tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4450510227120717562024-03-05T17:46:38.930-08:00Quills and InkblottsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07634321448061023106noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445051022712071756.post-36344209402776043142017-03-27T04:00:00.000-07:002017-03-27T10:46:27.098-07:00Dear Literary Villain: The Truth Is, I Love to Hate You by Nicki Bishop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaHupUX2GL3WCWVHe1R3Qfn5jaGM2sUTiTe-fdrcs2Ii7KYf95NSBo0RoWiVLx-Pk2yZ4CzKlaucVBbXXAzuE7wdqASmRe6FgHlNi7_L0XZYvd-Jg43zE2D3RDKaKOdEeYN_tYotF8Mg/s1600/Dear+Literary+Villain+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaHupUX2GL3WCWVHe1R3Qfn5jaGM2sUTiTe-fdrcs2Ii7KYf95NSBo0RoWiVLx-Pk2yZ4CzKlaucVBbXXAzuE7wdqASmRe6FgHlNi7_L0XZYvd-Jg43zE2D3RDKaKOdEeYN_tYotF8Mg/s400/Dear+Literary+Villain+2.png" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Dear Literary Villain,</span></b></span></div>
<b><br /></b>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><b>How could you? </b>I was simply
trying to enjoy the top novel on my TBR pile (it’s gotten a bit out of hand),
and there you appear—<b>a dark blot on the crisp, white page</b>.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Surely the clean, descriptive writing of my
favorite author would have been absolutely flawless <b>if it weren’t for you</b>.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I mean, after all, aren’t books supposed to
transport you in time and space, lead you to try new things, and leave
you with an overall enjoyable experience?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">Not so, it seems.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>For <b>you</b>, <b>Dear Villain</b>, have spoiled the story
entirely. Your <b>manipulative, divisive</b>
actions have put my protagonist in quite a <b>predicament</b>.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Truly.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>You insist on making it increasingly <b>difficult </b>for my favorite character
to find a happy place in this newfound story world, and I may be so inclined as
to close the volume altogether. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">I hope you’re <b>satisfied with
yourself</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sincerely</b></span><b>,</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Discontented Reader</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">***</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do you ever feel this way?</span> I
know I do. I’m not one of those people that enjoys the pain and suffering
of the characters I love.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><b>I want to see
a</b> <b>happy ending</b>, and I just can’t take the pain and heartache!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>There.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I said it.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It seems like every
time I get attached to a main character in a brand new novel, <b>the villain makes
his way onto the page</b>; and all I want to do is skip to the next triumphant
moment for my girl.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Really.</b></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Villains.</b></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Who needs them?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">*Wouldn’t <b><i>Lucy</i></b> be better off if
there was no <b>White Witch</b>?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">*Couldn’t <b><i>Scout</i> </b>be happier if there
were no <b>Bob Ewell</b>?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">*What would <b><i>Sarah</i></b>’s life look like
if <b>Duke</b> had never named her <b><i>Angel</i></b>?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">*Where would <b><i>Adele von Braun</i></b> be if
she had never crossed paths with the <b>Third Reich</b>?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">*How free could <b><i>Nym</i></b> be if she were
never sold to <b>Adora</b>?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">*Would <b><i>Carrington Hale</i></b> be content
with her status in life if there were no <b>Isaac Knight</b>?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">*What could have happened if <b><i>Havah</i></b>
never answered the compliment of a <b>serpent</b>?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><b><i>Havah</i></b>.</span></span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><b>Serpent</b>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><b><i>Eve</i></b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">Now it’s starting to make sense to
me.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Do you see it too?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Villains are always going to be there.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>There’s always going to be evil in the world—real
or literary—but in the dark, <i><b>the light shines brighter</b></i>.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In the midst of evil, <i><b>the truth is easier to
see</b></i>.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I love this truth that prevails in
Christian fiction—God’s Word and God’s people always win over the enemy.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Yes, we may lose a few battles, but <b>God
always wins the war</b>.<i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In the process, every main character becomes stronger,
more determined, and dearer to our hearts.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>It’s like that Scripture that says, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><b><i>“Hate what is evil; cling to what is
good.”</i></b><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"></span>(Romans 12:9b, BibleGateway.com)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">I
love, love, love my evil-fighting, truth-bearing main characters (even if it
takes them a few chapters to find the right path).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They make me love them even more when they’re
up against an enemy—<b>it makes the story deeper and the truth shine brighter.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">So guess what, Literary Villain?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><i>The truth is, I really love to hate
you!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">Now, how about you? What characters do you love more because they had to face an enemy? What stories do you love most because of the light shining against the darkness? Let us know in the comments below!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<br />Nicki Bishophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526230063727095127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445051022712071756.post-3786837849121877792017-03-21T05:55:00.001-07:002017-03-21T05:58:34.233-07:00Gillian's SONGKEEPER blog tour. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yfsDZtrQ-VxLvdJLN8_DVgdMBzMl9-QinrXHyD5odfrRys5iUoSSjSuTQTPlMDxwTefg9AehRMLBpJETkPJTmL5Z6C3qJhwzbohURtxh68Da0zWshNxBgq7UgxK9lDwl0YU8k7CVr_k/s1600/L+is+for+Langorian+Pirates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yfsDZtrQ-VxLvdJLN8_DVgdMBzMl9-QinrXHyD5odfrRys5iUoSSjSuTQTPlMDxwTefg9AehRMLBpJETkPJTmL5Z6C3qJhwzbohURtxh68Da0zWshNxBgq7UgxK9lDwl0YU8k7CVr_k/s400/L+is+for+Langorian+Pirates.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Explore Leira Blog Tour: L is for Langorian Pirates<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thanks, Deanna, for hosting me here and helping me celebrate the (almost) one year book birthday for <i>Songkeeper</i>! It is the second book in the Songkeeper Chronicles, which tells the story of a girl who can hear the song that created the world.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQO55dcWeOLMyKDQ7Dc-O0Eivn71N0wUZpVnQRmkrTEELRCAzklUSe62E-_JHkQfUf6wiy9HCAjryPpiUCCiCBTiZLVuHTIOfYQmhgTu422tW5h_zYKqephzkSy54Lz3VYGarvsd2rIAM/s1600/SONGKEEPER+FRONT+COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQO55dcWeOLMyKDQ7Dc-O0Eivn71N0wUZpVnQRmkrTEELRCAzklUSe62E-_JHkQfUf6wiy9HCAjryPpiUCCiCBTiZLVuHTIOfYQmhgTu422tW5h_zYKqephzkSy54Lz3VYGarvsd2rIAM/s640/SONGKEEPER+FRONT+COVER.jpg" width="414" /></a></div>
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If this is your first encounter with the #exploreleira blog tour, we are continuing a series of alphabet posts looking at the world and characters and magical creatures of the Songkeeper Chronicles (follow the tour at <a href="http://www.gillianbronteadams.com/">gillianbronteadams.com</a> and find a list of all the stops at <a href="http://gillianbronteadams.com/2017/02/the-explore-leira-blog-tour-starts-in-two-days/">#exploreleira tour</a>). And we have an awesome giveaway that you can enter below!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Today, we’re looking at the letter …<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="Heading1Char"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">L</span></span> is for Langorian Pirates<o:p></o:p></div>
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Because who doesn’t love pirates! Confession time. I used to be slightly obsessed with pirates. The good kind, you know. The swashbuckling, charming, roguish sort that you run across in <i>Pirates of the Caribbean</i> and—one of my favorites—Wayne Thomas Batson’s novel <i>Isle of Swords</i>. I <i>may</i> have held a pirate birthday party for five or six years running, in which everyone was required to show up in appropriate pirate garb and we devoured pizza by the pound (because all good pirates love pizza) and chocolate cake. (Pirates also love cake. In case you were wondering.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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So naturally, when young-writer-me decided to write a fantasy novel … guess what wound up on the page?<o:p></o:p></div>
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That’s right.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pirates.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Did I ever tell you guys that <i>Orphan’s Song</i> went through five substantial rewrites and lost nearly 30,000 words before I even tried to get it published? Yep. That happened. In that time, the pirates morphed from something slightly Pirates of the Caribbean-esque into pitiless raiders from Langoria whose ships plague the coasts of Leira. They pillage villages, burn fishing ships, and carry off the typical plunder of gold and weapons and household goods.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But their main trade is in slaves.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tales of the Langorian pirates had been a common subject of travelers’ tales at the Sylvan Swan. The tales spoke of a brutal people who valued strength above all else. Pity was a thing unknown to them, for pity was weakness, and slaves in a hold were considered little more than cattle, worth only what they could bring on an ever flooded market. With a fast ship, a brisk wind, and a crew of swordsmen, new captives were ever ripe for the taking.<o:p></o:p></div>
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–<i>Songkeeper<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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The island of Langoria lies off the edge of the map, south of Leira. It is a nation of sea-faring raiders—somewhat like the Vikings, in that regard. (Though without the dragon ships, Norse mythology, and round shields.) Each ship is captained by a pirate lord who sails under the flag of their ruler, the Korsakk, and pays tribute to him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In <i>Orphan’s Song</i>, we get our first glimpse of the pirates on the beach of Bryllhyn:<o:p></o:p></div>
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A motley assortment of people milled around the fire, all clad in strange bright tunics and sagging breeches, arms and necks glittering with gold jewelry. They held overflowing tankards in their hands and were surrounded by a ring of broached casks.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Just off the shore, a long, low ship, painted red and gold, with two masts and sails tightly furled, rocked on the washing tide. A massive iron prong stuck out from the prow like a giant spear. Three longboats were pulled up on the beach.<o:p></o:p></div>
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–<i>Orphan’s Song<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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That pirate ship changed quite a bit in the rewrites too. Originally, it was a black ship with black sails. It still had the iron ram and was long and low and propelled by oars, so not a complete rip-off from Pirates of the Caribbean, but I eventually decided that the Langorian pirates would choose something with more color.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Within the story, over the years leading up to <i>Orphan’s Song</i>, Langorian attacks on Leira’s coasts had become more frequent and violent. Most dismissed it as just another sign of the dark world that they lived in, but there were some of a more suspicious nature who wondered if something more might be at work … There are rumors that the Langorians have a treaty with the Takhran and that they supply him with a tribute of slaves for his camps in exchange for full rein to wreak terror on the coast.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Of course, they are only rumors.<o:p></o:p></div>
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While I still enjoy a good pirate tale or movie, you can bet that I won’t be inviting the Langorians to any pirate parties any time soon. (I’m pretty sure they don’t like pizza <i>or</i> chocolate cake.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Do you like your pirates to be of the “good” sort (i.e. roguish and charming) or “evil” (cruel and despicable)?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Check out the links below for a place to purchase the books.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Orphans-Song-Songkeeper-Chronicles-Book/dp/1683700287">Orphan’s Song</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Songkeeper-Chronicles-Book-2/dp/1621840697/">Songkeeper</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Barnes and Nobles: <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/orphans-song-gillian-bronte-adams/1120745751?ean=9781683700289">Orphan’s Song</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/songkeeper-gillian-bronte-adams/1123670110">Songkeeper</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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And before you leave, don’t forget to enter the giveaway! One lucky winner will take home a copy of <i>Orphan’s Song</i>, <i>Songkeeper</i>, and a gorgeous handmade mug. Two lucky winners will take home copies of <i>Songkeeper</i>!<i> </i>Enter through the Rafflecopter below and be sure to visit <a href="http://www.gillianbronteadams.com/">www.gillianbronteadams.com</a> to continue following the blog tour. You can earn new entries for each post that you visit along the way. Winners will be announced after April 15<sup>th</sup>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e06994eb33/">Gillian's Rafflecopter GIVEAWAY</a></div>
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Bio: GILLIAN BRONTE ADAMS is a sword-wielding, horse-riding, coffee-loving speculative fiction author from the great state of Texas. During the day, she manages the equestrian program at a youth camp. But at night, she kicks off her boots and spurs, pulls out her trusty laptop, and transforms into a novelist. She is the author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Orphans-Songkeeper-Chronicles-Gillian-Bronte/dp/1621840352/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426135851&sr=8-1&keywords=Orphan%27s+Song">Orphan’s Song</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Songkeeper-Chronicles-Book-2/dp/1621840697/">Songkeeper</a>, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Out-Darkness-Rising-Allegory-Redemption/dp/0692384855/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427600637&sr=8-1&keywords=Out+of+Darkness+Rising">Out of Darkness Rising</a>. Visit Gillian online at her <a href="http://gillianbronteadams.com/blog/">blog</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/theSongkeeper">Twitter</a>, or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/gillianbronteadams">Facebook page</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Songkeeper Blurb: War ravages Leira and the Song has fallen silent.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Freed from the hold of a slave ship, Birdie, the young Songkeeper, and Ky, a street-wise thief, emerge to a world at war. Hordes of dark soldiers march across Leira, shadowed by whispers of plague and massacres, prompting Ky to return to his besieged home city in hopes of leading his fellow runners to safety.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Desperate to end the fighting, Birdie embarks on a dangerous mission into the heart of the Takhran’s fortress. Legend speaks of a mythical spring buried within and the Songkeeper who will one day unleash it to achieve victory. Everyone believes Birdie is the one, but the elusive nature of the Song and rumors of other gifted individuals lead her to doubt her role. Unleashing the spring could defeat the Takhran once and for all, but can she truly be the Songkeeper when the Song no longer answers her call?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16477916412178792465noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445051022712071756.post-19259734528886081972017-03-17T10:41:00.002-07:002017-03-17T10:41:45.221-07:00Cover reveal: SPARK by J.M. Hackman<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Due to technical difficulties, I wasn't able to post this on the cover reveal day.)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have a cover reveal today on our blog.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Spark</i> by J.M. Hackman</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Look at the gorgeousness! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We're in love. It's such a brilliant and vivid cover by Sara Helwe</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/sarahelwe.digital.arts/">Sara Helwe</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We bet you love it as much as we do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the lovely J.M. Hackman. She is the sweetest lady, and we hope you enjoy her debut novel <i>Spark, </i>out with Love2readLove2Write Publishing this spring.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/L2L2Publishing/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf">L2L2 Facebook Page</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Join Jill's street team, The Pyromaniacs to help spread the word about <i>Spark</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1663047990391767/?fref=nf">The Pyromaniacs</a></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16477916412178792465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445051022712071756.post-55603637858627743212017-03-12T22:14:00.000-07:002017-03-20T12:55:27.065-07:00Make your Villains Really Come to Life by Lani Forbes <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My favorite Disney villain of all time has to be Mother Gothel from the movie "Rapunzel". At first, she seems to be one of the more mild villains (she doesn't want to skin puppies alive or turn into a fire-breathing dragon), but watching the way she treats Rapunzel is enough to raise the hair on anyone's neck. And here's why: she's a narcissist. We've all met someone like Mother Gothel...and it makes us cringe!<br />
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Mother Gothel isn't just obsessed with herself and being young and beautiful, she mentally traps Rapunzel as easily as she physically traps her. She uses manipulation, guilt, and emotional abuse to convince Rapunzel that the world is a scary place. Even when she leaves the tower, Rapunzel battles with the mental snares Gothel still has on her.<br />
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Villains are not supposed to be one-dimensional, classically "evil" characters that twirl their mustaches as they tie our protagonist to train tracks. They are not "evil" just to be evil. Even Voldemort from Harry Potter is a classic sociopath that suffered from a bizarre magpie-like tendency to collect trophies, believed himself to be better than everyone else, and suffered a disabling fear of death.<br />
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To give our villains real dimension, they need to have real personalities! Real fears, real painful histories, and real personality defects and disorders. Personality disorders often take real characteristics and magnify them to an unhealthy extreme. For example, we can all feel insecure at times, but extreme insecurity becomes damaging to both ourselves and others around us. By studying actual personality psychology, we can draw inspiration from a myriad of established "unhealthy" characteristics to give our villains, well, character!<br />
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According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (The DSM-5) there are three clusters of personality disorders:<br />
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<b>Cluster A</b>: </div>
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(Odd, Bizarre, Eccentric)</div>
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<b>Example Disorders</b>: Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal<br />
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<b>Common Characteristics</b>: Suspicious, untrusting, strong sense of personal rights and superiority, projecting thoughts and feelings onto others, lack of empathy or bonding, lack of emotional responses, may retreat to an internal world, avoid social interactions. odd appearance, speech, or tendencies.<br />
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<b>Example Characters</b>: Voldemort (Harry Potter), Becky Sharp (Vanity Fair), Iago (Othello), The Joker (The Dark Knight)<br />
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<b>Example Disorders</b>: Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic<br />
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<b>Common Characteristics</b>: Emotionally unstable and erratic, prone to outbursts or rages, deeply insecure, acts impulsively, can appear charming, turbulent relationships, overly dramatic, obsessed with attention and approval of others, demanding of others.<br />
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<b>Example Characters</b>: Joan Crawford (Mommy Dearest), Mother Gothel (Rapunzel), Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmations). Gilderoy Lockhart (Harry Potter), Miranda Priestly (Devil Wears Prada).<br />
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<b>Example Disorders</b>: Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-compulsive<br />
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<b>Common Characteristics</b>: Deep fear of rejection and abandonment, helplessness, idealizing unhealthy individuals (especially cluster B people), naive or child-like views of the world, perpetual victims, obsessive preoccupation with lists, details, rules, order, schedules, perfectionists, humorless, overly-controlling, seeing things as very black and white.<br />
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<b>Example Characters</b>: Dolores Umbridge (Harry Potter), Two-face (Batman), Syndrome (The Incredibles), Captain Hook (Peter Pan), Loki (Marvel Universe)<br />
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For more information on (not so) fun personality disorders check out this great source: <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/hide-and-seek/201205/the-10-personality-disorders" target="_blank">https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/hide-and-seek/201205/the-10-personality-disorders </a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01094953147641927341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445051022712071756.post-36639783455326333582017-03-06T18:30:00.000-08:002017-03-13T00:03:47.502-07:003 Types of Villains You Can't Get Out of Your Head. By Robin Scobee<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">(Deanna posted for Robin because when Robin moved, her computer changed to Korean. Say a prayer that she can get this fixed! No fun at all.)</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Blogger confession: I don't like villains. I don't </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">get</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> villains. I lost interest in the Walking Dead when Neagan was introduced. I find myself squelching yawns when the next Apocalypse-inducing bad guy threatens the Marvel universe. I watch Disney Princess movies with my daughters and wonder why those evil step-mothers even </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">want</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> the responsibility that comes with the power they crave.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's not that I like my stories to be all "Pollyanna," innocent and <wbr></wbr>sweet. On the contrary, Pollyanna had that awful neighbor, Mrs. Snow (an ironic name that brings to mind another popular villain!), trying to thwart her happiness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think what bores me is the simplicity of good/likable character versus bad/obviously wicked character. Life is seldom so black and white, and art should reveal something distinctly authentic about real life, shouldn't it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Since we're talking about our favorite villains this month at quillsandinkblotts, <a href="http://quillsandinkblotts.blogspot.com/2017/03/3-literary-villains-i-really-love-to.html">Jebraun: Literary Villains I love to Hate</a>, I had to scratch my head a little to figure out what villains I actually like, and to figure out why I like them. I came up with three types of villains who have affected me long after the reading (or watching) for more than simply being bad.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You may know of my undying and sometimes irrational love of <i>Les</i> <i>Miserables <a href="http://quillsandinkblotts.blogspot.com/2016/05/4-fictional-stories-how-god-used-them.html">4 Fictional Characters</a></i>, led by the Everyman, Valjean, and his lifelong nemesis, Javert. If you know the story well, you may think, "What's so complex about that? It's good vs. evil, right?" Well, at its most superficial level <i>maybe, </i>but it becomes so much more interesting when you study Javert alone. Without Valjean to pursue and destroy, he could be seen as a man of integrity. He's devoted to the welfare of the innocent. His duty, as he sees it, is to take criminals off the street and make sure they're punished in accordance with the law--and he's remarkably competent at what he does. He never goes outside the bounds of the law in his pursuit (obsession) of Valjean. Have you ever noticed that?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What makes him a villain is our love for Valjean. Valjean is guilty, and we know it, but we also desperately want him to escape the clutches of Javert. We cheer when Valjean, by his brute strength, cunning, or pure luck, gets away in the classic "cat and mouse" that keeps us on the edge of our seats.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Though Javert is by no means wicked, we hate him, and rightly so. He's a Pharisee, a man who loves the law more than his fellow man. A man who shows no empathy, sympathy, or compassion. He's a man without grace. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Though his demise is shocking to us whose compassion swells as the story of Valjean unfolds, it's also a relief. This archetypal villain must not win the day if there is such a thing as justice in this broken world.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Non-human Villain</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes the characters we love never face a nefarious, wicked personage whose sole purpose for existing is to thwart said character's big goal. What is it that keeps us reading stories like these? Why do we care what happens if there is no literal bad guy making things difficult? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We care because the villain is present, still getting in the way and threatening ruin, just not in the form we expect.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My favorite example of this type of villain is found in the memoir <i>Angela's</i> <i>Ashes</i> by Frank McCourt. Frank's story begins when he is a toddler, roaming the streets of New York (and later Ireland) with his brother. He is hungry--constantly hungry--and lacking in every material way. His family is barely surviving (three children don't survive, probably due to malnutrition) with an alcoholic father who can't help but spend what little he has on "pint's." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As the story unfolds, the reader aches for him to "win the day" as she did with Valjean, but against what? What does it even mean for Frank to "win?" It means he finally sits down to a table with enough food to feed his family--and that there will be more tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. It means he will grow up into a young man with teeth in his head, and medicine for his poor red eyes, and books to read. It means he will find work. It means he will be able to look forward to a promising future. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What threatens that outcome? What keeps us turning the page, worried it won't happen? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The villain, of course: poverty. It's written plainly on every page, every bit as hateful and compassionless as Javert, but without a face or a body.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Innocent Victim</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is a rare and supremely complicated villain. This is the one the audience roots against but feels guilty for it, because the villain did nothing to earn that role.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This describes the villain in Director William Stephenson's 1997 film, "Firelight." It's a complicated love story to begin with: landowner's wife is in a coma following an accident, and he needs an heir; poor single girl needs money to pay off her father' debts. An agreement is made, a child is conceived, born, and given by her mother to the landowner. But the mother is unable to forget about the daughter she bore. <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_728038842" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Seven years later</span></span> she finds the child and the landowner. In this incredibly tense and secretive time, love grows between the landowner and the woman. The audience aches for them to be together, but there's just one huge obstacle: the wife in a coma. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In this sense, the wife, innocent and pitiable, becomes the villain because she is the only thing that stands in the way of our characters' happily ever after. Though compassion for the innocent should compel us to hope for a just outcome, lovers of love stories will find themselves rooting <i>against </i>justice, <i>against</i> the comatose wife, because we yearn above all for love between the man and woman who've overcome so much, and who we've come to love ourselves. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Villains come in so many shapes and sizes, don't they? Do you have any unconventional villains you love to hate? Please share in the comments!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16477916412178792465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445051022712071756.post-14584799696019404222017-03-06T09:09:00.002-08:002017-03-06T09:11:23.194-08:00Willoughby and The Terribly Itchy Itch, by Pam Halter<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We are excited to present to you the amazing <i>Willoughby</i>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pam Halter has an adorable new kids book out and we wanted to share it with you. Check it out! Look at that cuteness!!!! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4IVdtMD4afyV-tXeUwWIrFs3cxBfZ7tx8RmW_VIBom6YY8QH9hXs4LxDekXH9W5nBTkfQ7zI7Dxrdcf04F1Q_3b2wl0T8rNgFWO3gFiKzLYyfWl4qY1jFimoOT0WFmnzqIKyPyNSAIA/s1600/Willoughby+cover+-+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4IVdtMD4afyV-tXeUwWIrFs3cxBfZ7tx8RmW_VIBom6YY8QH9hXs4LxDekXH9W5nBTkfQ7zI7Dxrdcf04F1Q_3b2wl0T8rNgFWO3gFiKzLYyfWl4qY1jFimoOT0WFmnzqIKyPyNSAIA/s400/Willoughby+cover+-+front.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Every time I see the title all I can think of is the Raffi song that goes, "Willoughby Walloby-Woo, an elephant sat on you." :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Makes me smile. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can't wait to snatch up a bunch of copies of Willoughby and hand them out at kids birthday parties.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's the link if you'd like a copy or two of your own: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.amazon.com/dp/193879611X&source=gmail&ust=1488905460759000&usg=AFQjCNHk7MK-74PrWPSzANQ0qdmDVyzLNw" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/193879611X" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/1938<wbr></wbr>79611X</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's the back: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Follow Pam on Facebook: <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.facebook.com/Willoughbyandthefairies&source=gmail&ust=1488905460759000&usg=AFQjCNEnFCyfd7CzdLsdT4jLM_IaFGRc9A" href="https://www.facebook.com/Willoughbyandthefairies" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/<wbr></wbr>Willoughbyandthefairies</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16477916412178792465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445051022712071756.post-58441753804313077972017-03-04T14:39:00.001-08:002017-03-20T09:14:45.785-07:00My favorite Villains<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Villains. You know why I love them? <b>Because they're so complex.</b> Well, the good ones are.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hnHwQl3JEdl-wa_GJr9nJCE6tMZHFI2ylITQiMfMbQH7TyK1ouT2aNmKT3vhxYUFWHWQRvQySw5gWH1aPxvWMZCOcOe9Ibr-P8fSxhhMGfG7Ti2X3NuGfffOxVgGbyeTSyp4jRz8n9k/s1600/Medieval+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hnHwQl3JEdl-wa_GJr9nJCE6tMZHFI2ylITQiMfMbQH7TyK1ouT2aNmKT3vhxYUFWHWQRvQySw5gWH1aPxvWMZCOcOe9Ibr-P8fSxhhMGfG7Ti2X3NuGfffOxVgGbyeTSyp4jRz8n9k/s400/Medieval+%25281%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I dislike villains who don't have layers. Layers are what makes them interesting. People don't just become villains because one day they wake up and say, "Hey, today I'm going to become a bad guy."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nope.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's a process in the making. Years of cause and effect. Bad choices, bad circumstances. A compilation of things that lead them to finally 'turn to the dark side'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes this can be an overnight thing, but usually, it's an accumulation of preceding circumstances, that ultimately force the person in question to make a choice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Will I choose to do the right thing or not?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then that choice leads them down into a snowball of bad choices which ultimately turn their hearts black. Is it possible for a villain to redeem themselves? Sure it is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just not likely.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>My top favorite villains:</b></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Catherine de Medici</span></b></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">At the beginning of the show <i>Reign</i>, it seems Catherine is simply an overprotective mother who loves her son so much, she's willing to kill to save his life. Later on, you realize that she only wants to save herself. She schemes and plots her way to the top-killing anyone who could ruin her plan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the series goes on we delve deeper into Catherine's warped mind. You see how ruthless she is. We hate her because she threatens Mary, Queen of Scots. Just when you really despise Catherine, they throw in a wrench that tears your heart out. You find out she'd been brutally gang-raped as a young girl, forever shaping her distrust and utter contempt for everyone around her. Especially men.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Her lover, Narcisse, admits to a confidant that the only thing worse than being hated by Catherine de Medici is being loved by her. She must force people to love her, by any dark means necessary. I would never want to cross paths with her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Eventually, Catherine bites herself in the buttock and devises a plan where she hides her son's baby away for her own selfish benefit. Staging his death. Her son mourns bitterly, and later it's revealed that she was behind the plot. Her son banishes her forever.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the kind of villain I love to hate. She does horribly despicable things, yet you have compassion on her, because of the way her mind is twisted by past events.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Kylo Ren</span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I absolutely adore him and all his hissy fit, angsty drama. He's just the type of villain I love.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">He tries so hard to be wicked, and yet he's so bad at it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He wants to live up to Darth Vader's legacy, but there's too much good in him to make it work properly.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">His temperamental attitude makes for some hysterical scenes, throwing fits that would match a three-year-olds tantrum. He's such a big baby, and you either want to comfort him or slap him silly. Sometimes both.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">That hilarity and compassion come to a quick halt, toward the end of the movie <i>The Force Awakens</i>, when he actually kills his own father. You have to take a step back and go, "Dude! You're pretty awful! How could you?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I cannot wait to see where they take his character with the next movie. I'm guessing it's going to get darker before it gets better.</span><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Rumplestiltskin</span></b></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i> My #1 favorite villain of all times is Rumplestiltskin from <i>Once Upon a Time</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He is the best of the best. He makes every other villain look weak and stupid.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">His cunning and wily ways are beyond fantastic. You hate him, love him, and hate him again. You can't help but flip flop your emotions for this crazy man.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">He plays the "Dark One" in <i>OUAT</i> and does an excellent job of it. Sometimes you are rooting for him and sometimes you're booing at him. He's so sneaky and cruel, and yet you can't help having a little crush on him just because of his pure brilliance.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As a man, Rumple is weak,-a coward even- but as the Dark One he has power and uses it with manipulation, bribes, charm and stealthy deals that sometimes even the smartest of characters can't pass up.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When Belle finds good inside of him I wanted him to turn away from the bad side, and yet, I almost didn't because he's just so darn good at being bad, and you know he'll be boring as just a man. I can never take my eyes from the screen when he's on it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He's disgusting and vile, and yet I can't help but feel for him and want him to win.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's a terrible conundrum.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">One I will gladly have over and over as I watch <i>OUAT</i> if that means I can spend more time figuring out Rumple's multiple, colorful personalities and what he's scheming to do next.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16477916412178792465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445051022712071756.post-45815148493328163952017-03-01T11:53:00.000-08:002017-03-01T13:01:30.672-08:003 Literary Villains I Really Love To Hate<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="font-size: 12pt;">I love a wily villain who slinks onto the page with a sneer. </b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Masterful plot to take down the hero? Check! Anticipating and successfully parrying every attempt of said hero to fight back? Count me in! A fantastically devious name/mind/costume? Yes please!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">We're exploring villains this month on the blog, and I get to kick us off.</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">There’s
nothing better than a <b>well-written antagonist</b> to act as the perfect foil for
the protagonist. What fun it is when a book has one (or two, or three!) scoundrel to make the story line interesting. And it’s all the more exciting when the baddie finally gets
their inevitable comeuppance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="font-size: 12pt;">Literature is full
of dastardly characters</b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> you’d never want to meet in a dark alley, and I'm rounding up my faves.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ready?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Cos they’re coming
at you swinging. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">In no particular order, here are the villains I really love to hate!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Big Bully on the Prairie: Nellie Oleson</span></h3>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;">Ooooh, Nellie! </b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;">Laura Ingalls Wilder combined three people from real life to make one outstanding antagonist. T</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;">his bad girl was everything Little House’s Laura wasn’t: blonde, wealthy, spoiled, and lazy. Nellie kept her dresses immaculate, her complexion fashionably pale, and her hands soft. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I distinctly remember, at the age of ten or eleven,
punching my book because I was so, so angry with her for speaking rudely to Ma. </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Even now, more than thirty years later, I still get hot under the collar when I
remember how Nellie tried to steal Laura’s beau, Almanzo. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I was extraordinarily pleased when Laura first got her revenge on Nellie by tricking her into muddy
water where the leeches got her, and I may have audibly cheered when she outmaneuvered
Nellie at last and won Almanzo’s heart completely. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">
The Regency Cad: Mr.
Wickham</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Yes, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are two of my most bestest lovey-dovey characters from literature (I wrote about them </span><a href="http://quillsandinkblotts.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/love-in-literature-part-one.html" target="_blank">here</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">!</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">) </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Therefore, it only follows that Mr. Wickham is also a villain worthy of my scorn. </b></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">He’s tall, handsome, an officer in the militia, and, for a while there, he’s interested in Lizzie. What’s not to make a proper English gentlewoman’s heart go pitter-patter? And his sob story of the wrongs wrought upon him by the snobbish Mr. Darcy! Who knew he was going to turn out to be such a scoundrel?</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I love how Jane Austen layered this character.</b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> She kept me guessing what mischief Mr. Wickham was going to get in next!</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">And *SPOILER ALERT* the fact that he's the one who whisks Lydia off to live in a life of sin vindicates Mr. Darcy's opinion of him AND provides a perfect opportunity for Mr. Darcy to sweep in and remedy the situation inasmuch as he's able to.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">The Fairy-tale Fiend: Queen Levanna</span></h3>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">She's got power. She's got brains. She's got glamor. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Lunar Chronicles elegant enemy, Queen Levanna, has got it all.</b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Marissa Meyer
developed a chilling version of Snow White's stepmother who is even more
terrifying than the original. But Meyer doesn't stop there. Levanna gets
to tell her own story in <i>Fairest</i> and I have to admit, I was a
little sorry for her. It didn't stop me from wanting to see her stopped
however!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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I read breathlessly through this series and wondered how in all creation Cinder
and crew were going to fight this crazy queen. I wasn't disappointed. The
ending was sooo good! </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Well, there you go. Those are my top 3 baddies. Until next time...</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAd9UaIBpZ-xIhnqN2FsGm-KuP7z4qTrjL_jc7RAUTC4BHYdsxRRhi5a6irNOy6nk-t7p6Ox9j8yKdCLsNf49Qkf1_282D7DCvQNB0GxgSYyd-0pgf14_7NZku6p0RtfXCvNa3EL_GsFM/s1600/signature_7zsn08azk9ysmcsvj7.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAd9UaIBpZ-xIhnqN2FsGm-KuP7z4qTrjL_jc7RAUTC4BHYdsxRRhi5a6irNOy6nk-t7p6Ox9j8yKdCLsNf49Qkf1_282D7DCvQNB0GxgSYyd-0pgf14_7NZku6p0RtfXCvNa3EL_GsFM/s200/signature_7zsn08azk9ysmcsvj7.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What did you think about my list? Don't forget to
check back here for the rest of our series this month about villains!</span></span></b><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187314213051303482noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445051022712071756.post-11636989626166585122017-02-21T17:04:00.001-08:002017-02-21T18:50:13.327-08:00Sad and Happy News.<h2 style="text-align: center;">
We have some sad news and some happy news.</h2>
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Am I being confusing yet?</div>
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<b>The sad news. :(</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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Okay, so the sad news is that our marvelous Lucy (Lucette) Nel has decided to step down from partnering with Quills and Inkblotts. She has been such an asset and a blessing to our blog. We are incredibly saddened, but incredibly supportive of her choice. She's learned over fourteen faithful months of blogging with us, that blogging is increasingly becoming more of a burden than a blessing in her life. While we will truly miss the fun, spunky voice of hers, we understand. We want her to be able to focus more intently on her other projects and we wish her well in her future writing endeavors!</div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>The happy news. :)</b></div>
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We have the pleasure of introducing not one but TWO new blogging partners to Quills and Inkblotts. Lucy's shoes were SO BIG to fill we had to take on two new people to fill her place. :)</div>
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Put your hands together and give a warm welcome to <b>Nicki Bishop</b> and<b> Lani Forbes</b>!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Lani</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTcla4KA0qFoizWZqfGSASCUraiV9RB7-6us8Zm4ozGu_FQwUqUdkoreFiVr81K4WhYdQO845fMP7Wc7x0KmMf7I8ymWWPrcMaJPbpbTYkKi8x08gxJHkhqyzwigSv7pomeRE8wuR9rU/s1600/Lani.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTcla4KA0qFoizWZqfGSASCUraiV9RB7-6us8Zm4ozGu_FQwUqUdkoreFiVr81K4WhYdQO845fMP7Wc7x0KmMf7I8ymWWPrcMaJPbpbTYkKi8x08gxJHkhqyzwigSv7pomeRE8wuR9rU/s200/Lani.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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Nicki</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ70DfUuS_hVzSIPuxezggLq4bpbTJxgVNt4BdIUotunb4SA8CCeTnoHmbuXwOp9rpsG5C4Z1fnWOVFpoFTNXukmFRXmlE4vz0NVM6xIEOC2skjIlkyx7P9GxuBynbxMKJkzlrvpQ3Gto/s1600/Nikki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ70DfUuS_hVzSIPuxezggLq4bpbTJxgVNt4BdIUotunb4SA8CCeTnoHmbuXwOp9rpsG5C4Z1fnWOVFpoFTNXukmFRXmlE4vz0NVM6xIEOC2skjIlkyx7P9GxuBynbxMKJkzlrvpQ3Gto/s200/Nikki.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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We will have them introduce themselves here soon. I know they're both going to be a huge blessing on our blog.</div>
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ALSO...(drumroll please) we have a <b>SURPRISE</b> coming your way. Jebraun has something up her sleeve that she's been diligently working on. We can't wait to reveal it to you soon!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16477916412178792465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445051022712071756.post-21973100051914408162017-02-09T08:54:00.000-08:002017-02-09T08:54:11.023-08:00Halayda cover reveal!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Check out this beauty:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dQPH9X3oVHzWxuupMbnlikc7gQZYjken9YoXVq8plv-GfjAM0Y9cR_1ORi8jkYdTd-apBEPNKX2dHLjKGp6aiOTuvTND-zHajgPT0zeYJeR5mo8OyCHU551v_5_vZ-eXDo40D5C8CoI/s1600/FinalHalaydaFrontCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dQPH9X3oVHzWxuupMbnlikc7gQZYjken9YoXVq8plv-GfjAM0Y9cR_1ORi8jkYdTd-apBEPNKX2dHLjKGp6aiOTuvTND-zHajgPT0zeYJeR5mo8OyCHU551v_5_vZ-eXDo40D5C8CoI/s640/FinalHalaydaFrontCover.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sarah Delena Wh</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ite's cover reveal is here, and it's so lovely!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's a little peek into the story of Halayda:</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back Cover Copy: </span></b></div>
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<span id="m_6480457529973386256gmail-m_2946306284547369123gmail-m_46528812451800897gmail-docs-internal-guid-5e18f2b0-0ff2-35b2-df21-1b83ac80dcbb"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<span id="m_6480457529973386256gmail-m_2946306284547369123gmail-m_46528812451800897gmail-docs-internal-guid-5e18f2b0-0ff2-35b2-df21-1b83ac80dcbb"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A mortal alchemist. A faerie king. A bond that transcends death.</span></span></span></div>
<span id="m_6480457529973386256gmail-m_2946306284547369123gmail-m_46528812451800897gmail-docs-internal-guid-5e18f2b0-0ff2-35b2-df21-1b83ac80dcbb"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Betrayed by a trusted mentor, Sylvie Imanthiya hides on the fringes of society, caring for half-fae orphans and trading her alchemical creations on the black market. She lives for the one night each season when she can see her dearest friend—a man whose destiny is far above hers.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">King Taylan Ashkalabek knows better than to exchange </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">halayda </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">vows with a mortal. Even their friendship is a risk; love is an impossible dream. Then a brutal alchemical attack poisons his realm, unearthing a dark power within him—and leaving Sylvie with the ancient mark of Faerie’s savior.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Manifesting unpredictable abilities and aided by allies with their own secrets, Sylvie and Taylan journey into the wilds of Faerie to heal the damage and confront Casimir, an invincible star-fae determined to claim the realm as his own. But only their enemy knows Sylvie’s true capabilities—and Taylan’s weaknesses—and how to use them in his vicious schemes.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="m_6480457529973386256gmail-m_2946306284547369123gmail-m_46528812451800897gmail-kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="m_6480457529973386256gmail-m_2946306284547369123gmail-m_46528812451800897gmail-kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her fate is life. His fate is death. With Faerie in the balance, Sylvie and Taylan must stand together before reality as they know it is destroyed.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Author Bio:</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYkhyphenhyphenJZCYHMIBwCl_dlJINL__vgGBaWIhKGDb04h1mt2HEQvecbtDR3ZeIX1L4ECBF5Ow_1sQdHyee0sn2BAiEej0W32ipXys_N1XGw4YUA_TYoVraJhB9svuaA9L2p4N8LIs0G6W0i4/s1600/DSC_0755b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYkhyphenhyphenJZCYHMIBwCl_dlJINL__vgGBaWIhKGDb04h1mt2HEQvecbtDR3ZeIX1L4ECBF5Ow_1sQdHyee0sn2BAiEej0W32ipXys_N1XGw4YUA_TYoVraJhB9svuaA9L2p4N8LIs0G6W0i4/s320/DSC_0755b.jpg" width="301" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #111111;">Sarah Delena White is a vagabond on a never-ending quest for truth, beauty, and really good lattes. She</span><span style="color: #111111;"> writes eclectic fantasy with complex characters, rich world-building, and a fine balance of poetry and snark</span><span style="color: #111111;">. When she’s not writing or editing, she can be found making jewelry, singing Irish ballads, and working a variety of odd jobs. She occasionally remembers to eat and sleep, because those things are apparently important. She also loves chickens.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #111111;"><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Release Date: <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_726507828" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">March 23, 2017</span></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #111111;"><b>Preorder Page Link at Uncommon Universes Press: </b></span><span style="color: #111111;"><b><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://wp.me/P74XSo-lK&source=gmail&ust=1486617117935000&usg=AFQjCNERWt004oJ_AjZSE4q8C1jvW-uNkA" href="http://wp.me/P74XSo-lK" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://wp.me/P74XSo-lK</a></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>(aside: our special preorder price for autographed print copies is $12.99 including shipping, vs. normal price of $14.99 + shipping)</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Website: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://sarahdelenawhite.com/&source=gmail&ust=1486617117935000&usg=AFQjCNF_3AngVDsrpydrPNuFwGRE1rVXaQ" href="http://sarahdelenawhite.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">sarahdelenawhite.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Facebook: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.facebook.com/SarahDelenaWhite/&source=gmail&ust=1486617117935000&usg=AFQjCNEGRuLrAeU8HLjqvhTpA5Jz9Mgbng" href="http://www.facebook.com/SarahDelenaWhite/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/Sar<wbr></wbr>ahDelenaWhite/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Twitter: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://twitter.com/Royal_Vagabond&source=gmail&ust=1486617117935000&usg=AFQjCNEErp8HxM5DDRs-FtVICYIq84RBgg" href="http://twitter.com/Royal_Vagabond" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">twitter.com/Royal_Vag<wbr></wbr>abond</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pinterest: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.pinterest.com/royalvagabond/&source=gmail&ust=1486617117935000&usg=AFQjCNGydnbmYo-ilxc48gtEqIkoJCJkHw" href="http://www.pinterest.com/royalvagabond/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.pinterest.com/r<wbr></wbr>oyalvagabond/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Etsy Jewelry Store: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.etsy.com/shop/RoyalVagabond&source=gmail&ust=1486617117936000&usg=AFQjCNFoOPdl-fl79WGLpsMy3ALTVrmp0w" href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/RoyalVagabond" style="color: #0065cc;" target="_blank">https://www.etsy.com/sh<wbr></wbr>op/RoyalVagabond</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4k7Umu0p1v6zBhazPB6-YuNagOxByMpn77GUcGcMBigOJzzwPxlcKSzK6fYmkk0bWObBL134QCAsA54roLH8OQVgkrm9UDJCz1gX072MnI4F5YokZDzpaX9T711cT8x0XrmwsU7BHfM/s1600/FinalHalaydaFrontCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4k7Umu0p1v6zBhazPB6-YuNagOxByMpn77GUcGcMBigOJzzwPxlcKSzK6fYmkk0bWObBL134QCAsA54roLH8OQVgkrm9UDJCz1gX072MnI4F5YokZDzpaX9T711cT8x0XrmwsU7BHfM/s320/FinalHalaydaFrontCover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Make sure you pre-order your copy now! It's sure to be a fantastic read!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16477916412178792465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445051022712071756.post-71937929260474335912017-02-06T09:51:00.000-08:002017-02-06T09:56:22.750-08:00A Broken Romance: Healing in the midst of Marriage.<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Re-blogged from Inkslinger Blog. Original Article here:</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://shannonvannatter.com/deanna-fugett-real-life-romance-part-1-of-2/"><i>Deanna's original post on Inkslinger Blog</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My spouse is probably more romantic than I am. Honestly.
He’s the one bringing home the flowers. He’s the one who remembers our
anniversary every year when I can’t keep the date in my head. He’s the one who
bought me a pager when we were dating and declared when we send the number 333
to each other that meant “I love you”. It also became our favorite time of the
day. At 3:33 PM every day we would try to page each other, just to let each
other know we were thinking about one another. We even got married at 3:33PM.
Still to this day, fifteen years of marriage, eighteen years of knowing each
other later, if I spot 3:33 on the clock<b> I will glance up and see if he’s
noticed too</b>. He usually has.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBL1ijt5WZI5XYxkl7rSI0_WMN2ipaHMsHQqgiQ-H_uDGnh2vZZKtS8d-EenLsRwgENYD24PL0fOtLIA4c93BKo3O3nIcxTDfu_3jcukBGn1tGsoMbayjxpvtaCkUG2pps_JyLHg8Gm4/s1600/clock-1274699_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBL1ijt5WZI5XYxkl7rSI0_WMN2ipaHMsHQqgiQ-H_uDGnh2vZZKtS8d-EenLsRwgENYD24PL0fOtLIA4c93BKo3O3nIcxTDfu_3jcukBGn1tGsoMbayjxpvtaCkUG2pps_JyLHg8Gm4/s320/clock-1274699_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My husband is the one who “gave” me a song when we were
dating and used to lip read the words to me when it played. He’s the one who
found a more grown-up song when we got older and needed a more mature song.
He’s the one who turns the song on when I’m grumpy and comes over and<b>
slow-dances with me in the kitchen</b>. It never fails to improve my mood
significantly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He’s the one that hates instituted holiday’s like
Valentine’s Day, (Hallmark Holiday, anyone?) because he’s <i>supposed</i> to get me stuff. He rebels and won’t buy me flowers ON
Valentines because he’s going to stick it to the man. No one can tell him when
to buy his wife flowers. Instead he does it the week before or the week after.
In his older age, he usually brings me a box of chocolate on the actual
holiday. <b>His resolve is slowly weakening, it seems</b>. I don’t mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPmrpezfMHYNXVBejF8gCuaT0PgaTbOxCsaSuTAEVpZ1Z7YlBhiw7oVUcQi4JdLu42CTIeuJ789MAgREI18l15Q-Y79V7JtSgM4EcdZjCDSD_PMWyZeG-Eo0pAUHwFjR_88K40iXkix0/s1600/birch-1593725_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPmrpezfMHYNXVBejF8gCuaT0PgaTbOxCsaSuTAEVpZ1Z7YlBhiw7oVUcQi4JdLu42CTIeuJ789MAgREI18l15Q-Y79V7JtSgM4EcdZjCDSD_PMWyZeG-Eo0pAUHwFjR_88K40iXkix0/s320/birch-1593725_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He’s also the man who used to suffer from a frequent horrible temper.
Or maybe I should say, <b>I was the one who suffered</b>. When we married young, he
hadn’t learned self-control or coping mechanisms to deal with life. It effected
our marriage severely for many years. Within time, we decided we both wanted a
better marriage and both of us set our minds to fix the mess we’d made of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I was angry. Hurt. After years of struggle, I was done with
it. I wanted something better. But first he had to suffer like I had. Chad knew
he had messed up. And messed up bad. But he was determined to make it right.
For about two whole years I was mean to him. Downright nasty. I wanted him to
feel the pain he had caused me for so long. And instead of being mean back, he
controlled himself. He took it like a man. And he <b>LOVED ME THROUGH IT</b>. I was
mean. He was nice. He continued being nice even though I definitely didn’t
deserve it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I don’t remember who bought the Love Dare book, but somehow
it ended up in our home. My husband decided to do the Love Dare challenge on
me. He didn’t tell me what he was doing but within the course of the month, I’m
pretty sure I figured it out. He was determined to heal our marriage and set
things right. I don’t remember details of that month, but I know by the end of
it, I was feeling the love.<b> I knew our marriage had a chance.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Eventually when I realized he really had changed, I knew I
needed to change too. I had gotten my anger out. I was guilty as well. It
wasn’t just him as the bad guy anymore. <b>I was the bad guy too.</b> Now I had to
make things right. I had to let God take our marriage and mold it into His
marriage. This wasn’t just about us anymore. We were going to put God in the
middle and keep Him there from now on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">All that being said, I think the most romantic thing he’s
ever done for me is simply <b>let me heal</b>. He knew it wasn’t going to be easy. He
knew he would have to die to self-daily. But he knew what needed to be done and
did it. That, my friends, is sacrifice. <b>And sacrifice is the most romantic kind
of love there is.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i>With Valentines Day coming up here fast, what is one way you can show your spouse or loved one that they are cherished and adored? Tell us in the comments below.</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16477916412178792465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445051022712071756.post-61940319209100704992017-01-24T11:16:00.004-08:002017-01-24T11:16:54.495-08:00Release day is here! Reconciliation by Amy Brock McNew is available!<div style="text-align: center;">
My good friend and big 'sis' has her second book out! TODAY is the day! </div>
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Check out Amy's cover below.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysEi2KTqb5qWtX7CcsDzgW2D7nf_W6GihLVh6Vb2WP6z2N-KO40vukZLUpfaDlcE7tJ8k9AwleYzMNFDSBeAb6NlIoGJV3VacWD9CAQYRyjEyMr93E0UR5T6bQ52ja8K4bQI4AkPy5Gc/s1600/Reconciliation-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysEi2KTqb5qWtX7CcsDzgW2D7nf_W6GihLVh6Vb2WP6z2N-KO40vukZLUpfaDlcE7tJ8k9AwleYzMNFDSBeAb6NlIoGJV3VacWD9CAQYRyjEyMr93E0UR5T6bQ52ja8K4bQI4AkPy5Gc/s640/Reconciliation-cover.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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If you'd like to get in on the action make sure to order her book, Reconciliation, now! Link below:</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Reconciliation-Book-Reluctant-Warrior-Chronicles/dp/194378812X/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485284899&sr=1-1&keywords=amy+brock+mcnew">Reconciliation By Amy Brock McNew. Order NOW!</a></div>
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Or if you haven't read her first book, Rebirth, yet, check it out as well: </div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rebirth-Book-Reluctant-Warrior-Chronicles/dp/1943788065/ref=sr_1_3_twi_pap_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1485284899&sr=1-3&keywords=amy+brock+mcnew">Rebirth, By Amy Brock McNew</a></div>
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We hope you'll enjoy her books as much as we do!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_vxJHe5PQ4g9BRJ3yHKWRVHQYu-RCrYYoZURckEVy5x7eVcjnWkxAADYhiy5w_eTiSiCf2bgAci0dAniOq45bZ7GQkmlW7vxnFoLtKqijHFXzWkjJrtawKm1jDShBNTIvAZGq1HxC3E/s1600/Author+Head+Shot+Amy+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_vxJHe5PQ4g9BRJ3yHKWRVHQYu-RCrYYoZURckEVy5x7eVcjnWkxAADYhiy5w_eTiSiCf2bgAci0dAniOq45bZ7GQkmlW7vxnFoLtKqijHFXzWkjJrtawKm1jDShBNTIvAZGq1HxC3E/s320/Author+Head+Shot+Amy+copy.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Check out Amy's Facebook Page: </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AmyBrockMcNewAuthor/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED">Amy Brock McNew's Facebook Page</a> </div>
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Visit her Publisher, Love2ReadLove2Write, page as well:</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/L2L2Publishing/">L2L2</a></div>
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Leave a comment below and tell us you're excited about Amy's book coming out!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16477916412178792465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445051022712071756.post-12296300706777960892017-01-16T11:01:00.000-08:002017-01-16T11:07:45.611-08:00Trusting God in the Hiatus<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This is the place where I used to write. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6_E3YkgxZewVhjFJpDvxokPxeSefHikq_TDKJZKWf39pOP8d4sgsog7jY0LzmvdfdYPp2rnpVWlXdHR0ZpuS_ZPY630BzZt1GLbjw5-B1WwLB0pjkwBuBuiuvORasozZPnTDMWV-BuQ/s1600/0111171435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6_E3YkgxZewVhjFJpDvxokPxeSefHikq_TDKJZKWf39pOP8d4sgsog7jY0LzmvdfdYPp2rnpVWlXdHR0ZpuS_ZPY630BzZt1GLbjw5-B1WwLB0pjkwBuBuiuvORasozZPnTDMWV-BuQ/s640/0111171435.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Not long ago it was warm and full of furniture. My chair in the corner, my bookcase, my favorite knickknacks here and there. Now it's harsh, bare, and blindingly white. The sound of our footsteps ricochet off the hard surfaces. It's a good visual metaphor for how my writing life, once rich and productive, has felt for the past 6 months or so.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I really wanted 2016 to be THE YEAR. The year I would finish tinkering with my manuscript and begin to query in earnest. The year I would go to conference. The year I would finally feel comfortable calling myself a writer.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was not THE YEAR. Nothing I planned has come to fruition. It was not laziness or lack of passion, dedication, purpose, or prayer. It was a surprise; an unexpected and unwelcome interruption. Midway through 2016, while visiting family during our summer travels, sitting around the morning campfire with mugs of coffee in our hands, my husband received a message from his battalion back home: You're on orders to report to Korea in February, 2017.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was still months away, but I could rarely think of anything else. The days were taken up entirely with doctor appointments, health screenings, vet appointments, transportation appointments, passport appointments, organizing, categorizing, disposing, packing, calling, emailing, researching, and preparing my extended family and my kids for our international move. If there were a couple hours left at the end of the day, I spent them brain dead in front of the tv, not writing. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's been overwhelming. Though I resisted it for a time, my writing life eventually screeched to a lurching stop.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now writing just feels like something I used to do. A lump rises in my throat when I think of my crooked little flashdrive, that fragile keeper of my stories, which laid neglected on the desk so long there was a film of dust on it when I picked it up the day the movers came to box up the computer.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This interruption to my plans for 2016 is bitter. I thought I had all year to ping away at the keyboard in writing obscurity. I was so comfortable in that place, so hopeful God would do something with it eventually, if I just stayed faithful to the task.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now that my world feels so upended, so chaotic, so riddled with uncertainty, it's difficult to foresee a time when it won't be. I know intellectually this part will pass. I can look at the calendar and count the days until we hand over the keys to our house, until we board the plane, until we arrive in Korea.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And when the days pass, what then? Will it be as simple as clicking on the monitor and loading the document? Will my affection for these characters I've created over 5 years come rushing back to me? Will my passion for the story I wish to tell drive me once again to do the work even when no one else sees what I'm doing?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">God knows every answer to these questions and the ones I haven't even thought of, and yes, there is a measure of comfort in that. But it doesn't lessen the sting of having my perfectly good plans thwarted. It doesn't dull the ache that settles into my body during this time of treading water.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What keeps my churning legs from turning to lead and pulling me under? What keeps me thinking and writing--even now--when I'm tired and uncertain when a life preserver will be tossed out, or if I will even recognize it?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One word. One teeny little 3 letter word. Arguably the most important word in scripture.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">BUT</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We were sinners, Paul tells us in Ephesians, BUT Christ died for us.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We were by nature children of wrath, BUT God is rich in mercy.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We were dead in our trespasses, BUT we are alive together with Christ.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Solomon taught the same theme in Proverbs.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, BUT it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."</i> Proverbs 19:21</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">These scriptures are like honey which sweetens the bitterness of hiatus.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Don't you see? My 2016 didn't turn out how I planned, BUT GOD'S PLAN IS BETTER.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My writing work didn't come to fruition...again, BUT the freedom and fluidity of this writing life has allowed me to pause in my work and be <i>all here </i>for my family during this time of transition.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I won't get to attend conference for 2 more years while I'm out of the country, BUT there has never been an easier time to stay connected with writers all over the world.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There is something exhilarating about being swept up in plans not of your making and knowing this is God's doing. There is friction, I admit, as you accept the change in course, but friction can be a beautiful thing, as Sinclair Ferguson teaches.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3XcDeQW9Wi1m8QjKL3gz-SvtDwtgsAjXl98p-Uqp3svsBXyZKsxAxmmy1v8CUHOnwlWnDbej9SM6lFBkI9lZKxCab8ISlZxB4YM0la9qZC_YRq3Wo767pzdZoz0ILEa3iqQ-mv4SI2M/s1600/FB_IMG_1484234279195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3XcDeQW9Wi1m8QjKL3gz-SvtDwtgsAjXl98p-Uqp3svsBXyZKsxAxmmy1v8CUHOnwlWnDbej9SM6lFBkI9lZKxCab8ISlZxB4YM0la9qZC_YRq3Wo767pzdZoz0ILEa3iqQ-mv4SI2M/s400/FB_IMG_1484234279195.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So not only am I trusting God in this hiatus, I'm thanking Him for it, for all the ways I will grow in holiness when these days have passed, and life feels normal again, and the monitor has been clicked on, and, God-willing, my writing life resumes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">2017 may not be THE YEAR for me either, and that's okay. I will do the work, and pray for fruit with open hands, praising God for his better plan which <i>will</i> prevail. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07634321448061023106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445051022712071756.post-13165524938705610232017-01-09T20:53:00.001-08:002017-01-10T21:56:09.741-08:00Deanna's Favorite Movie of 2016 - Opinion Piece <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I really enjoyed <i><b>Fantastic Beasts</b></i>. I’m not even a Harry
Potter fanatic. But I knew I wanted to see this movie, and I’m so glad I did. I
didn’t know anything about it and barely anything about the Harry Potter universe yet I was in the movie theater on opening day. That rarely happens. I
usually wait a few months until the movie goes to the cheapie theaters, or until it comes out on Redbox and rent it. But for whatever reason, I
dragged my son with me that Friday morning. (He doesn’t have
school on Friday’s. Don’t worry, we weren’t playing hooky) I couldn't get enough. <o:p></o:p>A few weeks later I took my other son too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I had absolutely no expectations for this movie and really
didn’t know what it was going to be about. I just knew it had something to do
with the Potterverse and the World of Wizarding. The funny thing is, I wasn’t
even allowed to watch or read Harry Potter when I was growing up. Magic was
limited to strictly Disney faerie tales, and even that was slightly frowned
upon. I grew up in the early 80’s/late 90’s when conservative Christian families
were quite legalistic about any and all things magic related. Thank God,
now-a-days I can let my kids have an imagination without getting too much flak
from church culture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Back to the movie. My very favorite characters were
Jacob the No-Mag and Credence. If anyone came away from watching Fantastic Beasts
DIS-liking Jacob, I would be shocked. He’s an extremely likable guy.
Seriously, every one of his scenes was a pleasure to behold. Throughout
the movie it's very clear he’s supposed to be the likable guy. They
never fail to deliver. You just want to pinch his cheeks, tuck him into your
pocket and take him home. Delightful. He’s your Average Joe: hard worker, but
wants to skip the daily grind, and aim for his passions instead. His dream is to be a
baker. He likes donuts and pastries and --oh my word-- I wanted to
reach out and eat the pastries he made right off the screen. Yummy. Every scene
with him you knew there was going to be roaring laughter involved. And I’m
talking the audience, not on screen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Now on to Credence. Credence is not in many scenes
with Jacob. He’s pretty much the opposite of him. He’s a sort of
antagonist, but not exactly. Ezra Miller did an excellent job on this intriguing character. He was dark, moody, and you wanted to
hug him and show compassion for him, but trip him on the playground too. I
don’t know how to explain this character other than massively complicated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">J.K. Rowling is brilliant. And I know everyone else knew that, but I’m just
discovering it. WOW is she great at character building. And world building, but
that goes without saying. I mean, Harry Potter, come on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Credence lives with a woman who you assume is his
mother, (later you find out, she’s simply taken him in as an act of goodwill)
who is what you might call a religious fanatic. This was the one and only part
that bothered me in the movie. I can’t stand it when movies make fun of
Christianity or other religions. However, in this case they made it ‘appear’ to
be religious fanaticism, but ended up not really being about religion at all.
Just a woman on a mission to eliminate witches. The Second Salemers, they were
called. (Salem witch trials, anyone?)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Credence and his two younger ‘sisters’ lived under the abusive
thumb of this woman. They probably felt they owed her because she provided
shelter and food for them. She had managed to psychologically damage all the kids to
such extent that they no longer had a sense of self and had to suppress who
they really were. This of course leads to some very explosive behavior once
Credence decides he’s not going to put up with it anymore. Out of respect for
those who haven’t seen it, I won’t say any spoilers beyond that. But I can tell
you that there is a very interesting lesson to be learned here.
Suppressing who you really are can be massively damaging. I’m not saying this
to promote sinful lifestyles at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But if you look at the heart of it, you’ll
find such a heart-wrenching story. A story of a boy, who just wants to be loved
and accepted, and sadly fails to find either. Even the one he trusts the most
ends up turning him away and discarding him like a “nobody”. We should always reach
out and help those in abusive situations and strive to make those around us
feel loved and accepted. You’ll never know who needs it badly and who will
remember you for it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That being said, I want to end on a positive note. It was
such a well done movie. I cannot stop thinking about it. Characters, dialogue,
world-building, everything. So perfect. The humor balanced out the darkness. The
angst balanced out the frivolity. It was a pure pleasure to watch. This is one
I’ll be buying for sure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/sGNnv_g9h4k/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sGNnv_g9h4k?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What was YOUR favorite movie of 2016? Tell us in the comments below.</span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16477916412178792465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445051022712071756.post-29405546120612746222017-01-03T14:18:00.000-08:002017-01-03T14:19:16.839-08:00Expect Great Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUomW-cjLnkZETkfcm2t48URTz5inL2Nrvkl5NfQXiCKdHAdCszEIF3y_JBdaD2yJIxp8fuUtzDwL5zMja8fVP1PQnpFquDSl1GaAVC2FtuMuqJXZI6z72Ys1J1-JybR_KKve6pwTg9Enl/s1600/Expect+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUomW-cjLnkZETkfcm2t48URTz5inL2Nrvkl5NfQXiCKdHAdCszEIF3y_JBdaD2yJIxp8fuUtzDwL5zMja8fVP1PQnpFquDSl1GaAVC2FtuMuqJXZI6z72Ys1J1-JybR_KKve6pwTg9Enl/s640/Expect+%25281%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>by Jebraun Clifford</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">2017 is here!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Another year. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>A fresh beginning. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>A clean start. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">To adapt a quote from Anne Shirley: isn't it nice to think we have 365 new days with no mistakes in them yet?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="337" src="//giphy.com/embed/WQIspMyR6exvG" width="480"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/shirley-WQIspMyR6exvG">via GIPHY</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In many ways, 2016 was a good year for me. While I don't usually make resolutions, I've developed the habit of choosing <b>one word</b> to reflect my hopes and longings for the year. I don't see the full implications of the word until the year closes and--looking back--I'm usually amazed at the results. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Last year's word was 'thrive' and it proved to be an apt description. <b>Amazing things happened</b>--many unexpected--and I witnessed firsthand the blessings of God in a way I've never experienced before. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">But I've also been challenged in the last few months, losing sight of many victories as an <b>old enemy named Fear</b> tried to dominate my thoughts. I became overwhelmed with mistakes (real and imagined) I've made and couldn't see a way forward. It was awful! </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I got so consumed with the things I'd done wrong, with my mistakes, with things I wished I'd done differently, that </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I lost motivation in many areas of my life. However, I finally feel like I'm starting to climb out of the paralyzing pit of despair that had gripped me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//giphy.com/embed/11elQnTXhmQUtW" width="480"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/despair-11elQnTXhmQUtW">via GIPHY</a><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I'd rather not dwell on what got me there in the first place but want to focus on what got me out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>The short version is I remembered the goodness of God.</b> He's been soooo faithful to me through my whole life, but I somehow forgot that He will be in my future too. And not simply in my future as a passive bystander, but actively making it bigger and better and brighter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">One of my favourite verses from Psalm 27:13 reminds me of this exact truth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This tells me that God doesn't confine Himself to making things good somewhere out in the nebulous future we sometimes call 'heaven.' Nope. God is in the here and the now and is causing all things to work together for good and if it isn't good yet, well...it isn't over.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As I reflected on this bold declaration earlier this week, I had to tell myself (again!) that the future is not something to dread, but rather something to embrace. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And so I've found my word for 2017:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Expect.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This doesn't mean I'm projecting unrealistic expectations on myself or on others. No, I'm finished with that sort of thing. Instead it means I have a hopeful optimism for what will happen. I'm not going to live in fear of the future, I don't want my joy to be stolen away by the unknown. I'm going to <b>expect</b> the goodness of the Lord to go before me into the new year and beyond.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Happy New Year from all of us at Quills and Inkblotts. It's going to be a great one!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What about you? Do you make New Year's resolutions? Write down goals? Choose one word? <b>Let us know in the comments below! We love hearing from you.</b></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10187314213051303482noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445051022712071756.post-1350675718662098422016-12-15T11:54:00.000-08:002016-12-15T11:54:25.568-08:00Reconciliation Cover Reveal! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxkrMUZ3S0EbN4LnMkvVnwYZn27MeDrt1pEdTEaAlEvyxOwyHyPJbA-ELT3f4nN-pXerxYfOGliPQ2j3Q3hw1qV0D1ES9iUZAWRMKcKlsSVDOTNaMQWV2Nrdo446lg74ievzzmiAH1us/s1600/CoverReveal-4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxkrMUZ3S0EbN4LnMkvVnwYZn27MeDrt1pEdTEaAlEvyxOwyHyPJbA-ELT3f4nN-pXerxYfOGliPQ2j3Q3hw1qV0D1ES9iUZAWRMKcKlsSVDOTNaMQWV2Nrdo446lg74ievzzmiAH1us/s320/CoverReveal-4.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Look at this beauty!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Reconciliation by Amy Brock McNew has a cover, and it's so perty!</span></div>
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<i>Some ghosts from the past refuse to stay dead.</i></div>
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Finally. <i>Finally</i> everything is coming together for Liz Brantley. She’s marrying Ryland Vaughn, the man of her dreams. She’s embraced her calling and battles the minions of hell bent on her destruction. And she’s left her dark past far behind her. Or so she thought.</div>
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A secret she holds close, stuffed down deep, surfaces at the wrong time for everyone in Liz’s life, leaving a trail of devastation. Left reeling, Liz wonders if she made a mistake, putting her trust in God, her guardian Arie, and Ryland. And the demon Kade capitalizes on her shaken faith. With a vengeance.</div>
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Torn between her tortured past and the future she craves, Liz is desperate to defeat every demon that stands in her way. Before all hell breaks loose and swallows her whole.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUheD6akcyQZizmbuK25RAf085r59ihuOSzGqhTDclEFglhiZxe6txSQKZm0gBa0SVB1G4uaXc8dj7RJ8bqFS26LShPthmTmVWP0zjp6XIAGN3eWKP9vvteoVIMYgAeLJAuJzQlJtTwiI/s1600/Author-Headshot-Amy-Brock-McNew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUheD6akcyQZizmbuK25RAf085r59ihuOSzGqhTDclEFglhiZxe6txSQKZm0gBa0SVB1G4uaXc8dj7RJ8bqFS26LShPthmTmVWP0zjp6XIAGN3eWKP9vvteoVIMYgAeLJAuJzQlJtTwiI/s320/Author-Headshot-Amy-Brock-McNew.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Amy Brock McNew doesn’t just write speculative fiction, she lives and breathes it. Exploring the strange, the supernatural, and the wonderfully weird, Amy pours her guts onto the pages she writes, honestly and brutally revealing herself in the process. Nothing is off-limits. Her favorite question is “what if?” and she believes fiction can be truer than our sheltered and controlled realities. Visit <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://AmyBrockMcNew.com&source=gmail&ust=1481913171084000&usg=AFQjCNHFV51ZSeFsZtSWm9KLzwrLU13CPg" href="http://amybrockmcnew.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">AmyBrockMcNew.com</span></a> to learn more about this intriguing author.<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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Website Preorder Link: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://bit.ly/2h0CoeY&source=gmail&ust=1481913171084000&usg=AFQjCNEq9IQeWD98qG9pGgFvNgWjMLsuSQ" href="http://bit.ly/2h0CoeY" style="color: #1155cc; font-family: cambria; font-size: 12pt;" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/2h0CoeY</a><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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Release Date: January 24, 2016</div>
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Preorder a copy of Reconciliation by clicking the link above.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhug5Wd1yo3vcWCKS1gc3-gEjbPWtjXQgG905_WqnXM9CSDmfqpBsiljh2bQ7AmziezZBNbGDsZq5rV_6FKKrBsH3KLkMs0HijbpH3NNLNOg4rvWWqbzQ8nCUQPzRM86KHBO60zRUlLd0Y/s1600/Reconciliation-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhug5Wd1yo3vcWCKS1gc3-gEjbPWtjXQgG905_WqnXM9CSDmfqpBsiljh2bQ7AmziezZBNbGDsZq5rV_6FKKrBsH3KLkMs0HijbpH3NNLNOg4rvWWqbzQ8nCUQPzRM86KHBO60zRUlLd0Y/s320/Reconciliation-cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Amy Brock McNew's Social Media:</div>
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<span style="color: black;">Website: </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://amybrockmcnew.com/&source=gmail&ust=1481913171084000&usg=AFQjCNEzromSsrhD8DbP-YL8eN3IEyUsBg" href="http://amybrockmcnew.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://amybrockmcnew.com/</a><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Facebook: </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.facebook.com/AmyBrockMcNewAuthor&source=gmail&ust=1481913171084000&usg=AFQjCNFxpdvnlvxFo-AGHX7LagzNqsV1wQ" href="https://www.facebook.com/AmyBrockMcNewAuthor" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/<wbr></wbr>AmyBrockMcNewAuthor</a><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: blue;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Twitter: </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://twitter.com/AmyBrockMcNew&source=gmail&ust=1481913171084000&usg=AFQjCNEOEbdATCSrPmFQafvoH50v8SRGoQ" href="https://twitter.com/AmyBrockMcNew" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/<wbr></wbr>AmyBrockMcNew</a><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: blue;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Goodreads: </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/26955721-amy-mcnew&source=gmail&ust=1481913171084000&usg=AFQjCNF-1wd1x0L9trVtWx7AHccLWOBIwg" href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/26955721-amy-mcnew" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/<wbr></wbr>user/show/26955721-amy-mcnew</a><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: blue;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Pinterest: </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.pinterest.com/AmyBrockMcNew/&source=gmail&ust=1481913171084000&usg=AFQjCNE4R60M1T4o7OIcZiik2u0Vzp_JDw" href="https://www.pinterest.com/AmyBrockMcNew/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.pinterest.com/<wbr></wbr>AmyBrockMcNew/</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16477916412178792465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445051022712071756.post-38182216687280483442016-12-03T06:03:00.000-08:002016-12-03T06:15:32.985-08:00GIVEAWAY and Deanna's Review of The Widow's Captive. A Christmas novella by Lucette Nel.<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Want to win a copy of Lucette Nel's The Widow's Captive?</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Leave a comment below to enter!</b></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Widow’s Captive is an adorable story about a woman on
the run with two kids in tow. Not to mention the bun cooking in the oven.
Someone’s after her, and the weather outside is frightful. It’s no wonder she
takes refuge in an ‘abandoned’ cabin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-fPwSHmi8nocOVI7HOJeYXbngcjltX0fG3kUndCCmfbAPTmAz8MwQ1faednM1iyfquG6TUTlCOHJWFdP0r8hcVUhgBttYA6HFBi4afkeQHiTg2GtohoLYbyBrse-sAYhVqodPD5IIsQ/s1600/TheWidowsCaptive_w12356_680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-fPwSHmi8nocOVI7HOJeYXbngcjltX0fG3kUndCCmfbAPTmAz8MwQ1faednM1iyfquG6TUTlCOHJWFdP0r8hcVUhgBttYA6HFBi4afkeQHiTg2GtohoLYbyBrse-sAYhVqodPD5IIsQ/s640/TheWidowsCaptive_w12356_680.jpg" width="385" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Widows-Captive-Historical-Christmas-Extravaganza-ebook/dp/B01MQ40GY3/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1480774330&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=The+Widow%27s+Captive+by+Lucette+Nel">Buy The Widow's Captive by Lucette Nel on Amazon. ONLY $0.99, right now!</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When the unsuspecting sheriff arrives, Adeline Spencer gives
him a piece of her mind, with a skillet to his head. Who could this guy be? Surely
he’s in cahoots with the man who’s after her. Soon, Adeline’s got him hogtied.
She’d rather push him out the door, but she can’t let him freeze to death
outside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Once he regains consciousness, there is lovely tension,
humor, and a lot of back and forth between the protagonists.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Will Adeline have her baby during the storm of the century?
And without a midwife around will Jonah the sheriff be competent enough to
help? Will Ward, the man out to get her, find them at the worst possible time?
And will the spark grow between Adeline and Jonah, or be extinguished by the
unending snow and stress of being housebound before it can barely stoke a
flame? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lucette Nel’s writing is witty, intelligent and fun. An
excellent writer, this debut author takes the inspirational historical genre by
storm. Literally, a snow storm. I highly encourage you to try this entertaining
holiday read. With a smidgen of romance, a touch of laughter, and a bundle of
faith and fun, this story will warm your hearts just in time for the Christmas
season.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Don't forget to leave a comment below to enter in the giveaway of Lucette Nel's The Widow's Captive. Tell us your favorite thing about the Christmas season.</b></span></blockquote>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16477916412178792465noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445051022712071756.post-53360320374333411192016-11-28T11:37:00.000-08:002017-03-04T23:42:32.928-08:00Interview with Author Lucette Nel. <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Today we got a chance to interview our very own Lucy!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Get to know Author Lucette Nel before her debut novella </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Widow's Captive comes out December 1st!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What are some of your favorite books and/or authors?</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;">Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;">And<u><b> everything</b></u> Tamera Alexander and Karen Witemeyer writes.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do you ever read outside of your genre?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;">I do, but not as often as I'd like to. I am a romantic at heart, so I prefer a story with a strong romantic theme. :)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do you enjoy any hobbies?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love being creative. Scrap booking. Making cards. Drawing. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">What’s your favorite drink?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;">Coffee - though sometimes I like to think of it as survival fluid. Hehehe.</span></span></div>
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<img alt="Lucette Nell" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81MXLLW5RbL._UX250_.jpg" /></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do you have any pets?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;">Three adorable Pugs. They shed. They snore, but I love them to pieces!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you could kiss a prince, which prince would you pick?</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;">Does a Disney Prince count? Because then it's Eugene Fitzherbert. ;)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I’ve heard things about a certain ‘special’ Barbie doll of your childhood. Care to reveal any more?</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;">Aaaahhh Raphael *Sigh*... My <u><b>Ken</b></u> doll *Wink*. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;">I think I do add a little of him whenever I create a hero. That is all I'm sharing. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And finally, what’s a piece of writing advice you’d like to give a newbie?</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jane Yolen's quote sums it up nicely. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;">Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pre-order The Widow's Captive now! You don't want to miss out on this sweet Christmas story! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Widows-Captive-Historical-Christmas-Extravaganza-ebook/dp/B01MQ40GY3/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1480361506&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=lucette+nel+The+widow%27s+Captive">Amazon : The Widow's Captive, kindle version, only $2.99!</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16477916412178792465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445051022712071756.post-29215891169506648512016-11-22T03:43:00.004-08:002016-11-22T04:13:15.735-08:00Author Interview and Book Review: "Down in Yon Forest" by Clare Revell<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pelican Book Group is re<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">leasing another Christmas <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">theme novell<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">a on December 1! I revi<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ewed it an<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">d interv<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">i<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ew<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ed author, Clare Revell.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br /><br /><i>Having suffered a panic attack on stage during a performance, violinist Meredith Stranraer flees to the small town of Paradise where her grandparents live. For some strange reason, they don’t want her around and their rejection is more than unsettling, it’s downright alarming. <br /><br /> Jeremiah Mantle is the local forest ranger. He watches the girl in the grey cloak from a distance, his assignment to protect her as well as the forest. However falling in love is definitely not in his job description. <br /><br />Thrown together at the annual Christmas ball, things soon escalate. There is something wicked in the woods and a dark past is determined to rip them apart.<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The cover art, title, and British setting had me ready for a period romance, but <i>Down in Yon Forest </i>surprises with a contemporary story in which love takes a back seat to suspense.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sparks do fly immediately, and the romance is sweet, but there is no tension there. The reader still enjoys the developing relationship, because Meredith is in danger, vulnerable, and in need of a protector. When we meet her, she is licking the wounds of a profoundly bad experience, floundering and unsure of herself, and prone to panic attacks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For me, her loneliness is also striking: she has a friend to whom she's barely spoken since school, a sister in a foreign country, and grandparents who seem to love her but don't want her around.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's a relief when Jeremiah, the typical too-good-to-be-true romantic hero steps onto the page. Even though he's pretty much perfect in every way, the reader is carried along from page to page, sucked in by the fear that he may not be able to protect her--especially when the true level of deception that's been going on is revealed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's a nail-biter for sure, with the added complexity of emotionally damaged characters. The difficult backstories of trauma and abuse bring mental health issues to the fore in <i>Down in Yon Forest</i>. I love the patience and tenderness of the hero, along with the value of his medical expertise. Meredith is not averse to using medication to treat her mental health issues--a trait which can be difficult for some to accept, especially if they've never suffered in this way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Revell doesn't leave it there--she also highlights the danger of meds if they're misused.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I typically read and write historical, so the use of meds and mental health is not something I see often in fiction. But I do see it in real life, all around me. Every reader should be able to identify with Meredith, as one who has suffered, or with Jeremiah, as loving one who suffers. Hat's off to Revell for giving us this sweet picture of love and support.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Purchase the novella here:</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Down-Yon-Forest-Christian-Extravaganza-ebook/dp/B01M9F4TN2"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 200%;">Amazon US</span></a></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Down-Yon-Forest-Christian-Extravaganza-ebook/dp/B01M9F4TN2"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 200%;">Amazon UK</span></a></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_46&products_id=770">Pelican
Books</a></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Cl<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">are was kind enough<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">to join us and answer a few questions about her novella</span></span></span>:</span></b><br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><br />1.<i> Bowie was a wonderful sidekick, and like all good sidekicks, he stole the scenes he shared with Jeremiah! Are you a dog lover yourself? Do you have any experience with working dogs?</i><br /><br />To be honest, I'm a cat person. Despite putting dogs in three or four books now, I'm not a great fan. I don't have any personal experience with working dogs, but I did a great deal of research into both hearing and guide dogs for previous books - Tuesday's Child and Lily of the Valley in May.<br /><br />2. <i>Both the main character and the villain deal with mental health issues. Every reader can relate, I'm sure, if not directly, then indirectly, yet it is rarely portrayed in Christian fiction. What inspired you to embed this timely and important issue in your story?</i><br /><br />Hubby has struggled with depression on and off for several years. I also had PND after my eldest was born. It's the silent disease that no one sees or wants to acknowledge exists. It's important to let people know that they aren't alone. sometimes they want to talk, sometimes just having someone in the same room is enough.<br /><br />3. <i>I enjoyed the chemistry and camaraderie between the main characters and their friends, Caitlyn and Ty. Will we be seeing them in future novellas?</i><br /><br />Yep, Caitlyn and Ty are plotting their own story as I type. Rather annoying as I'm writing something else right now, but they have big plans for a book all to themselves.</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">About the Author</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Clare is a British author. She
lives in a small town just outside Reading, England with her husband, whom she
married in 1992, their three children, and unfriendly mini-panther, aka Tilly
the black cat. Clare is half English and half Welsh, which makes watching rugby
interesting at times as it doesn’t matter who wins.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Writing from an early childhood
and encouraged by her teachers, she graduated from rewriting fairy stories
through fan fiction to using her own original characters and enjoys writing an
eclectic mix of romance, crime fiction and children's stories. When she's not
writing, she can be found reading, crocheting or doing the many piles of
laundry the occupants of her house manage to make.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Her books are based in the UK,
with a couple of exceptions, thus, although the spelling may be American, the
books contain British language and terminology. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The first draft
of every novel is hand written.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">She has been a Christian for more
than half her life. She goes to Carey Baptist where she is one of four
registrars. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">She can be found at:</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ClareRevellAuthor" target="_blank">Facebook </a></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://twitter.com/ClareRevell" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://telscha.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Blog</span></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/clarerevell/" target="_blank">Instagram </a></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/ClareLRevell/?etslf=5650&eq=clare%20revell" target="_blank">Pinterest </a></span></b></span></div>
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</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07634321448061023106noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445051022712071756.post-3009521929940537072016-11-21T06:21:00.000-08:002016-11-21T06:21:01.802-08:00Author Interview - Marian P Merritt<div class="MsoNormal">
Marian, welcome to Quills and Inkblotts. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are so happy to have you and congratulations on your
latest Christmas Extravaganza title ‘<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Gumbo-Weather-Christmas-Romance-Extravaganza-ebook/dp/B01M4NAKRJ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479105867&sr=8-1&keywords=Gumbo+Weather%3A+A+Bijou+Bayou+Christmas+Romance"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Gumbo Weather: A Bijou Bayou
Christmas Romance</span></a><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">’<b> </b></span>releasing December 1<sup>st</sup>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue;">Lucy, I'm honored to be here at Quills and Inkblotts. Thank
you so much for having me!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Do
you have a writing routine?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="color: blue;">When I'm actively writing. I do. I get up, grab a cup of
coffee, feed the dog and let her out, spend some time in Bible study, then
write for 45 minutes, take a 15 minute break at which time I may do laundry,
dishes, have breakfast etc then write for another 45 minutes. That's usually my
morning routine. In the evening, sometimes I'll write another 45 minutes.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->How
many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Wow, you caught me with this question! I've never taken
inventory of the stories I've started and for one reason or another didn't
finish. I was surprised to find the count is:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="color: blue;">1 Unpublished completed manuscript in need of serious
editing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="color: blue;">8 Unfinished novels in various stages of completion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="color: blue;">3 Unfinished novellas (1 is a Christmas story that didn't
feel right at the time but may be ready to see the light of publication!)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Was
there something that surprised you while writing your novella?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Nothing in particular, but usually when I'm writing I'm
always surprised by how God faithfully shows up during my writing sessions. I
don't know why that surprises me, but it's a sweet time of worship. One
surprise I love!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Did
you have to do a lot of research while you wrote your novella?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="color: blue;">Not a lot for this one. I had to research major league
baseball farm teams and the process for when a player gets "called
up" to the major leagues.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Which
character did you enjoy most writing about and why?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="color: blue;">Although, this character doesn't fill a lot of "word
space", Justin's Uncle Al was my favorite. He was a voice of reason and
steadfast faith. He was the calm in any of Justin's storms.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Are
you working on anything else at the moment?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">Yes, I'm currently writing another Bijou Bayou Novel! Many of
the characters introduced in <i>Gumbo
Weather</i> will make encore performances in <i>For Gilly</i>. One of the main characters is Evangeline Louviere, known
to her friends and family as Gilly, one of the women Noel meets in Vivian's
Bible Study group. Gilly has cancer and has asked her twin sister, Josephine
"Jo", who has pulled away from the family and Christ, to complete a
bucket list they wrote when they were twelve. It will be a fun, faith-filled
journey that neither woman anticipated. </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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GUMBO WEATHER PROMO<o:p></o:p></div>
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Gumbo Weather: A Bijou Bayou
Christmas Novella<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWWB6qp6Zs-IZCTp2bjCpUXPyFCEn147bYSDJIkfZxRvi2YSpajXjQAyGEsEAGPisOuLiYLRhQw1yOJo4wwF8Mk7PQHgscO27RdKsrkTl0CFWY2DS47YYRaqqCqLHgDUDTqLd6uftCzaL/s1600/GumboWeather_w12361_750.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWWB6qp6Zs-IZCTp2bjCpUXPyFCEn147bYSDJIkfZxRvi2YSpajXjQAyGEsEAGPisOuLiYLRhQw1yOJo4wwF8Mk7PQHgscO27RdKsrkTl0CFWY2DS47YYRaqqCqLHgDUDTqLd6uftCzaL/s400/GumboWeather_w12361_750.jpeg" width="240" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Colorado sports reporter, Noel Winters heads to Louisiana
after finding love letters in her deceased mother’s belongings. When her car
breaks down near Bijou Bayou, a handsome, struggling pitcher and part-time
mechanic comes to her rescue by fixing her car, and offering to help her find
her father. Only problem? As her alias, Micki Barrett, Noel wrote an article
criticizing Justin Gravois's big league debut. Now she’s fallen for him, can she
ever find the courage to tell him the truth? Justin Gravois, professional
pitcher, wanted to make his uncle proud. When he finally got his shot, his
dream turned into a nightmare. It didn’t help that sports reporter, Micki
Barrett, wrote such terrible things about him. Now, Justin wants to forget
about the past and move forward to next season. When he falls in love with Noel
he wonders if she’s an answer to his prayer.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Purchase Links:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M4NAKRJ/ref=nav_timeline_asin?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M4NAKRJ/ref=nav_timeline_asin?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Pelican Book Group:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_46&products_id=769">http://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_46&products_id=769</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Barnes & Noble:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gumbo-weather-marian-merritt/1125000640?ean=9781611169577">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gumbo-weather-marian-merritt/1125000640?ean=9781611169577</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Meet Marian:</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RytPlEtyFXu58G0W08imGzk16rwLdIm3PuwhuyNA0VoW_yTN9va8V4Rzv_5PiVrtruVUBD_hTNNKF6K9W8O7y6-mv89vObPJvmlfT30RE0F_-2g1NCDgf-2Fj8mzLOEK6-nE_QA_pVKc/s1600/MarianPMerritt4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RytPlEtyFXu58G0W08imGzk16rwLdIm3PuwhuyNA0VoW_yTN9va8V4Rzv_5PiVrtruVUBD_hTNNKF6K9W8O7y6-mv89vObPJvmlfT30RE0F_-2g1NCDgf-2Fj8mzLOEK6-nE_QA_pVKc/s320/MarianPMerritt4.jpeg" width="255" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Marian Pellegrin Merritt writes stories
that blend her love of the mountains with her deep Southern roots. Her tagline,
<i>Where the Bayous Meets the Mountains, </i>grew
from both loves. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This Louisiana native writes her Inspirational Christmas
romances and Southern women’s fiction with a Louisiana/Colorado connection from
the Texas home she shares with her husband and a very spoiled Labradoodle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Connect with her through<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span><a href="http://www.marianmerritt.com/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Website</span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">, </span><a href="http://www.marianmerritt.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Blog</span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">, </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/marian.p.merritt"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Facebook</span></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">, </span><a href="https://twitter.com/MarianPMerritt"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Twitter</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> </span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/marianpmerritt/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Marian P. Merritt's Readers Group</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Buy links to Marian’s Books: <a href="http://www.marianmerritt.com/#!/cnec">http://www.marianmerritt.com/#!/cnec</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Lucy Nelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00037341645096489323noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445051022712071756.post-48876091148430486242016-11-14T11:32:00.000-08:002016-11-15T00:07:06.296-08:00Author Interview and Book Review: "The First Noelle" by Delia Latham<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">'Tis the season to curl up with a throw blanket and a good Christmas themed story, isn't it? Pelican Book Group is releasing their "Christmas <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ho<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">liday Extra<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">vaganza" on Dec. 1<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">including <a href="http://quillsandinkblotts.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-widows-captive-by-lucette-nel.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The W<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">idow's C<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">aptive</span></span></i></span></a> by our very own <a href="http://quillsandinkblotts.blogspot.com/p/lucy.html" target="_blank">Lucy Nel</a>! </span></span></span></span></span>We'<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">re so excited we<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">'re</span> highlighting other <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">au</span>th<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ors</span> in the Holiday Extravaganz<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">a. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Delia Latham's writing is clean and skillful, making this novella a pleasure to read. At only 130 pages, it's the perfect way to spend a <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">chilly</span> winter afternoon.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Noelle Joy stopped celebrating
Christmas ten years ago, when Trevor Holden skipped out on their long-planned
Christmas Eve wedding. He destroyed her trust in men, crushed her belief in
God, and left her cynical about love. Gone is the bright, cheery spirit of the
girl she thinks of now as “the first Noelle.” Stronger and savvier, the new Noelle would never be found waiting
at the altar for a groom who didn’t show.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When a famous-but-mysterious
architect commissions her to decorate his mansion for a holiday event, Noelle
finally returns to her hometown. Even as she finds an unexpected peace in
facing ghosts from the past, her fiercely private client disturbs her. Michael
Holliday is kind and considerate, but far too handsome…and hauntingly familiar.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Holliday didn’t choose Noelle to
make his home a Christmas wonderland by accident. She’s the only one who can do
the job he has in mind—and once she’s in his mansion, he never wants to let her
go. But he’s hiding a secret that could destroy any chance of a relationship
with the beautiful decorator.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A false persona. A shattering secret. Can
love break down these insurmountable walls?</i></b></span></div>
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My review:</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thirty-something
Noelle Joy is a reinvented professional, hardened after heartbreak ten
years ago. She prides herself in being nothing like the first Noelle,
who was naive, romantic, trusting, and vulnerable. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Her
love interest is mysterious from the moment we see him on the page, and
his mystery grows deeper with every well-time hint offered by Latham. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I
had several theories about what his secret could be, but nothing
prepared me for the truth! I promise you will never, ever guess what
he's keeping from everyone. This unusual twist keeps an otherwise
ordinary contemporary romance fresh and interesting. Though reality must
be suspended somewhat, it doesn't
detract from his character: Michael Holliday is a man in love who has
gone to great lengths and deep pain to protect his loved ones. That's
hard for a romance reader to resist. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Being
a Christian romance, you won't be surprised or disappointed by the
satisfying resolution, but I will say this: for two people who have been
dealt a tough, life-changing blow--not of their making--the happy
ending is made all the sweeter by their lack of regret and bitterness,
by their joy, and by their acceptance. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's
a great lesson for any reader who is facing a holiday season under
circumstances that are less than ideal. We can't change what God has
ordained, but we can learn and grow from it. We can let it make us
better<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span>instead of bitter. Sometimes we even figure out that it's okay
to go back to the way we were before, when we were trusting, and
faithful, and full of hope.</span><br />
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Author interview <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">w<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ith Delia La<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">tham<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">:</span></span></span></span> </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1. <i>According to your author bio, you're from east Texas, but the setting of this novel is very authentically set in beautiful northern California. The mountains, the winter climate, and the proximity to San Francisco are all integral to the story. How did you come to be familiar with the region, and what made you decide to set the fictional town of Hope Creek there?</i><br /><br />Well, now, you spotted that. I'm delighted!<br /><br />The truth comes out... I've lived in East Texas just under two years, as of this interview. I am a born-and-bred California gal, who lived in the Golden State -- central California, however, not the lovely northern portion of the state where The First Noelle is set -- for the first 50 years of my life. East Texas is beautiful, and I'm enjoying my time here (it's much, much closer to my grandchildren), but California will always and forever be home in my heart. <br /><br />2. <i>Speaking of Hope Creek, many of the names in "The First Noelle" seem to have symbolic meaning. For example, the main character's name: Noelle Joy. "Joyeux Noel" means "Merry Christmas" in French. Her love interest's name, Michael Holliday points to the holiday theme. Noelle's father, the Reverend Joy and his wife could be characterized as a couple who experience joy in each other and the Lord. Am I missing any? What other meanings can we derive from the names you gave your characters and setting?</i><br /><br />I'm so glad you picked up on the name thing, Robin! I had fun with them in this book, right down to the town...Hope Creek. (You've read the story. Does Hope Creek seem as right to you as it did to me for this little tale?)<br /><br />I love the name 'Noelle." It's so graceful...and joyous. It makes me smile. I wanted the title of the book to somehow tie in to a Christmas carol, so...since Noelle can be a female name, and I happen to love it, I settled on The First Noelle for the book title and Noelle for the heroine's name. Her surname was never a question, from the moment I started putting the book together. It had to be Joy. This was especially interesting to write, with Noelle's current less-than-joyful mindset and her faith challenge. <br /><br />Michael's name does reflect the season, but I also was thinking ahead to Noelle's name change should there be a happy-ever-after, and she suddenly wear the hero's surname. Noelle Holliday would still give her an interesting seasonal moniker. Using your French example, she would then be Christmas Holiday.<br /><br />The Joy family's innate spiritual peace and joy was such a pleasure to incorporate into the story line. I didn't push the holiday names with her parents or any other characters, however. My beloved daddy's middle name was Kennith. Noelle's relationship with her dad is similar to the one I shared with mine, so I 'allowed' Ken Joy to share the name. :) The other character names hold no particular significance, other than they felt right. The chauffeur/butler/handyman's name, Wynn, just happened, as did Josie's, Dr. Marcus Johnston's, and, of course, Oscar Tennerman's (oh, how I enjoyed penning Mr. Tennerman's character!).<br /><br />3. <i>Without giving away any spoilers, I have to ask about the shocking secret Michael Holliday has been keeping. I've never come across a twist like this in Christian Fiction! It was so unexpected, I nearly dropped my kindle when I discovered his secret. What inspired it?</i><br /><br />I hope the shock wasn't unpleasant, dear girl! Disclaimer: I do not promise to replace dropped Kindles or other devices. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />Michael's secret had to be really, really good - and completely without solvability. (OK, so that's not a word...but I have faith that every reader of this blog will 'get it.' lol) Nothing else would make his one, HUGE past failure forgivable. And, for honesty's sake I have to admit - that little side trip takes the reader down a genre road I often travel myself. Maybe one day I'll venture further down that path, and see how my readers react. I'm getting braver, but still taking baby steps. I hope you enjoyed the diversion!</span><br />
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Meet Delia: </span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhOvxIiTRez8LLtFyCSaNW8uE4YRt6GR64Dek6qfPaohSltrYKkOKYuLtvp2ICNP5mPnxkUXECaN_qWhQ8a22GSJT2KmYU1A10hH9C7gHrb94ob2pToyDYdMeudyU7gcctEqH_S3oUf8/s1600/DL+author.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhOvxIiTRez8LLtFyCSaNW8uE4YRt6GR64Dek6qfPaohSltrYKkOKYuLtvp2ICNP5mPnxkUXECaN_qWhQ8a22GSJT2KmYU1A10hH9C7gHrb94ob2pToyDYdMeudyU7gcctEqH_S3oUf8/s320/DL+author.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Writing Heaven’s touch into
earthly tales, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Delia Latham</b> puts her
characters through the fire of earthly trials to bring them out victorious by
the hand of God, His heavenly messengers, and good, old-fashioned love. You’ll
always find a touch of the divine in this author’s sweet tales of romance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Delia lives in East Texas with
her husband Johnny. She’s a Christian wife, mother, grandmother, sister,
friend, and author of inspirational romance…with a finger or two immersed in
the design pool, where she creates beautiful marketing material for other
authors. Delia treasures her role as child of the King and heir to the throne
of God. She’s got a “thing” for Dr. Pepper and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">loves </i>hearing from readers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Contact this
author at any of the following locations:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.delialatham.net/">Website</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/author/delialatham">Amazon
Author Page</a></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://chirpnchatter.blogspot.com/"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Personal blog</span></a></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/delialatham"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Facebook Reader Page</span></a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07634321448061023106noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445051022712071756.post-32116302988840596802016-11-08T06:25:00.002-08:002016-11-08T06:27:23.149-08:00The Widow's Captive by Lucette Nel<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Our very own Lucy has a cover!!!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We wanted to showcase this beauty in honor of learning her release date. The Widow's Captive, a Christmas novella, will be out on December 1st, 2016! Less than a month away! Now...this cover, isn't it absolutely gorgeous?? I'm in love. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">AMAZING!!! It's so incredibly lovely. We are so excited for Lucy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Check out our blog later in the month for a review of </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The Widow's Captive by Lucette Nel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And pre-order yourself a copy. It's the perfect way to get in the Christmas spirit!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Widows-Captive-Historical-Christmas-Extravaganza-ebook/dp/B01MQ40GY3/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1478614866&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=The+Widow%27s+Captive+Lucette+Nel">Pre-Order The Widow's Captive Now</a></span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16477916412178792465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445051022712071756.post-81887893909756644752016-10-31T07:36:00.000-07:002016-10-31T22:58:50.453-07:00Book Review: "The Cautious Maiden" by Dawn Crandall<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Reading a romance set in the Victorian era is delicious, isn't it? You have the propriety and decorum, the watchful, well-meaning eyes, and the desire that heats up despite so many ingrained societal precautions. It's a delight to watch love blossom in such stuffy surroundings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dawn Crandall's "The Cautious Maiden" is set in Victorian New England; first, uniquely, in the state of Maine, then in the more familiar streets of late 19th century Boston. Her heroine, Violet, also unique, begins the story as a single working woman, refreshingly uninterested in marriage.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The action begins on page one, when Violet's dastardly brother upends her life by destroying her reputation and putting her at risk. The rakish and complicated hero, Vance, comes to her rescue by offering to become engaged to her. A generous offer in one sense, since reputation mattered so much in this culture. But there is a cost. He was a rogue in his past, and Violet is as pure as they come. She sees the change in him since his conversion (the theology in this section is excellent) and is agreeable to the arrangement. What unsettles her is not knowing if he actually loves her. This is the tension that carries the reader through the narrative until the pace picks up again with the appearance of the villain--and just when you thought things would be tied up nicely.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vance is a romance reader's dream love interest. At times seeming too good to be true, he takes hold of the reader and doesn't let go until he makes a mistake near the end of the plot. Though Violet has spent weeks assuring him she forgives his past, now she must forgive his present. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He is believably amorous, given his past, but his burgeoning faith demands he protect her chastity and her dignity. One characterization I appreciated was Violet's over-confidence in her own self-control. For the reader who has learned that lesson the hard way, it was good to watch her stumble and right herself in this matter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Though these two characters clearly desire one another almost from the beginning, Crandall skillfully walks the line between love and lust. Violet's wanderings and doubts about Vance's feelings grow tiresome at times, but young readers especially need a heroine who knows the difference between love and lust, and that one does not equate with the other. Crandall offers an excellent analogy, comparing courtship to riding. "Let him gain your trust," Vance tells Violet when she's on a horse for the first time, "and you'll need to trust him at the same time."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Trust turns out to be a challenge for them both. "Sinner" and "saint" alike find themselves wounded and needing to apologize to regain the other's trust.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Regular readers of Christian fiction should enjoy this 4th book in the series (but fully capable of being a stand-alone book!). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC. All thoughts in this review are my own.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWm2v9m8UaAO_9BGNA5PXUfHeJLyPpG6sByJbefcMjzjDBc5U24kOI3pYNo5bUtueLi8z7uxsb1w6TBfKWkaWbHMjEiuBbLBNx2_5uoBAQbbU6sioCeYmzZP7Uv5AEVUAJ2ydXTdxFDkV5/s1600/Dawn-headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWm2v9m8UaAO_9BGNA5PXUfHeJLyPpG6sByJbefcMjzjDBc5U24kOI3pYNo5bUtueLi8z7uxsb1w6TBfKWkaWbHMjEiuBbLBNx2_5uoBAQbbU6sioCeYmzZP7Uv5AEVUAJ2ydXTdxFDkV5/s400/Dawn-headshot.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: opacity 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dawn Crandall is an ACFW Carol Award-nominated author of the award winning series The Everstone Chronicles, which consists of four books: The Hesitant Heiress, The Bound Heart, The Captive Imposter and The Cautious Maiden which released October 4th, 2016.<br style="transition: opacity 0.3s linear;" />Apart from writing, Dawn is also a mom of two little ones and serves with her husband in a premarital mentorship program at their local church in Fort Wayne, Indiana.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: opacity 0.3s linear; vertical-align: baseline;">A graduate of Taylor University with a degree in Christian Education and a former bookseller at Barnes & Noble, Dawn Crandall didn’t begin writing until 2010 when her husband found out abo</span>ut her long-buried dream. It didn’t take her long to realize that writing books was what she was made to do.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dawn is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the secretary for the Indiana ACFW Chapter (Hoosier Ink), and an associate member of the Great Lakes ACFW Chapter. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">She is represented by Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary Agency.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Be sure to visit Dawn on her </span><a href="http://dawncrandall.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;" target="_blank">website</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DawnCrandallWritesFirst/" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> page, or </span><a href="https://twitter.com/dawnwritesfirst" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;" target="_blank">Twitter</a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Don't forget to <a href="https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/8040ae3c30/" target="_blank">click here</a> to enter Dawn's amazing Rafflecoptor giveaway!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">She has two prize packs (aren't they gorgeous!!), and the deadline to enter is <b>November 4.</b></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07634321448061023106noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445051022712071756.post-66311751391921075052016-10-26T08:52:00.001-07:002016-10-26T09:25:28.819-07:00Author of Scarlet Moon on our blog today! <b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Today we welcome Sarah Grimm to our blog. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Her novel Scarlet Moon just released with Enclave Publishing this month. We are so excited for her!!</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Sarah, I want to thank you for taking the time to do an interview with us on our blog today.</span></b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Also, I personally have to give you a quick shout out. This wonderful gal, who I met at Realm Makers 2016 Conference, helped me with directions when I was totally scared and lost. The college campus was huge and intimidating for me and my direction-challenged self. When Sarah was travelling back to the dorms, she saw I was in distress and helped walk back with me, retracing the steps she had just taken. She didn't have to do that, and for her kindness I will be ever thankful. </span></b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Now onto the interview with the amazing author of SCARLET MOON.</span></b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">What's your writing ritual like? </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I try to write a thousand words a day unless I’m deep in planning a new story or editing for a deadline. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">What's something we wouldn't know about you just by looking? </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Well, I do like Brazilain jiu jitsu, kickboxing, fencing, and shooting. Archery is next. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Do you listen to music while you write? </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">YES! But not while I edit. I need to hear the cadence of the sentences when I edit. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Where is your office? </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Technically, it’s in my home. The basement. I call it the dungeon when it’s deadline time. But it’s a nice little area surrounded by bookshelves and exercise equipment. And I don’t always work there. Have laptop. Will travel. </span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Laptops are my favorite.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">If you were a superhero, what would be your super power? </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Invisibility. But that’s not the superpower I’d want. I’d want to be telepathic.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Favorite season? </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Autumn! I love the colors, that I can wear jeans, that the weather is awesome, and I adore bonfires, pumpkins, and leather jackets!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">What's your favorite chore? </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Cooking. Shhhh. Don’t tell. </span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Don't worry, we won't. ;)</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Who is your favorite fictional character? </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This changes all the time, and I can never pick just one. I love Captain America, Kenshin Hirmura (anime), Tadashi from Big Hero 6, and Bigwig aka Thlayli. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">What are the names of your pets? If you don't have any, what would you name your pets? </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Current and past: Sylvester, Elkie, Wellington (Willie), Cozette (Cozy), Indiana Bones, Sydney, Nemo, Rodeo, and Falkor (Kory).</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Favorite place you’ve traveled to? </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">What’s your favorite book? </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The Lord of the Rings trilogy. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">What are you reading right now? </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Outlander.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Cool. I've been reading Outlander for the last year. For some reason I haven't been able to get into it. I keep picking it up, and I AM enjoying it, but there's months in between where I'm not reading it. I just bought the sequel to it, so I better finish eventually. Hope you can get through it faster than me. :)</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you again, Sarah for being on our blog today!</span></b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We eagerly anticipate buying a copy of SCARLET MOON and diving into it soon! </span></b><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Scarlet-Moon-Children-Blood-Book-ebook/dp/B01IWCVRTU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1477499022&sr=1-1&keywords=scarlet+moon">Buy Scarlet Moon now!</a><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">If you can't wait to plunge into Scarlet Moon either, leave us a comment below!</span></b><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16477916412178792465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-445051022712071756.post-85080254494138453252016-10-17T10:06:00.003-07:002016-10-17T12:16:47.785-07:00Interview with a vampire. Well...not really. But Janeen and Julia are pretty close.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What would you do if the one you loved was turned into a monster?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Melrose Durante brings order. As founder of the Houses of the Dead, he tirelessly opposes the vampires, and provides refuge for the Blood Kind, those like himself who fight against the blood curse that leads to vampirism. His medical breakthroughs have brought many back from the vampire path. After thousands of years, the Blood Kind finally has the upper hand.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Until a vampire attacks Melrose’s family, then begs for asylum. To his friends she’s Lucy, a disturbed young woman prone to incoherent rants, warning of an imminent attack by vampire leader, Conan. But to Melrose she’s something more.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His lost wife, Jane.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One thing is clear – time is running out. In five days Conan will attack Quebec City, killing or enslaving all in his way. If Melrose cannot unlock his wife’s tormented mind, even his immortal wisdom may not be enough to save Quebec City, the Blood Kind, and the Houses of the Dead.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blood Mercy Official Website: </span><a href="http://www.bloodmercy.wordpress.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.bloodmercy.wordpress.com</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amazon Preorder Link: </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Mercy-Thicker-Than-Water-ebook/dp/B01L47ILUS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476321001&sr=8-1&keywords=blood+mercy%3A+thicker+than+water" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Mercy-Thicker-Than-Water-ebook/dp/B01L47ILUS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476321001&sr=8-1&keywords=blood+mercy%3A+thicker+than+water</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Uncommon Universes Press Website: </span><a href="http://www.uncommonuniverses.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.uncommonuniverses.com</span></a></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We were blessed (or cursed maybe?) today to be able to interview both the author and illustrator of the up and coming novel Blood Mercy: Thicker Than Water. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Welcome to our blog, Janeen Ippolito and Julia Busko! We are so incredibly pumped to have you on our blog today.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Commencing interview now.</span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What is your favorite vampire folklore and/or legend?</span></span></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-89fb1afb-d38a-bfda-ee49-ae9980f2daee" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JB: I’d have to say the true story of America’s first vampire, Mercy Brown. Although she died of tuberculosis, the community feared that one of the deceased Browns was a vampire. After checking the graves of her (sufficiently decomposed) family members, they checked Mercy’s grave. Because of how well preserved she was (she wasn’t dead nearly as long as her family members), they exhumed her completely, destroyed her body, burned her, and fed her remains to her living brother in the form of a tonic. You know, clearly the sane thing to do. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JI: For me, it isn’t so much the major folklore as the interesting little details. One of my favorites is the idea that to stop a vampire, you should pour rice on the ground because they will be compelled to count all the grains. I find the image of a big, scary vampire on their hands and knees counting rice to be both hilarious and really sad. This concept actually inspired some of the issues characters in the book suffer from.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Did you watch vampire movies or read vampire books to get in the mood to write this story?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JB: To be honest, horror movies are my favorite, so I didn’t really have to change anything about my entertainment habits. But if you’re interested, there are some great movies out there, from the more romantic Anne Rice adaptation </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Interview with the Vampire </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to the more fun and comedic</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Buffy</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. But to be honest, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Little Vampire</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> has a very special place in my heart.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JI: I’m with Julia. I was into vampires before I started writing this. Our mutual interest in vampire lore (among other mythologies, histories, and folklore) was part of what drew us together as friends. I tend to go more bookish, so I’m a fan of Bram Stoker’s </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dracula</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Debbie Viguie’s </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kiss</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> trilogy, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, etc. And yes, I’ve read all the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Twilight </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">books (on a dare). I’ve also watched a lot more vampire TV shows and movies since my reading time has shrunk. Some favorites are </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Moonlight</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Underworld. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JB: If you want an amazingly fun and trippy movie, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a must-watch! I love that movie!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JI: But the book was better. ;-) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JB: Yeah, but then you have to read.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JI: Says the illustrator.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JB: Hahaha, I like pictures, what can I say? </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what kind of vampire-y music did you listen to?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We each actually have a playlist! Janeen’s is a very feels-based mix. She’d listen to certain songs on endless repeat while writing certain scenes. Julia’s is more for general inspiration of emotions as she illustrated. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Janeen’s Playlist: </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWqDYx-ZihDo05rZWzhV7ysmplq-F6PLi" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWqDYx-ZihDo05rZWzhV7ysmplq-F6PLi</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Julia’s Playlist: </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLbFZFizOHWqyvh5vcGsRRZgIfx8gSQSs" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLbFZFizOHWqyvh5vcGsRRZgIfx8gSQSs</span></a></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Is your book considered horror? If not, what genre would you categorize it in?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">JI: I’d put it in the category of supernatural suspense, as would our early test readers. It explores some horrific ideas through the lens of vampirism and illness, and it will keep you turning pages, but it doesn’t hit all the grotesque horror buttons. There’s also humor, a hint of romance between married couples, and onion rings. Because I like food, and I tend to mention it in anything I write.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JB: I’d also shy away from putting it in the horror category. There are some horror tropes we play with, but they’re not the main focus.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqClSf3dX0XTHuRcOwOGd1hz92BGrcRQBSNxI-tavplvyRFBFlLpQmufiFFXGkpGkaw0An8vGwrc4jfk2udRlMXcvVBd4WqmHVgkenVb1SttEbss1U4KHJ64S2_oQd8vpGh2W9iVbGIBM/s1600/The+Houses+of+the+Dead+will+burn%252C+and+everyone+you+love%252C+Melrose+Durante%252C+will+perish+in+searing+flames%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqClSf3dX0XTHuRcOwOGd1hz92BGrcRQBSNxI-tavplvyRFBFlLpQmufiFFXGkpGkaw0An8vGwrc4jfk2udRlMXcvVBd4WqmHVgkenVb1SttEbss1U4KHJ64S2_oQd8vpGh2W9iVbGIBM/s320/The+Houses+of+the+Dead+will+burn%252C+and+everyone+you+love%252C+Melrose+Durante%252C+will+perish+in+searing+flames%2521.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Is it going to be too scary for those of us who scare easily?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JB: I don’t think so? There are some surprising turns in the book, but they’re balanced by some funny scenes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JI: Agreed, although it really depends on what scares you personally. Because this is a tightly-written novella, things are intense, but they don’t linger on in agonizing detail. I’ve had vampire fans enjoy these books, and I’ve also had people enjoy them who said they would never touch a vampire book. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What is your favorite aspect about this story?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JB: Goodness, this is hard to answer! Hmmm… I’d have to say it’s that the antagonists aren’t scary-looking, cape-wearing, cliche-wielding vampires. I find them much scarier, because they could easily be you or me: regular people who possess sinful hearts. And it’s illustrated. I like pictures.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JI: Although we need to stick some poser in a future book who wears a cape.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JB: Yes! Who’s all, “Rah rah! I’m gonna become a vampire!” I can already see the annoyance on Melrose’s face.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JI: Annoying Melrose is the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">best. </span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When you sleep at night, are you ever concerned about vampire attacks?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JB: Not really. There’s an ongoing joke that I’m buddies with the Grim Reaper, so my guess is if vampires come to attack, he’d give them a lecture about being nice to his friends. Or I’d be saved by a unicorn. One or the other. Maybe both. Both would be fun. Ooohh, the Grim Reaper riding a unicorn…</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JI: Nah. Although I have woken up my husband to make sure he wasn’t a zombie. After that, he decided I needed to watch fewer zombie shows with him. Spoilsport. Speaking of which, we like zombies too.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JB: Keep an eye on where we end up. W’re all over the place with cool monsters!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JI: And we love spinoffs. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Awesome interview gals! We appreciate being a part of your blog tour. I think we started out strong with this highly amusing interview. :)</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Please follow the rest of the blog tour to come. The schedule is below:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"><b>Monday, October 17th - Deanna Fugett - Interview on </b></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"><b>Quills and Inkblotts </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">(</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://quillsandinkblotts.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1476809313512000&usg=AFQjCNFneg80Nt3SynG2ki3_EWaOPZKpeQ" href="http://quillsandinkblotts.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://quillsandinkblotts.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/</a>) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1290692094" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Tuesday, October 18th</span></span> - Amy Brock McNew - Character Interview </b>(<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://amybrockmcnew.com/&source=gmail&ust=1476809313512000&usg=AFQjCNGmfe2A5bwNK_1w6RGOQucVOXFgZQ" href="https://amybrockmcnew.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://amybrockmcnew.com/</a>)</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1290692095" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Tuesday, October 18th</span></span> -<i> Blood Mercy: Thicker Than Water </i>on <i>The Write Stuff</i> with Parker J. Cole</span></b></div>
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<b style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_924029538" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(100, 100, 100); cursor: pointer; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Thursday, October 20th</span></span> - Tina Yeager - Blood Kind and Mental/Physical Disorders </b><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">(</span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><u><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.tyeagerwrites.com/&source=gmail&ust=1476817660534000&usg=AFQjCNFAqR4hT_XmC0KHuNFKUJl3-q737g" href="http://www.tyeagerwrites.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.<wbr></wbr>tyeagerwrites.com/</a></u></span></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1290692097" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Monday, October 24th</span></span> - Laura Vanarendonk Baugh - Dracula, Tropes, other Inspirations </b>(<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://lauravanarendonkbaugh.com/blog/&source=gmail&ust=1476809313512000&usg=AFQjCNEUzV0YMii2x2grtmrLiSujcgHb9g" href="http://lauravanarendonkbaugh.com/blog/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://lauravanarendonkbaugh.<wbr></wbr>com/blog/</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1290692098" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday, October 26th</span></span> - Bethany Jennings - Character MBTI Personalities </b>(<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://simmeringmind.com/&source=gmail&ust=1476809313512000&usg=AFQjCNHjGe8N6CVweA4ENb0dEqkvk67GIQ" href="http://simmeringmind.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://simmeringmind.com/</a>) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1290692099" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday, October 28th</span></span> - Ashley Townsend - Special Interview (<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://ashley-townsend.com/&source=gmail&ust=1476809313512000&usg=AFQjCNEJKXxu_PLZrWawtMrS5NNGpgzz2w" href="https://ashley-townsend.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://ashley-townsend.com/</a>)</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1290692100" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday, October 29th</span></span> - Launch Party on Facebook! <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1290692101" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">8 pm-10pm (EST)</span></span> </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.facebook.com/events/1846423622258672/&source=gmail&ust=1476809313512000&usg=AFQjCNFrzf6jxu8hqFOAu-ZR9ifSYEC6dQ" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1846423622258672/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/<wbr></wbr>events/1846423622258672/</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1290692102" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Monday, October 31st</span></span> - GEKE's Article on<i> New Author's Fellowship </i></b>(<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://newauthors.wordpress.com/&source=gmail&ust=1476809313512000&usg=AFQjCNF0A4dWHBqdmkgFPqCrrNUTxIM9TQ" href="https://newauthors.wordpress.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://newauthors.wordpress.<wbr></wbr>com/</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1290692103" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday, November 2</span></span> - Ashley Townsend - Behind-the-Scenes Feature </b>(<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://ashley-townsend.com/&source=gmail&ust=1476809313512000&usg=AFQjCNEJKXxu_PLZrWawtMrS5NNGpgzz2w" href="https://ashley-townsend.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://ashley-townsend.com/</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1290692104" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday, November 4</span></span> - H.A. Titus - Special Interview</b> (<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://hatitus.com/&source=gmail&ust=1476809313512000&usg=AFQjCNF1K5rhjeSv4ocGlxVCUs0DFjb5Qw" href="https://hatitus.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://hatitus.com/</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>ALSO, don't miss out of the awesome FACEBOOK LAUNCH PARTY coming up here soon!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Janeen Ippolito</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij76JDcdQYjGaMo6UleMfGuYsParib04LPDcXhN3ZSlxCl_Q4W_GKZ4klL9POvJg2SsTjEbCt1SmkMlYefVvMRUxjCfM84IWGITbmdXoThWkn1ODFc43PdUXE_E5ohgCy4mtfwUfyMMog/s1600/2016JaneenHeadshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij76JDcdQYjGaMo6UleMfGuYsParib04LPDcXhN3ZSlxCl_Q4W_GKZ4klL9POvJg2SsTjEbCt1SmkMlYefVvMRUxjCfM84IWGITbmdXoThWkn1ODFc43PdUXE_E5ohgCy4mtfwUfyMMog/s320/2016JaneenHeadshot.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-8173c065-d394-3427-b26f-5dea06cbe40a" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Author Bio:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Janeen Ippolito is an idea-charged teacher, reader, writer, book reviewer, and the Fearless Leader of Uncommon Universes Press. She writes nonfiction writing help and speculative fiction laced with horror, humor, and cultural tension. Her co-written illustrated novella, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blood Mercy: Thicker Than Water</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, releases on October 29</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 9.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;">th</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. In her nonexistent spare time she reads, cooks, and sword-fights. Two of her dreams are to eat a fried tarantula and to travel to Antarctica. Go to janeenippolito.com for world-building resources and off-the-wall insights from this sleep-deprived author.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Social Media Links</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/janeenippolitowriter/</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Twitter: @TheQuietPen</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Website: http://www.janeenippolito.com</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instagam: janeen_ippolito</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14112384.Janeen_Ippolito</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">Pinterest: Janeen Ippolito </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Julia Busko</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-8173c065-d397-2bea-0b10-91d1919e3e5e" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Author Bio:</span><span style="font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Julia Busko (like “bus” and “co.”) is an illustrator, designer, writer, and the Elusive Unicorn (art director) of Uncommon Universes Press. In addition to co-writing with Janeen Ippolito, Julia has created book covers, made logos and t-shirt designs, and is planning a series of steampunk fairy tale picture books. In her spare time she dances with a local company and watches documentaries and horror movies. She strives for art filled with creative wonder and the beauty inherent in tragedy. Go to juliabusko.com to dive into a world of remarkable visions and artistic musings.</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-8173c065-d399-5330-fc6f-376b54e93fb3"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwrQvAk7Z9KBXor8j8xEA8plJFbD0pKawQdeY-CRdpenvNEUqMQV5ipeBQfJW4lBE6jATeZRTEv3jlXW1vNXjUrkurA9JHoAnP62yVEE-aZKp131fRdwIAz4qSNCoZKl_Uz9fQwNUR7E/s1600/BMTTW.Cover.Final.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwrQvAk7Z9KBXor8j8xEA8plJFbD0pKawQdeY-CRdpenvNEUqMQV5ipeBQfJW4lBE6jATeZRTEv3jlXW1vNXjUrkurA9JHoAnP62yVEE-aZKp131fRdwIAz4qSNCoZKl_Uz9fQwNUR7E/s400/BMTTW.Cover.Final.2.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Check it out folks. I already read the first chapter and it's amazing!!! Don't miss out on this book, get your copy now!</b></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>If you're as excited as me to dive into this book, don't forget to leave a comment in the comment section below! </b></span></span></div>
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