tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72653720274585156742024-03-19T06:34:29.188-04:00Megan McCooeyThe Official Author Blog Page...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265372027458515674.post-27418546134388075712014-02-18T15:47:00.000-05:002014-02-18T15:48:36.467-05:00 The Harvest Series Book Review GIVEAWAY!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 32.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Get ready...Get Set...AND
GO!!</span></b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Write your review of Harvest Moon on </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Harvest-Moon-The-Series-ebook/dp/B00BVQY59O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392744456&sr=8-1&keywords=megan+mccooey"><span style="color: #0000e9; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Amazon</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">, </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/harvest-moon-megan-mccooey/1114848720?ean=2940148357568"><span style="color: #0000e9; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Barnes & Noble</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">, and </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20611875-harvest-moon"><span style="color: #0000e9; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Goodreads</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">, </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Come back here and post the link to your review in
the comments section (each review= 1 entry).</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">For additional entries:</span></b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">1. Tweet this post (every<span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Laura%20LaTulipe" datetime="2014-02-18T15:18"> </ins></span>day
you tweet= 1 entry).</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">2. Share it on your Facebook page (every<u> </u>day
you share on FB=1 entry). </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Be sure to come back here and<span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Laura%20LaTulipe" datetime="2014-02-18T15:19"> </ins></span>share
the links with me or tag me in them so I can give you another entry. </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">3. If someone you know purchases the book at your
recommendation, have them comment here and leave your name=5 entr<span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Megan%20McCooey" datetime="2014-02-18T15:31">ies</ins></span>!
(**purchase MUST be verified by the email receipt of <span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Laura%20LaTulipe" datetime="2014-02-18T15:19">K</ins></span>indle
or Nook purchase)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">4. Like my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheHarvestSeries"><span style="color: blue;">Facebook Author Page</span></a> (1 entry)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">5. Follow me on <a href="https://twitter.com/meganmccooey"><span style="color: blue;">Twitter</span></a> (1 entry)<span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Megan%20McCooey" datetime="2014-02-18T15:31"><o:p></o:p></ins></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">6. Follow my <a href="http://www.theharvestseries.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">blog</span></a> (3 entries)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> I will be using Rafflecopter so that the drawing
is random, <b><i>but the more entries, the more chances you have to win!!</i></b>
WIN WHAT YOU ASK... scroll down to find out!!</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"> 1<span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Laura%20LaTulipe" datetime="2014-02-18T15:21"> </ins></span>GRAND
PRIZE WINNER:</span></b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"> will receive a signed copy of <i>EVERY</i> book in
the series (as the titles become available), a Harvest Series button,
bookmarks, a keychain<span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Laura%20LaTulipe" datetime="2014-02-18T15:20">,</ins></span> and your choice of a signed Harvest
Series Poster or Harvest Moon poster!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Laura%20LaTulipe" datetime="2014-02-18T15:21">2 </ins></span>FIRST
PLACE WINNERS:</span></b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"> will receive signed copies of both Harvest
Moon & Winter Solstice<span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Laura%20LaTulipe" datetime="2014-02-18T15:20"> </ins></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">and
</b>bookmarks!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">7<span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Laura%20LaTulipe" datetime="2014-02-18T15:21"> </ins></span>LUCKY
WINNERS:</span></b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"> will receive Kindle or Nook digital copies of Harvest Moon
&Winter Solstice!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">The Giveaway will stay open until
March 17, 2014 (Harvest Moon's 1st Birthday)</span></b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Winners
will be announced on March 20th</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265372027458515674.post-9122017086226073052014-02-16T20:44:00.001-05:002014-02-16T21:41:28.554-05:00Exclusive Winter Solstice Teasers....<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The wait is almost over... Winter Solstice (The Harvest Series, #2), will be here soon, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">but until then, enjoy these</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i> Exclusive Teasers</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlLVnX-ZkktfUTPFrA1kBPh-ZqJE0i0WbfIUOgu4mtgmIg_hyphenhyphenQo5JhSAk437Li2HRkHZnO8ENQ94liML0DfRvbrluS_OWo-4vpuij0eXcS-ph4ju8ooDiDocuPVfXeV3OBfDHJ184rnY/s1600/lexie+spoiler+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlLVnX-ZkktfUTPFrA1kBPh-ZqJE0i0WbfIUOgu4mtgmIg_hyphenhyphenQo5JhSAk437Li2HRkHZnO8ENQ94liML0DfRvbrluS_OWo-4vpuij0eXcS-ph4ju8ooDiDocuPVfXeV3OBfDHJ184rnY/s1600/lexie+spoiler+photo.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPmdhh4xAqbDVNudCpR21G_SdzhYXq92yy-dVs0jasA6q9vcnxWTvcZ75Eg48MZzdKen2k6QLZVxqYM-KzJ1D-NZYZ-ZMaZeZfau_XYFrod5u80_NkscXluQJb785Vy_BQGoGfTOY_z4/s1600/IMG_0269.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPmdhh4xAqbDVNudCpR21G_SdzhYXq92yy-dVs0jasA6q9vcnxWTvcZ75Eg48MZzdKen2k6QLZVxqYM-KzJ1D-NZYZ-ZMaZeZfau_XYFrod5u80_NkscXluQJb785Vy_BQGoGfTOY_z4/s1600/IMG_0269.jpeg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'd love to hear your thoughts on Harvest Moon and Winter Solstice, so please take a moment and say what's on your mind... I read all of my comments and I promise, if you take the time to bare your soul, I will be sure to do the same! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265372027458515674.post-20615713761627904232014-01-31T09:13:00.000-05:002014-01-31T09:19:31.973-05:00Harvest Moon (The Harvest Series, #1)(2nd. Ed. Revised) is set for Release February 1, 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84tyFMAEYD-QcCBvbQRpb__A7thvSa4miqi8qbtt5lkz30RhwskNR6ucD3gqc8QjJQUcNVPumn8PMGjeda96b7D1i2bgT0LI8AVJ2MceYi0-8-D-gIkIry28gT1uFTnVsVQvsrbDAjK8/s1600/Harvest-Moon.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/AVvXsEh84tyFMAEYD-QcCBvbQRpb__A7thvSa4miqi8qbtt5lkz30RhwskNR6ucD3gqc8QjJQUcNVPumn8PMGjeda96b7D1i2bgT0LI8AVJ2MceYi0-8-D-gIkIry28gT1uFTnVsVQvsrbDAjK8/s1600/Harvest-Moon.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Harvest Moon (The Harvest Series, #1)</i> will be available for purchase once again, in paperback and ebook on Saturday February 1, 2014. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This newly revised edition has a beautiful new cover, new interior layout and has been fully re-edited. (Judy Davison: Illustrator, Laura Latulipe: Editor) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We also added some exciting new stuff to the website - photos, character descriptions, and a <i>Harvest Moon</i> soundtrack. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.theharvestseries.blogspot.com/p/the-harvest-series_19.html"><i>The Harvest Series</i> page</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://theharvestseries.blogspot.com/p/harvest-moon.html"><i>Harvest Moon</i> page</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Please help us spread the word about <i>Harvest Moon</i> and if you liked it, please leave us comments here and share your thoughts!! I love to hear from you and take every comment seriously and I will take the time to respond to every one of them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Also, if you enjoyed the book and you're willing to help, please feel free to write a review for Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads and/or iBookstore. For Indie authors, like me, we rely on reviews to help get our books into more hands. Without you our stories would never be told! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Winter Solstice</i> (The Harvest Series, #2) will be available for sale later this year. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1uj6fpR1LNn7ZcAykMKwAKTUXI6HsYTVHuxpJpLJB2P7I-jbN2X0Q6aI-5V-7Lahp0kgqtv5dqGMC_5-bBZ6KMNjzNHvWeHbRqW9tenb7m3eXQ-SfV4jt1G31RooitiBC6ZkvhmtozjM/s1600/Winter-Solstice.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/AVvXsEi1uj6fpR1LNn7ZcAykMKwAKTUXI6HsYTVHuxpJpLJB2P7I-jbN2X0Q6aI-5V-7Lahp0kgqtv5dqGMC_5-bBZ6KMNjzNHvWeHbRqW9tenb7m3eXQ-SfV4jt1G31RooitiBC6ZkvhmtozjM/s1600/Winter-Solstice.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265372027458515674.post-24504991471090515142013-10-21T17:18:00.000-04:002013-10-21T19:45:33.068-04:00What It Means to Come from a Dysfunctional Family<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought for the first issue we could discuss what it means to come from a dysfunctional family. Obviously this is something Lexie can relate to as well as millions of us out in the real world; therefore, it seemed like a great place to start. Since this is the first of my "Issues Series" I feel it's necessary to explain a few things. I will break it up into <i><b>The Facts</b></i>, where I will discuss relevant articles or stories I have read on the topic and then I will provide <i><b>My Thoughts</b></i>. <u>My thoughts are to be taken as just that</u>. While I have a plethora of personal first-hand experience, I do not want my thoughts to be misconstrued. These are my own opinions based on what I have seen occur within myself, those close to me or others who I know have dealt with similar issues. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEHJ6dttHidju3dgxv_EFFkPyljt5b7eZWivBit6wrfXmpLvGb04_fOpAA5pZH-hfr_KNznlUryZJ1XQ1rCiyQY_FvBUvz1R_h0jTTtiXOXGWmqNruQSElSML39_vi3R5mTxNSNoRUp8/s1600/dysfunctional-family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEHJ6dttHidju3dgxv_EFFkPyljt5b7eZWivBit6wrfXmpLvGb04_fOpAA5pZH-hfr_KNznlUryZJ1XQ1rCiyQY_FvBUvz1R_h0jTTtiXOXGWmqNruQSElSML39_vi3R5mTxNSNoRUp8/s320/dysfunctional-family.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>The Facts:</u></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I read two different articles, both of which brought up great points. In the first article, "The Eight Most Common Characteristics of a Dysfunctional Family" by Steven Moneyworth, he states that, our culture today looks very different than it did fifty years ago. What seemed idyllic and normal back then is no longer typical and what would have been classified as possibly dysfunctional then, would probably be more common today. What is more important than the ever changing roles of the nuclear family is what sets differing family dynamics apart from those that are truly dysfunctional and the ways in which different children learn to cope. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the second article, "Understanding Dysfunctional Family Roles" by Ruthie Gold, She describes four specific roles that children fall into when living in families with severe dysfunction. Lets first look at the characteristics. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The eight common characteristics of dysfunctional families, according to Moneyworth include:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Addiction</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Control</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. Unpredictability & Fear</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Conflict</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. Abuse</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6. Perfectionism</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7. Poor Communication</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8. Lack of Diversity</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we relate this to Harvest moon, we can clearly see that Lexie's life fits the mold of dysfunction in 7 of the 8 characteristics (Which I have highlighted) and I know from personal experience this is not uncommon. I can say with total honesty that my own family fit into all 7 of those same areas as Lexie, which is probably what made writing from her perspective so easy for me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now lets take a look at these 7 characteristics individually. </span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Addiction</u></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">is the most prominent cause of a dysfunctional family.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Drugs and/or alcohol abuse cause communication issues within families, financial problems, and can also lead to conflict, abuse, poor communication and unpredictability and fear. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Control</u></b> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">is often seen "when one family member dominates his or her family and can be from spouse to spouse or from parent to child. Control typically</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> results in emotional 'stunting' and may make people feel as if they are not entitled to an opinion or to a life of their own." One way that control can manifest is by causing family members to feel guilty for "wanting to step outside the box." </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Moneyworth, 2009).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Unpredictability & Fear</u></b> are two characteristics that go hand in hand and can be brought on by a single family member or multiple. Unpredictability can be the result of numerous factors, such as conflict, financial difficulties, emotional issues and so on. The dysfunction occurs when the family member elicits fear and unpredictability on other members of the family. When combined with substance abuse issues or severe </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">conflict, abuse is often seen. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Conflict</u></b> within a dysfunctional family is one of the most obvious characteristics. Moneyworth (2009) explains that some degree of conflict within the family structure is normal and even expected. But when that conflict is continuous or heated this is where the line is crossed. "If a serious argument erupts over slight misunderstandings on a frequent and unyielding basis, there is a good chance that there is a certain level of dysfunction."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">Abuse</u> like control, can be spouse to spouse, parent to child, or even sibling to sibling and can manifest as either physical or emotional and is a major indicator of dysfunction. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Poor Communication</u></b> when "strained, ineffective, or nonexistent" is another important sign of </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">dysfunction. This characteristic typically occurs throughout the family due to members not being able to properly voice their wants and needs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Lack of Diversity</u></b> "refers primarily to differences in interests and beliefs between family members. A lack of diversity usually occurs in families where there are children, though some people may be emotionally quashed in romantic relationships to the point where they adopt all of the interests of their partner" (Moneyworth, 2009).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Furthermore, as a result of these characteristics, children take on specific roles to help them cope with the dysfunction within their home. These roles include:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. <b>The Hero:</b> is the responsible child in the family unit who often times takes on more responsibility than one or both parents. They get good grades, are typically popular and they excel in whatever he or she takes on. "The parents use this child as proof that they are good parents. On the inside the hero is insecure, and requires a lot of positive attention to make up for their inner emotional deficit. They generally grow up to be successful adults, although they generally continue to feel inadequate" (Gold, 2009). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. <b>The Scapegoat:</b> is the child the family typically wants to hide. They are </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">always acting out, getting into trouble or causing additional conflict. They figure even negative attention is better than no attention at all and use this tactic to their advantage. This child typically has problems in school and is the most emotional and sensitive. They take things personally and get their feelings easily hurt. In addition, the scapegoat is the most likely to have their own problems with substance abuse, have a teen pregnancy or troubles with the law. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. <b>The Caretaker:</b> is the child that acts as the families distraction. They allow the family something else to focus on besides their own dysfunction. Typically characterized as the class clown who gives both emotionally and physically. "They often try to 'save' other people, from themselves or from their bad situations. This is the child that is most likely to grow up to be co-dependent, continuing the cycle of dysfunction" (Gold, 2009). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. <b>The Lost Child:</b> is the child that escapes the dysfunction with "escapism". They put on a facade of not being emotional, they tend to zone out or daydream. They are often shy and/or anti-social. "This child is likely to become an artist, as dysfunction in real life is usually a great outlet for art" (Gold, 2009).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWE2m905IKljEic43mvYEgsVhqKfG_BZUekla20mhTZmUo8Vg0ZF00X39Za0UZyZ_s60MLM9qrPSzgk8JCTP5o4VxBrWkP5go7epHOf6cNNMVRmgjBwlimytnO4rQkT_ceNuy6GfTSXLQ/s1600/gty_Dysfunctional_family_thg_120307_wb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWE2m905IKljEic43mvYEgsVhqKfG_BZUekla20mhTZmUo8Vg0ZF00X39Za0UZyZ_s60MLM9qrPSzgk8JCTP5o4VxBrWkP5go7epHOf6cNNMVRmgjBwlimytnO4rQkT_ceNuy6GfTSXLQ/s320/gty_Dysfunctional_family_thg_120307_wb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>My Thoughts:</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let me first start by saying that Gold (2009) points out that children can change roles while living in a dysfunctional family and I could not agree more. I also would go a step further and say that depending on the level of dysfunction and/or the characteristics that are present within the family, children may take on traits of more than one role. I read a book years ago called "Perfect Daughters: Adult Daughters of Alcoholics" by Robert Ackerman and in his book he explained something very similar. He argued that children in these types of environments can take on numerous roles and often do so as a way of coping. When I first read some of the roles in Ackerman's book as well as in Gold's article I thought to myself that while I fit one more than the others, there were definite traits I saw in myself from several of the roles. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Coming from a dysfunctional family I can say that these roles have severely shaped me as an adult. Some are not as obvious as others and some don't even appear to be negative characteristics or traits, but... I will touch on this more in a moment, l</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">et me first share some of my thoughts on the characteristics and roles of dysfunction and how I feel they relate to Harvest moon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think that it's often difficult for people outside the realm of a dysfunctional family to truly understand. One of my beta readers for Harvest moon came to me at some point and said, "I finally understand why I can't relate to Lexie. I never grew up in a family like that. My family was more like Caitlin's, so I was having a hard time relating or understanding her, but now I get it. I can understand her secrecy and her unwillingness to trust." Trust is a huge thing for children like Lexie. Even when you have a few very close friends who you know love you, you still can't bring yourself to rationalize telling them the truth. Fear, self-doubt, and insecurity that typically accompany trust issues always win. And even in circumstances where you do tell someone, there is often some apprehension from them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I experienced this all the time while I was growing up. My friends, who I willingly or unwillingly (they witnessed it accidentally) let into my circle of trust, would often have a difficult time understanding the realities of what my siblings and I had to face. Some even tried to downplay the situation, because on the surface my family was loving and kind. It's the stuff that happens behind closed doors that is often difficult to swallow. With that said, I believe that children learn to keep their secrets partially from fear of being judged, being bullied, or not being allowed to associate with certain people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Children and adults are undoubtedly cruel with issues they don't understand and dysfunction is no different. I had friends who couldn't handle the realities of my life, as well as parents of several friends or boyfriends who didn't know how to separate me from my family situation. This is torture for a child of any age. It creates low self-esteem, trust issues, relationship insecurities, and in some children it fuels the desire for perfectionism in ways that can be unhealthy, which brings me back to the point I started to make earlier. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I mentioned before, Lexie experienced 7 of the 8 characteristics within her own home, which resulted in the behaviors we saw in her particular character. These characteristics can and often do shape who these children will become as adults. Even the ones who essentially escape, who "step outside the box" or break the so called cycle of dysfunction, are not without their scars. They may be able to hide them well, but they are there, hidden beneath the surface or masked by some behavior that to others looks normal. What I mean by this is the tendency for some children of dysfunction to become over-achievers, perfectionists, or extremely frugal about finances. To an ordinary person, these qualities may even be envied, but the root of it is still tangled up in dysfunction. They were created as a coping mechanism to mask insecurities and doubts of self-worth that may exist. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As for Lexie, her secretive behavior and her anti-social tendencies outside of her close circle of friends, shows us the realities of this. She was a straight A student who holds down a job, plays sports and thrives in her own social circle. She is the epitome of Golds description of the hero, yet the other dysfunctions that exist in her home create a blending of multiple roles that have shaped who she is as an adolescent. So while Lexie appears as the perfect daughter from a loving family that has simply experienced great loss, she has learned to hide her true self from the world, which is not completely uncommon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More often than not, conflict, abuse, fear and unpredictability go hand in hand with substance abuse. Any child who has grown up in a home with parents who abuse drugs or alcohol can probably attest to this and share some graphic and horrifying stories. It's how the secrets are kept. Shortly after releasing Harvest moon I had a reviewer state that the storyline was unbelievable because Lexie kept her abuse a secret for so long and that there was no way her friends didn't know. It is for this reason and so many others, that I decided to start writing issues posts. This is one of the myths/stereotypes I want to clarify because it is SO important. According to a study published in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, "The number of victims of abuse who never reveal their secret or who wait many years to do so is very high." More importantly, they go on to argue that most victims of abuse wait five years or more before coming forward. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The main reason for keeping this kind of secret you ask? 85% of female victims and 89% of male victims are abused by someone they know; therefore the consequences of coming forward carry more weight. In addition, the abuser typically uses control or fear to prevent the child from coming forward. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now I know that this doesn't answer all of the questions and veers slightly off topic in some regard, but I think that when we are talking about characteristics of dysfunctional families we have to explore some of the ways they effect those involved. Abuse is at the top of that list. Another thing I wanted to point out, that relates directly to Lexie's character was from a study that stated, "keeping a major secret didn't necessarily cause psychological problems, but rather that the kind of person who is secretive might be more prone to these issues. Presumably coming from a family with poor communication might make a child more secretive, and it seems possible that the actual secret of abuse might be less damaging than the feeling that one has no one to talk to" (North, 2010). I honestly believe from my own experience that children who grown up in dysfunctional homes are more likely to be secretive and untrusting, even with those closest to them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On a finally note, I must point out that while many friends and family members outside the home may be unaware of the dysfunction, perpetuating the secrets and lies that inevitably go round, children within the home are not. Parents who abuse drugs often disillusion themselves into believing that their children have no idea about their extra curricular activities. But the reality is, children typically know at an early age. Children are not oblivious to the warning signs of drug use; ie. being secretive, lying, holding up in some room of the house where the drug use typically occurs, poor financial conditions, or of course the obvious other dysfunctions that occur as a result. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can understand how someone who has never lived in a truly dysfunctional home environment might read a story like Lexie's and feel there is no way it could happen like that, but it can and more importantly, IT DOES!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you for taking the time to read my first Issues Post. It is my intent to provide some clarity and understanding of social issues that affect not only the characters in my books, but everyday people like you and me and to give us a place where we can talk openly and honestly about them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Below are a few links to books or articles that I found helpful. Coming from a dysfunctional family myself, I can appreciate the need to understand, a desire to move forward, and finding the ability to break the cycle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Links:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://psychcentral.com/lib/adult-children-of-dysfunctional-families/00017543"><span style="color: #741b47;">Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families </span></a> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://psychcentral.com/library/id23.html"><span style="color: #741b47;">Why Dysfunctional Families Stay That Way</span></a></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.christianbook.com/perfect-daughters-adult-of-alcoholics/robert-ackerman/9781558749528/pd/49527?dv=c&en=google-pla&kw=family-0-20&p=1167941&gclid=CMX4x_GwqLoCFcnm7AodphQAXg"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perfect Daughters: Adult Daughters of Alcoholics</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Please feel free to share your thoughts, comments or stories with me. This is a safe zone and no judgements or put-downs will be tolerated. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Sources: </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Steven Moneyworth (2009, May 12). The Eight Most Common Characteristics of a Dysfunctional Family. Yahoo Voices, (http://voices.yahoo.com/the-eight-most-common-characteristics-dysfunctional-3288568.html?cat=25).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ruthie Gold (2009, May 12). Understanding Dysfunctional Family Roles. Yahoo Voices, (http://voices.yahoo.com/understanding-dysfunctional-family-roles-3292396.html?cat=25)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anna North (2010, January 22). "It's Time To Tell:" Many Keep Childhood Abuse A Secret Forever. Secrets & Lies, (http://jezebel.com/5454547/its-time-to-tell-many-keep-childhood-abuse-a-secret-forever)</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265372027458515674.post-6986985924122004112013-10-18T08:17:00.000-04:002013-10-18T08:23:28.477-04:00The Harvest Series Has Merchandise!!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Come and get your Harvest Series & Harvest Moon merchandise at the Harvest Series Shop by Zazzle!!
We have <b>pins, keychains, necklaces, posters, phone covers, post cards, and even stamps.</b> If there is something you would like (<u>coffee mug, mouse pad, t-shirt etc</u>) and you don't see it, please contact me and I will do my best to get it for you!</span><br />
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<script language="javascript" src="http://www.zazzle.com/api/zp/zpanel?zp=117996135283279493"></script><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you would like your item autographed, please contact me before you purchase it so that we can make arrangements. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Coming Soon:</b> Winter Solstice Merchandise!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/harvestseriesshop">The Harvest Series Shop</a></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265372027458515674.post-54084783337406438072013-10-17T11:15:00.000-04:002013-10-17T11:15:06.619-04:00Some Exciting Changes Are On The Way!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4jJvE4DytZU7APq8OShbH7aIAL4qVCFqW_HjpaIox_AHTcbvtNfmL2sizyenKPV0pomEz4g1p3Isacc5JEq-EMtvMVOb7wbi1SIpuxFO2lUvSg4Ft6sGkq879TXvcRhNRNxNG5AEbhA/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4jJvE4DytZU7APq8OShbH7aIAL4qVCFqW_HjpaIox_AHTcbvtNfmL2sizyenKPV0pomEz4g1p3Isacc5JEq-EMtvMVOb7wbi1SIpuxFO2lUvSg4Ft6sGkq879TXvcRhNRNxNG5AEbhA/s320/Slide1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some exciting changes are about to happen to my author page. First, I will be merging www.turnthepagebookblog.blogspot.com with this blog to make things more efficient for myself. Also, I figured this would be a better way to stay connected with all of you. One blog to keep up on everything. </div>
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Second, in addition to merging the sites and continuing on with my Indie book reviews I will also be adding an area where I will discuss articles relating to some of the social issues dealt with in my books. I will pick a topic each week or month (I have yet to decide on the frequency as of now) and then I will share my thoughts on this topic and relate it not only to The Harvest Series, but also to young adults today, in the hopes that you will all share your thoughts and feelings... or anything you want really.</div>
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I truly believe this will be a great way to educate and discuss the realities of issues such as physical abuse and keeping secrets, dysfunctional families and how they affect teens in school, their personal/romantic lives, and their decision making. I have had some feedback from readers asking about the truth behind my story and while some of it does comes from my own personal experience, it is fictional, but NOT unrealistic by any means. Children, the elderly, significant others... they all choose to keep the secret of being abused everyday, and the reasons behind their choice is often hard for some of us to swallow, yet it happens. </div>
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WITH THAT SAID, my goal is to make people aware of the facts of these issues as well as breakdown any barriers, discuss and debunk the myths and stereotypes that exist in the hopes that we can help even one person who feels as scared and alone as Lexie did, feel more empowered and less alone. </div>
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Third, WE HAVE A WEB DOMAIN!!!! www.meganmccooey.com is officially registered and under construction. For now it is forwarded to this page, so if you type in the web address above it will bring you right here. This blog WILL NOT be taken down once the website is up, it will be linked and still very accessible. I have my wonderful and gracious cousin <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mduerden?fref=ts">MIKE DUERDEN</a> to thank for his generosity in offering to build my website for me!! YAY MIKE! I am excited to get to work with Mike on setting up the site and sharing it with you all. If anyone has any suggestions, I am always ears wide open! </div>
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And finally, I am in the process of setting up several book signing events, which I mentioned briefly in my last post. However, I wanted to share that my wonderful wonderful graphic designer Judy Davison has made me some incredible bookmarks and posters. I am so excited to share them with you really soon. As for the signings, as soon as I have dates and times locked in I will be sure to post all of the details as well as ask for your help spreading the word!! </div>
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I will keep this site up and running as I begin to shift and merge everything... so please be patient with me until everything is complete. </div>
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Thanks for all the love and support!!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265372027458515674.post-47596362760717133912013-10-14T23:41:00.001-04:002013-10-15T08:58:57.199-04:00Harvest moon (2nd Ed) coming soon...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagxo0bJzaQyp72cFyNgtbTJmAyED4Ne9_qf6X-r82IxJSSJjkDu4x6JfUyByev2maDPL7p-ATz3EhcfK7ZejIX1-X90eltxjjKE-fMziIG_znEkJMsbuOB-w88J2HerHZ1Rpr5XmQnVE/s1600/Harvest-Moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagxo0bJzaQyp72cFyNgtbTJmAyED4Ne9_qf6X-r82IxJSSJjkDu4x6JfUyByev2maDPL7p-ATz3EhcfK7ZejIX1-X90eltxjjKE-fMziIG_znEkJMsbuOB-w88J2HerHZ1Rpr5XmQnVE/s400/Harvest-Moon.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Harvest moon has a brand new look!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A 2nd edition of Harvest moon will be released soon and I cannot tell you how excited I am. The new cover art and series logo, by Judy Davison, has me completely giddy!! The addition of my wonderful, incredible editor, Laura LaTulipe has made my love for Harvest moon grow more than I knew possible not only because of her ability to make me a better writer, but also because of her love for HM as well. I think she said it best when she said, when all the edits were done she was going to, and I quote "pimp the hell out of it!" LOL... This made my day, no, this made my week! </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Something to know about me, if you don't already, is that I am such an impatient person by nature and what <i>I</i> know now is that writing is something that requires more than just mere patience. The process of writing is simply the first and possibly the hardest part, but certainly only the beginning. I am learning that there is so much more that goes into the finished product that ends up in the hands of readers, just like me. I may learn patience in this life after all. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; text-align: justify;">With this said, I must say that I am thankful to everyone who read HM and gave me your feedback. It's not easy reading your own work several dozen times and seeing mistakes - regardless of how big or small. Also, to Judy Davison for listening to what I wanted and giving me so much more with the beautiful covers (oh yeah we have the cover for Winter Solstice that will be posted very shortly) as well as the fantastic logo! And Laura, well for everything I mentioned before... Thank you for all that you have already taught me, everything I am sure you will teach me and thank you for helping me make my first novel something to be truly proud of. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; text-align: justify;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFF_gakNESzoUTuEPQ48LhMfV8qIRhlS0SWiJY285iNUlT1oW9ZLyVMOWrelE2uGCh5zhMSGGlOjSDKM_JK4QD9FyWydZCvsX3AfoFDMzm6e9VC-gzUv_mixtK-rRVmLpnFsgX5PPXPmw/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFF_gakNESzoUTuEPQ48LhMfV8qIRhlS0SWiJY285iNUlT1oW9ZLyVMOWrelE2uGCh5zhMSGGlOjSDKM_JK4QD9FyWydZCvsX3AfoFDMzm6e9VC-gzUv_mixtK-rRVmLpnFsgX5PPXPmw/s320/Slide1.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know I have said it before, but my love for writing started with my love for reading. That love will never fade and neither will my love for writing. I love getting reviews, messages, and comments from all of you and hearing how much you loved Lexie, Caitlin, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Maya and Ben. I am excited that so many of you are just as excited as I am about Winter Solstice and I assure you I have been working hard to finish it, because I cannot wait to get it into your hands. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I hope you enjoy the new cover, The Harvest Series logo and all of the internal tweaks and additions. One of which is the link to our new Pinterest page. If you haven't checked it out yet, please do... just search for Megan McCooey. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Also, I am hoping to do some book signings over the next year. I will be sure to post dates and cities as they are added. Let me know if you hear of an author event in your area and I will be sure to look into joining. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thanks again for reading HM!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Megan </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265372027458515674.post-13459495919717248322013-08-07T09:49:00.000-04:002013-10-17T15:36:20.646-04:00A Much Needed Hiatus....Hello Everyone,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jAq9sA0T7uNH6BOnKe-MGSWYjR6tBZaTZsBMavvCGSVXCUDrsdrBalQkskbbXHtk45i33V_aoJ0UaAbUiYk_J1tNQkLsLpJnMV0kGU6dj9NRX4K96L5G4t_nNUBLzXQkD9sb7YJjSxs/s1600/hiatus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jAq9sA0T7uNH6BOnKe-MGSWYjR6tBZaTZsBMavvCGSVXCUDrsdrBalQkskbbXHtk45i33V_aoJ0UaAbUiYk_J1tNQkLsLpJnMV0kGU6dj9NRX4K96L5G4t_nNUBLzXQkD9sb7YJjSxs/s1600/hiatus.jpg" /></a></div>
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So I meant to actually post on here back in June that I was taking a much needed hiatus from blogging to work on some of my own writing, but with the end of one job, vacation, and the start of another job... well lets just say that never happened. I have been getting a ton of review requests and I am going to start getting back into reviewing Indie Authors and getting some new stuff posted on here. I will do my best to get everyone who requested a review taken care of in the next month or so, but I am in the process of getting ready to release a second edition of my first book, Harvest Moon, as well as writing my second book, Winter Solstice. </div>
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I am thankful to everyone who has reached out to Turn The Page and stayed loyal even while I was away. I take reviewing very seriously - I know from an authors perspective what it means to read someone's opinion, so believe me when I say I am back and ready to start fresh. My hiatus was a time for me to clear my head, think some things through (especially from a reviewers point of view), and get some of my own writing done. </div>
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I will be putting my Manic Monday on hold until I get caught up with all of the backlogged reviews I have. Since my partner never ended up coming on board, due to her schedule, I have a LOT of work to do. So bare with me over the coming weeks and I promise to bring you some fantastic new books from up and coming new Indie Authors!!! </div>
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Thanks, </div>
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Megan </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265372027458515674.post-47224371358121113842013-06-17T20:24:00.000-04:002013-10-17T15:06:03.086-04:00DYING TO FORGET (BOOK # 1 OF THE STATION SERIES)!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMszGEe5KpPEj65acX_yX2DpmntKSKpqyaOMj6zeZiY1k0CRKLl4ciMfjF5pTvKyzUHmcJlFcm0BA71aXtWD6Knnyoo4MSZvHUnC2G0jKcrkSsaWE4RmS7sXtjg49e-fMe_gS_jPA9Kl8/s1600/station+series.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/AVvXsEgMszGEe5KpPEj65acX_yX2DpmntKSKpqyaOMj6zeZiY1k0CRKLl4ciMfjF5pTvKyzUHmcJlFcm0BA71aXtWD6Knnyoo4MSZvHUnC2G0jKcrkSsaWE4RmS7sXtjg49e-fMe_gS_jPA9Kl8/s320/station+series.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">"...With trembling fingers, I reach up and touch the hard and chiseled contours of his chest while Ryan's large and strong hands roam over my entire body, feeling and squeezing everything. I've never been touched like this before and my insides are starting to freak out.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">"I want you, Piper," he murmurs into my neck.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">My mouth drops open in surprise and even though my brain seems to be telling me to jump and run out of the room, I’m unable to move, stuck firmly to the same place on the mattress. With my nerves on high alert, I glance at the door repeatedly, sure that someone will come bursting through it at any second but the steady thumping of the music downstairs reminds me that no one can hear what is happening in this room. No one cares that Ryan Burke took me, of all people, into a bedroom. That realization hits me suddenly. Oh. My. God. What am I doing here?"</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: left;">Piper Willow dies the summer after her high school graduation but she doesn’t make it to Heaven or Hell…instead she finds herself in a spiritual terminal called the Station. She’s given only two choices: Return to Earth as the subconscious for a person in need of some outside assistance, or move on and spend an eternity lost in her own sorrow and pain. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Does Piper have what it takes to save a life - to be the nagging voice inside someone else’s head - or will she fail and end up lost and tormented in limbo...forever?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #990000;">Author:</b> Trish Marie Dawson </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #990000;">Title: </b>Dying To Forget(Book #1 of The Station Series) </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #990000;">Genre: </b>Young Adult>Fantasy>Paranormal</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #990000;">Publication Date: </b>August 2012</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Links to Purchase: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008S2RKAU?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B008S2RKAU&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2" style="color: #797979; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dying-to-forget-book-1-of-the-station-series-trish-marie-dawson/1115516880?ean=2940044555556" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></span><span style="color: #666666;"></span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-weight: bold;">Reviewer: </span>Megan</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>My Review: 4 out of 5 stars</b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;">This will probably be my shortest review... not because I wasn't a fan of the book, but because it's a book that you can easily give spoilers away if you talk too much about it. So, here is what I can tell you - it was a fast, fun read. The concept was interesting and kept me intrigued enough to finish it in one sitting and even convinced me to buy the second book in this series within minutes of finishing.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"> The circumstances around Piper's death, at first, was unsettling to me, but the author did a really good job of explaining the spiritual terminal called "The Station". In fact, it was pretty creative. I liked the main character. I felt for her. The events or difficulties that led to her death were hard. Having personal experience with losing someone (a best friend), I can relate to Piper's devastation over her loss. And as a girl, I can relate to the other <i>things</i> she goes through. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;">At one point, I did find myself thinking "this is way too easy... things are just falling into place for her too much." I continued to feel this way the more Piper interacted with others around her.... however, it is the way the first book ends and the second begins (there is a preview of the first chapter of the second book in book 1) that made me realize the story was just beginning for Piper. What might have appeared to be <i>too easy</i> for Piper, just might prove to be the opposite. I enjoyed the story and the authors take on a difficult topic and I am looking forward to reading the second and even the third book (set to be released in July 2013) in this series. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;">** Ps. The author's end note also made an impact on me. Like I said, this was a difficult topic and I truly feel like she put an interesting, thought provoking, twist to it and in her message, she makes it clear what her intentions were or were not. </span></span></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265372027458515674.post-17322446233091951092013-06-17T20:00:00.000-04:002013-10-17T15:36:47.760-04:00Manic Monday #9<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Manic Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Turn The Page where we get to decide who the </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So before we get to this weeks Manic Monday Feature, I must tell you all that as of now (and not permanently) I am limiting my Manic Monday's to the first Monday of every month. At this point, with my really really hectic work schedule, my own writing, and all the books I am reviewing - the weekly Manic Monday is getting to be too much. I am just not finding the time to read each of the featured books in the week it wins and I want to be fair to those requesting my review. Once my work schedule settles down a bit and I am closer to finishing <a href="http://theharvestseries.blogspot.com/">Winter Solstice: Book #2 of The Harvest Series</a> I will resume my weekly Manic Monday features. I will still be reviewing Invisible and this weeks winner as well, before I switch to the monthly feature. Thanks for hanging in there and supporting TTP! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Glimpse - Stacey Wallace Benefiel</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Congratulations Stacey!!</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Review Coming Soon! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Monday July 1, 2013 </span></b></span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Manic Monday Picks</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">1. Eternal Eden (Book #1 Eden Trilogy)- Nicole Williams</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">2. Be Always On My Side - Nicola Starks</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">3. Me Again - Keith Cronin</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">The Winner will be announced on Monday July 1, 2013 and new Indie Authors will be selected for the August feature. </span></span></div>
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<b style="color: #333333; font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">* If you've read it, tell us what you thought and tell me</span></b><b style="color: #333333; font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> which book should be chosen as our Manic Monday Indie/Self-Published Author Feature for Week #10</span></b><br />
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<b style="color: #333333; font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Also, Tell me if you've found outstanding Indie books (for FREE or PAID) that you think deserve a spotlight in our Manic Monday. </span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265372027458515674.post-42344336699605019382013-06-14T16:43:00.000-04:002013-10-17T16:00:56.694-04:00INTERVIEW with Indie author KAREN AVIVI (SHREDDED) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Lets Meet Karen Avivi, Author of <a href="http://turnthepagebookblog.blogspot.ca/2013/05/shredded.html"><span style="color: #990000;">SHREDDED!</span></a></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Karen Avivi spent her childhood in Concord, Massachusetts where she lived within walking distance of Thoreau’s hut, learned to swim in Walden Pond, and attended Alcott Elementary school. She spent her teen years in the Chicago suburbs where she wished her life were more like a John Hughes movie. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Karen has tried surfing, skydiving, scuba diving, stunt classes, archery, winter camping, orienteering, mountaineering, mountain biking, and she even attempted a bike ramp once, but it didn’t end well. If she's not reading or writing, she’s usually planning a new adventure.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">A Message from Megan: </span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I</span> had the distinct pleasure of working with Karen while reviewing Shredded, her high adrenaline contemporary YA novel about Josie, a fearless BMX rider/competitor. I had so much fun reading the book and writing the review that I just had to ask Karen to take time out of her busy life to chat with us. This story really struck a cord with me since I was not only a skateboarder, but also a freestyle rollerblader as well. I know first hand the implications for girls in these predominantly "boy" sports. The fearlessness that one has to posses is substantial and must be present in order to prevent injuries. I praise Karen on her diligent research, her willingness to "fall down" - literally, all with the hopes of bringing the most authentic characters to you in Shredded. From the very first page until the last line, Shredded will keep you entertained and wanting to know more about this high adrenaline - fringe sports world of girl BMX riders... and I assure you, <i>you </i>will not be disappointed!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; text-align: left;">I was fascinated and enthralled reading some of Karen's answers... I can honestly say that Karen is one Indie author I will be adding to me "favorites" list and I look forward to reading more of her upcoming high-adrenanline contemporary young adult novels! Without further ado, let me introduce you to Karen Avivi. (<a href="http://turnthepagebookblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/shredded.html">See my full review of Shredded here</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>Turn The Page's Cozy Chat with Karen Avivi, Indie Author of Shredded</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #990000;">1. What inspired you to start writing?</span></b></span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">I'm not one of those authors who always wanted to be a writer. I wanted to be a flight attendant. Travel, adventure, always on the go... it looked like the best job in the </span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">world. Fortunately for airline passengers, my dream of serving drinks and pushing carts at high altitudes was not to be. The eyesight requirements wouldn't even allow me to send in an application. A brief stint with waitressing a few years later showed that jobs involving serving the general public were not a good fit for me. </span></li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">The first time I seriously thought about writing a novel was after reading One for the Money by Janet Evanvich. I was going through one of those "is this what I really want to be doing with my life?" phases, and that book was such a fun escape, I decided that writing novels was something I wanted to learn how to do. </span></li>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">2. What inspired you to write Shredded?</span></b></span></span><br />
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">I had a seventeen-year-old female character in mine, and I wanted her to do an individual fringe sport-not a school team sport. A friend's daughter is into motocross and when I was looking at her sport I stumbled onto girl's BMX and kept clicking and clicking and thinking wow, I didn't know girls did this. Girl's BMX grabbed my interested and made it a lot of fun to research and write the book.</span></li>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">3. How did you come up with the title Shredded?</span></b></span></span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">I didn't come up with the title. Roxanne St. Claire did, and I am extremely grateful.</span></li>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">4. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?</span></b></span></span><br />
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">The only thing I'd like to resonate with readers is that <b>you are the only judge who matters.</b> Not parents, friends or even judges. At the end of the day it's how you feel about yourself that's important. It sounds simple, but it's easy to forget, and most </span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">people I know struggle with other people's expectations well past their teen years.</span></span></li>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>5. Is the premise of the book (girl BMX riders) based on your own experience, someone you know or just a passion you had?</b></span></span></span><br />
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">I enjoy individual sports like scuba diving, cycling, and kayaking. I like to mix sports and travel, like going on a dive vacation or a multi-day cycling trip or kayak camping down a river. The fewer rules and more opportunities for adventure and fun, the better. For Shredded, I wanted a fringe sport with a no rules attitude that hadn't already been done several times in novels. When I found girls' BMX, I liked the way that girls from around the world are supporting each other since there are so few of them in the sport. </span></li>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>6. Tell us a little about the cover.</b></span></span></span><br />
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">A friend of mine is an athlete and a professional graphic designer, so she was the perfect fit to do Shredded. I told her I didn't want a decapitated girl on the cover, and I didn't want it to look like a romance. I asked for a graphic treatment, and she gave me several fantastic concepts. I had a hard time choosing one. I love what she did on the back cover too. </span></li>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>7. What were the biggest challenges for you when writing Shredded?</b></span></span></span><br />
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">Approaching teenage boys in the skate park was terrifying, but once they realized I wasn't going to complain about them making noise or being reckless, they were flattered that I was taking an interest in their sport. Making the time to write was really challenging. I couldn't cut sleep, workouts, or earning money so cleaning the house took the biggest hit. </span></li>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>8. What did you learn from writing Shredded - both from a writing perspective as well as from the research you did on girl BMX riders?</b></span></span></span><br />
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">I had to face some serious self-inflicted stress issues. I became my own worst boss at times when I was trying to force myself to stick to an unrealistic writing schedule. While it's necessary to spend time at the keyboard, too much will lead to burnout and physical injuries. Writing a novel can't be rushed, and I can't be stressed when I sit down to write. The ideal "flow" state of creativity requires relaxation. That doesn't mean I can wait until I feel relaxed before I write, it means I have to figure out how to relax when I need to write. Not easy. The research I did on girl BMX riders gave me the inspiration and courage to go Indie. Girl riders don't get a lot of encouragement or support but they don't let that stop them or use it as an excuse not to try. I also learned first-hand what it feels like to lose control on a ramp, wipe out in front of a bunch of people, and have your bike land on you. </span></li>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>9. Are there any new authors that have caught your interest?</b></span></span></span><br />
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">Thanks to Goodreads and book blogs that feature contemporary YA I'm discovering more and more authors who are new to me. I loved Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley, and Raw Blue by Kristy Eager. My "to read" pile is overflowing. I just added Merch Girl by Rebecca Lewis based on Megan's review. </span></li>
</span></ul>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>10. What books influenced your life the most?</b></span></span></span><br />
<ul><span style="text-align: left;">
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I was an avid Nancy Drew fan as a kid. I have a couple of the old 1930's editions with black and white illustrated </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">frontispieces. After reading Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer I read a lot of Everest books and I think that put the idea of climbing in my head and inspired me to summit Mount Kilimanjaro. </span></span></li>
</span></ul>
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>11. Can you share a little bit of what you're working on now, or any upcoming projects you might be working on?</b></span></span></span><br />
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My current work-in-progress is about a teen who lies to her parents about going to college while she chases opportunities in the world of high-risk adventure sports instead. The research has been a fun look at how much some things have changed. One weekend in '99 I was a reported on the web team covering an adventure race-we posted content using old dial-up modem (this was back in the days of limited cell phones and no </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Facebook). The competition was fun to follow, but the behind-the-scenes stories fascinated me. Ideas and what-if's from that experience have been running through my head ever since and they fit well into my <i>girl in a fringe sport </i>niche. </span></span></li>
</span></ul>
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>12. Do any have any advice for other writers?</b></span></span></span><br />
<ul><span style="text-align: left;">
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Be brutally honest with yourself about your strengths and weakness in your craft and process. Take classes and listen to critiques to improve your craft. Dig down to the root cause of your process problems-why aren't you getting </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">enough writing done? The answer usually involves some kind of fear, but you have to face it to move forward.</span></span></li>
</span></ul>
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span> <span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>13. Is there anything specific that you would like to say to your readers?</b></span></span></span><br />
<ul><span style="text-align: left;">
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">Thank you! I appreciate everyone who chooses Shredded from their "to read" pile. Your comments, reviews, and emails mean a lot to me. Whenever someone writes something in a review that tells me they really *got* Josie, I know that writing is what I really want to be doing with my life. </span></li>
</span></ul>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Be sure to get your copy of Shredded today at <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shredded-karen-avivi/1114374144?ean=9780991807932&itm=1&usri=9780991807932">Barnes & Noble</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shredded-Karen-Avivi/dp/0991807936/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369917363&sr=8-1&keywords=karen+avivi">Amazon</a></span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Where you can connect with Karen: </b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6895628.Karen_Avivi"><span style="color: black;">Goodreads</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.karenavivi.com/"><span style="color: black;">http://www.karenavivi.com/</span></a></span></span></div>
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;">** Indie authors rely on readers and fans like you and I to help them spread the word about their work. If you enjoyed Shredded, please feel free to share your comments with us here, as well as write a review on BN.com and Amazon. **</span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265372027458515674.post-51434971808657158712013-06-13T15:08:00.000-04:002013-10-17T16:01:49.272-04:00TTP Is Nominated for The Leibster Award!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jX7cZv2kLqcJWgncw9ptjQ1KuSbcmIGJJ3PpR1TZoV9e6TfZGUHkT0qaplvxbdBg8MtAxI3U1QuNgul5Ksq2LpC1Yxaw_TPwnBfdgVvhtcrDIjN8zhVJECcRyQogDC-pf0dISszlRrM/s1600/liebster%2521.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jX7cZv2kLqcJWgncw9ptjQ1KuSbcmIGJJ3PpR1TZoV9e6TfZGUHkT0qaplvxbdBg8MtAxI3U1QuNgul5Ksq2LpC1Yxaw_TPwnBfdgVvhtcrDIjN8zhVJECcRyQogDC-pf0dISszlRrM/s320/liebster%2521.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #990000;">Thank you </span><a href="http://thismorningiwokeupdead.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Mindy Larson</b></span></a><span style="color: #990000;"><b> for nominating me for the Liebster Award, which I graciously accept! </b></span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>The Leibster Award</b> <b> </b>is</span></span><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"> an award for upcoming bloggers with less than 200 followers and for who someone believes deserve some recognition for their blogging. How wonderful a concept this is... This is especially wonderful since as fellow bloggers we know and can appreciate the time and thought that goes into giving our readers something spectacular! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000;">Here are the Rules for being nominated AND receiving this award:</span></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJAKVZe1KNCPRQ0DkWDkKo1Oy8UFU2fdQ-zYjzBGyeFyqsIuVkkok79QC9GRMxyw_37Czi5jPYa1jppA7S3HPfM6UqxvjPbO-ZsyDQUE-SQOtI4HTtL3XCbVGB9PLaT5RtdH0Skj14W30/s1600/liebster-award-rules.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJAKVZe1KNCPRQ0DkWDkKo1Oy8UFU2fdQ-zYjzBGyeFyqsIuVkkok79QC9GRMxyw_37Czi5jPYa1jppA7S3HPfM6UqxvjPbO-ZsyDQUE-SQOtI4HTtL3XCbVGB9PLaT5RtdH0Skj14W30/s1600/liebster-award-rules.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000;">Step 1- 11 Random Things About Me!</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">1. I love reading and I get totally lost it in. I lose days sometimes... this love of reading led to my first published novel, which </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">led to my book blog.</span></span><br style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">2. I love dogs and if I could, I would have a dog shelter/boarding/doggie park of my own just so I could continue to add to my family of furry babies (I currently have 3)</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">3. I am crazy obsessed with my fur babies: </span></span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Bailey - our 4 yr old rat terrier/border collie mix who was a sacred rescue and our gift from God. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Madison- our 3 year old dwarft black lab mix who was also a rescue.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Emma - our 4.5 month old papilion... our first non-rescue, but they all need love regardless of their origins!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Cassi- our 5 year old tortoise shell and calico cat who has traveled more of the country than most people have.</span></span></li>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">4. Bailey is the inspiration for one of my upcoming short stories "Who Rescued Who?" You can read details on www.theharvestseries.blogspot.com</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">5. I hate shopping, unless I know exactly what I want. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">6. I have lived all over... here is my interesting route: </span></span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Dover, Nh. --></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Boston, Ma. ---></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Phoenix, Az. --></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Boston, Ma. --> (A short short 1 month stay in Phoenix)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">St. Louis, Mo. --></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Tampa, Fl. --></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">St. Louis, Mo. --></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Tampa, Fl. --></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Bowling Green, Oh. --></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Eagle Pass, Tx. --></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Columbiana, Oh. --></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Boardman, Oh. </span></span></li>
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<span style="color: #990000;">** with lots of states visited along the way....</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">7. My husband is almost 7 years younger than I am. :) </span><br style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">8. I have a major addiction to seafood!</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">9. I hate fighting with anyone... I am a complete pacifist and usually avoid conflict at all costs.</span></span></span><br style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">10. My book Harvest Moon was brought to light after a failed attempt to write a non-fiction version based on events in my own life.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">11. My husband and I have more framed photos of our fur babies hanging throughout our home than we do of people or anything else! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span><span style="color: #990000; font-weight: bold;">Step 2- My Answers To Mindy's Questions.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #990000; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">1. </span><span style="color: #990000; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"> If you could pick one album to listen to every day for the rest of your life what would it be and why? </span></span></b></div>
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<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">hmmm.. this is interesting. I guess I would say Daughtry, Leave This Town because just about every song on this album I can relate to my own life at one time or another, but also because this album gave me a lot of inspiration while writing Harvest Moon. A lot of the songs are on the Harvest Moon soundtrack list. Music should <i>always </i>provide us with an emotional connection... and this album does that perfectly!</span></span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #990000; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">2. </span><span style="color: #990000; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">If you were stranded on a desert island what one thing would you bring and why?</span></span></b></div>
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<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">My favorite book. The reader in me would never survive if I couldn't read words on a page ever again... just the thought of it makes me teary. </span></span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #990000; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">3. </span><span style="color: #990000; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">If you could live inside of a book which one would you choose and why?</span></span></b></div>
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<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Well... the only series of books I have ever read more than once were Judy Blume's books, since then there has only been one other.... The Twilight Saga. I know, I know - people either love or hate this series, but I literally read the whole series 4 times in a ROW! So, I think it's only fair to say I would live here. There are plenty of others and it kills me not to share them, but I will follow the rules. </span></span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #990000; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">4. </span><span style="color: #990000; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">What three foods could you not live without out?</span></span></b></div>
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<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">SEAFOOD!!!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Cereal</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Chocolate </span></span></li>
</ol>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #990000; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">5. </span><span style="color: #990000; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Are you a morning person or night owl?</span></span></b></div>
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<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">A little bit of both. I love waking up early, because I feel like I get so much accomplished and then have all day still, but I am typically more creative late at night, when it is quiet... I can really go either way, but If I had to choose I would want to be a morning person!</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #990000; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">6. </span><span style="color: #990000; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">What animal would you be and why?</span></span></b></div>
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<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Um, a furry puppy - one that is loved and lives in the lap of luxury like mine of course. I choose a dog, because they are smart, loyal, loving, and trustworthy. Plus they get to sleep all day and play with fun toys, they still get the "good food" (well at least mine do), and they are usually loved unconditionally. </span></span></li>
</ul>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #990000; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">7. </span><span style="color: #990000; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">What is your all time favorite drink?</span></span></b></div>
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<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Normally I would say milk, but recently I tried this adult beverage called the Banana Monkey and it was FABULOUS! Oh, and I<i> loooove</i> me a Starbucks mocha frappuccino too!</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #990000; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">8. </span><span style="color: #990000; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Knowing what you know now, and you could somehow go back in time and change one thing about your past, what would it be and why?</span></span></b></div>
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<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">I would listen to my gut, put aside everything that seemed important at the time, and call my best friend to apologize for our fight... because although my instinct told me to call I allowed myself to believe I had plenty of time, so I finished packing and doing what I needed to do. It wasn't until the next morning that I realized my gut was telling me to pick up the phone for a reason... and now it was too late, she was dead. There is nothing worse than living with the regret of what you didn't do or say to someone while they were alive. Life is much to short. </span></span></li>
</ul>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #990000; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">9. </span><span style="color: #990000; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">If you could be anyone in the world, who would you be, and why?</span></span></b></div>
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<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"> I would be myself... mostly because the grass only <i>seems</i> greener on the other side. I know that I made all of the choices I made in my life that led me here, to the person I am. However, I wouldn't mind adding maybe a little more money to my bank account and a book deal or two!! ;) </span></span></li>
</ul>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #990000; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">10. </span><span style="color: #990000; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"> What makes you the happiest?</span></span></b></div>
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<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Spending time with my husband and our fur babies. We live our lives around them... take them everywhere, plan our days off according to what we can do and where we can go with them... these are the moments I cherish- <i>they</i> are my family!</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #990000;">11. </span></span><span style="line-height: 19px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #990000;"> If you had a dinner party and able to invite ANY three people, alive or deceased, who would you choose and why?</span></span></span></b></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">My best friend Melissa, just so I could see her one more time... to let her know how much I love her.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">My little sister Mari, because I don't see her nearly as often as I would like.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">My husband, because life is just sweeter when he is in it. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></li>
</ul>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000;">Step 3 - My 11 Questions To You!</span></b><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"></i><br />
<ol style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000;">What one person inspires you the most?</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000;">What is your favorite book and why?</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000;">If you could be any character from a book you've read, who would it be and why?</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000;">What is your biggest pet peeve? </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000;">When you picture the perfect Saturday afternoon, what are you doing that makes it perfect?</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000;">What is one thing you can't leave the house without?</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000;">What is your worst vice?</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000;">How did you get into blogging?</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000;">What is one random thing most people don't know about you?</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000;">What's your favorite book genre and why?</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000;">Which Dystopian society would you rather live in: Divergent, Hunger Games or 1984 and why. (if you haven't read any of these, tell me from what you have read, which society you'd choose? </span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Step 4- Blogs I Nominate. </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QT625zmj8qa7-Rh-SpPtBICoXHr6tyS2TDILxu8LjaCig58GMZZZ42612hU1UFx4Ng9Z_eAAdUDSa3PLi3ut6HPtlaBVbV9h43C3l9V-qwnXl1YpCtSjJYgqb-2b_Z8Nj4S_3cTyUZ8/s1600/liebster-award1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QT625zmj8qa7-Rh-SpPtBICoXHr6tyS2TDILxu8LjaCig58GMZZZ42612hU1UFx4Ng9Z_eAAdUDSa3PLi3ut6HPtlaBVbV9h43C3l9V-qwnXl1YpCtSjJYgqb-2b_Z8Nj4S_3cTyUZ8/s320/liebster-award1.png" width="320" /></a></span></b></span></div>
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<ol style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://betweenthelinesisanendlessstory.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Between The Lines</b></span></a><span style="color: #990000;"> - A truly fun book review blog that I come back to time and time again. From her witty sarcasm to her Top Ten Tuesday lists, BTL is one blog I couldn't live without.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b><a href="http://spreadingukya2013.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #990000;">Amy Book Worm</span></a>-</b> I was drawn to this blog because of her meme: book blogger confessions. Love these dirty little confession moments!</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://dawnhusted.weebly.com/blog.html"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Dawn Husted</b></span></a> - Author of Silently Screaming ( A book I reviewed and really liked) and the upcoming dystopian novel Safe. Oh, and she designs book covers... A jack of all trades! </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://paper-fantasies.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Paper Fantasies</b></span></a>- I have been addicted to this blog for a while and anyone who reads my Books, Blogs & Page Turners Meme knows why. From her YA epidemics, Indie spotlight (My novel, Harvest Moon, is the feature this month), to her fabulous reviews. And lets not forget her beautiful blog page! </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://boooksandreviews.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Books and Reviews</b></span></a> - I found this site while I was looking for book reviews for Harvest Moon and found it warm and comfortable... so I settled right in and never left. I love how she puts photos with her reviews to depict the characters... it's such a nice touch. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://upallnightreviews.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Up All Night Reviews</b></span></a>- These gals actually found me through Goodreads and asked to do a feature spot of Harvest Moon (in July). However, since then I have visited almost weekly, just to check out their reviews, promos, and giveaways. Between the two of them, these two girls read a lot of books!</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://sherismuse.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_20.html"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Tangled Up In Books</b></span></a> (formerly Perks of being a book worm)- I can never stop admiring the cuteness of this blog... I am infatuated with it. Her reviews are always honest, I love her author interviews.... and of her course of princess phase! </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><a href="http://authorlorilotto.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>SensitiVitality</b></span></a> - Author of the Emi Lost & Found Series and Choisie Series... what more can I say besides I love this Indie Author and I love all the fun stuff on her blog, about her series! </span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">** These were the only blogs I could nominate. I did not want to randomly nominate blogs just to reach 11, because then, what's the point? These are the blogs I believe to be exceptional and worthy of recognition! </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265372027458515674.post-58831925270111931412013-06-13T12:20:00.000-04:002013-10-17T15:09:58.396-04:00NEVER LOOK BACK!! (EMI LOST & FOUND SERIES - BOOK #3)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8z6Gsr8_AZh7VbtP0jDqbVFpB5Qoy5D2yrEnHY7T95dmrXX8l0ECfbTP-HsowXIfAvimlPZutI3pdVzxFcyODnCPmd8sIhU5t0SGOEvsd4Zmo2woY6WK-HmD7vudNv55gdPpnTPrciw/s1600/book3.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/AVvXsEjA8z6Gsr8_AZh7VbtP0jDqbVFpB5Qoy5D2yrEnHY7T95dmrXX8l0ECfbTP-HsowXIfAvimlPZutI3pdVzxFcyODnCPmd8sIhU5t0SGOEvsd4Zmo2woY6WK-HmD7vudNv55gdPpnTPrciw/s320/book3.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Jack Holland finally has everything a man could want. After a lengthy courtship that has required persistence and self-restraint, Emi Hennigan– the woman Jack has been fantasizing about since college– has fallen in love with him. Together, the couple sets out to create their own happily-ever-after.</span></div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">It’s only when Emi delivers some unwelcome news that Jack begins to question everything about the woman he loves. It will take a considerable amount of understanding and sacrifice for Jack to accept the future Emi can offer him– a future he never imagined for himself.</span></div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">This romantic drama is the final book in the Emi Lost & Found series.</span></span></div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span><br /><div style="; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #990000;">Author:</b> Lori Otto </span></span></span></div><div style="; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #990000;">Title: </b>Never Look Back (Book #3 of the Emi Lost & Found Series) </span></span></span></div><div style="; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #990000;">Genre: </b>Young Adult>Contemporary>Romance> </span></span></span></div><div style="; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #990000;">Publication Date: </b>May 2012</span></span></span></div><div style="; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Links to Purchase: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&index=blended&keywords=Never%20Look%20Back" style="color: #797979; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span><span style="color: #666666;"></span></b></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-weight: bold;">Reviewer: </span>Megan</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>My Review: 5 out of 5 Stars. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!</b></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;">So obviously you see the natural progression of my rating throughout this series. With each book I enjoyed the series more. I will say at the start, that again this book seemed a bit longer than it really needed to be and there were times when it just lagged, but, the totality of the story, the characters, and the ending just made it all worth it... </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;">I felt a wider range of emotions with this final book in the series. I am not sure I have ever cried so much throughout one book, as I did with Never Look Back. Sad tears, happy tears, sad tears, happy tears... the cycle continued on until the last page. During the final 25% I pretty much never stopped crying and I think my husband might have actually thought I was having a breakdown.... but this is what made this series so good. There were times, that again Emi's actions frustrated me. I realized she was never really good at coping or dealing with major things without the help of someone else. From her brother, to Nate, and then Jack - someone was always helping her through these situations, which is great, but it was always after she handled it badly. But I suppose this is why we love her so much - she's real!! </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;">I LOVED that this final book was told from Jack's point of view. It was nice to get inside his head and really see him. I loved how he let Emi grieve for all of her losses, never pushed and while there were times he felt pangs of jealousy, he understood and he was willing to allow Emi to cling to this love and loss she could not let go of. Not too many men out there would be capable of living with those kinds of ghosts - being compared to a great love that could have been. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;">I loved Jack's family - Matty and Lucas were my favorite! Steven made me SO mad in Colorado and then redeemed himself thereafter. I guess we can all appreciate protective siblings, but man he came on strong. I loved Donna's continued relationship with Emi and her tie to Jack. It was obvious that this was a difficult place for Emi, but Donna was warm and loving... only wanting what was best for Emi. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;">And without saying too much, what Jack does for Emi and Nate -both with the stuff left in storage and well, for those who have read the series... you know the thing I mean, and for those who haven't, hopefully you will soon enough. I was left speechless and bawling like a baby over Jacks selfless actions for Nate and Emi. He re-affirmed what a wonderful man he was.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;">As for the storage unit stuff, I loved his willingness to let Emi enjoy the memories. I loved his willingness to share in those memories and learn more about her through them. As for the um, who know... "I can't say anymore part", </span></span></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">I loved Jack's secretiveness while he pulled it all off, I loved how giddy he got when he was able to reveal it to Emi and how he was so willing to let her have this part of her life. He never once tried to force her to let it go... </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">And Contessa.... Mmmmmm! I can hardly wait to start this other series of books that actually ties into this series. Lori surely fulfills the series whore in me, wow! I loved this whole aspect. I loved how it all unfolded, I loved that we got to see the start of this relationship in this series and I LOVED that it completed everything. While things worked out for Emi in the end, it wasn't without substantial loss throughout the series or enormous heartache and regret. We saw so many characters; Emi, Nate, Jack, Chris, Anna, and Jenn grow throughout this series. I felt such an attachment to them all. The series as a whole to me was fantastic and would get 5 out of 5 stars! </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">I praise Lori for her writing, for her bravery, and for bringing these wonderful characters into my life. </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><b>***This next paragraph contains <u>SPOILERS</u>... </b></span><b style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"> PLEASE DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE SERIES!!!**</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">I hate writing spoilers, but this series was wonderful and I wanted to touch on Nate without giving anything away to readers who haven't read it. I loved Nate. While I didn't like his behavior in book #1, I still loved him. I was so devastated when he was killed and to watch Emi go through such heartache - to lose her love and their baby was just so raw and emotional, something I know personally. (My best friend was killed in a car accident in our early twenties and I have never gotten over it.. loss like that is always hard. As for her baby, a lot of woman, including myself know the pain that comes with this kind of loss... it's </span></span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">excruciating</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> and difficult to understand). I cannot say enough, how happy I was that </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">throughout the second and third book we still see Nate - through Emi's memories, the storage items, the wonderful paintings he's done, and the gallery that Jack gives Emi. I remember feeling slightly cheated at the end of book #1. Just when Emi and Nate finally find love and happiness together (after two books), it is taken away. But it was what made the story so beautiful. Like I had started to say before, but couldn't, if Nate and Emi had ended up together, the story wouldn't have gone very far. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The whole series was emotional, and while I loved Nate and missed him constantly throughout the story, I fell more and more in love with Jack as a person and as a companion for Emi. It is situations like this where first we wonder why and then we see the bigger picture. That our life may not be fated the way we believe... death is a harsh way to force your true hand of fate, but life is like that. At a really young age I was diagnosed with cancer and it brought my young adult life to a screeching halt... for years, while I was sick, I wondered why why why???? And then when I was finally better, finally in remission, I headed off to college (at 25) rather than 18 and met the man I would marry, my soul mate - who was 7 years younger than me. It wasn't until after we were married that I realized, that had it not been for my life coming to a standstill, there would have been no way we could have been in the same place (in totally different parts of the country) at the same time... but fate found a way to bring us together. Some people may think this seems crazy, but you know, it makes me appreciate what happened to me so much more, it makes the "whys" easier to understand.... </span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Again, praise for Lori Otto and her beautiful Emi Lost & Found </span></span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Series, <b>I am a true fan!! </b></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div></div></div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265372027458515674.post-44094588737586758072013-06-13T11:32:00.000-04:002013-10-17T15:11:10.003-04:00TIME STANDS STILL!! (EMI LOST & FOUND SERIES - BOOK #2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWyziAiyU7sSP0dtQQ7rdfFJ1x0oiB8LvEnXbFx9HQOJwSlJue1wxkn7PLVLFyt3iGz5raGSUgPE22e4-vr4lLR0i1kbcNd6_IVXykNfZKKhO99MWCwdRLPybs_PqwnzQEXyWdcvm2nQ/s1600/book2.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/AVvXsEjGWyziAiyU7sSP0dtQQ7rdfFJ1x0oiB8LvEnXbFx9HQOJwSlJue1wxkn7PLVLFyt3iGz5raGSUgPE22e4-vr4lLR0i1kbcNd6_IVXykNfZKKhO99MWCwdRLPybs_PqwnzQEXyWdcvm2nQ/s320/book2.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">In this second book in the Emi Lost & Found series, Time Stands Still, a near-death experience leaves Emi Hennigan injured and confused, but it's a chance meeting with a man from her past that has her questioning everything she's believed in. Emi is stunned when Jack Holland reminds her of their one evening together in college. Will her heart forever be with Nate Wilson, her best friend and soulmate? Or will she find love with someone completely unexpected?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div><span style="text-align: left;"></span><br /><div style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">The second of three books in the Emi Lost & Found series.</span></div><span style="text-align: left;"></span><div style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #990000;">Author:</b> Lori Otto </span></span></div><div style="; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #990000;">Title: </b>Time Stands Still<span style="color: #181818;"> (Book #2 of the Emi Lost & Found Series) </span></span></span></div><div style="; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #990000;">Genre: </b>Young Adult>Contemporary>Romance> </span></span></div><div style="; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #990000;">Publication Date: </b>August 2010</span></span></div><div style="; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Links to Purchase: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004XZULCK?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B004XZULCK&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2" style="color: #797979; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span><span style="color: #666666;"></span></b></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-weight: bold;">Reviewer: </span>Megan</span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>My Review: 4.5 out of 5 Stars. </b></span></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;">So as I was saying at the end of my review for book #1, I was devastated and confused. While I was grateful I had this second book, I was so emotional during the first few chapters I had to read some other reviews, which I never do while I am reading a book. I hate the idea of stumbling onto a spoiler... but there was a part of me that was conflicted with the emotions I was experiencing, especially since I had first hand-personal experience with both of the tragedies Emi was facing. I read several other reviews online and was actually frustrated that people would stop reading this series as a result. I was thankful, as I read through, I hadn't read these reviews before finishing book #1, because they spoiled most of it's ending... and that would have annoyed me to no end. I then started wondering why I was even reading these reviews. What did I hope to find? I suppose I wanted to be reassured that all these emotions would be worth it... and they totally were. </span></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">While the events at the end of book #1 certainly caught me off guard, It still made me want to read more to understand why... why had the author chosen this path for her characters, why was this necessary, and how would this all turn out. I suppose that is what separates us as readers. The ability to appreciate a writers artistic creativity and the bravery that comes from making such bold moves. Unlike all those readers who got mad and said they refused to read on, I disagreed with them. I wondered if they had ever felt this kind of pain before - that raw pain that leaves you broken. Books that make you feel these kinds of emotions are the rare ones, the good ones. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;">Had this mind boggling, devastating event never occurred, well the series wouldn't have had a whole lot further to go. It could have been wrapped up all pretty with a sparkly bow and everyone lived happily ever after, but life isn't about being wrapped in a pretty bow where we all live happily ever after. It's about real pain and devastating events that we don't always understand, how we learn from those events - how we pick ourselves up and move forward!</span></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;">After I read through those first 100 pages of Time Stands Still, I took a moment to reflect on the emotions I had been feeling and still felt. And then, I applauded the author for her bravery in showing us this heartache. So many of us, at some point I am sure, have felt this pain and know it all too well. I believe the author captured the emotions well, and I found myself crying A LOT throughout this book. And even through the heartache there is some good that begins to shine through... and we are reminded that life does go on, even if we aren't willing to move forward with it. Jack helped with this... he refused to let time stand still for Emi, he refused to let her accept her life for what she believed fate had handed her... he forced her to move </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">forward. </span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;">Can I just say for the record, I am in <i>love</i> with Jack!! oh yeah, <i><b>love love love</b></i> him. What a patient, kind, honest, and loyal man. He reminded me a lot of my husband (wink), which helped make him more realistic. He was such a beautiful character who was fantastically written and developed. I also loved the development of Chris and Anna, and I loved the relationship that both healed and blossomed between Emi and her sister. In the prequel they truly struggle and this slow appreciation for one another is so wonderful. </span></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;">Again, this book felt too long as well... but I still really really enjoyed it. I loved all of the ways that Jack helps Emi overcome all of the loss she experiences and I especially loved what he brought out in her. I can't say much more without giving important details away... so with that I will move onto the review for the </span></span></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">third and final book, stating simply that I really enjoyed Book #2 and I willingly and with childlike impatience and enthusiasm, <i>turned the page</i> toward book #3 so hopeful for how this story would end....</span></span></div><div style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div></div></div></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265372027458515674.post-37248690689613292622013-06-13T10:46:00.000-04:002013-10-17T15:12:16.973-04:00LOST & FOUND!! (EMI LOST & FOUND SERIES - BOOK #1) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-d5vfo_E65aFR6U9dsw-z4-rM2bUp-tQHhGk8fE7thyf8eR-ya6jJOiLwsKiky2Q3PLid0iiU-DHee-TNMyWSFkYz29RGLF2uqSA2HNYOosj3g0FhXex14HI46e2ZiUfgktD0bONw-E/s1600/book1.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/AVvXsEjM-d5vfo_E65aFR6U9dsw-z4-rM2bUp-tQHhGk8fE7thyf8eR-ya6jJOiLwsKiky2Q3PLid0iiU-DHee-TNMyWSFkYz29RGLF2uqSA2HNYOosj3g0FhXex14HI46e2ZiUfgktD0bONw-E/s320/book1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">When artist Nate Wilson falls in love, he falls hard. The problem is, he's only been in love once, and the girl of his affections is his best friend, Emi Hennigan. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">In high school, the two bonded over painful breakups, and swore off a relationship to save their friendship. Thirteen years later, Nate has had more than his share of emotionally-unfulfilling, sexual relationships with beautiful women to distract himself from his true romantic feelings.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">When a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity takes Nate away from his friend and his comfortable lifestyle, he is forced to reflect on the distinct void that Emi's absence leaves in his life. To Nate's surprise, Emi has a similar experience; but as the friends embark upon their journey toward happiness together, destiny reveals other plans for Emi. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">This is the first of three books in the Emi Lost & Found series. This second edition features cover artwork by Summer Ortiz.</span><br /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><br /><div style="; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #990000;">Author:</b> Lori Otto </span></span></div><div style="; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #990000;">Title: </b>Lost & Found (Book #1 of the Emi Lost & Found Series) </span></span></div><div style="; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #990000;">Genre: </b>Young Adult>Contemporary>Romance> </span></span></div><div style="; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #990000;">Publication Date: </b>August 2010</span></span></div><div style="; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Links to Purchase: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1453755403?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1453755403&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2" style="color: #797979; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span><span style="color: #666666;"></span></b></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-weight: bold;">Reviewer: </span>Megan</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>My Review: 4 out of 5 Stars. </b></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">I really grappled with wether or not I wanted to write one big review for all three of the books in this series or write them separate. It took me until the moment I began to set up the post, to realize that separate was better, here's why: </span></span><b style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">1</b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">. I really enjoyed the series as a whole, but I think each book has it's own likes and dislikes that deserve attention. </span></span><b style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">2</b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">. I want you, the reader, to be able to quickly see those likes and dislikes without wadding through a really looong review. </span></span><b style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">3.</b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> I had it in my head that I had separate star scores for each book, and a final star score for the series... but I wanted to do both the book and the review(s) justice by differentiating this. </span></span><b style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">4</b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">. I would have separated my review of the whole series by book anyways (even if in one post), so why not just give each book it's own review, it's own page... and just make it more fun. This way, everyone can see what I thought of each book as it is. I promise in the review for book 3 to tell you all what I thought of the series as a whole! </span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;">I was already drawn into this series after reading the prequel, Not Today, But Someday; therefore, I knew it wouldn't take much for me to settle in and just let the story take hold of me. I already loved Emi and Nate, but I never really saw this book coming. While I initially was intrigued by the fact that Emi and Nate were now older, I quickly began missing the younger versions of them from the prequel and wished that I had gotten more of it. However, this dissipated just as quickly as it came. I was elated when the author would tie in bits and pieces from the prequel and you saw how it all fit together. It made me start thinking of some of my other favorite books and how cool a prequel would be. Then I even thought of how fascinating it would be to maybe someday write a prequel to my own Harvest Series... before Angela was murdered or maybe even leading up to her murder - the prequel from her eyes. Ohhh, the possibilities. This was where I realized, I am truly a series whore! </span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Overall, I really liked this first book in the series. I loved the friendship that developed over the years between Emi and Nate, I liked (for the most part -</span></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">* I say for the most part because some of the choices they make are less than stellar and as a result of some of those choices, their behavior was frustrating), </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">who they became as adults, how they helped one another become the people they became. I liked that Emi found her passion in life as a result of the friendship she found in Nate. The story flowed well and kept me beyond entertained. It was a long book (a long series), so I was reading other books for reviews in between, but always found myself longing to get back to Emi and Nate. And never feeling disappointed when I finally made my way back. </span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">I don't want to ruin anything by saying too much, especially since there are two other books. But, here is why this book in the series got only 4 stars and not 5. The book was too long. There were parts that felt repetitive and parts that felt like they just dragged on and on for no reason. I felt as if the story could have been 100 pages shorter than it was and been just as fabulous, but I understand, from a writers point of view, that it's hard to cut things out when you feel they are important to the character development and the final climax of the story. Speaking of climax, the only other thing, besides the length of the story, that I didn't like was the borderline erotica sex. I know I have drilled this pet peeve into the ground, but I can't help how I feel about this. The sex scenes with Nate and his girlfriends were just too much - too graphic, too explicit, and often made me cringe. I loved Nate as a character, but during these scenes I loathed him. And when he began carrying some of this behavior over... I was infuriated. I realize it was meant to be this way... it was his internal struggle once he got what he always wanted, but the other two books were never as graphic or borderline erotica as this one, and it made me appreciate those intimate moments so much more. </span></span></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">These two things, by no means, diminished my opinion or liking of the book. They are just things that I didn't particularly care for and things I want my readers to know. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">The ending of this book, book #1 in this series, TOTALLY, COMPLETELY, 100% caught me off guard!!! I had a range of emotions running through me as I read the final lines and I found myself thankful that all I had to do was <i>turn the page</i> and I could see what happened... not like that made it any better.... those same range of emotions just hit me again and left me with tears streaming down my face and utterly devastated and confused. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">This, is the point where I thought, what the hell? Why? And as I leave you with this and start the review of book #2, I will say... all I kept thinking was "Bold Move Lori, very very bold move!! </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">WOW!!"</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265372027458515674.post-3271763680909493642013-06-10T12:46:00.000-04:002013-10-17T16:01:21.191-04:00Manic Monday #8<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Manic Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Turn The Page where we get to decide who the </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">next Indie/Self-Published author featured will be</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lets see, I worked a ton this past week and today is a relatively quiet day for me so far. I do; however, have to work an overnight shift tonight so I am sure this is simply the quiet before the storm, as usual. I suppose I will have to wait and see. On a better note, I have some exciting news to share with you all... Turn The Page has been nominated for the Leibster Award by the wonderfully sweet Mindy Larson! Thanks Mindy. So, we will be graciously accepting this nomination and I will be getting putting up a post specifically for this great honor. It was just too good not to share right away. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And now onto this weeks Manic Monday winner.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The chosen Indie/Self-Published Author for</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u>Manic Monday Week #8</u></b> is:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMW2zlPpEhRwYXnM8pcyCusvPjJoJ6aN7eK6kImC6RrKLdtb1pPrx9glYnWy1QRivTGnbODC_uMwtO8UboYXX7jDFyceB33r5fcVSRBSvRJL7AHkZXsOeLqf7N9JTiNocuQbV0xEgV6z4/s1600/invisible.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/AVvXsEjMW2zlPpEhRwYXnM8pcyCusvPjJoJ6aN7eK6kImC6RrKLdtb1pPrx9glYnWy1QRivTGnbODC_uMwtO8UboYXX7jDFyceB33r5fcVSRBSvRJL7AHkZXsOeLqf7N9JTiNocuQbV0xEgV6z4/s320/invisible.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>Cecily Anne Paterson - Invisible</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Congratulations Cecily!!</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Review Coming Soon! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Monday June 17, 2013 </span></b></span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Manic Monday Picks</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">1. Other Echoes - Noe Dearden</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">2. Dark Creations: Gabriel Rising - Jennifer & Christopher Martucci</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">3. Glimpse - Stacey Wallace Benefiel</span></span></div>
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<b style="color: #333333; font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">* If you've read it, tell us what you thought and tell me</span></b><b style="color: #333333; font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> which book should be chosen as our Manic Monday Indie/Self-Published Author Feature for Week #9</span></b><br />
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<b style="color: #333333; font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Also, Tell me if you've found outstanding Indie books (for FREE or PAID) that you think deserve a spotlight in our Manic Monday. </span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265372027458515674.post-272731078991829692013-06-07T09:18:00.000-04:002013-10-17T14:46:45.662-04:00MERCH GIRL!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNCn0Ss6OQvssAJsdiNUZCOnAQw3RNZH9Sbwo3K_swyrlfEYDuVF5j3jhyDq_cNJ3i6ANXYPjtUqGsrJpScTKPSkl1gluYHfzrIJYw-BbDadHgtVmEtd-sqc5aLx_B6WD3XdAdqj1ItM/s1600/merch+girl.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/AVvXsEguNCn0Ss6OQvssAJsdiNUZCOnAQw3RNZH9Sbwo3K_swyrlfEYDuVF5j3jhyDq_cNJ3i6ANXYPjtUqGsrJpScTKPSkl1gluYHfzrIJYw-BbDadHgtVmEtd-sqc5aLx_B6WD3XdAdqj1ItM/s320/merch+girl.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Seventeen-year-old Lacey Kind doesn’t have the guts to talk to cute boys, isn’t a size two, and would rather stay home and listen to music than go to a party. But in the summer before her first year of college, she ends up thousands of miles away from home, in the back of a tour bus, underneath the half-naked body of the hottest teen rock star in the country.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">When Lacey and her best friend Trina sneak into a Boston nightclub to see their favorite band, they not only get to watch their rock gods perform for the first time, but score a chance to meet the band too. Lacey’s heart races as she comes face-to-face with her idol, nineteen-year-old lead singer, Logan Shire.</span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;">The girls charm their way into being hired to sell merchandise on Lansdowne’s first summer tour. As “merch girls” Lacey and Trina quickly find themselves transported from their ordinary, suburban life to an exhilarating few months on the road. But they soon realize that life on the road isn’t always a smooth ride...</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; color: black; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #990000;">Author:</b> Rebecca Lewis </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #990000;">Title: </b>Merch Girl </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; color: black; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #990000;">Genre: </b>Young Adult>Contemporary>Romance>Music </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #990000;">Publication Date: </b>May 2013</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Links to Purchase: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1484005511?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1484005511&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold;">Reviewer: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Megan</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>My Review: 5 out of 5 Stars. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!</b></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;">Let me first crush on the cover just a bit. It fits the story <i>P-E-R-F-E-C-T... perfect! </i>It draws you in and makes any music lover swoon to read this story. After reading the book, and then I look at the cover, I see Lacey. I can picture the moments in the story where her and Trina dance in the doorway while the band performs, waiting for the rush to sell the merch. I will admit, when I first got a copy of the book for review and read the description, I thought it was going to be similar to "Almost Famous". But it wasn't. It showed a totally different side of the music industry, a band starting out, and the people who help bring it all together. On that note, I will say, I could not have been happier with the way the story unfolded. I thought it was fantastic. I loved loved loved it!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">So let me tell you why I absolutely loved this book. First, I love music. I am a huge fan of rock bands (Breaking Benjamin, Shinedown, Daughtry, Theory of a Dead Man... just to name a few) and I thought back to some of the concerts I have been to over the years. It made me completely nostalgic. It made me jealous. Second, it was a fun, easy read. I got through it quickly. It would have been read and reviewed in one day if not for my JOB, grrr. Once I started reading I was drawn in. It was a believable story with truly captivating characters. I loved Lacey. I thought she was a strong, confident, loyal protagonist who reminded me what it feels like when you start to fall for someone. I enjoyed Trina's sassiness, but she was kinda mean to the fans, but I am sure this happens all the time in the celebrity world and is probably one of the biggest downfalls of dating a non-celebrity. I'd probably be the same way as Trina... I could never watch my boyfriend let girls hang all over him, kiss him, or throw themselves at him. Especially if you no one knows he's spoken for. That would be horrible. Nice touch though Rebecca! I cannot say enough how gratified I was to see Jenna get what was coming to her. I loathe... <i>loathe, </i>girls like her!! </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">I Liked how the author was able to show us this unknown side of the music world (the "Merch Girl" world) while also giving us a glimpse of a band starting out. At first I thought that maybe Lacey and Trina's luck was too good, too coincidental, but then I stopped and thought about a friend of mine from high school who is in the music industry. I have gone to some of his shows, spent time with him in the midst of his music career and he continues to be down to earth and maintains real relationships. I also reminded myself that these guys were young and just starting out - they had yet to be tainted by the industry yet. Which only made me swoon even more for the relationship between Lacey and Logan. As many readers of my blog know, I am not a fan of over the top, erotic love scenes or relationships that go from "hi, nice to meet you" to kinky S&M sex in 24 hours. Merch Girl was NONE of that. It was real. It was honest. It left me wanting more. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;">Yes, I said it again... I want more of the band, more of Lacey and more of Logan. I warned all of you that I love series and I can only hope this isn't the last time we see Lacey and Landsdowne.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;">I loved Merch Girl, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves music and contemporary YA!! </span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"></span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265372027458515674.post-6957452254455820432013-06-05T09:26:00.000-04:002013-10-17T14:46:45.705-04:00THE BULLY!! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxloyuuzb1FadTgEekFg2ty10LNKlyV6HdHb5YMcaTLdcwcBmk2VU4FzX1vDRrMXInreUngd7Xy0MqjSwsYylK_ZQE5_GLPA3kMpK5UMnOiiLpSezlk12PgqVQZ7dVYepM0sXV2w0NJw/s1600/the+bully.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/AVvXsEhIxloyuuzb1FadTgEekFg2ty10LNKlyV6HdHb5YMcaTLdcwcBmk2VU4FzX1vDRrMXInreUngd7Xy0MqjSwsYylK_ZQE5_GLPA3kMpK5UMnOiiLpSezlk12PgqVQZ7dVYepM0sXV2w0NJw/s320/the+bully.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nathan Pratt, the school bully, picks on everyone smaller than him. But he soon learns the old saying "What goes around, comes around."</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><br /><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #990000;">Author:</b> Colby Jones </span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #990000;">Title: </b>The Bully</span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #990000;">Genre: </b>Young Adult </span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #990000;">Publication Date: </b>April 2013</span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5;"><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Links to Purchase: </span><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-bully-colby-jones/1115219341?ean=2940044498112" style="color: #797979; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/310330" target="_blank">Smashwords</a></span></span></b></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold;">Reviewer: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Megan</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>My Review: 4 out of 5 Stars. I LIKED IT!</b></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I added this book to the Manic Monday line up, I had no idea how short a short story it truly was. I've actually become fond of Indie short stories. While this story was super short (read it in like 5 minutes), it packed a good punch, had an interesting story line, a cool twist at the end, and set a great message above all. </span></div><div style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">We all hear about bully's in school and it seems like they are even worse today with all the technology we have at our disposal. "The Bully" reminds us that we don't always know or understand what </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">someone else is going through, therefore we shouldn't pick on others to make ourselves feel better. Nathan, the bully in this story, says that those he picks on are his prey and he's the vulture. This is what his father has taught him. However, someone else offers him some sound advice that he chooses not to take and sure enough the old adage "what goes around comes around" surely comes back to bite Nathan in the rear. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">A neat little short short story with a positive message about bullying. </span></span></div></div><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265372027458515674.post-57413762323766382912013-06-03T20:12:00.000-04:002013-10-17T16:02:14.825-04:00Manic Monday #7<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">OMG! What a long and exhausting two weeks this has been. After working more than 120 hours, working weird yo-yo shifts, and getting very little sleep, I am FINALLY off for the next two days to relax and catch up on some much needed sleep. I have fallen behind in my reviews and my reading. It has been next to impossible to keep my eyes open long enough this week to get much accomplished. So, hopefully we can get things back on track in the upcoming week... As f0r this weeks winner: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Colby Jones - The Bully </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Congratulations Colby !</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://turnthepagebookblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-bully.html" target="_blank">Megan's review of The Bully </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Monday June 10, 2013 </span></b></span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Manic Monday Picks</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">1. The Accidental Siren - Jake Van Ark</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">2. Invisible - Cecily Anne Paterson</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">3. A Hairy Tail - Jamie Campbell</span></span></div>
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<b style="color: #333333; font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">* If you've read it, tell us what you thought and tell me</span></b><b style="color: #333333; font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> which book should be chosen as our Manic Monday Indie/Self-Published Author Feature for Week #8</span></b><br />
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<b style="color: #333333; font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Also, Tell me if you've found outstanding Indie books (for FREE or PAID) that you think deserve a spotlight in our Manic Monday. </span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265372027458515674.post-9954739462283792542013-05-31T12:16:00.000-04:002013-10-17T16:02:37.506-04:00Books Blogs & Page Turners Issue #2<span style="background-color: #fff5e5; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;">BBPT is a monthly meme hosted by Turn The Page where we rehash all our favorites from the month... books, blogs, and all things bookish! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Books, Blogs & Page Turners - The books reviewed this month:</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://turnthepagebookblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/trading-poisons.html">Trading Poisons ~</a> By Angel Lepire. Megan gave it 4 stars!</div>
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<a href="http://turnthepagebookblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/simply-mine.html">Simply Mine ~ </a> By M.L. Gardner & Jane Carrington. Megan gave it 4.5 stars!</div>
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<a href="http://turnthepagebookblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/so-many-reasons-why-so-many-reasons-1.html">So Many Reasons Why ~</a> By Missing Johnson. Megan gave it 3 stars</div>
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<a href="http://turnthepagebookblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/waiting-for-martha.html" target="_blank">Waiting For Martha</a> ~ By Elly Grant. Megan gave it 3 stars</div>
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<a href="http://turnthepagebookblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/lindseys-choice.html" target="_blank">Lindsey's Choice</a> ~ Laurel Peterson. Megan gave it 4.5 stars</div>
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<a href="http://turnthepagebookblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/what-i-didnt-say.html" target="_blank">What I didn't Say</a> ~By Keary Taylor. Megan gave it 4.5 stars</div>
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<a href="http://turnthepagebookblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/identical-twins-miranda-and-nastasia.html" target="_blank">Shattered</a> ~ By Sandra Madera. Megan gave it 4.5 stars</div>
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<a href="http://turnthepagebookblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/shredded.html" target="_blank">Shredded</a>~ By Karen Avivi. Megan gave it 5 Whopping Stars.... what a fantastic read about girl BMX riders!! </div>
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<a href="http://turnthepagebookblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/inseparable.html" target="_blank">Inseparable</a>~(this review is almost done, but while started in May will probably not post until June 1st.) </div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Books, Blogs & Page Turners - Manic Monday Winners:</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://turnthepagebookblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/manic-monday-3.html" target="_blank">Manic Monday Week #2</a> M.L. Garderder & Jane Carrington - Simply Mine</div>
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<a href="http://turnthepagebookblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/manic-monday-4.html" target="_blank">Manic Monday Week #3</a> Laurel Peterson - Lindsey's Choice</div>
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<a href="http://turnthepagebookblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/manic-monday-5.html" target="_blank">Manic Monday Week #4</a> Sandra Madera - Shattered</div>
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<a href="http://turnthepagebookblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/manic-monday-6.html" target="_blank">Manic Monday Week #5</a> Missy Johnson - Inseparable </div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Books, Blogs & Page Turners - The blogs we crushed on this month:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://paper-fantasies.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Paper Fantasies </a> Hosted by Kelly Watt. I know I crushed on her blog last month too, but hey what can I say, I know what I like. So this month I particularly enjoyed Kelly's YA Epidemic #8: Everyone Loves An Average Girl. I think this happens a lot with books today, us writers tend to downplay the looks of our protagonist and make her plain and then when suddenly she is noticed by the steamy hot guy we all swoon. But it would appear that we are creating the opposite effect on our readers. After reading Kelly's post I thought back to my protagonist, Lexie - did I make her strong and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">confident or was she described as plain? While I didn't make her plain, I made her less showy than her sister or her best friends. She describes herself as pretty, but likes simplicity... a ponytail, jeans and t-shirt... hmmm, is this the same as calling her plain? This is what I love about Kelly's YA Epidemics and I mentioned this last month as well, it gives the other side of me, the writer, the opportunity to see what readers like you, do and don't like!! Thanks Kelly. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://sherismuse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tangled Up In Books</a> (formerly Perks of Being a Bookwork) Hosted by Sheri Boston. First I should say that I love her princess phase and the fact that she somehow finds a tangled picture to coincide with every post she puts up. It's fantastic! I actually crushed on two areas of Tangled up in Books this month, first Sheri's TTT - Books Dealing with Tough Issues and Her Swoon Thursdays. So the TTT, loved this one. I actually have either read or have them in my TBR, all of the books she listed. It also again made me think of my own writing. Harvest Moon deals with some really tough issues and as a newbie to the writing and blogging worlds, I feel like this area is becoming more popular. I love YA/NA books dealing with social issues or things that make you think. ooohh, makes me all giddy! As for her Swoon Thursday, I LOVE this. There is always something is a book I am reading that I want to share and I found this meme to be truly exciting and creative! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Books, Blogs & Page Turners- Books up for review in June:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Okay, so I said last month that the Emi Lost & Found series would be reviewed in May, and I have read 2.75 of the 3 books, but was totally conflicted whether I wanted to review them individually or as one, so I waited.... and now it's too late to feature them in May. I will be featuring them first in June and I still have yet to decide if they will be one single feature or three individual features. Guess you will have to wait and see. Other great books we will be reviewing this month are:</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Books, Blogs & Pager Turners - Other bookish news and recaps:</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"> </span></div>
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And in other bookish news, the month of May was a very busy one. I spent very little time working on my own writing and worse, aside from the Manic Monday winners I read only three books... well this isn't completely true. I have read others... like the Emi books, as I already mentioned, but since they have they have yet to be reviewed, I guess they technically don't yet count. </div>
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Angela had to take a hiatus, yeah, before she even started... lol. I know she mentioned in her about me section that we work together and the opening of our new cafe has been beyond brutal. Mix that in with all the commitments we have outside of work and we are simply overloaded. So until she officially makes her presence known, you get me... and I will keep on reading, reviewing, and blogging all about it!! </div>
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I am hoping that the month of June will settle down enough for me to balance my reading/reviewing and my writing. My deadline for Winter Solstice is still set for late fall, so I need to figure out some time management without detracting from TTPBB, because I have become obsessed with book blogging! </div>
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And finally, I am planning to do a couple of author interviews next month, starting with Karen Avivi, the author of Shredded! So stay tuned for all that is to come in the month of June!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">We hope you enjoyed our first issue of Books, Blogs & Page Turners... Go ahead and leave us a comment, tell us your thoughts, share your favorites from the month of May!! </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265372027458515674.post-89269482407872050382013-05-31T11:20:00.000-04:002013-10-17T14:46:45.717-04:00INSEPARABLE!!<br /><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqR3h8hDvgZ7sDzHVqlHwoG0170FWpA_hYos0lcIAji3M_R2vWsLMQV4HL7YOgbR3ark_6NaceJIyxIBhDq0Qbv214hDiExBfWwa6j7a_JSVw1JjsObrWtKY9pkRH8pU5gKI4PwFjO3fw/s1600/missy.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/AVvXsEhqR3h8hDvgZ7sDzHVqlHwoG0170FWpA_hYos0lcIAji3M_R2vWsLMQV4HL7YOgbR3ark_6NaceJIyxIBhDq0Qbv214hDiExBfWwa6j7a_JSVw1JjsObrWtKY9pkRH8pU5gKI4PwFjO3fw/s320/missy.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Manic Monday Indie/Self-Published Author Feature </b></span></div></div></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; text-align: left;"><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Week #5</b></span></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Can you imagine losing your twin?</span></div><div style="line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Nineteen year old Lily is still struggling with the death of her identical twin, Abby, a year later when she moves away from home for college. Even in death though, their bond is still strong, with Abby visiting Lily in her dreams.</span></div><div style="line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br style="color: #181818; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /></span></div><div style="line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">When a chance encounter with Twenty-One year old Dane Hansen changes Lily’s life, Lily’s friends warn her off becoming involved with Dane. He’s bad news, according to the rumors, anyway.</span></div><div style="line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br style="color: #181818; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /></span></div><div style="line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Dane has experienced loss himself, he understands Lily, and the more time he spends with her, the harder he falls. There is something he hasn’t told her though, something almost nobody knows, and it’s something that might stop Lily from feeling the same way.</span></div><div style="line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br style="color: #181818; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /></span></div><div style="line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Abby holds the key to something that will change Lily and Dane's life forever, but how do you get someone else to believe something you don't quite understand yourself?</span></div><div style="line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #990000;">Author:</b> Missy Johnson</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #990000;">Title: </b>Inseparable</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #990000;">Genre: </b>New Adult >Contemporary >Romance >Fantasy >Paranormal </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #990000;">Publication Date: </b>May 2013</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 15px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Links to Purchase: </span><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Inseparable-ebook/dp/B00CRLK3NO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370013523&sr=8-1&keywords=Inseparable" style="color: #797979; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></b></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold;">Reviewer: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Megan</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>My Review: 2 out of 5 Stars! GOT THROUGH IT!</b></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>**May contain some minor spoilers**</b></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If there is one thing I hate more than anything, it's not enjoying a book I am reading and then having to write a less than stellar review. However, I promised my readers I would be honest and while the writer in my cringes, the reader/blogger in me knows this comes with the territory of writing reviews. </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This was the second book I have reviewed by this author and once again I can say, there was promise when the story began, but it quickly fell short and turned into an awkward rendition of</span></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"> erotica. I will say for the record that I have never been a fan of erotica, but some of is bearable. After reading this book I can honestly say I am not a fan of erotica at all and I truly believe that books should be labeled this way rather than being labeled "romance". In my opinion, there is a big difference. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">As for the actual storyline, like I said, it had promise. I liked the twin aspect, the actual paranormal storyline... This is what drew me the book. But then there is a relationship that begins too quickly, turns too sexual and dominates the pages. There were discrepancies from what the author said in one section of the book to something said later. And as I have said before, I typically never critique grammar (only content), but the spelling errors were in abundance. There were times that there were numerous mistakes on a page, and the sentence made no sense because of it. Also, there were times when the author bounces between english slang and british slang and it gets hard to keep track of. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;">My 2 star rating was because I got through it, but it took much longer than it should have. In the midst of searching for his abducted sister, Dane and Lily are tearing (literally) one another's clothes off. I kept reading, because I was fascinated with the paranormal aspect and the abduction. They go to New York, they follow these leads and then BAM.... no climax, nothing... one moment we are preparing for a major bust and then all we get is a two line phone call telling us it's all over? I was beyond </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;">disappointed. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">I don't want to give away any other spoilers, so I can't talk about the ending, aside from saying that it did not redeem the story at all in my eyes. This story could have been very fascinating and at first almost reminded me of a paranormal/psychic series of books by famous author Kay Hooper, that I used to love reading... but it fell very short very fast and I truly believe it's greatest downfall was the erotica. It took away from the storyline that should have focused more on the paranormal aspect while still focusing on Dane and Lily's relationship, from a more tasteful perspective. </span></span></div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 21px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div></div><div style="line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265372027458515674.post-52574835144173439962013-05-30T09:13:00.000-04:002013-10-17T14:46:45.687-04:00SHREDDED!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqObV9K5VZVhMKUqdJ_U5_4SuWMr-DMSRhs-3HLb87jxnIqiPKV-iWS6aefai8ZSChJ-evTxKIj7-VIbuHc-zqAEhyphenhyphenYkMDFEmNTIwzT6A1g2BHseuQiLx5JjlAdRiyYVCIofHfpy3k8A/s1600/shredded.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/AVvXsEheqObV9K5VZVhMKUqdJ_U5_4SuWMr-DMSRhs-3HLb87jxnIqiPKV-iWS6aefai8ZSChJ-evTxKIj7-VIbuHc-zqAEhyphenhyphenYkMDFEmNTIwzT6A1g2BHseuQiLx5JjlAdRiyYVCIofHfpy3k8A/s320/shredded.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Drop into the world of girls’ freestyle BMX for an action-packed summer road-trip adventure.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Josie Peters thinks she’ll do anything to qualify for the Ultimate BMX freestyle event the summer before her senior year. She can handle road trips and back flips, but when flashy rider R.T. Torres tempts her with an easy “in,” the sacrifices required threaten to send Josie spinning out of control.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: e; color: #181818; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #990000;">Author:</b> Karen Avivi</span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #990000;">Title: </b>Shredded</span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #990000;">Genre: </b>Young Adult >Contemporary </span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #990000;">Publication Date: </b>April 2013</span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Links to Purchase: </span><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shredded-karen-avivi/1114374144?ean=9780991807932&itm=1&usri=9780991807932" style="color: #797979; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shredded-Karen-Avivi/dp/0991807936/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369917363&sr=8-1&keywords=karen+avivi" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></b></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold;">Reviewer: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Megan</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>My Review: 5 out of 5 Stars I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!</b></span></span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What a Fantastic Story by Karen Avivi!! Okay so maybe I have a soft spot for girls who push the limits with sports that are dubbed "guys sports", but the storyline, the characters, the flow of the writing - it was all there. I read this book in one sitting. I started it early in the morning over coffee and finished it before my overnight shift at work. It was enthralling, captivating, and kept me intrigued. There was no real major drama or over the top climax, just a real life look at an extreme sport and the girls who refuse to take no for an answer. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I liked Josie A LOT. She was a strong character and she didn't get everything handed to her with a big shiny bow. She actually had to work for it. And she worked hard. I am not sure if I would be so eager to get up and keep going after the major wipe out she took. But I loved her guts, I loved her charisma, and I loved that stood up for what she wanted. I liked all of her friends - Lauryn, Alexis, Miguel! They all fit well and brought out something in Josie. Okay, Alexis was a little annoying, but that was the point! I also liked R.T. and I liked that the story didn't get caught up in major romance. It was nice to see the dynamic of Josie's family... it was more realistic and as I have said a million times, I love realistic authenticity! </span></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, another reason I will mention about why I loved this book was how through the whole thing I could see the movie playing in my head... I pictured the characters, the events, the crowds of people... It was so clear!!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A little tid bit about me and a final reason why I LOVED this book... I used to skateboard and freestyle rollerblade with a group of guys in junior high into early high school. I was a lot more daring and put together with my rollerblading than I was the skateboard. I never could master keeping it attached to my feet. But the rollerblading, whoa, watch out. I was a psycho on wheels! Ptts... we called ourselves "The Psycho Chickens". </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When Josie would talk about grinding, the half pipe, or jumping stairs, my heart would pound harder as I remembered those days for myself. The feel of the rush as you push harder toward the jump, praying as you fly through the air that you land it - Whoa, it was a blast! Even her infamous wipe out reminded me of a pretty bad fall I took. Nothing broken, just a concussion, but the adrenaline in the situation is intense. Unlike Josie, I was a bit more leery after this fall. I think I was finally aware that I could <i>actually</i> get hurt. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm fascinated by BMX riders, especially girl BMX riders. The level of guts and bravery is exceptional and that is another reason why I loved this book so much. It was a fun, easy read that showed me another sport that girls can excel at as well as reminded and rekindled some of my own childhood memories. Memories, that as I read felt so fresh. Back then, girls on skateboards was frowned upon. My parents Loathed it and it was the cause of much tension, but like Josie, I didn't care what other people thought. I loved the way it made me feel and that was all that mattered. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I truly truly hope to see more from this author in the near future. I cannot thank her enough for bringing this fantastic book into my world and letting me write a review. And if she accepts, I think we just might be hearing a lot more from her soon... in the form of an author interview. Because I don't know about you, but I am beyond intrigued about her knowledge of BMX riders and I just want more!! </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves contemporary YA, and who also loves extreme sports and the girls who participate in them. </span></span></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265372027458515674.post-59626189843347540522013-05-27T19:25:00.000-04:002013-10-17T16:03:01.555-04:00Manic Monday #6<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Manic Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Turn The Page where we get to decide who the </span></span></div>
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Just when I thought last Monday was Manic, this monday came creeping up and slammed me right in the face. It was a busy and hectic weekend as well. It's actually hard to believe that May is just about over. Manic Monday's have been going really well so far and I am looking forward to doing our second issue of Books, Blogs, & Page Turners this week as well. So lets see who our last Manic Monday winner is for the month of May, shall we?</div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 21px;"><b>Missy Johnson - </b></span><span style="line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Inseparable</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Congratulations Missy! </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://turnthepagebookblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/inseparable.html" target="_blank">Megan's review of Inseparable</a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Monday June 3, 2013 </span></b></span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Manic Monday Picks</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #990000;">1. Survival (Book #1 of The Guardians of Vesturon </span></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Series) - A.M. Hargrove</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">3. Eternal Eden (Book #1 Eden Trilogy) - Nicole Williams </span></span></div>
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<b style="color: #333333; font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">* If you've read it, tell us what you thought and tell me</span></b><b style="color: #333333; font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> which book should be chosen as our Manic Monday Indie/Self-Published Author Feature for Week #7</span></b><br />
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<b style="color: #333333; font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Also, Tell me if you've found outstanding Indie books (for FREE or PAID) that you think deserve a spotlight in our Manic Monday. </span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265372027458515674.post-64590704333212315372013-05-23T09:46:00.000-04:002013-10-17T14:46:45.700-04:00HARVEST MOON!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rN5MWby3j7brdO5CGwW1Y1qvHvm7cRH-og0ADgtTKZu3iz_Q_T4tccCEVd2KmR2QXZ1eIkl1z4jYsGdcXHEh3Ht8zCfxeqHXlLKjhQJ3WlWdWdrZaszd1UbjrGM2WGic0n9CkZHBHwA/s1600/Slide1.png" 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/AVvXsEg-rN5MWby3j7brdO5CGwW1Y1qvHvm7cRH-og0ADgtTKZu3iz_Q_T4tccCEVd2KmR2QXZ1eIkl1z4jYsGdcXHEh3Ht8zCfxeqHXlLKjhQJ3WlWdWdrZaszd1UbjrGM2WGic0n9CkZHBHwA/s320/Slide1.png" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">A year after Lexie Stone lost her sister Angela to a brutal murder, Lexie's self-obsessed mother walks out, leaving her with her alcoholic father. When Lexie becomes the target of her father's physical abuse, she makes a life changing decision...to keep her secret from everyone.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But, on the night marking five years since Angela's death, the secret Lexie has kept almost kills her, forcing her to face the aftermath of her decisions.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Torn by her love for her sister, her three best friends </span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">and the inescapable feeling that unless she can let go of the past she may not survive...</span></div></div><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;">But to do so, may mean leaving behind everything she has ever known.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #990000;">Author:</b> Megan McCooey</span></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #990000;">Title: </b>Harvest Moon (Book #1 of The Harvest Series)</span></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #990000;">Genre: </b>Fiction >Young Adult > Contemporary > Social Issues</span></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #990000;">Publication Date: </b>March 2013</span></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; text-align: left;"><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Links to Purchase: </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=megan+mccooey" style="color: #797979; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold;">Reviewer: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Angela </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>My Review: 5 out of 5 stars</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Through my life I have always wanted to visit the New England states. The way Megan captivated my attention with the setting of Harvest Moon makes me long to vacation not only to New England, but specifically Maine. It was as if she tore me from the couch and put me next to Lexi throughout the book. I felt the river breeze through my hair. I could smell the Harvest Fest food. When Lexi's father was dragging her across the floor, he was dragging me too. I have more of a </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">tendency to fall in love with books settings rather than the characters, and this books setting had me hooked from page one! </span></span><br /><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7265372027458515674.post-10872546529235844952013-05-23T09:45:00.000-04:002013-10-17T14:46:45.649-04:00SHATTERED!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RYB-4ORQWrJ2yWltslnRRly3duTTCdvhSMbRNTbRv0BFzPSanx-2qK2RmO4K28DyWPp_N0ZCzRKCd82-DLxxagef66ALl_k8u4OuwiaFR7E4iw3hEkNecfuU9v5_AkJ2OiOTjGT0HKA/s1600/sandra.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/AVvXsEj_RYB-4ORQWrJ2yWltslnRRly3duTTCdvhSMbRNTbRv0BFzPSanx-2qK2RmO4K28DyWPp_N0ZCzRKCd82-DLxxagef66ALl_k8u4OuwiaFR7E4iw3hEkNecfuU9v5_AkJ2OiOTjGT0HKA/s320/sandra.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Manic Monday Indie/Self-Published Author Feature </b></span></div></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Week #4</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div><br /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Identical twins, Miranda and Nastasia Moralez, couldn’t be more different. Being the head of the cheerleading team, Natasia is the most popular girl in the school. Miranda is not, taking photographs in her spare time for the school paper. Life is normal until a tragic accident takes the life of one twin. Miranda quickly realizes that the car crash that took her sister’s life was no accident. It was planned. Now, Miranda has to find out who wanted her sister dead before she succumbs to the same fate.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #990000;">Author:</b> Sandra Madera</span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #990000;">Title: </b>Shattered </span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #990000;">Genre: </b>Young Adult >Short Story >Mystery/Suspense </span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #990000;">Publication Date: </b>April 2013</span></span></div><div style="background-color: #fff5e5; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Links to Purchase: </span><span style="color: #666666; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/shattered-sandra-madera?store=book&keyword=shattered+sandra+madera" style="color: #797979; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> (Free)</span></span></b></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold;">Reviewer: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Megan</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>My Review: 4.5 out of 5 Stars </b></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I really enjoyed this short story by Sandra Madera. I thought it was really well </span></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">written, well put together and had a great plot. I was left in suspense throughout the whole story and found myself liking or disliking characters, that in the end were justified. There is one detective (all who have read will know who I mean) that I wanted to bitch slap at every turn of the page... being a criminal justice professional myself, I kept thinking who the hell is this (BLEEP) and how is no one keep her in check. Then.... it all became clear. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">I LOVED the ending. I really thought it was fantastic. What a great twist of events and the author did a great job of bringing the whole thing together. It wasn't predictable at all and kept me guessing. I even judged a couple of the characters, just as the author wanted us to do I'm guessing. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">The only thing I didn't like, but it helped tie the book together, was that these two <i>identical</i> twins seemed to barely know one another. Most twins I know are inseparable, run in the same circles, and are very similar. Not the case with shattered. Like I said though, it helped tie the mystery and suspense together so I get it... but I think I would have liked to see it come from a different angle. Fear maybe? Or threats? So much juicier and SO much more personal had she wanted to tell her and couldn't... (that's all I will say about that.)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">I highly recommend this fantastic short story to anyone who likes YA Mystery and Suspense!! </span></span><br /><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01261254456214467440noreply@blogger.com2