-dropped; mso-height-rule: exactly; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: avoid; text-autospace: none; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 31.5pt; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 75%;">J</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 115%;">ackson carried an</span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"> armful of returned books to a dimly lit alcove
in the Library of Illumination’s cupola. It was a special area reserved for
some of the library’s quirkier offerings. The teen enjoyed reading the various
titles, but after looking inside </span><i style="line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-US">The Pop-Up Book of Phobias,</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"> he
refrained from opening any of the others. Unleashing overpowering arachnophobia
is not fun.</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">He
hesitated as he shelved </span><i><span lang="EN-US">Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s
Childhood Pal</span></i><span lang="EN-US">. When he had some time, he would have to come back and take a
closer look at that one. He wasn’t sure what a few of the other books were
about. </span><i><span lang="EN-US">Prodigiorum Ac Ostentorums Chronicon</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> was Greek to him,
and he had never heard of</span><i><span lang="EN-US"> The Codex Seraphinianus</span></i><span lang="EN-US">. There was the</span><i><span lang="EN-US"> Egyptian Book
of the Dead</span></i><span lang="EN-US">, but there was no way he would ever open that one. And no library
would be complete without</span><i><span lang="EN-US"> Ripley Scrowle</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> and </span><i><span lang="EN-US">Prophecies</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> by M.
Michel de Nostredame. </span><i><span lang="EN-US">I wonder if Johanna has unenchanted versions of
these.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The
recess appeared shadowy, which mystified Jackson because there was an octagonal
window at the end of the alcove. It should have allowed light to flow into the
library, but the aging etched glass looked frosted and did not permit a view of
the outside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">Jackson
shook his head. </span><i><span lang="EN-US">Something’s not right here.</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> After shelving the
last book, he ran down the cupola stairs and shouted, “Illumination,” as he
took off out the front door. He looked up at the area where he thought the
alcove should be located, but didn’t see a window.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">He tried
circumnavigating the library, which wasn’t an easy thing to do considering it
had no side alleys, so he had to go around the entire block. Still, he couldn’t
find that particular octagonal window.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">Johanna
stood waiting by the door when he walked back in. “What’s wrong?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Nothing,
really.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Where
did you disappear to? I thought somebody died, the way you ran out of here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“The
thing is,” Jackson mused, “there’s a little window in the alcove where we keep
the wacko books, which should be visible from outside, but there’s no
corresponding window out there.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Repeat
after me, there is no such thing as a wacko book. And there has to be a window.
If there’s one in here, you should be able to see it from out there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">He
grabbed her arm and dragged her out the door. “Look up. If the cupola stairs
are near the center of the building and the weirdo-book alcove is on the left,
the window should be right there.” He pointed. “But it’s not.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Wait.
That doesn’t make any sense. I’ve got to go back inside and get my bearings.”
Johanna went all the way up to the cupola, and then carefully traced her way
back down and out the front entrance. “You’re right. There should be a window
there. I guess the one in the alcove is a fake.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Why
would anyone put a fake window in a library hundreds of years ago?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“I don’t
know. It doesn’t make sense.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“So I’m
thinking, maybe it hides a safe and there are piles of gold in there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">Johanna
covered her face with both her hands for a few seconds. When she finally looked
up, she said, “That is so ... you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“C’mon.
Let’s go look.” Jackson grabbed her hand and dragged her back to the alcove
window.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">For
several minutes, they stood and stared at the octagonal wooden frame filled
with radiating triangles of leaded glass. “I never realized you couldn’t see
outside,” she said. “I wonder what would happen if we cleaned it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Your
wish is my command.” Jackson practically flew down the cupola stairs to
retrieve some rags and a spray bottle of glass cleaner from the utility room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">He
returned before Johanna had a chance to miss him. He doused the fabric with
cleanser and started rubbing the window. Grime came off on the rag, but the
view remained obscured. “It’s not a window, so no matter how much I clean it,
we won’t be able to see through it. I’m telling you, it’s hiding something.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Forget
it. There’s no way we’re going to open it,” Johanna said dismissively.
“Besides, it looks like it’s painted in place.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">Jackson
tried prying it with his fingers. “Wait ...”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">He bolted
down the stairs again, and returned a few minutes later with a box cutter. This
time his breathing sounded a little more ragged. The cupola steps spiraled
straight to the first floor—five stories below—with no exits along the way.
Running up and down the staircase several times took a toll on the teen, but
not enough to derail his overall enthusiasm. He used the box cutter to slice
through the paint that sealed the window to the wall. Once he had cut through
all eight sides, he tried to pry the window open again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“I don’t
think it’s going to open,” Johanna said. “Let’s quit before you hurt yourself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“No. This
is my mystery, and I want to solve it.” He ran downstairs again, and returned
with a crowbar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“No.”
Johanna grabbed it away from him. “I can’t allow you to destroy library
property.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“I’ll fix
anything I destroy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Oh
really?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Yeah.
Ask my mother. I’m the one who fixes everything around the house. If I destroy
this, I’ll fix it and you can deduct the cost of materials from my salary.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“I don’t
know ...”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">Before
she had a chance to think it over, Jackson jammed the edge of the crowbar under
the window frame and tried to pry it off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“They
must have screwed this thing in place, because it’s not giving way. Nails would
have pulled out by now.” He inspected the wood, but it had been covered by so
many centuries of paint and varnish, he couldn’t determine where the screws
would be. “I need to give this one more try.” He grimaced as he shoved the
crowbar against the window frame with all his strength. Little beads of sweat
broke out on his brow, and a vein in his forehead became clearly visible. He
stopped to rest for a moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“This is
crazy,” Johanna said. “It’s not going to open. There is no safe behind it. Why
are you wasting your energy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“It’s my
energy to waste. Besides, I think I can do it this time.” Jackson took a deep
breath before applying force against the crowbar. “Aarrgghh!” He grunted as he
worked to remove the window frame. </span><i><span lang="EN-US">Crack.</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> A one-inch chunk of wood broke away and dropped
to the floor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“At this
rate, you should be done in less than a week.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Not
funny. The least you could do is help me. If we both pushed against the
crowbar, I bet it would work.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">Johanna
sighed. “Okay. Whenever you’re ready.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“On the
count of three. One ... two ... three.” They pushed as hard as they could, but
nothing happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Okay,”
he said reluctantly. “Forget it. I’m throwing in the towel.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“It’s not
like opening it is going to provide any illumination for this space.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">As soon
as Johanna uttered the word </span><i><span lang="EN-US">illumination</span></i><span lang="EN-US">, the octagonal
window flew open, and the great outdoors did </span><i><span lang="EN-US">not</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> appear
on the other side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Johanna
and Jackson each held their breath for a few seconds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“You
said, ‘illumination.’”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">As soon
as he repeated the word, the two of them were sucked through the portal to a
place that was extremely strange, yet eerily familiar. It had the same
proportions as the Library of Illumination, but instead of books, row upon row
of crystal obelisks lined the narrow shelves. They walked out of the alcove and
found the surrounding area laid out exactly like the cupola in their library.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“Where
are we?” Johanna whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“It looks
like a mirror image of the library, but it’s got all these tall, pointy things
where the books should be.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“Let’s
get out of here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“Wait. I
want to see where we are.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Johanna
shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“Where’s
your spirit of adventure? Where’s your plucky, can-do attitude? Where’s your
imagination?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“It’s my
imagination that’s telling me to go back where we belong.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“Okay,
see you later.” Jackson said it breezily as he walked to the cupola steps.
“Look.” He pointed to a strange symbol embedded in the stair post. “This must
be </span><i><span lang="EN-US">their</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> equivalent of the number one. I’ll never understand why this
floor is considered the </span><i><span lang="EN-US">first</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> level, while the main floor is called level
five. It doesn’t make any sense.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Johanna
walked closer to look at the symbol. “I read about it in Mal’s diary,” she
explained, as Jackson grabbed her hand and pulled her down the stairs. “The
cupola is the highest level, so it’s number one. Think of it like winning a
prize. If you win first place, that’s the highest you can go. It’s </span><i><span lang="EN-US">first</span></i><span lang="EN-US">, not </span><i><span lang="EN-US">fifth</span></i><span lang="EN-US">. With
that in mind, it makes sense that the window level right below it is the second
level. Those massive arched windows were designed to flood the library with
light, although the light in this library is sort of unearthly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“Yeah,
like they’re lighting the place for a horror film.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“The
third level,” she continued, “is the halo. It’s just a single layer of shelves
on a narrow balcony that overlook the floors below. The fourth level is known
as the residence level.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“That’s a
no-brainer, considering that’s where your apartment is.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“And the
main floor is the fifth level.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">They had
reached the main reading room. The circulation desk was the same familiar
shape, but the shelves still held crystal obelisks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Johanna reached for </span><span lang="EN-US">Jackson’s hand and relaxed when his warm fingers
curled around her own. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">He pulled
her toward the curator’s staircase. It was right by the residence, and it was
the staircase they used most often. There were also stone steps built into the
foundation near the front door that linked the main reading room to the
residence level, but that staircase was rarely used because the books closest
to it were about obscure musical tonalities with archaic chord-scale
relationships—not a trendy topic. The more popular books on music could be
found closer to the curator’s apartment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Johanna
studied the main floor as they walked across it. The reading room looked
downright uncomfortable. The furniture, or what she supposed was furniture,
included an assortment of oddly shaped surfaces dwarfed by the thousands of
obelisks crowding the shelves. She looked up. The windows, opaque with grime,
looked like they hadn’t been cleaned in a millennium. It looked like their
library, and yet it wasn’t their library.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“Let’s go
up to the next floor,” Jackson urged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“I don’t
think that’s such a good idea,” she whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“Why? I
don’t think there’s anyone here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“How can
you be so sure?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“Do you
hear anybody?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“Maybe
they’re in the antechamber, binding books.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“What
books?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“All
right, they’re polishing the crystal.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“One more
level isn’t going to hurt.” He tried to pull her up the steps. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“No,”
Johanna said, wrenching her hand away from his. “That’s the residence level,
and I have no intention of finding out who lives there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“I hadn’t
thought of that. Wouldn’t it be cool to see how your other half lives?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“My other
half!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“Shhh.
They’ll hear you,” he whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“Exactly.”
She turned to go back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“I’m
going without you.” He quickly climbed to the next level. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Johanna
couldn’t help herself. Instead of returning to the cupola, she walked into the
middle of the reading room, where she could keep an eye on him. The balconies
on the residence level were fairly visible, and Johanna followed Jackson’s
progress until he stopped just outside the curator’s apartment. She waved to
get his attention, but either he didn’t see her or he ignored her. </span><i><span lang="EN-US">Why does he
have to be so difficult? He’s playing with fire.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Jackson began to</span><span lang="EN-US"> notice subtle differences in the obelisks, not
just in their height and width but on their surfaces as well. At first he
thought they were dusty, but on closer examination he saw that they had subtle
etchings on them, like a design, or another language, or code. He looked down
at Johanna and waved at her to come up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">She
adamantly shook her head from side to side. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US">She’s so
stubborn.</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> He felt sure they had discovered something monumental about this
library, but he didn’t know what it was. He wanted to discuss it with her, but
knew if he walked back down the stairs, she would interpret that as a signal
they could leave and would head back up to the cupola. </span><i><span lang="EN-US">There has to
be a way I can get her up here.</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Johanna’s impatience grew.</span><i><span lang="EN-US"> Why tempt fate? Why
can’t he wait until I ask Mal about this? </span></i><span lang="EN-US">She needed to know
what to expect. She motioned for Jackson to return. He held up one finger, as
if to say, </span><i><span lang="EN-US">wait a minute</span></i><span lang="EN-US">.</span><i><span lang="EN-US"> </span></i><span lang="EN-US">She didn’t want to waste another moment. </span><i><span lang="EN-US">I should just
leave, and if he wants to follow, fine.</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> She raised her arm
to wave goodbye, but could not stop herself from shouting “No” when Jackson
reached for the crystal lever that opened the bookcase-door to the residence.
He looked down at her and waved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">She
watched in horror as a dark tentacle shot out of the residence, wrapped itself
around Jackson’s neck, and dragged him inside. Her heart nearly stopped.
Jackson had been caught trespassing, but by what? And who knew what kind of
trouble he had gotten himself into? Her fear was for him rather than herself.
She practically flew up the stairs to the residence. When she got there, the
shelf that disguised the entrance had swung back into position and the crystal
lever was gone. She began hammering on the wall behind the obelisks, hoping for
Jackson’s sake that there would be strength in numbers—hopefully, two against
one. After not receiving any response to her pounding, she decided the best way
to get attention would be to make some </span><i><span lang="EN-US">real</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> noise.
She picked up the closest obelisk and hurled it across the aisle, sending it
crashing into a shelf crammed with more of the literary crystals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Instantly,
the balcony filled with swirling fog. An odd being that looked like he had been
formed out of molten gold rose from the depths of the mist. A blue diamond band
surrounded the entity’s head, and lightning bolts shot out of it at varying
intervals. It began communicating in a language Johanna could not understand.
Even the translation app on the iPad would not have been able to help her. The
words sounded more like grunts—“iks” and “ogs,” “nnhs” and “utzs.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">She
shrank back against the shelf that had held the obelisk. She suddenly realized
she couldn’t calmly close a book and make the apparition go away. There was no
book to close, and the obelisk that she had sent sailing through a sea of air
had broken into tiny pieces. She thought about how she would feel if someone
had trashed one of her precious books. Her shoulders sagged. She had done
something childish, something to gain attention, although not the kind of
attention she wanted. In the process she had destroyed something precious, if
not to her, to someone else. Not to mention she could be electrocuted at any
moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Before
she could give it any more thought, something wrapped around her neck and
dragged her into the residence. The sudden loss of oxygen coupled with surprise
caused Johanna to black out. When she came to, she saw Jackson standing in the
middle of the room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“I knew
you’d come,” he said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">She
struggled to her feet, choking on the oily mist that enveloped her. She looked
around, but couldn’t see much in the hazy darkness. “Where’s ...”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“He went
out after dragging you in.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“Come on,
then, let’s get out of here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“I’d love
to, but I can’t move.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“What do
you mean, you can’t move?” She took a step toward him, afraid that she, too,
might be unable to move, but if that were true, she would have never been able
to get up off the floor. She reached for his hand. </span><i><span lang="EN-US">Zap. </span></i><span lang="EN-US">She felt
electrified, in a bad way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“Force
field ...” they said in unison.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“I have
to get you out of here.” She thought of how they had handled the force field
surrounding the blue orb. “Illumination.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Uurrgg.”
Jackson gurgled and squirmed. He suddenly looked like he would choke to death. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“Delumination,”
she cried out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">He loudly
gasped, taking in great gulps of air.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“Can you
move?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“I was
hoping ‘delumination’ would work.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">His body
relaxed. He took another deep breath, then a step. “The second one worked,
which is good, because for a moment I thought you might kill me.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“I guess
it’s like the little window. You have to say it twice for it to work. Anyway,
we need to get out of here. But I did something stupid. I broke one of their
obelisks ... on purpose, and it released an odd being with lightning coming out
of its ... head. Since the obelisk is broken, I don’t know what they’re going
to do to contain it. Whoever captured you may still be out there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Unless
it took the obelisk to the antechamber to glue it back together,” Jackson
speculated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“There
must be something it can do to repair it. Anyway, just be prepared for anything
when I open the door.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Frit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Excuse
me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Just a
family saying. My brother, Chris, once said ‘friggan shit’ in front of my
mother, and she had a conniption. So he got into the habit of condensing it
into ‘frit,’ and now we all say it, even my mother and my little sister.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“That’s
nice. Can we get back to the problem at hand?” She had no idea what kind of
beings they were dealing with. “Do you think they’re human?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“My
mother and my sister?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Don’t
joke. I’m talking about whatever captured you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“I don’t
think so. I didn’t get a chance to pay much attention to what captured me, but
I can tell you, it had an iron grip.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Just be
prepared to run. But</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">—</span><span lang="EN-US">and this
is a big ‘but’—if we can’t outrun it, we shouldn’t go back the way we came,
because we don’t want it following us back into </span><i><span lang="EN-US">our library</span></i><span lang="EN-US">.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“How are
we supposed to stop it from doing that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“I don’t
know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“I wonder
if there are any more windows to nowhere, in any of the other alcoves.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“What
good would that do us? We might just end up in a library that’s scarier than this
one.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Yeah,
but there’s usually no one up in the cupola. We could just hide out until we
think it’s safe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Unless
whatever is chasing us follows us there.” She sighed. “Let’s just make a run
for it and try to get back home. Ready?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">They each
took a deep breath. Jackson nodded to Johanna, and she hit the lever that
opened the door to the residence. No one was there. They tiptoed down to the
main level and across the floor, and then broke into a run—straight up the
stairs to the cupola. They didn’t slow down to see if anything was behind them.
They couldn’t afford to waste precious time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Illumination,”
Johanna cried as they ran into the alcove. They hit the wall hard but remained
in the same unfamiliar library. She could hear someone, or something, stomping
up the cupola stairs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“What are
we going to do now?” Jackson asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">Johanna
thought about him being trapped behind the force field in the residence, and
how she had said the wrong thing at first. “Delumination.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">Nothing
happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Why did
you say, ‘Delumination’?” As soon as Jackson repeated her command, they felt
themselves swoosh away to another place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Oh my
God,” Jackson exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“What?”
she cried, looking around in a panic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“It’s the</span><i><span lang="EN-US"> Pop-Up Book
of Phobias</span></i><span lang="EN-US">.” He smiled at her, and in a singsong voice said, “Honey, we’re
ho-ome.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“Maybe
not,” Johanna whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">“What do
you mean?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">She
looked down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span lang="EN-US">Jackson
immediately knew what she meant. The floors were as transparent as glass. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 6pt;">—LOI—</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>My Thoughts:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
C.A. Pack’s
spellbinding writing provides us with a rollercoaster ride into other realms connected
by Libraries of Illumination. Johanna Charette and Jackson Roth have to use all
of their combined talents and skills in order to survive when the accidentally
open the portals to twelve other worlds. Now one of those worlds wants to
dominate all of the others and Johanna and Jackson find themselves in the
middle of it all in trying to stop them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>The Second Chronicles of Illumination</i> was indeed a spellbinding, action-paced,
fast-paced book to read. While the story jumped from one realm to another
quickly where things were happening simultaneously, the jumps were seamless and
logical. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There were two
stories within the book – the main story (the takeover of the dimensions) and a
minor story (Pru Tellerence’s child). I liked the addition of the minor story
as it helped us get to know some of the characters better.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The shock-waves in
the space-time continuum were an interesting concept and made the reader think
about what might really happen if you met yourself if traveled through time
into the past or future.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Filled with strange
creatures, different worlds, time travel, magic and a little clean romance,
this fantasy has it all. I would highly recommend <i>The Second Chronicles of Illumination</i> to any reader of fantasy
novels. I gave this book a rating of 5 stars.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66kJZUYiYR6RGZE5BE6w0A2zKNB2wUAci55ipN6TpvEfwCUY2cFwEa1ChBPgwSsdWx372JDtwvIUiUsDqnFGI_udJ-z8e4HRtrxZdH4KrHnRVih00k0fwlqv80sKym6cRQGGs74-IkRI/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="40" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66kJZUYiYR6RGZE5BE6w0A2zKNB2wUAci55ipN6TpvEfwCUY2cFwEa1ChBPgwSsdWx372JDtwvIUiUsDqnFGI_udJ-z8e4HRtrxZdH4KrHnRVih00k0fwlqv80sKym6cRQGGs74-IkRI/s200/Slide2.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you to the
publishers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest
review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>About the Author:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="font8" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="font7" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzovUNZMp6zyYf4xKHVuDLvJOZj5QYiJ0x1GeTkGwtlbg5KGM-DmTQlsCyqz9xCUFP4Ok4z8DS5i6PHeN6fD24xd0i9Kfvihc0zsJcJ8E1gP_QMkxjKr-V6O5wiS9iujZQZ_6e-SfEC8/s1600/C.+A.+Pack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzovUNZMp6zyYf4xKHVuDLvJOZj5QYiJ0x1GeTkGwtlbg5KGM-DmTQlsCyqz9xCUFP4Ok4z8DS5i6PHeN6fD24xd0i9Kfvihc0zsJcJ8E1gP_QMkxjKr-V6O5wiS9iujZQZ_6e-SfEC8/s200/C.+A.+Pack.jpg" width="164" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Pack is an award
winning journalist from New York who worked as an anchor/reporter and educator
(she considers herself the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">fairy-godmother</span></em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>of television news reporters)—and has
written for WNBC, LI News Tonight and News 12 Long Island. She also worked on
PBS documentaries, radio and television commercials and created and produced a
pilot for a news show focusing solely on marriage and wedding trends.<br />
<br />
She's a past president of the Press Club of Long Island and a proud member of
International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. Pack has been a speaker or
panelist for organizations such as Women in Communications, Fair Media Council,
and the Society of Professional Journalists.<br />
<br />
The author lives with her husband and two picky parrots “on” Long Island, New
York.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="font7" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Author Links</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ganymede.meccahosting.com/~a0005545/page23/">Website</a> * <a href="https://www.facebook.com/carol.pack.333?fref=ts">Facebook</a> * <a href="http://ganymede.meccahosting.com/~a0005545/blog/">Blog</a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Tour sponsored by:</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Reading Addiction Blog Tours" src="http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh501/myreadingaddiction/baa0d5c2-d1ee-4e4f-a544-9f8945a381d1_zpsa7a1075b.png" /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3029625156694560955.post-34458665036501805962016-02-03T05:00:00.001-08:002016-02-03T19:10:37.987-08:00Not Always Happenstance Book Blast with Rachel Anderson<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Not-Always-Happenstance.jpg"><img alt="Not Always Happenstance" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3178" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Not-Always-Happenstance.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Not Always Happenstance </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>by Rachael Anderson</strong> </div>
<br />
Lani has lived in Hana, Hawaii for five years. She’s learned to surf, fish, dive, and manage her grandmother’s bed and breakfast. She’s also learned to take one day at a time the way it should be taken—relaxed and unrushed, savoring every moment. But, like a large wave on the brink of breaking, her life is about to crash out of control. A proposal of marriage, a conniving grandmother, a cryptic Asian woman, and a handsome guest, and suddenly everything calm begins to churn, everything clear becomes confused, and all that was normal segues into peculiar. As Lani struggles against the current to hold her ground, she realizes that she can either continue to fight and eventually lose, or take a take a leap of faith, hold her breath, and ride the wave wherever it takes her. ***This book is part of the Power of the Matchmaker series that features one recurring character—the match maker—but it is a STAND-ALONE novel.***<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Not-Always-Happenstance-Power-Matchmaker/dp/1941363156?tag=blasttours-20" rel="attachment wp-att-3206"><img alt="amazon get it" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3206" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/amazon-get-it.png" height="70" width="300" /></a> </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28005986-not-always-happenstance" rel="attachment wp-att-913"><img alt="add to goodreads" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-913" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/add-to-goodreads.png" height="50" width="300" /></a> </div>
<br />
<br />
<strong><br /></strong> <a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Rachael.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-3302" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rachael" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3302" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Rachael.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><strong>Author Rachael Anderson</strong><br />
<br />
A USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://rachaelreneeanderson.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.iamareader.com/2015/11/not-always-happenstance-by-rachael-anderson-blast-tour-sign-ups.html" rel="attachment wp-att-3307"><img alt="Not Always (1)" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3307" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Not-Always-1.jpg" height="212" width="319" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.iamareader.com/2015/11/not-always-happenstance-by-rachael-anderson-blast-tour-sign-ups.html" target="_blank">Blog Tour Schedule</a></div>
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<strong><br /></strong> <strong>BookBlast Giveaway</strong><br />
<br />
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 2/25/16 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from <a href="http://iamareader.com/" target="_blank">I Am A Reader</a> and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3029625156694560955.post-84437988392866697792016-01-15T05:00:00.000-08:002016-01-15T14:28:25.529-08:00Infinite Ink Book Blast $100 GiveawayWelcome to the <a href="http://www.infiniteinkauthors.com/" target="_blank">Infinite Ink</a> $100 Book Blast Giveaway!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/breeders2small.jpg"><img alt="breeders2small" class="aligncenter wp-image-3251" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/breeders2small.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>The Breeders </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>by Katie French</strong> </div>
<br />
“When the Breeders come for ya, there ain't no escape. They strap ya to a bed and all ya hear is the thud of your heart and the cries of your friends as they wheel ya down to hell. Then the doctors come. You squeeze your eyes shut and pray you can forget. But ya never do.”<br />
<br />
Sixteen-year-old Riley Meemick is one of the world's last free girls. When Riley was born, her mother escaped the Breeders, the group of doctors using cruel experiments to bolster the dwindling human race. Her parents do everything possible to keep her from their clutches-- moving from one desolate farm after another to escape the Breeders' long reach. The Breeders control everything- the local war lords, the remaining factories, the fuel. They have unchecked power in this lawless society. And they're hunting Riley.<br />
<br />
When the local Sheriff abducts the adult members of her family and hands her mother over to the Breeders, Riley and her eight-year-old brother, Ethan, hiding in a shelter, are left to starve. Then Clay arrives, the handsome gunslinger who seems determined to help to make up for past sins. The problem is Clay thinks Riley is a bender-- a genderless mutation, neither male nor female. As Riley's affection for Clay grows she wonders can she trust Clay with her secret and risk her freedom?<br />
<br />
The three embark on a journey across the scarred remains of New Mexico-- escaping the Riders who use human sacrifice to appease their Good Mother, various men scrambling for luck, and a deranged lone survivor of a plague. When Riley is forced into the Breeder's hospital, she learns the horrible fate of her mother—a fate she'll share unless she can find a way out.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Breeders-Young-Adult-Dystopian-Romance-ebook/dp/B008RH5MFQ?tag=blasttours-20"><img alt="amazon get it" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3206" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/amazon-get-it.png" height="70" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Katie.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Katie" class="alignleft wp-image-3259" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Katie-300x279.jpg" height="186" width="200" /></a><strong>Author Katie French</strong><br />
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Katie French imagined herself an author when her poem caught the eye of her second grade teacher. It was about birds and frankly, it wasn't very good, but it sparked a love of literature. In middle school she spent her free time locked in her room, writing her first young adult novel. This thoroughly solidifying her status as a class-A nerd. She currently works as a high school English teacher, a job that she loves even when it exhausts her. In her free time she writes, reads great books, and takes care of her two beautiful and crazy children. Her young adult best selling series, The Breeders, is available now on Amazon. She also has a kids series starting with Portia Parrott and the Great Kitten Rescue for ages 5-9.<br />
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<a href="http://www.katiefrenchbooks.com/"><img alt="Website graphic" class="aligncenter wp-image-3262" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Website-graphic.jpg" height="100" width="150" /></a></div>
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<strong>Praise for The Breeders</strong><br />
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Kindle Book Review, 2014 Kindle Book Awards Semifinalist<br />
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Over 45,000 downloads so far. More than 300 four and five star reviews. Top Ten in Free Kindle Teen & Young Adult Science Fiction Dystopian Romance.<br />
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“This is an Excellent book that should be published the writing is that compelling and suspenseful.” -- The Book Runner, Amazon Vine Voice Reviewer<br />
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“Wow, just wow! I started reading the sample for The Breeders and before I was even halfway through it, I stopped and bought the book. I was completely enthralled after the first few pages.” -- Amazon Reviewer<br />
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<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/bookcover.jpg"><img alt="bookcover" class="aligncenter wp-image-3247" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/bookcover.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a> </div>
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<strong>Virulent </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>by Shelbi Wescott</strong> </div>
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Lucy King is only an hour away from embarking on the most incredible vacation of her life: White sandy beaches in a tropical paradise, snorkeling and sunbathing in peaceful tranquility. But as Lucy looks forward to her trip, a sinister plot is unfolding that will demolish the world as she knows it.<br />
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An unknown bioterrorist group unleashes a virus that virtually wipes out the earth’s population—leaving Lucy, and a small faction of survivors, trapped inside her high school to wait out the apocalypse. War, looting, and death wreak havoc outside the school; inside, the students must contend with a tyrannical and paranoid principal and their own struggles of being orphaned, frightened, and unsure of what the future will bring.<br />
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What begins as a basic fight for survival turns into a search for answers that will challenge everything Lucy has ever known about her life and her family.<br />
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Virulent is the first book in the Virulent trilogy, an enthralling post-apocalyptic adventure that takes you from the end of the world to the formation of a new society.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Virulent-Release-Book-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00B9ZUZ64"><img alt="amazon get it" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3206" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/amazon-get-it.png" height="70" width="300" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Shelbi.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Shelbi" class="alignleft wp-image-3258" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Shelbi-300x292.jpg" height="195" width="200" /></a><strong>Author Shelbi Wescott</strong><br />
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Shelbi Wescott is a high school Language Arts and Creative Writing teacher, a mother of two, a television junky, and a board game connoisseur. Her first book, "Virulent: The Release" was born from a challenge issued by her students to write a book that would interest them. When she isn't writing or teaching, Shelbi can be found throwing unnecessarily elaborate birthday parties and officiating weddings. She is a fan of: Spanx, bourbon, Powell’s Books, and tabloid magazines. Shelbi lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband, her two sons, Elliott and Ike, and an affectionate hound dog named Darby.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.shelbiwescott.com/"><img alt="Website graphic" class="aligncenter wp-image-3262" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Website-graphic.jpg" height="100" width="150" /></a> </div>
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<strong>Praise for Virulent: The Release</strong><br />
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“My favorite part was how realistic and authentic Wescott is about to make her characters. It is clear from the specific detail and the way she shapes her setting that Wescott knows her way around a high school. She also knows a thing or two about teenage minds.” -- Underground Book Reviews<br />
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“Great characters, amazing descriptions, suspense and the beginnings of a great conspiracy mark this beginning to a series that I look forward to following. I can’t wait for book two.” -- Cherie of Cherie Reads <br />
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<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Scourge-Ebook-Sml.jpg"><img alt="Scourge Ebook Sml" class="aligncenter wp-image-3248" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Scourge-Ebook-Sml-682x1024.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a> </div>
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<strong>The Scourge </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>by A.G. Henley</strong> </div>
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Seventeen-year-old Groundling, Fennel, is Sightless. She's never been able to see her lush forest home, but she knows its secrets. She knows how the shadows shift when she passes under a canopy of trees. She knows how to hide in the cool, damp caves when the Scourge comes. She knows how devious and arrogant the Groundlings' tree-dwelling neighbors, the Lofties, can be.<br />
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And she's always known this day would come—the day she faces the Scourge alone.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scourge-Brilliant-Darkness-Book-ebook/dp/B0073O59OI?tag=blasttours-20"><img alt="amazon get it" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3206" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/amazon-get-it.png" height="70" width="300" /></a> </div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Laura.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Laura" class="alignleft wp-image-3257" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Laura-300x300.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><strong>Author A.G. Henley</strong><br />
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A.G. Henley is the author of the BRILLIANT DARKNESS series. The first book in the series, THE SCOURGE, was a finalist for the 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Award. A.G. is also a clinical psychologist, which means people either tell her their life stories on airplanes, or avoid her at parties when they've had too much to drink. Neither of which she minds. When she's not writing fiction or shrinking heads, she can be found herding her children and their scruffy dog, Guapo, to various activities while trying to remember whatever she's inevitably forgotten to tell her husband. She lives in Denver, Colorado.<br />
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<a href="http://www.aghenley.com/"><img alt="Website graphic" class="aligncenter wp-image-3262" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Website-graphic.jpg" height="100" width="150" /></a></div>
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<strong>Praise for The Scourge</strong><br />
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"Looking for a trenchant, imaginative, beautifully written novel to read? Look no further: it's The Scourge, by A.G. Henley." -- Sarah Cloots, former editor at Greenwillow Books, imprint of HarperCollins Children's Books<br />
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"The prose flows smoothly and easily but there are much deeper issues lying beneath the surface of the story that are captivating and will hold the interest of readers of any age . . . I was quickly transported into the world of The Scourge and plummeted breathlessly toward the resolution. This is a very good book and a good look at just what science fiction can achieve when in the hands of a capable writer." -- Josef Hernandez, Examiner<br />
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"Lovable and relatable heroine? Check. Swoon-worthy, kick-butt hero? Check. Compelling romance that makes your heart melt and toes curl? Check. Captivating story and fascinating world? Check. Eagerly anticipating the next book? Check, check, check." -- Refracted Light Reviews, blog review<br />
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<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Contributor.jpg"><img alt="Contributor" class="aligncenter wp-image-3249" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Contributor-640x1024.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a> </div>
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<strong>Contributor </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>by Nicole Ciacchella</strong> </div>
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When the Great Famine threatened the existence of mankind, the Creators saved humanity. Humanity has been their loyal subject ever since.<br />
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This history has been ingrained in seventeen-year-old Dara Morrow since her first day of Creator-sponsored school. Grateful for the life-giving necessities her Creator provides, Dara is thrilled to be one of three students chosen for an elite, year-long apprenticeship program. Now is her chance to prove herself a devoted Contributor.<br />
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But Dara’s competition is ruthless and will stop at nothing to win the competition. Worse yet, her exacting master has little patience for her.<br />
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Then Dara’s mother is seriously injured, and Dara realizes the price of being a Contributor: once you’ve outlived your usefulness, you’re discarded. Can Dara learn to manipulate the system to save not only herself, but everyone she loves?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Contributor-Trilogy-book-1-ebook/dp/B0096DIPI6?tag=blasttours-20"><img alt="amazon get it" class="aligncenter wp-image-3206 size-full" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/amazon-get-it.png" height="70" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Nicole.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nicole" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3263" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Nicole.jpg" height="172" width="200" /></a><strong>Author Nicole Ciacchella</strong><br />
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Nicole has progressed from scribbling in notebooks to banging on keyboards, but she’s never managed to stop daydreaming at inappropriate moments. Born and raised in Michigan, Nicole lives there still with her husband and two wonderful children. When not answering the demands of her characters, Nicole can often be found curled up with a good book or spending far too many hours acting the hero in whatever video game is her obsession of the moment. Nicole rarely meets a genre she doesn't like, and as a result has written contemporary romcoms, fantasy fiction, fairy tale retellings, and dystopian/post-apocalyptic fiction. She's the author of the Fairytale Collection books, the YA/NA crossover Contributor trilogy, and the Astoran Asunder series<br />
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<a href="http://www.nciacchella.com/"><img alt="Website graphic" class="aligncenter wp-image-3262" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Website-graphic.jpg" height="100" width="150" /></a> </div>
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<strong>Praise for Contributor</strong><br />
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From the world of dystopia comes something different - The Contributor. A society set wherein all must either contribute or be nothing at all. Very intense story line with a daunting theme. This is a great read and I can not wait to see what happens in book 2. -- LadyLox Mindblowingly good.<br />
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This book is brilliantly constructed. -- Kelly Walker<br />
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<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/the-torturers-daughter-Aa2.jpg"><img alt="the torturer's daughter Aa2" class="aligncenter wp-image-3250" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/the-torturers-daughter-Aa2-683x1024.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a> </div>
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<strong>The Torturer's Daughter </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>by Zoe Cannon</strong> </div>
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When her best friend Heather calls in the middle of the night, Becca Dalcourt assumes it’s the usual drama. Wrong. Heather’s parents have been arrested as dissidents – and Becca’s mother, the dystopian regime’s most infamous torturer, has already executed them for their crimes against the state.<br />
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To stop Heather from getting herself killed trying to prove her parents’ innocence, Becca hunts for proof of their guilt. She doesn’t expect to find evidence that leaves her questioning everything she thought she knew about the dissidents… and about her mother.<br />
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When she risks her life to save a dissident, she learns her mother isn’t the only one with secrets – and the plot she uncovers will threaten the lives of the people she loves most. For Becca, it’s no longer just a choice between risking execution and ignoring the regime’s crimes; she has to decide whose life to save and whose to sacrifice.<br />
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It’s easy to be a hero when you can save the world, but what about when all you can do is choose how you live in it? The Torturer’s Daughter is a story about ordinary life amidst the realities of living under an oppressive regime… and the extraordinary courage it takes to do what’s right in a world gone wrong.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Torturers-Daughter-Internal-Defense-Book-ebook/dp/B009UEVWCW?tag=blasttours-20"><img alt="amazon get it" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3206" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/amazon-get-it.png" height="70" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Zoe.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zoe" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3256" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Zoe.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><strong>Author Zoe Cannon</strong><br />
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Zoe Cannon writes about the things that fascinate her: outsiders, societies no sane person would want to live in, questions with no easy answers, and the inner workings of the mind. If she couldn't be a writer, she would probably be a psychologist, a penniless philosopher, or a hermit in a cave somewhere. While she'll read anything that isn't nailed down, she considers herself a YA reader and writer at heart. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and a giant teddy bear of a dog, and spends entirely too much time on the internet.<br />
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<a href="http://www.zoecannon.com/"><img alt="Website graphic" class="aligncenter wp-image-3262" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Website-graphic.jpg" height="100" width="150" /></a> </div>
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<b>Praise for The Torturer's Daughter</b><br />
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"...a great read that plays with your nerves and sets great challenges before its characters..." -- Willing to See Less<br />
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"The society created by the author is incredibly oppressive and realistic in all its horror." -- Le Chat de Bibliotheque<br />
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"My day stopped in its tracks once I picked up this novel, racing frantically towards the conclusion and the answers I needed to have." -- Bookluvrs Haven<br />
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<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Heartbeat-Theif.jpg"><img alt="Heartbeat Thief" class="aligncenter wp-image-3253" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Heartbeat-Theif-639x1024.jpg" height="320" width="199" /></a> </div>
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<strong>The Heartbeat Thief </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>by Ash Krafton</strong> </div>
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Haunted by a crushing fear of death, a young Victorian woman discovers the secret of eternal youth—she must surrender her life to attain it, and steal heartbeats to keep it.<br />
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Poe meets Austen in this haunting tale of death and endless devotion… Being the most beautiful debutante in 1860’s Surrey isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. Senza Fyne knows all too well the expectations set upon a young Victorian woman—and she also knows that, in one fell swoop, death can just whisk it all away. When she meets the mysterious and mystical Mr. Knell, she is offered the chance to escape the chains of Life and Death and to enjoy the bliss of youth and beauty for all eternity.<br />
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But that takes magic…and a steep price. She’d have to surrender her life to gain an eternity and she’d have to steal the heartbeats of others in order to keep it. She has everything to gain if she succumbs to his spell…but knows not what she might lose.<br />
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It’s a little bit Jane Austen, a little bit Edgar Allan Poe, and a whole lot of stealing heartbeats in order to stay young and beautiful forever. From the posh London season to the back alleys of Whitechapel, across the Channel, across the Pond, across the seas of Time…How far will Senza Fyne go to avoid Death?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UZC9W7U?tag=blasttours-20"><img alt="amazon get it" class="aligncenter wp-image-3206 size-full" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/amazon-get-it.png" height="70" width="300" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/A.J..jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A.J." class="alignleft wp-image-3265" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/A.J.-265x300.jpg" height="200" width="176" /></a><strong>Author A.J. Crafton</strong><br />
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The Heartbeat Thief is the first release for AJ Krafton, a New Adult speculative fiction author from the Pennsylvania coal region. If she’s not writing, it’s probably because she’s distracted by all the cool junk on her desk or by the stacks of books that have grown up around it. She also writes novels, short fiction, and poetry for adult audiences as Ash Krafton.<br />
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<a href="http://www.ashkrafton.com/"><img alt="Website graphic" class="aligncenter wp-image-3262" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Website-graphic.jpg" height="100" width="150" /></a> </div>
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<strong>Praise for The Heartbeat Thief </strong><br />
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"It’s a supernatural story, but it doesn’t rely on the conventions and themes that have gone before it. To be honest, when I picked it up I was expecting witches and/or vampires, but I found something else entirely. I loved the story and the concept."<br />
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"True to its word, "The Heartbeat Thief" is part Jane Austen, part Edgar Allen Poe. The author revives the best of the style of writing found in the classics: the introspect of characters, lovely allusions comparing characters to nature and life, beautiful alliteration and prose. Mixed with this is a deep foreboding of death, a macabre sensation that follows Senza throughout the story."<br />
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"Beautiful imagery and language shape this intriguing story that spoke to me about the meaning of maturity and purpose in life. Lovely!" <br />
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<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/100_Amazon_Paypal.png"><img alt="100_Amazon_Paypal" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2486" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/100_Amazon_Paypal.png" height="240" width="320" /></a> </div>
<br />
<strong>Book Blast Giveaway – $100 Amazon Gift Card or $100 in Paypal Cash</strong><br />
<br />
Ends 1/31/16 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the participating authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="0a0096831641" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0a0096831641/" id="rcwidget_st3dhpux" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3029625156694560955.post-58396040533325578912016-01-11T05:00:00.000-08:002016-01-11T12:54:39.318-08:00Broken Things to Mend Blog Tour and Giveaway with Karey White<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.iamareader.com/2015/11/blog-tour-sign-ups-broken-things-to-mend-by-karey-white.html"><img alt="Broken Things (1)" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3242" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Broken-Things-1.jpg" height="212" width="319" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.iamareader.com/2015/11/blog-tour-sign-ups-broken-things-to-mend-by-karey-white.html" target="_blank">Blog Tour Schedule</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/broken-things-to-mend.jpg"><img alt="broken things to mend" class=" size-full wp-image-3152 alignleft" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/broken-things-to-mend.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
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<strong>Broken Things to Mend </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>by Karey White</strong></div>
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Celia is in desperate need of a change--a change of scenery, a change of pace, and a complete redo of all relationships. Not knowing what else to do, she opens a map, closes her eyes, and lets fate decide her future. Then she packs her meager belongings and buys a one-way ticket to a little town on the fringes of Oregon's Deschutes National Forest called Sisters. She's wanted a family for years. Will she find one in Sisters? What Celia doesn't plan to find is a strange Chinese woman whose meddling ways keep throwing her in the path of a handsome, but reserved, forest ranger. But no matter how kind or dependable Silas seems to be, there are some things in Celia's past that neither of them can escape, and this time, the damage might be too much to mend.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Things-Mend-Power-Matchmaker-ebook/dp/B0178WF1YM?tag=blasttours-20"><img alt="amazon get it" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3206" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/amazon-get-it.png" height="70" width="300" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26301351-broken-things-to-mend"><img alt="add to goodreads" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1672" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/add-to-goodreads.png" height="50" width="300" /></a> </div>
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<b>My Thoughts:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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This is a touching story about Celia, a young woman needing a new start in a new place due to some awful circumstances in her life. She meets the Matchmaker, a strange old Chinese woman who helps get her settled with a roof over her head and a job in the town of Sisters, Oregon, and then disappears from her life.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Celia meets Silas, the nephew of Nancy, they lady she is renting a boarding with and they hit it off fairly well, though Celia has no intentions of a romantic relationship given what happened to her in Chicago. Though Silas is equally wary for his own reasons, he begins to fall for her. Nancy warns caution though as she feels that Celia is keeping something secret, but can’t pin her finger on what it is. Will Pearl’s ability as a Matchmaker be able to take these two people with brokenness in their lives and bring them together to build the love and trust they need to make it as a couple?<o:p></o:p></div>
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I found <i>Broken Things to Mend</i> to be an engaging novel with contemporary issues that some women have to deal with. It touched on the emotional difficulties that arise from a woman in placed in a position like Celia was in. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I liked that the storyline was about the development of relationships and how important communication and truthfulness/honesty (or lack of secrets) is to those relationships. Without it, all kinds of incorrect conjectures can be drawn and create havoc between two people trying to develop enough trust in one another in order to open up their heart to love. Fortunately for Celia and Silas they had developed enough trust through friendship to weather the storm of the secret that Celia had been keeping.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For me, the best part of the book was the ending – not because the book was over, but because of the beautiful way the author chose to complete the book. It’s hard to say much more without giving the ending away, but I will say that Silas’ idea of what makes up a family is more than genetics.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Other than some kissing, this is a totally clean romance novel. It is suitable for any audience who would enjoy a light romantic book to read. This is the first book of a twelve book series written by various authors (one released each month of 2016), which will be connected by Pearl, the Matchmaker in each book. The prequel, <i>The Matchmaker,</i> gives the background as to how Pearl came to be the matchmaker. Each book in this series can be read as a stand-alone novel.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I totally enjoyed <i>Broken Things to Mend</i> and if this book is a sneak peek into the quality of the stories coming up in this series, then it will be a huge success. I gave this book a rating of 5 stars out of 5.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66kJZUYiYR6RGZE5BE6w0A2zKNB2wUAci55ipN6TpvEfwCUY2cFwEa1ChBPgwSsdWx372JDtwvIUiUsDqnFGI_udJ-z8e4HRtrxZdH4KrHnRVih00k0fwlqv80sKym6cRQGGs74-IkRI/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="40" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66kJZUYiYR6RGZE5BE6w0A2zKNB2wUAci55ipN6TpvEfwCUY2cFwEa1ChBPgwSsdWx372JDtwvIUiUsDqnFGI_udJ-z8e4HRtrxZdH4KrHnRVih00k0fwlqv80sKym6cRQGGs74-IkRI/s200/Slide2.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Thank you to the publishers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<strong>Author Karey White</strong><br />
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<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Karey-White.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Karey White" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-2318" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Karey-White.jpg" height="200" width="142" /></a>Karey White grew up in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Missouri. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. Her first novel, Gifted, was a Whitney Award Finalist. She loves to travel, read, bake treats, and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband are the parents of four great children. She teaches summer creative writing courses to young people and is currently working on her next book.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://kareywhite.blogspot.com/" style="color: #a3b460; font-weight: bold;">Website</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> * </span><a href="https://twitter.com/kareylwhite" style="color: #a3b460; font-weight: bold;">Twitter</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> * </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karey-White/135211866508324" style="color: #a3b460; font-weight: bold;">Facebook</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> * </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4499034.Karey_White" style="color: #a3b460; font-weight: bold;">Goodreads</a></div>
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<strong>Blog Tour Giveaway </strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong> <strong>$50 Amazon Gift Card or $50 in Paypal Cash</strong> Ends 2/2/16 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from <a href="http://iamareader.com/" target="_blank">I Am A Reader</a> and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3029625156694560955.post-14317773917980038282016-01-07T05:00:00.000-08:002016-01-07T11:07:36.891-08:00Hope in the Midst of Loss by Beth Weikel Blog Tour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNSKklV4T0BTUoKpAE4n3zAWO9f7ZHxonRMz927QhmzHo67bQDXY3QTNHiSv9FgQnO3tzMVgRwRuiqtv7sdRDpsDivxNIHA8IJJcfY6D9UpEbH81uLzVfUmgen0V4DX_0sUcqistD4wI/s1600/Hope+In+The+Midst+of+Loss+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNSKklV4T0BTUoKpAE4n3zAWO9f7ZHxonRMz927QhmzHo67bQDXY3QTNHiSv9FgQnO3tzMVgRwRuiqtv7sdRDpsDivxNIHA8IJJcfY6D9UpEbH81uLzVfUmgen0V4DX_0sUcqistD4wI/s320/Hope+In+The+Midst+of+Loss+cover.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>
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<b>Hope in The Midst of Loss<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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By Beth Weikel<o:p></o:p></div>
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Publisher: Wesleyan Publishing<o:p></o:p></div>
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Published: October 31, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
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ISBN: 9780898279986<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">Sorrows visit all of us in many forms: job layoffs, doctor reports, divorces, foreclosures, prison sentences, natural disasters, or deaths of loved ones. Whatever the circumstance, it is in these places that our souls long for a light that will pierce the looming hopelessness. Author Beth Weikel compassionately leads her readers along the pathway of loss--one that she herself has traveled many times--and into the hope that passes all understanding. Through engaging stories from her own and others' experiences, she shines the light of God's Word upon a well-worn path of suffering. Her poignant and moving devotionals allow readers to press through their darkest journeys, sometimes asking themselves and God the hard questions, and finding the answers that only his Spirit can reveal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Book Links<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hope-Midst-Loss-Way/dp/0898279984/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1452191378&sr=8-3&keywords=hope+in+the+midst+of+loss">Amazon</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23131888-hope-in-the-midst-of-loss?ac=1&from_search=1">Goodreads</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqR7xodXpnkoXbY7_VT4ZrzMy1oRWab2KGee6Y17AwC8CJD25iIHrq20bwskBsF2RjDo7xNr-U_rsZdcxiY3k7TviJQhyB2nzdNOlDnFDpHC3L4ytVrdkoyVRcxP1MKQroFWHJIPx5e3A/s1600/Beth+Weikel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqR7xodXpnkoXbY7_VT4ZrzMy1oRWab2KGee6Y17AwC8CJD25iIHrq20bwskBsF2RjDo7xNr-U_rsZdcxiY3k7TviJQhyB2nzdNOlDnFDpHC3L4ytVrdkoyVRcxP1MKQroFWHJIPx5e3A/s200/Beth+Weikel.jpg" width="148" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">Beth has been the mother of two talented and godly sons, and is the grandmother of a curious and outgoing seven-year-old, Ian’s son, who was nearly eight months old when a roadside IED killed his daddy during his second tour in Iraq, while doing his command with Ghost Troop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">Beth been a pastor’s wife, published writer of articles and features and editor of a Christian newsmagazine, a secondary English teacher in public school for over twenty years, a volunteer in ministry efforts and civic affairs that support healthy community. Since her retirement from full-time employment, she has rediscovered time to enjoy her continuing interest in art, photography, music, gardening and design. Dave and Beth each facilitate small group discipleship studies, travel to teach workshops, and provide resources and training online (<a href="http://www.lifefromloss.com/"><span style="color: windowtext;">www.lifefromloss.com</span></a>. and <a href="http://www.byhisdesignonline.com/"><span style="color: windowtext;">www.byhisdesignonline.com</span></a>). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Author Links<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4346473.Beth_Weikel">Website</a> * <a href="https://twitter.com/byhisdesign1">Twitter</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4346473.Beth_Weikel">Goodreads</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTj3I9STpnHjCWg8CWXZkMxLhjEn1Z-2njDvr1pTzEpiQ3ihdbdeRTQsQcrFeLOvzV8-HlANNyfSMyxK_9xYp44Q0Nj-SafN3j9F2j5shyphenhyphenbY2LXGuAqnY5uJASoQhzGDPzafI_feoHxo4/s1600/Virtual+Book+Tour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTj3I9STpnHjCWg8CWXZkMxLhjEn1Z-2njDvr1pTzEpiQ3ihdbdeRTQsQcrFeLOvzV8-HlANNyfSMyxK_9xYp44Q0Nj-SafN3j9F2j5shyphenhyphenbY2LXGuAqnY5uJASoQhzGDPzafI_feoHxo4/s1600/Virtual+Book+Tour.jpg" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3029625156694560955.post-24233252163982971772016-01-01T05:00:00.000-08:002016-01-01T10:48:44.524-08:00Broken Things to Mend Book Blast and Giveaway with Karey White<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.iamareader.com/2015/11/blog-tour-sign-ups-broken-things-to-mend-by-karey-white.html"><img alt="Broken Things (1)" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3242" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Broken-Things-1.jpg" height="212" width="319" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.iamareader.com/2015/11/blog-tour-sign-ups-broken-things-to-mend-by-karey-white.html" target="_blank">Blog Tour Schedule</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/broken-things-to-mend.jpg"><img alt="broken things to mend" class=" size-full wp-image-3152 alignleft" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/broken-things-to-mend.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
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<strong>Broken Things to Mend </strong></div>
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<strong>by Karey White</strong> </div>
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Celia is in desperate need of a change--a change of scenery, a change of pace, and a complete redo of all relationships. Not knowing what else to do, she opens a map, closes her eyes, and lets fate decide her future. Then she packs her meager belongings and buys a one-way ticket to a little town on the fringes of Oregon's Deschutes National Forest called Sisters. She's wanted a family for years. Will she find one in Sisters? What Celia doesn't plan to find is a strange Chinese woman whose meddling ways keep throwing her in the path of a handsome, but reserved, forest ranger. But no matter how kind or dependable Silas seems to be, there are some things in Celia's past that neither of them can escape, and this time, the damage might be too much to mend.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Things-Mend-Power-Matchmaker-ebook/dp/B0178WF1YM?tag=blasttours-20"><img alt="amazon get it" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3206" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/amazon-get-it.png" height="70" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26301351-broken-things-to-mend"><img alt="add to goodreads" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1672" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/add-to-goodreads.png" height="50" width="300" /></a> </div>
<strong>Author Karey White</strong><br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Karey-White.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Karey White" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-2318" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Karey-White.jpg" height="200" width="142" /></a> Karey White grew up in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Missouri. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. Her first novel, Gifted, was a Whitney Award Finalist. She loves to travel, read, bake treats, and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband are the parents of four great children. She teaches summer creative writing courses to young people and is currently working on her next book.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://kareywhite.blogspot.com/" style="color: #a3b460; font-weight: bold;">Website</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> * </span><a href="https://twitter.com/kareylwhite" style="color: #a3b460; font-weight: bold;">Twitter</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> * </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karey-White/135211866508324" style="color: #a3b460; font-weight: bold;">Facebook</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> * </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4499034.Karey_White" style="color: #a3b460; font-weight: bold;">Goodreads</a></div>
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<strong>Blog Tour Giveaway - $50 Amazon Gift Card or $50 in Paypal Cash</strong><br />
<br />
Ends 2/2/16 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from <a href="http://iamareader.com/" target="_blank">I Am A Reader</a> and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.<br />
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="0a0096831639" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0a0096831639/" id="rcwidget_ks9n0jwv" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a> <script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3029625156694560955.post-76575402090442377062015-12-18T01:00:00.000-08:002015-12-18T01:00:00.555-08:00The Lost Town: Bringing Back Trochenbrod Blurb Blitz by Avrom Bendavid-Val <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWUz5wOsBuJNQs0lCBqf4bNnVPreE7iI6TwfbwYefZeVVE1EfqWXc22eDf9lyfUkakhVew-ARao5BbF-a8DVU4xmXvWj0pPXqzBMM9BCXLq4LYQDxBrohidRENsH40s_TFzSRHQRo0-Q/s1600/BBT_TheLostTown_Banner+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWUz5wOsBuJNQs0lCBqf4bNnVPreE7iI6TwfbwYefZeVVE1EfqWXc22eDf9lyfUkakhVew-ARao5BbF-a8DVU4xmXvWj0pPXqzBMM9BCXLq4LYQDxBrohidRENsH40s_TFzSRHQRo0-Q/s400/BBT_TheLostTown_Banner+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The Lost Town: Bringing Back Trochenbrod</span></b></div>
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By Avrom Bendavid-Val</div>
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<b>GENRE</b>: YA Nonfiction</div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Trochenbrod was a bustling commercial center of more than 5,000 people, all Jews, hidden deep in the forest in Northwest Ukraine. It thrived as a tiny Jewish kingdom unnoticed and unknown to most people, even though it was “the big city” for surrounding Ukrainian and Polish villages. The people of Trochenbrod vanished in the Holocaust, and soon nothing remained of this vibrant 130-year-old town but a mysterious double row of trees and bushes in a clearing in the forest.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In this new book, Avrom Bendavid-Val makes Trochenbrod’s true story accessible, enjoyable, and memorable for young readers. The Lost Town follows his adventures while uncovering the lost history of the magical place where his father was born and raised. An imagined Trochenbrod was the setting for Jonathan Safran Foer’s novel, Everything is Illuminated, and the movie by the same name.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
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<b>Book Links</b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: ArialMT;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Town-Bringing-Back-Trochenbrod/dp/0986306045">Amazon Paperback</a> * <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Town-Bringing-Back-Trochenbrod-ebook/dp/B015NIAZ76">Amazon ebook</a> * <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-lost-town-avrom-bendavid-val/1122551997">Barnes and Nobel paperback</a> * <a href="http://www.powells.com/book/the-lost-town-9780986306044">Powell’s</a> </span><span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">* <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26124168-the-lost-town?ac=1&from_search=1">Goodreads</a></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: ArialMT;">The Lost Town</span><span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://thelosttownbook.com/TLT/Welcome_to_The_Lost_Town.html"><span style="color: #1149bc; mso-fareast-font-family: ArialMT;">http://thelosttownbook.com/TLT/Welcome_to_The_Lost_Town.html</span></a></span><span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: ArialMT;"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: ArialMT;">Documentary based on the book – 7<span style="mso-text-raise: 4.0pt; position: relative; top: -4.0pt;">th</span> Arts</span><span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.7thart.com/films/Lost-Town"><span style="color: #1149bc; mso-fareast-font-family: ArialMT;">http://www.7thart.com/films/Lost-Town</span></a></span><span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: ArialMT;"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: ArialMT;">Bacon Press Books</span><span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.baconpressbooks.com/#/the-lost-town-bringing-back-trochenbrod/"><span style="color: #1149bc; mso-fareast-font-family: ArialMT;">http://www.baconpressbooks.com/#/the-lost-town-bringing-back-trochenbrod/</span></a></span><br />
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<b>Excerpt:</b></div>
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Trochenbrod was different from all other towns in Europe because everyone who lived there was Jewish. And because it was hidden deep in the forest, this town of 5,000 people was almost unknown beyond the nearby Ukrainian and Polish villages. Government authorities paid little attention to Trochenbrod, and Jewish customs were the only ones that mattered. All of Trochenbrod observed Jewish holidays and celebrated Jewish festivals like one huge family. Children played in the yards and fields, chuckling, yelling in Yiddish, and running up and down Trochenbrod’s one long street in complete safety and freedom. At dinner time, the aroma of Jewish cooking filled every corner of the little town and wafted into the surrounding forest.</div>
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By the end of World War II, everything was gone. Everything—Trochenbrod’s houses, synagogues, shops, and public buildings, as well as its people—had been destroyed. All that remained was a double row of trees and bushes surrounded by a clearing where its farm fields had been.</div>
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Once I had pieced together Trochenbrod’s story, I knew I had to share it. I would rescue the memory of Trochenbrod, and in a way, bring Trochenbrod back to life. The Lost Town is the story of 130 years of highs and lows and finally the destruction of Trochenbrod and its people. It is about the will people have and the struggles they will endure to be free to live their lives as they believe they should.</div>
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<b>About the Author:</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_l4u8CQX83KCBt9E9ETaLpdLzjnYJxL-yuYG7KPzdb3FT7XWdxpO_s0oeQM0lj0V9wXFCdbroj4GX4Z96CXn86aLOKO4p_ykk5vMD-fWCeTSuUBar6vS0joVFDHR6pffSxXTj-wcaVUE/s1600/MediaKit_AuthorPhoto_TheLostTown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_l4u8CQX83KCBt9E9ETaLpdLzjnYJxL-yuYG7KPzdb3FT7XWdxpO_s0oeQM0lj0V9wXFCdbroj4GX4Z96CXn86aLOKO4p_ykk5vMD-fWCeTSuUBar6vS0joVFDHR6pffSxXTj-wcaVUE/s1600/MediaKit_AuthorPhoto_TheLostTown.jpg" /></a></div>
Avrom Bendavid-Val was working as an environmental consultant in Poland in 1997 when he decided to cross the Ukrainian border and visit the place his father came from, the town of Trochenbrod. Finding nothing there, he was determined to uncover the history and spirit of the vanished town. Avrom continues to this day to research, write and make films about the town, and serve as the anchor for the American community of Trochenbrod descendants. Avrom Bendavid-Val lives in Washington, D.C.</div>
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<b>Links</b></div>
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<b>Facebook</b><span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: ArialMT;"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: ArialMT;">Avrom Bendavid-Val</span><span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/avrom.bendavidval"><span style="color: #1149bc; mso-fareast-font-family: ArialMT;">https://www.facebook.com/avrom.bendavidval</span></a></span><span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: ArialMT;"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: ArialMT;">Bacon Press Books</span><span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
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<b>Twitter</b><span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: ArialMT;"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: ArialMT;">Avrom</span><span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://twitter.com/AvromBendavidVa"><span style="color: #1149bc; mso-fareast-font-family: ArialMT;">https://twitter.com/AvromBendavidVa</span></a></span><span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: ArialMT;"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: ArialMT;">Bacon Press Books</span><span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://twitter.com/baconpressbooks"><span style="color: #1149bc; mso-fareast-font-family: ArialMT;">https://twitter.com/baconpressbooks</span></a></span><span style="line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: ArialMT;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Avrom Bendavid-Val will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Be sure to follow the tour and comment. The more you comment, the greater the chances of winning!</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2015/11/blurb-blitz-lost-town-by-avrom-bendavid.html"><img border="0" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ancicqiaxWns64RnwcN1fTnueV88-cH3_JEXh2822NN0rQkPyk0pxGMeoKGo_sm2itzW8tuASdxKhZOASK7LYXo7P0rlmcO3Lp18JPSsPKP12FSTG2ioR96pF3Obw8_h_Yophc2jqXc/s320/Goddess+Fish+Banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2015/11/blurb-blitz-lost-town-by-avrom-bendavid.html">Click on the image to follow the tour.</a></span></td></tr>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="28e4345f1432" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f1432/" id="rcwidget_esegm9tk" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3029625156694560955.post-31809955970170103662015-12-17T05:00:00.000-08:002015-12-17T10:51:01.074-08:00Book Review: The Worlds Traveler by M.L. Roble<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="a-size-extra-large"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Worlds Traveler (The Hidden Gifted Book 2)</span></span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
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By M.L. Roble<o:p></o:p></div>
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Publisher: M.L. Roble<o:p></o:p></div>
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Published: Dec. 1, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
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ASIN: <span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">B0178ICS2Y</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Amazon Synopsis:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">From award-winning author M.L. Roble comes a story about a boy, his map, and an adventure.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
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<span style="background: white;">Life on the run from madman Martin Reimer gets in the way of everything.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="background: white;">For fourteen-year-old Phillip, it has meant having to stay hidden, unable to use his gift of moving through maps to search for his missing father. But the arrival of a stranger named Delroy brings unexpected opportunity, for Delroy is a man with the ability to travel worlds hidden within our own, and he was sent by Phillip's father. Now Phillip will do everything he can to find his dad, even if it means tricking Delroy into helping him, or a quest through those hidden worlds.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="background: white;">Even if leaving home means Martin can now find him.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="background: white;">Follow in the adventures of Phillip Stone and Natalie Bristol in this sequel to the award-winning book The Magician's Doll!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b>Book Links<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Worlds-Traveler-Hidden-Gifted-Book-ebook/dp/B0178ICS2Y/ref=sr_1_1_twi_kin_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1449705634&sr=8-1&keywords=the+worlds+traveler+by+m.l.+roble">Amazon</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25842630-the-worlds-traveler?from_search=true&search_version=service">Goodreads</a></div>
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<b>My Thoughts:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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When I first picked up this book, I felt like I had been dropped into the middle of something that had started without me. It was only later that I discovered that this was the second book of a series. There was no indication on the cover that this was part of a series. I should have read the synopsis more closely.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I was intrigued with the idea of being able to travel to different parts of the world through the use of a map. However, that wasn’t the only gift that fourteen-year-old Phillip had. Phillip’s missing father sends Delroy, a man whose gift is to be able to “travel worlds hidden within our own”. These two are joined with Phillip’s friend Natalie and set off to do all they can to stay out of the madman Martin’s hands and find Phillip’s father.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I found some of the worlds that Delroy was able to travel to very interesting, except for one which had the feel of the occult to me as our three heroes were speaking with people who were in a world where they were ”living until they decided to move on,” but were actually dead in our own world. There may be some people who feel strongly enough about this that they would not choose to purchase the book for their children.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The rest of the worlds had interesting creatures, some friendly, some dangerous, but all very interesting. The twists and turns in the story helped to develop and mature the characters of Phillip and Natalie.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The story moves at a fairly moderate pace and holds the reader’s attention quite well. <i>The World’s Traveler </i>is the second book in this series. I gave this book a rating of 3 stars out of 5.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvBh456dEQe8LjrmCwlsuXXjbcVIwGUw0M9yOsU6GL16X3g9oQphlckD7PBu3h2SAkLFBhlhJ4ixl2iLvNre5RmbLiqIKCvoOpllmGbNsGEk89704HPrlHiN3n_S0-AfCooikWLUkRec/s1600/3+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="65" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvBh456dEQe8LjrmCwlsuXXjbcVIwGUw0M9yOsU6GL16X3g9oQphlckD7PBu3h2SAkLFBhlhJ4ixl2iLvNre5RmbLiqIKCvoOpllmGbNsGEk89704HPrlHiN3n_S0-AfCooikWLUkRec/s200/3+stars.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Thank you to the publishers via NetGalley for providing the book in exchange for a fair and honest review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>About the Author:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="font8" style="line-height: 15.6pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHgJxTD4V2Fk4XDBcIhlANRcnrsuh8m0aRSThn-GEKIQCuQ-5kwsPsUtwU8ZYKKvuCYgoxyQnzTLA7r1MvZb2Lv04F_fN19-S2UhpO7KNmD1KY45FR9B_LfQCGlyEscu-11JfBzFurD4/s1600/ML+Roble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHgJxTD4V2Fk4XDBcIhlANRcnrsuh8m0aRSThn-GEKIQCuQ-5kwsPsUtwU8ZYKKvuCYgoxyQnzTLA7r1MvZb2Lv04F_fN19-S2UhpO7KNmD1KY45FR9B_LfQCGlyEscu-11JfBzFurD4/s200/ML+Roble.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">M. L. Roble's desire to write a children's novel stems from the nostalgia of her own middle grade reading years where she first experienced books like "The Chronicles of Narnia" and "The Shattered Stone". There have been different books and genres since, but those years fueled an enchantment with story that continues to this day.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Author Links</b></div>
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<a href="http://mlroble.com/">Website</a> * <a href="http://www.amazon.com/M.L.-Roble/e/B00BJEMKVS/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1">Amazon</a> * <a href="https://twitter.com/MLRoble">Twitter</a> * <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/ML-Roble/418708051527047">Facebook</a></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3029625156694560955.post-37040639850701323902015-12-16T05:00:00.000-08:002015-12-16T05:00:29.205-08:00Roman's Holiday Blog Tour and Giveaway with Susan Aylworth<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.iamareader.com/2015/11/blast-tour-sign-ups-romans-holiday-by-susan-aylworth.html"><img alt="Roman's Holiday" class="aligncenter wp-image-30188 size-full" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Romans-Holiday.jpg" height="212" width="319" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.iamareader.com/2015/11/blast-tour-sign-ups-romans-holiday-by-susan-aylworth.html" target="_blank">Blog Tour Schedule</a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Romans-holiday-cover.jpg"><img alt="Roman's holiday cover" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3171" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Romans-holiday-cover.jpg" height="320" width="220" /></a></div>
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<span class="a-size-extra-large"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Roman's Holiday: Rainbow Rock Romances</span></span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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By Susan Aylworth<o:p></o:p></div>
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Publisher: <span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Susan Aylworth</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Published: <span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Nov.16, 2015</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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ASIN: <span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">B0176KA9I4</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Amazon Synopsis:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #181818; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Includes BONUS short story “Toasting Lottie”</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Four years after Roman Kincaid was
catapulted into stardom as a country-western singer and A-list movie star, he
is burned out: exhausted by a grueling schedule, drained by the ceaseless
demands of producers and managers, weary of meeting the needs of others at the
expense of his own. Leaving a sold-out show in Phoenix, he rents a car and
drives north and east, landing in the Painted Desert town of Rainbow Rock.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Nearly
three years after leaving her old life behind, Lottie Beale is feeding people
and baking pies, managing the Kachina Café and tending secrets of her own. When
circumstances conspire to give two attractive people some time alone together
amid the world-class vistas of the Four Corners, they discover more than either
had bargained for.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b>Book Links<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Romans-Holiday-Rainbow-Rock-Romances-ebook/dp/B0176KA9I4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1450197697&sr=1-1&keywords=Roman%27s+Holiday">Amazon</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27383850-roman-s-holiday?from_search=true&search_version=service">Goodreads</a></div>
<a name='more'></a><b><o:p></o:p>Excerpt:</b><br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; text-indent: 0.5in;">Lottie broke in. “So? What now? You know my secret identity and I know yours. Shall we just go our own ways—no harm, no foul?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">He considered that. “I’m not sure. I mean, what did Batman and Catwoman do when they discovered each other’s secret identities?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">Lottie wrinkled her nose. “Try to kill each other?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">“Um, you’re right. Bad example. So whaddya think we should do?” A few interesting ideas had already occurred to Roman, but, for the moment at least, he chose to keep those to himself. “Are you thinking of mutually assured destruction? You tell my secret, I tell yours?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">“I don’t know,” Lottie said, “I think we can do better than that.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">“What then?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;">“Hmmm…” She was giving him a different look now—speculative, perhaps, even conspiratorial. “It depends.”</span></div>
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<b>My Thoughts:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<i>Roman’s Holiday </i>is a sweet romance between a burned out
western singer/actor and a woman named Lottie Beale who has secrets of her own.
The two of them connect on many levels and actually “get” each other more than
they could possibly imagine. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This is one of those
books that just make you feel good. Even when things go wrong, they work out
for the best in the long run. While Lottie and Roman only know each other for a
couple of weeks and discover that they are in love, they have spent almost
every moment of that time together, talking and getting to know one another.<o:p></o:p></div>
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While they want to
find a way to be together, neither wants to live where the other needs to live
and so it seems as though they are destined to give each other up in order to
carry on with their careers. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I liked the
descriptions and information about the scenic and historic sites around NW
Arizona area that Lottie and Roman visited.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I could understand
Lottie’s trust issues given her past growing up and I was surprised that Roman
was not spoiled by the wealth and fame of stardom. So it was interesting to see
their relationship develop and grow. I liked that though Lottie and Roman were
both very tempted, they both refrained from becoming sexually involved in order
not to cause further hurt to the other since they were not going to see each
other after Roman went back to California.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I gave <i>Roman’s Holiday </i>a rating of 4 stars out
of 5. I think if you enjoy light, sweet romances, you’ll probably enjoy this one.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtFuWEedjPkVhRF95dcbm-eaWmdeNsy63B2yqmVlxaWmts5zCXES_swCMUevXKfvpJlugM0GSuvwuiNuCfDoe3HR76xjCD3vaCLkCyQqX0vexMS8C9prNAsLiCY7tqqJqZCbtZqwaQz8/s1600/4+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="51" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtFuWEedjPkVhRF95dcbm-eaWmdeNsy63B2yqmVlxaWmts5zCXES_swCMUevXKfvpJlugM0GSuvwuiNuCfDoe3HR76xjCD3vaCLkCyQqX0vexMS8C9prNAsLiCY7tqqJqZCbtZqwaQz8/s200/4+stars.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
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Thank you to the
publishers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest
review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>About the Author:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0r5mvu_gedJYhLKIgTqPMwPcLfM7JzghDqTlxOV8vRiLU_cIFVwJyAqMw8aQXPpftuhT2pTVLBFB0rqgDF6RLcQeqhHf7f3dtgYfh3fGj3bGbiBEDgdb2r7Z-7S_mFtc6K5DsxeK314/s1600/Susan+Aylesworth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0r5mvu_gedJYhLKIgTqPMwPcLfM7JzghDqTlxOV8vRiLU_cIFVwJyAqMw8aQXPpftuhT2pTVLBFB0rqgDF6RLcQeqhHf7f3dtgYfh3fGj3bGbiBEDgdb2r7Z-7S_mFtc6K5DsxeK314/s1600/Susan+Aylesworth.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif";">Susan Aylworth started her first book when she
was nine. "It was called Buff, The Proud Stallion. I wrote eight whole
pages." For her fifth grade career day, she stated her ambition to become
"a rich and famous author." Decades later, she is pleased to have
achieved the 'author' part of that goal. A former university professor, she
enjoys researching backgrounds and careers for her novels. "It's one way
to live many lives all at once."</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif";"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">The property of a protective mutt dog and servant
to two spoiled cats, she lives in northern California with her husband of 43
years and their small menagerie. She loves hanging out with her seven children,
their perfect-for-them spouses and 21 grandchildren, soon to be 23. When she
can't be with her blood family, she hangs with her fictional characters, the
children of her mind. She has eleven books available and a 12th scheduled for
publication in June 2014.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">"I love travel, great music, and good
raspberry jam," she says. "I especially love hearing from
readers."<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Author Links<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://www.susanaylworth.com/">Website</a> * <a href="http://www.susanaylworth.com/">Twitter</a> * <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Susan.Aylworth.Author">Facebook</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/220173.Susan_Aylworth">Goodreads</a><o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/25_Amazon_Paypal.png"><img alt="25_Amazon_Paypal" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-27936" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/25_Amazon_Paypal.png" height="240" width="320" /></a> </div>
<br />
<strong>Blog Tour Giveaway</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>$25 Amazon Gift Card or $25 in Paypal Cash</strong>
Ends 1/21/16
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from <a href="http://iamareader.com/" target="_blank">I Am A Reader</a> and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.<br />
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="0a0096831633" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0a0096831633/" id="rcwidget_h4vt1h1k" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3029625156694560955.post-73974223514338430342015-12-15T01:00:00.000-08:002015-12-15T01:00:09.908-08:00The Hunter's Moon Book Blast Tour with Beth Trissel <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nssVOdVhXAMJLhfJdxnCzEEAGa_cjmcdh7oFNQSfo8eBuzyVIi6KVcwFY-vehz0atcXajJoLp_4tbpzDPmMuG16eqxUQ5tFxj5wnMyc5sRICa_l4rCvb9LHHJ57W4KCKV8AK_9IvtJw/s1600/MediaKit_BookCover_TheHuntersMoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nssVOdVhXAMJLhfJdxnCzEEAGa_cjmcdh7oFNQSfo8eBuzyVIi6KVcwFY-vehz0atcXajJoLp_4tbpzDPmMuG16eqxUQ5tFxj5wnMyc5sRICa_l4rCvb9LHHJ57W4KCKV8AK_9IvtJw/s320/MediaKit_BookCover_TheHuntersMoon.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Hunter's Moon (Book 1--Secret Warrior Series)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">by Beth Trissel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">GENRE</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">: YA Fantasy Romance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">BLURB:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Seventeen year old Morgan Daniel has been in the witness protection program most of her life. But The Panteras have caught up with her and her younger brother. Her car is totaled, she's hurt, and the street gang is closing in when wolves with glowing eyes appear out of nowhere and chase away the killers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Then a very cute guy who handles a bow like Robin Hood emerges from the woods and takes them to safety at his fortress-like home. And that's just the first sign that Morgan and her brother have entered a hidden world filled with secrets.</span><br />
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Excerpt Two:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Oh, no. Was the wolf hit? Morgan prayed not. She sensed him trying to protect them, and couldn’t imagine why, or why he seemed like ‘her wolf’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Eerie howls rose from the surrounding woodland on every side. A whole pack must be gathering. Morgan wasn’t certain whether to be frightened, fascinated, or hopeful of rescue. Still light-headed, not sure she even saw clearly, she watched the black wolf reappear; with him, a great white wolf whose green eyes shone like starlight. The most extraordinary yet. Together, the two loped after the brown and gray one. Judging by the high-pitched calls, there were more wolves out there. And panthers, or were they mountain lions?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">AUTHOR Bio and Links:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhPBGEuy2H5N6Osu1-vYs3Rme-ytMrRUEomM4CW3qmBRZHPCSBfF49_wRbwlCtWVI8BuKfDy-YOwu0KrShYdOqOErCht4ChUIXomph3ISvk2uC10bONF6uwkvo1ljBvJ-KtxS5fWK-rQ/s1600/MediaKit_AuthorPhoto_TheHuntersMoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhPBGEuy2H5N6Osu1-vYs3Rme-ytMrRUEomM4CW3qmBRZHPCSBfF49_wRbwlCtWVI8BuKfDy-YOwu0KrShYdOqOErCht4ChUIXomph3ISvk2uC10bONF6uwkvo1ljBvJ-KtxS5fWK-rQ/s200/MediaKit_AuthorPhoto_TheHuntersMoon.jpg" width="150" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Married to her high school sweetheart, Beth Trissel lives on a farm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia surrounded by her human family and furbabies. An avid gardener, her love of herbs and heirloom plants figures into her work. The rich history of Virginia, the Native Americans, and the people who journeyed here from far beyond her borders are at the heart of her inspiration. She's especially drawn to colonial America and the drama of the American Revolution. In addition to YA fantasy romance, she also writes historical, time travel, and paranormal romance, plus nonfiction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">For more on Beth visit her blog, One Writer’s Way, at: <a href="https://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/">https://bethtrissel.wordpress.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Connect with Beth on Facebook: Author Beth Trissel:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/bctrissel?fref=ts">https://www.facebook.com/bctrissel?fref=ts</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">At Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/BethTrissel">https://twitter.com/BethTrissel</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Visit Beth’s Amazon Author Page where all her books reside: Amazon Author Page</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beth-Trissel/e/B002BLLAJ6/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1435416800&sr=8-1">http://www.amazon.com/Beth-Trissel/e/B002BLLAJ6/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1435416800&sr=8-1</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Beth will be awarding a $30 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn host.</span></b></div>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="28e4345f1434" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f1434/" id="rcwidget_5rj57v4v" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a> <script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-blast-hunters-moon-by-beth-trissel.html" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnKXMth3QozaCvk8J65bMiN-Z00sqkR_TFJkGglkzIomWq9O0e0C_s10qJglp1u97ckoIS028fL74sKp8TmUuLYUDs_BA2B4RkkyBDI4wGaiTAo2CWw372jFGblK8tjp7n96hWLHAc9w/s320/Goddess+Fish+Header.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Click on the image to follow the tour. The more you comment, the greater your chances of winning.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3029625156694560955.post-49236657106298186972015-12-14T05:00:00.000-08:002015-12-15T08:37:54.645-08:00The Labyrinth Wall Book Tour with Emilyann Girdner<div style="text-align: center;">
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<strong>The Labyrinth Wall</strong> </div>
Read Amazon Best-Seller, Reader's Favorite 5 Star rated, Dante Rossetti Award 2014 Finalist novel, The Labyrinth Wall, the first book in the Obsidian Series. Imagine a story set in an epic fantasy world like The Hobbit with a dark dystopian feel (and it is written to be a quick read like The Hunger Games). This adventurous tale will transport you into a magical but deadly world with new races, creatures, heroes and villains that you won’t soon forget. Even Sean Astin (from Lord of the Rings, Goonies, Rudy, and 50 First Dates) got a copy of The Labyrinth Wall and <a href="https://twitter.com/SeanAstin/status/650413925155098628" target="_blank">tweeted about it</a>. <strong>Summary: </strong> Araina’s lonely teenage life is forever altered when she witnesses a man with supernatural powers emerge through a rippling wall into the dark and deadly labyrinth she calls home. She is left to solve the mysteries of who he is, why he has special abilities and what is on the other side of the labyrinth wall through which he came.<br />
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<strong>The Labyrinth Wall Ebook: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Labyrinth-Wall-Obsidian-Emilyann-Girdner-ebook/dp/B00HMFAESO/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=">Amazon</a> | The Labyrinth Wall Paperback: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Labyrinth-Wall-Emilyann-Girdner/dp/0991531205/ref=tmm_pap_title_0">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-labyrinth-wall-emilyann-girdner/1118034285?ean=9780991531202">Barnes & Noble</a> and <a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Labyrinth-Wall/Emilyann-Girdner/9780991531202?id=6430577522768">Books-A-Million</a></strong></h5>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: medium;">The Labyrinth Wall Shirts, Mugs, Journals and Other Fun Merchandise: </span><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/thelabyrinthwall" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: medium;">The Labyrinth Wall Zazzle Shop</span></a> <em>Reviews: </em> 5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Dystopian Fantasy By Ellen P. Lafleche-Christian I’m a big fan of fantasy fiction provided it isn’t super sweet and cute and I am so glad I read The Labyrinth Wall. The Labyrinth Wall is a great adventure with a dystopian fantasy feel. Ariana and Darith go from one exciting adventure to another which makes the book impossible to put down. There is a constant quest to learn whether there is really something better outside the labyrinth walls. If you enjoy books like The Hobbit (with a slightly lighter feel), you will definitely enjoy The Labyrinth Wall by Emilyann Girdner. I can’t wait to read the next book. 4.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Adventure By Desert Rose Reviews I enjoy books about puzzles, mysteries, riddles, adventure and suspense. Some of the best books for those ingredients are stories involving a labyrinth. There aren't many books that deliver the same kind of entertainment and excitement as a well-written labyrinth adventure. This is one such book, and is one I really enjoyed.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The others file around us.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">“We interruptin’?” Darith asks.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">“There it goes!” Saige smiles as flames hop up from the fireboard.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">“Thanks,” I tell her.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">“Dinner?” Soll yanks a couple of snakes from his bag and tosses them to Saige and me.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">We scream, alarm getting the best of us. They’re dead, and we knew it deep down inside. Still, a moment of uncertainty and fear gripped us both. Soll’s such a jester sometimes!</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">He chuckles, the fire flickering in his beaming lime-green eyes emphasized by the dark green skin that lines them.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">“You slime.” I smack him. Picking up a headless snake, I prepare to skin it.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">“Didn’t realize I got so hungry,” Saige tells Soll.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">He remains silent. Strolling over to sit on a stump, he joins everyone else a few feet away.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Scrunching her forehead and sighing, she looks at me. “Think he’ll ever forgive me for what happened to the colony?”</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">“The Creators followed you to the colony without your knowledge, Saige. You couldn’t have done anything. He’s hurting because of the loss. Someday he’ll realize it wasn’t your fault.”</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">“Right.” A dash of doubt undermines her response.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong>The Haunted Realm</strong></div>
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The Haunted Realm is the thrilling sequel to Young Adult Fantasy novel The Labyrinth Wall (Tweeted by Sean Astin from Lord of the Rings, Dante Rossetti Award Finalist, 5 Star Reader's Favorite Rated and Amazon Best-Seller). In this riveting continuation of the story, Araina again faces a series of seemingly impossible magical obstacles. As Araina and her friends search for answers about their Creators and their magical labyrinth world, their journey becomes rife with peril when Araina falls victim to illness. Despite heart-pricking losses in the labyrinth swamps, vengeful ghostly attackers in the Blinking Willows, and many other dangerous obstacles, Araina is determined to succeed. If Araina can’t solve the mysteries of the haunted realm and find a cure for her sickness, she and her friends may never escape the labyrinth, or even live to try. <br />
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<strong>The Haunted Realm Ebook: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Haunted-Realm-Obsidian-Book-ebook/dp/B016IPJUCY/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1446308823&sr=8-6">Amazon</a> | The Haunted Realm Paperback: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Haunted-Realm-Obsidian-Emilyann-Girdner/dp/0991531221/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1446308823&sr=8-6">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-haunted-realm-emilyann-girdner/1122852424?ean=9780991531226#productInfoTabs">Barnes & Noble</a> and <a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Haunted-Realm/Emilyann-Girdner/9780991531226?id=6430577522768">Books-A-Million</a></strong></h5>
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About the author:</h3>
<a href="http://www.promotionalbooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2014-10-19-23-emily-ann.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2014-10-19 23 emily ann" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-8845" src="http://www.promotionalbooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2014-10-19-23-emily-ann-200x300.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a>Though she was born in Germany and raised in Turkey until the age of five, Emilyann Girdner spent the majority of her grade school years in Tallahassee, Florida. She discovered early she had a love for stories. Reading books, watching movies and then acting them out with friends or toys gave living an extra flavor. This is likely why she spent the first part of her college career studying Creative Writing, before switching to Graphic Design and then graduating with a BFA in Digital Art from Missouri State University. Her writing has appeared on websites and blogs including Center for Work Life, Easter Seals Florida, MU Museum of Art & Archaeology's Musings and Examiner.com. She is best known for her Amazon Best-Selling novel, The Labyrinth Wall. Emilyann is now living and working in Florida. Given her three focus transitions as an undergraduate, it isn't a shock that she is a multi-medium lover, exploring writing, digital art, photography and design. She finds that her creativity is most fluent when given the opportunity to bounce between artistic outlets. To truly understand this Author, there are two things to know about her. Emilyann hopes to share a love for others and God in all she does. She believes that imagination sparks beauty in the soul.<br />
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Follow Emily:</h5>
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<a href="http://www.obsidianseries.com/" target="_blank">Series Website</a> | <a href="http://www.emilyanngirdner.com/" target="_blank">Author's Website</a> | <a href="http://eepurl.com/XWWV1" target="_blank">Newsletter</a> | <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7393090.Emilyann_Girdner" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/emilyanngirdner" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/emilyanngirdner" target="_blank">Twitter </a> | <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/emilyanngirdner/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></h5>
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="9b80e99a793" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9b80e99a793/" id="rcwidget_ptlnlo9o" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a> <script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3029625156694560955.post-13491184013605493612015-12-10T05:00:00.000-08:002015-12-10T05:00:03.748-08:00Book Review: The Daring Prince Dashing by Marilou T. Reeder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnCe1gTRyKvSyRn-KGmp5Y0ke-MUYdx9D7FYCOewvM_kjqLF5NZKTMmYgSoUULA8cEyd6FTCSZ-NwGRUoTbisY9YBGgLEml3YVgXQ-LJocM2xSkGYBM_cBcjJ4qGl_MZYnR_P8DLhO0A/s1600/The+Daring+Prince+Dashing+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnCe1gTRyKvSyRn-KGmp5Y0ke-MUYdx9D7FYCOewvM_kjqLF5NZKTMmYgSoUULA8cEyd6FTCSZ-NwGRUoTbisY9YBGgLEml3YVgXQ-LJocM2xSkGYBM_cBcjJ4qGl_MZYnR_P8DLhO0A/s320/The+Daring+Prince+Dashing+Cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>The Daring Prince Dashing</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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By Marilou T. Reeder<o:p></o:p></div>
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Publisher: <span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sky Pony Press</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Published: <span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Nov. 3, 2015</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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ISBN: <span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">9781634501613</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Amazon Synopsis:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Prince Dashing is daring and will stop at nothing to find a new friend!</span><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
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<span style="background: white;">Prince Dashing bathes with crocodiles, eats while dangling upside down from the tallest trees, and toasts s’mores by dragon’s breath.</span><br />
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<span style="background: white;">The night of the royal ice cream social, he meets a girl as adventurous as he is. But at the stroke of bedtime, the girl hurries off, leaving behind her mysterious stick. In his usual daring way, Dashing ventures out to search for the stick’s owner. He gallops by groups of thugs, tromps past toothy crocodiles, and eventually stumbles into the zoo. Will he ever find his friend?</span><br />
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<span style="background: white;">Follow Dashing and one equally daring girl in this humorous tale of fearless fun and friendship.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b>Book Links<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Daring-Prince-Dashing-Marilou-Reeder/dp/1634501616/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1448652596&sr=1-1">Amazon</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25159499-the-daring-prince-dashing?ac=1&from_search=1">Goodreads</a></div>
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<b>My Thoughts:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<i>The Daring Prince Dashing</i> is a cute rewrite of the classic fairy tale of “Cinderella” told with the main character being, of course, Prince Dashing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Prince Dashing is fearless, to the dread of everyone in the kingdom, including his parents. Children will be delighted with the antics of this rather adventuresome prince.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As the prince is a child in this story, instead of a ball, he has an ice cream social to which all the children from near and far are invited and to the social comes a girl on a “stick-thingy” that made an intriguing zing-boing, zing-boing noise that catches his attention. Then he sees her walk on a tight-rope while eating her sundae and likes her instantly. Unfortunately she runs off at the stroke of bedtime and leaves her stick-thingy behind.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Being the adventurous sort, Prince Dashing vows that the girl who could make the right sound with the stick-thingy would be his special guest at his birthday party, and he would search the land for her – blindfolded!<o:p></o:p></div>
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He searches high and low for the girl he calls Stickerella, but none can make the correct sound with the stick. Finally, the girl reads a notice about her missing stick-thingy and goes to claim it back. The prince invites her to his birthday party and of course, a new friendship is born.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This story will have parents and children laughing like crazy as they read the book together. The words really only tell half of the story. The illustrations add so much more. For example, one could imagine a nice quiet gathering of children eating ice cream at an ice cream social, but the illustration shows what could be a parents’ nightmare – mounds of ice cream in bowls overflowing with toppings dripping over the sides of the containers, drips and puddles of ice cream on the floors and tables, dropped ice cream cones, ice cream cones piled six scoops high, tight-rope walkers, jugglers and children with sticky fingers and faces.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I loved the imagination of the author and laughed a lot as Prince Dashing searched for Stickerella in the zoo. Children will be delighted as they read about his encounters there.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I thought <i>The Daring Prince Dashing</i> was a delightfully funny rewrite-with-a-twist of a classic fairy tale. I would totally recommend this book to fairy tale lovers young and old! I rated this book 5 stars out of 5.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66kJZUYiYR6RGZE5BE6w0A2zKNB2wUAci55ipN6TpvEfwCUY2cFwEa1ChBPgwSsdWx372JDtwvIUiUsDqnFGI_udJ-z8e4HRtrxZdH4KrHnRVih00k0fwlqv80sKym6cRQGGs74-IkRI/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="40" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66kJZUYiYR6RGZE5BE6w0A2zKNB2wUAci55ipN6TpvEfwCUY2cFwEa1ChBPgwSsdWx372JDtwvIUiUsDqnFGI_udJ-z8e4HRtrxZdH4KrHnRVih00k0fwlqv80sKym6cRQGGs74-IkRI/s200/Slide2.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Thank you to the publishers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>About the Author:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEkhBXyJzWHTxEWp9hxWfeIQrW7xP4FQ9ardCyJlGJ5xH3aUPd_3UpmhZSKPsPBirnuuCgFsxWN-QCfRR0FVi9N7RGVy44jgY7IalDgKeUhjRtMaRBx8hI-VRO9r-Fl64ByHII8KALj4/s1600/Marilou+Reeder.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEkhBXyJzWHTxEWp9hxWfeIQrW7xP4FQ9ardCyJlGJ5xH3aUPd_3UpmhZSKPsPBirnuuCgFsxWN-QCfRR0FVi9N7RGVy44jgY7IalDgKeUhjRtMaRBx8hI-VRO9r-Fl64ByHII8KALj4/s200/Marilou+Reeder.jpeg" width="200" /></a></b></div>
<b>Marilou T. Reeder</b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">received a Barbara Karlin Grant letter of merit in 2009. In 2010, she was awarded the SCBWI Pocono Mountain Retreat author scholarship, for writers who show exceptional promise. When she is not writing for children, she keeps busy with freelance business and technical writing. She currently resides in Wayne, Pennsylvania.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b>Author Links</b></div>
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<a href="http://mariloutreeder.com/">Website</a> * <a href="https://twitter.com/mariloureeder">Twitter</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3029625156694560955.post-45855823636835662472015-12-09T05:00:00.000-08:002015-12-09T05:00:05.366-08:00This is Where it Ends Giveaway with Marieke Nijkamp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeAIUNxx6IQoxVurwS-04RFXF5sSwt_IXU93YurdbkSyJnDY5yWxE-zjDl_XNWNaTJnx67qd4R2Yggiu1mGW5lqDebvioi5vMTBGpQBUJCxvIc80-BNK4Z0BCv8rhuVLkaxqpOaZ5HQw/s1600/This+is+Where+it+Ends+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeAIUNxx6IQoxVurwS-04RFXF5sSwt_IXU93YurdbkSyJnDY5yWxE-zjDl_XNWNaTJnx67qd4R2Yggiu1mGW5lqDebvioi5vMTBGpQBUJCxvIc80-BNK4Z0BCv8rhuVLkaxqpOaZ5HQw/s400/This+is+Where+it+Ends+Banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">GIVEAWAY!</span></strong><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">We’re giving away custom “TIME WAS OURS” lanyards, and the chance for one lucky person to win a Polaroid Digital Instant Print Camera!</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">There are two ways to enter the giveaway:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 9pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "serif";">1 - If you pre-order a copy of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em>This Is Where It Ends</em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>by Marieke Nijkamp, submit your name, mailing address, email address, telephone number and order confirmation number via the Rafflecopter widget provided.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="54ca7af7239" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/54ca7af7239/" id="rcwidget_a40zivho" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">2 - If you have not pre-ordered a copy of <i>This Is Where It Ends</i> by Marieke Nijkamp, you may enter the giveaway by printing your name, mailing address, email address and the phrase “This Is Where It Ends” on a standard-size postcard and send to: Publicity, c/o Sourcebooks, Inc., 1935 Brookdale Rd., #139, Naperville, IL 60563.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">For Official Rules, please reference the Rafflecopter widget.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">As a special bonus, any orders through Books of Wonder bookstore will also be signed by Marieke! </span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><a href="http://www.booksofwondershop.com/thisiswhereitends.aspx"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #56bc8a; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">http://www.booksofwondershop.com/thisiswhereitends.aspx</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">THIS IS WHERE IT ENDS by Marieke Nijkamp<u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1586207115" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">January 5, 2016</span></span>; $17.99; Hardcover<u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black;">9781492622468; Young Adult Fiction<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Agent: Jennifer Udden, Donald Maass Literary Agency<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<u></u><img align="left" class="CToWUd" height="320" hspace="12" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=d59184db5c&view=fimg&th=1515a5d2504567fb&attid=0.1&disp=emb&attbid=ANGjdJ8Hf7WQk3q4Rjl5Mpw0LzVMsxJVu6uxCdXaru2qr0jU3MBFetori0neMMEk1H4Qn7FvlEmjzKuTPQqK-WP_35tr9CD3sU0cw7jxwNkxJrbArpSAZVQnu90F1xM&sz=w190-h288&ats=1448924911021&rm=1515a5d2504567fb&zw&atsh=1" width="211" /><u></u><span style="color: black;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1586207116" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">10:00 am</span></span>: The principal of Opportunity High School in Alabama finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester and encouraging them to excel and achieve.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Told from four perspectives over the span of 54 harrowing minutes, terror reigns as the students at Opportunity High struggle to survive—and to understand why one boy started shooting.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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“THIS IS WHERE IT ENDS is simultaneously <b><span style="color: red;">heart pounding and heart wrenching</span></b>. Every words hits frighteningly close to home and is tragically too familiar. This book will leave you asking questions that we as a society should have answered a long time ago.”<u></u><u></u></div>
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—Julie Murphy, author of DUMPLIN’<u></u><u></u></div>
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“As long as there are Newtowns and Columbines there will be <b><span style="color: red;">a desperate need for gripping, well-written, and poignant novels like this one</span></b>… Hopefully a book like THIS IS WHERE IT ENDS will make the problem more real to a generation that still has the time, energy, and willpower to do something about it."</div>
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—Todd Strasser, author of GIVE A BOY A GUN and FALLOUT</div>
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“<b><span style="color: red;">Stunning, diverse, and unforgettable</span></b>, THIS IS WHERE IT ENDS is a book everyone should read to better understand each other and the world around us.”</div>
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— Robin Talley, author of LIES WE TELL OURSELVES</div>
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“<b><span style="color: red;">Entirely gripping and fast-paced</span></b>.”—Lucy Christopher, author of STOLEN<b><span style="color: #1f497d;"><u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<u></u><img align="left" class="CToWUd" height="132" hspace="12" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=d59184db5c&view=fimg&th=1515a5d2504567fb&attid=0.3&disp=emb&attbid=ANGjdJ_aWODTNaCv-CuNwlTZRIFWkrjUwaSN3cBRaO79CqMybSqX9EOfq9HXNDe81flm0niteGVB6W_yWFNtPdEwT7jsPuc37JqHik3jeIaM2QZRvRwGPeGScm_Dzfk&sz=w198-h264&ats=1448924911023&rm=1515a5d2504567fb&zw&atsh=1" width="99" /><u></u><b><span style="color: black;">Marieke Nijkamp</span></b><span style="color: black;"> is a storyteller, dreamer, globe-trotter, geek. She holds degrees in philosophy, history, and medieval studies, and is an executive member of We Need Diverse Books, the founder of DiversifYA, and a founding contributor to YA Misfits. She lives in the Netherlands. Visit her at <a href="http://mariekenijkamp.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">mariekenijkamp.com</a>.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/mariekeyn" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">@mariekeyn</a><span style="color: black;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<a href="http://thisiswhereitendsbook.tumblr.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://thisiswhereitendsbook.<wbr></wbr>tumblr.com/</a><span style="color: black;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<a href="https://instagram.com/mariekeyn/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://instagram.com/<wbr></wbr>mariekeyn/</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3029625156694560955.post-28201038430945028572015-12-08T05:00:00.000-08:002015-12-08T11:49:52.013-08:00Book Review: Fixed in Fear: A Justice Novel by T. E. Woods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiRthQoBCSnIxkXcF25WCxLt1pGN9vLi-jjp3OPKpPBlP4uoOjZoD2v1Q_ruu50iaR5XRTU9G_OBElJ1rrpRlGsfuMJy0wLGgQ9hkER6QjumkFJByNlUVEJgZWop_H4q4W24QkQxFnkM/s1600/Fixed+in+Fear+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiRthQoBCSnIxkXcF25WCxLt1pGN9vLi-jjp3OPKpPBlP4uoOjZoD2v1Q_ruu50iaR5XRTU9G_OBElJ1rrpRlGsfuMJy0wLGgQ9hkER6QjumkFJByNlUVEJgZWop_H4q4W24QkQxFnkM/s320/Fixed+in+Fear+Cover.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="a-size-extra-large"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fixed in Fear: A Justice Novel</span></span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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By T. E. Woods<o:p></o:p></div>
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Publisher: <span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Alibi</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Published: <span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Dec. 8, 2015</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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ASIN: <span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">B00VD0442Q</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Amazon Synopsis:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Fixer returns in the pulse-pounding
Justice series—perfect for fans of Lisa Gardner, Karin Slaughter, and Jeff
Lindsay’s Dexter thrillers—as worlds collide in an inferno of bloodshed,
revenge, and holy terror.</span></b><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<b><span style="background: white;"> </span></b><br />
<i><span style="background: white;">I’ll probably never see my
daughter again. And if I do, she’ll either be dead or in a jail cell.</span></i><br />
<span style="background: white;"> </span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Seattle
Chief of Detectives Mort Grant cannot reconcile the memories of his vibrant,
headstrong young daughter with the cold, deadly woman she has become. The head
of one of the largest criminal enterprises in the world, Allie Grant seized
power by wrenching it away from her lover, a notorious Russian gangster. How
she maintains her control, Mort doesn’t even want to imagine.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;"> </span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Only two
other people know the truth about Allie: the vigilante known as The Fixer, and
Mort’s best friend, Larry, who’s undergoing a crisis of his own. Someone close
to Larry, his last real connection to his beloved late wife, has been slain in
a mass murder at a sweat lodge deep in the woods of Washington State. When word
gets out, Mort immediately takes on the gruesome case.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background: white;"> </span><br />
<span style="background: white;">But as
Mort hunts down a pair of methodical killers, The Fixer does some deep digging
of her own. And what she unearths will rock Mort’s family forever. Because The
Fixer has set her sights on Allie Grant—and nothing will ever be the same again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b>Book Links<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fixed-Fear-T-E-Woods-ebook/dp/B00VD0442Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449550284&sr=8-1&keywords=Fixed+in+Fear">Amazon</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25426986-fixed-in-fear?ac=1&from_search=1">Goodreads</a></div>
<a name='more'></a><o:p></o:p><br />
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<b>My Thoughts:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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This book in the <i>Justice Series </i>will have you on the edge
of your seat waiting for what Allie, Mort Grant’s daughter will do next now
that she is the head of the Russian mob. Allie is back in town and she wants to
connect with her nieces, which her brother and dad won’t allow unless she turns
her life around.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the meantime Mort’s
best friend Larry is dealing with his own crisis and needs Mort’s help. A close
friend of his and his late wife’s has been murdered and Larry asks Mort if
there’s any way Mort can help find the killer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mort has on occasion
relied on the Fixer to help keep his family safe, or to hide Allie from the
Russian Mafia and the authorities. This book is a climax in this conflict as
Allie and Mort come toe to toe, and the Fixer gets involved on her own. What
this will do to Mort and the Fixer’s friendship remains to be seen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I enjoyed <i>Fixed in Fear</i> partly because it
highlighted the loneliness of criminals who separate themselves from their
families and then part of them wants that family life back again but the fear
of coming clean is just too great. This novel in the series was much easier to
read than some of the others in respect to the level of graphic violence and
gore.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I liked the plot
twists and turns, which had me guessing, and the result of Mort’s investigation
into the death of Larry’s friend was totally not what I expected.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As far as stories
about families go, this one is heart-wrenching. Regarding crime stories, <i>Fixed in Fear</i> is exhilarating. I love
how the author is able to carry both story-lines simultaneously seamlessly
through the book. Be prepared to stay up late. It’s a book you won’t want to
put down until you’ve finished it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you are a fan of
crime thrillers, this is definitely a book you’ll want to pick up. Although it
is part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone book. I rated <i>Fixed in Fear</i> 5 stars out of 5. I highly
recommend it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66kJZUYiYR6RGZE5BE6w0A2zKNB2wUAci55ipN6TpvEfwCUY2cFwEa1ChBPgwSsdWx372JDtwvIUiUsDqnFGI_udJ-z8e4HRtrxZdH4KrHnRVih00k0fwlqv80sKym6cRQGGs74-IkRI/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="40" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66kJZUYiYR6RGZE5BE6w0A2zKNB2wUAci55ipN6TpvEfwCUY2cFwEa1ChBPgwSsdWx372JDtwvIUiUsDqnFGI_udJ-z8e4HRtrxZdH4KrHnRVih00k0fwlqv80sKym6cRQGGs74-IkRI/s200/Slide2.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Thank you to the
publishers who provided a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest
review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>About the Author:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2N9-roeS02qHxzJVEeA_jqcqzW17MJzfUBcffOwjoKWdU3YkPrfeE_j-4llLpQuluGoGwzn9wboEFg9t63LpYJDOEbqgRyKxZ1hlUxFcejtnD4WPDjhKORkHtjrjtuW15h0EfOKYEk-0/s1600/T.E.+Woods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2N9-roeS02qHxzJVEeA_jqcqzW17MJzfUBcffOwjoKWdU3YkPrfeE_j-4llLpQuluGoGwzn9wboEFg9t63LpYJDOEbqgRyKxZ1hlUxFcejtnD4WPDjhKORkHtjrjtuW15h0EfOKYEk-0/s200/T.E.+Woods.jpg" width="143" /></a><span style="color: #0d0b0a; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Teri Woods is a clinical psychologist in private practice
in Madison, Wisconsin. Her scientific writings are well represented in
peer-reviewed journals and academic texts. Her literary works earned her First
Place, Fiction at the 2008 University of Wisconsin Writer’s Institute.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0d0b0a; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Dr. Woods enjoys kayaking, hiking, biking, and hanging
around the house while her two dogs help her make sense of the world. Her habit
of relaxing by conjuring up any manner of diabolical murder methods and plots
often finds her friends urging her to take up knitting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Author Links<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="http://tewoodswrites.com/">Website</a> * <a href="https://twitter.com/tewoodswrites">Twitter</a> * <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tewoodswrites">Facebook</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3029625156694560955.post-56975685792627016932015-12-07T05:00:00.000-08:002015-12-07T12:49:56.415-08:00Seaside Christmas Blog Tour, Excerpt and Giveaway with Stacy Clafin<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.iamareader.com/2015/09/blog-tour-sign-ups-seaside-christmas-by-stacy-claflin.html"><img alt="seaside Christmas (1)" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-30114" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/seaside-Christmas-1.jpg" height="212" width="319" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.iamareader.com/2015/09/blog-tour-sign-ups-seaside-christmas-by-stacy-claflin.html" target="_blank">Blog Tour Schedule</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seaside-Christmas-Sweet-Romance-Hunters-ebook/dp/B014Z17E76?tag=blasttours-20"><img alt="seaside christmas" class=" wp-image-3064 size-medium alignleft" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/seaside-christmas-200x300.jpg" height="300" width="200" /></a><br />
<strong>Seaside Christmas </strong><br />
<strong>by Stacy Claflin</strong><br />
<br />
He can’t stand her. She thinks he’s crazy. Will their feelings stay etched in permanent ink? Cruz Hunter has always stuck out in his small hometown. Now that he’s covered in tattoos, the residents peg him as even more of an outcast. It seems like the whole world is against his dream of opening a local tattoo parlor. When he finally finds the perfect place for his new business, Cruz discovers a pastor and his daughter have already bought it. The only thing more irritating than the change in his plan is Talia, a beautiful and feisty argument in a dress. Cruz would like nothing more than to have her out of his life and his mind, but for some reason, she’s the only thing he can think about. If Cruz and Talia can stop arguing long enough, opposites may do much more than attract.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/160203-seaside-hunters"><img alt="add to goodreads" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-913" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/add-to-goodreads.png" height="50" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seaside-Christmas-Sweet-Romance-Hunters-ebook/dp/B014Z17E76?tag=blasttours-20"><img alt="amazon" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3196" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/amazon.png" height="128" width="128" /></a></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<strong>Excerpt:</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
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Cruz double-checked the house number and walked up the sidewalk and to their walkway. A street lamp turned on as he walked underneath. He’d gone over what he was going to say countless times. There weren’t any other buildings in town he could use for his tattoo shop—the city council had made it clear the only place he would be allowed to do business was the outskirts of town—so he needed to be convincing if he wanted to talk them out of the building.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
His sense of humor and charm had always gotten him out of trouble growing up, so he needed to tap into that. So many times, all he’d had to do was tell a joke and laugh, and his teachers would just melt and let him get away with whatever trouble he’d created. It didn’t work quite as well now that he had facial hair and tattoos, but that wouldn’t stop him from trying.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Cruz walked up the steps to the porch and knocked on the door, avoiding a wreath. It smelled of pine, like it had been freshly made.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Noise sounded from inside, and then the door opened. The blonde chick from the day before—what was her name again?—stood before him, wearing another dress. It was bright yellow with a pattern of tropical flowers. Her hair was pulled back and a floral scent engulfed him—her perfume?</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
She smiled and stepped back. “Come on in, Cruz.”</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
And she remembered his name. He forced a smile and nodded a thanks, stepping inside. The house had bare furnishings and almost no decorations, spare a few holiday ones.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Blondie closed the door and then Cruz saw a pile of moving boxes. That’s right. They were new to town. “Nice place.”</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
“We’re still trying to figure out where everything is. You know how moving is.”</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
“Not really.”</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
She raised an eyebrow. </div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
“But I imagine it’s a pain in the—uh, neck. I grew up in one house, and the only time I moved was when I went to college, and all I packed fit on my motorcycle.”</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Her gorgeous blue-green eyes widened. “Really?”</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
“Don’t look so shocked. I went to UCLA. I graduated, even.”</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
“That’s not what surprised me. It was because you got everything on a motorcycle.”</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
He shrugged.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
“Isn’t UCLA hard to get into? Less than ten percent get in, don’t they?”</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Cruz looked away. “I didn’t really pay attention. Just wanted to hang out in LA for a while.”</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
“What brought you back here?”</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
“Sure wasn’t the town. My dad had some health problems and I wasn’t really gettin’ along with the guy I was working for, so I just packed up my bike and came back.”</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
“Is your dad okay?” Talia’s eyes widened. “Do you guys need anything?”</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
“No, he’s okay now. Takin’ care of himself and everything. My mom and all five of us brothers help out, too.” </div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
“Oh, good. Well, if you do need something, you have our number.”</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Cruz nodded and slid off his jacket. Her eyes widened as her gaze went over his heavily tattooed arms. He tried to tell if she was judging him or checking them out. It was hard to tell because her expression didn’t reveal anything. He’d been judged before by religious people, making wild assumptions based on his body art.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
Cruz flexed both arms and then held out his jacket. “Someplace I </div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
can hang this?”</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>My Thoughts:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cruz Hunter was just
about to buy the old church/restaurant building in order to open his tattoo shop
when he discovers its already been bought by Pastor Allen Tisdale and his
daughter Talia who are going to restore it back to its former state as a church
and reopen it. Boy is he angry!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The town of Seaside
has made it almost impossible for him to find a building anywhere in town for
him to find a building for his business and this was the last building that he
could find available.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Seaside Christmas </i>is a light, fun clean romantic Christmas read.
Cruz at first glance is your stereo-typical tattoo-covered, uneducated biker
with poor grammar and speech. He totally resents the Tisdales, but Allen has
been nothing but kind to him and Talia, rather than being judgemental of his
speech and tattoos seems intrigued. So despite himself, he ends up helping them
to restore their building.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The story moves
along at a good clip with interesting twists and turns in the plot. I liked the
contrast between Cruz’ actual personality and the stereo-typical biker with
tattoos personality is assumed to be. I also found the entire Hunter clan to be
very engaging (pun intended) and likeable. I especially liked the way they
stuck up for one another. The theme of the importance of family came through
clearly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I enjoyed the tension
of the rivalry for Talia’s attention between Cruz and Julian. Though Julian
claimed to be a Christian, he certainly didn’t act like one. Julian was not
very likeable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If I had to find
something negative about the book, I would say that the romance progressed
rather quickly, but at the same time I would also have to say that sometimes
the heart knows when the right person has come along and it doesn’t take years
to make that decision.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you are interested
in a quick, clean romantic story to read this Christmas, <i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Seaside Christmas</i> would be a good choice. I would highly
recommend it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and gave it a rating of 5 stars out of 5.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you to the
publishers for providing a copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest
review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<strong>Meet the Hunter brothers of Kittle Falls…</strong> The <em>Seaside Hunters</em> novels are a series of contemporary sweet romances. They’re set in the beach town of Kittle Falls, following the Hunter brothers as they make their way back to their hometown and find the loves they couldn’t elsewhere.<br />
Each book is a standalone.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seaside-Hunters-5-Book/dp/B0159Q3VH8?tag=blasttours-20"><img alt="Seaside" class="aligncenter wp-image-3063" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Seaside.jpg" height="135" width="450" /></a> </div>
<br />
<strong>Author Stacy Claflin</strong><br />
<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Stacy.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stacy" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3197" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Stacy.jpg" height="200" width="146" /></a><br />
I don’t stick to a single genre in my writing, reading, or viewing. My favorite shows include Supernatural, The Walking Dead, Pretty Little Liars, Lost Girl, Vampire Diaries, and Once Upon a Time. I've been writing and telling stories for as long as I can remember. As a kid, my story telling would get me into trouble because I would try to convince others that my stories were real. When I'm not busy writing, I like spending time with my family and friends. I also educate my kids from home.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><a href="http://stacyclaflin.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> * <a href="https://www.facebook.com/stacy.claflin.author" target="_blank">Facebook</a> * <a href="https://twitter.com/growwithstacy" target="_blank">Twitter</a> * <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/growwithstacy/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<strong>$25 Blog Tour Giveaway Giveaway</strong> Enter to win an Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/27/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from <a href="http://iamareader.com/" style="color: #a3b460;" target="_blank">I Am A Reader</a> and sponsored by readinglight.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.<br />
<br />
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="0a0096831627" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0a0096831627/" id="rcwidget_9bg2qbl8" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a> <script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3029625156694560955.post-85345583315892001232015-12-03T05:00:00.000-08:002015-12-03T05:00:02.845-08:00Poppy Peters Series Book Blast Excerpt and Giveaway with A. Gardner<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/SouthernPeachPie.jpg"><img alt="SouthernPeachPie" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3119" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/SouthernPeachPie.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>SOUTHERN PEACH PIE AND A DEAD GUY</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Poppy Peters Mysteries Book 1) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Book Summary: After an injury derails Poppy Peters' ballet career, she gathers the courage to follow in her grandmother's footsteps and attend Calle Pastry Academy in a small-town in Georgia. Poppy has her work cut out for her not only fitting in with her charming (and not-so-charming ) Southern classmates but also proving her worth to her teachers after her first publicly humiliating attempt a making the school's famous peach pie. But Poppy's pastry problems go from bad to worse when she's suddenly accused of stealing expensive black truffles, and her attempt to clear her name goes awry...resulting in her finding a dead body instead! If Poppy's going to survive this culinary experience, she'll need to find the missing truffles and track down a killer, all while honing her baking skills to compete in the school's dessert competition for a coveted pastry internship in Paris. Can Poppy prove she's one tough cookie? Or is her life about to crumble?<br />
<br />
**Recipes Included**<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018GWJL7Q?tag=blasttours-20"><img alt="" class="alignnone" src="http://www.gemmahalliday.com/images/button-amazon.jpg" data-pin-nopin="true" height="62" width="61" /></a><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=kRKIOhaaRAc&subid=&offerid=266972.1&type=10&tmpid=8432&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.barnesandnoble.com%252Fw%252Fbananas-foster-and-a-dead-mobster-a-gardner%252F1122801718%253Fean%253D2940152412703" target="_new"><img alt="" src="http://www.gemmahalliday.com/images/button-bn.jpg" data-pin-nopin="true" /></a> <a href="https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/bananas-foster-dead-mobster/id1050084838?mt=11&at=10l5Gx" target="_new"><img alt="" src="http://www.gemmahalliday.com/images/button-itunes.jpg" data-pin-nopin="true" /></a> <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=kRKIOhaaRAc&subid=&offerid=361251.1&type=10&tmpid=9309&RD_PARM1=http%3A%2F%2Fstore.kobobooks.com%2Fsearch%3FQuery%3D9781943587247" target="_new"><img alt="" src="http://www.gemmahalliday.com/images/button-kobo.jpg" data-pin-nopin="true" /></a> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/585439" target="_new"><img alt="" src="http://www.gemmahalliday.com/images/button-smash.jpg" data-pin-nopin="true" /></a> <a href="https://www.createspace.com/5895268" target="_new"><img alt="" src="http://www.gemmahalliday.com/images/button-print.jpg" data-pin-nopin="true" /><a name='more'></a></a></center>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/ChocolateMacaronsandaDeadGroom-1.jpg"><img alt="ChocolateMacaronsandaDeadGroom (1)" class="alignleft wp-image-3118" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/ChocolateMacaronsandaDeadGroom-1-683x1024.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>CHOCOLATE MACAROONS AND A DEAD GROOM</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Poppy Peters Mysteries Book 2) </div>
<br />
Book Summary: When Poppy Peters takes an internship in Paris working for a top pastry chef, she realizes that bakery life isn't all cupcakes and frosting. The sous pastry chef dislikes foreigners, her mentor only speaks French, and to top that all off she finds the groom of the wedding she's catering dead in his own backyard. But Lord Dovington wasn't just a handsome royal waiting to sweep his bride-to-be off of her feet. He was also a well-known playboy with a long line of vengeful exes. Now, as one of the prime suspects, Poppy must prove she's innocent . . . and that her recipe for chocolate macaroons isn't to blame. But the clock is ticking, and with a missing diamond, a break-in, and a hot batch of reporters on her tail, Poppy has a lot of sifting to do. Will she find the killer before she too gets baked?<br />
<br />
**Recipes Included**<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014V9OJ02?tag=blasttours-20"><img alt="" class="alignnone" src="http://www.gemmahalliday.com/images/button-amazon.jpg" height="62" width="61" /></a><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=kRKIOhaaRAc&subid=&offerid=266972.1&type=10&tmpid=8432&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.barnesandnoble.com%252Fw%252Fchocolate-macaroons-and-a-dead-groom-a-gardner%252F1122403326%253Fean%253D2940152055818" target="_new"><img alt="" src="http://www.gemmahalliday.com/images/button-bn.jpg" data-pin-nopin="true" /></a> <a href="https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/chocolate-macaroons-dead-groom/id1023156972?mt=11&at=10l5Gx" target="_new"><img alt="" src="http://www.gemmahalliday.com/images/button-itunes.jpg" data-pin-nopin="true" /></a> <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=kRKIOhaaRAc&subid=&offerid=361251.1&type=10&tmpid=9309&RD_PARM1=http%3A%2F%2Fstore.kobobooks.com%2Fsearch%3FQuery%3D9781943587094" target="_new"><img alt="" src="http://www.gemmahalliday.com/images/button-kobo.jpg" data-pin-nopin="true" /></a> <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/A_Gardner_Chocolate_Macaroons_and_a_Dead_Groom?id=glyNCgAAQBAJ&hl=en" target="_new"><img alt="" src="http://www.gemmahalliday.com/images/button-google.jpg" data-pin-nopin="true" /></a> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/563063" target="_new"><img alt="" src="http://www.gemmahalliday.com/images/button-smash.jpg" data-pin-nopin="true" /></a> <a href="https://www.createspace.com/5718285" target="_new"><img alt="" src="http://www.gemmahalliday.com/images/button-print.jpg" data-pin-nopin="true" /></a></center>
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<strong><a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/BananaFosterandadeadmobster.jpg"><img alt="BananaFosterandadeadmobster" class="alignleft wp-image-3117" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/BananaFosterandadeadmobster-683x1024.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>BANANAS FOSTER AND A DEAD MOBSTER</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Poppy Peters Mysteries Book 3) </div>
<br />
Book Summary: Reluctant sleuth Poppy Peters is back in Georgia, and her last semester of pastry school is no icing on the cake when a body is discovered at the local farmer's market, and the murder weapon has Poppy's name on it. Not to mention, the victim belonged to a deadly southern crime family. Now, Poppy is being tailed by the mafia, and it doesn't help that the school's new pastry instructor has her working with her worst rival. But after a heart-stopping car chase, a frightening discovery at an old jam factory, and a spontaneous trip to New Orleans, Poppy discovers a secret that makes her past feats look like a piece of peach pie. Poppy's chances of making it to graduation day are about to go up in flames just like her Bananas Foster.<br />
<br />
**Recipes included!**<br />
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<center>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UATSSYQ?tag=blasttours-20"><img alt="" class="alignnone" src="http://www.gemmahalliday.com/images/button-amazon.jpg" height="62" width="61" /></a><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=kRKIOhaaRAc&subid=&offerid=266972.1&type=10&tmpid=8432&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.barnesandnoble.com%252Fw%252Fsouthern-peach-pie-a-dead-guy-a-gardner%252F1121083071%253Fean%253D2940046519402" target="_new"><img alt="" src="http://www.gemmahalliday.com/images/button-bn.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/southern-peach-pie-a-dead-guy/id958716904?mt=11&uo=4&at=10l5Gx" target="_new"><img alt="" src="http://www.gemmahalliday.com/images/button-itunes.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=kRKIOhaaRAc&subid=&offerid=361251.1&type=10&tmpid=9309&RD_PARM1=http%3A%2F%2Fstore.kobobooks.com%2Fsearch%3FQuery%3D9781940371597" target="_new"><img alt="" src="http://www.gemmahalliday.com/images/button-kobo.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/A_Gardner_Southern_Peach_Pie_and_A_Dead_Guy?id=FjmnCQAAQBAJ&hl=en" target="_new"><img alt="" src="http://www.gemmahalliday.com/images/button-google.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/511001" target="_new"><img alt="" src="http://www.gemmahalliday.com/images/button-smash.jpg" data-pin-nopin="true" /></a> <a href="https://www.createspace.com/5301967" target="_new"><img alt="" src="http://www.gemmahalliday.com/images/button-print.jpg" data-pin-nopin="true" /></a></center>
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<strong>Praise for the Book</strong><br />
<br />
"A sweet and satisfying mystery that will leave you hungry for more! A. Gardner's Poppy Peters Mysteries have earned a place on my keeper shelf!" ~ Gemma Halliday, New York Times bestselling mystery author<br />
<br />
"Charming cozy mystery featuring likable characters." ~Debbie Wiley, Fresh Fiction<br />
<br />
"A. Gardner cooks up one fabulous mystery with this Southern suspense." ~Pauline Michael, Night Owl Reviews<br />
<br />
<div>
<b>Excerpt</b><u></u><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<u></u> <u></u></div>
<div>
My first encounter with a southern guy isn't going so well. So far I've admitted I have never tried sweet tea, and my big toe is a little too long for the shoes I am wearing. <i>Nice one, Poppy</i>. Now he is going to think I am a weird westerner with a foot fetish. I try hard not to look down at my black, high-heeled boots. <i>Why am I the only one on campus wearing any black?</i><u></u><u></u><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
"My name is Cole," the man says with a grin on his face. I reach out to shake his hand. My palms are sweating just like every other place on my body. <i>I haven't even turned thirty yet, and I'm already having hot flashes. </i>It is going to take me some time to get used to this heat.<u></u><u></u><br />
<br /></div>
<div>
"Poppy Peters," I reply. I wipe my forehead and underneath my eyes. I bite my lip when I see a bit of smeared mascara on the side of my finger. It is so humid my makeup is melting off. "Is it always this hot here?"<u></u><u></u><br />
<br /></div>
<div>
"Welcome to <u></u>Georgia<u></u>." Cole chuckles and shrugs as we walk towards the student bakery. Cole is one of the first students I bumped into at the registration office. His lemon-colored T-shirt shines bright compared to his dark skin, and his impressive physique makes me look at him twice. His eyes are intriguing—an even mix of blue and green.<u></u><u></u><br />
<br /></div>
<div>
As we walk, I can't help but admire how lush the vegetation is on campus. Every tree outstretches towards the sidewalks, providing a much needed break from the glaring sun. The patches of grass remind me of ocean waves, if the ocean sparkled like emeralds. Even the flowerbeds near the Administration building had bundles of purple and orange wildflowers that couldn't be contained.<u></u><u></u><br />
<br /></div>
<div>
"What's that smell?" I ask. "And don't say it smells like <i>fresh meat</i>. I heard a teacher in the Registrar's Office use that joke about a hundred times."<u></u><u></u><br />
<br /></div>
<div>
"I'll show you."<u></u><u></u><br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
I follow Cole across campus until the heavenly smell of baked bread and sugary doughnuts grows stronger. I long for that smell sometimes. It takes me back to my schoolgirl days when I spent my weekends in the kitchen with Grandma Liz. My Grandma Liz came to <u></u><u></u>Calle<u></u> <u></u>Pastry<u></u> <u></u>Academy<u></u><u></u> when she was in her early twenties. I imagine her tiny frame and long, dancer legs. It's a miracle that she came to this school and still stayed so thin.<br />
<br /></div>
<strong>Author A. Gardner</strong><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/A-Gardner.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Gardner" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-3192" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/A-Gardner-210x300.jpg" height="200" width="140" /></a>A. Gardner is a native westerner exploring the sweet bites of the south. After years of working in the healthcare industry, she moved across the country with her husband and adventurous baby boy. She is a mystery and romance writer with a serious cupcake obsession and a love of storytelling that began at an early age. When she is not writing, she is either chasing after her son, out for a swim, trying out a new recipe, or painting her nails bright blue.<br />
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<strong>$50 Blast Giveaway</strong> Enter to win an Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/20/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from <a href="http://iamareader.com/" style="color: #a3b460;" target="_blank">I Am A Reader</a> and sponsored by readinglight.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3029625156694560955.post-22427638381657097572015-12-02T05:00:00.000-08:002015-12-01T19:26:37.366-08:00The Layrinth Wall and The Haunted Realm Book Blast and Giveaway with Emilyann Girdner<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.promotionalbooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_1473.png"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium" src="http://www.promotionalbooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_1473.png" height="200" title="" width="400" /></a> </div>
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<strong><a href="http://www.promotionalbooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/The-Labyrinth-Cover6v4-Amazon-2.jpg"><img alt="The-Labyrinth-Cover6v4---Amazon-2" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-8834" src="http://www.promotionalbooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/The-Labyrinth-Cover6v4-Amazon-2-188x300.jpg" height="300" width="188" /></a></strong></div>
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<strong>The Labyrinth Wall</strong> </div>
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Read Amazon Best-Seller, Reader's Favorite 5 Star rated, Dante Rossetti Award 2014 Finalist novel, The Labyrinth Wall, the first book in the Obsidian Series. Imagine a story set in an epic fantasy world like The Hobbit with a dark dystopian feel (and it is written to be a quick read like The Hunger Games). This adventurous tale will transport you into a magical but deadly world with new races, creatures, heroes and villains that you won’t soon forget. Even Sean Astin (from Lord of the Rings, Goonies, Rudy, and 50 First Dates) got a copy of The Labyrinth Wall and <a href="https://twitter.com/SeanAstin/status/650413925155098628" target="_blank">tweeted about it</a>.<br />
<strong><br /></strong> <strong>Summary: </strong> Araina’s lonely teenage life is forever altered when she witnesses a man with supernatural powers emerge through a rippling wall into the dark and deadly labyrinth she calls home. She is left to solve the mysteries of who he is, why he has special abilities and what is on the other side of the labyrinth wall through which he came.<br />
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<strong>The Labyrinth Wall Ebook: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Labyrinth-Wall-Obsidian-Emilyann-Girdner-ebook/dp/B00HMFAESO/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=">Amazon</a> | The Labyrinth Wall Paperback: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Labyrinth-Wall-Emilyann-Girdner/dp/0991531205/ref=tmm_pap_title_0">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-labyrinth-wall-emilyann-girdner/1118034285?ean=9780991531202">Barnes & Noble</a> and <a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Labyrinth-Wall/Emilyann-Girdner/9780991531202?id=6430577522768">Books-A-Million</a></strong></div>
<strong><a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Labyrinth-Wall/Emilyann-Girdner/9780991531202?id=6430577522768"><a name='more'></a></a></strong></h5>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: medium;">The Labyrinth Wall Shirts, Mugs, Journals and Other Fun Merchandise: </span><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/thelabyrinthwall" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: medium;">The Labyrinth Wall Zazzle Shop</span></a><br />
<em><br /></em> <em>Reviews: </em><br />
5.0 out of 5 stars<br />
Amazing Dystopian Fantasy<br />
By Ellen P. Lafleche-Christian<br />
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I’m a big fan of fantasy fiction provided it isn’t super sweet and cute and I am so glad I read The Labyrinth Wall. The Labyrinth Wall is a great adventure with a dystopian fantasy feel. Ariana and Darith go from one exciting adventure to another which makes the book impossible to put down. There is a constant quest to learn whether there is really something better outside the labyrinth walls. If you enjoy books like The Hobbit (with a slightly lighter feel), you will definitely enjoy The Labyrinth Wall by Emilyann Girdner. I can’t wait to read the next book.<br />
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4.0 out of 5 stars<br />
Awesome Adventure<br />
By Desert Rose Reviews<br />
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I enjoy books about puzzles, mysteries, riddles, adventure and suspense. Some of the best books for those ingredients are stories involving a labyrinth. There aren't many books that deliver the same kind of entertainment and excitement as a well-written labyrinth adventure. This is one such book, and is one I really enjoyed.<br />
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<a href="http://www.promotionalbooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/theLabyrinthsketch.jpg"><img alt="theLabyrinthsketch" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8835" src="http://www.promotionalbooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/theLabyrinthsketch.jpg" height="255" width="400" /></a></div>
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NEW RELEASE</h3>
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<strong><a href="http://www.promotionalbooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/The-Haunted-Realm-Cover12-bgname.jpg"><img alt="The-Haunted-Realm-Cover12-bgname" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-8836" src="http://www.promotionalbooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/The-Haunted-Realm-Cover12-bgname-188x300.jpg" height="300" width="188" /></a></strong></div>
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<strong>The Haunted Realm</strong></div>
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The Haunted Realm is the thrilling sequel to Young Adult Fantasy novel The Labyrinth Wall (Tweeted by Sean Astin from Lord of the Rings, Dante Rossetti Award Finalist, 5 Star Reader's Favorite Rated and Amazon Best-Seller).<br />
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In this riveting continuation of the story, Araina again faces a series of seemingly impossible magical obstacles. As Araina and her friends search for answers about their Creators and their magical labyrinth world, their journey becomes rife with peril when Araina falls victim to illness. Despite heart-pricking losses in the labyrinth swamps, vengeful ghostly attackers in the Blinking Willows, and many other dangerous obstacles, Araina is determined to succeed. If Araina can’t solve the mysteries of the haunted realm and find a cure for her sickness, she and her friends may never escape the labyrinth, or even live to try.<br />
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<strong>The Haunted Realm Ebook: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Haunted-Realm-Obsidian-Book-ebook/dp/B016IPJUCY/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1446308823&sr=8-6">Amazon</a> | The Haunted Realm Paperback: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Haunted-Realm-Obsidian-Emilyann-Girdner/dp/0991531221/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1446308823&sr=8-6">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-haunted-realm-emilyann-girdner/1122852424?ean=9780991531226#productInfoTabs">Barnes & Noble</a> and <a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Haunted-Realm/Emilyann-Girdner/9780991531226?id=6430577522768">Books-A-Million</a></strong></h5>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>The Haunted Realm Excerpt:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">The others file around us.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">“We interruptin’?” Darith asks.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">“There it goes!” Saige smiles as flames hop up from the fireboard.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">“Thanks,” I tell her.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">“Dinner?” Soll yanks a couple of snakes from his bag and tosses them to Saige and me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">We scream, alarm getting the best of us. They’re dead, and we knew it deep down inside. Still, a moment of uncertainty and fear gripped us both. Soll’s such a jester sometimes!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">He chuckles, the fire flickering in his beaming lime-green eyes emphasized by the dark green skin that lines them.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">“You slime.” I smack him. Picking up a headless snake, I prepare to skin it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">“Didn’t realize I got so hungry,” Saige tells Soll.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">He remains silent. Strolling over to sit on a stump, he joins everyone else a few feet away.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Scrunching her forehead and sighing, she looks at me. “Think he’ll ever forgive me for what happened to the colony?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">“The Creators followed you to the colony without your knowledge, Saige. You couldn’t have done anything. He’s hurting because of the loss. Someday he’ll realize it wasn’t your fault.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">“Right.” A dash of doubt undermines her response.</span></span></div>
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About the author:</h3>
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<a href="http://www.promotionalbooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2014-10-19-23-emily-ann.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2014-10-19 23 emily ann" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-8845" src="http://www.promotionalbooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2014-10-19-23-emily-ann-200x300.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a>Though she was born in Germany and raised in Turkey until the age of five, Emilyann Girdner spent the majority of her grade school years in Tallahassee, Florida. She discovered early she had a love for stories. Reading books, watching movies and then acting them out with friends or toys gave living an extra flavor. This is likely why she spent the first part of her college career studying Creative Writing, before switching to Graphic Design and then graduating with a BFA in Digital Art from Missouri State University. Her writing has appeared on websites and blogs including Center for Work Life, Easter Seals Florida, MU Museum of Art & Archaeology's Musings and Examiner.com. She is best known for her Amazon Best-Selling novel, The Labyrinth Wall. Emilyann is now living and working in Florida.<br />
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Given her three focus transitions as an undergraduate, it isn't a shock that she is a multi-medium lover, exploring writing, digital art, photography and design. She finds that her creativity is most fluent when given the opportunity to bounce between artistic outlets.<br />
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To truly understand this Author, there are two things to know about her. Emilyann hopes to share a love for others and God in all she does. She believes that imagination sparks beauty in the soul.<br />
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Follow Emily</h5>
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<a href="http://www.obsidianseries.com/" target="_blank">Series Website</a> | <a href="http://www.emilyanngirdner.com/" target="_blank">Author's Website</a> | <a href="http://eepurl.com/XWWV1" target="_blank">Newsletter</a> | <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7393090.Emilyann_Girdner" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/emilyanngirdner" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/emilyanngirdner" target="_blank">Twitter </a> | <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/emilyanngirdner/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></h5>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3029625156694560955.post-82899694825456492142015-12-01T05:00:00.000-08:002015-12-02T15:15:14.397-08:00Brink of Dawn Book Tour with Jeff Altabef and Erynn Altabef<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="a-size-extra-large"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chosen: Brink of Dawn</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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By Jeff Altabef and Erynn Altabef<o:p></o:p></div>
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Publisher: <span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Evolved Publishing LLC</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Published: <span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Nov. 28, 2015</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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ASIN: <span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">B015V9CJ1M</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Amazon Synopsis:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Juliet Wildfire Stone and her best friend, Troy Buckhorn, barely escaped their sleepy Arizona town alive. Now they’re speeding to New York City to find the three other Chosen. The Chosen must band together to face an ancient foe that threatens all humanity.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Yet Juliet doesn’t know whom to trust, and strange things are happening in the City.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Chosen will be tested, their resolve questioned, and their flaws exposed. Each must decide whether he or she will fulfill their destiny—or run. To defeat the enemy, they must stop battling among themselves and overcome their own struggles.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Only one can lead them. Will Juliet embrace her powers in time?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<em><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Brink of Dawn</span></b></em><span class="apple-converted-space"><b> </b></span><strong><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">picks up where the multiple-award-winning first book in the</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b> </b></span><em><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Chosen</span></b></em><span class="apple-converted-space"><b> </b></span><strong><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">series, </span></strong><em><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Wind Catcher</span></b></em><strong><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">, left off, but it can also be read as a stand-alone novel. Continue the adventure! And be sure to watch for the third and final installment in this exciting series,</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b> </b></span><em><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Scorched Souls</span></b></em><strong><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">, to launch in late 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">AWARDS FOR</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">WIND CATCHER:</span></em><o:p></o:p></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">WINNER:</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Readers' Favorite Awards -- Gold Medal 2015: Young Adult Coming-of-Age<o:p></o:p></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">WINNER:</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Mom's Choice Awards -- Silver Medal: Young Adult Books<o:p></o:p></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">WINNER:</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Beverly Hills Books Awards - 2015: Best Young Adult Fiction<o:p></o:p></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">WINNER:</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Awesome Indies -- Seal of Approval: "A treat to read."<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Book Links<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chosen-Brink-Young-Fantasy-Thriller-ebook/dp/B015V9CJ1M/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1448342986&sr=1-1&keywords=brink+of+dawn">Amazon</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26824582-brink-of-dawn?ac=1&from_search=1">Goodreads</a></div>
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<b>My Thoughts:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<i>Brink of Dawn</i> was a fast-paced novel that is second in the <i>Chosen series</i> but can be read as a stand-alone novel. Juliet and Troy travel to New York where Juliet meets up with the other 3 Chosen. It is here that they are to prepare to meet “an ancient foe that threatens all humanity.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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These four young people, who were chosen for this quest, have to learn to work out not only their own issues, but stop fighting amongst themselves and learn to work together. As they change and learn how to use their new abilities, they also face their own flaws and must overcome them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Their character flaws were very relatable and realistic. This made the characters seem all the more personable and three dimensional. The kinds of flaws they have are similar to the ones we each have – phobias, addictions, dependence on others, low self-esteem and so on. Most of us can relate to one or more of these in one way or another.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I liked each of the new characters that were introduced as the Chosen. I thought that the way that they were introduced – through a dream Juliet has about them – was an interesting way to do it – as it gave both Juliet and the reader the same information at the same time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The unexpected twists and turns in this story made it a delightfully refreshing book to read. There is lots of action and all of it will keep you on the edge of your seat. This is a book that will be hard to put down. <i>Brink of Dawn</i> is a great book for audiences over the age of 13 due to the amount of violence.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Brink of Dawn</i> was a very engaging book to read and I gave
it a rating of 5 stars out of 5. I’m looking forward to the final instalment of
this trilogy!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thank you to the
publishers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest
review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>About the Authors:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Jeff Altabef<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsaZ3lG2AoQu_oa-4LGYvVByu41FufJrfMsaOspOagrk4copsRlV6hSaNPHiBhEMHYy1LYzBx6NRZwFd3-RUGpk5dM7pavLp-stSf4ZxhGw3lJAophIJwpoCcCg3zMxrwfLB4nXed5tc/s1600/Jeff-Altabef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsaZ3lG2AoQu_oa-4LGYvVByu41FufJrfMsaOspOagrk4copsRlV6hSaNPHiBhEMHYy1LYzBx6NRZwFd3-RUGpk5dM7pavLp-stSf4ZxhGw3lJAophIJwpoCcCg3zMxrwfLB4nXed5tc/s200/Jeff-Altabef.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jeff Altabef lives in New York with his wife, two daughters, and Charlie the dog. He spends time volunteering at the writing center in the local community college. After years of being accused of “telling stories,” he thought he would make it official.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">He writes in both the thriller and young adult genres. Fourteenth Colony, a political thriller from</span><br />
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<span style="background: white;">Tate Publishing, was his debut novel. Evolved Publishing released his second novel, the thriller Shatter Point, in 2014, and will release his young adult fantasy series Chosen, co-written with his daughter Erynn, starting in the spring of 2015.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;">Jeff has a column on The Examiner focused on writing, and a blog designed to encourage writing by those that like telling stories. You can find his blog, The Accidental Writers’ Workshop, on The Chappaqua-MountKisco Patch, via the link under the “Contact” tab above. You’ll also find under that tab ways to join with Jeff in various social media venues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Author Links</span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jeff-Altabef/e/B00FNVK3NK" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Amazon Author Page</a> * <a href="http://www.jeffaltabef.com/">Website</a></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> * <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://twitter.com/JeffAltabef" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Twitter</a></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> * <span class="apple-converted-space"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jeff.altabef" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Facebook</a> * </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7055582.Jeff_Altabef">Goodreads</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Erynn Altabef</span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgph_I8Jae6wG8nFvKn6AtF4BL649aUxNNJcr9hVT_q0jfNTKA3X7vcggmI0x5OzY0poVsTQi_5Ye9x2hocVbe_mBrFzp0uR5aHZZkvBOQI1VqJT7_W8MCP29iUAKDpUM1Ts8Yijm0IWL0/s1600/Erynn-Altabef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgph_I8Jae6wG8nFvKn6AtF4BL649aUxNNJcr9hVT_q0jfNTKA3X7vcggmI0x5OzY0poVsTQi_5Ye9x2hocVbe_mBrFzp0uR5aHZZkvBOQI1VqJT7_W8MCP29iUAKDpUM1Ts8Yijm0IWL0/s1600/Erynn-Altabef.jpg" /></a><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Erynn Altabef is an avid reader, dancer, and community activist. When she’s not in High School, she loves Starbucks, performing in school musicals, baking, and watching movies with her friends.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white;">Some of her favorite authors are Veronica Roth, Joelle Charbonneau, and her dad! (That would be Jeff Altabef.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Author Links</b></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/erynnaltabefauthor">Facebook</a><br />
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<strong>About the Prizes</strong></div>
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We've got great prizes for this tour including signed paperbacks AND a 6 month subscription to Kindle Unlimited! You can enter multiple times & every day if you want!</div>
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<a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/c17c24a9169/">Rafflecopter</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3029625156694560955.post-74202785440421304092015-11-30T05:00:00.000-08:002015-11-30T10:36:32.130-08:00Seaside Christmas Book Blast and Giveaway with Stacy Claflin<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seaside-Christmas-Sweet-Romance-Hunters-ebook/dp/B014Z17E76?tag=blasttours-20"><img alt="seaside christmas" class="aligncenter wp-image-3064 size-medium" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/seaside-christmas-200x300.jpg" height="300" width="200" /></a></div>
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<strong>Seaside Christmas </strong></div>
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<strong>by Stacy Claflin</strong> </div>
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He can’t stand her. She thinks he’s crazy. Will their feelings stay etched in permanent ink?<br />
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Cruz Hunter has always stuck out in his small hometown. Now that he’s covered in tattoos, the residents peg him as even more of an outcast. It seems like the whole world is against his dream of opening a local tattoo parlor.<br />
<br />
When he finally finds the perfect place for his new business, Cruz discovers a pastor and his daughter have already bought it. The only thing more irritating than the change in his plan is Talia, a beautiful and feisty argument in a dress. Cruz would like nothing more than to have her out of his life and his mind, but for some reason, she’s the only thing he can think about.<br />
<br />
If Cruz and Talia can stop arguing long enough, opposites may do much more than attract.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/160203-seaside-hunters"><img alt="add to goodreads" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-913" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/add-to-goodreads.png" height="50" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seaside-Christmas-Sweet-Romance-Hunters-ebook/dp/B014Z17E76?tag=blasttours-20"><img alt="amazon" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3196" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/amazon.png" height="128" width="128" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong>Meet the Hunter brothers of Kittle Falls…</strong> The <em>Seaside Hunters</em> novels are a series of contemporary sweet romances. They’re set in the beach town of Kittle Falls, following the Hunter brothers as they make their way back to their hometown and find the loves they couldn’t elsewhere. </div>
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Each book is a standalone. </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seaside-Hunters-5-Book/dp/B0159Q3VH8?tag=blasttours-20"><img alt="Seaside" class="aligncenter wp-image-3063" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Seaside.jpg" height="120" width="400" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Stacy.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stacy" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3197" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Stacy.jpg" height="200" width="146" /></a> <strong>Author Stacy Claflin</strong></div>
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I don’t stick to a single genre in my writing, reading, or viewing. My favorite shows include Supernatural, The Walking Dead, Pretty Little Liars, Lost Girl, Vampire Diaries, and Once Upon a Time. I've been writing and telling stories for as long as I can remember. As a kid, my story telling would get me into trouble because I would try to convince others that my stories were real. When I'm not busy writing, I like spending time with my family and friends. I also educate my kids from home.</div>
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<strong><a href="http://stacyclaflin.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> * <a href="https://www.facebook.com/stacy.claflin.author" target="_blank">Facebook</a> * <a href="https://twitter.com/growwithstacy" target="_blank">Twitter</a> * <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/growwithstacy/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/50_Amazon_Paypal.png"><img alt="50_Amazon_Paypal" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2463" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/50_Amazon_Paypal.png" height="240" width="320" /></a> </div>
<br />
<strong>$50 Book Blast Giveaway</strong><br />
<br />
Enter to win an Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/20/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from <a href="http://iamareader.com/" style="color: #a3b460;" target="_blank">I Am A Reader</a> and sponsored by readinglight.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.<br />
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="0a0096831624" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0a0096831624/" id="rcwidget_jjfl5p42" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3029625156694560955.post-62408350795259207332015-11-26T05:00:00.000-08:002015-11-26T05:00:01.416-08:00Book Review: But Aren’t I Lucky That by Deanna Beech<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJzi88r5pvPUt0MURaAUWd2nbogKmk5MqasOQSN_z3mLvb-1hkafUMWtPJXmXsYhg6Mg_3nnDTDeRn14VKe_eJI4-ezu_YXK3_edXWaTktKExaDyD0BsjJoYmMgYJ4yL_JbtPfPe4M1Q/s1600/But+Aren%2527t+Lucky+That+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJzi88r5pvPUt0MURaAUWd2nbogKmk5MqasOQSN_z3mLvb-1hkafUMWtPJXmXsYhg6Mg_3nnDTDeRn14VKe_eJI4-ezu_YXK3_edXWaTktKExaDyD0BsjJoYmMgYJ4yL_JbtPfPe4M1Q/s320/But+Aren%2527t+Lucky+That+Cover.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
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<b>But Aren’t I Lucky That<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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By Deanna Beech<o:p></o:p></div>
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Publisher: The <span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Brier Patch</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Published: <span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Nov. 15, 2015</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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ISBN: <span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">9780996437400</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Amazon Synopsis:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“But Aren’t I Lucky That…” is a
fantastically illustrated children’s book that helps kids learn to find and
celebrate the positive as they work through everyday challenges. By using
evidence-based concepts from Positive Psychology, Dr. Beech weaves an enjoyable
story that guides readers through easy to apply tools that foster happiness,
optimistic thinking and resiliency.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Book Links<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0996437401?keywords=but%20aren%27t%20I%20lucky%20that&qid=1448312207&ref_=sr_1_1&s=digital-text&sr=8-1">Amazon</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1450176390">Goodreads</a></div>
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<b>My Thoughts:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<i>But Aren’t I Lucky That</i> is a book that takes potentially negative
situations and looks at the positive side to each one in a little boy’s life
during a Saturday when his dad has to work and miss his ball game.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I liked that the
child’s mother helped her son think of positive ways to look at situations that
could be thought about negatively such as even though dad had to work, his
working allowed them to buy the good food they ate. She didn’t dismiss his sad
feelings when he lost his ball game; she acknowledged them, but then suggested
that he was lucky he got to play with his friends even if they did lose. Then
she got him to think of something positive about the game he lost and he came
up with the awesome line drive he caught from the opponent’s toughest batter. <o:p></o:p></div>
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If, as parents, we
can teach our children to think in this manner, rather than dwelling on
negatives, our children will potentially grow up to have more positive
outlooks. This book is one attempt at teaching children to do just that.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The story is
interesting and will hold their attention. It’s a great book for a parent and
child to read together. The pictures have a soft edge to them as though they
have been painted. There are not a lot of fine details to them. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I very much enjoyed
this book and think it would be a great addition to any library because of its
positive nature. I gave this book a rating of 5 stars out of 5.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66kJZUYiYR6RGZE5BE6w0A2zKNB2wUAci55ipN6TpvEfwCUY2cFwEa1ChBPgwSsdWx372JDtwvIUiUsDqnFGI_udJ-z8e4HRtrxZdH4KrHnRVih00k0fwlqv80sKym6cRQGGs74-IkRI/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="40" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66kJZUYiYR6RGZE5BE6w0A2zKNB2wUAci55ipN6TpvEfwCUY2cFwEa1ChBPgwSsdWx372JDtwvIUiUsDqnFGI_udJ-z8e4HRtrxZdH4KrHnRVih00k0fwlqv80sKym6cRQGGs74-IkRI/s200/Slide2.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Thank you to the
author for providing a copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest
review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Deanna Breech:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3XO4NHKtcBVUa72BQNVffqRS2qb3mqGuJkm13KOsiMiG7vFqnORIuXY8VfJ-kEYQsHa3X8HO2WCEaWCRDC9-UY_iXwZB8GP8RDTTyISDOwIHPMixgNag_K4Zr02iy6zrgy0HBr7Wc7k/s1600/Deanna+Beech.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3XO4NHKtcBVUa72BQNVffqRS2qb3mqGuJkm13KOsiMiG7vFqnORIuXY8VfJ-kEYQsHa3X8HO2WCEaWCRDC9-UY_iXwZB8GP8RDTTyISDOwIHPMixgNag_K4Zr02iy6zrgy0HBr7Wc7k/s200/Deanna+Beech.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I am a writer, mom, military spouse,
psychologist, runner, amateur carpenter, and more - as we are all more than the
sum of our titles. As a writer the impetus for my work came from my experiences
helping the families of the US Army 173rd Airborne unit during their 2007-8
& 2010 deployments to Afghanistan. As a result, I developed tools that
translate psychological concepts into actionable resiliency strategies for
children.</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Author Links</b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3029625156694560955.post-58633906970392761042015-11-25T05:00:00.001-08:002015-11-25T05:00:00.197-08:00Book Review: The Night Before Christmas: A Brick Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6byxHLQyziGoQ2QxEEYYROZBDfKo0ilMUPkxmAbj-wlfKFTTElFI40QCESDFWRETEX0c7ZFr8yp4EudOVWQzpJPGLlezYIBn4bUHXXlbnVr8n4qV61LXOL9zb7CawZWP_hoe3s5OH_4o/s1600/The+Night+Before+Christmas+A+Brick+Story+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6byxHLQyziGoQ2QxEEYYROZBDfKo0ilMUPkxmAbj-wlfKFTTElFI40QCESDFWRETEX0c7ZFr8yp4EudOVWQzpJPGLlezYIBn4bUHXXlbnVr8n4qV61LXOL9zb7CawZWP_hoe3s5OH_4o/s320/The+Night+Before+Christmas+A+Brick+Story+Cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>The Night Before Christmas: A
Brick Story<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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By Clement C. Moore<o:p></o:p></div>
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Illustrated by Amanda Brack<o:p></o:p></div>
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Publisher: Sky Pony Press<o:p></o:p></div>
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Published: <span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Oct. 6, 2015</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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ISBN: <span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">9781634501798</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Amazon Synopsis:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Spread the Christmas cheer with this
whimsical retelling of Clement C. Moore’s cherished poem, “A Visit from St.
Nicholas.” This new edition of the classic features the text of Moore’s
original poem, illustrated with beautifully detailed LEGO brick scenes and
characters.</span><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
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<span style="background: white;">See the
colorful stockings hung by the chimney in the fanciful brick house, and look on
at the visions of dancing brick sugarplums. Turn the pages to reveal Saint
Nicholas with his bundle of toys and his eight trusty reindeer, and watch as he
magically slides down the chimney to bring presents to the good little girls
and boys before shouting, “Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!” This
treasured Christmas poem in brick will quickly become the highlight of your
holiday storybooks and a great new tradition for the whole family!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b>Book Links<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Night-Before-Christmas-Brick-Story/dp/1634501799/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1447909660&sr=1-2">Amazon</a> * <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26875482-the-night-before-christmas?ac=1&from_search=1">Goodreads</a></div>
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<o:p> </o:p><b>My Thoughts:</b></div>
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This lovely
hardcover book, <i>The Night Before
Christmas: A Brick Story</i> is the classic story written by Clement C. Moore
that we’ve all grown up with. The new twist on it is that the illustrator
Amanda Brack has created all the scenes with LEGO bricks. This book’s illustrations
will delight children and adults of all ages. My young adult daughter saw that
I was reviewing this book yesterday, looked at it and commented that everyone
her age (20’s) would love the book because they all still love LEGOs.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The details in the photos
are excellent, right down to the expressions on the faces of the people. As you
look at the pictures, you can imagine all the hours of work it must have taken
to build the sets for these images. That’s dedication for you!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I thoroughly enjoyed
paging through this book, looking at the detailed pictures and noticing things
like Santa filling the stockings and putting presents under the tree. Reading
this story every Christmas with little ones will definitely be something to
look forward to.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I think <i>The Night Before Christmas: A Brick Story</i>
will make an old classic into a new classic. I give this book a rating of 5
stars out of 5.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66kJZUYiYR6RGZE5BE6w0A2zKNB2wUAci55ipN6TpvEfwCUY2cFwEa1ChBPgwSsdWx372JDtwvIUiUsDqnFGI_udJ-z8e4HRtrxZdH4KrHnRVih00k0fwlqv80sKym6cRQGGs74-IkRI/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="40" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66kJZUYiYR6RGZE5BE6w0A2zKNB2wUAci55ipN6TpvEfwCUY2cFwEa1ChBPgwSsdWx372JDtwvIUiUsDqnFGI_udJ-z8e4HRtrxZdH4KrHnRVih00k0fwlqv80sKym6cRQGGs74-IkRI/s200/Slide2.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Thank you to the
publishers for providing this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. A
positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>About the Author:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">Clement C. Moore</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">was a
professor at the New York City General Theological Seminary of the Protestant
Episcopal Church. He is most well-known for his poem “A Visit from St.
Nicholas,” which helped establish the character of Santa Claus. He died in 1863.</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">About the Illustrator:</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">Amanda Brack</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";">is a freelance
illustrator who loves dogs of all shapes and sizes, old horror movies, and
homemade smoothies. She spent most of her childhood with her brothers
constructing expansive LEGO towns and fighting over the best bricks. She
graduated from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts and is currently living
near Boston, Massachusetts.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15245951034361797342noreply@blogger.com1