tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78833092919379266122024-03-14T04:17:47.245-07:00The Second HalfNew life after 50: a journey of discovery and reinvention exploring the joys of the written wordAlison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883309291937926612.post-68523339637708096502017-10-02T10:22:00.000-07:002017-10-02T10:22:19.026-07:00Time for a Cover Refresh<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As many of you may know, in addition to writing books, I design covers--both for myself and other authors. Last week my friend, editor, and client, Jannine Gallant, came to me with a request to help her update the covers of her three self-pubbed romantic suspense novellas. I had helped her with the original covers almost five years ago and thought it would be fun to refresh them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This project arose because times and tastes change in many things, including book cover art. There appears to be a current movement to emphasize the suspense element in romantic suspense and omit photos of characters from book covers. Jannine wanted her covers to reflect that, so she chose some wonderful new images--including one she took herself of a favorite childhood haunt. I tweaked them and added the text. We'd love to hear what you think! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The photos on the left are the original covers, and the photos on the right are the updated versions.</span><br />
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Alison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883309291937926612.post-34005127651798582002017-04-07T14:15:00.000-07:002017-04-07T14:15:41.424-07:00Garden Photo Contest<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Carmel Valley Garden Club annual garden show is coming up in about a month, and this year they've added a new feature--a photography contest. Since OG gave me my wonderful new camera for Christmas, I've decided to enter a few of my photos--all taken from my own yard.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The contest includes five categories: landscape, wildlife, flowers, plants, and edibles. Each entrant is allowed to enter three photos. That's where you come in. I need help choosing my entries. I've already chosen my favorite landscape photo. I can't imagine I could top this one of a misty valley sunrise:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSppi3Biqwh09heEqmYrQPs6FEk80qE1Kc-jS375S0hhnnzwdCXPIuL5VHEnpwFmM8TvrSQyw2lb5dfywSZVxF3IUHgS-fjI3G7M8h-hAP950Rke3gVO7TO4wqrUyfmqUhWBojUW7IUJoR/s1600/misty+sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSppi3Biqwh09heEqmYrQPs6FEk80qE1Kc-jS375S0hhnnzwdCXPIuL5VHEnpwFmM8TvrSQyw2lb5dfywSZVxF3IUHgS-fjI3G7M8h-hAP950Rke3gVO7TO4wqrUyfmqUhWBojUW7IUJoR/s400/misty+sunrise.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#1</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where I need help is choosing a flower photo and a wildlife photo. The wildlife entry is going to be the most challenging because we have so much fun wildlife here, and I've been lucky enough to capture a number of my favorite visitors on camera. Each photo is numbered, and I'd really like to hear which animal and which flower you like best. The entries will be printed in 8" x 10" format, and OG has volunteered to print them for me. Thanks for your help!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#2</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#3<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1X2v5olJQPg9wguyApGzJxVpLn1Y_0jpVnzy7l-qcDXiIGjEsd1Q_OGju6RnYzpgI16U4OGtPF65wtXmFyIdNDz1A7GofmONc1hYosy6jQUQCrpfTMDGyydT5cEYaHMFQBBou0SlOuRvv/s1600/deer+by+the+fence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1X2v5olJQPg9wguyApGzJxVpLn1Y_0jpVnzy7l-qcDXiIGjEsd1Q_OGju6RnYzpgI16U4OGtPF65wtXmFyIdNDz1A7GofmONc1hYosy6jQUQCrpfTMDGyydT5cEYaHMFQBBou0SlOuRvv/s400/deer+by+the+fence.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#4</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJHf6msSEq1Qz_tOR3K7z24OAEj-xclXpvBGo3dXrUVjctHG-4jDqyer89ouOOxu1iOw4nzJiuPMErT6JJ3sYyJYsCLBUSCIjwATmVnPDA4ymDesjkTtpGLlWp74R17SlpmrT0jF-NhRw/s1600/doe+on+patio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJHf6msSEq1Qz_tOR3K7z24OAEj-xclXpvBGo3dXrUVjctHG-4jDqyer89ouOOxu1iOw4nzJiuPMErT6JJ3sYyJYsCLBUSCIjwATmVnPDA4ymDesjkTtpGLlWp74R17SlpmrT0jF-NhRw/s400/doe+on+patio.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#5</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin16vROpOPw5YyacfxuoH0KNK5Epc8Xpm6zK2mNjXdQr41WpmIeGgJ-VWwpWq0mU98UJPo1YZYORlZuz5oYox-RYeBXbURbiXhZJSaXQsg3bwCGWoN_LwF85RsDK_YTpBGXEw1YF2bd8EY/s1600/lizard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin16vROpOPw5YyacfxuoH0KNK5Epc8Xpm6zK2mNjXdQr41WpmIeGgJ-VWwpWq0mU98UJPo1YZYORlZuz5oYox-RYeBXbURbiXhZJSaXQsg3bwCGWoN_LwF85RsDK_YTpBGXEw1YF2bd8EY/s400/lizard.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#6</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#7</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5VM15iHLzafVD5ubNAgfJvLS0S3PMnxaAHKHYSLG6pgCGpnGsIBvBK1452WmdhAdVkMT1VutX6TrlYd0nwh8FBWXbG3Utp9icJTU8ydZIFnOYwahFym-Swkd538MFaEWtLeMI9mZmaS5/s1600/quail+on+rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5VM15iHLzafVD5ubNAgfJvLS0S3PMnxaAHKHYSLG6pgCGpnGsIBvBK1452WmdhAdVkMT1VutX6TrlYd0nwh8FBWXbG3Utp9icJTU8ydZIFnOYwahFym-Swkd538MFaEWtLeMI9mZmaS5/s1600/quail+on+rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
Alison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883309291937926612.post-34156310538866119412015-10-15T00:00:00.000-07:002015-10-15T00:00:06.233-07:00How to Build a Fairy Garden<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've wanted a fairy garden ever since I first saw one at my local garden center a couple of years ago, but I've been afraid to try it on my own. The display gardens used big (expensive!) planters that had been artistically broken to allow the garden to spill artistically down the side. I was sure I would shatter the (expensive!) pot if I tried that on my own, so I waited. And stewed. And wanted a fairy garden.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Imagine my delight when I saw a notice in the newspaper that the same garden center was offering a fairy garden workshop free to the public! I signed up immediately. I had a wonderful time and created an adorable mini garden, so I thought I'd share with you what I learned. It was very easy, so don't be afraid to try it yourself.</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Select your container</b>. The owner/designer demonstrated on a big, broken pot. Key fact: the container arrived at the nursery already cracked or broken. He did NOT take a hammer to a perfectly good $700 planter. He showed us how to break out additional small pieces to use as steps or walls and how to reinforce cracks by using epoxy on the inside to stabilize them. I decided to play it safe and go with something small enough to get it home safely in my car. Even then, it was so heavy fully planted that OG had to lift it out for me. I chose this cute concrete planter in the shape of an old wicker suitcase. I love it! </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Decide if your garden will live indoors or outdoors</b>. It will affect your choice of container and plants. I wanted an outdoor garden for the deck. OG is in the process of building me a custom bench to hold it.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Choose your accessories</b>. This is harder than it sounds. The internet is full of wonderful fairies, houses, birdbaths, etc. The garden center also had a wonderful array. Everything is so cute, it's tempting to overpurchase. Don't. It's a garden after all. You want room for the plants, and the elements need to balance. I carted that heavy planter around the nursery on a cart and set the pieces in it </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to make sure my accessories fit the container and complimented each other. First, I chose the house.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhFowsufd2DIFM-lWOoolhje-nbvRKZG3x5OwrhZCwIQlMlUkqV89SzEtHqKKI-KeGLopoYEochluvwcxbhvRdSvKZfOQ0Ef3Z4dv0H3MTmV4NHpQiE8SqBb61YUv9Hmo8Q9_AHj3qpCX/s1600/fairy+garden+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhFowsufd2DIFM-lWOoolhje-nbvRKZG3x5OwrhZCwIQlMlUkqV89SzEtHqKKI-KeGLopoYEochluvwcxbhvRdSvKZfOQ0Ef3Z4dv0H3MTmV4NHpQiE8SqBb61YUv9Hmo8Q9_AHj3qpCX/s320/fairy+garden+004.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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This little orange gourd house stole my heart. Next came the path, then the swing, and finally the bench.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After the garden was complete, a dear friend sent me the garden shed, and happily, I had the perfect place for it!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDcLBxOj2gekWULFVdAfMuAcZQQ7vl8RH3gyYAIdBz90AKKfQgAsDAjJ0O-rYdt_I9nXHRkKkP4Usk00KpkebwTHj_VA6MrY4DqbuTwhoXuR5N54xYJNfKDSBV_RotuxC_QXuZjvBrX_R/s1600/fairy+garden+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDcLBxOj2gekWULFVdAfMuAcZQQ7vl8RH3gyYAIdBz90AKKfQgAsDAjJ0O-rYdt_I9nXHRkKkP4Usk00KpkebwTHj_VA6MrY4DqbuTwhoXuR5N54xYJNfKDSBV_RotuxC_QXuZjvBrX_R/s320/fairy+garden+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Choose your plants</b>. I knew I wanted some tufty ground cover and a tiny tree, and the nursery designer helped me choose other sun-loving plants. I'm very happy with the final result. It's unique, quirky, and magical--just what a fairy garden should be!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Fill the planter with potting soil, and decide on the placement of the accessories.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Plant the plants.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Settle the accessories into their final positions.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Water thoroughly several times over the next few hours to soak the soil.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Enjoy!</b></span></li>
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Alison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883309291937926612.post-42010139629820862292015-09-30T00:00:00.000-07:002015-09-30T00:00:00.708-07:00New Author Head Shots<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't much enjoy having my picture taken. My eyes always look squinty. My smile is uneven. My neck is as wrinkled as an old paper bag. Those are my excuses, anyway. It couldn't possibly be because I don't look twenty-five anymore. At any rate, I hadn't had a new author photo taken in seven years and was long overdue. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cute new red glasses and an upcoming blog tour for my new book <b>Small Town Christmas Tales</b> also served as motivation. And it didn't hurt that my hair stylist is an amateur photographer who offered to take the photos for free.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7HreoGDdlV9rkhTcscH0nl8h1ZSUHosUTFQUVj5fpwvPCuD8uP60lc95mIkTQnwv1cKsNHgMcd1HcDqyrAOMgbVsYsc1ZMSMKEiBnAcXE-K4K_qedFi0Vc98BxdYBjSH8hj-QCPk4KjK/s1600/Heidi+shoot+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7HreoGDdlV9rkhTcscH0nl8h1ZSUHosUTFQUVj5fpwvPCuD8uP60lc95mIkTQnwv1cKsNHgMcd1HcDqyrAOMgbVsYsc1ZMSMKEiBnAcXE-K4K_qedFi0Vc98BxdYBjSH8hj-QCPk4KjK/s320/Heidi+shoot+039.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#2<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday afternoon, Heidi brought her camera over and <i>click, click, click! </i>We had lots of fun, and I now have several great head shots to choose from. I'm having a hard time picking a favorite, so I thought I'd ask your advice. Which of these would you choose?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRWCAQfr929CrmbpPjZnwULwbcpn4RIruHAz1G5VfyLs5BbORAW5ZcR_tE5ytPYweYt7BnKTWOxl7wrn-EZwMDlVcEzjwfclpPTOWfh7C2L4fNktmtPYxszaJpLZkHCS7qajUBJU9HfI_/s1600/Heidi+shoot+038_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRWCAQfr929CrmbpPjZnwULwbcpn4RIruHAz1G5VfyLs5BbORAW5ZcR_tE5ytPYweYt7BnKTWOxl7wrn-EZwMDlVcEzjwfclpPTOWfh7C2L4fNktmtPYxszaJpLZkHCS7qajUBJU9HfI_/s320/Heidi+shoot+038_edited-1.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#1<br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOegeuG2kO56pJPFXjZEIi5deFX1kJHZyX1iOeRrN7u9iRoFG9LQ7FUR1Dvg-b368Hz0BCsCnzGEnKmAc_Ft3FTIm8kMbhnFZQzkqQfeP7qHb4lbx6Sx5bgmiTShJxdETni4G-nxNKqitw/s1600/Heidi+shoot+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOegeuG2kO56pJPFXjZEIi5deFX1kJHZyX1iOeRrN7u9iRoFG9LQ7FUR1Dvg-b368Hz0BCsCnzGEnKmAc_Ft3FTIm8kMbhnFZQzkqQfeP7qHb4lbx6Sx5bgmiTShJxdETni4G-nxNKqitw/s320/Heidi+shoot+040.JPG" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#4</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTp0vbbtGY54L5vk27LjxHM4a2rCqvd3yd5k0nhe_0lWF-p5kAlfm_hw4pWEUKH9wENye2UqTWWZ1o9dg2l71k2sggEuI7J_8k-9_HImSAqkZ2u1rPJYmD_FbNMifi-P9RPyi67OPd6Lm/s1600/Heidi+shoot+065a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTp0vbbtGY54L5vk27LjxHM4a2rCqvd3yd5k0nhe_0lWF-p5kAlfm_hw4pWEUKH9wENye2UqTWWZ1o9dg2l71k2sggEuI7J_8k-9_HImSAqkZ2u1rPJYmD_FbNMifi-P9RPyi67OPd6Lm/s320/Heidi+shoot+065a.jpg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#3</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4PLeeIhlJG57cIOga7ge5NB2CKiJwU-rLQDHdnuicxKHgZu7GdnhaZ87RIk5tjLMBhV-QZvQNiuhvaKWGdIBF77Y6Cm_ph3Bpo4rZ1v1QiIzZOVgYSsFUEVZr5oBRCI8AvyT8r8wxDxz/s1600/Heidi+shoot+106a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4PLeeIhlJG57cIOga7ge5NB2CKiJwU-rLQDHdnuicxKHgZu7GdnhaZ87RIk5tjLMBhV-QZvQNiuhvaKWGdIBF77Y6Cm_ph3Bpo4rZ1v1QiIzZOVgYSsFUEVZr5oBRCI8AvyT8r8wxDxz/s320/Heidi+shoot+106a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#5</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-c6rkQIKBxE8Pdj-z2kJxs0jG0jzeHgGVCfbmWaVQCm5nVJGjavcwsRtSyOd-QJL1DINmKi9gQC9_Azy9fJ_9JtkDV7y0OdV7_7Mg9UVZsuxuvx39ftoXVkQLjJw197QC0kMamiTH3hhc/s1600/Heidi+shoot+124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-c6rkQIKBxE8Pdj-z2kJxs0jG0jzeHgGVCfbmWaVQCm5nVJGjavcwsRtSyOd-QJL1DINmKi9gQC9_Azy9fJ_9JtkDV7y0OdV7_7Mg9UVZsuxuvx39ftoXVkQLjJw197QC0kMamiTH3hhc/s320/Heidi+shoot+124.JPG" width="274" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#6</td></tr>
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Alison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883309291937926612.post-5511288544541624692015-09-21T00:00:00.000-07:002015-09-21T00:00:09.107-07:00NEW RELEASE - Small Town Christmas Tales is Here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBnpeqMp3l8r2Y2LfC27pd1UD1pcbjCgbh0WAXWe9MyOFasF3gMvm46biYGxV3KQQuml_tqBC_sNH5IMM_7HrGE6hT9v_gZPBki-0kljABAr4TjxUQAU9R5x6noM9ha5WxT7xX5-qiN9P/s1600/Small+Town+Christmas+Tales+final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBnpeqMp3l8r2Y2LfC27pd1UD1pcbjCgbh0WAXWe9MyOFasF3gMvm46biYGxV3KQQuml_tqBC_sNH5IMM_7HrGE6hT9v_gZPBki-0kljABAr4TjxUQAU9R5x6noM9ha5WxT7xX5-qiN9P/s320/Small+Town+Christmas+Tales+final.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm thrilled to announce the publication of my new collection of holiday short stories, <b>Small Town Christmas Tales</b>! It might be blistering hot in California right now, but all I have to do is look a this cover, and I feel a pleasant chill in the air.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those of you in cooler climes, I invite you to light the fire, heat the cider, and lose
yourself in this collection of ten short holiday romances. Each story is set in
a different fictional small town, from coast to coast, Maine to California.
Sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant, they're sure to warm your heart and put
you in a holiday mood. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each story is like a mini TV Christmas movie, and sometimes we all need a little Christmas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Small Town Christmas Tales: Ten Short Holiday Romances</b> is available in paperback and ebook exclusively from Amazon. Click <b><a href="http://amzn.to/1M5m2J9" target="_blank">here</a></b> to take a closer look.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Holidays!</span>Alison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883309291937926612.post-47070300990361896402015-02-09T09:31:00.000-08:002015-02-09T09:33:07.647-08:00The Art of Texting by Guest Author Andrea Downing<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .2in; margin-right: .2in; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">A few years ago, while I was still
living in London, my daughter Cristal and I returned to New York to visit
family. While chatting with my nephew,
Cristal started to text her New York friends.
‘Why text?’ my nephew asked. ‘Why
not just phone them?’ Well, why indeed? The art of texting hadn’t as yet crossed The
Pond and the use of this new facility was still a mystery to most.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">So why and when did texting become the
norm? When did we throw out the quick
call, ‘what do you want for dinner tonight?’ and substitute it with, ‘Wat u
want 4 din 2nite?’ How did texting worm
its insidious way into our lives to the extent that this year’s most popular
word wasn’t even a word but the ‘heart’ emoji?
Does this spell the end of the English language as we know it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Texting offers us the swift contact,
the quick question and the fast answer, the ability to know our loved-one is all
right, and the non-interruptive check on our offspring…assuming he or she
answers. It offers the ability to multi-task, to talk in person with someone
while texting yet another person. It now also offers the ability to send a
photo showing exactly what we mean—what we’ve been describing—or where we are,
the dress we’re trying on with the question, ‘do I look good in this?’ or the
secretive shot of another person with, ‘can you believe it???’ As someone who travels a great deal, it also
offers <i>free</i> contact; WhatsApp lets me
have conversations and keep in touch with my daughter who lives abroad now, or
with friends here in the USA when I’m traveling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And texting has developed its own
language, its own shorthand. Can you
remember a time before TTYL, BTW, and LOL?
In some ways, it’s good: language
is not a dead medium but an expanding one, able to absorb new abbreviations as
well as new words. Think “selfie.” But on the other hand, are we letting
language die by letting shorthand take over?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And what about the social implications?<span style="font-size: small;">
In an episode of ‘Sex and the City’ some years back, the character of
Carrie Bradshaw received a text from her then-boyfriend breaking up with
her. A text? To break up?
What is the social etiquette of this?
If we use texts as a common form of communication, can it be acceptable
to use it to replace the little note that said ‘I’m sorry but I don’t feel
we’re right for each other anymore.’ On
the other hand, if we use a text to say “I <3 u” is that all right? Is something lost or is it something nice to
carry around with you and look at the rest of the day? In my new book, </span><b><i><u>Dances of the Heart</u></i></b><span style="font-size: small;">,
one of my two heroes (yes, it’s a four-hander) uses texts…ahhh, but I’m not
going to tell you how. You’ll have to
read the book to find out. But for now,
what do you think about texting? Has it
ruined the English language? Is it a
useful tool? Or a pain in the
backside? Do you like receiving
texts? Or are they an invasion into your
life? I’d like to know! TTYL!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Andrea</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What a fun post! Now let's learn a little about Andrea and her new book, <b><i>Dances of the Heart.</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="color: #343434;">Blurb: </span></u></b>Successful, workaholic author Carrie
Bennett lives through her writing, but can’t succeed at writing a man into her life.
Furthermore, her equally successful but cynical daughter, Paige, proves
inconsolable after the death of her fiancé.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Hard-drinking
rancher Ray Ryder can find humor in just about anything—except the loss of his
oldest son. His younger son, Jake, recently returned from Iraq, now keeps a
secret that could shatter his deceased brother’s good name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>On one sultry night in
Texas, relationships blossom when the four meet, starting a series of events
that move from the dancehalls of Hill Country to the beach parties of East
Hampton, and from the penthouses of New York to the backstreets of a Mexican
border town. But the hurts of the past are hard to leave behind, especially
when old adversaries threaten the fragile ties that bind family to family…and
lover to lover.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: #3f0040; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Excerpt:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Ray pointed to his pickup, smirking
slightly with the knowledge of what her reaction would probably be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“You
must be joking.”</span><span style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">He
could hardly hear the mumbled comment, but it was exactly what he’d been
expecting.</span><span style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">She
glowered, a brow definitively arched in query.
“What year is this thing?”</span><span style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">He
attempted to wipe the amusement away from his face with a hand that rubbed his
stubble in a satisfying scrape. “Sorry, I left the Cadillac at home this time.”
A raised brow questioned if she took him seriously. “It’s an ’89, and still
runs as smooth as the day I got it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Which
was, what? Last year?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Ray
shook his head and proceeded to the passenger door. “You have the key,
sweetheart,” he said, patiently standing and waiting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Listen!”
Carrie put her hands out as if to stop any further conversation. “First off, I
am not your sweetheart. And second, if by any chance you think you just may
have gotten lucky tonight--”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Whoa,
whoa now.” Ray was truly mystified at the turn events were taking. “Not that I
wouldn’t be honored and damn well pleased, but I sure as heck wasn’t thinkin’
along those lines...and truth be told, you know, I’m hardly up to it.” He
considered this for a second, a fog clearing for a moment’s view of the road.
“And I don’t mean I need Viagra either.” He noted her staring at the key as if
it might turn into something else. “No, it doesn’t open automatically,” he
informed her at last.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">She
shoved the key into the handle and got the door open, climbed up into the cab
and reached across to unlock the door for him. Her gaze ran over the dashboard,
uncertainty scrunching her face like a bitter fruit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Ray
folded himself into the passenger seat and slouched back, tipping his hat over
his eyes. “Just let me know when you give up. I’ll be right here, darl...” <i>Yeah,
better not. </i>He could almost feel her indignation, listening as she squirmed
around and adjusted the seat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“It’ll
be a cold day in hell, mister, before I give up!” The key turned and the truck
sputtered to life, then died again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“You
ever drive manual before?” he mumbled from under his Stetson, and sensed Carrie
eyeing him. “That’s what I thought,” he answered to her lack of response. “Put
your foot on the clutch, move her into first, release the brake, and get goin’,
slowly releasing the clutch.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Who
the hell drives stick shift anymore?” she muttered as she followed his terse
instructions. The truck lurched forward as she spun it off the grass toward the
road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Right,”
Ray directed, feeling suddenly nauseous with the pitch of the car. Bile rising,
he opened the door and spat before yanking it shut again. “Can you get the damn
thing into second? Foot on the clutch, move the shift and let’s go if we’re
going.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Fine!
You don’t have to yell at me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Ray
sat up, shoved his hat back from his eyes and glared at her, reining in his
frustration and anger. “I was not yelling at you, but you know dang well we’d
be far safer with me drivin’. As it is, I’m gonna need a new transmission.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
truck staggered again. “I know no such thing.” She bent forward to swipe at the
windscreen to clear it. “We haven’t got seatbelts on,” she murmured.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“We’re
not going fast enough to need them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Carrie
ignored his last remark and appeared to concentrate on keeping the truck
moving. It sputtered again, and Ray let out a sigh of resignation just as
flashing blue lights appeared in the side mirror. She pulled over, and the
motor unceremoniously died.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Damn!” she cursed, reaching down for her bag at Ray’s feet. “Let me get
my license.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To get your copy of <b><i>Dances of the Heart</i></b>:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dances-Heart-Andrea-Downing-ebook/dp/B00S46BGY6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1421510959&sr=8-2&keywords=Dances+of+the+Heart">http://www.amazon.com/Dances-Heart-Andrea-Downing-ebook/dp/B00S46BGY6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1421510959&sr=8-2&keywords=Dances+of+the+Heart</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Wild Rose Press: </span><a href="http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=6060"><span style="font-size: small;">http://www.wildrosepub</span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">: <u><span style="color: blue;">http://www.amazon.com/Dances-Heart-Andrea-Downing-ebook/dp/B00S46BGY6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1421510959&sr=8-2&keywords=Dances+of+the+Heart</span></u></span>lishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=6060</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bio: Andrea Downing likes to say that when she
decided to do a Masters Degree, she made the mistake of turning left out of New
York, where she was born, instead of right to the west, and ended up in the
UK. She eventually married there,
raising a beautiful daughter and staying for longer than she cares to
admit. Teaching, editing a poetry
magazine, writing travel articles, and a short stint in Nigeria filled those
years until in 2008 she returned to NYC.
She now divides her time between the city and the shore, and often
trades the canyons of New York for the wide open spaces of Wyoming. Family vacations are often out west and, to
date, she and her daughter have been to some 20 ranches throughout the
west. <b><i><u>Loveland</u></i></b>, her
first book, was a finalist for Best American Historical at the 2013 RONE
Awards. <b><i><u>Lawless Love</u></i></b>, a
short story, part of The Wild Rose Press ‘Lawmen and Outlaws’ series, was a
finalist for Best Historical Novella at the RONE Awards and <span style="color: #1a1a1a;">placed in the 2014 International Digital Awards
Historical Short contest</span>. <b><i><u>Dearest
Darling</u></i></b>, a novella, is part of The Wild Rose Press Love Letters
series, and came out Oct. 8<sup>th</sup>, 2014, and <b><i><u>Dances of the Heart</u></i></b><u>,</u>
her first contemporary novel, comes out in February, 2015.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can interact with Andrea on the web!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WEBSITE
AND BLOG: <a href="http://andreadowning.com/">http://andreadowning.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/writerAndreaDowning">https://www.facebook.com/writerAndreaDowning</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Twitter: @andidowning
<a href="https://twitter.com/AndiDowning">https://twitter.com/AndiDowning</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Goodreads: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6446229.Andrea_Downing">http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6446229.Andrea_Downing</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linkedin:
<a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=124888740&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile_pic" target="_blank">http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=124888740&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile_pic</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE</span><b>:</b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Andrea-Downing/e/B008MQ0NXS/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0">http://www.amazon.com/Andrea-Downing/e/B008MQ0NXS/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0</a></span></div>
Alison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883309291937926612.post-66477714410312533782015-01-08T00:00:00.000-08:002015-01-08T00:00:05.251-08:00New Release– End of Lonely Street by Alicia Dean – Plus an Awesome Giveaway<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please join me today in welcoming my good friend, author Alicia Dean. She has a brand new release and an awesome giveaway. Take it away, Alicia!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Amazon
Buy Link: </span><a href="http://amzn.com/B00QQO3BK0"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://amzn.com/B00QQO3BK0</span></a><span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I’m excited to share my
latest release from The Wild Rose Press on what would have been Elvis’
eightieth birthday. ‘End of Lonely Street’ is a Vintage Romance Short Story set
in 1957, in the era when Elvis first burst on the scene. Like my heroine in the
story, I am a diehard Elvis fan. (As you probably figured out, I took the title
from a line in Heartbreak Hotel, which was Elvis’ first million-selling
record).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Check out End of Lonely
Street and enter to win GREAT prizes…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Blurb:</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Can she let go of the past, before it destroys her future?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">All Toby Lawson wanted was to go to college to pursue her dream of
becoming a teacher and to be free of her alcoholic mother and the painful
memories of finding her and the guy Toby loved kissing. But when her mother
nearly burns the house down, Toby must put her dreams on hold and return home
to care for her. The only time she isn’t lonely and miserable is when she’s
listening to her heartthrob, Elvis Presley. His music takes her away, helps her
escape from everything wrong in her life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Noah Rivers has always loved Toby, but no matter what he says, and even
though she knows her mother initiated the kiss, and that he didn’t kiss her
back, she can‘t seem to get past what happened. He soon realizes that the true
problem lies in Toby’s belief that she’s not good enough for him and in her
fear that she will be just like her mother. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">What will it take to prove to her that she deserves to be happy, and that
he would give anything to be the man to make her dreams come true?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Excerpt:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapter
One<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mapleton, Tennessee,
November, 1957<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Toby
Lawson closed her eyes and shut out all sounds of the diner, except for Elvis
Presley’s voice. He was crooning about how she was the only one for him…no
matter where he went or what he did… he’d spend his whole life loving her…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Rough
hands landed on her waist and shattered the fantasy. She caught a whiff of hair
tonic and too much cologne, and she snapped her eyes open. Wes Markham’s
hateful face replaced the image of Elvis’ beautiful, crooked smile and
smoldering blue eyes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Let
me go.” She gritted her teeth, keeping her voice low. If her boss, Mr.
Winstead, knew there was trouble on account of her, he’d explode. He’d barely
let her have the job in the first place. Everyone in Mapleton knew the Lawson
women were trouble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> “Come
on, honey. If you like that hip swivel, Presley ain’t the only one who’s got
it. I got it too.” He released her with his left hand so he could run it over
his slicked down hair and gave her a big-toothed, wolfish smile. “Only we’d be
naked.” He shot a cocky grin over to his two companions—Chuck Stenson and Billy
Garfield—who were leaning against the jukebox making kissing and whooping
sounds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Toby
gripped his right wrist with one hand, tightening her hold on the utensils she
held in the other. “I said let me go. Now!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> “Aw,
be a sport, Green-Eyes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> The
bulge of his pelvis pressed into her abdomen, and she gasped in shock. Nausea
tightened in her esophagus. “Wes Markham, I’m warning you…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> She
shoved against him, but he didn’t budge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
pulled her tighter. “Your momma’s a whole lot friendlier than you are. They say
the apple don’t fall far from the tree, so how’s about you cut the pretense and
we go someplace quiet? Winstead won’t miss you for a few minutes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Her
cheeks heated. She didn’t dare look around. No doubt the customers were
watching, listening. Elvis had stopped singing and everyone in the place could
hear what he’d said about her mother. It wasn’t like they didn’t all know,
though. Constance Lawson hadn’t exactly kept her escapades a secret.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Toby
clenched her teeth and brandished the utensils. She spoke loud enough for
everyone to hear. “Release me this instant, or I swear, you’ll be pulling this
steak knife out of your eyeball.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> He
held her gaze for a split second, then gave a laugh that was somewhere between
nervous and furious. “Sure, sure. Okay.” He released her and stepped back. “I
was just foolin’ around anyway. I got better things to do with my time than
waste it on a used up chick like you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Muffled
laughter rose around her. Oh God, she could crawl into a hole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “How
about you apologize to the lady, then beat it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Toby
whirled at the male voice. Noah Rivers stood behind her, looking handsome and
sharp in his police uniform—even with his dark hair in the military buzz cut.
Her knees weakened, and tingles swept over her skin. She swallowed against the
sudden dryness in her throat. She’d heard he was back, but hadn’t seen him
until now. And what a time to have a reunion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">*** 10% of all of Alicia Dean’s net royalties for End of Lonely
Street will go to <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">The Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation </span><a href="http://www.graceland.com/epcf/" title="http://www.graceland.com/epcf/"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.graceland.com/epcf/</span></a><span style="color: black;">
</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">***</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGqbwpIdM9Dzz9cnGAQBNCz5RardTlWECu7hJeHn_ADCCISquH3W-Cppip4Z1HNpkuo2uG7OlrdTr3WSm8EDhKI_8xk4ut0xP7HGwVYsTGm8xVl2bEOm3W3XJ2_GKqEdNUD3sDgJ0OXcd/s1600/Alicia+Dean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGqbwpIdM9Dzz9cnGAQBNCz5RardTlWECu7hJeHn_ADCCISquH3W-Cppip4Z1HNpkuo2uG7OlrdTr3WSm8EDhKI_8xk4ut0xP7HGwVYsTGm8xVl2bEOm3W3XJ2_GKqEdNUD3sDgJ0OXcd/s1600/Alicia+Dean.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
Alicia Dean lives in Edmond, Oklahoma. She has three grown children and a
huge network of supportive friends and family. She writes mostly contemporary
suspense and paranormal, but has also written in other genres, including a few
vintage historicals.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Other than reading and writing, her passions are Elvis Presley, MLB, NFL
(she usually works in a mention of one or all three into her stories) and
watching her favorite televisions shows like Vampire Diaries, Justified, Sons
of Anarchy, Haven, The Mindy Project, and Dexter (even though it has sadly
ended, she will forever be a fan). Some of her favorite authors are Michael
Connelly, Dennis Lehane, Lee Child, Lisa Gardner, Sharon Sala, Jordan Dane,
Ridley Pearson, Joseph Finder, and Jonathan Kellerman…to name a few.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Find Alicia here:<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Website: </span><a href="http://aliciadean.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://aliciadean.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Blog: </span><a href="http://aliciadean.com/alicias-blog/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://aliciadean.com/alicias-blog/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008364070487"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008364070487</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Twitter: </span><a href="https://twitter.com/Alicia_Dean_"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">https://twitter.com/Alicia_Dean_</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pinterest: </span><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/aliciamdean/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://www.pinterest.com/aliciamdean/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Goodreads: </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/468339.Alicia_Dean"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/468339.Alicia_Dean</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And now for the part you've all been waiting for: THE </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">GIVEAWAY! - Entries
accepted from January 8, 2015 through noon on January 22, 2015</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Three prizes – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Elvis Gift Basket
including DVD, CD, plus more<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">$25 Amazon Gift Card<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">$10 Amazon Gift Card<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">First place winner has
first choice, second place winner has second choice, third place winner
receives remaining prize.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">To enter, just go to Alicia's blog! </span><a href="http://aliciadean.com/alicias-blog/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">http://aliciadean.com/alicias-blog/</span></a></div>
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Alison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883309291937926612.post-40021938711727195362014-12-10T00:00:00.000-08:002014-12-10T00:00:04.151-08:00Christmas Covers<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't know about you, but I'm definitely in a Christmas mood these days. Last year, our decorations were all in storage because the new house wasn't finished, and we flew to Chicago to spend the holiday with our daughter. This year I've decorated to the nines and we'll all be home for Christmas, even though home is in a new house in a different state. I'm surprised that the lack of snow hasn't dampened my spirit, but it hasn't.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're a romance reader or writer, the season is all around you, too. Every time you turn around (or open Facebook) there are wonderful new holiday books. Their beautiful, festive covers are enough to turn even Scrooge into a hopeless romantic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unlike most writers, who work on their Christmas books during the</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> spring or summer, I decided to write one when the spirit was most upon me - right now! I'm about half-way through my current project, a collection of ten holiday short stories (4K-5K words each) that I plan to release right after Halloween, 2015. It's great fun and has definitely added to my enjoyment of the season.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This collection was inspired by the stories I've written each December for the past few years for the Roses of Prose blog, of which I'm a member. If you missed my story this year, you can check it out <a href="http://rosesofprose.blogspot.com/2014/12/let-it-snow-chapter-one-by-alison.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you know me or follow this blog, you know I also enjoy designing covers for my own books, as well as for other writers. The visual creativity of cover design offers a welcome break from the verbal creativity of writing. I've also found that having the perfect cover inspires me to work on the project. It's a win/win all the way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are four potential mock-ups for covers for my short story collection. Like the rest of my work, these stories are warm-hearted and often humorous. Each is set in a different fictional small town across the country. I'd love to hear which is your favorite and why.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSC3j4ziXxU_G6Kcc-kkDKqnefQuUUsmIJpTB9kwP6GcgG4QaXW3YDq2rTErIl_jG6eURe0AAFxrMhbnYo6J4j6145ca-eRIn-uELqtQW8LwI1fhHU7Qg82Vbk6nCIy6hDFWp-_5an8JDz/s1600/Small+Town+Christmas+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSC3j4ziXxU_G6Kcc-kkDKqnefQuUUsmIJpTB9kwP6GcgG4QaXW3YDq2rTErIl_jG6eURe0AAFxrMhbnYo6J4j6145ca-eRIn-uELqtQW8LwI1fhHU7Qg82Vbk6nCIy6hDFWp-_5an8JDz/s1600/Small+Town+Christmas+1.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ok4aPoZJ7j3OI8AWT7lplC4nAPD3NK0Mwo7B1PVgpnDEWI__Fz8gqwjr5KloPxt2roG6O6JZF0IxRIwdt16c59AVE2T26QPihvoNx8YE_NYaxoFOYLOe9FRTE1DvoUOIq0r7NYhwOdoV/s1600/Small+Town+Christmas+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ok4aPoZJ7j3OI8AWT7lplC4nAPD3NK0Mwo7B1PVgpnDEWI__Fz8gqwjr5KloPxt2roG6O6JZF0IxRIwdt16c59AVE2T26QPihvoNx8YE_NYaxoFOYLOe9FRTE1DvoUOIq0r7NYhwOdoV/s1600/Small+Town+Christmas+2.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#2<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZIzV_CM1GP3ATFW7X5sfNzuWWZe2nGb1uGvz-rZ09xr_PRV9Qe3V-gRgNslNaUvFVQDAVRtXzllCSwHfrFWQnbmN5t6FNRSJ2EGPtan4XW4t-vwEjUwgVlsPq9ZCrNHVINKMP6MSetZi/s1600/Small+Town+Christmast+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZIzV_CM1GP3ATFW7X5sfNzuWWZe2nGb1uGvz-rZ09xr_PRV9Qe3V-gRgNslNaUvFVQDAVRtXzllCSwHfrFWQnbmN5t6FNRSJ2EGPtan4XW4t-vwEjUwgVlsPq9ZCrNHVINKMP6MSetZi/s1600/Small+Town+Christmast+3.jpg" height="320" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#3<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmu-FOROfJSZC5lC4IQWpqXBIHqwrHpuuQL_nf7xpVNea-jKDmh9_K6iGFmTSR9aGuQHeYYo4PrVkZaHXjoHrnSLWmfRHaTRQkmNpwGh0-Ys-FODqh0k6GIUF7RgP3_CwQ03t_9t9r75uD/s1600/Small+Town+Christmas+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmu-FOROfJSZC5lC4IQWpqXBIHqwrHpuuQL_nf7xpVNea-jKDmh9_K6iGFmTSR9aGuQHeYYo4PrVkZaHXjoHrnSLWmfRHaTRQkmNpwGh0-Ys-FODqh0k6GIUF7RgP3_CwQ03t_9t9r75uD/s1600/Small+Town+Christmas+4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#4</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Alison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883309291937926612.post-8496358565097436272014-11-28T08:58:00.002-08:002014-11-28T08:58:54.648-08:00Divine Pear and Cranberry Pie<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving full of family, friends, and great food. I took advantage of the fact that OG and I were on our own for the first time this year to experiment a bit. Our daughter is coming for Christmas and doesn't allow ANY deviation from family holiday traditions. She requires exactly the same foods, cooked exactly the same way, every year.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love pumpkin pie (and make a pretty darned good one!), but yesterday I decided to bake another favorite - Pear and Cranberry Pie. It turned out fantastic, as always. For those who are interested, here's the recipe. I got it from the Sept/Oct 2008 issue of Cabin Life magazine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi343zrEH64GRHeDFGTGicgMdpR3zXchqWuDyi0LvD0fkwApqgfyPKHXfGd2fMCCgb8ulGPpqPwiRzLTWus0T9eL3sPHV7zpmRAx1gZq7Z5vHRNeYoodlg3EzZWOjFeNO2wXW4uzlDAO0B2/s1600/pie+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi343zrEH64GRHeDFGTGicgMdpR3zXchqWuDyi0LvD0fkwApqgfyPKHXfGd2fMCCgb8ulGPpqPwiRzLTWus0T9eL3sPHV7zpmRAx1gZq7Z5vHRNeYoodlg3EzZWOjFeNO2wXW4uzlDAO0B2/s1600/pie+001.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Divine Pear and Cranberry Pie</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 unbaked 9-inch pie crusts, pierced with a fork</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6 half-ripe pears, peeled, cored, and cut into chunks</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tbsp fresh lemon juice</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 tsp grated fresh lemon zest</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3/4 cup dried cranberries</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cup sugar</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 tbsp all-purpose flour</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Pinch of salt</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2-3 tbsp milk</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Sprinkling of sugar</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gently toss pears with lemon juice, zest, and cranberries.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mix together sugar, flour, and salt. Combine with pear and berry mixture.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Layer pear and berry mixture into first pie crust.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Place second pie crust on top, seal edges, and cut small vents in the top with a knife.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gently brush the top pie crust with milk. Sprinkle with sugar.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bake in preheated 375-degree oven for 50-55 minutes.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let pie cool for 1 hour before slicing.</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy, and Happy Holidays!</span></div>
</div>
Alison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883309291937926612.post-70414569821876641392014-11-20T00:30:00.000-08:002014-11-20T00:30:02.174-08:00When a Plotter Tries to Pants It<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just finished the fourth of ten short stories for a Christmas collection I want to release next year. Three scenes. Forty-eight hundred words. It took me six weeks. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, you read that right. Six Weeks. How is that possible? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's because I tried something new. I got impatient with myself and my tried-and-true process of detailed pre-writing that includes a plot outline. After all, I told myself, it's only three scenes. I should be able to start with a couple of characters and a general premise and bang something cute out in no time. Everyone else seems to be able to do it, or at least they say they do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For several years I've suffered from "pantser envy". So many writers talk about letting the story flow, letting the characters take over, being surprised by where their story takes them. It sounds so seductive, so creative. A few will admit this method slows them down or causes extra work during editing and re-writes, but most pantsers seem satisfied with their process.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tried, and it paralyzed me. I found every imaginable excuse not to work. I knew the beginning and the end, but had no idea how to get there. Without an outline, the story refused to reveal itself. I hadn't done enough pre-writing. I didn't know my characters well enough to know what they wanted and needed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some writers say even the idea of an outline stifles their creativity. For me, it's always been the most creative part of writing. It's when I get to make the story up, visualize the whole thing, then write it down without having to worry about craft issues. It's formalized brainstorming, fast forward from beginning to end. When I've finished my outline, I know what happens next. For me that banishes writer's block. Small surprises pop up along the way, but they delight rather than paralyze me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought I wouldn't need an outline for a short story, but apparently I do. I'd like to finish this short story collection and one complete novel by the end of next year. If I don't try to reinvent the wheel and apply a reasonable amount of self-discipline, I think I can do it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The moral of this story: Honor your own process; it won't let you down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Alison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883309291937926612.post-8742399894830454452014-10-28T00:00:00.000-07:002014-10-28T00:00:12.301-07:00Just in Time for Halloween - Linda Andrews' UNMASK MY HEART<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXBcZ6XT6ZJ8mF0PiQ8mBqcq8dyLU_ecgdWnODQ-LwxQf6Ov6uiDZtR5MO4Z9UEOzhYGh_IOPGzt5ruXECcCRPCgbq7vENBIc631_2yZD9STs1_FglYaAEUL6ybl45NVaf4v3zJyA6SkL/s1600/UnmaskMyHeart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXBcZ6XT6ZJ8mF0PiQ8mBqcq8dyLU_ecgdWnODQ-LwxQf6Ov6uiDZtR5MO4Z9UEOzhYGh_IOPGzt5ruXECcCRPCgbq7vENBIc631_2yZD9STs1_FglYaAEUL6ybl45NVaf4v3zJyA6SkL/s1600/UnmaskMyHeart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXBcZ6XT6ZJ8mF0PiQ8mBqcq8dyLU_ecgdWnODQ-LwxQf6Ov6uiDZtR5MO4Z9UEOzhYGh_IOPGzt5ruXECcCRPCgbq7vENBIc631_2yZD9STs1_FglYaAEUL6ybl45NVaf4v3zJyA6SkL/s1600/UnmaskMyHeart.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please join me in Welcoming Linda Andrews to The Second Half. Linda is the author of a brand new historical romance entitled UNMASK MY HEART. She's here to tell us about her story, and she has a giveaway for a lucky commenter! Take it away, Linda.</span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">1914.
A mere hundred years ago. So many of our modern conveniences were around then,
that I knew I would have problems giving this the proper historical feel. And
what better place to base Hope's Point Island on than Mackinac Island in
Michigan. Easy-peasy right? After all, Mackinac has banned cars and done much
to preserve it's Victorian heritage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">You
know the saying about the best laid plans...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">It seems that to draw those wealthy tourist dollars in, Mackinac had indoor plumbing,
electricity, and telephone service on the Island as early as 1904. Ack! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Fortunately,
there were small details I could use to establish that 'olde tyme'
feel, but before we get to the excerpt, tell me the one thing (excluding
computers and cellphones) that makes it obvious the story takes place in
another time. I'll let </span><a href="http://random.org/"><span class="Hyperlink0"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">random.org</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> chose one person who leaves a comment with their
email address to win some Halloween bling.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_3sHiQVOjiHN2j0Wd43upKvRT9_tpV6GBE0Nlpen9LHp50l3nVk4aGcAr-2_woehczIh9JeDxhn2nN1ZEZCbAJixk1C0F0Exjj8tBjrOJpP7bgLXpnUESeEKhdxmxlYE3T_cWRvBihYi/s1600/Halloweengiveaway3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_3sHiQVOjiHN2j0Wd43upKvRT9_tpV6GBE0Nlpen9LHp50l3nVk4aGcAr-2_woehczIh9JeDxhn2nN1ZEZCbAJixk1C0F0Exjj8tBjrOJpP7bgLXpnUESeEKhdxmxlYE3T_cWRvBihYi/s1600/Halloweengiveaway3.jpg" height="302" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a blurb about the story: </span></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Her heart can't give him up. Her head can't trust him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Everyone Phoebe Monpetit has ever loved eventually abandoned her. Even Gabriel Stephens, the man she thought she'd marry. For the last twelve years, she's muddled through alone, cobbling a life together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Gabriel took the first opportunity to escape his family's constant fighting and rarely looked back. When war explodes across Europe, he learns what his cowardice has really cost him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">This Halloween, he'll use every trick he can to win back Phoebe's heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Will she keep her true feelings covered, or will she let Gabe unmask her heart?</span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now for an excerpt to tempt you:</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> Meowing, Thom hunkered down on the oilcloth
floor by the sardine can she used to hold his food.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">"Yes." Phoebe leaned against the door to
shut it. The frigid breeze whistled through the openings around the jamb. After
filling the cat's dish half-full, she joined her grandmother at the stove.
"And I have six bottles this morning to sell."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Gigi grunted. Lifting the lid off the birch bark
basket, she chipped off a piece of maple sugar from the lump inside the <i>makak</i>
and added the clear solid to the saucepan of water. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Phoebe held her breath while pouring the rest of the
milk into the kettle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Grandmother usually returned from the lower peninsula
in a happy mood, glad to be home and full of stories of the summer's events.
She hadn't said a word since Gabe had left without a greeting last night,
slamming the door behind him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Setting the bucket in the tin sink, Phoebe filled it
half full with cold water from the tap. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Gigi scraped the Johnnycake off the skillet and
flipped it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Phoebe sighed. She would have to question her
grandmother. Her stomach cramped. But could it wait until after breakfast? Four
heaping spoonfuls of cocoa turned the cream a light brown color. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Muttering, Gigi tossed a thumb-sized piece of maple
sugar into the warming cocoa. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">No point in putting it off. </span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">"Is something wrong, Gigi?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Grandmother's black eyes narrowed. Hefting the
skillet, she slid the corn cakes on a blue and white plate containing half a
dozen others then returned the pan to the stove. "Yes, something is
wrong."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Using a wooden spoon, Gigi scooped out a dollop of
grease from the jar on the wooden counter and added it to the pan. A deft shake
later, the oil coated the entire surface.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Knowing her grandmother would reveal everything on her
own timetable, Phoebe took tea cups, saucers, and plates from the ledge near
the sink. The bone china rattled in her hands. Generations of French brides
would haunt her if she broke a single piece. She carefully set the place
settings on the table and added two polished forks and knives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Daisies embroidered the linen napkins sitting next to
the blue plates. Her reflection frowned back at her from the copper pots
hanging on the wall opposite the door. Both were the dowry of the last French
bride to emigrate to America and used only on special occasions, like today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">You can find UNMASK MY HEART only
on Amazon:
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unmask-Heart-Halloween-Historical-Romance-ebook/dp/B00ODALVOC/">http://www.amazon.com/Unmask-Heart-Halloween-Historical-Romance-ebook/dp/B00ODALVOC/</a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
Alison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883309291937926612.post-29224306281886168372014-10-06T00:00:00.000-07:002014-10-06T00:00:03.369-07:00The Big Six-Oh: Lessons on Aging<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today
is my birthday. It’s a big one, and I’m none too pleased. After a certain age,
if you complain about your birthday, people always say, “It’s better than the
alternative” in a disgustingly cheery voice. They’re right, of course, but that doesn't keep me from wanting to slap them. In honor of entering my seventh
decade, I've decided to share a few of my observations on aging. They’re not earth-shattering
or original, but they are personal. If you’ve already passed this milestone,
see if they resonate with you. If not, just look at what you have to look
forward to!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Your
body will never be the same again</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">. I've always been reasonably energetic and youthful, but things are changing,
and I know they won’t go back. I still exercise daily, but I can no longer get
up from a squat without using my arms. If I have to pick something up off the
floor, I kneel. When OG needs my help carrying something heavy, I no longer
assume it’ll be a breeze. It won’t. Menopause has stolen every last speck of collagen in my body. Everything’s starting to sag, and my fat seems to be migrating. Parts that used to be well-padded are now spare; parts that used to be svelte now look like sacks of pudding. On the upside, I can still do everything I want to do, just
not as quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Anything
can happen at any time</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">.
After OG’s stroke last spring, we ran smack dab into the reality of mortality—our
own and each other’s. He escaped without significant effects, but we recognize the
outcome could have been very different. After sixty, you can no longer glibly acknowledge
that life might throw you an unexpected curve ball. You have to accept it in
the marrow of your bones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Take
time to appreciate the small wonders and everyday beauty around you</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">. I find I’m much more interested in
nature than when I was younger. I look for beauty in the tiny details as well
as the broad vistas. That’s a big part of why Carmel Valley speaks to me. I’ve
never been surrounded by such beauty, and it’s more important to me now than
ever before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Take
the time and effort to truly get to know and understand yourself</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">. When we’re working and raising
families, there’s not much time for introspection. Someone always needs
something, and we do what we must to get by day to day. When those demands lessen,
you owe it to yourself to figure out what makes you tick and what you need to
live the rest of your life in the most satisfying way possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Have
good role models</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">. Pay
attention to the older people in your life, whether family or friends. Spend
time with them. What choices have they made to improve the quality of their
lives as they age? My maternal grandmother lived to be ninety-eight, and she was
a huge influence on me, especially in the last several decades of her life. I
learned what I need to know about being old from Gram.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Be
kind—to yourself and others. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This
speaks for itself. There will be those who need your help, and you will need
theirs. Accept and rejoice in it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I’d love to hear how
you feel about growing older. I’m trying to accept it as a blessing as well as
a challenge, but I’ll confess that some days I find myself repeating OG’s perennial
observation: “It </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">isn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> easy”.</span></span>Alison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883309291937926612.post-46916672640771002052014-09-28T00:30:00.000-07:002014-09-28T00:30:01.024-07:00Cover Reveal for TEACH ME by Ella Sheridan<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Author Ella Sheridan has a brand new release coming out soon, entitled Teach Me, and she's here to share the cover with us. Welcome, Ella!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Teach Me (Southern Nights Book One)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBO19vdNGu9iIj_exxjlo48MK5yu3vtprfgMEzqlIz6yt2XbnRSMfChPQSjLg0l-GkO4zUjIi2GXgQpj17bvfMiLLaHLbH3ITqvho73CEUEVGEUenacGSxDWSPa2FHDKfKxxfmUHJbocT5/s1600/4a_TeachMeE-BookCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBO19vdNGu9iIj_exxjlo48MK5yu3vtprfgMEzqlIz6yt2XbnRSMfChPQSjLg0l-GkO4zUjIi2GXgQpj17bvfMiLLaHLbH3ITqvho73CEUEVGEUenacGSxDWSPa2FHDKfKxxfmUHJbocT5/s1600/4a_TeachMeE-BookCover.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A
woman determined to heal…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Shy researcher Jess Kingston spent
the last eight weeks recovering from her ex-boyfriend’s brutal attack. Body
healed, she’s ready to put her life back together—except her ex isn’t ready to
let go. She won’t cower in a corner while Brit tortures her, but she’s
powerless to fight back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A
man determined to resist…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ex-military security specialist
Conlan James avoids commitment like the plague. His job, his Harley, and the
occasional one-night stand are all he needs, until the day he rescues Jess from
a tense situation and realizes he can’t get her off his mind. He can teach her
to protect herself, but protecting his heart is another matter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A
madman determined to win…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As the deadly game of cat-and-mouse
with Brit heats up, so does the hunger between Con and Jess. Safety might be
found in numbers, but in bed, all bets are off—and the wrong move could lead to
heartbreak. Or death.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's an excerpt to whet your appetite:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> What the hell are you doing here?<span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> This wasn’t the first time in the
last five minutes that Conlan had asked himself the same question. Maybe if he
had an answer, the revolving door in his brain would stop spinning, but that
didn’t seem likely. Not anytime soon. Not with the beautiful brunette he’d come
to see sitting close enough that, if he let himself look, he could detect the
light dusting of freckles across her nose. But he wasn’t looking, and he
shouldn’t be here, so how had he ended up standing in line behind the
thirtysomething latte league? It sure as hell wasn’t for the coffee.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Legs braced wide, he shifted from
one hip to the other, the creak of his motorcycle chaps reminding him he could
be enjoying a few extra minutes on the Harley before work instead of spending
that precious time here, mooning over a woman. Doe Eyes. The first time he’d
seen her all those months ago, he’d thought her eyes reminded him of sweet
Georgia pecans and skittish does. The name stuck, as had the memory of her
eyes—and a hundred other glimpses he shouldn’t have taken.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Another name called, another latte
dispensed, another shuffle forward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> He hadn’t seen those eyes in eight
weeks, and yet still he’d shown up every Monday, like clockwork, hoping for one
more glimpse and calling himself an idiot. Wasn’t like he planned on asking her
out. So why the hell did he torture himself with these weekly forays into enemy
territory?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Sex. Or sex appeal, at least.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Another step closer to the counter.
The move didn’t ease the constriction behind the zipper of his jeans. This was
what she did to him, thinking about her. Especially now, after so long apart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> The thought had a snort escaping.
Ahead of him, Mr. Suit and Tie startled and glanced over a shoulder, but Conlan
ignored the look. He was too busy figuring out when “this” had become enough
like a relationship in his head that he would think things like “after so long
apart.” Doe Eyes might appear prominently in his thoughts from time to
time—especially </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">certain</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> times—but
he’d never seen her outside of this coffee shop. And he wouldn’t. A quick roll
in the hay was one thing, but Doe Eyes wasn’t the kind of woman who had
one-night stands. He could tell that much just by looking at her. She was a
relationship kind of woman, and he was a relationship-phobic kind of guy. Which
meant he seriously needed to get a grip—and not on the part of him growing even
harder at the idea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Idiot was right.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I know you can't wait, so here are the preorder links:</span><br />
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Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Me-Southern-Nights-Book-ebook/dp/B00NW16WTC/ref=la_B00G3BYYN4_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1411680673&sr=1-4" title="http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Me-Southern-Nights-Book-ebook/dp/B00NW16WTC/ref=la_B00G3BYYN4_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1411680673&sr=1-4">http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Me-Southern-Nights-Book-ebook/dp/B00NW16WTC/ref=la_B00G3BYYN4_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1411680673&sr=1-4</a></div>
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ARe <a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-teachme-1635417-149.html" title="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-teachme-1635417-149.html">https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-teachme-1635417-149.html</a></div>
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Kobo <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/teach-me-11" title="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/teach-me-11">http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/teach-me-11</a></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meet Ella:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfoStN5canmKpN0ci1P17X-N3TUi_NrYl5H4s9crv45dhyccMvhkG1NddI3OkmzJUh5xN9vb9sEKCObjdRI0NT3BRVk4FZwHV_h14bf-f3MdwPnScL4qX2BbHM8qNTaw3FLkCipZTgYzO/s1600/0_EllaSheridanAuthorHeadShot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfoStN5canmKpN0ci1P17X-N3TUi_NrYl5H4s9crv45dhyccMvhkG1NddI3OkmzJUh5xN9vb9sEKCObjdRI0NT3BRVk4FZwHV_h14bf-f3MdwPnScL4qX2BbHM8qNTaw3FLkCipZTgYzO/s1600/0_EllaSheridanAuthorHeadShot.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a>Ella grew up in the Deep South,
where books provided adventures, friends, and her first taste of romance. Now
she writes her own romantic adventures, with plenty of hot alpha men and the
women who love and challenge them. With a day job, a husband, two active
teenagers, and two not so active cats, Ella is always busy, but getting the
voices in her head down on paper is a top priority. Connect with Ella at</div>
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Author Website: <a href="http://www.ellasheridanauthor.com/">www.ellasheridanauthor.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Author Newsletter: <a href="http://eepurl.com/IJkRf">http://eepurl.com/IJkRf</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Author E-mail: <a href="mailto:ellasheridan.writer@gmail.com">ellasheridan.writer@gmail.com</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>Social
Media Links:<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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Amazon Author Page <a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/ellasheridan" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/author/ellasheridan</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Facebook Author Page <a href="https://facebook.com/ellasheridanauthor">https://facebook.com/ellasheridanauthor</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Twitter (@AuthorESheridan) <a href="https://twitter.com/AuthorESheridan">https://twitter.com/AuthorESheridan</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Goodreads <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7350508.Ella_Sheridan">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7350508.Ella_Sheridan</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Alison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883309291937926612.post-85497967103375465712014-09-16T00:00:00.000-07:002014-09-16T00:00:02.274-07:00NEW RELEASE! Risking it All by JM Stewart<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My friend, writer JM Stewart, has a brand new release I'm thrilled to share with you. If you love contemporary romance, you won't want to miss Risking it All!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYypEyK0yaHR1ale4CaoVe4A42nlhSU4DUlvZDdpd9UcsqbgLbn6Q9fBpYFju1Dyt7Y6wa9s0hPywz0NzzE-77nA03LmoP8oBnbONl8XbwmHZanggbb_PASH2Qlb8Q9xyGDWW4rr5rAq7/s1600/Risking+it+all.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYypEyK0yaHR1ale4CaoVe4A42nlhSU4DUlvZDdpd9UcsqbgLbn6Q9fBpYFju1Dyt7Y6wa9s0hPywz0NzzE-77nA03LmoP8oBnbONl8XbwmHZanggbb_PASH2Qlb8Q9xyGDWW4rr5rAq7/s1600/Risking+it+all.jpg" height="320" width="198" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Love requires a leap of
faith...</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She’s everything he wants…</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For years,
Kyle Morgan has hidden his true feelings from the gorgeous girl next door that
he grew up loving and protecting. But when she shows up at his apartment in the
middle of the night, desperately needing comfort and support, his iron will
begins to waver…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">…and the only thing he can’t bear to lose.</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Kyle was always the big brother Cecelia Anton
never had, but suddenly her goofy best friend has become a sexy man she can’t
keep her thoughts—or hands—off of. As their deep connection melts into
uncontrollable desire, Ceci is willing to put it all on the line for a shot at
true love. Only Kyle is keeping a terrible secret about Ceci’s past that could
destroy not only their lifelong friendship but their happily-ever-after…</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Here's an excerpt to whet your appetite:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For a
moment, she stared, her eyes searching his, then she straightened her
shoulders. “Why’d you kiss me?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Panic curled
through him, sending his pulse pounding into his rib cage. Damn. Why hadn’t he
expected her to ask that? But he couldn’t answer it. To do so would be tempting
fate. An intense need for distance seized him. Half afraid he’d lose his mind
and do something else he’d regret, like pull her into his arms and show her why
he’d kissed her, he shot to his feet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">He flashed
her a smile he knew had to look as phony as it felt. “Headache’s better.
Thanks.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">He didn’t
wait for a response but strode toward the yard.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“I need to
know, Kyle.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">His answer
sat on the tip of his tongue, but the voice of reason sounded in his head.
Don’t say it. <i>Whatever you do, do not say
it. Just keep walking</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Her soft
footsteps sounded behind him. “You can’t just do something like that and walk
away and expect me not to question it. You blow hot and cold, do you know that?
I know desire when I see it, yet you just keep walking away.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Ever think
maybe I wanted to kiss you?” The words left his mouth on a hoarse whisper, and
God help him, a desperate need to see her eyes seized him. He turned to find
her directly behind him. She stared for a fraction of a second too long, heat
and curiosity blazed in her eyes. A heartbeat later, a light blush stole into
her cheeks, but she didn't move, didn't say a word.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Everything inside of him ground to a halt, his
mind twisting off in another direction. <i>I’ll
be damned</i>. If ever he needed a confirmation, there it was. Whatever had
happened between them was definitely not one-sided.</span></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And lucky for us, the book is available EVERYWHERE!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWJLlUlCxqU-BmkJllU-SCuBErxL1ClIW9gXB-Mb7xh9L8iaAOofrmTLOXhjbR-FzLsq9rtXl2GfO-eYz82YQnJIvLpv8pCVmZtWc9id3ZzfH8nU9YU0d2Ln7dPoHYgQ7jw1m3_SsZKEJ/s1600/Risking+it+all+teaser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWJLlUlCxqU-BmkJllU-SCuBErxL1ClIW9gXB-Mb7xh9L8iaAOofrmTLOXhjbR-FzLsq9rtXl2GfO-eYz82YQnJIvLpv8pCVmZtWc9id3ZzfH8nU9YU0d2Ln7dPoHYgQ7jw1m3_SsZKEJ/s1600/Risking+it+all+teaser.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amazon US: <a href="http://amzn.to/1xUZJls"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://amzn.to/1xUZJls</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amazon UK: <a href="http://amzn.to/1m0XdEJ"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://amzn.to/1m0XdEJ</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amazon CA: <a href="http://amzn.to/X8PA3R"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://amzn.to/X8PA3R</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amazon AU: <a href="http://bit.ly/X8PDwm"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://bit.ly/X8PDwm</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Barnes & Noble: <a href="http://bit.ly/1wiJmut"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://bit.ly/1wiJmut</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kobo: <a href="http://bit.ly/1oDy0fo"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://bit.ly/1oDy0fo</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
iTunes: <a href="http://bit.ly/1qt95Rs"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://bit.ly/1qt95Rs</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Google Play: <a href="http://bit.ly/1pY0JuS"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://bit.ly/1pY0JuS</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Penguin: <a href="http://bit.ly/1qONT7E"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://bit.ly/1qONT7E</span></a></span>Alison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883309291937926612.post-17105095215775021522014-09-10T00:30:00.000-07:002014-09-10T00:30:02.633-07:00New Release! Cherished Moments by Mickie Sherwood<div style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please join me in welcoming Mickie Sherwood to The Second Half today! Mickie is the author of Cherished Moments, a new sweet romantic suspense.</span> </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5B6XDQ6j1TYa19OT1JZTomhFdSX2iMjDfutoRlKkXjNRkRDq_hT_zDtYNATrrzM7Arl3eONDEnm6hVGXKrTe9TyRym3R3PGfXE4g0l9sz4HVWzyEYFYnWThv7HXC8K9fKvqN0YbWg2QH/s1600/CherishedMoments_MED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5B6XDQ6j1TYa19OT1JZTomhFdSX2iMjDfutoRlKkXjNRkRDq_hT_zDtYNATrrzM7Arl3eONDEnm6hVGXKrTe9TyRym3R3PGfXE4g0l9sz4HVWzyEYFYnWThv7HXC8K9fKvqN0YbWg2QH/s1600/CherishedMoments_MED.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's a bit about the story:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';">Senator
Jordan Dupré is reluctant to revisit her past. That thought crumbles at the
sight of Deacon Burke. His commanding presence and charming smile transports her
back to her youth. Back then, she kissed, loved, lied, and left him—taking a
life-changing secret with her.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"> </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';">Scorned
by Jordan’s dishonesty, Deke swears he never wants to see her lying face again.
However, his heart knows better, and he never stops thinking of her. When
Jordan’s husband is killed, Deke is summoned to the Senator’s aid, by an
unlikely source—Unfortunately, he brings a secret of his own.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';">Will
secrets from their past reignite their cherished moments?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';">Excerpt:</span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';">Deke’s
number rang a long time before he finally answered. "Hello."</span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';">"Deke,
it's me." Her throat felt scratchy from screaming. Clearing it only aggravated
the rawness. "Thank you for being there."</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';">"You
know, I'll always be here for you, Jay."</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';">"That
man probably would have strangled me to death if you hadn't shown up when you
did."</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';">"What?
What man? What are you talking about?"</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';">Confusion
settled over Jordan. "Wasn't that you in the parking lot a few minutes
ago?"</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';">"Jay,
you banished me from your place. Remember?" He growled the words.</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';">"It
was so dark," Jordan revealed to him. "Then, who?" Her senses reeled. "Someone
actually tried to harm me."</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';">"I'm
on my way.” Deke’s voice was even keeled though she deciphered an undercurrent
of agony.</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';">"I'm
not at the office."</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';">"You’re
not. Then, where the hell are you?"</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';">Now,
she interpreted frustration in his tone. “I’m on my way to the
lake."</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';">"The
lake? Where the hell is that?"</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';">"Use
my number to sync my signal, Deke. You'll have the directions. It hurt so badly
to talk. I have to go."</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';">"Jay!”
he yelled into the phone.</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';">"See
you when you get there." She whispered goodbye, and then ended the
call.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';">Buy
links:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Topaz
Publishing: <a href="http://www.topazpublishingllc.com/contemporary-romance.html" title="http://www.topazpublishingllc.com/contemporary-romance.html">http://www.topazpublishingllc.com/contemporary-romance.html</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Amazon:
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/CHERISHED-MOMENTS-MICKIE-SHERWOOD-ebook/dp/B00JSWLXNY/" title="http://www.amazon.com/CHERISHED-MOMENTS-MICKIE-SHERWOOD-ebook/dp/B00JSWLXNY/">http://www.amazon.com/CHERISHED-MOMENTS-MICKIE-SHERWOOD-ebook/dp/B00JSWLXNY/</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">B&N: <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cherished-moments-mickie-sherwood/1119365472?ean=2940149550272" title="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cherished-moments-mickie-sherwood/1119365472?ean=2940149550272">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cherished-moments-mickie-sherwood/1119365472?ean=2940149550272</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Find Mickie at:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><a href="http://www.mickiesherwood.com/blog" title="http://www.mickiesherwood.com/blog">http://www.mickiesherwood.com/blog</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><a href="https://www.twitter.com/MickieSherwood" title="https://www.twitter.com/MickieSherwood">https://www.twitter.com/MickieSherwood</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/MickieSherwood" title="http://www.pinterest.com/MickieSherwood">http://www.pinterest.com/MickieSherwood</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/Louisiana_Lady" title="http://www.goodreads.com/Louisiana_Lady">http://www.goodreads.com/Louisiana_Lady</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.blurbsinbloom.com/" title="http://www.blurbsinbloom.com/">http://www.blurbsinbloom.com</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';">Bio:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 14pt;">Mickie
Sherwood is an author and a novice photographer. Using her </span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 14pt;">backyard
as the backdrop for her inspiration, she loves taking pictures of </span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 14pt;">nature.
Her love of photography incites her creativity for writing.
Spending </span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 14pt;">time
with her family and cruise vacations, also stokes her imagination. </span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 14pt;">With
all of her interests combined, fascinating characters and intriguing </span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 14pt;">circumstances
can develop.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 14pt;">Mickie
also enjoys a good laugh. Revel in the humorous stories she</span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 14pt;">shares
about life, at her blog—</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><a href="http://www.mickiesherwood.com/blog" title="http://www.mickiesherwood.com/blog">Mickie's Mutterings</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 14pt;">.</span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"></span></div>
Alison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883309291937926612.post-70533920930495374652014-08-07T00:30:00.000-07:002014-08-07T00:30:00.979-07:00Dawn Luedecke's New Release - To Tame A Montana Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRI-a3vfwp9lWPGV29tc7KvjaA08zHauRNHI00TJCYbmQrrHhMuKown8ntdzmAXcwMVLBtwBHHXqWPYDz2AtofnWlAr2AHWziYrkAIAE2zmrvPq0odhfK8vdb_Hj5VRi1tBgug8roVymf/s1600/IMG_8079e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRI-a3vfwp9lWPGV29tc7KvjaA08zHauRNHI00TJCYbmQrrHhMuKown8ntdzmAXcwMVLBtwBHHXqWPYDz2AtofnWlAr2AHWziYrkAIAE2zmrvPq0odhfK8vdb_Hj5VRi1tBgug8roVymf/s1600/IMG_8079e.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I'm delighted to welcome author Dawn Luedecke to The Second Half. Dawn is here to share her brand new Western romance entitled <b>To Tame A Montana Heart. </b>Let's take a look!</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Blurb<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Running from a past of privilege, deceit, and danger, Travis Simms
is ready to settle down. What better place to forget all he left behind than
the quiet little Montana town of Lolo Hot Springs? His goal is clear — build a
hotel and his own destiny without complications —until one of the town’s most
troublesome women captures his attention.</span></i><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Dusty Larson is hell bent on independence, helping her sister run
the Triple D Ranch. She can do anything a man can, and do it better, so she
certainly doesn’t need one in her life. The only problem is she seems to
attract bad luck and danger...and Travis. Can he tame her wild ways and keep
his bachelor status intact — or does he risk losing his heart?</span></i><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBLH3fx2TYoKm5BbK60yrl6Na5iHZtsYcD5T4XB4FscDMlSPoowk5YX0neZkPDMvl7evk8FeajupS3yeo-QVMveh2CwgD7Lqyk26zLzLjQVhLQsVB1F24JFm43bQUg-0mbd9nTLW3Hch_/s1600/ToTameAMontanHeart_5913_680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBLH3fx2TYoKm5BbK60yrl6Na5iHZtsYcD5T4XB4FscDMlSPoowk5YX0neZkPDMvl7evk8FeajupS3yeo-QVMveh2CwgD7Lqyk26zLzLjQVhLQsVB1F24JFm43bQUg-0mbd9nTLW3Hch_/s1600/ToTameAMontanHeart_5913_680.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isn't that a gorgeous cover? Dawn's also agreed to treat us to a couple of excerpts.</span></o:p></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Excerpt #1<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">She
watched him with care. “I don’t know if I love you. I like you, a lot, but I
don’t have </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">the
slightest idea what love feels like.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Travis’ smile grew slowly across
his face. “I understand. I’m not sure if I love you or not, but I </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">also don’t think I could live
without you. So you will always have that.” His voice was almost a whisper when
he said the last.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Truly?” Her voice cracked and
she had to force herself to breathe easy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Truly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She inclined her head and took
two brisk steps toward him. She leaned over and kissed him with all the fever
of a thousand fires. He reached up and intertwined his hand through her hair to
hold her still as he plundered her mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She released him with a shaky
breath and jumped back to turn on her heels. “Put something </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">nice on. I’ll be back with a
preacher man.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You know, I heard you only have
to say ‘I marry you’ three times and then you’re hitched.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She threw him a sassy look and
slammed the door shut.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Excerpt #2<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The voices in her head screamed
for her to run but </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">she just couldn’t listen. Fists
balled at her sides, </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dusty prepared for a fight and
stalked toward the </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">sound, rounding the corner and
tripping just as </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">strong hands reached out and
grabbed her </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">shoulders.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The hands picked her up and
turned her around </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">to press her back into steel
muscles of a rock-solid </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">chest. One arm reached across her
collarbone to </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">clasp her shoulder. The other
wrapped around her </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">midsection, holding her against a
warm body. The </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">offending hands gripped her tight
and brought her </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">snug against the length of him.
She knew without </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">looking who it was.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“When you walk around after dark,
anything </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">can happen.” His warm breath
tickled her neck, and </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">shivers raced through her. The
hand lining the </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">length of her collarbone made its
way up her </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">shoulder and traced the edges of
her shirt collar. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You are not safe from anything
in the dark.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With those words, Travis turned
her around and </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">slipped his hands behind her back
to pull her closer. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He bent his head and his next
words tickled her lips, </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Even me.” The kiss shot like
lightning through </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dusty. It shocked and excited
her, stealing the </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">breath from her lungs. Without
conscious thought </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">she lifted her hands and entwined
them behind his </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">neck, pressing their bodies
closer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Travis eased Dusty back, but kept
her in his </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">grip. “Heaven above, Angel…I’ve
wanted to do that </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">since I first saw you at the
springs.” He traced the </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">edges of her lips with the rough
pad of his thumb. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You are way too beautiful to be
out by yourself after </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">dark. Anything could happen.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Anything could happen,"
Dusty rasped out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Travis released Dusty and her
knees buckled. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">He caught her before she could
land on the ground, </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">set her right once again, and
gave a deep throaty </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">laugh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Anything could happen,” she said
again. Dizzy </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">excitement hummed through her
body, and all she </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">could hear was the deep thump of
her heart.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Biography</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">A country girl born and bred, Dawn Luedecke has spent most of her
life surrounded by horses, country folk, and the wild terrain of Nevada, Idaho
and Montana. As a child she would spend many afternoons reading books, watching
western classics, and Rogers and Hammerstein movies. When she grew up she
decided to leave the quiet country life for a chance to find adventure by
serving a successful tour in the United States Coast Guard. During that time
she found her soul mate (and alpha male) and started a family and writing
career. She enjoys writing historical and paranormal romance and spends as much
time as she can working on her current manuscript. For more information visit
www.dawnluedecke.com.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Buy
Links<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Wild Rose Press ebook<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=176_146&products_id=4915">http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=176_146&products_id=4915</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Wild Rose Press print<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191&products_id=4935">http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191&products_id=4935</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Amazon
kindle edition<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/To-Tame-Montana-Heart-ebook/dp/B008MZR7DS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1356912004&sr=8-2&keywords=to+tame+a+montana+heart">http://www.amazon.com/To-Tame-Montana-Heart-ebook/dp/B008MZR7DS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1356912004&sr=8-2&keywords=to+tame+a+montana+heart</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Amazon
paperback edition<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tame-Montana-Heart-Dawn-Luedecke/dp/1612172016/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356912004&sr=8-1&keywords=to+tame+a+montana+heart">http://www.amazon.com/Tame-Montana-Heart-Dawn-Luedecke/dp/1612172016/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356912004&sr=8-1&keywords=to+tame+a+montana+heart</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Barnes
and Noble ebook<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/to-tame-a-montana-heart-dawn-luedecke/1112274216?ean=2940014994248">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/to-tame-a-montana-heart-dawn-luedecke/1112274216?ean=2940014994248</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Social
media links<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Website<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">www.dawnluedecke.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Facebook</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dawn-Luedecke/118877871497830?ref=hl">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dawn-Luedecke/118877871497830?ref=hl</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Twitter<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">@d_luedecke<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Goodreads<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4509191.Dawn_Luedecke">http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4509191.Dawn_Luedecke</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pinterest<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/dluedecke">http://pinterest.com/dluedecke</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Youtube
Book trailer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://youtu.be/nhBEPCsswTs">http://youtu.be/nhBEPCsswTs</a> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ubG-I52IRGM4Ztvn-zIKCCLsMHQ9zQEEWnAEjYFAPZDQRbJ2yWBQlC0Lbn1CSHRgczrsTR18-SoW2KRs0-uEn0YKbnj_c2EChwCYKkTGiWNUc7RLPsg-VwAn_JwCo67fMQAvrd-usrd8/s1600/booktourbutton2_edited-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ubG-I52IRGM4Ztvn-zIKCCLsMHQ9zQEEWnAEjYFAPZDQRbJ2yWBQlC0Lbn1CSHRgczrsTR18-SoW2KRs0-uEn0YKbnj_c2EChwCYKkTGiWNUc7RLPsg-VwAn_JwCo67fMQAvrd-usrd8/s1600/booktourbutton2_edited-4.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></a></div>
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Alison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883309291937926612.post-73696596872262829632014-08-05T00:30:00.000-07:002014-08-05T00:30:00.743-07:00Beware the Kamikaze Quail!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJJzmSoAyLjdTBvN-BVeXkUy8zEu5fZ1J48MTw-WbKLOkehIPdaial6lWjzr0nYZldkPlQci1PqC1GhPFYe3T0pp8EefX_jOvtgKvZohl_1y5DIt24JicylhmCxQWL_nC0eW9CXYTKcwo/s1600/quail+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJJzmSoAyLjdTBvN-BVeXkUy8zEu5fZ1J48MTw-WbKLOkehIPdaial6lWjzr0nYZldkPlQci1PqC1GhPFYe3T0pp8EefX_jOvtgKvZohl_1y5DIt24JicylhmCxQWL_nC0eW9CXYTKcwo/s1600/quail+009.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the most entertaining discoveries in our new home has been the California quail. OG saw the first quail early one morning, after we bought the house but before demolition began. He returned to the condo and reported 21 quail in the back yard. I was thrilled but had to wait months before it was my turn. One very quiet Sunday morning, as I sat in a folding chair out front waiting for the movers to arrive with our furniture from Minnesota, four quail raced across the driveway as only quail can. I was thrilled.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because of the construction, we didn't see many more until the landscaping was finished in late February. We occasionally encountered quail standing or running in the street but not in our yard. In late March we moved in, and the real fun began.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is it about quail and streets? Many times I have watched quail wait patiently on one side of the road until a car approaches then choose that exact moment to zip across right in front of the speeding tires. We call them Kamikaze Quail. It's a definite thing - believe me. We live toward the bottom of a very steep hill, and the quail like to race up and down (always in the middle of the street) in big family groups. Wacky little daredevils. Of their two brain cells, one must be devoted solely to avoiding cars, because I've never seen one hit. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4MWw9xfEMfvwbK9QapRoA28EvCylOF3FM8wu40FPpq1gV0PWhHSwt31ghyRJTaOsUFQWTW7kIoEbc4eRrKYTU5mGfLtGtoJYzoi6PwKW5IPFcvrdublyg74N81wFV519xeBYlT3AOued/s1600/quail+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4MWw9xfEMfvwbK9QapRoA28EvCylOF3FM8wu40FPpq1gV0PWhHSwt31ghyRJTaOsUFQWTW7kIoEbc4eRrKYTU5mGfLtGtoJYzoi6PwKW5IPFcvrdublyg74N81wFV519xeBYlT3AOued/s1600/quail+003.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple of weeks ago we filled the bid bath and bought a feeder to see what sorts of birds we might attract. Within a few days it was such a hit we had to add a second. One of the fun byproducts has been a huge increase in the number of quail who come to clean up the seeds that fall on the ground. We have one family with four nearly grown chicks and a smaller family with one chick that come every day. Then they occasionally invite family and friends to the frenzy, er, party.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6AJbRYtwU4k4z0T7ha0GY3P219ex2QKBE62PSDfi8os3NDUfhK-4CqnkCiUNdokki-jtY_nvONySPDjjfpcxTQ3vXsBqQ8A3kVGtUx-5_VTDiFz7dq4Awo_5PrENVdfk5H4QWtkJ2r_c/s1600/quail+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6AJbRYtwU4k4z0T7ha0GY3P219ex2QKBE62PSDfi8os3NDUfhK-4CqnkCiUNdokki-jtY_nvONySPDjjfpcxTQ3vXsBqQ8A3kVGtUx-5_VTDiFz7dq4Awo_5PrENVdfk5H4QWtkJ2r_c/s1600/quail+008.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OG didn't like the boulders when the landscaper initially installed them. They were expensive, and he didn't think they looked natural. However, he's since changed his tune because the quail love them. As soon as the family arrives, the father quail climbs on top of the nearest rock to keep an eye on his little flock. He stays there yodeling orders until everyone's eaten their fill, then climbs down for a quick nosh before leading them off to their next stop. OG gets a kick out of this. I think it brings out the <i>paterfamilias </i>in him.</span>Alison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883309291937926612.post-91841259116455283682014-07-03T00:30:00.000-07:002014-07-03T11:49:28.160-07:00Help Me Choose Images<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just got an email from IStockPhoto telling me I have a couple of credits which are about to expire. I don't know about you, but I hate to waste money I've already spent, so I thought I'd pick up an image or two for future use. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm currently working on the second book in my Phoenix, Ltd. bodyguard series, tentatively entitled BOILING POINT. I've thrown together several possible combinations of images that I think might work for the cover and would appreciate your opinion. Since this will be the second in a series, some continuity might not be a bad idea. Here's the cover of UNWRITTEN RULES (Book 1) to refresh your memory.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMC5mArVB-LxJdpvsQwNXEXJG0QkFu18rAwH4KJ8R7CNBmdsxFsLMnUB14jrKyvk7GzqupeevPjNYhKEwYDdbKMre5-YN9W25Lf8M-Dxbu5Slv32miUFN2WRNeVraKKgWecJTIdNDqHEVR/s1600/Unwritten+Rules+final+cover+200x300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMC5mArVB-LxJdpvsQwNXEXJG0QkFu18rAwH4KJ8R7CNBmdsxFsLMnUB14jrKyvk7GzqupeevPjNYhKEwYDdbKMre5-YN9W25Lf8M-Dxbu5Slv32miUFN2WRNeVraKKgWecJTIdNDqHEVR/s1600/Unwritten+Rules+final+cover+200x300_.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm considering three background images: a Chicago cityscape, smoke on black, and steam on blue. The cityscape relates to the background of UNWRITTEN RULES, but the other two express the BOILING POINT title (this heroine goes undercover as a personal chef). Both figure images features legs like UNWRITTEN RULES, but one is more prominent. The other is wearing a red dress, also a tie-in with UNWRITTEN RULES. The title will be in the same font, but could be red or white.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdIpRFh6ff0woJ8ePWZshjlXCOhENGZkFKh_ErbCJwbxS1kOf5C-WeovWpZYkAbn2RBhlCg7mZ2fcNUq_WxVt39ho76j4SFbSq5tBGm1bfXuAG2pjoiQRUhHYvhGdQB5fhRV-N7Mw9gde/s1600/Boiling+Point1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdIpRFh6ff0woJ8ePWZshjlXCOhENGZkFKh_ErbCJwbxS1kOf5C-WeovWpZYkAbn2RBhlCg7mZ2fcNUq_WxVt39ho76j4SFbSq5tBGm1bfXuAG2pjoiQRUhHYvhGdQB5fhRV-N7Mw9gde/s1600/Boiling+Point1.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#1</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDysiHSxnbK5Z_toxXRxHTThuhuKYt22ZTkXuC96iqGQfjHDx8XpQhAvISz5lwCx9mOuFB5Y8v-wu0vYvEogSemErikRp5FCGgH1elEPj08tMeOxf694RrlEzZonu-nWrqurKsKWwRYag/s1600/Boiling+Point2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDysiHSxnbK5Z_toxXRxHTThuhuKYt22ZTkXuC96iqGQfjHDx8XpQhAvISz5lwCx9mOuFB5Y8v-wu0vYvEogSemErikRp5FCGgH1elEPj08tMeOxf694RrlEzZonu-nWrqurKsKWwRYag/s1600/Boiling+Point2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#2</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW29NK1qYFZf3J8vx1wFbOqkcuNAMF7mNEarwkfDJTWzqSf_f1gKfQOW5c5e1cfURm2e7iJVJgZDIkw4xReurTZxQO7UClJcn4ovoRForbr5Q0oZoJeqJMvSv4_aLopj_K1FSjtJVyxWvm/s1600/Boiling+Point3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW29NK1qYFZf3J8vx1wFbOqkcuNAMF7mNEarwkfDJTWzqSf_f1gKfQOW5c5e1cfURm2e7iJVJgZDIkw4xReurTZxQO7UClJcn4ovoRForbr5Q0oZoJeqJMvSv4_aLopj_K1FSjtJVyxWvm/s1600/Boiling+Point3.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#3</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENr-WdP8Vpm0WRoe2bd_FbncT4TgUNnw8nQGHjMEbXA9bF03Jq81eJAmsIxdHv4ARd5yJtZ6Khpzm94qUI2FTGM-tVhAgBr7CNo4udSWpui3V4fe539jeR-K5hTeFDKuoft0nsiF40BWA/s1600/Boiling+Point4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENr-WdP8Vpm0WRoe2bd_FbncT4TgUNnw8nQGHjMEbXA9bF03Jq81eJAmsIxdHv4ARd5yJtZ6Khpzm94qUI2FTGM-tVhAgBr7CNo4udSWpui3V4fe539jeR-K5hTeFDKuoft0nsiF40BWA/s1600/Boiling+Point4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#4</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsVuFDAeAAoMXH5fQpFfg7RUHx5IakOdlaaqVS45zy-rsb31LRSfQwGgrJ7VCF0eS_dH5UcnqJub7-Bs_p3Zfz-i3Pk1TxB8-PO1ox4iiyIpfI__9sbc7U1EodyRCi_HBk1fPnLWxwnB-/s1600/Boiling+Point5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsVuFDAeAAoMXH5fQpFfg7RUHx5IakOdlaaqVS45zy-rsb31LRSfQwGgrJ7VCF0eS_dH5UcnqJub7-Bs_p3Zfz-i3Pk1TxB8-PO1ox4iiyIpfI__9sbc7U1EodyRCi_HBk1fPnLWxwnB-/s1600/Boiling+Point5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#5</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKpKymzXFF6UyIMxHoJWUZvCXLLnZPy2jZw6yY3a0f4Vk5PPGNwYCDghWgkQRv3Zx73-JTIl3wsglUGSRhyphenhyphenD0aPDQnpaHVC_0JbB9HNjadZfT1Yyls08iutXYqVLSx1fu95K8RIdOJmnu/s1600/Boiling+Point6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKpKymzXFF6UyIMxHoJWUZvCXLLnZPy2jZw6yY3a0f4Vk5PPGNwYCDghWgkQRv3Zx73-JTIl3wsglUGSRhyphenhyphenD0aPDQnpaHVC_0JbB9HNjadZfT1Yyls08iutXYqVLSx1fu95K8RIdOJmnu/s1600/Boiling+Point6.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#6</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please let me know which elements you think make the most striking cover, individually and/or together. Also, please feel free to tell me to keep looking. I really appreciate your input!</span>Alison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883309291937926612.post-49683542053947959702014-06-07T00:30:00.000-07:002014-06-07T00:30:00.638-07:00Cover Reveal - Risking It All by JM Stewart<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
My friend, author JM Stewart, has a brand new book coming out in a few months, and I'm thrilled to be able to share the cover with you here at The Second Half. Isn't is gorgeous?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0qdO0Y7vEnTtl49qlzc434gXb_S0u0PemuC4iPc5V6M3IhJwNjoTzNQwcZkZinr3dsYoPr0UJsRAsQa_QEJzXBkm1YZx432Avm5N-hOFNFzLym4rx-MUJsNjCTP8MzhHlUhEt92vsVXf/s1600/Risking+It+All.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0qdO0Y7vEnTtl49qlzc434gXb_S0u0PemuC4iPc5V6M3IhJwNjoTzNQwcZkZinr3dsYoPr0UJsRAsQa_QEJzXBkm1YZx432Avm5N-hOFNFzLym4rx-MUJsNjCTP8MzhHlUhEt92vsVXf/s1600/Risking+It+All.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>Title</b>: Risking It All<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Author</b>: JM Stewart<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Publisher</b>: Penguin
Intermix <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Date published</b>: Sept
16, 2014<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Genre</b>: Contemporary
Romance<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Word count</b>: 80, 000<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>AISN</b>: <span style="background: white;">B00FFFSZB6</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>ISBN</b>:
9780698147980<o:p></o:p></div>
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Originally
published in a shorter form as <i>Staking
His Claim<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b>Blurb: <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>She’s everything he wants…<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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For
years, Kyle Morgan has hidden his true feelings from the gorgeous girl next
door that he grew up loving and protecting. But when she shows up at his
apartment in the middle of the night, desperately needing comfort and support,
his iron will begins to waver…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>…and the only thing he can’t bear to lose.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Kyle was
always the big brother Cecelia Anton never had, but suddenly her goofy best
friend has become a sexy man she can’t keep her thoughts—or hands—off of. As
their deep connection melts into uncontrollable desire, Ceci is willing to put
it all on the line for a shot at true love. Only Kyle is keeping a terrible
secret about Ceci’s past that could destroy not only their lifelong friendship
but their happily-ever-after…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Trailer:</b> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpzuxkFy_6I">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpzuxkFy_6I</a></span></div>
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<b>Purchase links:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://amzn.com/B00FFFSZB6"><span style="color: blue;">Amazon</span></a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/risking-it-all-jm-stewart/1116985780?ean=9780698147980"><span style="color: blue;">Barns and Noble</span></a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/risking-it-all/id715224120?mt=11"><span style="color: blue;">iTunes</span></a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Risking-All/Stewart-JM/Q476909410"><span style="color: blue;">Books-a-million</span></a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>About the author:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBjxKIel8ck_DG1XqJk_PcgY3TVykLhhvmoLl6bR-oboekJIo1Vq9oVNnPBzf2qNdANlks-7vLaWz_fEFjC2APtHjq-0oo9Y_Nc9aVxNBKuDO8XoHgjApVm8jpY5ze5XxE66-Ku10qu8o/s1600/J+M+Stewart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBjxKIel8ck_DG1XqJk_PcgY3TVykLhhvmoLl6bR-oboekJIo1Vq9oVNnPBzf2qNdANlks-7vLaWz_fEFjC2APtHjq-0oo9Y_Nc9aVxNBKuDO8XoHgjApVm8jpY5ze5XxE66-Ku10qu8o/s1600/J+M+Stewart.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->JM writes passionate,
heartfelt contemporary romance. She’s a wife, a mother, a spiritualist, and
lover of puppies, and happily addicted to coffee and chocolate. She lives in
the rainy Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. She’s a hopeless
romantic who believes everybody should have their happily-ever-after and has
been devouring romance novels for as long as she can remember. Writing them has
become her obsession. <o:p></o:p></div>
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find out more about JM or her books here: <a href="http://authorjmstewart.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Website</span></a> /<a href="http://jm-stewart.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Blog</span></a> /<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/JMStewartWriter"><span style="color: blue;">Twitter</span></a>
/<a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorjmstewart"><span style="color: blue;">Facebook</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Alison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883309291937926612.post-59481487089883123442014-05-27T00:30:00.000-07:002014-05-27T00:30:00.318-07:00Gardening with Deer - A Metaphor for Life<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life is a long string of challenges. Sometimes it's more like a braid than a string. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three months ago I spent thousands of dollars to have the yard at our new house planted with a wide variety of drought tolerant, deer resistant plants. Drought is a way of life in Monterey County, and our water bills are frightening, so choosing drought tolerant plants was a no-brainer. Deer resistant has been much more challenging. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love deer and was excited the first time I saw a family strolling through our yard. That was during construction, and there wasn't much here for them to eat. They looked around then moseyed on over to the next-door-neighbor's yard for dinner. That same neighbor had told me he gave up years ago worrying about what the deer ate. He simply went about his business and let them go about theirs. His yard is thickly planted native trees and shrubs, making it hard to notice the occasional nibble. He warned I would end up hating both gardening and deer if I went to battle against them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">George is a wise man, so I decided to take his advice. I decided to forgo erecting a tall fence and chose deer-resistant plants instead. I have since learned there's no such thing. If the plants are unfamiliar or have tender, young leaves, the deer will at least try them if they're hungry, or merely curious. Our omnivorous deer have astounded both the landscaper and the owner of the local garden center with what they're willing to eat. Lately I've been told, "I've never heard of deer eating that" more times than I like to say. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These flowers are an example.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lGFpxydrLgu88eSCCg1zodA3VYMP7AlLe4vavAosC-zfVfBsJM5a2TCFWnPCT9Z9S-rdEqK57Jezduv0KsGlzUWL1YCelWx_tczSN41iKu8keW4B2xFmXBen4gr8Ih-Cl6bv8HB9sdRF/s1600/flowers+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lGFpxydrLgu88eSCCg1zodA3VYMP7AlLe4vavAosC-zfVfBsJM5a2TCFWnPCT9Z9S-rdEqK57Jezduv0KsGlzUWL1YCelWx_tczSN41iKu8keW4B2xFmXBen4gr8Ih-Cl6bv8HB9sdRF/s1600/flowers+007.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlJuXTMS8SNBEWcMBKG__7pdcumVhoakNWp1snCZA09Z1T48FE83BJaOnuz7_FnvXAyIujveFMgGcslW5gw5GDEge10S6apCihreCeaehZhsjKUe8R8_aK6-sMxH-uaPwT2u_mhmYdY0K/s1600/flowers+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlJuXTMS8SNBEWcMBKG__7pdcumVhoakNWp1snCZA09Z1T48FE83BJaOnuz7_FnvXAyIujveFMgGcslW5gw5GDEge10S6apCihreCeaehZhsjKUe8R8_aK6-sMxH-uaPwT2u_mhmYdY0K/s1600/flowers+006.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And these.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVCxfmTHiUk3D5TMu8FURy6O7nGTLRqvTL8C8zLvva1cy-jocRjK-1ec3EVtKgj4QpZqNmPUjLdeGhcZgsUvnRF2rmJTGugqlNlerPoLLbYpRexakfOLNw6ClKO8DxSVkGLSlPcDD1D7Y/s1600/flowers+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVCxfmTHiUk3D5TMu8FURy6O7nGTLRqvTL8C8zLvva1cy-jocRjK-1ec3EVtKgj4QpZqNmPUjLdeGhcZgsUvnRF2rmJTGugqlNlerPoLLbYpRexakfOLNw6ClKO8DxSVkGLSlPcDD1D7Y/s1600/flowers+003.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxo6j6ae_ozYjhvaprat53IRkBRM-6DbIOCnVD7XhV8TGUKmSALkyCJwf9jGO6bkuLwcX4_GRNbxmy9m8YyyX-55HqGjtSVp9gXF4pJqZrlhaEl2htxRzEaUKHLyxzrvh9vUOlrMdAU5q/s1600/flowers+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxo6j6ae_ozYjhvaprat53IRkBRM-6DbIOCnVD7XhV8TGUKmSALkyCJwf9jGO6bkuLwcX4_GRNbxmy9m8YyyX-55HqGjtSVp9gXF4pJqZrlhaEl2htxRzEaUKHLyxzrvh9vUOlrMdAU5q/s1600/flowers+004.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fortunately, I was able to enjoy both for a few weeks before the deer discovered them, and all the plants have new buds. If they're willing to try again, so am I. I've learned to enjoy the beauty around me while I have it, without expecting (or trying to force) it to last forever. There's always something new and beautiful around the corner. Like these spectacular Kangaroo Paws. They're from Australia, and the tiny florets look like fuzzy kangaroo paws. So far, the deer have shown no interest in them.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwmhOuXvP4wTGShW9Zg7bJmGiKDC0JdjhG1ifWdkzniWSQSgTlqzxjRj8Z2nRSY6s3Kbdzi5_exuL1ageLamBV1UvRs4DHnVIdI_pjaK1k1hFpsamV4VSWzYAVXfsN228f4pNZM-kirv2u/s1600/flowers+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwmhOuXvP4wTGShW9Zg7bJmGiKDC0JdjhG1ifWdkzniWSQSgTlqzxjRj8Z2nRSY6s3Kbdzi5_exuL1ageLamBV1UvRs4DHnVIdI_pjaK1k1hFpsamV4VSWzYAVXfsN228f4pNZM-kirv2u/s1600/flowers+001.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kangaroo Paws</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRzlJtELDocxckXc6n25nMiF1GnjyH5S1zk5nlyK1uX0FJgo0k9gyAfvP0EbSzyWUkG5dfF_gmsV2RFVt5lIyIgkd25x_CzsxJpwN34gDBhcNMqNtCKQOrSzOROP0w9ftceOL8OBkw3rh/s1600/flowers+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRzlJtELDocxckXc6n25nMiF1GnjyH5S1zk5nlyK1uX0FJgo0k9gyAfvP0EbSzyWUkG5dfF_gmsV2RFVt5lIyIgkd25x_CzsxJpwN34gDBhcNMqNtCKQOrSzOROP0w9ftceOL8OBkw3rh/s1600/flowers+002.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the fuzzy, red feet?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then are are the moments of unexpected delight, like this little volunteer succulent. It sprang from a piece broken off one of the larger plants and dropped, possibly even by a four-footed marauder. </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHCJy_BUWnLc67Mo14N3VyI2bXmmGA8kFdSbx7MlhkhVXcnNyYjbzRptikB_VSY7rotmLDuWcd1lA61ZAucvWwi6IbnODj_iwBGc9l8CUq2Yq-7KZHpr8s4bi_DFhk8G4XKPfBY_fJ_K_/s1600/flowers+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHCJy_BUWnLc67Mo14N3VyI2bXmmGA8kFdSbx7MlhkhVXcnNyYjbzRptikB_VSY7rotmLDuWcd1lA61ZAucvWwi6IbnODj_iwBGc9l8CUq2Yq-7KZHpr8s4bi_DFhk8G4XKPfBY_fJ_K_/s1600/flowers+005.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So far, I'm staying pretty Zen about sharing my garden with the wildlife. I don't know how long that attitude will last, but I'm trying. Hopefully, by the time I'm George's age, I'll just smile and take it all in stride. Gardening, like life, is most satisfying if you can learn to go with the flow. Yesterday around dusk, a doe and two tiny fauns ambled through the back yard without so much as a nibble. Maybe they've called a truce and I just don't know it yet.</span></div>
Alison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883309291937926612.post-71984881798211884262014-05-21T00:30:00.000-07:002014-05-21T00:30:02.010-07:00My Latest Cover - An Uncertain Destiny by Jannine Gallant<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCMauE6WKtYz5vGW7RhaMqlqGg3SHZrP5kNgBU6yXoqKGXNHQACfUhyCRY0PPMikDDFtla2b-2bhM6AWJ3jG1iPci4RgKs-MkpM0gB_yVZ4cIMvPxNVrP-rneZXb7PORD1305AokpuSHj/s1600/An+Uncertain+Destiny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCMauE6WKtYz5vGW7RhaMqlqGg3SHZrP5kNgBU6yXoqKGXNHQACfUhyCRY0PPMikDDFtla2b-2bhM6AWJ3jG1iPci4RgKs-MkpM0gB_yVZ4cIMvPxNVrP-rneZXb7PORD1305AokpuSHj/s1600/An+Uncertain+Destiny.jpg" height="400" width="262" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm thrilled to share my latest book cover design project for Jannine Gallant's new historical romance, <i>An Uncertain Destiny</i>. This book, set in 17th century Massachusetts, is a project close to the author's heart, and I'm delighted to have been able to help her bring it to you. This cover is one of my absolute favorites, with its gorgeous, atmospheric background and mysterious young woman in red.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a blurb about the story:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
Haunting visions have plagued Megan Pendrake for years, a dire promise of a
turbulent future. When Megan and her brother are forced to flee England aboard
a ship bound for the colonies, trouble looms. In 1692, Salem, Massachusetts is
a hotbed of suspicion and persecution where the mere hint of witchcraft is a
death sentence. Remaining in Salem is courting disaster, but Megan’s heart
won't allow her to leave the man she has grown to love.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Nicholas Thayer is mesmerized by the beautiful,
unconventional young woman who boards his ship posing as a cabin boy. But his
future is predetermined, including a fiancée waiting for him at home. When
Megan faces inconceivable peril, Nicholas must make the ultimate choice between
family and faith or a love he can’t deny. But will he be able to save them both
from <i>An Uncertain Destiny</i>?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">You can buy <i>An Uncertain Destiny</i> in Kindle format from Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Uncertain-Destiny-Jannine-Gallant-ebook/dp/B00KD1QKVE/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1400532304&sr=1-1&keywords=an+uncertain+destiny" target="_blank">here</a>, and the paperback will be available soon!</span></span>Alison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883309291937926612.post-28980588622225028952014-04-25T00:30:00.000-07:002014-04-25T00:30:05.338-07:00The Value of Book Reviews<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many writers claim they never read reviews of their books. They are sufficiently confident in their own abilities and their editors' insights not to seek validation in the comments of readers and reviewers. Of course, by doing this, they also avoid contact with the dreaded Internet book trolls. I've been lucky, so far, never to have attracted the attention of one of those beasts. I can certainly understand refusing to allow baseless negativity to affect one's creativity and drive. However, I do think there's a lot authors can learn from their readers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdL9MByk_oRtbiDBax5LaMICmNGF63kZaxwe7cOW1YQUeSHX3ZZMlnG5TVnDr8SHByb8rU97NK0JewtRFqOptgl07NzkPKioea_IhrHfDSHv42q9iknWeSP1zqF_KKKJ7ZpWemU1uknqPw/s1600/Unwritten+Rules+final+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdL9MByk_oRtbiDBax5LaMICmNGF63kZaxwe7cOW1YQUeSHX3ZZMlnG5TVnDr8SHByb8rU97NK0JewtRFqOptgl07NzkPKioea_IhrHfDSHv42q9iknWeSP1zqF_KKKJ7ZpWemU1uknqPw/s1600/Unwritten+Rules+final+cover.jpg" height="320" width="248" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reader response was especially important to me for UNWRITTEN RULES. I was changing genres from Western historical romance to contemporary romantic suspense. I also decided to try self-publishing for the first time. I asked a multi-published friend who writes in the genre to edit the manuscript for me. She was tough and pushed me to make substantial improvements prior to publication, but editing is not her primary occupation. I was basically relying on our combined writing experience to "get it right". Reader reviews have been the best way to judge if I succeeded.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My first three books garnered only a handful of reviews, mostly from people I know. This time I wanted more. Based on the advice of other self-publishers, I added a polite, personal request for a review to the Kindle version right after the end of the story. That did the trick. After my KDP Free Days, the reviews began pouring in. To date, UNWRITTEN RULES has garnered 67 reviews on Amazon, many times the number I've received for any other title.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what have I learned from these reviews?</span><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many men have read and liked this book. This was a shock to me. As far as I know, I've never had a male reader before. Now I have to consider the possibility that my work has become more mainstream and choose whether to pursue that.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Readers overwhelmingly enjoyed the "mystery" aspect of the plot. I had never attempted suspense in any form before. I'm not even sure why it worked in this book. I'll have to study what I did and try to replicate it.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Readers would enjoy reading more about these characters. I had held off on putting the time into writing a series until I saw whether UNWRITTEN RULES was a success. Now I've decided to pursue the Phoenix, Ltd. series, although with a different hero and heroine for each story.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Graphic love scenes are neither necessary or expected in this "crossover" genre. Not one reviewer mentioned wanting more or less sex. I'm actually relieved by this. At some publishers, romance editors pressure writers to make their writing hotter. I'm glad so many ordinary readers were satisfied with the heat level I'm comfortable with.</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Without the feedback from reviews, I would have wondered and worried about all these aspects of UNWRITTEN RULES. Reader comments have allowed me to make adjustments and move forward with confidence. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fellow writers: do you read your reviews? What do you get from them? Readers: do you ever write reviews? Do other's reviews help you choose books?</span></div>
Alison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883309291937926612.post-45325175054184930562014-04-21T00:30:00.000-07:002014-04-21T00:30:00.683-07:00The Opposite of Easy<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the last two decades, one of OG's favorite observations of life has been "it isn't easy". This applies to minor daily annoyances as well as boulders in the path of progress. I usually agree politely then dismiss these comments as whining. I'm a "cinch up your belt and scale the boulders" kind of girl. However, the past couple of weeks have given me pause.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a year of major remodeling, we moved into our new house four weeks ago today. Moving is always stressful, but we've moved ten times in the past, so I wasn't terribly concerned. Unfortunately, OG (who has always been a mountain of moving strength before) succumbed to the stress of this one. In the months leading up to the move, he allowed every complication and uncertainty to pile on top each other until they crushed him. After the move, he worked himself into a frenzy by trying to conquer his self-imposed to-do list faster than his mind or body would allow. T</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">he result was the worst headache of his life that ultimately landed him in the hospital for 3 days. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OG has always jokingly referred to himself as a sufferer of DFS (delicate flower syndrome), but nothing could be further from the truth. He tries to do everything himself and ignores the fact that he'll be sixty-five next month. This hospitalization brought that truth home with a thud.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because of his age and the fact that he has no history of headaches, the doctors had to rule out everything from a brain tumor to an incipient aneurysm. After he had a CT scan, they insisted on a spinal tap to make sure there had been no bleeding in the brain. OG fainted, and I don't blame him. I would have run screaming from the building. Even after that was clear, the neurologist insisted on an MRI. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OG has crippling claustrophobia, and has physically broken out of an MRI machine in the past. We warned everyone, and saw that it was written on his chart. He needs massive sedation. However, on the morning of the test, the nurse missed the note. I'm glad I wasn't there to see the result. On the next try, they gave him a little sedation and let me go in with him and hold his hand. No go. By this time he was completely traumatized. However, the next morning he was willing to try again - anything to get out of that hospital! They gave him more drugs, I went in with him, and he psyched himself through it. Ten hours later, I finally got to take him home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To top it all off, he picked up a horrible respiratory bug in the hospital and gave it to me. No, it hasn't been easy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why were the doctors so insistent on the MRI, you might ask? Because they had seen the scar from a previous stroke on the CT scan. We had no idea. However, it does help explain some of the neurological symptoms he'd been complaining of for some time. We were actually relieved to know the cause wasn't some ongoing disease process like MS, but now we're both coming to grips with the fact that he may not be able to do everything he wants, the way he wants to, in the future. That's very sobering, especially for him. The adage "aging isn't for sissies" has come home to roost.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm very proud of OG for the way he's approaching things now. He's making a strong, and so far successful, effort to remain calm in the face of frustration (not like him at all). He's prioritizing his projects and completing them with my help. He's accepted that it makes more sense to hire people to do some difficult tasks. And he's looking at his bucket list to make sure he gets to do the things that really matter. Life doesn't come with guarantees.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As difficult as it's been, this experience may have taught us an important lesson about aging gracefully. We'll see if the lesson sticks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Alison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883309291937926612.post-83523021821927277752014-03-23T00:30:00.000-07:002014-03-23T00:30:01.225-07:00Moving Day is Finally Here!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After one long year, moving day has finally arrived. Tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m., two men and a truck will arrive to whisk us away to our new house.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you've been following this blog, you know that on March 29, 2013, OG and I set out on our grand adventure--moving from the Twin Cities in Minnesota to Carmel on the central California coast. We bought an uninhabitable wreck of a house with glorious views, moved into our vacation condo, and commenced work. Now, nearly one year later, we're finally ready to move in. We've sold our condo and are happy to be turning it over to a young, single woman (first time buyer), to begin her adult life as a homeowner. She's thrilled, and we hope she enjoys it as much as we have.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The house turned out to be a much bigger project than we initially anticipated. If I had it to do over, I'm not sure I would. Due to vermin, dry rot, and asbestos, we had to strip it to the foundation and studs and start from scratch. The upside is that we have a completely new house. The downside is that we had to pay for a completely new house. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JqGJKNXsditXO9Eo7yECI8uMPSBMHXCB2a1jYv6RYrQKgdNyM1TgUMzu4FGR8pAMa8UGpJALNQnnu6F8wLCpP-tFKLKBxmkwUK5z0dbAHaUATma3unS4yGiWQNnBKYOLExr5j9JOQnbv/s1600/Tierra+Grande+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JqGJKNXsditXO9Eo7yECI8uMPSBMHXCB2a1jYv6RYrQKgdNyM1TgUMzu4FGR8pAMa8UGpJALNQnnu6F8wLCpP-tFKLKBxmkwUK5z0dbAHaUATma3unS4yGiWQNnBKYOLExr5j9JOQnbv/s1600/Tierra+Grande+012.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Before"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As with any new house, there were hundreds of decisions to make, both large and small, and we didn't always make the right ones. For example: neither we, the designer, nor the contractor properly envisioned the laundry room door until it was hung and blocked half the cabinets. They were able to re-hang it to swing to the right instead of the left, but now it blocks the utility closet door. If we'd been thinking, we would have asked for a pocket door instead. As it is, OG will probably take it down and store it in the garage. Also, the master shower is enormous. We could have added a foot to the toilet room on one side and the linen closet on the other and still have had a plenty large shower. OG thinks the fireplace is out of proportion to the living room and we should have switched the locations of the guest bath and the laundry.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDM0Vnaxotni1VwAfPTrE5GmOys8If7ZJ73rhGqRTyfBXkFEsZ1jnx6yvmeraPzcNXCxRKnha-hCLmvm3j77oCNkAgfGKKgqfgDUoyzBEXQEFcgLOP-H0_QEKBnXABZsHLA0wthRKG1eU/s1600/finished+exterior+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDM0Vnaxotni1VwAfPTrE5GmOys8If7ZJ73rhGqRTyfBXkFEsZ1jnx6yvmeraPzcNXCxRKnha-hCLmvm3j77oCNkAgfGKKgqfgDUoyzBEXQEFcgLOP-H0_QEKBnXABZsHLA0wthRKG1eU/s1600/finished+exterior+001.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"After"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh well, live and learn. I'm sure we'll adjust to most of these things over time. The others will undoubtedly be changed (at great additional expense). However, I plan to concentrate on what we do have--a lovely, new home in a great location with a fabulous view. I'm excited to learn how to garden in this very different environment. Due to the daunting size of the project, I hired a landscaper to install the paths, irrigation, and basic plants, but I'm looking forward to adding things and tweaking the design over time. The deer came in the first night and stripped eight of the allegedly deer-resistant plants, so my first task will be replacing them with something less appetizing. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8r5vUPVkwomegiLeHWCHvEOg_2BXzTSpQckGaTFimwTCIuqvV-LHRMc6WJEtAbvY8ctYuxIvG-unJzjs7ld1U4E6YyI3PRT5ZftMmp7k1wDppN13KC4QQ6xvh-6aRAGbHRdoiNIvnFpat/s1600/finished+exterior+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8r5vUPVkwomegiLeHWCHvEOg_2BXzTSpQckGaTFimwTCIuqvV-LHRMc6WJEtAbvY8ctYuxIvG-unJzjs7ld1U4E6YyI3PRT5ZftMmp7k1wDppN13KC4QQ6xvh-6aRAGbHRdoiNIvnFpat/s1600/finished+exterior+003.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished Back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The plants look tiny in the photos, but with the near-constant sunshine and twelve-month growing season here, they'll grow fast.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I plan to post pictures of my progress, so stop back by from time to time and catch up!</span>Alison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883309291937926612.post-57586926039101376172014-03-06T00:30:00.000-08:002014-03-06T08:55:33.930-08:00Welcome Guest Author Liz Flaherty <div class="MsoNormal">
I'm delighted to welcome fellow author and good friend Liz Flaherty to The Second Half. Liz's latest novel, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>The Girls of Tonsil Lake</i></b>
is free on Amazon from March 4-8 <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Girls-Tonsil-Lake-Flaherty-ebook/dp/B00HJESTYO">http://www.amazon.com/The-Girls-Tonsil-Lake-Flaherty-ebook/dp/B00HJESTYO</a>
Stop by and pick it up. I hope it gives you a few hours of pleasure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlNzGBHp15F51MUINMvrNpCKi1SVdmdKPzANDYiG8QPHz-tixSeCjDIFLDe3wqACYLX0bbchedjfERED91GU1oQcEME2Ogyfvy7e7tRuDYfUqe0Jo3Yb_Hw0_rrqFlZkFI9Ouv04lXpFl/s1600/kindlecover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlNzGBHp15F51MUINMvrNpCKi1SVdmdKPzANDYiG8QPHz-tixSeCjDIFLDe3wqACYLX0bbchedjfERED91GU1oQcEME2Ogyfvy7e7tRuDYfUqe0Jo3Yb_Hw0_rrqFlZkFI9Ouv04lXpFl/s1600/kindlecover.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a><b>Blurb:</b> Four women whose differences only deepen the friendship
forged in a needy childhood…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They were four little girls
living in ramshackle trailers beside a lake in rural Indiana. They shared
everything from dreams to measles to boyfriends to more dreams. As they grew
up, everything in their lives changed—except their friendship. Through weddings
and divorces, births and <o:p></o:p></div>
deaths, one terrible secret has kept them close
despite all the anger, betrayal, and pain. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, forty years later, facing
illness, divorce, career challenges, and even addiction, the women come
together once again for a bittersweet month on an island in Maine. Staring down
their fifties, they must consider the choices life is offering them now and
face the pain of what happened long ago.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Secrets are revealed and truths
uncovered, but will their time together cement their lifelong friendship—or
drive them apart forever?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoTitle">
<b>Excerpt</b>: </div>
<div align="left" class="MsoTitle">
I
wanted Andie to come to New York, but she didn’t feel up to it. I felt a little shudder go
through me when she said that. Andie’s always been so strong, and she’s
cancer-free, so I found it startling and frightening when she admitted to
feeling less than wonderful. But, as <i>Let There Be Hope</i> shows, cancer
changes one in sometimes indefinable ways. Maybe this is one of those changes.</div>
<div class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Mark and
I visited some islands off the Maine coast once, in our early days. I was so
enthralled that he bought me a house on one of them, a little strip of green called,
appropriately enough, Hope Island. It reminds me of Bennett’s Island, the
fictitious utopia of Elisabeth Ogilvie’s books, except that Hope has all the mod
cons.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
I love
to go there. It’s a place I can be myself with little regard to what anyone
else thinks. I sit in my bathrobe on the wraparound porch of the Victorian
horror that is my house and drink coffee with Lucas Bishop, our neighbor. I
read Jean’s books without worrying that someone will see the covers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
I’ve
never taken anyone else—it was Mark’s and my private getaway—but I wouldn’t
mind if it was Andie who was there. Or Jean and even Suzanne. Andie and I could
work on her book. Jean could cook and keep house since she’s so crazy about
doing that, and maybe even spin out one of her romances placed on an island.
And Suzanne could...do our hair or something.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoTitle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
We would
all be together as we are that single night every year when we drive to the
lake and pretend we’re facing down our ghosts. I am a little afraid that the
day will come that we’ll have to face them down for real.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
I wonder if they’d come.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoF7rFJAjiwyIWcT_mA9EG-S007SORse_dsI6p5GI80hYvywGHF8zTzyNil_UPTCx0gDO568Fyb_JTc_X7wOHG5e8i7eD62a7gfqZDf6G_7wXKTDf1HMtTZ7T8nla7Z1LXImKE7_gnhsAJ/s1600/LizandBandit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoF7rFJAjiwyIWcT_mA9EG-S007SORse_dsI6p5GI80hYvywGHF8zTzyNil_UPTCx0gDO568Fyb_JTc_X7wOHG5e8i7eD62a7gfqZDf6G_7wXKTDf1HMtTZ7T8nla7Z1LXImKE7_gnhsAJ/s1600/LizandBandit.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a></div>
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<b>BIO: </b><i>The Girls of Tonsil Lake </i>is Liz Flaherty’s eighth book, and it is no less thrilling than the first
one was. Retired from the post office, she spends non-writing time sewing,
quilting, and doing whatever else feels good at the moment (like drinking wine
on Nan’s boat). She and Duane live in the old farmhouse in Indiana they moved
to in 1977. They’ve talked about moving, but really…30-some years’ worth of
stuff? It’s not happening! <o:p></o:p></div>
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She’d love to hear from you at <a href="mailto:lizkflaherty@gmail.com">lizkflaherty@gmail.com</a> or please come and see her at:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://lizflaherty.com/">http://lizflaherty.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/lizkflaherty">http://www.facebook.com/lizkflaherty</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/LizFlaherty1">https://twitter.com/LizFlaherty1</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://wordwranglers.blogspot.com/">http://wordwranglers.blogspot.com/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
Alison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.com4