tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580687502406671182024-03-19T01:48:19.301-07:00Helen C. Johannes, Author-------------------- Brave Men, Bold Women, Hearts in Search of Home --------------------Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.comBlogger189125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358068750240667118.post-20411250751119747412024-03-12T08:11:00.000-07:002024-03-12T08:11:46.682-07:00My Guest Today: Paranormal Romance Author Karen Hulene Bartell<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My guest today is an author after my own heart, someone with
wandering feet and an itch to travel to new places, someone who is inspired by
what she sees. Please welcome Karen Hulene Bartell, a multi-published author
whose latest release is the paranormal romance <b>Kissing Kin</b></span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJr_XsdoYrIUMYYoZwMjJ1Z5GH3gaftrqObZQT_9jgP27LJ8__c1SFHfLLx0DRswZpsdjMIi6BVM83u9TpL5XrGoB2pruCQYwen4R-iGrHEEA_nH8udxE8Ngxtn5Z0m_PluSEdRhdWeqXCCslo2I_jQUtnIVtO13IOD2moxTrg3ZO9zJkpIm9JzuhurFA/s750/KissingKin_w18166_750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJr_XsdoYrIUMYYoZwMjJ1Z5GH3gaftrqObZQT_9jgP27LJ8__c1SFHfLLx0DRswZpsdjMIi6BVM83u9TpL5XrGoB2pruCQYwen4R-iGrHEEA_nH8udxE8Ngxtn5Z0m_PluSEdRhdWeqXCCslo2I_jQUtnIVtO13IOD2moxTrg3ZO9zJkpIm9JzuhurFA/w266-h400/KissingKin_w18166_750.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m always intrigued by how book ideas are birthed. What was
the inspiration for <b>Kissing Kin</b>?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Whenever I visit provocative places, encounter new
experiences, sample different ethnic foods, or chance upon stimulating people,
I’m inspired. Ideas flow. (I should’ve been a travel correspondent.) There’s
something about traveling that takes me out of my rut and propels me into new
realms of possibility. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve written some of my best concepts sitting in noisy
airports or hotel bathrooms at midnight (so I don’t wake my husband with the
light). Being out of my element and in new environments stimulates my
imagination.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As I visit new destinations, I’m infused with innovative
ideas, envisioning scene after scene, like vignettes flowing from one to the
next and the next.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh, I love that feeling! How did that play out for this book?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In <b>Kissing Kin</b>’s case, my husband and I spent
Christmas week hiking and horseback riding in Big Bend National Park twenty
years ago. You’ve seen the area on maps--the southernmost tip of Texas that
borders the Rio Grande and dips into Mexico. Spanning more than 800,000 acres
of Chihuahuan desert, mountains, and rivers, Big Bend is larger than the state
of Rhode Island--and filled with lions and bobcats and bears. Oh, my!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Driving home early that New Year’s morning, we missed the
turnoff in Alpine and followed TX-118 north. Snow-covered and glinting against
the frosty blue January sky, a remote jumble of mountain peaks and ranges
beckoned as they rose above the desert floor. I was enchanted. Gazing at the
sky island for the first time, wide-eyed, I wondered whether those rocky
pinnacles were mirages or optical delusions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But as the craggy peaks loomed larger (a mile high, I later
learned), I realized they were no hallucination or Fata Morgana. A hasty glance
at the map told us these were the Davis Mountains. As we approached, vertical
basalt columns rose like thousands of giant fingers reaching for the sky. The
palisades, buttes, and bluffs towered above both sides of the road with a raw,
majestic beauty, and I breathed a contented sigh, almost as if coming home. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That missed turn took us only a half hour out of our way, but
as we drove through those mountains, my life changed. From that day to this,
the area’s held my heart and imagination. <b>Wild Rose Pass</b> became Book I
of the Trans-Pecos Series, and <b>Kissing Kin</b> has become Book II. Both
novels are standalones with dissimilar genres--<b>Wild Rose Pass</b> is a
historical novel, while <b>Kissing Kin</b> is a paranormal romance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What a fabulous setting! Now that
we’re dreaming of those mountains, we’re primed to see the blurb and excerpt.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Book Blurb</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> –</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Maeve Jackson is starting over after
a broken engagement—and mustering out of the Army. No job and no prospects, she
spins out on black ice and totals her car.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When struggling vintner Luke Kaylor
stops to help, they discover they’re distantly related. On a shoestring budget
to convert his vineyard into a winery, he makes her a deal: prune grapevines in
exchange for room and board.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">But forgotten diaries and a haunted
cabin kickstart a five-generation mystery with ancestors that have bones to
pick. As carnal urges propel them into each other’s arms, they wonder: Is their
attraction physical…or metaphysical?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kissing Kin Excerpt</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <b>– Dozing by the Fire</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Mind
if I camp out ’til the roads clear?”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Under
the circumstances?” The clerk shook his head. “Not a problem.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Thanks.”
He started toward the sitting room and nearly bumped into Maeve, leaning
against the wall. “Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You
didn’t.” She tossed her chin. “I was cat-napping.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Right.”
He compared her guarded veneer to her sleeping-beauty persona. <i>Which is
closer to her true self? </i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Couldn’t
help overhearing.” Gesturing toward the clerk with her chin, she grimaced. “I’m
responsible for you being out tonight--”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No.”
He shook his head. “This is just a freak storm.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You
don’t have to sleep in a chair.” She took a deep breath and gave a quick,
tight-lipped smile. “My room has two queen beds, and you’re welcome to one of
’em.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unsure
of the extent of her invitation, he did a double take.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Just
so we understand each other, this is a bunk, a place to sack out. Period.
Amen.” She spoke in a low-pitched, no-nonsense voice. “Nothing more, so don’t
get any--”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Got
it.” He covered his disappointment with a laugh. “Thanks, I appreciate the
offer, but I’ll be fine dozing by the fire.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Hey,
I’ve bivouacked with soldiers in Afghanistan. We do what’s necessary under
extenuating circumstances.” Shrugging, she glanced at the door. “And this
blizzard qualifies.” Her face relaxed into a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Her
offer tempting, he compared sitting up all night to stretching out in a bed.
Then he glimpsed the clerk. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“If
you’re worried about my reputation, don’t be.” She laughed, the sound like
sleigh bells tinkling on a crisp, wintry night.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What is it about her that conjures thoughts of
other times--other eras? </span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHI3y95wkbQ_k0Vmy-sajQlkGVJ6QdmB_dDri-NZlFvcqIN8DimEtnUL9JRRd52QSwa0mrkVRruuwrKb2aD83NtxnD6Kz7UZ01eAHLSkJx10VjbwuHI8W6y1ZKQ8zEEZHO-x-UIx_jrlf5uRSxPJ3uYTg8l_3h3PVe7iDHRUPyLwSmPNnMS4lStpoKAmA/s1500/KarenHuleneBartell-portrait-high-res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1500" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHI3y95wkbQ_k0Vmy-sajQlkGVJ6QdmB_dDri-NZlFvcqIN8DimEtnUL9JRRd52QSwa0mrkVRruuwrKb2aD83NtxnD6Kz7UZ01eAHLSkJx10VjbwuHI8W6y1ZKQ8zEEZHO-x-UIx_jrlf5uRSxPJ3uYTg8l_3h3PVe7iDHRUPyLwSmPNnMS4lStpoKAmA/s320/KarenHuleneBartell-portrait-high-res.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div><i><br /></i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now that you’ve hooked us into this paranormal
story, we need the <b>buy links</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">UNIVERSAL LINK: </span><a href="https://books2read.com/u/boXl10"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://books2read.com/u/boXl10</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">AMAZON: </span><a href="https://shorturl.at/iwEIJ"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://shorturl.at/iwEIJ</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">GOODREADS: </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204849593-kissing-kin"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204849593-kissing-kin</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv6706989599msonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">APPLE:
</span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/kissing-kin/id6475424012"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://books.apple.com/us/book/kissing-kin/id6475424012</span></a></span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv6706989599msonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">BARNES
& NOBLE: </span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kissing-kin-karen-bartell/1144521766?ean=9781509253951"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kissing-kin-karen-bartell/1144521766?ean=9781509253951</span></a></span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And an author’s bio and social media links:</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Author of the Trans-Pecos, Sacred Emblem, Sacred Journey, and
Sacred Messenger series, as well as Kissing Kin, Fox Tale, Wild Rose Pass, The
Keys: Voice of the Turtle and more, Karen is a best-selling author,
motivational keynote speaker, IT technical editor, wife, and all-around pilgrim
of life. She writes multicultural, offbeat love stories steeped in the
supernatural. Born to rolling-stone parents who moved annually, Bartell found
her earliest playmates as fictional friends in books. Paperbacks became her
portable pals. Ghost stories kept her up at night—reading feverishly. The
paranormal was her passion. Novels offered an imaginative escape. An only
child, she began writing her first novel at the age of nine, learning the joy
of creating her own happy endings. Professor emeritus of the University of
Texas at Austin, Karen resides in the Texas Piney Woods with her husband Peter
and her mews—three rescued cats and a rescued *Cat*ahoula Leopard dog.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Social Media Links</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> – <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/KarenHuleneBartell"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">https://www.facebook.com/KarenHuleneBartell</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">MeWe: </span><a href="https://mewe.com/i/karenbartell"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">https://mewe.com/i/karenbartell</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Twitter: </span><a href="https://twitter.com/HuleneKaren"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">https://twitter.com/HuleneKaren</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/karenhulenebartell/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/karenhulenebartell/</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Goodreads: </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/611950.Karen_Hulene_Bartell"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/611950.Karen_Hulene_Bartell</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Website: </span><a href="http://www.karenhulenebartell.com/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.KarenHuleneBartell.com/</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Email: </span><a href="mailto:info@KarenHuleneBartell.com"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">info@KarenHuleneBartell.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Amazon Author Page: </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/karenhulenebartell"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">https://www.amazon.com/author/karenhulenebartell</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/karenhulenebartell/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">https://www.instagram.com/karenhulenebartell/</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">BookBub: </span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/profile/karen-hulene-bartell"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">https://www.bookbub.com/profile/karen-hulene-bartell</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">LinkedIn: </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenhulenebartell/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenhulenebartell/</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">AUTHORSdb: </span><a href="https://authorsdb.com/community/17847-karen-hulene-bartell"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">https://authorsdb.com/community/17847-karen-hulene-bartell</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Thanks for visiting, Karen, and sharing the origins of your latest release. You've made us all want to visit the Big Bend area and check out <b>Kissing Kin.</b></i></p>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358068750240667118.post-56559851331728563012024-03-03T12:06:00.000-08:002024-03-03T12:06:43.917-08:00My Guest Today: Cozy Mystery Author Mary Ann Jacobs<p><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTTgcPqDyQzTUEUPQHkWNHf98yKxXxz77j5QnRvdeoLh0hKsFphgmQG1H0a8kjnADHcWuvPezrQThX3CwXSRD-GIyZxHMxqFbsWdIJ-KPKCtsO1GsKY_s0Bo-k7ruq-h1KcpNZ7N6CFkQ74g1JV8uiS_IkxNN1TdFmOVr_2bv_gQ6nu9ivFy2zvCrqWfA" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="251" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTTgcPqDyQzTUEUPQHkWNHf98yKxXxz77j5QnRvdeoLh0hKsFphgmQG1H0a8kjnADHcWuvPezrQThX3CwXSRD-GIyZxHMxqFbsWdIJ-KPKCtsO1GsKY_s0Bo-k7ruq-h1KcpNZ7N6CFkQ74g1JV8uiS_IkxNN1TdFmOVr_2bv_gQ6nu9ivFy2zvCrqWfA=w217-h400" width="217" /></a></i><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Welcome to the month of March, where seasons change and snow
still sometimes flies. A perfect month for showcasing a cozy mystery by none
other than Mary Ann Jacobs, whose debut novel <b>Don’t Mess with Me</b>, is the
first book in her <b>Berkshire Mysteries</b> series. </span></i></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m always fascinated by how writers become authors. Everyone
seems to find their own particular path. What have the steps been on your
journey to being a published novelist?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When I taught school, I always wanted
to write. I published a poem and essays but had little time for any other
writing. When I retired, I collected all my scraps and loose pages of writing
from my messy classroom desk and vowed to organize my writings and create many
different types of writing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Covid was a blessing because I now
had time for writing. At first, I wrote a poem a day and sent my poems to the
members of my bridge group. Every time I decided to stop, they encouraged me to
continue because they looked forward each day to a new poem. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You were extremely fortunate to have
such supportive friends! Then what happened?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I published many of those poems in
magazines and anthologies then turned my attention to a new genre. I had been
watching Hallmark movies and reading cozy mysteries in our time of isolation.
Finally, I decided that I would try my hand at a cozy mystery. I considered
this as my Writing Therapy to escape the boredom of isolation during Covid. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I set the mystery in the Berkshires
where my grandchildren live, and where I spent many summers. I modeled Sadie’s
character after my aunt who was a feisty, independent woman. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIx2rNJCjb37GUVCZnykERITbBmHQgf4Uvscxy4X6WdUKh3mRX5WxeLENJwyVGf_tyjKmSzeJlKmcEquOtwVxwOjzQgftJOnsNXVOkoz4PCDkqIyAW1WLfhc9npakVdgEfjVqrhYuLMiuxkEDQM2OacWZ8ZbaD-LQO-2XHRkO1QIGztPzcobhzsABdS_Y" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="122" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIx2rNJCjb37GUVCZnykERITbBmHQgf4Uvscxy4X6WdUKh3mRX5WxeLENJwyVGf_tyjKmSzeJlKmcEquOtwVxwOjzQgftJOnsNXVOkoz4PCDkqIyAW1WLfhc9npakVdgEfjVqrhYuLMiuxkEDQM2OacWZ8ZbaD-LQO-2XHRkO1QIGztPzcobhzsABdS_Y=w181-h320" width="181" /></a></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Knowing your setting is a definite bonus when describing it. Let's hear more about your book.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Blurb:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In the fictional small town of Pittman in the
heart of the Berkshire Mountains, two murders and a kidnapping occur.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Robin
George and Sadie Aboud form the Super Sleuths and intend to set the Sheriff
straight and solve the crimes for him. At one point, the frustrated Sheriff
suspects all the amateur sleuths, and Robin and Sadie must convince him of
their innocence. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Of
course, a cozy mystery needs villains. The two evil villains are Chester
Fergusson, a realtor and con artist who is trying to buy up all the property on
Farley Square, and Mopey Tyler, a suspected drug dealer and the owner of a smut
shop. When they hatch their kidnapping plan, they involve Mike’s Dad, who owns
the local bowling alley.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Excerpt:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Suspicions Revealed and Rebuked<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sheriff
Houtman frowned at the boys as he listened to their allegations, then he said,
“If I catch any of you, and that includes the grownups in this room, inserting
yourselves into our investigation, I’ll arrest you for obstruction of justice.”
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We
are looking for a murderer who is probably still right here in our town. It is
too dangerous to be playing amateur detective. Do you understand me? Sadie,
Robin, and Lola, this means you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We all looked guilty and nodded our
heads. I’m pretty he didn’t believe a thing we just reported. He then turned
and left in a hurry.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sounds like a perfect cozy to enjoy on spring break. Now that
you have a novel with your name on the cover, what have you been doing?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><u>Don’t
Mess with Me</u> is now one year old. I have enjoyed going to many book clubs
that have read my book. I enjoy the fact that when I ask the readers if they
guessed the ending, the majority say they never guessed it. I also ask what
they would like to see in the second book in the series, and I have included
many of those suggestions into the second book in the Berkshire Mystery Series.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
second book is now under contract with The Wild Rose Press, and we will begin
to edit it in March.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Since I love
to cook, I have modernized my grandmother’s Lebanese dishes and included a
couple recipes at the end of each book. I’m sure Sadie must serve these recipes
at Sweet Indulgences, her fictional restaurant in Pittman.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Oh,
could you share a recipe? I’m always looking for new dishes, and I’m sure my
readers are too.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Creative
Leftovers</span></b></p>
<p class="yiv9512738021msonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In my family, we often use lamb in recipes. When we use ground
lamb in rice and sauce or kousa, we often have leftover ground lamb.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv9512738021msonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Scrambled
Eggs and lamb</span></b><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv9512738021gmail-msolistparagraph" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1. In
a skillet, place 1 chopped onion, 2 tablespoons of pine nuts, and a pat of
butter. Add leftover lamb then fry.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv9512738021gmail-msolistparagraph" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2. Whip
4 or 5 eggs in a bowl.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv9512738021gmail-msolistparagraph" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3. Add
eggs to the lamb, onion, and pine nuts mixture, and scramble lightly in a
skillet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv9512738021gmail-msolistparagraph" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">4. Do
not let the scrambled eggs get hard.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="yiv9512738021gmail-msolistparagraph" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">5. Serve
with heated pita bread.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I want to thank Mary Ann for visiting today
and sharing her book and writing journey. For more information and to check out
<b>Don’t Mess with Me</b>, click on the links below.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Buy links:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Mess-Berkshires-Mystery-Book-ebook/dp/B0BKYF5HJV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=19PG1A36M97U0&keywords=Don%27t+Mess+with+Me+by+mary+ann+jacobs&qid=16" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Mess-Berkshires-Mystery-Book-ebook/dp/B0BKYF5HJV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=19PG1A36M97U0&keywords=Don%27t+Mess+with+Me+by+mary+ann+jacobs&qid=16</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dont-mess-with-me-mary-ann-jacobs/1142600182?ean=2940186700777"><span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dont-mess-with-me-mary-ann-jacobs/1142600182?ean=2940186700777</span></a><u><span style="background: white; color: #0563c1; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Contact the author at </span><a href="mailto:maryannjacobsauthor@gmail.com"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">maryannjacobsauthor@gmail.com</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/maryannjacobsauthor"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">https://www.facebook.com/maryannjacobsauthor</span></a><u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Website: </span><a href="http://maryannjacobsauthor.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">maryannjacobsauthor.wordpress.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Twitter:
maryann68592654<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/1878950818?source=link_share"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/1878950818?source=link_share</span></a><u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358068750240667118.post-78497158780475885662024-02-26T08:29:00.000-08:002024-02-26T08:29:52.975-08:00My Guest Today: Paranormal Romantic Suspense Author Mickey Flagg<p><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">Please welcome</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; line-height: 115%;">paranormal romantic suspense author Mickey Flagg. She’s just released <b>His
Soul to Keep,</b> the third book in <b>The Champion Chronicles. </b>Let’s find
out a bit about her before we ask her questions. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbPHdhvn0ThxwwO-viw78KFriZXhXY0tUtY2KtVkE8A6aLiJDXE8b51dP1PAvaUrqAnBffABDnhcFcRSO0qyjLvRCnv_qgfwGGQJNfEr9emLGV1cazoGRsJp5a7SK-fLcqAQwkZF3cGhJdGyqPWdUq-7V2bopnp9We1HWfgUinWwZeipFy1me76y4YJI/s2455/HisSoultoKeep_w17474_med.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2455" data-original-width="1532" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbPHdhvn0ThxwwO-viw78KFriZXhXY0tUtY2KtVkE8A6aLiJDXE8b51dP1PAvaUrqAnBffABDnhcFcRSO0qyjLvRCnv_qgfwGGQJNfEr9emLGV1cazoGRsJp5a7SK-fLcqAQwkZF3cGhJdGyqPWdUq-7V2bopnp9We1HWfgUinWwZeipFy1me76y4YJI/w250-h400/HisSoultoKeep_w17474_med.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Bio<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Always
an avid reader, the realm of paranormal fiction is the perfect landing point
for Mickey Flagg. After a successful career as a music teacher and an urban
school administrator, she continues to spin stories of passion, love and
redemption. She’s been a contributor in a book on urban music education and has
also authored an article for <i>Still Standing</i>, a web-magazine about loss
and healing. Named a Distinguished Music Educator at the 2010 Yale Music
Symposium, Mickey is a life-long New Jersey resident, a member of Liberty
States Fiction Writers and NJRW, and has served as a Professor in Residence
with a local university. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A number of writers I
know are or have been teachers, but you’re the first I’ve met from the field of
music instruction. Tell us, what inspired you to write fiction? And what drew
you to the paranormal romance genre, specifically the vampire sub-genre?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">I love doing puzzles. The more pieces the better. Writing is like
putting a puzzle together and creating a vivid picture. I simply choose to make
my vivid picture with vampires, witches, and mystical warriors. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">One of the first pieces of advice an aspiring author gets is write what
you love. In my case, that’s paranormal fiction. When you add a heady dose of
romance and some gut-wrenching suspense, the sub-genre becomes paranormal
romance suspense. I write in a broad genre that is crowded with so many twists
and turns that your head could spin. Focusing my stories on a cast of
characters, the world I create consistently pits evil against good. Writing
dark fantasy enables an author to bend the rules to meet his or her own
criteria. I like that perk. It places my characters in situations that have
roots in real-world relationships with more than a splash of other-world drama. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1kDw_xzlCDO1cCh6DHC6i0qRBUe5lzBhnrt8_m0hS_jkVjOTkcpKKgUZsR6-Lw-RjjOv7IpxevboPVNqgALZj5ZliRgieAMvPT6CTSwXnsZc5MFcknOxXOg0hmN912Ow0l0kZJKZM8-UM9WM_vH_HtA5R8B6EFjmIe7AqFoWri3aHiEG7O_k35QiEgM/s482/M.%20Flagg%20bio%20pic.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="439" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1kDw_xzlCDO1cCh6DHC6i0qRBUe5lzBhnrt8_m0hS_jkVjOTkcpKKgUZsR6-Lw-RjjOv7IpxevboPVNqgALZj5ZliRgieAMvPT6CTSwXnsZc5MFcknOxXOg0hmN912Ow0l0kZJKZM8-UM9WM_vH_HtA5R8B6EFjmIe7AqFoWri3aHiEG7O_k35QiEgM/s320/M.%20Flagg%20bio%20pic.png" width="291" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Oh, I like that rule-bending perk too. Tell us more
about the drama inherent in your stories.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">My main character in <i>The Champion Chronicles</i> is a mystically
enhanced vampire who regained his soul with some Heavenly help. Writing someone
who should be intrinsically evil but chooses the most difficult path to
redemption creates fascinating possibilities for him and for me as the writer.
By giving him a soulmate who should have destroyed him and a troubled human son
who shouldn’t exist complicates his world. Add to the mix a host of secondary
characters that he must interact with, and my paranormal world is complete. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Some authors choose to write cozy mysteries, young adult, or
second-chance romance. I choose to write tales of love and redemption in the
realm of the paranormal. I’ve always been drawn to the genre because of the
vampire trope. Be it Anne Rice or J.R. Ward, various writing styles intrigue
me. So do story lines that involve all the fantastical what-ifs, like Diana
Gabaldon’s <i>Outlander</i> Series. So, I write what I like. Strong characters
who value love and family above all else. They just happen to be mystical or
magical and live in a world that is always threatened by something evil. I
build a story where good always wins, and whether mystical, magical, or human,
my characters must face his or her demon within and do some soul-searching
along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">For me, writing paranormal fiction is like a giant jigsaw puzzle. I’m
just never sure of the vivid, completed picture until I type: The End.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I like the puzzle
imagery, working the pieces until the image/story is complete. Let’s take a
look now at what you’ve completed in <b>His Soul to Keep</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Blurb</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Too many questions. Too
many doubts. Michael Malone’s new existence is not only shocking but beyond
puzzling. Keeping his distance from his soulmate and his troubled son only
makes matters worse. When his beast-within is resurrected by dark magic and implanted
in a teenage girl, he feels the aberration, feels responsible. But he isn’t a
commanding, mystically enhanced vampire anymore. Will he be able to destroy the
evil entity, or will he be forced to take it back within his soul to save an
innocent? First, he must locate who inspired this heinous act, the wicked
wizard and a beautiful but cunning female vampire he knew centuries ago. His
new reality, his very human life hangs in the balance and he will face
unparalleled evil. Many innocent lives are at stake—should he not succeed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Excerpt<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In a familiar way, Alana settled between
his long legs. Pulling out of the steamy kiss, her head rested on his heart,
and every thump filled her with wonder. No ordinary man could wear snug black
jeans and a simple black shirt with its sleeves rolled up the way Michael did.
Dark colors enhanced his singular, intense look. Even with her eyes closed, she
could see only him. She could sense strength in his soul, in his muscular body.
His embrace was a place of comfort as well as erotic joy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Years apart, and then realizing how much
she loved him... What he had put himself through ten months ago had reshaped
their destiny, and now, the possibility of a long life together had real
meaning. She felt him deep in her soul. Being with him made her very core ache
with a lover’s need. In an intimate way, she studied his day-old beard, the
width of his shoulders, the lines of his face. Her hands weren’t willing to
leave his chest. He shifted, and she drifted farther away to sit on her heels,
to drown in the full vision of him. His eyes shimmered as his warm fingers
threaded hers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“How’d it go with Lu? Did you get a chance
to talk?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Jeez, Mom, that’s a tough one. Couldn’t
we start with something easier?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She chuckled. “I think Mom sounds sweet.
He lets me call him Lu.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“If you’re okay with it, so am I.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where is he?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Anywhere I’m not, apparently.” He groaned
in a frustrated way and pushed back to sit up against the padded arm. His hands
slipped out of her hold, and he laced them to his chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he blew out a slow breath, shivers ran
down her spine. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Did something happen?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I expected non-stop questions, not a
sudden shutdown.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Do you have any idea how unbelievable<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> this</i> is? How unexpected—” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No,<i> really</i>,” he said with a touch
of sarcasm. A distant look she’d never seen before settled on his face. “I
asked for an end to my existence. I didn’t ask for life.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">His eyes dulled while hers blazed. Sucking
in a breath, she held it. Maybe she’d misunderstood. “You wanted an end to your
existence? Meaning… the forever kind of death?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Alana, I’m not about to lie.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Nope, rewind and talk. Talk fast.” The
proverbial romantic, rose-tinted glasses had just ripped right off her eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What I did in undeath, unexpected
questions fired at me by twelve individuals to explain or clarify… then sitting
in the church after a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">six-hour </i>inquisition—which
took place a full month <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">after</span> I
completed their Document of Atonement. I…came undone. Before I left you last
May, I had no right to ask for your love.” He looked at the wall, down the
hall, at anything but her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Michael—”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“And whose idea was it to have my son
here, waiting for my return?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We all thought—”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I told him I’d come for him when <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I</i> was ready. That was the deal. He
should have been forced to stay at school in England. I had no right believing
I could teach him how to deal with life, either.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Michael, stop,” she managed to whisper.
Illogical words came from a most rational man. She couldn’t swallow, didn’t
recognize the chill in his tone. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Now that you have us hooked, let’s share
contact info and buy links:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Contact links:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Website info: </span><a href="http://mflagg-author.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">http://mflagg-author.com</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Social Media
links:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Facebook:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077462468784"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">(1) M.
Flagg | Facebook</span></a><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Twitter:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/flagg_michele"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://twitter.com/flagg_michele</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mickeyflagg"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.instagram.com/mickeyflagg</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Buy Links:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Keep-Champion-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B0CNDF83C2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1HPWM1L0YY5XX&keywords=his+soul+to+keep+m.+flagg&qid=1707758525&s=digital-text&sprefix=%2Cdigital-text%2C264&sr=1-1"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Amazon.com:
His Soul to Keep (The Champion Chronicles Book 3) eBook : Flagg, M. : Books</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/his-soul-to-keep-m-flagg/1104402412?ean=9781509253098"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">His
Soul to Keep by M. Flagg, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m so grateful Mickey
was kind enough to visit today. Please take some time to check out her series, <b>The
Champion Chronicles</b> and her latest release <b>His Soul to Keep</b>.</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358068750240667118.post-81039876907013636402024-02-16T08:20:00.000-08:002024-02-16T08:20:15.537-08:00Book Spotlight: ACCIDENTAL ALLIES by Karina Bartow<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please
welcome Karina Bartow, author of <b>The Unde(a)feated Detective</b> series.
Today’s spotlight is on her latest release in the series, book 2, <b>ACCIDENTAL
ALLIES</b>. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0i3tMU54IgZC0l4MxjAqUoLUCNkkcSM_GzmHvq4ND8kxIrGcyihCw6YyZJp5zYMR6mhx_GSUNByrCZgNPzQxD9qSINCPNpY2GVmVM-k6kYlaEjpXXhdc41dKG0uXdxvBxXgCVYN422G7IEZ6MqAL6uyYeIg-LvMtVOnSFv-OCIf4tp-U1tMUnb263NaU/s750/Accidental%20Allies%20Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0i3tMU54IgZC0l4MxjAqUoLUCNkkcSM_GzmHvq4ND8kxIrGcyihCw6YyZJp5zYMR6mhx_GSUNByrCZgNPzQxD9qSINCPNpY2GVmVM-k6kYlaEjpXXhdc41dKG0uXdxvBxXgCVYN422G7IEZ6MqAL6uyYeIg-LvMtVOnSFv-OCIf4tp-U1tMUnb263NaU/s320/Accidental%20Allies%20Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I doff my hat to you for coming up with
characters and situations that can sustain a series. Detective fiction is a
wonderfully compelling genre, and one of my favorites. Tell us, how did you
come up with the plot for this follow-up book?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In continuation of <b>The
Unde(a)feated Detective</b> series, I decided to bring Minka back to the police
force in <b>Accidental Allies,</b> but I wanted her return to be suspenseful,
much like her departure was in <b>Husband in Hiding</b>. Thus, I set it around
an explosion. You can’t get much more action-packed than that, right?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Absolutely a bang-up idea!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Along with that, I used this
installment to provide a glimpse into the adversity Minka faced—and continues
to face—in her pursuits to be a policewoman. Being disabled myself, I channeled
some of my own experiences and reactions to them through her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like her, I’ve also been privileged to have
“allies” in my corner who believe in me, so I implemented characters around her
that show her that kind of support.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sounds very timely, trying to break
the “blue ceiling” and be seen as fully capable. What’s the blurb?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Everybody’s experienced a rocky start
to a new job, but few can top <a name="OLE_LINK3"></a><a name="OLE_LINK4"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK3;">Minka Avery's return to Orlando PD.<o:p></o:p></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK4;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK3;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK4;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK3;"><a name="OLE_LINK5"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After six years
as a stay-at-home mom, Minka’s nervous but excited to sit at a detective’s desk
again. Before she has a chance to break in her badge, however, her career
resumes with a bang when someone bombs the county courthouse. <o:p></o:p></span></a></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK4;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK3;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK5;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK4;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK3;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK5;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">With
many disillusioned with the justice system, several brow-raising suspects
emerge right away. Minka and her new partner, Renee, follow several tips that
lead to dead ends, until they zero in on the courthouse's former security
guard. Their attempts to apprehend him send the city and police department into
chaos. Meanwhile, Minka contends with the lingering suspicion of another party
being involved. Could his accomplice be closer than she thinks?</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Wow! Let’s see an excerpt.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .3in;"><a name="OLE_LINK64"></a><a name="OLE_LINK65"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK64;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Because of the explosion, all of the
amusement parks closed early, driving out the entire community of panicked
tourists. News vans and first-responders added to the congestion, all sharing
the same destination. Rush hour on its worst day didn’t compare to this chaotic
ride.<o:p></o:p></span></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK65;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK64;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Upon driving
closer, Minka and Renee saw smoke ascending from the twenty-three-story
building. Totally engulfed in flames, the Orange County Courthouse lacked its
former majestic quality. Firefighters surrounded the south side where the
thickest smoke bellowed into the sky. The darkness of it, combined with the
late hour, filtered the whole scene, but the detectives managed to find Cael
and his partner, Declan Schuster. Having arrived minutes ahead of Minka and
Renee, Gus stood with the guys. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK65;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK64;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Minka swallowed
the lump in her throat. “I can’t believe this is happening here.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK64;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK65;"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We’re hooked! Let’s see the links:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Amazon: </span></b><a name="OLE_LINK6"></a><a name="OLE_LINK7"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK6;"></span></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Accidental-Allies-Unde-feted-Detective-ebook/dp/B0CHWKQ98F"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK7;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK6;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.amazon.com/Accidental-Allies-Unde-feted-Detective-ebook/dp/B0CHWKQ98F</span></b></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK7;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK6;"></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK7;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK6;"><b><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b></span></span><b><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Barnes & Noble: </span></b><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/accidental-allies-karina-bartow/1144069605;jsessionid=D196D6EF2F76C613F15D81D65BCDF7D5.prodny_store02-atgap06?ean=9781509252077"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/accidental-allies-karina-bartow/1144069605;jsessionid=D196D6EF2F76C613F15D81D65BCDF7D5.prodny_store02-atgap06?ean=9781509252077</span></b></a></span><b><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Books-A-Million: </span></b><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Accidental-Allies/Karina-Bartow/9781509252077?id=8973185582242"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Accidental-Allies/Karina-Bartow/9781509252077?id=8973185582242</span></b></a></span><b><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Walmart: </span></b><a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Unde-a-Feated-Detective-Accidental-Allies-Series-3-Paperback-9781509252077/5087500511?from=/search"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.walmart.com/ip/Unde-a-Feated-Detective-Accidental-Allies-Series-3-Paperback-9781509252077/5087500511?from=/search</span></b></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now for an author bio and social media
links:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk158456612"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Karina
Bartow grew up and still lives in Northern Ohio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though born with Cerebral Palsy, she’s never
allowed her disability to define her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rather, she’s used her experiences to breathe life into characters who
have physical limitations, but like her, are determined not to let them stand
in the way of the life they want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
works include <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Husband in Hiding</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Brother of Interest</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Forgetting My Way Back to You</i>, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wrong Line, Right Connection</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She may only be able to type with one hand,
but she writes with her whole heart!<o:p></o:p></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk158456612;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk158456612;"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Social Media:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Website:
</span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.karinabartow.com/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.KarinaBartow.com</span></a></span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Facebook:
</span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/karinabartowauthor"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.facebook.com/karinabartowauthor</span></a></span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Twitter:
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</span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/Karina-Bartow/author/B076L4FCGV?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.amazon.com/stores/Karina-Bartow/author/B076L4FCGV?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true</span></a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Please
thank Karina for visiting today and dishing on ACCIDENTAL ALLIES by checking
out her books!</span></i><u><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358068750240667118.post-22048717575776204422024-01-27T12:10:00.000-08:002024-01-27T12:10:50.877-08:00Snowy Sword of Damocles--Story Element?<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For about
two weeks this massive drift of snow and ice has been steadily drooping lower and lower
some twenty feet above our back porch. As the brutal weather warmed, the
overhang grew icicle teeth and dripped, menacing us below with a sheet of ice
on the porch steps while we wondered when the frozen hulk above would finally
come crashing down, hopefully not while someone was on the landing. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkrpWvSYg83MMibqzvXUVIuICjXbHeR6wqLX7BaUCOu1Dx5SqlE3mx3UUxNLzjEy6vg2qGUF6uzZG-zphxNEAVBsimnZMnmU0t7TyPDEXlulQH_k2rQjU18DJBSzYO1IUpk7awxsVQhSdHBe75hXvqihVydVqNtXpMrzY6Jl2mrQG7V8TpQzH0zOIWJw/s4000/DSCF5491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkrpWvSYg83MMibqzvXUVIuICjXbHeR6wqLX7BaUCOu1Dx5SqlE3mx3UUxNLzjEy6vg2qGUF6uzZG-zphxNEAVBsimnZMnmU0t7TyPDEXlulQH_k2rQjU18DJBSzYO1IUpk7awxsVQhSdHBe75hXvqihVydVqNtXpMrzY6Jl2mrQG7V8TpQzH0zOIWJw/s320/DSCF5491.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our personal
Sword of Damocles is a perfect illustration of one of the primary elements of
story-telling, that of the ticking time bomb, the deadline, the
we-have-to-fix-the-dam-before-it-breaks or the proverbial Sword of Damocles
falls. It’s the stakes plus a time-table. And it’s the staple of all kinds of
fiction, from mystery to romance to fantasy and sci-fi. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Think The Martian, Lord
of the Rings trilogy, Harry Potter series, Jayne Ann Krentz's romantic suspense, Richard
Osman’s The Last Devil to Die among many, many others. The characters come
together to face a threat, and they can’t dilly dally because time is literally
of the essence. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Even comedy is built on this. Think of a character trying to
avoid an impending situation and failing with panache, such as the Big Bang
episode where Sheldon comes down with a cold and everyone flees—or tries to.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What’s at
stake + an important, unavoidable deadline = the kind of pacing that keeps a
reader glued to a book, turning pages.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Or keeps us
checking the roof to see if it’s safe to go out yet. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358068750240667118.post-71899626040689901042023-12-09T12:42:00.000-08:002023-12-09T12:42:54.663-08:00My Guest Today: Debut Mystery Author Meryl Brown Tobin<p><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">My
guest today is from the other side of the equator and in an entirely opposite
hemisphere. Please welcome <b>Meryl Brown Tobin</b>, a fellow Wild Rose Press author
from Australia. She’s here today to provide insight into her debut novel,
<b>BROOME ENIGMA</b>. </span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufOG796z9Ypwy6cLt96rvJF5byem0irz_-u_4DxW4cZpGZG8jiQRHmSz8YpZToi9E71nbngcFEvaMjsBSOrH09Bg77lTIC_xiyUtxAkKkWUS4oekIbg64_ofJMmA6XrlUBX2TTHrnClJW9pmORwbS1yuGyVzOZoR69dzq9Li3j2eGk8Ybbo2vi7M4S8w/s750/4%20Cover,%20BroomeEnigma_w17071_750-1%20393%20kb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufOG796z9Ypwy6cLt96rvJF5byem0irz_-u_4DxW4cZpGZG8jiQRHmSz8YpZToi9E71nbngcFEvaMjsBSOrH09Bg77lTIC_xiyUtxAkKkWUS4oekIbg64_ofJMmA6XrlUBX2TTHrnClJW9pmORwbS1yuGyVzOZoR69dzq9Li3j2eGk8Ybbo2vi7M4S8w/w266-h400/4%20Cover,%20BroomeEnigma_w17071_750-1%20393%20kb.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></i></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Meryl has a unique background for composing a mystery, and she’s multi-published in a
number of fields. Here’s her bio:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-AU">Meryl
Brown Tobin is an Australian writer who writes fiction and non-fiction for
adults and children, poetry, educational puzzles and the odd cartoon and comic
strip. She has had 22 books published, including two with other writers,
and hundreds of poems, puzzles, short stories, travel and other articles, and
cartoons published in more than 150 print and digital publications in Australia
and overseas. Her debut novel, ‘<b>Broome Enigma</b>’, a romantic suspense novel, was
published by The Wild Rose Press in November, 2023. Details: </span><span lang="EN-AU"><a href="https://sites.google.com/view/merylbrowntobin-author"><span style="color: windowtext;">https://sites.google.com/view/merylbrowntobin-author</span></a></span><span lang="EN-AU">
and </span><span lang="EN-AU"><a href="https://www.swwvic.org.au/member/meryl-tobin/"><span style="color: windowtext;">Meryl
Tobin - Society of Women Writers Victoria (swwvic.org.au)</span></a></span><span lang="EN-AU">.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve
watched some TV series and movies but read only a few novels set Down Under. Tell us about your book's premise.</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="c9dxtc"><span lang="EN-AU">On
a working holiday in Australia's cosmopolitan Outback town of Broome in 1986,
Jodie, a young book designer and artist is open to romance and adventure.</span></span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="c9dxtc"><span lang="EN-AU">At
the holiday village where she is staying, she meets Joe, a young man who works
there. Despite the strong attraction between them, the many unknowns about his
earlier life keep them apart. To try to uncover his mysterious past, they
travel to Perth and back to Broome and are drawn into not only bizarre but also
dangerous situations.</span></span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="c9dxtc"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Is Joe the person she thinks he is, or is he some alter ego? Can
Jodie and Joe stop their relationship from developing until they have answers
and know if he is free to love her?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">That sounds intriguing. Why did you choose this
setting and time period for <b>BROOME ENIGMA</b>?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: black;">Broome is now a top
tourist destination attracting many thousands of tourists each year. With its
remoteness, turquoise sea, rugged red sandstone cliffs and kilometres long
stretch of white sands at Cable Beach, Broome is a colorful exotic place to
visit in Outback Western Australia, Australia that goes back to the Dreamtime.
A pearling town from the late 1800s until the mid 1900s, it is peopled by </span><span lang="EN-GB">Aborigines, Japanese, Chinese, Malayans,
Filipinos, Koepangers (East Indonesians) and Europeans, a truly cosmopolitan
town. During </span><span style="background: white; color: black;">World War 2, it was turned into a military garrison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As I am a travel
writer as well as a fiction writer, I had already written a chapter on the area
in my travel book ‘Exploring Outback Australia’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that was not enough––it is such a unique
place, I wanted it as the setting for a novel. <span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On one of our Outback trips, we met a good-looking young man who
was a maintenance man at a holiday park we stayed at. <span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Dressed only in jeans and sandals and shifting
around sprinklers, he was longish-haired and perfectly tanned and looked as
though he had just stepped off a film set about surfers. However, he did not
smile</span> and had a ‘dampened down’ personality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">That prompted me to wonder how someone like him came to be working in a
caravan park</span> and I played the ‘What If...?’ game. In time answers formed
and I came up with a <span style="background: white;">hero
whose past life was shrouded in mystery.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Okay,
you’ve hooked me. Let’s read a sample:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="c9dxtc"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">EXCERPT<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black;">A big
gust of wind rocked the van and flung Jodie hard against Joe. He pushed her
off.</span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black;">“Joe,
it’s me, Jodie! Wake up, wake up!”</span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black;">“Jodie,
is that you?” He threw his arms around her and buried his head in her chest.</span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black;">She
brushed his hair back from his sweating face.</span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black;">“Take it
easy, Joe. Take deep breaths. It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.”</span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black;">He
stopped shaking and pulled back from her. “What’s happening?”</span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black;">“It’s the
cyclone. Don’t you remember?”</span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black;">Another
huge gust shook the van and sent Jodie sprawling on Joe’s bunk and into the
wall. “Ow, that hurt!” She picked herself up and rubbed her head. The van
rocked violently again. Joe and Jodie grabbed for handholds.</span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black;">“Quick,
come into my bed with me, Joe. It will be safer there.” Tripping and feeling
their way along the wall, the two made their way to the double bed and
clambered in.</span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black;">Her
breathing coming in short spasms, she lay on her back and took deep breaths.
The storm whined and screeched about her, and the roof creaked and scraped.</span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black;">“Oh, my
god, the roof’s going to take off any minute!”</span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black;">Joe’s
arms enveloped her. “Hush, everything will be all right. But will you be okay
if we have to make a run for it?”</span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black;">“Yes.”
She let out a sob. “But I like our chances better in here than out there.”</span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black;">Joe
kissed her forehead. He pulled her closer and they lay locked against each
other while the storm raged around them.</span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Whew!
Can’t imagine riding out a storm like that. Readers agree:</span></i></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black;">COMMENT BY EARLY BIRD READER OF ‘BROOME
ENIGMA’</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="zfr3q" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="c9dxtc"><b><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black;">Felicia
Di Stefano</span></b></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #212121;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="zfr3q" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="c9dxtc"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black;">“Finished
your book. Very much a page turner kept me up till 1.30 am one morning. </span></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #212121;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="zfr3q" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="c9dxtc"><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: black;">Wow
what a thriller. Would never have worked out the end!”</span></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="color: #212121;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-AU">More comments on </span></b><span lang="EN-AU"><a href="https://sites.google.com/view/merylbrowntobin-author/novels">https://sites.google.com/site/merylbrowntobin
- NOVELS</a></span><span lang="EN-AU">. </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlOwZE1JWvXVBW53mTxDHxphQVdmq6pn5on2h_xdPdPysZrAp9MXNTP3fg6YxYwxQ9WgK15cY2LwC_6W-xSEIhrlFtLxyl3OCvIejaVFeWLLoBKJgHVTehzWqSqh_d8J2ZLLURVMClJBbwSZXn8IWwROGfttyoLjKGqjc0tYzVkmMVLrWRJ9KlVJ0Qq4/s1994/Meryl%20Brown%20Tobin%20190221%20Ph%20Hartley%20Tobin%20IMG_9089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1994" data-original-width="1495" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlOwZE1JWvXVBW53mTxDHxphQVdmq6pn5on2h_xdPdPysZrAp9MXNTP3fg6YxYwxQ9WgK15cY2LwC_6W-xSEIhrlFtLxyl3OCvIejaVFeWLLoBKJgHVTehzWqSqh_d8J2ZLLURVMClJBbwSZXn8IWwROGfttyoLjKGqjc0tYzVkmMVLrWRJ9KlVJ0Qq4/s320/Meryl%20Brown%20Tobin%20190221%20Ph%20Hartley%20Tobin%20IMG_9089.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m an “into the mist” writer. What’s your
process?</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For no particular length of time––could be minutes,
hours, days, months or years––I’ll have ideas forming in my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mind is like a giant computer that keeps
making and storing pieces of jigsaw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
day they’ll align and I’ll have the germ of a story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I might think it over in bed that night, and,
in the morning I can’t wait to get to the computer to write it up.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A novel like ‘Broome Enigma’ might take decades to
write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the last 30 or so years, I
have written six novels, along with hundreds of smaller pieces, including short
stories, articles and educational puzzles. With the help of Val Mathews, a now
former editor with The Wild Rose Press who showed me how to write in a style to
suit the publishing house, and current editor Ally Robertson, I have now
published my first novel and, in time, will rework my earlier novels.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">With
all your experiences publishing in so many writing fields, yet <b>BROOME ENIGMA</b>
being your first published novel, can you share some tips for aspiring writers?</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Read widely, especially in the
genre of your interest. Try to analyse why a work is successful or not.</span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Write what you know and what you can research to fill
in the gaps.</span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do a writing course. It’s a lot quicker than learning
by trial and error.</span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you are a novelist, consider writing short pieces
as well and send them out for publication.
It is a long time between novels and having your name in print
establishes your reputation.</span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Network with other writers by joining writers’
support groups and critique groups.</span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Get constructive criticism, whether from a TAFE
course, writing buddies, a mentor or a good editor.</span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Plan your novel. You might fully set it out before
you start or you might have an outline in your head and let your novel unfold
as you write.</span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Show, don’t tell. To help you master
this, read the two books recommended by editor Val Mathews: Mary Buckham's ‘A
Writer's Guide to Active Setting’ and Janice Hardy's ‘Understanding Show, Don't
Tell’.</span></span></li><li><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Write your rough draft without worrying about
editing. The main thing is to get it down. Editing can come later. Once edited, let it jell before sending it
off.</span></span></li></ol><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you think
writing a novel is hard, wait until you try to find a publisher or an agent,
or, if you self-publish, a market. Consider trying <a href="https://wildrosepress.com/"><span style="color: windowtext;">The Wild Rose Press
Inc</span></a>, which published my debut novel <em>Broome Enigma</em>.
The publishing house was established by two authors who believe publishing
should be a joint effort between publisher, author and editor. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">I heartily second the recommendation for THE WILD ROSE PRESS, as that's my
publisher too.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Three cheers for Meryl Brown Tobin for giving us a peek into life on the other side of the equator. Show her your support by checking out <b>BROOME ENIGMA</b> at these worldwide sites:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=23585ad3980124a1JmltdHM9MTY5NjYzNjgwMCZpZ3VpZD0zMzgxYmVjYy04OWU2LTYzZTgtMzQwMy1hZDU1ODhmNjYyZDcmaW5zaWQ9NTE4OA&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=3381becc-89e6-63e8-3403-ad5588f662d7&psq=broome+enigma+by+meryl+brown+tobin&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW1hem9uLmNvbS5hdS9Ccm9vbWUtRW5pZ21hLU1lcnlsLUJyb3duLVRvYmluLWVib29rL2RwL0IwQ0hXTEZUU1o&ntb=1" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;"><span style="mso-field-code: "HYPERLINK \0022https\:\/\/www\.amazon\.com\/s?k=broome+enigma&crid=2EPEXRHWKB90P&sprefix=%2Caps%2C285&ref=nb_sb_ss_recent_1_0_recent\0022";"><u><span style="color: blue;">Amazon.com : broome enigma</span></u></span></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #111111; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 63.8pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #111111; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=23585ad3980124a1JmltdHM9MTY5NjYzNjgwMCZpZ3VpZD0zMzgxYmVjYy04OWU2LTYzZTgtMzQwMy1hZDU1ODhmNjYyZDcmaW5zaWQ9NTE4OA&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=3381becc-89e6-63e8-3403-ad5588f662d7&psq=broome+enigma+by+meryl+brown+tobin&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW1hem9uLmNvbS5hdS9Ccm9vbWUtRW5pZ21hLU1lcnlsLUJyb3duLVRvYmluLWVib29rL2RwL0IwQ0hXTEZUU1o&ntb=1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #111111; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Amazon.com.au (Australia)</span><span style="color: #111111; line-height: 107%; text-decoration: none;">
</span></a></span><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Broome-Enigma-Meryl-Brown-Tobin/dp/1509250638"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Broome Enigma :
Tobin, Meryl Brown: Amazon.com.au: Books</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/Broome-Enigma-Meryl-Brown-Tobin/dp/1509250638" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Amazon.co.jp:
Broome Enigma : Tobin, Meryl Brown: Foreign Language Books</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (Japan)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 4.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Broome-Enigma-Meryl-Brown-Tobin/dp/1509250638"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Broome Enigma:
Amazon.co.uk: Tobin, Meryl Brown: 9781509250639: Books</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (UK)<span style="color: #444444;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=fec664693dd7b8c6JmltdHM9MTY5NjQ2NDAwMCZpZ3VpZD0zMzgxYmVjYy04OWU2LTYzZTgtMzQwMy1hZDU1ODhmNjYyZDcmaW5zaWQ9NTMyNA&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=3381becc-89e6-63e8-3403-ad5588f662d7&psq=broome+enigma+by+meryl+brown+tobin&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYW1hem9uLmNvbS5ici9Ccm9vbWUtRW5pZ21hLUVuZ2xpc2gtTWVyeWwtQnJvd24tZWJvb2svZHAvQjBDSFdMRlRTWg&ntb=1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4007a2; line-height: 107%;">Broome Enigma (English
Edition) eBook Kindle - Amazon.com.br</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
(Brazil)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.saxo.com/dk/broome-enigma_bog_9781509250639" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Få Broome Enigma af som Hæftet bog på engelsk
(saxo.com)</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (Denmark?)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.saxo.com/dk/forfatter/meryl-brown-tobin_17387719"><span style="line-height: 107%;">https://www.saxo.com/dk/forfatter/meryl-brown-tobin_17387719</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Denmark)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amazon (France) </span><a href="https://www.amazon.fr/Broome-Enigma-English-Meryl-Brown-ebook/dp/B0CHWLFTSZ"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Broome Enigma (English Edition) eBook : Tobin,
Meryl Brown : Amazon.fr: Boutique Kindle</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.in/Broome-Enigma-Meryl-Brown-Tobin-ebook/dp/B0CHWLFTSZ"><span style="line-height: 107%;">https://www.amazon.in/Broome-Enigma-Meryl-Brown-Tobin-ebook/dp/B0CHWLFTSZ</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (India?)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.es/Broome-Enigma-English-Meryl-Brown-ebook/dp/B0CHWLFTSZ"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Broome Enigma (English Edition) eBook : Tobin,
Meryl Brown : Amazon.es: Tienda Kindle</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
(Spain)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.de/Broome-Enigma-English-Meryl-Brown-ebook/dp/B0CHWLFTSZ"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Broome Enigma (English Edition) eBook : Tobin,
Meryl Brown : Amazon.de: Kindle Store</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
(Germany)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Better Read than
Dead (Sydney) </span><a href="https://www.betterread.com.au/discount-books/welcome-to-brtd.do"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Welcome to BRTD - Better Read Than Dead
Bookstore Newtown</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Barnes &
Noble (USA) </span><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/broome-enigma-meryl-brown-tobin/1144060662?ean=9781509250639"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Broome Enigma by Meryl Brown Tobin, Paperback
| Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Booktopia (Australia)
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/broome-enigma-meryl-brown-tobin/book/9781509250639.html"><span style="line-height: 107%;">https://www.booktopia.com.au/broome-enigma-meryl-brown-tobin/book/9781509250639.html</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">ThriftBooks(USA)</span><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">:</span><a href="https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/broome-enigma/51028362/item/61510947/#idiq=61510947&edition=69970320"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/broome-enigma/51028362/item/61510947/#idiq=61510947&edition=69970320</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Brown’sBooks (UK)
</span><a href="https://www.brownsbfs.co.uk/Product/Tobin-Meryl-Brown/Broome-Enigma/9781509250639"><span style="line-height: 107%;">https://www.brownsbfs.co.uk/Product/Tobin-Meryl-Brown/Broome-Enigma/9781509250639</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Goodreads</span><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199746026-broome-enigma%20%0d">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199746026-broome-enigma
<o:p></o:p></a></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mighty Ape (NZ) <a href="https://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/broome-enigma/38222278">https://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/broome-enigma/38222278</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.bol.com/be/nl/p/broome-enigma/9300000163632008/"><span style="line-height: 107%;">https://www.bol.com/be/nl/p/broome-enigma/9300000163632008/</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (Netherlands)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Walmart(Sacramento):</span><a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Broome-Enigma-Paperback-9781509250639/5067638128"><span style="line-height: 107%;">https://www.walmart.com/ip/Broome-Enigma-Paperback-9781509250639/5067638128</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.exlibris.ch/de/buecher-buch/english-books/meryl-brown-tobin/broome-enigma/id/9781509250639/"><span style="line-height: 107%;">https://www.exlibris.ch/de/buecher-buch/english-books/meryl-brown-tobin/broome-enigma/id/9781509250639/</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (Germany, Switzerland, Austria?)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy reading!</span></i></span></p>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358068750240667118.post-7770017358634239832023-11-29T08:36:00.000-08:002023-11-29T08:36:33.547-08:00My Guest Today: Susie Black, author of RAG LADY<p><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My guest today is
Susie Black, an amazing woman who’s parlayed an improbable—and
successful—career in clothing sales into the premise for her clever second act,
a four-book cozy mystery series based on the retail clothing trade. </span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSb0zAYt5IApRWhi-dvpG-JeSypoST-xNOph4UZ9Us2S74fH0GdAOgo41WYy2dRbPUcLizwYSHAj67YhTXoE1Yu6ZMfR5HU26LG4cVmMsRSe19TsAMc5eElcquC7WuhnUuoMwgbGAzFhw6dt3_kap3CAy5cnfp2NZytSew2uTmpC_Wga3GDl3rgRCegyI/s750/RagLady_w17420_750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSb0zAYt5IApRWhi-dvpG-JeSypoST-xNOph4UZ9Us2S74fH0GdAOgo41WYy2dRbPUcLizwYSHAj67YhTXoE1Yu6ZMfR5HU26LG4cVmMsRSe19TsAMc5eElcquC7WuhnUuoMwgbGAzFhw6dt3_kap3CAy5cnfp2NZytSew2uTmpC_Wga3GDl3rgRCegyI/w266-h400/RagLady_w17420_750.jpg" width="266" /></a><i></i></div><i><br /></i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Tell us, Susie,
how did this unexpected career path come about?</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My
maternal grandmother had two favorite expressions: Man plans and God laughs,
and nothing turns out the way you think it will. She believed things happen for
a reason, even if we don’t always understand why. She warned me to be careful
what I wished for since I might get it. That sometimes God punishes us by
granting us our wishes, and other times God saves us by not granting them. And
that God helps those who help themselves. As I’d come to learn, my wise nana
had the secret of life down pat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At
the end of my college freshman year, my dad, a ladies' apparel sales rep, got a
huge opportunity and moved my family from Los Angeles to Miami. Relocating from
hip LA to “God’s waiting room” failed to excite me, and I chose not to go. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Three
years later, armed with my journalism degree and a blind idealism only the
young can sustain, I dreamed of being a writer, but fate had other plans. A
family crisis threw me into an improbable situation. Baptism by fire got me
into the rag biz. I accepted a job working for my dad as a ladies’ apparel
sales rep traveling the deep southern states. My life veered off in a
completely different direction than I intended, and it would never be the same.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry, I had to prove myself <i>every
day</i>. When I started my career, <i>no other woman</i> did what I did in the
deep southern states. Depending upon who you spoke with, I was either famous or
infamous-but one thing was for sure: I was the talk of the apparel industry. No
one-except my mentor father and me- thought I’d last a season traveling a
six-state territory as a manufacturer’s representative for five companies. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Grit
and stubborn perseverance to prove them all wrong kept me going, no matter how
daunting the challenge. And prove them wrong I did- and succeeded beyond my
wildest dreams. I took a sledgehammer to every glass ceiling I encountered and
smashed it to smithereens. And the bonus? I opened many doors for the next
generation of women executives to succeed in male-dominated industries.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But
if it wasn’t for my nana urging me to “<i>Keep a journal. Get all your
experiences down on paper. Maybe this is the reason you’re in the rag biz. This
must be the story you’re destined to write,”</i> I doubt if I ever would have
leveraged my successful ladies’ apparel sales career into a writing gig. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It
was my <i>daily journal entries</i> chronicling the interesting, quirky, and
often challenging characters I encountered and the crazy situations I got
myself into and out of that gave me the stories I’d ultimately write. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thanks
to Nana’s advice, so far I have written and published four humorous cozy
mysteries in <i>The Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series</i>. And the series prequel, <b><i>Rag
Lady</i></b>, is released mid-November of this year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Tell us about
this new book, <b>RAG LADY</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Recent
college graduate Holly Schlivnik dreams of being a writer, but fate has other
plans. A family crisis throws her into an improbable situation and her life
will never be the same. Determined to make her own luck when things don’t
happen the way she plans, the irrepressible young woman takes a sledge hammer
to the glass ceiling and shatters it to smithereens</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">
The wise-cracking, irreverent transplanted Californian takes you on a raucous,
rollicking rollercoaster ride of her hysterical adventures as a ladies apparel
sales rep traveling in the deep South as she ends up finding herself along the
way. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">RAG LADY</span></i></b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">
buy links:</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">BookBub:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/books/rag-lady-holly-swimsuit-series-book-1-by-susie-black"><span style="color: blue;">Rag Lady (Holly Swimsuit Series Book 1) by Susie Black -
BookBub</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Goodreads:
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/198973127-rag-lady?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=kZ21DZ3BwW&rank=11"><span style="color: blue;">Rag Lady by Susie Black | Goodreads</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Amazon:
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rag-Lady-Holly-Swimsuit-Book-ebook/dp/B0CHG62W5V/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=Rag+Lady&qid=1696010063&s=books&sr=1-5">Amazon.com:
Rag Lady (Holly Swimsuit Series Book 1) eBook : Black, Susie : Kindle Store</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Barnes & Noble: <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rag-lady-susie-black/1144031749?ean=9781509249978">Rag
Lady by Susie Black, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>For
more about Susie, here’s her bio:</i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJbBIPjMemVeQ2z5oNrVBMWzR2mUx9xjyqHYozai0S9VcISqdwRYP4TPmJOus0LWF__UYDqmxp5YSHVkN0k7Sd1yNp0AO5EvtbizqAGPVxk7acfr6e_tM0nUgnYdUFJn17rndqEbdd-7TTRz1S4IYprFArWD9q5ttWdPc_roTkcJAjtYbwg6lIC0iu9c/s1280/2020-06-23%2012.52.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJbBIPjMemVeQ2z5oNrVBMWzR2mUx9xjyqHYozai0S9VcISqdwRYP4TPmJOus0LWF__UYDqmxp5YSHVkN0k7Sd1yNp0AO5EvtbizqAGPVxk7acfr6e_tM0nUgnYdUFJn17rndqEbdd-7TTRz1S4IYprFArWD9q5ttWdPc_roTkcJAjtYbwg6lIC0iu9c/s320/2020-06-23%2012.52.01.jpg" width="240" /></a><i></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Named Best US Author of the Year by N. N. Lights Book
Heaven, award-winning cozy mystery author Susie Black was born in the Big Apple
but now calls sunny Southern California home. Like the protagonist in her Holly
Swimsuit Mystery Series, Susie is a successful apparel sales executive. Susie
began telling stories as soon as she learned to talk. Now she’s telling all the
stories from her garment industry experiences in humorous mysteries. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">She reads, writes, and speaks Spanish, albeit with an
accent that sounds like Mildred from Michigan went on a Mexican vacation and is
trying to fit in with the locals. Since life without pizza and ice cream as her
core food groups wouldn’t be worth living, she’s a dedicated walker to keep her
girlish figure. A voracious reader, she’s also an avid stamp collector. Susie
lives with a highly intelligent man and has one incredibly brainy but
smart-aleck adult son who inexplicably blames his sarcasm on an inherited
genetic defect. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Looking for more?
Contact Susie at:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Website:
<a href="http://www.authorsusieblack.com/">www.authorsusieblack.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">E-mail:
<a href="mailto:mysteries_@authorsusieblack.com">mysteries_@authorsusieblack.com</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">BookBub: </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.bookbub.com/authors/susie-black"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">www.bookbub.com/authors/susie-black</span></a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Facebook:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://facebook.com/TheHollySwimsuitMysterySeries"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://facebook.com/TheHollySwimsuitMysterySeries</span></a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Goodreads:
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Susie+Black&qid=cU7EkFTWac"><span style="color: blue;">Search results for "Susie Black" (showing 1-9 of
82 books) | Goodreads</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Instagram:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/hollyswimsuit/"><span style="color: blue;">Susie
Black (@hollyswimsuit) • Instagram photos and videos</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Linkedin: </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/authorsusieblack-61941011"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.linkedin.com/in/authorsusieblack-61941011</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pinterest:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/hollysusie1_saved/"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.pinterest.com/hollysusie1_saved/</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Twitter:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://twitter.com/@hollyswimsuit"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://twitter.com/@hollyswimsuit</span></a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you enjoy humorous
cozy mysteries, be sure to check out Susie’s books. She’s an amazing lady! And
thanks for stopping by!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></span></p>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358068750240667118.post-16275636880683394732023-11-20T12:14:00.000-08:002023-11-20T12:14:38.204-08:00Book Spotlight: RIGHTSIDE/WRONGSIDE by Cathy Hester Seckman <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0h4CrMVWNGau7sMEvSh32xSWTydGqYT_0UUdILXZW1JkDSo8z7a86E_zZ-inJ3ErObDCyspoJFroTRSA9CyrAm5LTAjpWxXoUhOOr7_KMHqQWE82PL0cVzKpzViaCoJlJo7z-rdJYsv_40eny7wg0hhRauAw9o3fFVGE6sVGkI7mX7GoKmDTiBHyIXw/s750/cover%20large%20RightsideWrongside_w17608_750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0h4CrMVWNGau7sMEvSh32xSWTydGqYT_0UUdILXZW1JkDSo8z7a86E_zZ-inJ3ErObDCyspoJFroTRSA9CyrAm5LTAjpWxXoUhOOr7_KMHqQWE82PL0cVzKpzViaCoJlJo7z-rdJYsv_40eny7wg0hhRauAw9o3fFVGE6sVGkI7mX7GoKmDTiBHyIXw/w213-h320/cover%20large%20RightsideWrongside_w17608_750.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">With women's rights and threats thereto a hot topic in the news these days, no one should be surprised by the plethora of sci-fi, fantasy, and dystopian literature dedicated to exploring the what-ifs of the issue. One such intriguing entry available now from The Wild Rose Press is <i><b>RIGHTSIDE/WRONGSIDE</b></i> by Cathy Hester Seckman. <br /></span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="text-indent: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ligatures: none;">Here’s the blurb:</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ligatures: none;">On Rightside/Wrongside, women are in charge and men
live behind a 200-mile Border Fence. Their only interactions are for sex, which
women control with force and long-entrenched law. Mothers raise daughters, and
fathers know nothing of them. Women send sons across the Fence to their fathers
and never know if they live or die. New Rightside president Alanna Olaffson
believes, along with her countrywomen, that female empowerment is a good thing,
a necessary thing, right up to the time it goes frighteningly wrong. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="text-indent: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And an excerpt:</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The old man
dozed over his paperback. Even in a busy week his job was boring as hell. What
made it worthwhile, besides the status and the pay bag, was the free bed. Old
Willie lived right in the Transfer Cabin, backed up against the Border Fence in
Cody, and that suited him fine. He took his meals at a bar down the street -
had a few good friends there - and spent most of his free time nodding over a
book or stoking his small stove.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It was a nice
quiet life, a safe life. Nobody bothered the man in the Transfer Cabin. Yeah,
it suited him fine.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The bell
rang, startling him out of his doze. It wasn’t a simple ring, for boxed goods
or vehicles through the big Door, but the four-note flourish they used for a
baby. It sounded again, signaling two to transfer. “It never rains but it
pours,” he mumbled, and limped over to answer the bell.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When the
ready light flashed on, Old Willie pulled out the heavy metal Drawer set into
the back wall of the cabin. He smiled down at the two sleeping babies.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Welcome to
Wrongside,” he said softly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> This is such an intriguing concept. How did you come up with the idea?</o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ligatures: none;">Rightside/Wrongside began 14 years ago as the glimmer
of an idea about the societal interactions between women and men. I’m old
enough to remember when fathers worked, cut the grass, and drove the car while
women stayed home, had babies, and cooked dinner every night. What would it be
like, I wondered, if those 1950s roles were reversed? In fact, how would
society work if women and men were so alienated from each other that they lived
in separate countries? What would happen…?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="text-indent: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ligatures: none;">Sci-fi requires a lot of worldbuilding. How did you go about creating the physical and political setting?</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ligatures: none;">Rightside and Wrongside are on a planet that had been
colonized from Earth 71 years earlier. I wasn’t interested in seeing how odd
and alien I could make the planet, so it mostly looks like ours. The flora and
fauna were named by the colonists after the Earth plants and animals they most
resembled. I dropped alien hints once in awhile, though. There are two moons.
Each day has 27 hours, and each month has 34 days. Puppies have blue fur.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">I wanted the language to have evolved a bit in 71
years, and figured the easiest way to do that was to change their exclamations
and curse words. For instance, instead of saying ‘my own damn country,’ the men
say ‘my own Yong country.’ Instead of saying ‘thank God,’ the women say ‘thank
Milina.’ You can probably guess those are proper names, but you’ll have to read
the book to find out who they are.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ligatures: none;"><b><i>I'm fascinated by the map you included. How did that come about?</i></b></span><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"><i> </i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ligatures: none;"><b><i></i></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lqepEgNKw-nPoNaFerK92LiP0MOhoPVwMcmimekrqZVya1t5iP-IWemQ4VE6xQz74mFnDQABlOPfP4oWsmHQ-y_l3XpFzUPr3ZddxDOZECMJ2OHQ2KroijFzmxNcvzWtRVf0vH8Kk-p61sG8CzuDgHdud1JEbX0LnzOfyBcvf6MZC6Smm38PtvNX7sw/s3277/23%20RW%20color%20map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2526" data-original-width="3277" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lqepEgNKw-nPoNaFerK92LiP0MOhoPVwMcmimekrqZVya1t5iP-IWemQ4VE6xQz74mFnDQABlOPfP4oWsmHQ-y_l3XpFzUPr3ZddxDOZECMJ2OHQ2KroijFzmxNcvzWtRVf0vH8Kk-p61sG8CzuDgHdud1JEbX0LnzOfyBcvf6MZC6Smm38PtvNX7sw/s320/23%20RW%20color%20map.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ligatures: none;">I’ve had a map of the planet in my head for years, and
just before publication I asked my friend Susan Dexter, an artist and fantasy
author, to draw it for me. There are locations on the map that are not used in
the book, and that’s because at least two sequels are coming: <i>Oceanside</i>
and <i>Mountainside</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="text-indent: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ligatures: none;">Now let’s hear about you:</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ligatures: none;">I took a winding road to the writing life, but here I
am. As a teenager I was too shy and backward to admit to anyone that I wanted
to be a writer, so I followed my sister into dental hygiene. Ten years later
the road took its first bend when I had the opportunity to work for my local
newspaper as a lifestyles editor. I climbed the (very short) ladder available
to me there and eventually became wire editor, features editor, and columnist.
When I left the paper I took my writing skills with me to work for other
newspapers and for magazines. The most fun I ever had as a magazine writer was
working for the <i>True</i> magazines. Remember those? <i>True Love, True
Story, True Romance</i> – I wrote for them all, until they folded. Sigh.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">The next bend in the road took me to nonfiction, and I
became a book indexer. Twenty years later I still index on a limited basis. I
eventually had one middle-grade novel and two nonfiction books published, plus
three indie books written with writers’ group friends. </span><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">Rightside/Wrongside</i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">
is my newest (and best) effort.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">My husband and I live in Ohio, and our activities
include gardening, canning, hiking, traveling, camping, and motorcycling. I’ve
had a motorcycle license since 1985, and presently ride a three-wheeler because
of bad knees.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">Visit me at</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><a href="http://www.cathyseckman.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Cathy Hester Seckman - Home (cathyseckman.com)</span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/cathy.seckman"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(20+) Facebook</span></a><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="text-indent: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Purchase
links for RIGHTSIDE/WRONGSIDE, a book that is sure to stretch your imagination and provide plenty of food for thought:</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/rightside-wrongside-cathy-hester-seckman/20467788?ean=9781509250820"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Rightside/Wrongside
a book by Cathy Hester Seckman bookshop.org)</span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rightside-Wrongside-Cathy-Hester-Seckman-ebook/dp/B0CGG11DP1/ref=sr_1_1?crid=28IZPY4Q8ZENT&keywords=rightside%2Fwrongside&qid=1700247232&s=books&sprefix=rightside%2Fwrongside%2Cstripbooks%2C118&sr=1-1"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amazon.com:
Rightside/Wrongside eBook : Seckman, Cathy Hester : Kindle Store</span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rightside-wrongside-cathy-hester-seckman/1143969768?ean=2940185969021"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Rightside/Wrongside
by Cathy Hester Seckman | eBook | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)</span></a></p>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358068750240667118.post-78004062417992465832023-11-07T12:48:00.000-08:002023-11-07T12:48:01.356-08:00Recommended Reading: Two New Fairy Tales<p>If you grew up loving fairy tales like I did, you will not want to miss these two wonderful 2023 releases: <i>THORNHEDGE</i> by T. Kingfisher and <i>THREE TASKS FOR A DRAGON </i>by Eoin Colfer. To whet your reading appetite, here are my reviews of both.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1676554049i/61884932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1676554049i/61884932.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><i><b>THORNHEDGE</b></i>:<br /><p></p><p><i>Once there was a tower wrapped in a wall of thorns, and in that tower a princess lay sleeping...</i></p><p>We all know this story, recounted in many versions from Disney's animated Sleeping Beauty to Shrek and even Maleficient. The beautiful, innocent princess cursed by the angry fairy to punish the king and queen who hadn't invited the fairy to bless the child on her christening. But this version, as the author tells us, isn't about the princess.</p><p>This version is about her guardian, the lowly, ugly half-fae called Toadling, who is as much a prisoner of the thorns as is her charge.</p><p>Toadling is a simple creature who's spent centuries making sure the sleeper sleeps and the thorns keep out the curious until almost everyone has forgotten the tower exists. Almost, it seems, she herself has forgotten the why and the how of her task.</p><p>Of course, nothing lasts forever, and sure enough there comes a ragtag knight, adventuring alone, who loves stories. What follows is a sweet friendship as the two, initially frightened of each other, are drawn together out of their loneliness. But the tower and its secrets remain between them, binding Toadling to her duty and the knight to the satisfaction of his quest. Something has to give or the yearning they share will go unfulfilled. But as they tell each other what they know and what they believe, Toadling remembers precisely why she was given this task and how dangerous allowing the knight to break the curse will be. Each chipping away of the thorns exposes them to both possibility and threat.</p><p>This is a masterful tale that draws the reader straight into the heart and mind of Toadling as she discovers she may in fact have a choice, dangerous though it may be.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1684782206i/124068316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="331" height="400" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1684782206i/124068316.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><i><b>THREE TASKS FOR A DRAGON</b></i>: <p></p><p><i>Once there was a dragon who'd stolen away a girl, and a prince who did not really want to be a king, and a great evil upon the land that someone had to risk everything to fix...</i></p><p>So begins an age-old story with some surprising twists and characters with great hearts. A lovely, lovely illustrated book, it reminds me of the Golden Books of fairy tales I read as a child. The text is lyrical and each page is a water color artwork that depicts the characters and events. It's a magical blend that feels timeless, like all good archetypal stories of a dragon and a prince and a quest, although this one blames not the stepmother but the stepbrother, a nice change. A good book to share and/or read with a beloved child.</p><p><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Happy Reading!</span></i></b></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif;"><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div></span><p><br /></p>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358068750240667118.post-5634689861999970342023-10-23T09:17:00.000-07:002023-10-23T09:17:20.451-07:00Book Spotlight: From Here to Fourteenth Street by Diana Rubino<p><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><i>This week I'm shining my book spotlight on fellow Wild Rose Press author Diana Rubino whose latest release is an NYC historical, FROM HERE TO FOURTEENTH STREET. Now available in print, ebook, and audio.</i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ohD9vG7-1daEOW08BnVUk1DgFLybNatKDnlfgfUhGlZEdfYyWNuwZjepzgubggDl4n-o4Hh3NoXxrz-Ra7O21MD_ADaHo1tWzMdlsKgCdhTieplDpiJp210f794BTs6XSWrW8o4_qq_kpL2-ei0R5QCbu_7xvAOiVUcakR6fMTsZ3Qz4I2Ayw0LI4Fk/s680/FromHeretoFourteenthStStandupBook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="474" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ohD9vG7-1daEOW08BnVUk1DgFLybNatKDnlfgfUhGlZEdfYyWNuwZjepzgubggDl4n-o4Hh3NoXxrz-Ra7O21MD_ADaHo1tWzMdlsKgCdhTieplDpiJp210f794BTs6XSWrW8o4_qq_kpL2-ei0R5QCbu_7xvAOiVUcakR6fMTsZ3Qz4I2Ayw0LI4Fk/s320/FromHeretoFourteenthStStandupBook.jpg" width="223" /></a></i></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><i><b>Here's the blurb</b>:</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16.0pt;">It's 1894 on New York's Lower East Side. Irish cop Tom McGlory and
Italian immigrant Vita Caputo fall in love despite their different upbringings.
Vita goes from sweatshop laborer to respected bank clerk to reformer, helping
elect a mayor to beat the Tammany machine. While Tom works undercover to help
Ted Roosevelt purge police corruption, Vita's father arranges a marriage
between her and a man she despises. As Vita and Tom work together against time
and prejudice to clear her brother and father of a murder they didn't commit,
they know their love can survive poverty, hatred, and corruption. Vita is
based on my great grandmother, Josephine Calabrese, “Josie Red” who left grade school
to become a self-made businesswoman and politician, wife and mother. </span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p><b>And a</b></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><b>n excerpt</b>:</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">As Vita gathered her soap and
towel, Madame Branchard tapped on her door. "You have a gentleman caller,
Vita. A policeman."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“Tom?" His name lingered
on her lips as she repeated it. She dropped her things and crossed the room.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">"No, hon, not him.
Another policeman. Theodore something, I think he said."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">No. There can't be anything wrong</span></i><span style="font-size: 16pt;">. "Thanks," she whispered, nudging Madame Branchard aside. She descended
the steps, gripping the banister to support her wobbly legs. <i>Stay calm!</i> she warned herself. But of
course it was no use; staying calm just wasn't her nature.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">“Theodore something” stood before
the closed parlor door. </span><i style="font-size: 16pt;">He’s a policeman?</i><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
Tall and hefty, a bold pink shirt peeking out of a buttoned waistcoat and
fitted jacket, he looked way out of place against the dainty patterned
wallpaper.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">He removed his hat. "Miss
Caputo." He strained to keep his voice soft as he held out a piece of
paper. “I’m police commissioner Theodore Roosevelt.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">"Yes?" Her voice
shook.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">"I have a summons for
you, Miss Caputo." He held it out to her. But she stood rooted to that
spot.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">He stepped closer and she
took it from him, unfolding it with icy fingers. Why would she be served with a
summons? Was someone arresting her now for something she didn't do?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">A shot of anger tore through
her at this system, at everything she wanted to change. She flipped it open and
saw the word "Summons" in fancy script at the top. Her eyes widened
with each sentence as she read. “I can’t believe what I’m seeing.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><i>I hereby order Miss Vita
Caputo to enter into holy matrimony with Mr. Thomas McGlory immediately following
service of this summons</i>.</span><i style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><i><b>How was FROM HERE TO FOURTEENTH STREET born, Diana?</b></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">New York City’s history
always fascinated me—how it became the most powerful hub in the world from a
sprawling wilderness in exchange for $24 with Native Americans by the Dutch in
1626.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Growing up in Jersey City, I
could see the Statue of Liberty from our living room window if I leaned way
over (luckily I didn’t lean too far over). As a child model, I spent many an
afternoon on job interviews and modeling assignments in the city, and got
hooked on Nedick’s, a fast food chain whose orange drinks were every kid’s
dream. Even better than the vanilla egg creams. We never drove to the city—we
either took the PATH (Port Authority Trans Hudson) train (‘the tube’ in those
days) or the bus through the Lincoln Tunnel to the Port Authority Bus Terminal.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">My great grandmother, Josephine
Arnone, “Josie Red” to her friends, because of her abundant head of red hair,
was way ahead of her time. Born in 1895 (but it could’ve been sooner, as she
was known to lie about her age), she left grade school, became a successful
businesswoman and a Jersey City committeewoman, as well as a wife and mother of
four. She owned apartment buildings, parking garages, a summer home, did a bit
of Prohibition-era bootlegging, small-time loan-sharking, and paid cash for
everything. When I began outlining From Here to Fourteenth Street, I modeled my
heroine, Vita Caputo, after her. Although the story is set in New York the year
before Grandma was born, I was able to bring Vita to life by calling on the
family legends and stories, all word of mouth, for she never kept a journal.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Vita’s hero Tom McGlory isn’t
based on any real person, but I did a lot of reading about Metropolitan
Policemen and made sure he was the complete opposite! He’s trustworthy and
would never take a bribe or graft. I always liked the name McGlory—then, years
after the book first came out, I remembered that was the name of my first car
mechanic—Ronnie McGlory.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><i><b>Why did you consider changing the title?</b></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">When I proposed the story to The
Wild Rose Press, I wanted to change the title, as it went through so many
revisions since it was first published. I wanted to express Vita’s desire to
escape the Lower East Side and move farther uptown. I considered Crossing 14</span><sup>th</sup><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
Street, but it sounded too much like Crossing Delancey. After a few more hits
and misses, the title hit me—as all really fitting titles do.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><i>How about a bit of background—What was 1894 New York City like?</i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The Metropolitan Police was a
hellhole of corruption, and nearly every cop, from the greenest rookie to the
Chief himself, was a dynamic part of what made the wheels of this great machine
called New York turn.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The department was in cahoots
with the politicians, all the way up to the mayor's office. Whoever wasn't connected
enough to become a politician became a cop in this city. They were paid off in
pocket-bulging wads of cash to look the other way when it came to building
codes, gambling, prostitution, every element it took to keep this machine
gleaming and efficient. They oiled the machine and kept it running with
split-second precision. The ordinary hardworking, slave-wage earning citizen
didn't have a chance around here.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Tom McGlory and his father
were two of a kind, and two of a sprinkling of cops who were cops for the right
reasons. They left him alone because he was a very private person; he didn't
have any close friends, he confided in no one. He could've made a pocket full
of rocks as a stoolie, more than he could by jumping in the fire with the rest
of them, but he couldn't enjoy spending it if he'd made it that way. They knew
it and grudgingly respected him for it. He was here for one reason--his family
was here. If they went, he went. As long as they needed him, here he was. Da
would stop grieving for his wife when he stopped breathing. Since Tom knew he
was the greatest gift she gave Da, he would never let his father down.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><i>What else can you tell us about the Lower East Side?</i><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">One fascinating place to
visit is the </span><a href="https://www.google.com/#q=lower+east+side+tenement+museum" style="font-size: 16pt;" target="_blank">Lower East Side Tenement Museum</a><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> at 97 Orchard Street,
once an actual tenement. They have tours describing life as it was back then,
with each floor of the building decorated (if you want to call it
‘decorated’) to depict each time period when immigrants lived there.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">I read a lot of books to
research this story. One book I remember reading as a kid is </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ES27QBM?keywords=how%20the%20other%20half%20lives%20jacob%20riis&qid=1446484404&ref_=sr_1_3&s=books&sr=1-3" style="font-size: 16pt;">How
The Other Half Lives</a><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> by Jacob Riis, a photographer and reformer of the
time. The photos in his 1901 book vividly illustrate the poverty and
deprivation of the times, for adults and children alike.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p><i><b>Now let's hear about you: </b></i></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p><i><b><br /></b></i></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: 16pt;">My passion for history and
travel has taken me to every locale of my stories, set in Medieval and
Renaissance England, Egypt, the Mediterranean, colonial Virginia, New England,
and New York. My urban fantasy romance, FAKIN’ IT, won a Top Pick award from
Romantic Times. I’m a member of Romance Writers of America, the Richard III
Society and the Aaron Burr Association. I live on Cape Cod with my husband
Chris. In my spare time, I bicycle, golf, play my piano and devour books of any
genre.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The historical monarch I’d
most like to meet is Richard III, my favorite of all time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Visit me at </span><a href="http://www.dianarubino.com/" style="font-size: 16pt;">www.dianarubino.com</a><span style="font-size: 16pt;">, </span><a href="http://www.dianarubinoauthor.blogspot.com/" style="font-size: 16pt;">www.DianaRubinoAuthor.blogspot.com</a><span style="font-size: 16pt;">,
</span><span style="color: purple; font-size: 16pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DianaRubinoAuthor">https://www.facebook.com/DianaRubinoAuthor</a></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">,
and on Twitter </span><i style="font-size: 16pt;">@DianaLRubino</i><span style="font-size: 16pt;">.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><i>Purchase links for FROM HERE TO FOURTEENTH STREET:</i></span></b><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Here-Fourteenth-Street-York-Saga-ebook/dp/B017PF1HRW/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1449510467&sr=1-1">Amazon
Kindle</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Here-Fourteenth-Street-Diana-Rubino/dp/1509204024/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449510467&sr=1-1&keywords=from+here+to+fourteenth+street" style="font-size: 16pt;">Amazon
Paperback</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://getbook.at/FromHereTo14Audio" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16pt;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #184c6c;">getbook.at/FromHereTo14Audio</span></a></p><span style="font-size: 16pt;"></span><p></p>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358068750240667118.post-19478789556412129992023-10-09T08:59:00.002-07:002023-10-09T08:59:55.790-07:00Book Spotlight: BONDWITCH by Chelsey Ortega<p><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1544" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNExII1x23OQwt9_e1v_mNyQTqxW8rbCkaSvz5FAht8iriKKS7ziA51MRS4YEOrZ9pC81RSt3AV4S8Njas1LxPBvjNeV9wLT907SGVl5j6oUbE-KbgICpa2CptlinAQlrWCCb0IRqo4KpSE98L51TgDoXTbp9Ru-xzoqKVpasHnVcBXHefUp24-5K49H4/w200-h320/Bondwitch_w16794_med.jpg" width="200" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just in time for Halloween, a wonderful, witchy paranormal, coming-of-age romance by a talented debut author. It's my pleasure to introduce <i><b>BONDWITC</b></i><b><i>H</i></b> by Chelsey Ortega. </span></p><p>Sure to appeal to the YA paranormal
audience, this book is a roller coaster of Anna’s emotional journey as she
discovers who and what she is, and why certain feuding groups want very much to
‘own’ her. She has to learn who to trust, who to fear, and how to tell the
difference. It’s not easy, and she’ll have to come into her own power in order
to survive. Not to mention save those she cares about. A highly appropriate
read for the Halloween season.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Here's the blurb:</i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Eighteen-year-old Annamaria Lyons has never left her small hometown of
Harrison, Wyoming. She has lived with her aunt, Trinity, since her parents died
when she was two years old. Trinity has been a wonderful guardian with one
exception—she won’t allow Annamaria out of the house after sunset. That is,
until the night of senior prom. Annamaria's long-lost sister arrives, bringing
with her a world full of hidden family secrets and the supernatural.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="background-color: white;">Forced to flee her childhood home without a proper goodbye to her human
life and first love, Annamaria immerses herself in the magical world. New
friends and a new suitor challenge her original dreams for the future, and when
she finds herself caught in the middle of a centuries-old conflict, Annamaria
must decide to rise above it or give in to the darkness.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Meet the Author:</i> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKt9-4jCh11rlQ10cEdW1-RIJe13uh1fCvdQasBbPiyqrlX_CXVKtvrBTnANoD9qoW2LkIYVWZkuUVDaTsUQ_emY04sgSgKX-9K_r4Wv3bEzHf-5Y7tf8utMJm0UsgRR-uHIRL7jbCU2iRz0zX0_mx_pnXzAz3dRGU5DVfbje7al6w8Hv18PMv7626yg/s3220/Elbow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3220" data-original-width="2576" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKt9-4jCh11rlQ10cEdW1-RIJe13uh1fCvdQasBbPiyqrlX_CXVKtvrBTnANoD9qoW2LkIYVWZkuUVDaTsUQ_emY04sgSgKX-9K_r4Wv3bEzHf-5Y7tf8utMJm0UsgRR-uHIRL7jbCU2iRz0zX0_mx_pnXzAz3dRGU5DVfbje7al6w8Hv18PMv7626yg/w256-h320/Elbow.jpg" width="256" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chelsey M. Ortega is a teacher by day and award-winning author by night.
History is her first love, and any story involving magic and romance, her
second love. She especially loves witches and is still awaiting her acceptance
letter to a well-known school. Chelsey received her Bachelor's in History
Teaching from Brigham Young University. In addition to writing, Chelsey teaches
high school U.S. History and ELD. She lives in Utah with her husband, three
children, and two cats. Follow Chelsey at </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.chelseymortega.com/"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">www.chelseymortega.com</span></span></a><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Buy Links:</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Amazon:</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bondwitch-Chelsey-M-Ortega-ebook/dp/B0CF6H8NYC?ref_=ast_author_mpb"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; mso-highlight: white;">https://www.amazon.com/Bondwitch-Chelsey-M-Ortega-ebook/dp/B0CF6H8NYC?ref_=ast_author_mpb</span></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">Barnes & Noble: </span><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1143894193?ean=9781509251940"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; mso-highlight: white;">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1143894193?ean=9781509251940</span></a><span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Website: </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.chelseymortega.com/"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; mso-highlight: white;">www.chelseymortega.com</span></a><span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;"> (also included in bio. All other
social links and contact info are on my website)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p>
<br /></p>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358068750240667118.post-73416419857971085612023-09-26T12:33:00.000-07:002023-09-26T12:33:09.540-07:00It's ALIVE!Just in time for Halloween shopping, my latest book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/DisAster-Familys-Halloween-Helen-Johannes-ebook/dp/B0CJ9V2P1T/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=">THE DIS'ASTER FAMILY'S HALLOWEEN</a>, is live on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy__vQ_cxX1bQC5b7tDu7517A15XEEbmcJ30-YpBrA_5n8GFj2R9mzYOQmqecayaOh8q3xtWr1oHaRBwf-z6tLRMWShol6cyxYDQNv5lVlkz7LUwMfK8J_Yhls84DmwNAiwRvIgm5qcow9AJpjGQzGago3sYMj1Fhz52D3M7KcF53rNKqyjSQKEUF0dUo/s2000/ebook%20cover%20Dis_Aster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1324" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy__vQ_cxX1bQC5b7tDu7517A15XEEbmcJ30-YpBrA_5n8GFj2R9mzYOQmqecayaOh8q3xtWr1oHaRBwf-z6tLRMWShol6cyxYDQNv5lVlkz7LUwMfK8J_Yhls84DmwNAiwRvIgm5qcow9AJpjGQzGago3sYMj1Fhz52D3M7KcF53rNKqyjSQKEUF0dUo/w265-h400/ebook%20cover%20Dis_Aster.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br /><div>And at least for today, it's the #1 New Release in Children's Cartoon Books! Whoo-hoo!</div><div><br /></div><div>Designed for children ages 2-8 and for the adults who love to read to them, the story is a light-hearted romp full of fun sound-effects. Here's the blurb:</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Meet the Dis'Aster Family!</i></div><div><i>The kids are creative. The parents are outnumbered. And the pets, well, they're unusual.</i></div><div><i>When the kids decide to enter a Halloween costume contest, what could possibly go wrong?</i></div><div><i>Come along for the ride. Can Halloween survive?</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Kudos must go to my illustrator, Beth Stensvold, who is a multi-published children's book author herself. Please check out her books here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/Beth-Stensvold/author/B094RBNMPS?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true">Beth Stensvold</a> Her illustrations are a perfect fit!</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Halloween!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358068750240667118.post-8938370008673066962023-09-16T13:53:00.001-07:002023-09-16T13:53:45.312-07:00Coming Soon! A Halloween Treat!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsmPtvzSeFUhk_LL3nVys1fv7Otq3tSSiVpiatwSQTXzfdWuThn4jqvw083bqrzaUtp8poqumEIQqEAMbdZXR0cW1e4zDPsk47Qeq-5ximf4mIydnY0S5w1_KukevY3clLc8VvGqLppceGbFI5u67OcOVjHnFqvDg069kd1dmhSVMmCKlDPBk75h887Q/s2000/ebook%20cover%20Dis_Aster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsmPtvzSeFUhk_LL3nVys1fv7Otq3tSSiVpiatwSQTXzfdWuThn4jqvw083bqrzaUtp8poqumEIQqEAMbdZXR0cW1e4zDPsk47Qeq-5ximf4mIydnY0S5w1_KukevY3clLc8VvGqLppceGbFI5u67OcOVjHnFqvDg069kd1dmhSVMmCKlDPBk75h887Q/s320/ebook%20cover%20Dis_Aster.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>Just in time for Halloween, a bookish treat for creative and imaginative children and the adults who read to them. <p></p><p>Keep your eyes open for the upcoming release of THE DIS'ASTER FAMILY'S HALLOWEEN on Kindle and in print. Links to follow soon.</p><p>Preschool and early grade children will love the action and the art. Adults will have fun making the sound-effects. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Meet the
Dis’Aster Family! <o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>The kids are
creative. The parents are outnumbered. And the pets, well, they’re unusual. <o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>When the
kids decide to enter a Halloween costume contest, what could possibly go wrong?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Come along
for the ride. Can Halloween survive?</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p><br /></p>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358068750240667118.post-29660255615064641742023-09-08T12:42:00.002-07:002023-09-08T12:42:37.823-07:00FREDERICK FLY-CATCHER Sale - Only 99 cents all September<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVjvekqRP3ZsTIAhrQJxgqyKj05Eo9yciHah4UmExhsi2ZiUfZW1SwKtM87rGIKzM5PHSnfHK09PT3T4bKuIjvL4_sMm-jvTOI6oHpskGGicWvuBUgDatD3LbDJQ7Mzw1fJpHX8AQ4OOKXppwVGhbwTNJv179c_kusO1t5whcwzOzlXELmNdIhPHcJiY/s1080/Helen%20C%20Johannes%20MGYA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVjvekqRP3ZsTIAhrQJxgqyKj05Eo9yciHah4UmExhsi2ZiUfZW1SwKtM87rGIKzM5PHSnfHK09PT3T4bKuIjvL4_sMm-jvTOI6oHpskGGicWvuBUgDatD3LbDJQ7Mzw1fJpHX8AQ4OOKXppwVGhbwTNJv179c_kusO1t5whcwzOzlXELmNdIhPHcJiY/w320-h320/Helen%20C%20Johannes%20MGYA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Is your middle grade child or grandchild ready to curl up with a fun fantasy chapter book? FREDERICK FLY-CATCHER is on sale on various e-book platforms for only 99 cents. <p></p><p>Now through the end of September, you can download this NN Light Book Heaven 2020 Book Award Winner for Children's Literature. Go here to access all the platforms: <a href="https://books2read.com/u/4Ekjo0">https://books2read.com/u/4Ekjo0</a> and give the gift of reading to your favorite child.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; line-height: 107%;">“A fun adventure that was a hit with my nine-year-old!” </span></i><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; line-height: 107%;">5 Stars, Amazon</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; line-height: 107%;">What happens when Frederick, a champion fly-catcher, is
confronted with a human? After all, humans are dangerous! And worse, this human
is carrying a thing of troublesome, powerful magic. What if Frederick can’t get
it to stop?</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p>
<span lang="EN-CA" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; line-height: 107%; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“<i>Children of all ages
will love this one for its adventure and for the animals that talk.”</i> 5
Stars, NN Light Book Heaven </span></span></p><p></p>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358068750240667118.post-616496519337237232023-07-19T13:21:00.002-07:002023-07-19T13:21:50.384-07:00Book Spotlight: A Sour Note (A Music Box Mystery) by Jill Piscitello<p>My guest today is<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Jill Piscitello</b>, author of the new cozy mystery</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b style="font-style: italic;">A Sour Note (A
Music Box Mystery)</b>. I have the double pleasure of reading it now and being able to share this fast-paced amateur sleuth story's details with all of you. Trust me: you won't want to put it down!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Ar1rATEVhEl1Vgpemelyg5ehXssy1wZTLlG9punPhatBivMzAefEDLdxs4LvuYxIZSOPFrTI4stT5zJqdKQSO2vE0JPg7BcZ4zWQww9CChwMAIypkLAhDuwayw4WhqBzhN1CNiPJJ1Z4pmJ5qJn5Y86bTeQK6jjMRjCL2lCJim1k8JnGhkwz4C3RtNI/s2244/ASourNote_w16973_ib%20LARGEST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2244" data-original-width="1400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Ar1rATEVhEl1Vgpemelyg5ehXssy1wZTLlG9punPhatBivMzAefEDLdxs4LvuYxIZSOPFrTI4stT5zJqdKQSO2vE0JPg7BcZ4zWQww9CChwMAIypkLAhDuwayw4WhqBzhN1CNiPJJ1Z4pmJ5qJn5Y86bTeQK6jjMRjCL2lCJim1k8JnGhkwz4C3RtNI/w250-h400/ASourNote_w16973_ib%20LARGEST.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">TAGLINE:</span></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When murder provides a welcome distraction…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Blurb:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><strong><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #111122; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">On the heels of a public, broken engagement, Maeve Cleary returns to
her childhood home in Hampton Beach, NH. When a dead body turns up behind her
mother’s music school, three old friends land on the suspect list. Licking her
wounds soon takes a back seat to outrunning the paparazzi who spin into a
frenzy, casting her in a cloud of suspicion. Maeve juggles her high school
sweetheart, a cousin with a touch of clairvoyance, a no-nonsense detective, and
an apologetic, two-timing ex-fiancé. Will the negative publicity impact
business at the Music Box— the very place she’d hoped to make a fresh start?</span></strong><b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-color-alt: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-color-alt: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">EXCERPT:</span></b></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-color-alt: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">With
his mouth set in a grim line, he waited. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">If
anyone else had enough nerve to presume she owed them an explanation, she would
respond with a solid mind your own business. Instead, the seventeen-year-old
still inside her refused to tell him to get lost. “He was hiding money in his
office.” This was one of those times when learning how to wait a few beats
before blurting out inflammatory information would come in handy. Each second
of passing silence decreased her ability to breathe in the confined space. She
turned the ignition and switched on the air conditioner. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">“How
do you know?” His volume just above a whisper, each dragged-out word hung in
the air. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">“I
found it.” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">“When
were you in his office?” He swiped at a bead of sweat trickling down the side
of his face, then positioned a vent toward him. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">“Last
night.” When would she learn to bite her tongue? Finn’s switch from rapid-fire
scolding to slow, deliberate questioning left her unable to swallow over the
sandpaper lump in her throat. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">“Where
was Vic?” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">She
stared at the back of the building, wishing she’d kept her mouth shut. “He’d
left for the night.” If she averted her gaze, she could pretend his eyeballs
weren’t bugging out of his head, and his jaw didn’t need a crane to haul it off
his chest. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">“You
were at the town hall after hours? Did anyone see you?” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">“A
custodian opened his door for me.” She snuck a glance. Sure enough, features
contorted in shock and horror replaced his boy-next-door good looks.</span><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk133672455"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">About the Author:</span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jill Piscitello is a teacher, author, and an avid fan of
multiple literary genres. Although she divides her reading hours among several
books at a time, a lighthearted story offering an escape from the real world
can always be found on her nightstand. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQyPy6LHpS4eAHl8HRpkl4lqoZsTuTuQxxmf1q2vqN66EmG1-og_hejsb0gaGjo_zVq0toUj3rc-eMru3ZoARhRZT_cZGtlqW6SzxYSwadqsyWaSUmzGU7BoJludhCuRma3blqRcHE42e7n0cUMHQa-txnIcGgDWP68WOWimVz966I5xTwtS15JRNjdI/s452/Piscitello%20Picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="393" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQyPy6LHpS4eAHl8HRpkl4lqoZsTuTuQxxmf1q2vqN66EmG1-og_hejsb0gaGjo_zVq0toUj3rc-eMru3ZoARhRZT_cZGtlqW6SzxYSwadqsyWaSUmzGU7BoJludhCuRma3blqRcHE42e7n0cUMHQa-txnIcGgDWP68WOWimVz966I5xTwtS15JRNjdI/s320/Piscitello%20Picture.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>A native of New England, Jill lives with her family and three
well-loved cats. When not planning lessons or reading and writing, she can be
found spending time with her family, trying out new restaurants, traveling, and
going on light hikes. <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Purchase Links:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"></span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C2ZH3XL2/thewildrosepr-20" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #0675c4;">Amazon</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #101517;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"></span><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?query=9781509249183" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #0675c4;">Kobo</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #101517;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"></span><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-sour-note-jill-piscitello/1143179529?ean=9781509249176" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><span lang="EN-CA">Barnes
& Noble</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"></span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/search?c=books&q=9781509249183&c=books" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #0675c4;">Google Books</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #101517;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"></span><a href="https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=9781509249176" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #0675c4;">Walmart</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #101517;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"></span><a href="https://www.booksamillion.com/p/9781509249176" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #0675c4;">BooksAMillion</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #101517;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"></span><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781509249176" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #0675c4;">Indie Bound</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #101517;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Social
media links:</span></b></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"></span><a href="https://jillpiscitello.com/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA">Website</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"> ~ </span></i></b></span><a href="https://twitter.com/Piscj18"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA">Twitter</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b></span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">~ </span></i></b></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/jillpiscitelloauthor"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA">Facebook</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></i></b></span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jillpiscitellobooks/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA">Instagram</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b></span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">~ </span></i></b></span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/jillpiscitello"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA">Amazon</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"> ~ </span></i></b></span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21978074.Jill_Piscitello"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA">GoodReads</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></i></b></span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">~</span></i></b></span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jill-piscitello?list=author_books"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA"> BookBub</span></i></b></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk133672455;"></span>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #0563c1; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358068750240667118.post-48038109116039510312023-07-12T12:30:00.001-07:002023-07-12T12:30:14.581-07:00Book Spotlight: Raven's Hollow Spring Magic by Tena Stetler<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Helen</b>, thank you for allowing me to share a few
reasons why everyone should read my new release. </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Raven’s Hollow Spring Magic</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">
revisits the same quirky town and some of the same unusual characters from </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Meringue
Snowflake Magic</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Then add in a few
new quirky characters, a romance, a mysterious ancient jelly bean machine, a
disappearance, and time travel and—poof—you have a new and exciting tale. I
love jelly beans. Don’t you?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I guarantee
after reading </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Raven’s Hollow Spring Magic</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">, you’ll never look at jelly
beans the same way again. Am I finished with Raven’s Hollow and the
characters?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Only time will tell.
<grin> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklRHBsq8G624AYOpctGGdJsnIq3VMJ1Kz5SzkzdgFcO43YpP10JXultfltLm2EsHPLmtXgI2OZuXdGPX4ZqXxwIPvDv9wGeXPxJEA6pBIVk3iJNRgVYQZ7GIhdq1f6UJW3G_QYq5cL5wQatayvp5rP15kyAENnMdqdQxrdd-_1tV_EverCBdIekZlyBY/s1080/mountain%20sunset%20IG%20no%20preorder.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklRHBsq8G624AYOpctGGdJsnIq3VMJ1Kz5SzkzdgFcO43YpP10JXultfltLm2EsHPLmtXgI2OZuXdGPX4ZqXxwIPvDv9wGeXPxJEA6pBIVk3iJNRgVYQZ7GIhdq1f6UJW3G_QYq5cL5wQatayvp5rP15kyAENnMdqdQxrdd-_1tV_EverCBdIekZlyBY/w320-h320/mountain%20sunset%20IG%20no%20preorder.png" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Book Trailer – </span></b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdUGZl7qipE"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdUGZl7qipE</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Top 11 Reasons You Should Read <i>Raven’s Hollow
Spring Magic</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Find
out what makes Raven’s Hollow so unique.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Find
out who is missing and what happened.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What
about the adorable dog, Cocoa? Where did she come from?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Was
the ancient jelly bean machine to blame? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You
love spring time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You
love tales with happily ever after endings.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You
love stories set in a small town with quirky townspeople.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You
love mystery stories and time travel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
action, adventure, and magic will keep you turning pages.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Find
out what happened in 1861 that intrigued the characters.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You
enjoy stories with twist and turns, and engaging characters.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You need a break from your ordinary world to be swept
into an exciting mystery sprinkled with a bit of fantasy and romance that you
may never want to leave.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now
let’s see what my new release, <i>Raven’s Hollow Spring Magic</i> is all about.
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5.0pt;"><a name="_Hlk138145600"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Spring is in full bloom
in Raven’s Hollow, a small town in the Colorado Rockies with a population of
unique townspeople. Blaze, a dragon shifter, and Wynter, a witch, are neck-deep
in wedding preparations, when Wynter’s mother, Jade, goes missing
after opening her new antique store, and attending the Simon estate
sale where she procured an ancient jelly bean machine. Frantic with worry,
Blaze and Wynter track her last movements via the store’s ancient, grainy,
security footage. What it reveals is nothing short of shocking. As deputy
sheriff, it’s Blaze’s responsibility to find his soon-to-be mother-in-law. But
at what cost?<o:p></o:p></span></a></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk138145600;"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How about a sneak peek
between the pages of <i>Raven’s Hollow Spring Magic</i>?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;"><a name="_Hlk138148745"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Let’s not jump to the worst-case
scenario. Relax, we’ll find her.” Using his calm cop voice, he felt anything
but calm. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My gut is telling me she’s not
here, and I’ve no idea how to find her.</i> He sucked in a deep breath and blew
it out slowly. He could see that his calm voice did little to soothe her. <o:p></o:p></span></a></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk138148745;"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She nearly vibrated. “Mom is missing. Our wedding is in less
than two weeks. Tammy’s baby is due soon. I gotta find a part-time employee and
you’re telling me to relax?” Another clap of thunder shook the building and an
involuntary scream flew out of her mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He wrapped his arms around her tight and held on. “We’ll
find her. Everything will be all right. One step at a time. We’ll stop over to
Ms. Roost’s place as soon as the storm subsides. Then we’ll come back here and
view the surveillance footage, if there is any. That’s the plan right now.
Don’t think it’s smart to try to view it while the storm rages. Electrical
current could cause a surge, fry the system, and then where would we be?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“My head knows you’re right. My heart is at war with my
head.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I understand. Off to Ms. Roost’s first.” He shut off the
lights and unlocked the door. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She set the antiquated alarm, and locked it after they were
outside. Thunder still rumbled around with only an occasional flash of
lightning. The torrents of rain had turned into a drizzle as they ran to his
vehicle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Buy Link</span></b><a name="_Hlk138145636"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">s:</span></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk138145636;"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Universal Link: </span></span><a href="https://books2read.com/u/bOPR5E"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk138145636;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://books2read.com/u/bOPR5E</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk138145636;"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk138145263"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk138145636;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Amazon: </span></span></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ravens-Hollow-Spring-Magic-Things-ebook/dp/B0C43XYQ5P"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk138145263;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk138145636;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.amazon.com/Ravens-Hollow-Spring-Magic-Things-ebook/dp/B0C43XYQ5P</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk138145263;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk138145636;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Barnes& Noble: </span><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ravens-hollow-spring-magic-tena-stetler/1143427010?ean=2940160979014"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ravens-hollow-spring-magic-tena-stetler/1143427010?ean=2940160979014</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ibooks: </span><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/ravens-hollow-spring-magic/id6448729654"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://books.apple.com/us/book/ravens-hollow-spring-magic/id6448729654</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bookbub: </span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/books/raven-s-hollow-spring-magic-jelly-beans-and-spring-things-by-tena-stetler"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.bookbub.com/books/raven-s-hollow-spring-magic-jelly-beans-and-spring-things-by-tena-stetler</span></a><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk138145263;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Goodreads: </span></span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/146782568-raven-s-hollow-spring-magic"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk138145263;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/146782568-raven-s-hollow-spring-magic</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk138145263;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk138145263;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk138145263;"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">About
the Author: </span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqV7k2KU3d1mUHLv6mslkhKsvQqUGZ-Y8w-T9erCtVzuw2dXJpd5HPg1QFgMbqQq2uGfJlKCFBXqCCnyvpv_EIBV-OC-OzNYhK4OYNQSdpwffZ_nPXsjYfDnE5cs6kUXOs_UOn76MZvSdzEdCdvxbWAlHtqFYNiG1GL_349W0Wso_JyFwsV71Mg2GSMw/s329/Tena%20RMNP%20crop%20smaller%20-%20zoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="329" data-original-width="328" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqV7k2KU3d1mUHLv6mslkhKsvQqUGZ-Y8w-T9erCtVzuw2dXJpd5HPg1QFgMbqQq2uGfJlKCFBXqCCnyvpv_EIBV-OC-OzNYhK4OYNQSdpwffZ_nPXsjYfDnE5cs6kUXOs_UOn76MZvSdzEdCdvxbWAlHtqFYNiG1GL_349W0Wso_JyFwsV71Mg2GSMw/s320/Tena%20RMNP%20crop%20smaller%20-%20zoom.jpg" width="319" /></a><b></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tena Stetler is a best-selling author of award-winning
paranormal romance/mystery with an over-active imagination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wrote her first vampire romance as a
tween, to the chagrin of her mother and the delight of her friends. Colorado is
home; shared with her husband, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a
forty-five-year-old box turtle.<span style="color: black;"> When she’s not
writing, her time is spent kayaking, camping, hiking, biking or just
relaxing in the great Colorado outdoors. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>H<span style="color: #1d2129;">er books tell tales of magical kick-ass women and mystical
alpha males that dare to love them. Travel, adventure, and a bit of mystery
flourish in her books along with a few companion animals to round out the
tales.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Social Media Links</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: -32.55pt; margin-top: 0in; tab-stops: 310.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Website: </span><a href="https://www.tenastetler.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.tenastetler.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: -32.55pt; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Authors’
Secret’s Blog: </span><a href="https://www.tenastetler.com/category/authors-secrets-blog/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.tenastetler.com/category/authors-secrets-blog/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: -32.55pt; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My
Say What Blog: </span><a href="https://www.tenastetler.com/category/my-say-what-blog/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.tenastetler.com/category/my-say-what-blog/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: -32.55pt; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Facebook
Page: https://</span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/tenastetler.author"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">www.facebook.com/tenastetler.author</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: -32.55pt; margin-top: 0in; tab-stops: 230.2pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Twitter Page: https://</span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/TenaStetler"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">www.twitter.com/TenaStetler</span></a><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: -32.55pt; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Goodreads:
</span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14187532.Tena_Stetler"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14187532.Tena_Stetler</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: -32.55pt; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Amazon:
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>http://</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/author/tenastetler"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">www.amazon.com/author/tenastetler</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: -32.55pt; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Newsletter: </span><a href="https://www.tenastetler.com/newsletter-signup/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.tenastetler.com/newsletter-signup/</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: -32.55pt; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pinterest:<u> </u></span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/tenastetler"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.pinterest.com/tenastetler</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: -32.55pt; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tribber: </span><a href="https://triberr.com/TenaStetler"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://triberr.com/TenaStetler</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: -32.55pt; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bookbub: </span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tena-stetler"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tena-stetler</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: -32.55pt; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tenastetler/" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.instagram.com/tenastetler/</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: -32.55pt; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tumblr: </span><a href="https://www.tumblr.com/blog/tenajean2014"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.tumblr.com/blog/tenajean2014</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: -32.55pt; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Linkedin - </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tena-stetler-10057978/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">https://www.linkedin.com/in/tena-stetler-10057978/</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My
Review:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: #FFFFCC; color: #660000; font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">💖💖💖💖💖</span><span style="background: #FFFFCC; color: #660000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Raven’s Hollow Spring
Magic</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> by Tena Stetler in The Wild Rose Press <i>Jelly Bean</i>
series, is the sequel to <b><i>Meringue Snowflake Magic</i></b> in The Wild
Rose Press <i>Cookie </i>series. Introduced in the Christmas book, the
characters of Wynter and Blaze find their lives upended when she goes into the
Witness Protection Program and lands in Raven’s Hollow, the town he’s
protecting as deputy sheriff. Now she’s settling into her new life in a town
that’s a haven for magical creatures and where her own gifts can bloom. Only
when her mother triggers a time machine do things go awry, but in a charming
and delightful way. This is the very coziest of cozies, a fanciful mystery
without a dead body cluttering up a most harmonious place, perfect for lovers.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358068750240667118.post-74269503006006758522023-07-07T12:57:00.003-07:002023-07-07T12:57:55.190-07:00FREDERICK FLY-CATCHER on Sale Now<p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Looking for summer reading for that favorite grade school child or grandchild? A story of adventure that also promotes the values of family, friendship and kindness? </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEslfz-dgsbisZIIDf-f8Tt_60Vir2Cue_HhqTSblR8ogG6AeVws82K6xIsUJ4YqFLp8kQrFStrAZmEGXdGikGS3DMkt5PQHnsUFvIY3vnv7Y7dfXwgQps9XaqXUvHG2xUvxiePF5e3uypb3YJ35GZF89wlrOgmWWnkJp9DecFGUMlOWrkWsV158cKgw8/s1518/Frederick%20Fly%20Catcher%20Winner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="1518" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEslfz-dgsbisZIIDf-f8Tt_60Vir2Cue_HhqTSblR8ogG6AeVws82K6xIsUJ4YqFLp8kQrFStrAZmEGXdGikGS3DMkt5PQHnsUFvIY3vnv7Y7dfXwgQps9XaqXUvHG2xUvxiePF5e3uypb3YJ35GZF89wlrOgmWWnkJp9DecFGUMlOWrkWsV158cKgw8/w400-h200/Frederick%20Fly%20Catcher%20Winner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m excited to announce that my middle-grade
fantasy, FREDERICK FLY-CATCHER, will be available as part of the
Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale! This is a chance to get my book, along with
books from many other great authors, at a promotional discount. FREDERICK
FLY-CATCHER is cut to half price, only $1.49 in ebook.</span></p><p></p>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">You can find the general promo here: <a href="https://g5pyjsn3.r.us-west-2.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fauthoremail.com%2Femail%2Fcampaigns%2Ffn171ldmcg931%2Ftrack-url%2Fzx325qlzt5dfe%2F8700a402c9581075d72bd7db42c29d6506c01367/1/010101891079db73-dc3e3819-9a6a-4f33-9b5c-96c4bab9a255-000000/EgJRVK3AYPymBbdv4nX4lSWuQKo=329">Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale</a></span><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">You can find FREDERICK FLY-CATCHER ebook for only $1.49 here: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1244386">https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1244386</a></span></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358068750240667118.post-87197452811942956962023-06-10T08:59:00.000-07:002023-06-10T08:59:29.734-07:00Book Spotlight: The Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight <p> <b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i> </i>by Jennifer Ivy Walker</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeErY8K990AU-8y6JQIAsRgEfo7rLgf0ZhW21a5gjDzzW42Mxbs1M2xLuK3LBJxjs1LdKvc09FPJaJ9OoCtA1vs6PxxRGXA-ar9iaaYlr05IaUgZ__lSn6AeE1jy4YWT98kPOzxfwb0qKahhDdssqwxowP5tOt_QiN0HuiAWAYRjf-H6QkgueYDatQ/s750/The%20Emerald%20Fairy%20and%20the%20Dragon%20Knight%20cover%20large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeErY8K990AU-8y6JQIAsRgEfo7rLgf0ZhW21a5gjDzzW42Mxbs1M2xLuK3LBJxjs1LdKvc09FPJaJ9OoCtA1vs6PxxRGXA-ar9iaaYlr05IaUgZ__lSn6AeE1jy4YWT98kPOzxfwb0qKahhDdssqwxowP5tOt_QiN0HuiAWAYRjf-H6QkgueYDatQ/w213-h320/The%20Emerald%20Fairy%20and%20the%20Dragon%20Knight%20cover%20large.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This is the final book in Walker’s thrilling
and darkly romantic fantasy trilogy based on the legend of Tristan and
Isolde/Issylte. <o:p></o:p></span></i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My Review:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: #FFFFCC; color: #660000; font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">💖💖💖💖💖</span><span style="background: #FFFFCC; color: #660000; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> by Jennifer Ivy Walker<b><i> </i></b>is an
action-packed adventure across Ireland, Cornwall, and Breton as well as fairy
sites of mystical power from islands to lakes and caves. Shape-shifters, elves,
and woodland, sea and sky creatures all come to the aid of Issylte and Tristan
as they face their final bloody battles with the Black Widow Queen and her
devoted servants, both human and otherworldly. Just when the reader thinks the
heroes have won some breathing room, the forces of evil cast another dastardly
spell to stymie them. Walker weaves an epic tapestry of sacrifice and devotion
as these heroes fight their way across land and sea to earn their reward, a
life and future together as crowned heads of their respective realms. A
terrific finale and fitting conclusion to this version of the timeless legend. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Blurb:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Wielding a trio of enchanted Elven weapons to
battle a dark wizard and a legion of diabolical dwarves, Tristan is faced with
the impossible choice between saving the woman he loves or defending his
endangered kingdom. Inexplicably compelled to remain in the sacred forest where
he hears the voice of her heart, the heir to the throne of Cornwall incurs the
wrath and scorn of his army when he decides to hunt for his captive mate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Her verdant magic greatly enhanced by the
mystical Morgane la Fée, Issylte must summon a coalition of Naiad nymphs and
celestial fairies to destroy a nascent evil as she fights to reclaim her
rightful crown. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When the Black Widow Queen unites with a
malignant menace and a ghost from Tristan’s haunted past, the Emerald Fairy and
the Dragon Knight must ally with a triad of shapeshifting warrior tribes to
defeat a Viking Trident and defend their trinity of Celtic kingdoms.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Interwoven fates. <i>Otherworldly</i>
mates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Destiny awaits.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Excerpt:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">She
held the <i>églantine</i> to her nose, inhaling the delicate fragrance with a
smile of wonder. “Thank you, my love. It reminds me of the nightingale in the
woods of Avalon. You never cease to amaze me.” Gratitude shifted to empathy as
she intently searched his face. “How does it feel to come home?” </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FRu6lxI4Yh2L48VDG73ZIbJ6BZtxrOPFN8KBQZXtdaNJwOz6zVSXrqMzhSwK1rFjGGwsE1OskHj1Xjvkd1CSpye0kGhzkBANXIXIbe0BotAFGCH65pAIGg5SdAWsMybO1aZOA6ydnEfkn59Jx5FjX4pZoqGY7lEOCKRBE0lJf0SKtw1bzE8uazoa/s1024/swallow's%20nest%20castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FRu6lxI4Yh2L48VDG73ZIbJ6BZtxrOPFN8KBQZXtdaNJwOz6zVSXrqMzhSwK1rFjGGwsE1OskHj1Xjvkd1CSpye0kGhzkBANXIXIbe0BotAFGCH65pAIGg5SdAWsMybO1aZOA6ydnEfkn59Jx5FjX4pZoqGY7lEOCKRBE0lJf0SKtw1bzE8uazoa/w240-h320/swallow's%20nest%20castle.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Tristan
looked out at the cerulean sea. The blue waters of Lyonesse. His home. “I
feel…conflicted. Tremendous guilt and grief, mingled with incredible joy.” He
raised the hand in which she held the wild rose, lifting the pink blossom to
his nose. He inhaled its soothing floral fragrance—Issylte’s essence—to ease
his heavy heart. “When I saw the edge of the forest where Goron held me that
day…I relived the horrors…” A violent shudder shook his body. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Issylte
wrapped her arms around his waist and nestled her head against his thundering
chest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He kissed the top of her head, cocooning her
in loving arms. “But now…with you here…I remember the love.” He rocked her in
his arms as fond memories flowed, washing away the sadness and sorrow. “My
mother’s tender touch…my sister’s beautiful smile…my father’s noble face. All
the happiness we shared here. All the laughter. All the love.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Issylte
raised her tear-stained face to beam at him. “Love conquers hate. It is the
Goddess’ greatest gift. And I am eternally grateful that She has healed your
broken heart.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">He
kissed her. His Wild Rose. His green golden goddess. His Emerald Fairy. “Aye,
my love. She has. Through you.” </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zceahJAGeNa7n5I2igvL3YejA_rgRY0vI0J4OSfby0RYdXAOfsgaZgGLMllVd5Jdc3FBSehugF_l1_ttpHC-zDpT6yxiTQR3SxJDfWT22RwGJOKb-VkCuRodrUDQfBCKlH_jw2Z-FKWsGR-tiI9twnzLrcwfRLoi-n-kItwMXlqFYJtJxRvZwasn/s1600/series%20meme.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zceahJAGeNa7n5I2igvL3YejA_rgRY0vI0J4OSfby0RYdXAOfsgaZgGLMllVd5Jdc3FBSehugF_l1_ttpHC-zDpT6yxiTQR3SxJDfWT22RwGJOKb-VkCuRodrUDQfBCKlH_jw2Z-FKWsGR-tiI9twnzLrcwfRLoi-n-kItwMXlqFYJtJxRvZwasn/w320-h180/series%20meme.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">About the Author</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk125549079"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Enthralled with legends of medieval
knights and ladies, dark fairy tales and fantasies about Druids, wizards and
magic, Jennifer Ivy Walker always dreamed of becoming a writer. She fell in
love with French in junior high school, continuing her study of the language
throughout college, eventually becoming a high school teacher and college
professor of French.<br />
<br />
As a high school teacher, she took her students every year to the annual French
competition, where they performed a play she had written, "Yseult la Belle
et Tristan la Bête"--an imaginative blend of the medieval French legend of
"<i>Tristan et Yseult</i>" and the fairy tale "Beauty and the
Beast", enhanced with fantasy elements of a Celtic fairy and a wicked
witch.<br />
<br />
<b><i>The Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight</i></b>—book 3 and the conclusion
of <b><i>The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven</i></b> trilogy--is a blend of her
love for Celtic legends, the romantic French language, and epic fantasy. It is
a paranormal fated mates adaptation of the medieval legend of "<i>Tristan
et Yseult</i>" (Tristan and Isolde), interwoven with Arthurian myth, dark
fairy tales from the enchanted Forest of Brocéliande, and otherworldly elements
such as Avalonian Elves, Druids, forest fairies, and magic.</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk125549079"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></a><a name="_Hlk125549079" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">She hopes her novels will enchant you.</span></a><br />
<br />
<b>Explore her realm of Medieval French Fantasy</b>:<o:p></o:p><br /></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549079;"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk125549123"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Website:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></a><a href="https://jenniferivywalker.com/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549123;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://jenniferivywalker.com/</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549123;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk125565549"></a><a name="_Hlk125548979"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Goodreads Author page: </span></span></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22671046.Jennifer_Ivy_Walker"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125548979;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22671046.Jennifer_Ivy_Walker</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125548979;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125548979;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bookbub: </span></span></span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-emerald-fairy-and-the-dragon-knight-the-wild-rose-and-the-sea-raven-book-3-by-jennifer-ivy-walker"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125548979;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-emerald-fairy-and-the-dragon-knight-the-wild-rose-and-the-sea-raven-book-3-by-jennifer-ivy-walker</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125548979;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><a name="_Hlk125549108"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Facebook: </span></a></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JenniferIvyWalker"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549108;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.facebook.com/JenniferIvyWalker</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549108;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549108;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Twitter:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/bohemienneivy"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549108;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://twitter.com/bohemienneivy</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549108;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549108;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Instagram:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jenniferivywalkerauthor/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549108;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.instagram.com/jenniferivywalkerauthor/</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549108;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549108;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Tiktok: </span></span></span><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jenniferivywalker"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549108;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.tiktok.com/@jenniferivywalker</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549108;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amazon link:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Fairy-Dragon-Knight-Raven-ebook/dp/B0C28XRHR2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=WC4MNXW6LNY2&keywords=the+emerald+fairy+and+the+dragon+knight+jennifer+ivy+walker&qid=1683425307&sprefix=the+emerald+fairy%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-1"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Fairy-Dragon-Knight-Raven-ebook/dp/B0C28XRHR2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=WC4MNXW6LNY2&keywords=the+emerald+fairy+and+the+dragon+knight+jennifer+ivy+walker&qid=1683425307&sprefix=the+emerald+fairy%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-1</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Barnes and Noble: </span><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-emerald-fairy-and-the-dragon-knight-jennifer-ivy-walker/1143179531?ean=2940161094518"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-emerald-fairy-and-the-dragon-knight-jennifer-ivy-walker/1143179531?ean=2940161094518</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358068750240667118.post-18906997461775373562023-06-06T14:28:00.000-07:002023-06-06T14:28:22.449-07:00Recommended Reading: Fatal Witness<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/bookbub/image/upload/t_ci_ar_6:9_padded,f_auto,q_auto,dpr_1,c_scale,w_405/v1684862515/pro_pbid_5731057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="405" height="320" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/bookbub/image/upload/t_ci_ar_6:9_padded,f_auto,q_auto,dpr_1,c_scale,w_405/v1684862515/pro_pbid_5731057.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #162127; font-family: Lora, Lora-fallback, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"><i>Fatal Witness</i> by Michelle Godard-Richer will <br />give you chills, so read it with the lights on in the middle of the day while you're not alone and the doors are locked. Jessica and Jon and their respective families and friends find their comfortable worlds turned upside down and inside out by one incredibly nasty and clever villain. It's all they can do in this fast-paced thriller to keep evil at bay after Jessica witnesses her neighbor dumping a body into his pickup bed late at night. Thankfully, her long-ago crush has retired from the FBI and returned to the Montana ranch near her aunt's place. If anyone can protect the young widow and her son, it's Jon Kent. But even he will need help to fend off this stalking killer.</span><p></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #162127; font-family: Lora, Lora-fallback, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;"> The author masterfully weaves terrifying suspense with a rekindled romance to produce a page-turning thriller. In addition, the author's experience with and education in criminal justice gives credibility to each step of the investigation, undergirding the suspense with a real sense that Jeesica's situation could happen just as described. Well-written suspense with a H/H you're on the edge of your seat rooting for.</span><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #162127; font-family: Lora, Lora-fallback, Georgia, Times, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;">Find it on Bookbub: <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/books/fatal-witness-by-michelle-godard-richer">https://www.bookbub.com/books/fatal-witness-by-michelle-godard-richer</a></span></span></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358068750240667118.post-27411419245453358052023-05-11T14:11:00.001-07:002023-05-11T14:11:57.800-07:00What I'm Reading: Sazerac, Sleuth & Slay by Mary Cunningham<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Welcome to New Orleans, courtesy of <i><b>Sazerac, Sleuth & Slay</b> (An Andi Anna Jones Mystery Book
2)</i> by Mary Cunningham </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KNhtpyBt878YtqIuwGVnzd1tf-46UgOcwGP_c0WtzDZWEENVNWpl1fjO3ukdIwurAxjcGijQIh63bKvPvF5MiKxwWfChQNHK6DVdiDnrECEc23DqdQgCtR_yIE3gVCSMhMzbXjDwg9U946xG07KyZDLp6fWGCUn2l1AYSn6jWub3sfBu1xABw65-/s1380/SazeracSleuthandSlay_w17377_ib%20(1)%20blurb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="861" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KNhtpyBt878YtqIuwGVnzd1tf-46UgOcwGP_c0WtzDZWEENVNWpl1fjO3ukdIwurAxjcGijQIh63bKvPvF5MiKxwWfChQNHK6DVdiDnrECEc23DqdQgCtR_yIE3gVCSMhMzbXjDwg9U946xG07KyZDLp6fWGCUn2l1AYSn6jWub3sfBu1xABw65-/s320/SazeracSleuthandSlay_w17377_ib%20(1)%20blurb.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're in the market for a new mystery endorsed by none other than Carolyn Haines, author of the popular Sarah Booth <i>Bones</i> mysteries, look no farther. <br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What a twisty mystery! This one kept me wondering whodunnit
throughout as the author first presented one suspect and then another thanks to
two-faced friends and false leads. When Andi Anna Jones puts on her amateur
sleuth hat in order to save her travel agency from being sued by an angry
client blaming her agency’s mistakes for his wife’s death, she bites off way
more than she can chew. She may have survived her first foray into
investigating (book #1), but digging up dirt in New Orleans is not for the
faint of heart. While this isn’t what I’d call a light-hearted mystery, what with
a gruesome murder and deadly situations, the author has woven in just the right
amount of humor, thanks to Andi’s stepmother Ruby and her employee Ellie. The
characters are multi-dimensional and varied. And New Orleans’ French Quarter is
portrayed in vivid detail, down to the sweltering summer heat, ever-present music,
and quirky shops. You won’t want to put this book down.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's the rundown:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 11.65pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Synopsis: </b><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white;">It’s gonna be a great day! Or, so she thought.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Andi Anna
Jones, so-so travel agent, amateur sleuth, doesn’t suspect her least favorite
client, Stewart (The Pain) Payne, will set off circumstances that lead to
disappearance and death.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">After his
wife is a no-show for a convention in New Orleans, his threat to sue Graves
Travel for “ten times more than it’s worth”, and Andi’s wish to honor one of
her late dad's requests, leads her to The Big Easy in search of Grace Payne.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Five
unsolved murders, a body caught in a crawfish cage, and a mysterious candle,
magic, and incense shop, takes Andi deep into the bayou on a hunt for clues.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Will
another victim be added to a serial killer’s list, or is the main suspect
closer to Andi than she thinks.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bio:</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Author, Mary Cunningham grew up on the northern side of the
Ohio River in Corydon, Indiana. <span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Her first memories are of her dad’s original bedtime stories
that no doubt inspired imagination and love of a well-spun “yarn”. <span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Through the author’s horrifying stint as a travel agent,
protagonist Andi Anna Jones, travel agent and amateur sleuth, sprang to life.
The adult/mystery series gives extra meaning to the phrase, “Write what you
know.” <span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cunningham also has a published biography depicting a
military brat, college and professional basketball player, along with a
five-book, middle-grade fantasy series. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Sisters in Crime,
Atlanta Chapter, International Thriller Writers, Inc., and the Carrollton
Writers Guild. <span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When she gives her fingers a break from the keyboard, she
enjoys golf, swimming, and exploring the mountains of West Georgia where she
makes her home with her husband and mischievous rescue pup, Murphy. <span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Links:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://www.marycunninghambooks.com</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Website: </b><a href="http://www.marycunninghambooks.com/"><b>http://www.marycunninghambooks.com</b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Facebook <u><span style="color: blue;">http://www.facebook.com/cynthiasattic/<o:p></o:p></span></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Twitter: </b><a href="http://twitter.com/MaryCunningham"><b>http://twitter.com/MaryCunningham</b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span style="color: windowtext;">Amazon
Author Page:</span></b></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span style="color: windowtext;"> </span></b></span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mary-Cunningham/author/B002BLNEK4?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true"><b>Amazon.com: Mary Cunningham: books,
biography, latest update</b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Goodreads: </b><a href="http://goodreads.com/author/show/367223.Mary_Cunningham"><b>http://goodreads.com/author/show/367223.Mary_Cunningham</b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span style="color: windowtext;">Instagram:
</span></b></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/marycunningham2604/"><b>Author Mary Cunningham
(@marycunningham2604) • Instagram photos and videos</b></a><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.65pt; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 11.65pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Purchase Links: </b><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 11.65pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Amazon: </b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sazerac-Sleuth-Slay-Jones-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0BQGVDG7P"><b>Sazerac, Sleuth & Slay (An Andi Anna
Jones Mystery Book 2) - Kindle edition by Cunningham, Mary. Mystery, Thriller
& Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.65pt; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Barnes
& Noble: </b><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sazerac-sleuth-slay-mary-cunningham/1142858079?ean=2940186586296"><b>Sazerac, Sleuth & Slay by Mary
Cunningham | eBook | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)</b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 11.65pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>GoodReads Link: </b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75336509-sazerac-sleuth-slay"><b>Sazerac, Sleuth & Slay by Mary
Cunningham | Goodreads</b></a></span><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 11.65pt;">Happy reading!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358068750240667118.post-88093276188145855052023-04-29T09:05:00.001-07:002023-04-29T09:05:56.798-07:00What I'm Reading: MID-FLIGHT by Lisa Wilkes<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjy2CdP-NQlUIePK7wpXC6HNveD-F5EY1tKmE3oKU-mTy0CHD78obvAtHlTWj_W6sIrKIBY2OPHHTphn42eOESdShJuIUL3TAYFMrXQK3DqSy6a-60VjNtvJKlZs5IbIu5y0CUQW391hGle3M6lIu-aSAEGTBaW9AGWOzVWt2oiT-WL9TgeLT4NZ7/s765/MIDFLIGHT%20cover%20art1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="510" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjy2CdP-NQlUIePK7wpXC6HNveD-F5EY1tKmE3oKU-mTy0CHD78obvAtHlTWj_W6sIrKIBY2OPHHTphn42eOESdShJuIUL3TAYFMrXQK3DqSy6a-60VjNtvJKlZs5IbIu5y0CUQW391hGle3M6lIu-aSAEGTBaW9AGWOzVWt2oiT-WL9TgeLT4NZ7/s320/MIDFLIGHT%20cover%20art1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b>Dystopian fiction</b>. I have to admit to a few preconceived notions about the genre, mostly garnered from films. But Lisa Wilkes' latest novel MID-FLIGHT has broadened my mind. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">Tagline:</span></b><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">She failed to save her brother and her best friend from
destructive forces. Could she topple the most sinister villain of all time?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">Blurb/Book Description:</span></b><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2037 was a really bad year.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;">Lexi Brennan’s best
friend was killed in a plane crash. Two weeks later, an intergalactic crisis
threatened the fate of humanity. Authorities responded by launching a genocide.</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lexi opposed this vicious attack. Then again, what
could she do? An eccentric flight attendant drawn to glamorous
trysts, she felt powerless to incite change. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Until tragedy struck close to home. Suddenly, Lexi was
forced to acknowledge the widespread atrocities. She uncovered a network of
lies along with an opportunity to restore basic human rights. To protect
others, Lexi would have to launch a movement that could destroy everything
important to her, including her promising new romance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tjSu3O66l0uBIrENdp4EpjGhqjQ5mrD6t_pvV-gPfqiFolCVsQJneC9YRIf_oPo9tdTGL7nIzMgRmyeJt2Wa043VqN6DFUo-ewryr3pPP55BJQ1YbLOQyE8AZtrtsofejDXF3xJjmz5ntL5JB6azTGijyAiIlA6DTXHToq1hWq1k5zeNdzVK-V8x/s3072/Headshot1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tjSu3O66l0uBIrENdp4EpjGhqjQ5mrD6t_pvV-gPfqiFolCVsQJneC9YRIf_oPo9tdTGL7nIzMgRmyeJt2Wa043VqN6DFUo-ewryr3pPP55BJQ1YbLOQyE8AZtrtsofejDXF3xJjmz5ntL5JB6azTGijyAiIlA6DTXHToq1hWq1k5zeNdzVK-V8x/s320/Headshot1.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b>My review:</b> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The year
2037 in Lisa Wilkes’ dystopian novel <i>Mid-Flight</i> feels an awful lot like
the current era, Pandemic and all. There’s been a meteor disaster followed by a
pathogen that together have caused general panic among citizens and governments
already leaning into authoritarianism. Flight attendant Lexi Brennen, still
reeling from the loss of her best friend, fortunately works for the airline most
successfully surviving the calamity. It’s the one thing holding her wounded
soul together. When she meets fellow survivor Jason at a training week in
Orlando, sparks fly for the first time in ages.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">While there
are strong connections to current events and situations, and plenty of
character commentary on such, the main driver of the novel is Lexi’s emotional
journey as she pieces herself back together and finds a way to fight the
injustices she sees. Although she takes on serious risk, it’s not the kind of
dangerous subterfuge and death-defying stunts often associated with dystopian
literature. Rather, this is a story built on relationships. In addition, the
author’s experience as a flight attendant brings great authenticity to her
portrayal of the inner workings of an airline and its staff.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Disclaimer: I received this book from the author
in the hopes I would review it. </span></span></p><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "New serif",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Condensed Author Bio:</span></b><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "New serif",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Lisa Wilkes has spent 13 years as a flight attendant,
jetting across the globe and collecting inspiration for her writings.</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "New serif",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "New serif",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">In her second novel, Mid-Flight, Lisa transports
readers to the year 2038. A flight attendant begins to unravel after her best
friend is killed in a plane crash. In the throes of unspeakable grief, she
uncovers a political ploy to decimate one-fifth of the population. To combat
this sinister plan, she must risk everything. Including her breathtaking new
romance.</span><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "New serif",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "New serif", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lisa’s writing is provocative and timely, with a focus
on societal issues and powerful internal conflict.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "New serif", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #1d2228;">Contact links:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="mailto:lisamichellewrites@gmail.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: #196ad4; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">lisamichellewrites@gmail.com</span></a><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Website: </span><a href="https://www.lisamichellewilkes.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0563c1; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-ligatures: none;">Https://www.lisamichellewilkes.com</span></a><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2228; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-ligatures: none;">Instagram: </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/Travelisa1984/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0563c1; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-ligatures: none;">https://www.instagram.com/Travelisa1984/</span></a><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2228; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-ligatures: none;">Amazon author page: </span><a href="https://amazon.com/author/lisawilkes" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0563c1; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-ligatures: none;">https://amazon.com/author/lisawilkes</span></a><span style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p></p>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358068750240667118.post-70273968264358256962023-04-01T08:26:00.000-07:002023-04-01T08:26:22.081-07:00April Fool's in the Northwoods<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VVLj03toAByijaH_4kXeqq4BrgQw2-mxK3-uOqmDbAeH7ekSmV11tIgwhFUVxJyTwmwxIPnQYc6EHeid1J4DWpv5tM2djxLDzgyc5GtwlkgOfxDzBDhMj2gzqn0rVAebzvr-ChEq-lco_pnV2G2gJSNJKWH_vjDr7KgFkzVEYuuHhU7I0BJ4Snrj/s4000/DSCF5088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VVLj03toAByijaH_4kXeqq4BrgQw2-mxK3-uOqmDbAeH7ekSmV11tIgwhFUVxJyTwmwxIPnQYc6EHeid1J4DWpv5tM2djxLDzgyc5GtwlkgOfxDzBDhMj2gzqn0rVAebzvr-ChEq-lco_pnV2G2gJSNJKWH_vjDr7KgFkzVEYuuHhU7I0BJ4Snrj/w240-h320/DSCF5088.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> In the last 24 hours we have been treated to heavy rain, strong wind, thunder and lightning, freezing rain, and snow. Welcome to April! <p></p>Wild weather is the norm for this time of year up here. Last week we received a lovely coating of ice. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCMGKkyjnZsupoYQcc_X4I_QW7EtWws6uuOcQeOaUyHjZBzzUW3d076ZYB3f10XRS_GhJhTDJPOUXO6N0jbsRTPn39FgSykK_lEXsZd3u0Ym_v_m2oWxmQMlUHid3IhnnlOvLUL5N_0b6wTRmeCkX8A94BUiQJmYeqZ1tpSiw36N5wWUIAY1avoDX/s4000/DSCF5085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCMGKkyjnZsupoYQcc_X4I_QW7EtWws6uuOcQeOaUyHjZBzzUW3d076ZYB3f10XRS_GhJhTDJPOUXO6N0jbsRTPn39FgSykK_lEXsZd3u0Ym_v_m2oWxmQMlUHid3IhnnlOvLUL5N_0b6wTRmeCkX8A94BUiQJmYeqZ1tpSiw36N5wWUIAY1avoDX/w320-h240/DSCF5085.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><p></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEing4ptaj3QLqiTgVjgba78zkkjokHoU3IL5bcmLDrQ9do_J18RJKjq09jBDwiQbt1Rpoi9-9Hp9Twg3r-ugMN4_NFCrXNy4RgQZOOMrm9JkoSaf1aRdBZBuuuYqg-ptkxUcbrs3AT94UnzCP2eREzCtfpc4RHBEBGdHZgFDZaU1azY1ImdboSnl6Bx/s4000/DSCF5023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEing4ptaj3QLqiTgVjgba78zkkjokHoU3IL5bcmLDrQ9do_J18RJKjq09jBDwiQbt1Rpoi9-9Hp9Twg3r-ugMN4_NFCrXNy4RgQZOOMrm9JkoSaf1aRdBZBuuuYqg-ptkxUcbrs3AT94UnzCP2eREzCtfpc4RHBEBGdHZgFDZaU1azY1ImdboSnl6Bx/w320-h240/DSCF5023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Fortunately, no tree limbs came down like they did last summer, completely hiding this car. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hope your April Fool's Day is not quite so challenging! <br /></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358068750240667118.post-39023890698979310632023-01-30T12:58:00.000-08:002023-01-30T12:58:00.061-08:00My Guest Today: Author Jennifer Ivy Walker<p> <i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have the honor
of hosting fellow Wild Rose Press author Jennifer Ivy Walker on the happy
occasion of her latest release, THE LADY OF THE MIRRORED LAKE. This is the
second book in Walker’s thrilling and darkly romantic fantasy trilogy based on
the legend of Tristan and Isolde/Issylte. Here's my review:</span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaHOLyWJhr4erKk2LqzxKoviPMFBjM9t8nXSRXFCWGfJdIua7jiSfzb4jvH6x6ifzOWcJ3MBF5Y0Y_yXPDUDKXkDYdPzFCz3bf7rnOaPnhQFmMDYH6VZIeGUN1PxNM1ET6cs6B3fXhCQDXAqHagL5vWVfHAD5TzlIF-l76UV2RQXV5-qytzdm_teQ/s2550/The%20Lady%20of%20the%20Mirrored%20Lake%20book%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="1700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaHOLyWJhr4erKk2LqzxKoviPMFBjM9t8nXSRXFCWGfJdIua7jiSfzb4jvH6x6ifzOWcJ3MBF5Y0Y_yXPDUDKXkDYdPzFCz3bf7rnOaPnhQFmMDYH6VZIeGUN1PxNM1ET6cs6B3fXhCQDXAqHagL5vWVfHAD5TzlIF-l76UV2RQXV5-qytzdm_teQ/s320/The%20Lady%20of%20the%20Mirrored%20Lake%20book%20cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: #FFFFCC; color: #660000; font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">💖💖💖💖💖</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">A wildly romantic adventure filled with the stuff of legends:
elemental magic, evil dwarves, helpful fairies, dark wizards, treacherous
villains, honorable knights, and a great love story. Together at last, Tristan
and Issylte cement their fated bond, becoming partners in both marriage and
Lancelot’s Tribe. Yet both must face tests, together and separately, trials
that force Issylte to move between worlds and Tristan to endure great
suffering. Just when the reader thinks she has a moment to breathe, the author
throws up another seemingly impossible obstacle to their quest to win back what
each has lost. The Lady of the Mirrored Lake is a beautifully rendered dark
fairy tale of a love for the ages and a terrific sequel to The Wild Rose and
the Sea Raven.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Tell us, what
drew you to write about this legend?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When I earned my MA in French
literature, I fell in love with the medieval legend of <i>Tristan et Yseult</i>.
As a high school French teacher, I had my advanced classes read that medieval <i>roman
courtois </i>as part of our study of France in the Middle Ages. I enhanced my
students’ learning by illustrating the story with puppets, playing the French
musical, “Tristan et Yseult” (with Magali Neslot and Solal), teaching a
medieval Breton dance as we danced to the song, “Les Noces” from that musical, </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NFm4ARGl3ItLhiPRRviUEpKFTrWf0LKfLO92NkfGspNqydYEbsGr3dRVgPBofA9---fosKMLDcGW4tfewkhHoDFkitV4UBwBu2sjFPZwRvVt7vH3AODBy8pWzC5EXrlG4S1P-FTPHeMz9sbTUVhFlJfOU87ILN3kkOghXReOT1uBY5A8l0G8dMlK/s681/Tristan%20et%20Yseult%20film.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NFm4ARGl3ItLhiPRRviUEpKFTrWf0LKfLO92NkfGspNqydYEbsGr3dRVgPBofA9---fosKMLDcGW4tfewkhHoDFkitV4UBwBu2sjFPZwRvVt7vH3AODBy8pWzC5EXrlG4S1P-FTPHeMz9sbTUVhFlJfOU87ILN3kkOghXReOT1uBY5A8l0G8dMlK/w147-h200/Tristan%20et%20Yseult%20film.jpg" width="147" /></a></div>and
watching the French version of the film “Tristan and Isolde” (with James Franco
and Sophia Myles), culminating in “<i>Le Théâtre en Classe</i>”-- where my
students reenacted the story in costumes, even performing a play I had written
for them at the annual state French competition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to write my trilogy based on my
love for the medieval legend, the different musical, theatrical, and
cinematographic interpretations of that French tale, and the play I had written
for my students.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I’ve always been
drawn to this legend too, but it’s so tragic. How did you deal with that?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I never liked the tragic ending of the
original medieval legend. Tristan and Yseult pined for each other throughout
the story and ended up dying of broken hearts, much like Romeo and Juliette.
Although I did retain a lot of the original storyline in developing my trilogy,
I created new characters and rewove the plot with much more inclusion of the
Arthurian myth related to the French legend. I also incorporated paranormal
fantasy elements, such as Druids, forest fairies, Elves, dwarves, and dark lore
from the mystical Forest of Brocéliande. I even created my own version of
Avalon --based on French research--with an entirely different ending than the original
medieval French legend of <i>Tristan et Yseult</i>. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTsDutrKujpqOOA39wbo_mjrVz3fkXCsKoQbqxi73X2JgGEWbD6VjQcwj3dWBBUZ6hL78_H1k93NNkvWyOgyyBR_2tMV3dYoUJ4hgbFuIX2ySHnY_9hnSM1lE7Ve535zstbG0L_qWK5Dx4WX3kg6sRBiHSeeHBvrYq5n1m7R47qjKrJLpWvAkM83a/s191/me%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="130" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNTsDutrKujpqOOA39wbo_mjrVz3fkXCsKoQbqxi73X2JgGEWbD6VjQcwj3dWBBUZ6hL78_H1k93NNkvWyOgyyBR_2tMV3dYoUJ4hgbFuIX2ySHnY_9hnSM1lE7Ve535zstbG0L_qWK5Dx4WX3kg6sRBiHSeeHBvrYq5n1m7R47qjKrJLpWvAkM83a/s1600/me%202.jpg" width="130" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Wow! How did you
tackle all that world building?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I read and researched French legends
from the enchanted Forest of Brocéliande for many aspects of the fantasy world,
including tales of Lancelot, Merlin, the Lady of the Lake, and Avalon. I also
drew upon my childhood experiences growing up on a tidal bay in Maine and my keen
interest in plants, herbs, and healing crystals. I’ve always loved Victor
Hugo’s works, having studied French Romanticism with a passion, and I
incorporated that love and creative inspiration into my novels as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a French teacher, I frequently traveled to
France, visiting <i>châteaux</i>, sites of medieval pilgrimage, and troglodyte
caves of the Loire Valley. I blended all of this together, weaving in certain
aspects of fairy tales, such as Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, to embroider the
medieval legend of <i>Tristan et Yseult</i> with creative, vivid imagery and fiery,
romantic passion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Your deep passion
for your subject shows in the immersive detail that seems to be a trademark of
your stories. What’s next for you?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“The Emerald Fairy and the Dragon
Knight”—book 3 and the conclusion of The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven trilogy—will
be published this spring. And I am delighted that my novel, “Winter Solstice in
the Crystal Castle”, will be published later this year as well. It’s a medieval
romance between a feisty French Viking princess forced to marry a man she
loathes and the sullen, chivalrous knight who suffers an impossible love for his
vibrant, valiant Valkyrie.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sounds amazing!
Where can readers connect with you?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk125549123"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Website:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></a><a href="https://jenniferivywalker.com/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549123;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://jenniferivywalker.com/</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549123;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549123;"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk125565549"></a><a name="_Hlk125548979"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Goodreads
Author page: </span></span></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22671046.Jennifer_Ivy_Walker"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125548979;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22671046.Jennifer_Ivy_Walker</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125548979;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125548979;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bookbub: </span></span></span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-lady-of-the-mirrored-lake-the-wild-rose-and-the-sea-raven-book-2-by-jennifer-ivy-walker"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125548979;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-lady-of-the-mirrored-lake-the-wild-rose-and-the-sea-raven-book-2-by-jennifer-ivy-walker</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125548979;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125548979;"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><a name="_Hlk125549108"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Facebook: </span></a></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JenniferIvyWalker"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549108;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.facebook.com/JenniferIvyWalker</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549108;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549108;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Twitter:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span><a href="https://twitter.com/bohemienneivy"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549108;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://twitter.com/bohemienneivy</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549108;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549108;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Instagram:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jenniferivywalkerauthor/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549108;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.instagram.com/jenniferivywalkerauthor/</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549108;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549108;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Tiktok: </span></span></span><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jenniferivywalker"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549108;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.tiktok.com/@jenniferivywalker</span></span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549108;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125549108;"></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125565549;"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk125548960"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amazon
link:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lady-Mirrored-Lake-Wild-Raven-ebook/dp/B0BKYHZGFJ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13647SWRD1MQV&keywords=lady+of+the+mirrored+lake&qid=1673574202&sprefix=lady+of+the+mirrored%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-1"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125548960;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.amazon.com/Lady-Mirrored-Lake-Wild-Raven-ebook/dp/B0BKYHZGFJ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13647SWRD1MQV&keywords=lady+of+the+mirrored+lake&qid=1673574202&sprefix=lady+of+the+mirrored%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-1</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125548960;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125548960;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Barnes and Noble: </span></span><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-lady-of-the-mirrored-lake-jennifer-ivy-walker/1142600233?ean=2940186700920"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125548960;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-lady-of-the-mirrored-lake-jennifer-ivy-walker/1142600233?ean=2940186700920</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk125548960;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>Thanks so much for visiting, and best of luck with this and your soon-to-come releases!</i></p>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358068750240667118.post-24541039542822215592022-12-15T09:05:00.001-08:002022-12-15T09:05:30.121-08:00Gifts, Giveaways and Sales!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBt8mq6rjC3g7V6ANoO7khjBsFxXpOHHaf5OFQYf9AIm-CW6E1HKxUuXKbDnZdvosYCmmFs3C9IL8dMeaKsEJl5Ul2N0Gvi_03L9xbBHZuuPlS2DJWoveUixrCTm5r1LMr1HckvwNUfdDjlF11fC7NxLJ81r-C-ANGahncvaTk4tjnwhUzKSRWDya/s1518/Frederick%20Fly%20Catcher%20Winner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="1518" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBt8mq6rjC3g7V6ANoO7khjBsFxXpOHHaf5OFQYf9AIm-CW6E1HKxUuXKbDnZdvosYCmmFs3C9IL8dMeaKsEJl5Ul2N0Gvi_03L9xbBHZuuPlS2DJWoveUixrCTm5r1LMr1HckvwNUfdDjlF11fC7NxLJ81r-C-ANGahncvaTk4tjnwhUzKSRWDya/w320-h161/Frederick%20Fly%20Catcher%20Winner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Looking for a last minute gift for your young reader? <p></p><p>Now through Jan. 1, FREDERICK FLY-CATCHER is on sale for only $1.49 at <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1244386">Smashwords End of the Year Sale</a>. That's 50% off this fast-paced, humorous chapter book fantasy. <br /></p><p>Have a cookbook collector in your family or friend circle? </p><p>The wildly popular FREE annual Wild Rose Press Author Holiday Cookbook is here! To access a FREE--that's right, totally free--PDF download of this fabulous collection of over 100 pages of recipes contributed by Wild Rose Press authors, simply go to this link and click it: <a href="https://wildrosepress.com/special-items/">https://wildrosepress.com/special-items/</a></p><p>My contribution this year is Hearty, Feed-a-Crowd Vegetable Soup, a family favorite, perfect for these cold winter days.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0H6-G6khS6wD-7nXTDagR6QlIw7v7uA-Lg8-tfwm1e_EJOTlLvP-HI3LvX5uhMevimhfmZvo_38wkNl-LjInQy-EeBealZn8nlQsTqFZvN4dFDr-g5wU0CUp9p0rx9Su_zgLAdRh--iAWqAr4dkPmOnPtXlFA_Yrxz7zfFCIc4L4OlF6TXg62Ue6u/s500/Bloodstone%20web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="312" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0H6-G6khS6wD-7nXTDagR6QlIw7v7uA-Lg8-tfwm1e_EJOTlLvP-HI3LvX5uhMevimhfmZvo_38wkNl-LjInQy-EeBealZn8nlQsTqFZvN4dFDr-g5wU0CUp9p0rx9Su_zgLAdRh--iAWqAr4dkPmOnPtXlFA_Yrxz7zfFCIc4L4OlF6TXg62Ue6u/w125-h200/Bloodstone%20web.jpg" width="125" /></a></div>Just a reminder, a Kindle copy (US only) of BLOODSTONE is up for grabs at NN Light Book Heaven's Curl Up With a Book Month giveaway now through the end of December: <a href="https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/literary-giveaway-portal">https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/literary-giveaway-portal</a><p></p><p>Be sure to log in with your email and enter BLOODSTONE as your choice of prize for a chance to win.</p><p>Happy Snow Season!</p>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-358068750240667118.post-43859205321036795512022-12-11T13:43:00.002-08:002022-12-11T13:43:56.200-08:00Free Cookbook!<p>It's here! The wildly popular annual Wild Rose Press Author Holiday Cookbook!</p><p>To access a FREE--that's right, totally free--PDF download of this fabulous collection of over 100 pages of recipes contributed by Wild Rose Press authors, simply go to this link and click it: <a href="https://wildrosepress.com/special-items/">https://wildrosepress.com/special-items/</a></p><p>My contribution this year is Hearty, Feed-a-Crowd Vegetable Soup, a family favorite, perfect for these cold winter days.</p><p>Just a reminder, a Kindle copy (US only) of BLOODSTONE is up for grabs at NN Light Book Heaven's Curl Up With a Book Month giveaway now through the end of December: <a href="https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/literary-giveaway-portal">https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/literary-giveaway-portal</a></p><p>Be sure to log in with your email and enter BLOODSTONE as your choice of prize for a chance to win.</p><p>Happy Snow Season!</p><div><br /></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01665069138305113810noreply@blogger.com0