tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89009684126269091722024-03-13T08:29:36.994-07:00JULIE MARTIN WALLACEWRITER, READER, AND BOOK REVIEWERAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8900968412626909172.post-24904054943801523862016-03-02T02:44:00.002-07:002016-03-02T02:44:21.238-07:00Review- A Hearts in Autumn Romance "Courting Cassandry" by Joyce DiPastena<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPah43yNFg7LoNgjHqlc-UqqmLXAOxfz4syk0shJVi80pvzc7vz-FWsGuzQd94sbCwI6h7GkwEJyu5bWjVWp5dKfLrg3kP9H-1SXegem_jSKzKREEApD4bla28ZHgXynyfZkqDqyCMpgPc/s320/CourtingCassandry-FINAL_PNG.png" width="212" /></div>
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<a href="http://joyce-dipastena.blogspot.com/p/hearts-in-autumn-series.html">http://joyce-dipastena.blogspot.com/p/hearts-in-autumn-series.html</a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Cassandry
is a widow and Gerolt, her guardian growing up, comes to visit her and suggests
for her to marry again. She turns down the idea instantly claiming she's to
old. He suggests an arranged marriage between his son Rauffe and her 15 year
old daughter Egelina (Gelli). Cassandry couldn't have trusted anybody better
than Gerolt with the safekeeping of her daughter. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">She
brings Gelli to the engagement ceremony and plans to only stay long enough to
make sure her daughter is settled in. Gelli is at a difficult age and refuses
to marry Rauffe because she wants to join the nunnery. She only wants to be a
nun to learn to read and write and Cassandry refuses to let her learn because
it only causes problems. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Someone
is sending gifts to Gelli. Cassandry thinks one of Gerolt's knights might be
courting her since Rauffe is very sickly and may not even make it to their
wedding day. Gerolt needs an heir to take over his lands and if Rauffe doesn't
marry soon and produce an heir he'll need to marry himself. Gerolt knows
Cassandry doesn't want to marry, plus, if their children marry it's forbidden
but Gerolt can't lose Cassandry again. After she married one of his knights, he
missed her friendship. But she's keeping something from him and he can't
understand why.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Joyce
weaves a beautiful story set in 13 century England with knights and ladies. The
characters are wonderful and flawed, making them all the more real. It's a
beautiful romance with a little mystery</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #747474; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;"><b>Buy</b></span><b style="background-color: white; color: #747474; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;"> </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #747474; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;"><i>Courting Cassandry</i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #747474; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;"><b> now</b> for ONLY $3.99:</span></div>
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<br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="buyll" style="color: #5068c3; text-decoration: none;"></a><a class="myButton" href="http://www.amazon.com/Courting-Cassandry-Hearts-Autumn-Romance-ebook/dp/B01AU2TK6W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453307513&sr=8-1&keywords=courting+cassandry" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: linear-gradient(rgb(255, 255, 255) 5%, rgb(250, 186, 178) 100%); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 2px; border: 1px solid rgb(250, 186, 178); box-shadow: rgb(250, 186, 178) 0px 0px 0px 0px inset; color: #5068c3; display: inline-block; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a> Kindle edition<br /><a class="myButton" href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/courting-cassandry-joyce-dipastena/1123286747?ean=2940152771329" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: linear-gradient(rgb(255, 255, 255) 5%, rgb(250, 186, 178) 100%); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 2px; border: 1px solid rgb(250, 186, 178); box-shadow: rgb(250, 186, 178) 0px 0px 0px 0px inset; color: #5068c3; display: inline-block; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a> NOOK Book<br /><a class="myButton" href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/courting-cassandry" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: linear-gradient(rgb(255, 255, 255) 5%, rgb(250, 186, 178) 100%); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 2px; border: 1px solid rgb(250, 186, 178); box-shadow: rgb(250, 186, 178) 0px 0px 0px 0px inset; color: #5068c3; display: inline-block; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Kobo</a> E-book<br /><a class="myButton" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1076876300" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: linear-gradient(rgb(255, 255, 255) 5%, rgb(250, 186, 178) 100%); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 2px; border: 1px solid rgb(250, 186, 178); box-shadow: rgb(250, 186, 178) 0px 0px 0px 0px inset; color: #5068c3; display: inline-block; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">iTunes</a> iBook</div>
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<b style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12.5pt; line-height: 19.1667px;">This is me after I finished reading Courting Cassandry.</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichPb9l99pVFIrfYpmEtgFGZ-5qHtAJUZV8hM5RXS_RImcM7KwhY4o8uUtWn5GXoUe8-aVjuwSJijF9cZgb7j_VgqnhdTXMp6P-x7Yg_iAlyNRL09XAueYANgFLMctVmyY9SP41VGlD7EL/s1600/finishing+a+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichPb9l99pVFIrfYpmEtgFGZ-5qHtAJUZV8hM5RXS_RImcM7KwhY4o8uUtWn5GXoUe8-aVjuwSJijF9cZgb7j_VgqnhdTXMp6P-x7Yg_iAlyNRL09XAueYANgFLMctVmyY9SP41VGlD7EL/s320/finishing+a+book.jpg" width="269" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8900968412626909172.post-73030028195072545372015-11-14T12:14:00.001-07:002015-11-14T12:14:05.884-07:00Passages to the Past: Blog Tour Kick Off & Giveaway: Zenobia - Challengi...<a href="http://www.passagestothepast.com/2015/11/zenobia-challenging-legend-zenobia-book.html?spref=bl">Passages to the Past: Blog Tour Kick Off & Giveaway: Zenobia - Challenging a Legend</a>: Please join me in congratulating Russ Wallace on the publication of his latest novel, Zenobia - Challenging a Legend, which hits stores today<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfW1cvZOhMJiLjHFqUO0GqsKoo_mUekWjeYfBIrwa3_MSKP52wBO5o3_buEBi8kYHacY9iLKXSLa6jlRsXq-367RZHbtfIzida7QoEODGqMr23CFHfo6UOjMyIGJL7gRqAGHD8oIeyogZ/s1600/Zenobia-Challenging-a-Legend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfW1cvZOhMJiLjHFqUO0GqsKoo_mUekWjeYfBIrwa3_MSKP52wBO5o3_buEBi8kYHacY9iLKXSLa6jlRsXq-367RZHbtfIzida7QoEODGqMr23CFHfo6UOjMyIGJL7gRqAGHD8oIeyogZ/s320/Zenobia-Challenging-a-Legend.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8900968412626909172.post-32650000932499527622014-07-21T14:25:00.001-07:002014-07-21T14:27:31.028-07:00What is your favorite kissing scene in a book or movie? Here's my favorites. <h2>
I was on a month long vacation last month and I got a lot of reading done. It was wonderful. More later on all my reviews. One book I was extremely excited to read while on vacation was an ARC of</h2>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><em style="font-size: 2em; line-height: 1.5em;">Zenobia</em><em style="font-size: 2em; line-height: 1.5em;">- Challenging a Legend </em></span><span style="font-size: 2em; line-height: 1.5em;">
</span></h1>
<h5>
(For more information about the Zenobia book series visit <a href="http://geodepress.com/">http://geodepress.com/</a>)</h5>
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<h2>
There's a much anticipated kissing scene in the Zenobia book series. And being an avid reader of romance novels and a huge fan of romance movies, I was able to provide my expertise in the field of Love. I wish I could share the kissing scene from book two, <em>Zenobia - Challenging a Legend</em> but it would give to much away. So to hold you over until the release, here's some of my favorite kisses in books or films:</h2>
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<dl class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_2360" style="width: 216px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://geodepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/GoneWithTheWind.jpg"><img alt="GoneWithTheWind" class="size-medium wp-image-2360" src="http://geodepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/GoneWithTheWind-206x300.jpg" height="300" width="206" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd"><h4>
<span style="color: red;">Gone with the Wind</span></h4>
</dd></dl>
<h4>
<span style="color: red; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5em;">"He bent back her head across his arm and kissed her, softly at first, and then with a swift gradation of intensity that made her cling to him as the only solid thing in a dizzy swaying world. His insistent mouth was parting her shaking lips, sending wild tremors along her nerves, evoking from her sensations she had never known she was capable of feeling. And before a swimming giddiness spun her round and round, she knew that she was kissing him back."</span></h4>
<span style="color: red;"> </span>
<br />
<dl class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="" style="width: 216px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://geodepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/PrincesBride.jpg"><img alt="PrincesBride" class=" " src="http://geodepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/PrincesBride-206x300.jpg" height="300" width="206" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd"><h4>
<span style="color: red;">The Princess Bride</span></h4>
</dd></dl>
<h3>
<span style="color: red;">"There have been five great kisses ...everyone agrees deserve full marks. Well, this one left them all behind.”</span></h3>
<span style="color: red;"> </span>
<br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_1305" style="width: 190px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://geodepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/shakespeare-in-love.jpg"><img alt="shakespeare in love" class="size-full wp-image-1305 " src="http://geodepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/shakespeare-in-love.jpg" height="180" width="180" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd"><h3>
<span style="color: red;">Shakespeare in Love</span></h3>
</dd></dl>
<br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_2372" style="width: 310px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://geodepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/divergentkissinggif.gif"><img alt="divergentkissinggif" class="size-medium wp-image-2372" src="http://geodepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/divergentkissinggif-300x168.gif" height="168" width="300" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd"><h3>
<span style="color: red;">Divergent</span></h3>
</dd></dl>
<br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_2361" style="width: 255px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://geodepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Jace-and-Clary-kissing.gif"><img alt="Jace and Clary kissing" class="size-full wp-image-2361" src="http://geodepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Jace-and-Clary-kissing.gif" height="245" width="245" /></a></dt>
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<span style="color: red;">City of Bones</span></h3>
</dd></dl>
<dl class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_2364" style="width: 216px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://geodepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/RomeoJuliet.jpg"><img alt="RomeoJuliet" class="size-medium wp-image-2364 " src="http://geodepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/RomeoJuliet-206x300.jpg" height="300" width="206" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd"><h3>
<span style="color: red;">Romeo and Juliet</span></h3>
</dd></dl>
<dl class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_2365" style="width: 216px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://geodepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/sixteencandles.jpg"><img alt="sixteencandles" class="size-medium wp-image-2365 " src="http://geodepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/sixteencandles-206x300.jpg" height="300" width="206" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd"><h4>
<span style="color: red;">Sixteen Candles</span></h4>
</dd></dl>
<br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_2366" style="width: 310px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://geodepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/the-hunger-games-katniss-peeta-kiss.jpg"><img alt="the-hunger-games-katniss-peeta-kiss" class="size-medium wp-image-2366 " src="http://geodepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/the-hunger-games-katniss-peeta-kiss-300x193.jpg" height="193" width="300" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd"><h4>
<span style="color: red;">The Hunger Games</span></h4>
</dd></dl>
<br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_2367" style="width: 216px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://geodepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Twilight.jpg"><img alt="Twilight" class="size-medium wp-image-2367 " src="http://geodepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Twilight-206x300.jpg" height="300" width="206" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd"><h4>
<span style="color: red;">Twilight</span></h4>
</dd></dl>
<br />
<dl class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_2368" style="width: 216px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://geodepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/TheNotebook.jpg"><img alt="TheNotebook" class="size-medium wp-image-2368 " src="http://geodepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/TheNotebook-206x300.jpg" height="300" width="206" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd"><h4>
<span style="color: red;">The Notebook</span></h4>
</dd></dl>
<br />
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
<a href="http://geodepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Wraigthsongkiss2.jpg"><img alt="Wraigthsongkiss2" class=" wp-image-2383 aligncenter" src="http://geodepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Wraigthsongkiss2.jpg" height="225" width="225" /></a></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><em>Wraithsong</em>, Book I in the Desirable Creatures Series (I stole this picture from Carrie Dairies.)</span></h4>
<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
<span style="color: red;">One of my all time favorites:</span></h3>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: red;"> </span>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="color: red;">and this one too:</span></h3>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/fpNFbgi8dlg?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
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<span style="color: red;"> </span>
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<h3>
</h3>
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<h1>
I know I missed some epic ones. What's your</h1>
<h1>
favorite kissing scene in a book or film?</h1>
<br />
<h1>
Check back for my summer book reviews. Coming soon.</h1>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8900968412626909172.post-21235535250041344472014-03-20T16:10:00.000-07:002014-03-20T17:00:19.880-07:00CRITIQUES- A NECESSARY EVIL IN A WRITER'S WORLD. <h2 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.4pt;">At some stage in the writing process, most writers
want feedback on their work. Here are some tips on how to organize and receive helpful
critiques.</span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.4pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5sn7Xkj1YZA/UyteFAwydDI/AAAAAAAAEOg/Y_OdnEWpzzM/s1600/critique1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5sn7Xkj1YZA/UyteFAwydDI/AAAAAAAAEOg/Y_OdnEWpzzM/s1600/critique1.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 14.65pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 26.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="line-height: 20.4pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></h3>
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<b style="line-height: 20.4pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
Critiquer:</span></b></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 14.65pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 26.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="line-height: 20.4pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">As a critiquer, your job is
to understand the writer's goals and help the writer achieve them.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Every writer has a
different voice and approach. It is sometimes tempting to change someone else's
piece to make it more like something you would write. Instead, help the
writer produce the best possible version of what that writer is trying to
write. Consider the piece on its own terms and help it fulfill its potential.</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It’s suggested to read the
piece through from beginning to end to get the experience as a reader. Don’t
get right into the critiquing part until your 2<sup>nd</sup> time reading. Take
notes of your first impressions.</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /> </span><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Suggested
Critique Format:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 14.65pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 26.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> 1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">First, summarize and
interpret. <span style="font-weight: normal;">At this first stage, you are not judging the piece or offering
suggestions. You are just telling the author what you think it is about, and
what you think it is trying to do. This is important because it tells the
author how well he or she has succeeded in communicating.</span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 14.65pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 26.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Second, say what you think
is working well. <span style="font-weight: normal;">Positive feedback can be as useful as criticism. Point out the
best parts of the piece and the strengths of the author's writing. This can
help the author write more "best parts" in the future and develop his
or her individual talent. Starting with positive feedback also makes it easier
for the author to listen to criticism later without becoming defensive or
discouraged.</span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 14.65pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 26.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Third, give constructive
criticism. <span style="font-weight: normal;">Make sure that criticism is respectful and delivered in a form that
allows the author to make specific improvements. Authors tend to have high
emotional stakes in their work, and may at some level confuse criticism of a
story or a poem for criticism of their talent or vision. It is therefore
especially important to make your comments as specific as possible and keep
them clearly focused on the piece, rather than the author. Give examples from
the piece whenever possible to show your points.</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="line-height: 14.65pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b style="line-height: 14.65pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Do's
and Don'ts:</span></b></h2>
<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">DO:</span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 14.65pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 26.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Read
the piece several times<br /> <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Try
to experience the piece as an "ordinary reader" before you consider
it as an author or editor<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Try
to understand the author's goals<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Be
specific in your feedback and provide relevant examples</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">DON'T:</span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 14.65pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 26.25pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Impose
your own tastes or world view<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Rewrite
the story the way YOU would have written it<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Discourage
the author<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Offer
criticisms that are too general to help the author make specific improvements<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">(critiques aka "bleeding all over" the manuscript.)</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 20.4pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
Author's Role: </span></b></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 20.4pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We suggest that the author
try not to talk at all during an oral critique except to ask clarifying
questions at the end. There is a natural tendency for authors to try to explain
their work, particularly if they see that the critiquer has not understood it
the way they intended. </span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 20.4pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><br /> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Advice
on Receiving a Critique:</span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 20.4pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">If you're on the receiving
end of a critique, focus on listening and understanding the feedback you
receive. You don't have to agree with it. You won't have to follow any of the
suggestions you're given.</span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 20.4pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">In fact, some of the
suggestions you get are likely to be not-so-useful. You will have to sort them
out from the useful ones and make your own decisions. But save this sorting-out
for later. Otherwise, the sorting-out process will interfere with your ability
to listen. And you'll probably do a better job of sorting out the good advice
from the bad if you take some time first to digest everything.</span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 20.4pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Take careful notes on all the feedback and ask questions if there's something you don't understand. Don't
argue with the critiquer or defend your piece. Don't even try to explain it.</span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 20.4pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">After the critique, we
suggest taking a break before you try to sort the feedback out. Getting a
critique can be hard. Relax a little afterwards. This break might last
twenty-four hours or a couple of weeks -- however long you need to get some
emotional distance on the process. Then take a fresh look at what you've
written. Reread your notes on the critique.</span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 20.4pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Which suggestions do you
agree with? Which ones do you want to ignore? If you're not sure about a
suggestion, do some experimental rewriting. Try it out. There's no risk. If you
don't like the result of the revision, you can always trash it and go back to
the original version.</span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 20.4pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Remember:
</span><b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">you're the author. You're the one in
charge here.</b></h3>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kBWcoeaonXQ/UytjHZT-rBI/AAAAAAAAEO0/1F1UNBEfmFU/s1600/lion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kBWcoeaonXQ/UytjHZT-rBI/AAAAAAAAEO0/1F1UNBEfmFU/s1600/lion.jpg" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 20.4pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Full article can be
found at: </span><a href="http://www.creative-writing-now.com/how-to-write-a-critique.html"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.creative-writing-now.com/how-to-write-a-critique.html</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h2>
<span style="color: #202020; font-family: Lato, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 1em;">Traditional critique groups - Pro's and Con's</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Lato, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 1em;">:</span></h2>
</div>
<div>
<h2>
<strong style="color: #202020; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 18pt;">Pro's:</strong></h2>
</div>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">First and foremost, traditional
critique groups can help clean up a new writer’s technique.</span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">In a good traditional critique groups you will learn that POV does not mean “Prisoners of Vietnam.” You will learn to
spot passive voice and will even learn why adverbs aren't
always extra-nifty. You will hopefully learn self-discipline in that you need
to attend regularly and contribute. You will forge friendships and a support
network.</span></h3>
<h3 style="background-color: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 15pt 0in;">
<strong>Con's:</strong></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<strong>Traditional
critique groups can lack perspective:</strong></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Reading ten pages every month may clean
up sloppy writing but traditional critique groups are looking at a work the size
of a skyscraper with a magnifying glass. They lack the distance to see flaws. A
novel can have perfect writing style page to page and yet have faults. Traditional
critique groups can tell you nothing about turning points or whether a scene
fits properly. They lack the background to be able to discern if our hero has
progressed sufficiently along his character arc by the mid-point of Act 2. They
have zero ability to properly critique pacing, since pacing can only be judged
in larger context. I<span style="line-height: 18pt;">n traditional critique groups, sitting around the table reading a few pages can’t give you the big picture.
It's hard to pick up a story on page 86 and understand what's going on.</span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 18pt;"><br /></span><strong style="line-height: 18pt;">Traditional critique groups can offer
a false sense of security</strong><span style="line-height: 18pt;">:</span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">You must always be looking for ways to
have our work critiqued by professionals who are willing to be blunt and who
possess the skill-set to see our errors. Gathering together because we love
writing is always a great idea but make sure to reach beyond our group for additional critique. Make sure your
work is being reviewed by people who will be honest about any problems.</span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Critique groups are WONDERFUL. Every writer should be a part of a c</span><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 18pt;">ritique group. </span><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 18pt;">You just need to be aware of the trouble
spots so that you can get the most out of this fantastic resource. </span></h3>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 15pt 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Full article found at <a href="http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2012/01/16/can-critique-groups-do-more-harm-than-good/">http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2012/01/16/can-critique-groups-do-more-harm-than-good/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<h4 style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<strong><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Here’s a brilliant idea to
get the most out of a critique group:</span></i></strong></h4>
<h4 style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<strong><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></i></strong><strong>Introducing Concept Critique </strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">by</span> </strong><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Kristen Lamb - author
of the #1 best-selling books</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><em>We Are Not Alone—The Writer’s Guide to Social Media </em>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em>Are You There, Blog? It’s Me, Writer. </em></h4>
<h4 style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<strong><span style="color: #555555;"><a href="http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2012/02/06/a-new-approach-to-a-traditional-group-the-concept-critique/"><span style="font-weight: normal;">http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2012/02/06/a-new-approach-to-a-traditional-group-the-concept-critique/</span></a></span></strong><span style="color: #555555;"> </span></h4>
<h4 style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h4>
<h4 style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Instead of
bringing the first ten pages of your novel, write a 10 page synopsis based off
what you did when you were plotting. Or, for those pantsers, go back and show
the scenes of the WIP you've written. Every scene should have a one-sentence
summary, so writing a synopsis now should be a piece of cake. A scene-by-scene critique is a far better
use of time than taking a year to get line-edit on a potentially flawed WIP.</span></h4>
<h4 style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><o:p></o:p>Let your brilliant writer friends
chime in on what they think of your story as a whole. Does this synopsis sound
like a book they are dying to read? Can they tell who the antagonist is? Is
your antagonist a mustache-twirler or the stuff of greatness?</span></h4>
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<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Once you have your novel as a whole
critiqued, take it to the next step. The next time you meet take Act One and write a ten
page synopsis of what happens in Act One. Get critiqued. Clean it up. Then, take
Act Two and Act Three and do the same. Write ten page synopses about what
happens in each act. Then take it to the next step. Break your act into scenes
and write a summary of what happens in each scene.</span></h4>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />This way you
are cleaning up your <em>concept</em>. Your fellow writers now can help
you by brainstorming better ways to build your mousetrap. And, since they have
an idea of the BIG picture, their advice will be a lot better. They might even
be able to offer insight into how to fix the idea before you invest the next
year writing a book that is doomed from day one because the original idea
needed to be fortified before it could support 60-100,000 words. Or, if you
have already written the novel, you will have a better idea how to tackle
revisions.</span></h4>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />Once you have
solid critique on all these summaries, take off and write/revise that novel.
Now it will be way easier because <em>you know where you are going. </em>Also,
because your writer friends helped in the planning phase, they will be better
trained to see flaws once they critique your final product. </span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My personal suggestions on critiques: </span></h4>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20.4pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20.4pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Critiques are better if
you find someone who reads in your genre. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20.4pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20.4pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20.4pt;">Critique partners and/or
beta readers are a must. </span></span><a href="http://worldliterarycafe.com/" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20.4pt;">Worldliterarycafe.com</a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20.4pt;"> has a spot for finding critique
partners/beta readers. Personally I loved this experience. I found an author who wrote
in the same genre and we exchanged stories. It was someone I </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 27.200000762939453px;">didn't</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20.4pt;"> know so
they could be honest and blunt and not hurt our friendship. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20.4pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20.4pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20.4pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Small critique groups with 3 - 4 people have been a wonderful experience for me - we meet together once a week. Send pages ahead so we can read it over. We give an oral critique and a written or e-</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20.4pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">critique to view later. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.4pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></h4>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 27.200000762939453px;"> Critiques may be a necessary evil in the writing world but it doesn't have to be a bad experience. It's a tool to help get our very best work published. </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">Find what works for you. </span></span></span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 20.4pt;">Happy Writing! Happy </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 27.200000762939453px;">Critiquing</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 20.4pt;">! </span></span></span></h3>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8900968412626909172.post-63884333307195263872014-01-29T16:54:00.000-07:002014-01-29T16:54:41.958-07:00Book review of Slayers Friends and Traitors book #2 in the series<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.3em;">
<code><a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/slayers-2.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/slayers-2.jpg"><img alt="slayers 2" class="size-medium wp-image-427 aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/slayers-2.jpg?w=200" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/slayers-2.jpg?w=200" height="300" style="border: 0px; cursor: default; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></a></code><br />
After the dragon summer camp is over, everyone has to return to their normal lives. Tori wants Jesse to break the rules and see her over the school year. As captain, he won’t do it and tells Tori to see other people. She’s crushed and cries on Dirk’s shoulder.</div>
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As a spy, Dirk doesn't mind breaking the rules and sends Tori letters. Her dad’s a senator so it’s easy to track her down. They secretly start corresponding.</div>
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Tori fears the eggs have hatched— her special skill is hearing what the dragons do. Dirk’s special power is dragon-sight and he claims to see nothing. Dr. B believes Dirk. Tori makes a surprise visit to Dirk’s football game to confirm that he hasn’t seen anything. Dirk’s a major player and Tori knows it, but he seems to really like her. Unlike Jesse, Dirk wants to be with her.</div>
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When Jesse gets attacked, all the Slayers meet up to figure out how the Dragon Lord knows where they live. Everyone together is just what the Dragon Lord wants.</div>
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This is a great sequel. I’m so Team Jesse, but I’m a little Team Dirk too. He’s a bad boy you can’t help feel sorry for. I’m a believer now in dragons and love the way the story makes mystical creatures come to life. I can’t wait until book 3. C.J. Hill writes thrilling action scenes and romance that will steal your heart.</div>
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Book one is a must read too.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/slayers-cvr.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/slayers-cvr.jpg"><img alt="Slayers cvr" class="size-full wp-image-428 aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/slayers-cvr.jpg" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/slayers-cvr.jpg" height="300" style="border: 0px; cursor: default; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="206" /></a></div>
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Buy the book at :</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Slayers-Traitors-C-J-Hill/dp/1250024617/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389858044&sr=8-1&keywords=slayers+friends+and+traitors" href="http://www.amazon.com/Slayers-Traitors-C-J-Hill/dp/1250024617/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389858044&sr=8-1&keywords=slayers+friends+and+traitors">http://www.amazon.com/Slayers-Traitors-C-J-Hill/dp/1250024617/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389858044&sr=8-1&keywords=slayers+friends+and+traitors</a></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/friends-and-traitors-c-j-hill/1117174829?ean=9781250024619" href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/friends-and-traitors-c-j-hill/1117174829?ean=9781250024619">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/friends-and-traitors-c-j-hill/1117174829?ean=9781250024619</a></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.3em;">
<a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/c-j-hill-aka-janetterallison.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/c-j-hill-aka-janetterallison.jpg"><img alt="C.J. Hill AKA JanetteRallison" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-411" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/c-j-hill-aka-janetterallison.jpg" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/c-j-hill-aka-janetterallison.jpg" height="300" style="border: 0px; cursor: default;" width="200" /></a> stay in contact with C.J. Hill aka Janette Rallison at:</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://janetterallison.com/" href="http://janetterallison.com/"> http://janetterallison.com/</a></div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/janette.rallison" href="https://www.facebook.com/janette.rallison">https://www.facebook.com/janette.rallison</a></div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/janetterallison" href="https://twitter.com/janetterallison">https://twitter.com/janetterallison</a></div>
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Watch the book trailer: <code><a data-mce-href="//www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYR-3C6e-LI&w=560&h=315]" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYR-3C6e-LI&w=560&h=315]">[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYR-3C6e-LI&w=560&h=315]</a></code><br />
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<a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/fairy-tales-and-dragons.png" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/fairy-tales-and-dragons.png"><img alt="fairy tales and dragons" class="size-medium wp-image-429 aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/fairy-tales-and-dragons.png?w=300" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/fairy-tales-and-dragons.png?w=300" height="224" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8900968412626909172.post-65508732921164293892014-01-25T14:47:00.000-07:002014-01-25T14:47:25.036-07:00Book review of Allegiant by Veronica Roth<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.3em;">
<a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/allegiant.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/allegiant.jpg"><img alt="Allegiant" class="size-medium wp-image-422 aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/allegiant.jpg?w=205" height="300" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/allegiant.jpg?w=205" style="border: 0px; cursor: default; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="205" /></a></div>
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It took me forever to read the last book in the series. And not because it isn't an excellent story, but I knew I wasn't going to like the ending based off the major outrage by fans. I took my time reading because I wanted to savory Tris and Four’s relationship. They were finally, what I hoped, out of danger and could really enjoy each other. The truth, in their world they are never out of danger, and Tris and Four find themselves on different sides. Did I get a little tired of them bickering and almost breaking up? Sure. But reality is they were experiencing very stressful events. Life and death experiences can make anyone high strung.</div>
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There were so many quotes and thoughts that I absolutely loved from this story. For instances; when Christina says, “Being honest doesn’t mean you say whatever you want, whenever you want. It means what you choose to say is true.”</div>
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When Tris says, “… I think that no matter how smart, people usually see what they’re already looking for...”</div>
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And in the end I’m happy that Tris discovers, “And I know, without being told, that’s what love does, when it’s right— it makes you more than you were, more than you thought you could be.”</div>
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Did I like the ending? No, but I'm a happily-ever-after kind of reader. I live in reality, a world full of sorrow and death, so when I read I want to escape that reality. I understand there are plenty of people out there who love the tear-jerking sad stories. I don't mind reading them once in a while but I truly can't give them a 4 or 5 star rating because they aren't stories that I'm going to read over and over again.</div>
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"Allegiant” is a well written book. This is a great Dystopia series. And I became fully involved in Four and Tris's life.</div>
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It's interesting to read Veronica’s reasoning for her ending. You can find that on her blog and keep up to date with the movie releases. <a data-mce-href="http://veronicarothbooks.blogspot.com/" href="http://veronicarothbooks.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://veronicarothbooks.blogspot.com/</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8900968412626909172.post-172627191796692682014-01-02T16:36:00.001-07:002014-01-02T16:40:50.539-07:00Book Review of Echo in Time by C.J. Hill<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">What a great sequel to </span><i style="line-height: 1.5em;">Erasing Time</i><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">! There are some very sad moments and plenty of funny moments too. C.J. Hill is a clever writer. It’s Dystopia, Time Traveling, and Romance all wrapped up in an Action Adventure Story. The book continues with the funny slang words we use that make no sense in the future. </span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">For instance this scene between Echo and Taylor:</span><br />
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<i>Really?” Taylor asked him. “You would try to pick me up?”</i><br />
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<i>Echo tightened his grip on her waist. “Do you need me to carry you again? Are you having trouble walking?”</i><br />
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<i>"No,” she said. “Picking someone up is a twenty-first-century way of saying that, you know, you’re hitting on someone.”</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Hitting on someone? Before he could ask that, she said, “I mean, you want to hook up with them, hang out…” </i><i>She must have seen the blank look on his face. “It means you’re interested and you want to date them.”</i><br />
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<i>He lifted his eyebrows. “That all sounds so violent. What exactly did you do on dates in the twenty-first century?”</i><br />
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So funny! And there is plenty more where that came from.<br />
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<a href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/echo-in-time.jpg"><img alt="Echo-in-Time" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-412" height="300" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/echo-in-time.jpg?w=199" width="199" /></a><br />
If you haven't read book one <em>Erasing Time</em> you need to.<br />
<a href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/erasingtime.jpg"><img alt="ErasingTime" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-413" height="300" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/erasingtime.jpg" width="198" /></a><br />
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<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Spoiler alert if you haven’t read book one: </span></b>
The story continues with Taylor and Sheridan who got sucked up in a time machine to the 25<sup>th</sup> century. It’s only been a couple months since they escaped Traventon. They are living in Santa Fe. Sheridan and Joseph (In book one, <i>Erasing Time</i> he pretends to be Echo, his dead twin brother.) are in the beginnings of a developing relationship. The government in Santa Fe believes the time strainer is dangerous. Taylor and Joseph and some of Santa Fe’s finest military men are picked to go back and destroy the machine. The assignment is dangerous but all is going as planned until they learn everyone has their own secret mission. When Joseph uses the time machine to save his twin brother Echo it messes with time and now Sheridan never escaped from Traventon. Joseph has to save her before her mind is wiped clean. Echo is trying to help Taylor destroy the time strainer but he has his own agenda too and nothing is going smoothly. Will they be able to escape Traventon, again?
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Stay in contact with C.J. Hill</div>
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<a href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/c-j-hill-aka-janetterallison.jpg"><img alt="C.J. Hill AKA JanetteRallison" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-411" height="300" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/c-j-hill-aka-janetterallison.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/janetterallison">https://twitter.com/janetterallison</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/janette.rallison">https://www.facebook.com/janette.rallison</a></div>
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<a href="http://janetterallison.com/cj-hill-books/">http://janetterallison.com/cj-hill-books/</a></div>
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<strong>If you live in Arizona you'll want to attend the book signing event with C.J. Hill on Jan 7th at 7pm.</strong>
<strong>At Changing Hands Bookstore 6428 S McClintock Dr Tempe, AZ 85283</strong>
<strong>See you there!</strong><br />
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If you can't make the book event you can purchase your book at:<br />
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<a href="http://www.changinghands.com/book/9780062123961">http://www.changinghands.com/book/9780062123961</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Echo-Time-C-J-Hill/dp/0062123963">http://www.amazon.com/Echo-Time-C-J-Hill/dp/0062123963</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/echo-in-time-c-j-hill/1116128457?ean=9780062123978">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/echo-in-time-c-j-hill/1116128457?ean=9780062123978</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8900968412626909172.post-19726655319133576212013-11-29T18:44:00.000-07:002014-01-01T21:51:00.992-07:00Review for Love Bats Last by Pamela Aares<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jQGRl3ZIjcU/UplBdB1P3NI/AAAAAAAAEMA/qzi_sV_dKPM/s1600/Love-Bats-Last.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jQGRl3ZIjcU/UplBdB1P3NI/AAAAAAAAEMA/qzi_sV_dKPM/s320/Love-Bats-Last.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Alex Tavonesi is a famous baseball player and heir to a vineyard
in northern California. When he bumps into Jackie Brandon snooping around his vineyard
he’s instantly attracted to her. Jackie works as a veterinarian at the
California Marine Mammal Center. She must get to the bottom of why seals and
sea lions are mysteriously dying. She discovers
a poisons substance being dumped into the water close by the vineyards. Alex volunteers
at the marine center to get closer to Jackie but the last thing she’s looking
for is a relationship, especially with a jock. As their attraction grows, Alex is
having a hard time staying focused on his big hitting season and Jackie is
distracted from uncovering the truth. </div>
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The best way to describe this gripping romance story is
“hot.” Alex is surprisingly a level headed sweetheart for being so rich and
famous. Jackie is career minded and I enjoyed learning more about saving marine
animals. My favorite reads are spin-off
series by authors like Nora Roberts and I’m happy to find another author I love
reading as much. Love Bats Last is the first in a series about hot baseball
players and the women they fall in love with. The love story will wrap you up
in the steamy hot attraction between Alex and Jackie. The danger threatening
their lives will keep you on edge.</div>
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I’m looking forward
to reading all of the In the Heart of the Game Series. </div>
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<a href="http://www.pamelaaares.com/">http://www.pamelaaares.com/</a></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/PamelaAares">https://twitter.com/PamelaAares</a></div>
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This book will
be released Feb. 2014. For a chance to win a free copy go to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18873112-love-bats-last">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18873112-love-bats-last</a></div>
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I was giving this ARC for my honest review. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8900968412626909172.post-13513150161969479022013-11-06T15:33:00.000-07:002013-11-06T15:47:42.976-07:00Gone to Vegas <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftxAc7JAheh9EEHY5XtoszD3jBxlcuwuixKZE6E81wcR3ACYqHiVWep3ijCmh6mEymtPEPHjVpmPmPeV2YR-X5oZw3yVAOtiplgHkNMji-MZIAv941ZiTybX5ROeLaKueW2DNTDa44KaH/s1600/20131106_131856.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftxAc7JAheh9EEHY5XtoszD3jBxlcuwuixKZE6E81wcR3ACYqHiVWep3ijCmh6mEymtPEPHjVpmPmPeV2YR-X5oZw3yVAOtiplgHkNMji-MZIAv941ZiTybX5ROeLaKueW2DNTDa44KaH/s320/20131106_131856.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's my trip collage:<br />
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Jason and I stayed at Paris our first couple days<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7_a7SAypA3MLMIehLxLiPDmfOjoESdzitflUXVQpNLIZxEnvX-R5xr51hd9BWku8Yt7WxsAoeiYsTC4Cpb9qQmTKun79PY0jwIVDRDdHa9IV7p-IRRtq4GqdmqnqJqCviM1Z7Pz0nuoL/s1600/Jason+at+the+Eiffel+Tower.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7_a7SAypA3MLMIehLxLiPDmfOjoESdzitflUXVQpNLIZxEnvX-R5xr51hd9BWku8Yt7WxsAoeiYsTC4Cpb9qQmTKun79PY0jwIVDRDdHa9IV7p-IRRtq4GqdmqnqJqCviM1Z7Pz0nuoL/s320/Jason+at+the+Eiffel+Tower.jpeg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHDQhQlpoXC57uElByEwBk8ax_xPyWx8IEbsmhtY-q8SzfrhPYYuMevpWtpNVcM_5j7EqAA9RcKO1D9gVPryrUmFOay4MwtEYTY25hYG7BR3Jr6L27xnzIXol47dGb8SxyuKJOY-VfiSI/s1600/Julie+at+the+Eiffel+tower.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHDQhQlpoXC57uElByEwBk8ax_xPyWx8IEbsmhtY-q8SzfrhPYYuMevpWtpNVcM_5j7EqAA9RcKO1D9gVPryrUmFOay4MwtEYTY25hYG7BR3Jr6L27xnzIXol47dGb8SxyuKJOY-VfiSI/s320/Julie+at+the+Eiffel+tower.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Oct 31st 2013 Eiffel Tower<br />
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Halloween in Vegas really isn't any different than any other day. People are always dressed crazy but this trip we found some of our favorite characters on the strip.<br />
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Jason with the Duck Dynasty Dudes</div>
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Jason with Wilfred</div>
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We always like to visit the Bellagio gardens </div>
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This trip we redeemed our myVegas rewards for 2 free buffets at Bellagio. So delicious. </div>
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We also redeemed myVegas 2 free tickets to Mirage's Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin habitat:<br />
(This is my 2nd visit here and so worth it. It's peaceful and you almost forget your in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the Las Vegas strip.)<br />
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The lions and tigers were really cool to watch.<br />
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Sleeping Lions</div>
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yikes!We woke the lion</div>
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He found a perch on the tree</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdy7OVzKCkee1UYNqiOvWsULBRIa-YplCX2KYa7BkEBOJhaeSca7gSyDvb7T24IelLiSYFeU_SslhqkZoZ8DrBt3Aqr94D9xUeJUEiaji6fus1XSrlyU7yIZRhZ73vGVEazRDD4u4CBLs/s1600/lion+grooming+other+lion.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdy7OVzKCkee1UYNqiOvWsULBRIa-YplCX2KYa7BkEBOJhaeSca7gSyDvb7T24IelLiSYFeU_SslhqkZoZ8DrBt3Aqr94D9xUeJUEiaji6fus1XSrlyU7yIZRhZ73vGVEazRDD4u4CBLs/s320/lion+grooming+other+lion.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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His friend joined him and groomed him and he even roared.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">"I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">Louder, louder than a lion"</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5LlmWIPhAW68PzlfxPbATPLujgHEFURffw2eKOnetoiO3dsi5cHWnCOrlZbIzE-c8mu10CaIPB60BxB-8N0EVEBy3EyCNq4c_J3asLdu-m0GBFV-kL-qL27NTQHSvnXYk5-oZYWsRW-2/s1600/me+and+leopard.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5LlmWIPhAW68PzlfxPbATPLujgHEFURffw2eKOnetoiO3dsi5cHWnCOrlZbIzE-c8mu10CaIPB60BxB-8N0EVEBy3EyCNq4c_J3asLdu-m0GBFV-kL-qL27NTQHSvnXYk5-oZYWsRW-2/s320/me+and+leopard.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Me & the sleeping Leopard</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0dt0TT1uuDENUtY274XMicE-Py7VUXGTz8jCC-nN44y_uyjlR3EQn1og-71LGUdUgt2bipe2rXg6aVNmD40YonBHHJcMOQqMCHwI2uEtI2PCHaZ3Wq9BTjmpSBKXdORlc8ibR9wnGQ42/s1600/unhappy+leopard.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0dt0TT1uuDENUtY274XMicE-Py7VUXGTz8jCC-nN44y_uyjlR3EQn1og-71LGUdUgt2bipe2rXg6aVNmD40YonBHHJcMOQqMCHwI2uEtI2PCHaZ3Wq9BTjmpSBKXdORlc8ibR9wnGQ42/s320/unhappy+leopard.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The unhappy leopard doesn't want to be bothered</div>
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Happy leopard finds the perfect "spot"<br />
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"Here Kitty, Kitty."</div>
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Tiger in the tree</div>
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He's bored.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAVetz_yAYY4p2f_1ga8FjEPTv7yM9QIjmGYVWbp8ySaoX_Eq_9yDXVoc5HRK36Bpgj7ZFrBHzv2l4yFKxd59Wokj3arQA5JkZjHtPGxtz9_rqB5STJDjANi3G7xa9vM8SYVb0jwBCX7wk/s1600/Tiger+in+tree.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAVetz_yAYY4p2f_1ga8FjEPTv7yM9QIjmGYVWbp8ySaoX_Eq_9yDXVoc5HRK36Bpgj7ZFrBHzv2l4yFKxd59Wokj3arQA5JkZjHtPGxtz9_rqB5STJDjANi3G7xa9vM8SYVb0jwBCX7wk/s320/Tiger+in+tree.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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"Human do something interesting."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCczx4zvG849iCbwY37wj1hrqqZqaMJyNbqTBHrOhQQHYeegxFFZtfOaty0B9qO186iGyXzfqLwvrPNs6h3q_vMV53mX19F2MPucvIg6aisuWXOC-F_UBQck_ICZmETY37JGLqXsyZ7VQL/s1600/white+tiger.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCczx4zvG849iCbwY37wj1hrqqZqaMJyNbqTBHrOhQQHYeegxFFZtfOaty0B9qO186iGyXzfqLwvrPNs6h3q_vMV53mX19F2MPucvIg6aisuWXOC-F_UBQck_ICZmETY37JGLqXsyZ7VQL/s320/white+tiger.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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White tiger</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3SRwOFwigloUu34foHSaU_bAKLE9Z-PXEIjN6K-C9u2o8h7do5dYxPa22pVJHnVLOF07XefFk8KHt9oVoI-Si72Iedmq2zHKdvRCd4MLHYBezQ9j83XSBPywECa19R_CiNSJpHm8McX1/s1600/White+tigers+sleeping.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3SRwOFwigloUu34foHSaU_bAKLE9Z-PXEIjN6K-C9u2o8h7do5dYxPa22pVJHnVLOF07XefFk8KHt9oVoI-Si72Iedmq2zHKdvRCd4MLHYBezQ9j83XSBPywECa19R_CiNSJpHm8McX1/s320/White+tigers+sleeping.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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"<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, san-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">What do tigers dream of when they take their little tiger snooze?"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, san-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"> </span></div>
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Jason almost eaten by a tiger </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3A4lQz_nKcVNU0NIkYJNFKp3ZmyQnXoSqvqSyMlXUfQlTUv4a7hMj1F_NFFb2cH4BY3H4yWxafGHn8YCQT-zzkPx8Oht7VeKL6eibtO4d57kUstOI2aJVH-QYeLGdwIeWN2JsyoXGht5/s1600/lion+eating+Jason.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3A4lQz_nKcVNU0NIkYJNFKp3ZmyQnXoSqvqSyMlXUfQlTUv4a7hMj1F_NFFb2cH4BY3H4yWxafGHn8YCQT-zzkPx8Oht7VeKL6eibtO4d57kUstOI2aJVH-QYeLGdwIeWN2JsyoXGht5/s320/lion+eating+Jason.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Jason fighting the lion </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16ReUbArScV14SwsfGegoPfE6uPR3-WBPxXuDd-yw5SlIkhdJbuv5x-AapNoo0qOi9BOx4lrZ5Dj2wvLhyXmpWkdsyAEvM6_TJI6i8QUB97BCvo4lJzGlBu3_Qs3Ow_ccyX-6cNihhmLh/s1600/Jason+fighting+the+lion.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16ReUbArScV14SwsfGegoPfE6uPR3-WBPxXuDd-yw5SlIkhdJbuv5x-AapNoo0qOi9BOx4lrZ5Dj2wvLhyXmpWkdsyAEvM6_TJI6i8QUB97BCvo4lJzGlBu3_Qs3Ow_ccyX-6cNihhmLh/s320/Jason+fighting+the+lion.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My Favorite part of the secret garden is the dolphin habitat. You get up close and personal with the dolphins:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy21TSSrJbxIjH-HBTWdkBJuU9CJEz-oA-VaZKLtoAwiY0B1KynSAylTT50X5aw7io1aoRO1BJ5El293ZxtGrQW66EWxNrCRQHmvXHVcY04VEoPhqueJ0OKE654FS50yZ3CkMQRaxdBxE5/s1600/Julie+&+Dolpin.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy21TSSrJbxIjH-HBTWdkBJuU9CJEz-oA-VaZKLtoAwiY0B1KynSAylTT50X5aw7io1aoRO1BJ5El293ZxtGrQW66EWxNrCRQHmvXHVcY04VEoPhqueJ0OKE654FS50yZ3CkMQRaxdBxE5/s320/Julie+&+Dolpin.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Me kissing a dolphin (hehe)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_e1d752nUf3yWQ1TEqtV_D08IDgh5nfvDl52qFUVvQ2zU5K9CqBKKH9p12_-l6eDhZypkhyZ4wxeyNYmMiT4Igiffms2EeKG1MS2vamscf_gPnfbJI6EKocvdM34r8gLi3G2GRB3EZTQD/s1600/Jason+with+the+Dolphins.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_e1d752nUf3yWQ1TEqtV_D08IDgh5nfvDl52qFUVvQ2zU5K9CqBKKH9p12_-l6eDhZypkhyZ4wxeyNYmMiT4Igiffms2EeKG1MS2vamscf_gPnfbJI6EKocvdM34r8gLi3G2GRB3EZTQD/s320/Jason+with+the+Dolphins.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There are two huge pools and one small pool where the dolphins swim around and are always putting on a show. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFNBWmPVrrcJ_ri_Cc9wyK8xnjRj8QZWf6oyXlcTnO78aQ3NJ7FH5L-BOU7-vbwPJV23oAAwwzmeKGEofVa1Jpp5wJXw39DEbNvcjveaJGEFQGQhfhJJ9WYrwKYI3FR45RIPlWcGRkL9Z/s1600/Mirage+secret+garden+with+dolphin+habitat.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFNBWmPVrrcJ_ri_Cc9wyK8xnjRj8QZWf6oyXlcTnO78aQ3NJ7FH5L-BOU7-vbwPJV23oAAwwzmeKGEofVa1Jpp5wJXw39DEbNvcjveaJGEFQGQhfhJJ9WYrwKYI3FR45RIPlWcGRkL9Z/s320/Mirage+secret+garden+with+dolphin+habitat.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The next part of the trip we stayed at Luxor.We redeemed more myVegas rewards for lots of free stuff; like 2 all day buffets and a free show at Jabbawockeez.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2A4SlbmOsEA0_5j1KmVrIFkmkN5kVPvvuM2JDreoFs3oBUYti9d-ZZHN2_n4XPKrIZcJvabUjYzOKR9GYSo3DZVrNxw3Qw_2-ffaHZ66nZZf9Nqp0wgDrAZpCx2ZR_TuhTPLpbWEs-Q2Q/s1600/Jabbawackeez+show+with+Stacy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2A4SlbmOsEA0_5j1KmVrIFkmkN5kVPvvuM2JDreoFs3oBUYti9d-ZZHN2_n4XPKrIZcJvabUjYzOKR9GYSo3DZVrNxw3Qw_2-ffaHZ66nZZf9Nqp0wgDrAZpCx2ZR_TuhTPLpbWEs-Q2Q/s320/Jabbawackeez+show+with+Stacy.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Stacy and I at the Jabbawockeez show</div>
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We got massages and pedicures. Look at my Chicago Bears polish. It helped the Bears beat the Packers! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6c3mjfGvkZlbCUFsFqBRPw5OwiHNnuCXutzNkPz41DzCgULxnHurstehdzpK-oTKyBYE6cyhDZtHQ8loLxuHNFs2l8PZzqtb2XO6GPlKaP69XS9V9wnXcSf6DY11PVOZg4_9yMTzsbpcB/s1600/chicago+bears+pedicure.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6c3mjfGvkZlbCUFsFqBRPw5OwiHNnuCXutzNkPz41DzCgULxnHurstehdzpK-oTKyBYE6cyhDZtHQ8loLxuHNFs2l8PZzqtb2XO6GPlKaP69XS9V9wnXcSf6DY11PVOZg4_9yMTzsbpcB/s320/chicago+bears+pedicure.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Highlight of the trip was watching the football game with everyone. BEAR DOWN! (or more like Rodgers Down. hehehe!) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGkymfU5vmiplj1gT7OEZPEu6kvD-HeJ_oJl-cVYRAOjCHqvnlav313D9FL43huAHBdWwZ2lAVOV2IXaY52YcT-HR8YT2ZBx2Ra5dv5ygAYa30EQPeFxij9_ejMQg1mseLDvYNHHH-UzI/s1600/Monday+night+football.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGkymfU5vmiplj1gT7OEZPEu6kvD-HeJ_oJl-cVYRAOjCHqvnlav313D9FL43huAHBdWwZ2lAVOV2IXaY52YcT-HR8YT2ZBx2Ra5dv5ygAYa30EQPeFxij9_ejMQg1mseLDvYNHHH-UzI/s320/Monday+night+football.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">"battle of the backups."</span></div>
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THANKS JASON FOR A GREAT VACATION!! </div>
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AND THANK to MYVEGAS a free game on Facebook FOR LOTS OF FREE STUFF to do in Vegas!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8900968412626909172.post-28235398428595874212013-10-07T15:03:00.000-07:002013-10-07T15:03:47.503-07:00Why are we so obsessed with Jane Austen? <div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
I read an article in Entertainment Weekly called “Will Jane Austen ever rest in peace?” I’m one of those fans that loves to read all these new additions to Jane Austen’s classic stories. But why? Why are we so obsessed with anything Jane Austen?</div>
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I’m part of a group where I can find many great books to read at The Jane Austen Book Club <a data-mce-href="http://thesecretunderstandingofthehearts.blogspot.com/" href="http://thesecretunderstandingofthehearts.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3c2bb6;">http://thesecretunderstandingofthehearts.blogspot.com/</a>. A friendly meeting place to read and discuss anything Austen...</div>
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I love the classics by Jane Austen. I have two copies of “Pride and Prejudice” and “Northanger Abbey,” At least one copy of “Persuasion,” “Emma,” and “Sense and Sensibility.” I need to pick up a copy of “Mansfield Park” and my collection will be complete.</div>
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My bookshelves are full of spin off stories like <strong>“Darcy’s Story” by Janet Aylmer, “Becoming Jane Austen” by Jon Spence,</strong> and</div>
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<strong>“Echoes of Pemberley” by Cynthis Ingram Hensley</strong> (My review <a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.blogspot.com/2012/04/modern-day-pride-and-prejudice.html" href="http://juliemartinwallace.blogspot.com/2012/04/modern-day-pride-and-prejudice.html" style="color: #3c2bb6;">http://juliemartinwallace.blogspot.com/2012/04/modern-day-pride-and-prejudice.html</a>.)</div>
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<strong>“Jane Austen and The Archangel” by Pamela Aares</strong> ( My review <a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.blogspot.com/2012/09/book-review-of-jane-austen-and.html" href="http://juliemartinwallace.blogspot.com/2012/09/book-review-of-jane-austen-and.html" style="color: #3c2bb6;">http://juliemartinwallace.blogspot.com/2012/09/book-review-of-jane-austen-and.html</a>)</div>
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"A well crafted novel by Pamela takes us into a new world and gives us the peace of mind that Jane truly knew love. "</div>
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<strong>The entire “The Jane Austen Diaries” series by Jenni James</strong></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/northangeralibi_cover.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/northangeralibi_cover.jpg" style="color: #3c2bb6;"><img alt="NorthangerAlibicover.indd" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-346" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/northangeralibi_cover.jpg?w=192" height="300" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/northangeralibi_cover.jpg?w=192" style="border: 0px; cursor: default;" width="192" /></a><a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/pride-and-popularity.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/pride-and-popularity.jpg" style="color: #3c2bb6;"><img alt="pride and popularity" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-347" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/pride-and-popularity.jpg?w=194" height="300" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/pride-and-popularity.jpg?w=194" style="border: 0px; cursor: default;" width="194" /></a><a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/emmalee.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/emmalee.jpg" style="color: #3c2bb6;"><img alt="Emmaleecoverideas.indd" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-348" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/emmalee.jpg?w=195" height="300" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/emmalee.jpg?w=195" style="border: 0px; cursor: default;" width="195" /></a><a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/persuaded.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/persuaded.jpg" style="color: #3c2bb6;"><img alt="???????????????????" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-349" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/persuaded.jpg?w=191" height="300" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/persuaded.jpg?w=191" style="border: 0px; cursor: default;" width="191" /></a></div>
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(Pride and Popularity book review and Northanger Alibi book review- <a data-mce-href="http://anythingbutnormal-juliewallace.blogspot.com/2012/08/book-reviews-of-two-of-my-favorite-books.html" href="http://anythingbutnormal-juliewallace.blogspot.com/2012/08/book-reviews-of-two-of-my-favorite-books.html" style="color: #3c2bb6;">http://anythingbutnormal-juliewallace.blogspot.com/2012/08/book-reviews-of-two-of-my-favorite-books.html</a>)</div>
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(Persuaded book review- <a data-mce-href="http://anythingbutnormal-juliewallace.blogspot.com/2012/12/book-review-persuaded-by-jenni-james.html" href="http://anythingbutnormal-juliewallace.blogspot.com/2012/12/book-review-persuaded-by-jenni-james.html" style="color: #3c2bb6;">http://anythingbutnormal-juliewallace.blogspot.com/2012/12/book-review-persuaded-by-jenni-james.html</a>)</div>
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(Emmalee book review- <a data-mce-href="http://anythingbutnormal-juliewallace.blogspot.com/2012/12/book-review-persuaded-by-jenni-james.html" href="http://anythingbutnormal-juliewallace.blogspot.com/2012/12/book-review-persuaded-by-jenni-james.html" style="color: #3c2bb6;">http://anythingbutnormal-juliewallace.blogspot.com/2012/12/book-review-persuaded-by-jenni-james.html</a>)</div>
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<strong>“Austenland” </strong>and<strong> “Midnight in Austenland”by Shannon Hale </strong>are great reads:</div>
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(Midnight in Austenland review- <a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.blogspot.com/2012/09/book-review-of-midnight-in-austenland.html" href="http://juliemartinwallace.blogspot.com/2012/09/book-review-of-midnight-in-austenland.html" style="color: #3c2bb6;">http://juliemartinwallace.blogspot.com/2012/09/book-review-of-midnight-in-austenland.html</a>)</div>
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The movie <strong>“Austenland”</strong> is spectacular. (Here's my movie review- <a data-mce-href="http://anythingbutnormal-juliewallace.blogspot.com/2013/08/movie-review-of-austenland.html" href="http://anythingbutnormal-juliewallace.blogspot.com/2013/08/movie-review-of-austenland.html" style="color: #3c2bb6;">http://anythingbutnormal-juliewallace.blogspot.com/2013/08/movie-review-of-austenland.html</a>)</div>
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I won't even get started on all the movies out there that are Jane Austen inspired.</div>
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So the question is why? Why are we so obsessed? What calls to us and drives us to read more and more? I can’t speak for the millions of other obsessed fans, but for me I think there is a happily ever after feeling in all of Jane’s works. Her characters I can relate to and even if the issues with family and acceptance are a little different than mine I can understand the dilemma that they face. But on the flip side I can envy the simple life of going on holidays and dances. I wish my biggest worry was what lace will look best on my dress for the next ball. Of course Jane Austen’s stories have much more depth than that. I enjoy getting lost in another time and place and leave my rat-race world behind. All these spin-off Jane Austen stories have kept her core values alive and given me a new Austen-like heroine to cheer for and a love story to enjoy.</div>
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Here's a great article on our Jane Austen obsessions. <a data-mce-href="http://www.thecredits.org/2013/08/austenland-latest-in-our-centuries-long-love-affair-with-jane/" href="http://www.thecredits.org/2013/08/austenland-latest-in-our-centuries-long-love-affair-with-jane/" style="color: #3c2bb6;">http://www.thecredits.org/2013/08/austenland-latest-in-our-centuries-long-love-affair-with-jane/</a>. It speaks of another author/playwright who has Austen like popularity. Shakespeare of course.</div>
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“Austen isn't our most adapted writer, of course, not by a stretch. According to IMDB, Shakespeare’s been included in the ‘writer credits’ of films and TV shows an absurd <em>831 times</em>, which is 511 more times than his closest competitor, Anton Chekhov.”</div>
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I do enjoy a good cry every once and awhile and read a Romeo & Juliet spin-off, but they lack the "happily ever after" affect Jane Austen has on me.</div>
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<b>Tell me, what other authors have stood the test of time?</b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8900968412626909172.post-8985086202598087672013-09-28T11:39:00.000-07:002013-09-28T11:39:19.572-07:00Here's your chance to win a copy of JoJo Moyes new book<h2 class="entry-title" style="border: none; color: #333333; font-family: Oswald, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 40px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 8px 18px 6px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Q&A with JoJo Moyes and free book giveaway of “The Girl You Left Behind”</h2>
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<strong style="border: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/the-girl-you-left-behind.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-style: none; color: #dd7a05; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="The girl you left behind" class="size-medium wp-image-339 aligncenter" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/the-girl-you-left-behind.jpg?w=197&h=300" style="border: none; display: block; height: auto; margin: 7px auto 20px; max-width: 100%; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></a></strong></div>
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<strong style="border: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">THE GIRL YOU LEFT BEHIND, though a love story, features strong female relationships as well. What made you want to write about the connections that can form between women? If Liv and Sophie had lived in the same time, do you think they would have been friends?</strong></div>
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My female friendships are so important to me; I honestly don’t know how women survive without them. I get very bored of reading manufactured narratives that pit women against women; the working mums vs. stay at homes, old vs. young, the ‘evil’ woman boss who is trying to keep younger women down—I don’t recognise these images—most women I know are actually pretty supportive of each other. So I liked having relationships in this book where women are supportive of each other, even if their relationships are often complex and changing. To me that reflects real life.</div>
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And yes, I think that Sophie and Liv might have been friends—I think through her sister’s grief, Sophie might have understood Liv’s own. And both knew what it was like to utterly adore your husband.</div>
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<strong style="border: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The reclamation of art taken during wartime is central to the plot. How did you first encounter this topic and what kind of research did you do to learn more about it?</strong></div>
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I was briefly the arts correspondent for The Independent newspaper in London, so I knew a bit about the legal issues. But I read an amazing news story about a young woman reporter who had been asked to mind a huge collection of stolen Nazi artwork, and was given a very valuable stolen Cranach as a ‘thank you.’ Many decades later when it came up for auction it was recognised and became the subject of a claim.</div>
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<strong style="border: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It would seem the issue of returning stolen art is clear-cut, but Liv finds herself trying to keep a painting that may have been ill-gotten. Is there room for sympathy on both sides? </strong></div>
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Without wanting to diminish in any way the suffering of those who lost their precious belongings, I think there is. The more time that goes by, the more complicated the issue becomes, as people buy and sell in good faith, not knowing the painting’s tainted past. These things are also complicated when great legal industries spring up around them, as seems to have happened in the case of stolen artwork.</div>
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<strong style="border: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You create a vivid sense of French life under the German Occupation in WWI. Did you know much about this period prior to writing the novel?</strong></div>
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No I didn’t, but the more research I did, the more fascinated I became by it. I knew about the terrible losses suffered in northern France during the first world war, but I knew little about life away from the Western Front, and the fact that in a great swathe of northern France Belgian and French people had their homes and belongings requisitioned in such a widespread and systematic way.</div>
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<strong style="border: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sophie and Liv exist a century apart, but their lives are strongly connected, making the past feel very much alive in your story. Do you feel a strong link to the past or a particular historic figure?</strong></div>
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That’s an interesting question. I’m not sure I do. I’m always amazed when people do past life regression and say they turned out to be Cleopatra or Florence Nightingale… I think I’d be the anonymous girl who ran the fruit stall near the river, or kept the accounts in the hat shop. But I do like to look at the lives of particularly brave women in history though, undercover women agents, in wartime or Amelia Earhart, say, and try to use their actions to make me braver in my everyday life, like standing up to a traffic warden….</div>
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<strong style="border: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What do you hope readers will take away from THE GIRL YOU LEFT BEHIND?</strong></div>
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I hope they’ll be transported into a time and place they didn’t know about. And I hope that they will put themselves in the place of Sophie and Liv, and ask: what would I do in their shoes? I love writing strong, resourceful female characters, and Sophie was one of my favourites, so I hope some women might be a little bit inspired too. Mostly I simply hope that they will feel glad they picked up the book and took the journey with me.</div>
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<a href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/jojo.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-style: none; color: #dd7a05; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="jojo" class="size-medium wp-image-338 alignleft" height="300" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/jojo.jpg?w=180&h=300" style="border: none; display: inline; float: left; height: auto; margin: 7px 20px 5px 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="border: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">STAY CONNECTED WITH JOJO MOYES</span></div>
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W<strong style="border: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">hat a fun interview with author JoJo Moyes. Now you’ve gotten a taste of the book here’s your chance to win a copy of THE GIRL YOU LEFT BEHIND.</strong></div>
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<strong style="border: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I love JoJo’s thoughts on how in a past life she might have been an anonymous girl instead of Cleopatra or Florence Nightingale but she takes brave women in history and tries to be like them in her normal life. In the comment field tell us what historical character you want to be brave like? Please also leave your email address so I can inform the winner.</strong></div>
<div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 13px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This contest will run for one week until Saturday October 5th at midnight PST. I’ll email the winner and give them 48 hours to respond or pick a new winner. Good Luck! </strong></div>
<div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 13px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
To purchase the book go to: <a href="http://www.us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780670026616,00.html#" style="border: none; color: #dd7a05; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780670026616,00.html#</a></div>
<div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 13px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
If you haven’t already, you need to read JoJo’s other book “Me Before You”</div>
<div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 13px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/mebeforeyou.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-style: none; color: #dd7a05; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Mebeforeyou" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-337" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/mebeforeyou.jpg?w=197&h=300" style="border: none; clear: both; height: auto; margin: 7px 0px 20px; max-width: 100%; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></a></div>
<div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 13px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
here’s my review: <a href="http://juliemartinwallace.blogspot.com/2013/02/free-book-giveaway-for-me-before-you-by.html" style="border: none; color: #dd7a05; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://juliemartinwallace.blogspot.com/2013/02/free-book-giveaway-for-me-before-you-by.html</a></div>
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Other books from JoJo Moyes on my TBR list are: <a href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/the-last-letter.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-style: none; color: #dd7a05; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="The Last Letter" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-340" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/the-last-letter.jpg?w=560" style="border: none; clear: both; height: auto; margin: 7px 0px 20px; max-width: 100%; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></a><a href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/honeymoon-in-paris.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-style: none; color: #dd7a05; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Honeymoon in Paris" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-341" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/honeymoon-in-paris.jpg?w=560" style="border: none; clear: both; height: auto; margin: 7px 0px 20px; max-width: 100%; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></a></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8900968412626909172.post-46092735862290287632013-09-21T13:55:00.000-07:002013-09-21T13:55:08.634-07:00It's time to bring the Lights, Camera, Action to your writing. <div style="line-height: 14.25pt;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Right now it feels like
I'm spending all my time editing and rewriting. Here's an article I read
at </span><a href="http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/showing-vs-telling-in-your-writing"><span style="color: #3c2bb6;">http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/showing-vs-telling-in-your-writing</span></a><span style="color: #333333;">. We’ve all heard the dreaded "Show don't
Tell" in writing. You can't always see these problems, especially in your
own writing. This article will help you recognize the telling in your story and
turn it into action. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/camera99.gif"><span style="color: #3c2bb6; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype
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<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14.0pt;">Showing vs. Telling in Your Writing: The
Camera Test<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;">
<span style="color: #333333;">I’ll give you a
little tool here that could revolutionize your understanding of showing and
telling in fiction. I may not be the first person to talk about it in these
terms, but I know I’ve never heard it before I thought it up. So at least I’m
its co-inventor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Maybe you want to
rid your fiction of telling but you simply can’t see it—not in other people’s
fiction and certainly not in your own. So how can you delete something you
can’t even see? There’s a question you can ask of any passage you feel may be
telling. You ready? Get the passage in front of you and ask this of it: <i>Can
the camera see it?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;">
<span style="color: #333333;">There are
exceptions, but <i>Can the camera see it? </i>is a terrific tool for
helping you begin to see the telling in a manuscript. Let’s test it:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;">
<i><span style="color: #333333;">Urlandia was a
peaceful realm. Peasants and nobles alike lived in harmony despite the
occasional bout with famine or invaders from the neighboring kingdom of Dum.
There were heroes and cads, pirates and tavern wenches, and in all, their lives
were good.</span></i><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Okay, aside from
this being deadly dull, is it showing or telling? Let’s load up the testing gun
and fire: Can the camera see it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Your mind might have
conjured up an image of a fantasy countryside with green meadows, vast forests,
and castles with pennants flapping in the breeze, but how could you have seen
“the occasional bouts with famine”? How could you see that their lives were
good? You couldn’t. You weren’t shown any of this—you were simply told. And it
probably left you feeling a little sleepy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;">
<span style="color: #333333;">It would be quite
possible to convert this telling to showing by depicting things <i>before
the camera’s lens</i> that suggest each of these elements. But right now
it’s unconverted telling. I can’t tell you how many unpublished novels I’ve
seen that start like this. And I’ve rejected every single one of them. You
don’t want your book rejected, so don’t put telling anywhere in the first fifty
pages.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;">
<span style="color: #333333;">One more:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;">
<i><span style="color: #333333;">Veronica shifted into
park and got out of her VW bug. She shielded her eyes from the afternoon sun
and stared at the house. It was smaller than she remembered. And had it always
been this run-down, or had it fallen into disrepair only lately? It had once
been white, but the siding slats desperately needed a new paint job.</span></i><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;">
<i><span style="color: #333333;">Two giant
antennae poked up from the roof like alien tentacles. They were held in place
by cables, but the one on the right nevertheless tilted at a diagonal. Maybe it
helped with reception. The porch was covered by an awning of flaking wood.
Whether the walls beneath the wood were worse off than the rest or they just
looked that way because they were shrouded in shadow, Veronica couldn’t tell.</span></i><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;">
<i><span style="color: #333333;">She sighed. If
this is where she came from, no wonder she’d turned out as she had.</span></i><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Okay, load up the
testing gun. Can the camera see this? Actually, yes. Aside from a violation of
the rule not to start a novel with someone getting out of a car, it’s not
terrible prose. It’s description. Some people would be inclined to cut it
because nothing seems to be happening: It’s neither action nor dialogue, so it
must be telling. But that would be a mistake, since a lack of description can
get your book declined. Description isn’t telling because … the camera can see
it. Without description, the reader can’t visualize the story—which means that
your story can’t go forward without description. Don’t leave it out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;">
<span style="color: #333333;">As I mentioned,
there are exceptions. The camera can’t see sounds or smells or temperatures or
tastes, though a description of those things would not be telling. Also,
interior monologue—the viewpoint character’s thoughts and interpretations—can’t
be seen by a camera and is therefore not (usually) telling. But on the
whole, <i>Can the camera see it?</i> will help you immediately spot
and eliminate telling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;">
<span style="color: #333333;"> -This article
was written by author of<i> </i></span><a href="http://www.writersdigestshop.com/the-first-50-pages-paperback?lid=wdsrobl061312"><i><span style="color: #3c2bb6;">The First 50 Pages</span></i></a><span style="color: #333333;"> Jeff
Gerke.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;">
<span style="color: #333333;">I think author Jeff
Gerke found the perfect way to focus in on the telling. Now it's time to go
over my novel with my "showing vs telling" camera.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 14.25pt;">
<strong><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bring on the Lights, Camera, Action!</span></strong><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v2Ht0FDnh4Q/Uj4HXMBgZoI/AAAAAAAAEFo/_3D4Wrwe1gg/s1600/light+camera+action.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v2Ht0FDnh4Q/Uj4HXMBgZoI/AAAAAAAAEFo/_3D4Wrwe1gg/s1600/light+camera+action.jpg" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8900968412626909172.post-14412640738133301152013-09-11T00:42:00.001-07:002013-09-11T00:42:19.041-07:00Book Review – “Brightest Hour” a historical fiction novel by Ashley King<div class="byline" style="border: none; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 20px 17px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /><a href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/brightest-hour-book-cover.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-style: none; color: #dd7a05; cursor: pointer; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Brightest Hour book cover" class="size-medium wp-image-320 aligncenter" height="300" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/brightest-hour-book-cover.jpg?w=200&h=300" style="border: none; display: block; height: auto; margin: 7px auto 20px; max-width: 100%; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="entry-content" style="border-style: double none none; border-top-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-top-width: 3px; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: none; overflow: visible; padding: 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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Catherine Martin is feisty and very rebellious for a girl from 18<span style="border: none; bottom: 0.3em; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">th</span> century Philadelphia. She’s from a rich family and they have high hopes for her to marry the son of another very rich and affluent family. Catherine doesn’t like who they have chosen. Vincent may be handsome but Catherine has always felt something is not right about him. When Catherine meets the blacksmith’s son Elijah she instantly falls in love. They become best friends and even though they both feel something more for each other, they know society would never allow them to be together. When Catherine turns eighteen her marriage with Vincent is being arranged but she can’t go through with it, not only because of her love for Elijah but Vincent has changed and there is something very evil about him.</div>
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If you are a fan of Shakespeare’s forbidden love in “Romeo & Juliet” or enjoy Emily Bronte’s “Wuthering Heights” with a good twist, you will like this story. I cherished Elijah and his deep love for Catherine. I couldn’t stop reading the story until I found out how it all turned out.</div>
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<strong style="border: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">**Spoiler**</strong></div>
<div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 13px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
However, for me, someone who reads to escape reality and loves fairy-tales with happy endings I was left unsatisfied.</div>
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<a href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/ashley-king.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-style: none; color: #dd7a05; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Ashley King" class="size-full wp-image-318 alignleft" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/ashley-king.jpg?w=560" style="border: none; display: inline; float: left; height: auto; margin: 7px 20px 5px 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></a><strong style="border: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Purchase this book on kindle of only $2.99 at:</strong></div>
<div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 13px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brightest-Hour-ebook/dp/B00D0GE8OU/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378882766&sr=1-1" style="border: none; color: #dd7a05; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.amazon.com/Brightest-Hour-ebook/dp/B00D0GE8OU/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378882766&sr=1-1</a></div>
<div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 13px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Socialize with Ashley at :</strong></div>
<div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 13px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ashleykingwrites" style="border: none; color: #dd7a05; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/ashleykingwrites</a></div>
<div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 13px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://waltzingdaydreams.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-book-is-here-happy-dance.html" style="border: none; color: #dd7a05; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://waltzingdaydreams.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-book-is-here-happy-dance.html</a></div>
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<div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 13px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Ashley King is a graduate of The University of Georgia with a degree in English Lit. She started writing in 2nd grade when a teacher praised her use of the word “retort,” which was said by a cow in her story, mind you. She teaches 7th grade English and lives in a small town in Georgia. She married her college sweetheart and is the mother of 2 unruly, but sweet cats, Emma and Keats. She has a sweet tea addiction and an obsession of all things Jane Austen.</div>
<div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 13px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/a-dream-to-dream-by-ashley-king.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-style: none; color: #dd7a05; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="A Dream to Dream by Ashley King" class="size-full wp-image-323" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/a-dream-to-dream-by-ashley-king.jpg?w=560" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 7px 0px 5px; max-width: 100%; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></a></div>
<div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 13px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
Ashley King has a new novel “A Dream to Dream” now available on kindle.</div>
<div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 13px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
Here is the link <a href="http://www.amazon.com/A-Dream-to-ebook/dp/B00EYGOK02/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1378884117&sr=1-1" style="border: none; color: #dd7a05; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.amazon.com/A-Dream-to-ebook/dp/B00EYGOK02/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1378884117&sr=1-1</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8900968412626909172.post-78153870116970263912013-09-02T14:17:00.000-07:002013-09-02T14:17:23.644-07:00Drum roll please....Free book giveaway for "Winter Solstice Winter" by E.J. Squires<div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/and-the-winner-is.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/and-the-winner-is.jpg" style="color: #3c2bb6;"><img alt="and the winner is" class="size-full wp-image-279 aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/and-the-winner-is.jpg" height="229" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/and-the-winner-is.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: default; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="220" /></a></div>
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<strong>Congratulations Joyce Dipastena! You win a copy of "Winter Solstice Winter" by E.J. Squires. </strong></div>
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(I will give your email address to Author E.J. Squires to coordinate giving you your prize.)</div>
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And now Joyce you are allowed to show your pleasure.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/winning.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/winning.jpg" style="color: #3c2bb6;"><img alt="winning!" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-280" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/winning.jpg?w=300" height="168" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/winning.jpg?w=300" style="border: 0px; cursor: default;" width="300" /></a></div>
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For those who didn't win you can still read this fabulous book which is available on kindle for only $3.99 on Amazon. Here is the link to purchase your copy today. <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Winter-Solstice-Viking-Blood-ebook/dp/B00EPRM4X0/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378155753&sr=1-2" href="http://www.amazon.com/Winter-Solstice-Viking-Blood-ebook/dp/B00EPRM4X0/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378155753&sr=1-2" style="color: #3c2bb6;">http://www.amazon.com/Winter-Solstice-Viking-Blood-ebook/dp/B00EPRM4X0/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378155753&sr=1-2</a> It's also available in paperback if you would like to have something more tangible to hold.</div>
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Check out my interview with E.J. Squires, especially see who the authors picks are for possible movie options and find out why she choose the self-publishing route. Here is the interview below:</div>
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Julie: Thank you E. J. for taking time out of your busy writing schedule for this interview.</div>
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<strong>E. J. : Thank you Julie, for having taken the time to read my novel, and for writing such a positive review. I really appreciate you including me in an interview on your website.</strong></div>
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Julie: What made you want to write a viking folklore fantasy book?</div>
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<strong>E. J. : There were many factors that played a role in me writing this Viking folklore fantasy book. I was born and raised for a significant part of my life in Norway. Both my parents are Norwegian, and I still have family living there. Before I started writing the novel, I owned a ballet studio, and I was in the process of setting up a ballet production that I had choreographed called "In Search of the Christmas Star." It was based on a Norwegian folktale (plus I added some things to make it a better adaptation for ballet.) When I wrote the synopsis for the ballet, which was to go in the program for the show, my husband suggested that I write a book about the story. I wrote the book, which was very simple and sold a few copies. While writing that book, I started doing some research on the Vikings, and was so inspired and intrigued by their culture (and my crazy ancestors) that I wanted to write something more substantial that tied in all aspects of their culture, from their mythology to their lifestyle to the beautiful dramatic nature that is in the Scandinavian countries. Before the ballet was finished, (crazy me, putting on a ballet, preparing for Christmas and raising three kids under the age of eight), I started writing the story, and it evolved to become <em>"Winter Solstice Winter."</em></strong></div>
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Julie: What is your favorite book or website to research for your book?</div>
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<strong>E. J. : I used many websites, but the two I used the most </strong></div>
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<strong>were <a data-mce-href="http://www.vikinganswerlady.com/" href="http://www.vikinganswerlady.com/" style="color: #3c2bb6;" target="_blank">www.vikinganswerlady.com</a> and <a data-mce-href="http://www.viking-mythology.com/" href="http://www.viking-mythology.com/" style="color: #3c2bb6;" target="_blank">www.viking-mythology.com</a>. I also used Wikipedia.</strong></div>
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Julie: Do you outline or do you write out-of-order?</div>
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<strong>E. J. : Well, during my first book, I just started writing without an outline at all. My first draft was over 500 pages long (123 K words!), and had a very long intro, which included more of Queen Maud and King Olav's relationship. I cut out like 100 pages, and then added more about Ailia, the leading character. In my second book in this series, called <em>Summer Solstice Summer,</em> I did an outline, but I keep everything very flexible. If the characters want to go somewhere else, I re-write the outline. I think writing from an outline is much easier.</strong></div>
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Julie: What inspired you to independently publish?</div>
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<strong>E. J. : I had sent quite a few query letters out, but no agent wanted to represent my book. One agent would say the intro is too long, and then I'd cut some. And then I'd get another agent who said that I needed more of an intro, so I decided to do what I wanted and thought fit the story best. Later I read an article on Amanda Hawking, and did some research on authors who had self-published, and I was pleasantly surprised that many well-know authors started out self-publishing.</strong><b> I am the type of person who likes to be in charge of my own career, so the decision to self-publish </b><b>was an easy one.</b><strong> I will continue to query some agents with some of my other novels, but just because I get rejected by them, doesn't mean I'm going to sit and wait on my laurels!</strong></div>
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Julie: What made you want to become a writer?</div>
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<strong>E. J. : I enjoy expressing myself, and am a little more of an introvert. It gives me the freedom to say what I want, to develop a story the way I want and to hopefully, touch people's lives in a positive way. I love reading, and have always admired great writers who can take these simple words and create an experience for others.So with that in mind, I set out on my own writing journey.</strong></div>
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Julie: If you could cast your book into an epic movie and have, let’s say, Peter Jackson produce and direct it; who would you want to cast for Soren? Lucia? Ailia? There are so many great parts we could go on and on.</div>
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<strong>E. J. : This is a great question, because one of the first things I did was cast this for a movie! So, here are the nominees:</strong></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/viggo-mortensen-as-soren.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/viggo-mortensen-as-soren.jpg" style="color: #3c2bb6;"><img alt="Viggo Mortensen as Soren" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/viggo-mortensen-as-soren.jpg?w=300" height="225" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/viggo-mortensen-as-soren.jpg?w=300" style="border: 0px; cursor: default;" width="300" /></a><strong>Soren: Viggo Mortensen</strong></div>
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<strong><a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/amanda-seyfried-mamma-mia.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/amanda-seyfried-mamma-mia.jpg" style="color: #3c2bb6;"><img alt="amanda-seyfried-mamma-mia" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/amanda-seyfried-mamma-mia.jpg?w=300" height="261" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/amanda-seyfried-mamma-mia.jpg?w=300" style="border: 0px; cursor: default;" width="300" /></a>Lucia: Amanda Seyfried</strong></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/jennifer-lawrence-4.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/jennifer-lawrence-4.jpg" style="color: #3c2bb6;"><img alt="Jennifer-Lawrence-4" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/jennifer-lawrence-4.jpg?w=225" height="300" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/jennifer-lawrence-4.jpg?w=225" style="border: 0px; cursor: default;" width="225" /></a><strong>Ailia: Jennifer Lawrence</strong></div>
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<strong>I also had King Olav cast, Queen Maud, Unni... well, pretty much everyone. I think it would make an awesome movie one day.</strong></div>
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Julie: Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what was on your play list to get you in the writing mood? Or is music to distracting?</div>
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<strong>E. J. : I haven't so far, but that's a great suggestion. I'll have to try it some time. (I think if I did listen to it while writing <em>Winter Solstice winter</em> it would be the Braveheart soundtrack or The Gladiator soundtrack.)</strong></div>
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Julie: What’s your next book you are working on?</div>
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<strong>E. J. : I have one more chapter left of my next novel <em>"The 13th Huldra."</em> It is also based in Norse Folklore, but is a contemporary Paranormal Romance in the YA genre (Edgier and lighter than Winter Solstice Winter)</strong></div>
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.<a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/the-13th-huldra-cover.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/the-13th-huldra-cover.jpg" style="color: #3c2bb6;"><img alt="The 13th Huldra cover" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/the-13th-huldra-cover.jpg?w=199" height="300" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/the-13th-huldra-cover.jpg?w=199" style="border: 0px; cursor: default;" width="199" /></a></div>
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<strong>I am also working on a memoir called <em>"Thunderthigh Ballerina" </em></strong><strong>and on <em>"Summer Solstice Summer"</em>, the next book after <em>Winter Solstice Winter</em>. </strong></div>
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<b><br /></b><strong><a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/summer-solstic-summer.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/summer-solstic-summer.jpg" style="color: #3c2bb6;"><img alt="summer solstic summer" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/summer-solstic-summer.jpg?w=200" height="300" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/summer-solstic-summer.jpg?w=200" style="border: 0px; cursor: default;" width="200" /></a></strong></div>
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<strong> </strong></div>
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<strong>(No multi-tasking going on here...)</strong></div>
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Stay connected with E. J. via Facebook and Twitter:</div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Evelyn-Squires/433410863398865" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Evelyn-Squires/433410863398865" style="color: #3c2bb6;">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Evelyn-Squires/433410863398865</a></div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/EvelynSquires" href="https://twitter.com/EvelynSquires" style="color: #3c2bb6;">https://twitter.com/EvelynSquires</a></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/evelyn-squires.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/evelyn-squires.jpg" style="color: #3c2bb6;"><img alt="Evelyn Squires" class="aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/evelyn-squires.jpg" height="280" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/evelyn-squires.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: default; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="209" /></a></h3>
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Evelyn J. Squires was born in the land of the Midnight Sun. When she moved to the USA with her family in 1992, she completed High School and studied Comparative Literature at Brigham Young University. She married in 2003, and now resides in Florida with her husband and three children.</h3>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8900968412626909172.post-83318223387742371952013-08-29T18:25:00.001-07:002013-08-29T18:25:52.179-07:00"Winter Solstice Winter" by E.J. Squires Free Book Giveaway ends Sept 1st. Don't miss out!<div>
<a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/winter-solstice-winter-cover1.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/winter-solstice-winter-cover1.jpg" style="color: #3c2bb6;"><img alt="Winter Solstice Winter cover" class="size-medium wp-image-264 aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/winter-solstice-winter-cover1.jpg?w=200" height="300" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/winter-solstice-winter-cover1.jpg?w=200" style="border: 0px; cursor: default; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></a></div>
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"<em>Winter Solstice Winter</em>" is available to purchase on amazon for only $3.99. Here is the link: <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Winter-Solstice-Viking-Blood-ebook/dp/B00EPRM4X0/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1377782985&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=evelyn+squires+winter+solstice+winter" href="http://www.amazon.com/Winter-Solstice-Viking-Blood-ebook/dp/B00EPRM4X0/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1377782985&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=evelyn+squires+winter+solstice+winter" style="color: #3c2bb6;">http://www.amazon.com/Winter-Solstice-Viking-Blood-ebook/dp/B00EPRM4X0/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1377782985&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=evelyn+squires+winter+solstice+winter</a></div>
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<br />To enter the free book giveaway go to my post with my book review of W<em>inter Solstice Winter</em> and interview with author E.J. Squires: <a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.wordpress.com/2013/08/19/book-review-interview-and-free-book-giveaway-in-celebration-of-the-release-of-winter-solstice-winter-a-viking-fantasy-novel-by-e-j-squires/" href="http://juliemartinwallace.wordpress.com/2013/08/19/book-review-interview-and-free-book-giveaway-in-celebration-of-the-release-of-winter-solstice-winter-a-viking-fantasy-novel-by-e-j-squires/" style="color: #3c2bb6;" target="_blank">http://juliemartinwallace.wordpress.com/2013/08/19/book-review-interview-and-free-book-giveaway-in-celebration-of-the-release-of-winter-solstice-winter-a-viking-fantasy-novel-by-e-j-squires/</a></h2>
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*Make a comment before midnight PST on September 1st and you'll be entered to win. You can receive bonus entries if you share this contest on Facebook, Google+, and Twitter etc...</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8900968412626909172.post-70848840150040536112013-08-27T14:28:00.000-07:002013-08-27T14:28:53.926-07:00Movie review for Austenland<div class="mceTemp mceIEcenter" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/aug-2013-044.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/aug-2013-044.jpg" style="color: #3c2bb6;"><img alt="Pre movie tea party" class="size-medium wp-image-249" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/aug-2013-044.jpg?w=300" height="225" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/aug-2013-044.jpg?w=300" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none; cursor: default; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="300" /></a></dt>
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As a Jane Austen fan I was pleased beyond belief. The movie starts out with misfit characters and awkward moments like; the ex-boyfriend who says “I’m as good as it’s going to get” and the Napoleon dynamitesque travel agent. When Mrs. Wattlesbrook the caretaker of Austenland talks about the obsessed Austen fan I couldn’t help but laugh at myself as I sat in a Scottsdale (also known as snobsdale) theater in my Regency dress.</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/aug-2013-059.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/aug-2013-059.jpg" style="color: #3c2bb6;"><img alt="Me is my regency outfit" class="size-medium wp-image-250" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/aug-2013-059.jpg?w=225" height="300" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/aug-2013-059.jpg?w=225" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border: 0px none; cursor: default; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="225" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px 5px;">Me is my regency outfit</dd></dl>
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Miss Elizabeth Charming stole the show with her outrageous funny one-liners. You couldn’t help feel sorry for Jane Hayes who is shunned for not having money and for still being single at her age. Martin, a humble servant, is the reality in Jane’s fantasy. With a little Persuasion storyline Captain George East arrives and there are plenty of shirt removals and bulging muscles to put “Twilight Jacob” to shame. (Stephenie Meyer’s contribution to be sure.) When Colonel Andrews came on screen and the lady behind me yelled out “Frack,” I knew I was among my people. The movie was romantic and hilarious all at the same time. A very <i>Bridget Jones Diary</i> kind of show and if you can’t get Colin Firth to play a modern-day Mr. Darcy than Mr. Henry Nobley played by JJ Field’s is by far the next best thing. In fact….. move over Mr. Darcy there’s a new show in town and it’s Mr Nobley.<br />
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<a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/aug-2013-071.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/aug-2013-071.jpg" style="color: #3c2bb6;"><img alt="Aug 2013 071" class="size-medium wp-image-252 aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/aug-2013-071.jpg?w=300" height="225" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/aug-2013-071.jpg?w=300" style="border: 0px; cursor: default; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<strong>This is a must see movie; you will laugh until you snort; you will get verklempt at times; Aaaahhh at the tender love scenes; and like any good Jane Austen story you will get your happy ending. </strong></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8900968412626909172.post-88217598586653937412013-08-18T22:29:00.002-07:002013-08-18T22:31:57.922-07:00Book Review, Interview, and Free Book Giveaway in Celebration of the release of "Winter Solstice Winter" A Viking fantasy novel by E.J. Squires<div style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/winter-solstice-winter-cover.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/winter-solstice-winter-cover.jpg" style="color: #3c2bb6;"><img alt="Winter Solstice Winter cover" class="size-medium wp-image-220 aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/winter-solstice-winter-cover.jpg?w=200" height="300" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/winter-solstice-winter-cover.jpg?w=200" style="border: 0px; cursor: default; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://norsevikingsaga.com/" href="http://norsevikingsaga.com/" style="color: #3c2bb6;">http://norsevikingsaga.com/</a></div>
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Here is my book review: This is an epic tale that takes place in the Northlandic Kingdom around 1007. Two demi-mortals Soren and Lucia are Spiritus Amor lovers destined to be together through-out time. Empress of Darkness, Eiess is determined to rule the land. She just has to kill Lucia the third and final time and darkness will live on forever. King Olav & Queen Maud have raised Princess Lucia knowing her destiny is to stop Eiess. When the Queen dies Lucia feels all alone.</div>
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Ailia, a peasant, doesn’t understand the Mares of the Night she keeps having. The Vikings kidnap her and she wakes two years later and can’t remember what has happened to her. Soren saves her and is helping her get home. The attraction between them is strong. Soren doesn’t understand these feelings when he is meant to be with Lucia. Silya, a friend of Soren assist Ailia back home and Soren leaves. Ailia feels dejected that Soren left her so abruptly and she fears she’ll never see him again.</div>
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Eiess seized the castle and Lucia is held captive. The King helps her escape but not before he tells her the bitter truth. Her twin sister didn’t die at birth and she needs to find her so they together can stop Eiess. All is revealed and Ailia learns she is a princess and has a great calling. The lies haunt Lucia and she has to decide what her destiny will be.</div>
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This was a great story about how true love can even conquer death. It’s an Anglo-Saxon saga mixed with fantasy folklore and dangerous Vikings. The pagan traditions that are followed for the Queen’s funeral are disturbing and dark. There are many profound characters and you are quickly invested in the story. Lucia the princess is raised with all the noble privileges. Ailia is poor and humble. Soren has lived 75 years staying the same age awaiting for his true loves return. With plenty of action and heartache it keeps you reading and wanting to know what will happen next. At the end, the trouble for all those fighting evil is far from over. Eiess’s massive army is released at a very tender moment. A love scene so fulfilling you will remember it long after.</div>
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Here is my interview with author E.J. Squires:</div>
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Julie: Thank you E. J. for taking time out of your busy writing schedule for this interview.</div>
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<strong>E. J. : Thank you Julie, for having taken the time to read my novel, and for writing such a positive review. I really appreciate you including me in an interview on your website.</strong></div>
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Julie: What made you want to write a viking folklore fantasy book?</div>
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<strong>E. J. : There were many factors that played a role in me writing this Viking folklore fantasy book. I was born and raised for a significant part of my life in Norway. Both my parents are Norwegian, and I still have family living there. Before I started writing the novel, I owned a ballet studio, and I was in the process of setting up a ballet production that I had choreographed called "In Search of the Christmas Star." It was based on a Norwegian folktale (plus I added some things to make it a better adaptation for ballet.) When I wrote the synopsis for the ballet, which was to go in the program for the show, my husband suggested that I write a book about the story. I wrote the book, which was very simple and sold a few copies. While writing that book, I started doing some research on the Vikings, and was so inspired and intrigued by their culture (and my crazy ancestors) that I wanted to write something more substantial that tied in all aspects of their culture, from their mythology to their lifestyle to the beautiful dramatic nature that is in the Scandinavian countries. Before the ballet was finished, (crazy me, putting on a ballet, preparing for Christmas and raising three kids under the age of eight), I started writing the story, and it evolved to become <em>"Winter Solstice Winter."</em></strong></div>
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Julie: What is your favorite book or website to research for your book?</div>
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<strong>E. J. : I used many websites, but the two I used the most </strong></div>
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<strong>were <a data-mce-href="http://www.vikinganswerlady.com/" href="http://www.vikinganswerlady.com/" style="color: #3c2bb6;" target="_blank">www.vikinganswerlady.com</a> and <a data-mce-href="http://www.viking-mythology.com/" href="http://www.viking-mythology.com/" style="color: #3c2bb6;" target="_blank">www.viking-mythology.com</a>. I also used Wikipedia.</strong></div>
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Julie: Do you outline or do you write out-of-order?</div>
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<strong>E. J. : Well, during my first book, I just started writing without an outline at all. My first draft was over 500 pages long (123 K words!), and had a very long intro, which included more of Queen Maud and King Olav's relationship. I cut out like 100 pages, and then added more about Ailia, the leading character. In my second book in this series, called <em>Summer Solstice Summer,</em> I did an outline, but I keep everything very flexible. If the characters want to go somewhere else, I re-write the outline. I think writing from an outline is much easier.</strong></div>
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Julie: What inspired you to independently publish?</div>
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<strong>E. J. : I had sent quite a few query letters out, but no agent wanted to represent my book. One agent would say the intro is too long, and then I'd cut some. And then I'd get another agent who said that I needed more of an intro, so I decided to do what I wanted and thought fit the story best. Later I read an article on Amanda Hawking, and did some research on authors who had self-published, and I was pleasantly surprised that many well-know authors started out self-publishing.</strong><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal;"> I am the type of person </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal;">who</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal;"> likes to be in charge of my own career, so the decision to self-publish </span></b><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal;">was an easy one.</b><strong> I will continue to query some agents with some of my other novels, but just because I get rejected by them, doesn't mean I'm going to sit and wait on my laurels!</strong></div>
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Julie: What made you want to become a writer?</div>
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<strong>E. J. : I enjoy expressing myself, and am a little more of an introvert. It gives me the freedom to say what I want, to develop a story the way I want and to hopefully, touch people's lives in a positive way. I love reading, and have always admired great writers who can take these simple words and create an experience for others.So with that in mind, I set out on my own writing journey.</strong></div>
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Julie: If you could cast your book into an epic movie and have, let’s say, Peter Jackson produce and direct it; who would you want to cast for Soren? Lucia? Ailia? There are so many great parts we could go on and on.</div>
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<strong>E. J. : This is a great question, because one of the first things I did was cast this for a movie! So, here are the nominees:</strong></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/viggo-mortensen-as-soren.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/viggo-mortensen-as-soren.jpg" style="color: #3c2bb6;"><img alt="Viggo Mortensen as Soren" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-216" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/viggo-mortensen-as-soren.jpg?w=300" height="225" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/viggo-mortensen-as-soren.jpg?w=300" style="border: 0px; cursor: default;" width="300" /></a><strong>Soren: Viggo Mortensen</strong></div>
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<strong><a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/amanda-seyfried-mamma-mia.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/amanda-seyfried-mamma-mia.jpg" style="color: #3c2bb6;"><img alt="amanda-seyfried-mamma-mia" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-217" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/amanda-seyfried-mamma-mia.jpg?w=300" height="261" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/amanda-seyfried-mamma-mia.jpg?w=300" style="border: 0px; cursor: default;" width="300" /></a>Lucia: Amanda Seyfried</strong></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/jennifer-lawrence-4.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/jennifer-lawrence-4.jpg" style="color: #3c2bb6;"><img alt="Jennifer-Lawrence-4" class="size-medium wp-image-218" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/jennifer-lawrence-4.jpg?w=225" height="300" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/jennifer-lawrence-4.jpg?w=225" style="border: 0px; cursor: default;" width="225" /></a><strong>Ailia: Jennifer Lawrence</strong></div>
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<strong>I also had King Olav cast, Queen Maud, Unni... well, pretty much everyone. I think it would make an awesome movie one day.</strong></div>
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Julie: Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what was on your play list to get you in the writing mood? Or is music to distracting?</div>
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<strong>E. J. : I haven't so far, but that's a great suggestion. I'll have to try it some time. (I think if I did listen to it while writing <em>Winter Solstice winter</em> it would be the Braveheart soundtrack or The Gladiator soundtrack.)</strong></div>
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Julie: What’s your next book you are working on?</div>
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<strong>E. J. : I have one more chapter left of my next novel <em>"The 13th Huldra."</em> It is also based in Norse Folklore, but is a contemporary Paranormal Romance in the YA genre (Edgier and lighter than Winter Solstice Winter)</strong></div>
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<strong>I am also working on a memoir called <em>"Thunderthigh Ballerina" </em></strong><strong>and on <em>"Summer Solstice Summer"</em>, the next book after <em>Winter Solstice Winter</em>. </strong></div>
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<b><br /></b><strong><a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/summer-solstic-summer.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/summer-solstic-summer.jpg" style="color: #3c2bb6;"><img alt="summer solstic summer" class="size-medium wp-image-222 aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/summer-solstic-summer.jpg?w=200" height="300" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/summer-solstic-summer.jpg?w=200" style="border: 0px; cursor: default; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></a></strong></div>
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<strong>(No multi-tasking going on here...)</strong></div>
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<strong>**************************************************************************************************</strong></div>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In celebration of the book release on September 1st, E. J. has graciously offered to send one winner either a PDF file or a signed hardcopy. For your chance to win a copy of <em style="background-color: transparent; border: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Winter Solstice Winter,”</em> please comment on why you’d like to read this epic tale. </strong><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong></h2>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">***Make sure in the comment field you leave your email address so you can be contacted if you win.***</strong></h2>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">BONUS ENTRIES: 1 entry for every post or tweet you share about the contest. (Please include in comment field if posted on Facebook and tweeted about the contest and where I can find it.)</strong></h2>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Contest will run until Sunday September 1st Midnight PST. Good Luck!</strong></h2>
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Stay connected with E. J. via Facebook and Twitter:</div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Evelyn-Squires/433410863398865" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Evelyn-Squires/433410863398865" style="color: #3c2bb6;">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Evelyn-Squires/433410863398865</a></div>
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<a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/EvelynSquires" href="https://twitter.com/EvelynSquires" style="color: #3c2bb6;">https://twitter.com/EvelynSquires</a></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/evelyn-squires.jpg" href="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/evelyn-squires.jpg" style="color: #3c2bb6;"><img alt="Evelyn Squires" class="aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/evelyn-squires.jpg" height="280" src="http://juliemartinwallace.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/evelyn-squires.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: default; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="209" /></a></h3>
<h3 style="color: #2b6fb6; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 5px 0px 0px;">
Evelyn J. Squires was born in the land of the Midnight Sun. When she moved to the USA with her family in 1992, she completed High School and studied Comparative Literature at Brigham Young University. She married in 2003, and now resides in Florida with her husband and three children.</h3>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8900968412626909172.post-28319082727207472832013-08-05T17:34:00.000-07:002013-08-05T17:34:22.146-07:00What do Jane Austen, Dr. Quinn, Battlestar Galactica, Napolean Dynamite, and Twilight all have in common? <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X95CWlR3N-k/UgBB4qx-D7I/AAAAAAAAEBY/fd8rb2JR5i8/s1600/Austenland+with+Keri+Russell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X95CWlR3N-k/UgBB4qx-D7I/AAAAAAAAEBY/fd8rb2JR5i8/s1600/Austenland+with+Keri+Russell.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">AUSTENLAND!</span></h2>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The long awaited movie finally
comes out August 16th in LA/NY.<sup> </sup>Harkins has a release date for Aug 23rd and I hope it will be nationwide. I think tea & crumpets before the movie will
be a great way to celebrate the occasion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">In 2007 I found this fabulous book
about an obsessed Jane Austen fan and I knew I needed to read it. As fate would
have it the author Shannon Hale was going to be at Changing Hands Bookstore
that very evening. I lived an hour and a half away from Tempe but decided to
go. As I sat in the audience I turned to see Stephenie Meyer amongst us.
Shannon Hale is very funny and through-out the whole book event she held her
young baby as she told how it all began. Shannon said the story Austenland started out as a short story and
she continued to work on it for 10 years. That gave me a little hope that not
all great writers develop their story and publish it quickly. I’m paraphrasing
a little bit but Stephenie Meyer asked Shannon how she came up with the book idea
because it was brilliant and Shannon said, “Someone write this down, Stephenie
Meyer’s thinks it’s brilliant.” </span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">When I had Shannon Hale sign my book I told her
how I had by chance come across the book and she wrote in my book: </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BZ_D8SzecGw/Ue3117mawII/AAAAAAAAEA0/1HgdGTTtY0g/s1600/austenland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; float: left; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BZ_D8SzecGw/Ue3117mawII/AAAAAAAAEA0/1HgdGTTtY0g/s320/austenland.jpg" width="320" /></a></h2>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She was right the
universe pulled me right into this book and I enjoyed everything about it. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;">I reread </span><i style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;">Austenland</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;"> in preparation for the movie release and loved it all over again. </span></div>
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Here is the movie site: <a href="http://www.sonyclassics.com/austenland/site/">http://www.sonyclassics.com/austenland/site/</a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here is author Shannon Hale's website: <a href="http://www.squeetus.com/stage/main.html">http://www.squeetus.com/stage/main.html</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljKkwiZbhMU2yow7llQZ5lZKfe3y_00IICyMHCa-oNx96NSau1Qri-_veDFjKIZU8c-V6U5w4zEWhx_xEl10mxmZmJAKtlgcXwqhNUcaWeSGgi0e6ozAQuvhP1pLTc4OGKiNosX5PXgAx/s1600/Shannon+Hale+and+Stephenie+Meyer+in+2007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljKkwiZbhMU2yow7llQZ5lZKfe3y_00IICyMHCa-oNx96NSau1Qri-_veDFjKIZU8c-V6U5w4zEWhx_xEl10mxmZmJAKtlgcXwqhNUcaWeSGgi0e6ozAQuvhP1pLTc4OGKiNosX5PXgAx/s320/Shannon+Hale+and+Stephenie+Meyer+in+2007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I can't take credit for this picture. It's from Shannon's website but I was at this event so we can say this is my mental picture I took. And I can say, I was there when these two great authors came together and the idea of turning this book into a movie was born. Shannon is the author and Stephenie's film company Fickle Fish produced the movie. This movie will be true girl power. So excited!!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8900968412626909172.post-65349281388185072802013-07-14T14:19:00.000-07:002013-07-14T14:19:00.273-07:00Book Review for Baby Proof by Emily Giffin<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TWrToHkVoEM/UeMO-unsvSI/AAAAAAAAEAI/HO-Qc3nj3OE/s1600/BabyProof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TWrToHkVoEM/UeMO-unsvSI/AAAAAAAAEAI/HO-Qc3nj3OE/s1600/BabyProof.jpg" /></a></div>
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I finished this book in 1 day. It made me cry, a lot. I was very sad to see Claudia and Ben's marriage fall apart. Me and my husband are a "no kids" couple and I completely understood the issues they dealt with. There was lots of different family dynamics going on with Claudia and it was all very interesting. The sort of narrative point of view with flash blacks thrown in was very moving and kept you wanting more. I am the kind of reader who likes to check out and leave reality when I read a book and even though this story is a lot of truth and real life experiences, I enjoyed it. Emily Giffin is a great writer and I'm interested in picking up her other novels when I need a good cry and a dose of reality. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWWy1lSxiks/UeMO7L5zeOI/AAAAAAAAD_8/nLwLgDe1JKY/s1600/emilygiffin1_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWWy1lSxiks/UeMO7L5zeOI/AAAAAAAAD_8/nLwLgDe1JKY/s1600/emilygiffin1_sm.jpg" /></a></div>
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Photo by Sebastian Thaw</div>
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<a href="http://www.emilygiffin.com/books/babyproof.php">http://www.emilygiffin.com/books/babyproof.php</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/EmilyGiffinFans" style="background-color: white; color: #1d9f93; font-family: Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Facebook.com/EmilyGiffinFans</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/EmilyGiffinFans" style="background-color: white; color: #1d9f93; font-family: Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;" target="_blank"><br /></a><a href="http://twitter.com/EmilyGiffin" style="background-color: white; color: #1d9f93; font-family: Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter.com/EmilyGiffin</a><br />
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The above book was suggested by my mother who loves to read thrillers and true life stories. I'm glad I took her suggestion and read this book. Below is reviews of a couple other books I've read recently. They fall into the YA dystopia and paranormal category, which is my usual read.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XZudpGYT9eU/UeMTi2Lb7QI/AAAAAAAAEAU/4x7WAgAjh6Q/s1600/Marked+HON.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XZudpGYT9eU/UeMTi2Lb7QI/AAAAAAAAEAU/4x7WAgAjh6Q/s1600/Marked+HON.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://anythingbutnormal-juliewallace.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-reviews-of-house-of-night-series.html">House-of-night-series</a><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-niDjCL-ozD0/UeMTrBS6MqI/AAAAAAAAEAc/YUUUehOLnyw/s1600/Divergent.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-niDjCL-ozD0/UeMTrBS6MqI/AAAAAAAAEAc/YUUUehOLnyw/s200/Divergent.png" width="141" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://anythingbutnormal-juliewallace.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-of-divergent-by-veronica.html">Book review of Divergent</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8900968412626909172.post-18443767932041163792013-06-27T14:56:00.001-07:002013-06-27T14:56:42.526-07:00Book Review of Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DGVo_xzAryA/Ucyh5k5SG6I/AAAAAAAAD9k/_cIV7pnojqI/s250/Shadow+of+Night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DGVo_xzAryA/Ucyh5k5SG6I/AAAAAAAAD9k/_cIV7pnojqI/s250/Shadow+of+Night.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Shadow of Night</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">is the second book of the All Souls
Trilogy. Book two is spent back in 1590. Matthew and Diana travel back to
London to hopefully find a witch who can help Diana learn to control her
witchcraft and find Ashmole 782. They start out in London where we meet historical
figures like Christopher Marlowe, who is a daemon, and extremely jealous of
Diana. Other key characters of that time Thomas Harriott, George Chapman,
Walter Raleigh, are all friends of Matthew and make up The School of
Night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Diana and Matthew go to Sept Tours in
France where Matthew is from. This time we meet Matthew's father Philippe. At
first he is overbearing and doesn't agree with his son's relationship with a
witch, but Diana wins him over. He is a powerful vampire and many respect the
patriarch of de Clermont. If I had to cast Matthew's father and nephew
Gallowglass I would take from the movie Braveheart. During the visit we
experience a vampire wedding, and yes, finally a honeymoon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">When they travel back to London they meet
Queen Elizabeth. Matthew has a special relationship with the queen as a spy.
The Queen sends Matthew to Prague on an assignment. There they meet King
Rudolf, the Holy Roman Emperor. Matthew becomes jealous of the Emperor's
obsession over Diana. He compares her to goddess Diana. They find Ashmole
782 and learn there are many secrets hidden inside the book. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Diana and Matthew's entourage almost
become a little family. Annie and Jack are like adopted children. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Back in London Diana meets with a group of
witches who help her understand her special powers as a weaver. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">My favorite part is when Diana meets up
with her own father, who happens to be a time traveler like herself. I
considered book two as the "father" book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">This is a well-written story with many true
historical figures all intertwined in a vampire/witch forbidden love story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wy4lq4TcJeU/Ucyirg9knzI/AAAAAAAAD9s/W6QUGvUcyms/s224/Emma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wy4lq4TcJeU/Ucyirg9knzI/AAAAAAAAD9s/W6QUGvUcyms/s224/Emma.jpg" /></a></div>
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Diana Bishop is compared to goddess Diana </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8900968412626909172.post-86529737817386672202013-05-27T13:37:00.000-07:002013-05-27T13:37:15.510-07:00And the winner of SHADOW OF NIGHT by Deborah Harkness is....drum roll please.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V5-uBYl_yJM/UaO9m1Y1FSI/AAAAAAAAD80/Onw4jfulh30/s1600/and+the+winner+is.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V5-uBYl_yJM/UaO9m1Y1FSI/AAAAAAAAD80/Onw4jfulh30/s1600/and+the+winner+is.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><b>Congratulation</b></span></span><b style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></b><b style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">FBMARTINAZ!! Y</span></b><b style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">ou have won a paperback copy of SHADOW OF NIGHT by Deborah Harkness, the #1 <i>New York Times </i>bestselling sequel to <i>A Discovery of Witches, </i>which<i> </i>is out in paperback on Tuesday <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1922126555" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">May 28</span></span>!</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">On June 4th at 2pm EST, join Deborah Harkness and her editor Carole DeSanti, the author of</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><a href="http://caroledesanti.net/" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" target="_blank">The Unruly Passions of Eugénie R</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">, for a virtual book event on BookTalk Nation.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Fans can join by phone and buy personalized copies of the book by ordering online</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><a href="http://booktalknation.com/book.html?author_id=70&book_id=103&event_id=61" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">. </span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">SHADOW OF NIGHT<b> </b>picks up exactly where <i>A Discovery of Witches</i><b> </b>left off: Diana Bishop and Matthew Clairmont, a witch historian and vampire geneticist respectively, have time walked to Elizabethan England on their hunt for a magical alchemical manuscript, <i>Ashmole 782</i>—its sudden appearance and sudden disappearance have upended the delicately ordered world of magical creatures (witches, vampires, and daemons), threatening to unleash unprecedented metaphysical chaos.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">For more info on Deborah Harkness and the All Souls Trilogy, check out <a href="http://deborahharkness.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://deborahharkness.com</a>.</span><u></u><u></u></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8900968412626909172.post-48048371808912896022013-05-15T14:31:00.001-07:002013-05-15T14:31:37.451-07:00Book Giveaway of SHADOW OF NIGHT by Deborah Harkness<b style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 21px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The 'All Souls Trilogy' is known as "a Twilight story for grownups". I agree, Deborah brings the paranormal world alive with adult characters having adult experiences. I felt highly educated as I read the first book, but that doesn't mean I did't jump on the bandwagon and join Team Matthew and Team Diana!! </span></b><span id="docs-internal-guid-3694b291-a9b5-bf83-2679-24e05a4d7934"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 21px; line-height: 1; white-space: pre-wrap;">Also, they would be great in the movie adaption of book two 'Shadow of Night' which takes place in 1</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 21px; line-height: 1; white-space: pre-wrap;">590. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 21px; line-height: 21px; white-space: pre-wrap;">What do you think? Who would you pick to play Matthew and Diana?</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As promised, here is the full Q&A with Deborah Harkness. See below for your chance to win a copy of 'Shadow of Night' in paperback, book two in the 'All Souls Trilogy'. </span></b></div>
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<i style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 21px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1; white-space: pre-wrap;">A CONVERSATION WITH DEBORAH HARKNESS</i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Q: </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Discovery of Witches</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> debuted at # 2 on the </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">New York Times </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">bestseller list with publications following in 37 countries. What has been your reaction to the outpouring of love for </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Discovery of Witches</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">? Was it surprising how taken fans were with Diana and Matthew’s story?</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>A. It has been amazing—and a bit overwhelming. I was surprised by how quickly readers embraced two central characters who challenge our typical notion of what a heroine or hero should be. And I continue to be amazed whenever a new reader pops up, whether one in the US or somewhere like Finland or Japan—to tell me how much they enjoyed being caught up in Diana’s world. </i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Q: Last summer, Warner Brothers acquired screen rights to the trilogy, and David Auburn, the Pulitzer-Prize-winning writer of </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Proof</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, has been tapped to pen the screenplay. Are you looking forward to your novels being portrayed on the big screen? What are your favorite casting ideas that you’ve heard from friends and readers?</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>A. I was thrilled when Warner Brothers wanted to translate the All Souls trilogy from book to screen. At first I was reluctant about the whole idea of a movie, and it actually took me nearly two years to agree to let someone try. The team at Warner Brothers impressed me with their seriousness about the project and their commitment to the characters and story I was trying to tell. Their decision to go with David Auburn confirmed that my faith in them was not misplaced. As for the casting, I deliberately don’t say anything about that! I would hate for any actor or actress to be cast in one of these roles and feel that they didn’t have my total support. I will say, however, that many of my readers’ ideas involve actors who have already played a vampire and I would be very surprised if one of them were asked to be Matthew!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Q: SHADOW OF NIGHT opens on a scene in 1590s Elizabethan England featuring the famous School of Night, a group of historical figures believed to be friends, including Sir Walter Raleigh and playwright Christopher Marlowe. Why did you choose to feature these individuals, and can we expect Diana and Matthew to meet other famous figures from the past? </i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A. I wrote my master’s thesis on the imagery surrounding Elizabeth I during the last two decades of her reign. One of my main sources was the poem </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Shadow of Night</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by George Chapman—a member of this circle of fascinating men—and that work is dedicated to a mysterious poet named Matthew Roydon about whom we know very little. When I was first thinking about how vampires moved in the world (and this was way back in the autumn of 2008 when I was just beginning </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Discovery of Witches</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) I remembered Roydon and thought “</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is the kind of identity a vampire would have, surrounded by interesting people but not the center of the action.” From that moment on I knew the second part of Diana and Matthew’s story would take place among the School of Night. And from a character standpoint, Walter Raleigh, Christopher Marlowe, George Chapman, and the other men associated with the group are irresistible. They were such significant, colorful presences in Elizabethan England.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Q: In SHADOW OF NIGHT, we learn more about the alchemical bonds between Diana and Matthew. In your day job, you are a professor of history and science at the University of Southern California and have focused on alchemy in your research. What aspects of this intersection between science and magic do you hope readers will pick up on while reading SHADOW OF NIGHT? </i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A. Whereas </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Discovery of Witches </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">focused on the literature and symbolism of alchemy, in </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shadow of Night </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m able to explore some of the hands-on aspects of this ancient tradition. There is still plenty of symbolism for Diana to think about, but in this volume we go from abstractions and ideals to real transformation and change—which was always my intention with the series. Just as we get to know more about how Elizabethan men and women undertook alchemical experiments, we also get to see Matthew and Diana’s relationship undergo the metamorphosis from new love to something more.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Q: SHADOW OF NIGHT spans the globe, with London, France, and Prague as some of the locales. Did you travel to these destinations for your research? </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>A. I did. My historical research has been based in London for some time now, so I’ve spent long stretches of time living in the City of London—the oldest part of the metropolis—but I had never been to the Auvergne or Prague. I visited both places while writing the book, and in both cases it was a bit like traveling in time to walk village lanes, old pilgrim roads, and twisting city streets while imagining Diana and Matthew at my side. </i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Q: Did you have an idea or an outline for SHADOW OF NIGHT when you were writing </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Discovery of Witches? </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Did the direction change once you sat down to write it?</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A. I didn’t outline either book in the traditional sense. In both cases I knew what some of the high points were and how the plot moved towards the conclusion, but there were some significant changes during the revision process. This was especially true for </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SHADOW OF NIGHT</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">although most of those changes involved moving specific pieces of the plot forward or back to improve the momentum and flow.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Q: A </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Discovery of Witches</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> begins with Diana Bishop stumbling across a lost, enchanted manuscript called Ashmole 782 in Oxford’s Bodleian Library, whose secrets Diana and Matthew are still trying to uncover in SHADOW OF NIGHT. You had a similar experience while you were completing your dissertation. What was the story behind your discovery? And how did it inspire the creation of these novels?</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>A. I did discover a manuscript—not an enchanted one, alas—in the Bodleian Library. It was a manuscript owned by Queen Elizabeth’s astrologer, the mathematician and alchemist John Dee. In the 1570s and 1580s he became interested in using a crystal ball to talk to angels. The angels gave him all kinds of instructions on how to manage his life at home, his work—they even told him to pack up his family and belongings and go to far-away Poland and Prague. In the conversations, Dee asked the angels about a mysterious book in his library called “the Book of Soyga” or “Aldaraia.” No one had ever been able to find it, even though many of Dee’s other books survive in libraries throughout the world. In the summer of 1994 I was spending time in Oxford between finishing my doctorate and starting my first job. It was a wonderfully creative time, since I had no deadlines to worry about and my dissertation on Dee’s angel conversations was complete. As with most discoveries, this discovery of a “lost” manuscript was entirely accidental. I was looking for something else in the Bodleian’s catalogue and in the upper corner of the page was a reference to a book called “Aldaraia.” I knew it couldn’t be Dee’s book, but I called it up anyway. And it turned out it WAS the book (or at least a copy of it). With the help of the Bodleian’s Keeper of Rare Books, I located another copy in the British Library.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Q: Are there other lost books like this in the world? </i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A. Absolutely! Entire books have been written about famous lost volumes—including works by Plato, Aristotle, and Shakespeare to name just a few. Libraries are full of such treasures, some of them unrecognized and others simply misfiled or mislabeled. And we find lost books outside of libraries, too. In January 2006, a completely unknown manuscript belonging to one of the 17</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 9px; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;">th</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> century’s most prominent scientists, Robert Hooke, was discovered when someone was having the contents of their house valued for auction. The manuscript included minutes of early Royal Society meetings that we presumed were lost forever. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Q: Unlike Twilight’s Bella and Edward—hormonal teenagers who meet in the halls of a high school—your leading characters Matthew and Diana are established academics who meet in the library of one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the world. This is a world where vampires and witches drink wine together, practice yoga and discuss philosophy. Are these characters based on something you found missing in the fantasy genre?</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A. There are a lot of adults reading young adult books, and for good reason. Authors who specialize in the young adult market are writing original, compelling stories that can make even the most cynical grownups believe in magic. In writing </span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES</span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, I wanted to give adult readers a world no less magical, no less surprising and delightful, but one that included grown-up concerns and activities. These are not your children’s vampires and witches. </span></i></div>
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<a href="http://deborahharkness.com/">Deborah Harkness's website</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Deborah Harkness</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now for your chance to win 'SHADOW OF NIGHT' book two in the 'All Souls Trilogy.' Leave a comment on this blog. If you read book one 'A Discovery of Witches' tell me who you'd pick to play Matthew and Diana in the movie. If you haven't read book one that is fine just let me know how excited you are about winning and can't wait to read this amazing series. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">***Make sure in the comment field you leave your email address so you can be contacted if you win.*** </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>BONUS ENTRIES: 1 entry for every post or tweet you share about the contest. (Please include in comment field if posted on Facebook and tweeted about the contest and where I can find it.) </u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Contest will run until Friday May 24th Midnight PST. Good Luck! </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8900968412626909172.post-66195315050390975972013-05-10T14:34:00.000-07:002013-05-10T14:34:11.273-07:00Free book giveaway of SHADOW OF NIGHT!<br />
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Book two in the All Souls Trilogy comes out in Paperback on May 28th and here's a chance to win a free copy from the publisher Viking/Penguin Books. </h2>
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I will post the Q&A with author Deborah Harkness next week, post a comment on that post with your email address and a winner will be drawn on Friday May 24th at midnight PST. </div>
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Good luck!</div>
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Shadow of Night</div>
A Discovery of Witches introduced Diana Bishop, Oxford scholar and reluctant witch, and the handsome geneticist and vampire Matthew Clairmont; together they found themselves at the center of a supernatural battle over an enchanted manuscript known as Ashmole 782. Drawn to one another despite longstanding taboos, and in pursuit of Diana’s spellbound powers, the two embark upon a time-walking journey.<br />
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Book Two of the All Souls Trilogy plunges Diana and Matthew into Elizabethan London, a world of spies and subterfuge, and a coterie of Matthew’s old friends, the mysterious School of Night. The mission is to locate a witch to tutor Diana and to find traces of Ashmole 782, but as the net of Matthew’s past tightens around them they embark on a very different journey, one that takes them into heart of the 1,500 year old vampire’s shadowed history and secrets. For Matthew Clairmont, time travel is no simple matter; nor is Diana’s search for the key to understanding her legacy.<br />
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Shadow of Night brings us a rich and splendid tapestry of alchemy, magic, and history, taking us through the loop of time to deliver a deepening love story, a tale of blood, passion, and the knotted strands of the past.<br />
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<section class="post-meta fix post-nothumb " style="background-color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 24.078125px; margin-bottom: 1.71em;"><section class="bd post-header fix"><section class="bd post-title-section fix" style="padding-bottom: 6px;"><hgroup class="post-title fix"><h1 class="entry-title pagetitle" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #660000; font-family: 'IM Fell English', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 32px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 41px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent;">Other exciting events: Join BookTalk with author Deborah Harkness on June 4th 11am PST / 2pm EST.</span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><a href="http://booktalknation.com/book.html?author_id=70&book_id=103&event_id=61" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 24.078125px;">Join BookTalk HERE</a></span></h1>
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">Join me and learn more about this exciting series. </span></h1>
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More about the author visit her website at <a href="http://deborahharkness.com/">http://deborahharkness.com/</a><br />
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Read my review of book one <i>Discovery of Witches: </i><a href="http://juliemartinwallace.blogspot.com/2012/08/book-review-of-discovery-of-witches.html">http://juliemartinwallace.blogspot.com/2012/08/book-review-of-discovery-of-witches.html</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8900968412626909172.post-92014692895751032982013-04-23T09:00:00.000-07:002013-04-23T09:12:42.449-07:00Book review and Free Giveaway of Farewell, my Denmark<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WfPcYBshJjs/UXWT7A_kJbI/AAAAAAAADvc/ZH6cU3c4t9U/s1600/WEB-Scott-FarewellMyDenmarkFRONTcoverFINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WfPcYBshJjs/UXWT7A_kJbI/AAAAAAAADvc/ZH6cU3c4t9U/s1600/WEB-Scott-FarewellMyDenmarkFRONTcoverFINAL.jpg" /></a></div>
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April 1863 in Denmark, seventeen year old Catherine meets with
her fiance and when he claims he won’t read from her Book of Mormon she has her
answer to call off the marriage and travel with her family to America. This
decision will send Catherine on an exciting journey. You’ll experience with her
the first time seeing a train or even a bicycle, and feel the deep sorrow and
hardship immigrants endured while traveling to America. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Catherine is young and naive when she first starts out. She’s full of life and many suitors want to court her during her travels.
She dreams of the perfect man with fly away blonde hair and blue sparkling
eyes, but Catherine will learn many valuable lessons of what true love is along
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While traveling across the ocean Catherine faces death and sadness. Through life’s trails and lessons she will find strength within herself. This story is
based on true events the author’s ancestors indeed experienced giving us a
great insight of what it was really like for all of those that sacrificed so
much. What a great read and in the end you will love Catherine and her harebrained
ways as much I did. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ch-lpYBleg/UXWUI2qn9MI/AAAAAAAADvk/sGp9wyq7aTY/s1600/TinaScott.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ch-lpYBleg/UXWUI2qn9MI/AAAAAAAADvk/sGp9wyq7aTY/s200/TinaScott.JPG" width="174" /></a></div>
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Tina Scott is a fantastic writer as she puts you in the
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This is a heartfelt story that will take you
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Here's your chance to win a copy of Farewell, my Denmark <b style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>and</i></b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">a $10 Target gift card.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><img align="middle" alt="" border="0" class="th " height="91" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTRjgvpDlInn_VN-469Ki9pIllhIPu8T9jbvwMQ2qVYKoCat-kzwIn23Q" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 8px;" title="http://www.shescribes.com/2012/10/the-not-so-stinky-skunk-costume-from-target.html/target-logo-2" width="69" /><br /><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">INTERNATIONAL</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">: ebook only, no gift card. Sorry.</span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Winner will be drawn</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> on </span><strong style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Friday April 26th</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">@ 5pm Pacific Standard time.</span></div>
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<i><strong><u>Participants who didn’t win may re-enter each week w/ new comments and announcements.<o:p></o:p></u></strong></i></div>
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HOW TO PARTICIPATE:<o:p></o:p></h2>
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Leave a comment here on hosts blog = 1 entry</div>
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Leave a comment on <a href="http://totallytinascott.blogspot.com/" style="color: #319832; text-decoration: none;">Tina Scott</a> blog w/ your email address in case you win = 1 entry<br />
(Those w/o an email address posted will forfeit if they win.)</div>
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Tweet about giveaway w/ link to <a href="http://totallytinascott.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent;">http://totallytinascott.blogspot.com/</a><span style="font-size: 13px;"> blog = 1 entry</span></div>
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Facebook announcement about giveaway w/ link to <a href="http://totallytinascott.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent;">http://totallytinascott.blogspot.com/</a><span style="font-size: 13px;"> blog = 1 entry</span></div>
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*Make sure on the comment field you leave your email address so we can inform you if you win. Also, put how many entries you have with a link showing your tweets and Facebook post. Thanks for participating and Good Luck!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8900968412626909172.post-49227790104710926392013-04-16T14:33:00.000-07:002013-04-16T14:33:34.239-07:00I won!!! Now here's your chance this week!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mfBCPEjloiE/UW3BcaqK-uI/AAAAAAAADvM/Vvv-QVjeoBg/s1600/WEB-Scott-FarewellMyDenmarkFRONTcoverFINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mfBCPEjloiE/UW3BcaqK-uI/AAAAAAAADvM/Vvv-QVjeoBg/s1600/WEB-Scott-FarewellMyDenmarkFRONTcoverFINAL.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">For a chance to win a copy of </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Farewell, My Denmark </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">along with a $10 Target gift certificate, leave a comment on Joyce's interview blog with Tina Scott (see link below). Tweet and/or Facebook for additional entries before 5 PM EST, Friday April 19. </span><br />
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<a href="http://jdp-news.blogspot.com/2013/04/interview-giveaway-with-tina-scott.html#.UW24pbXrwtU">http://jdp-news.blogspot.com/2013/04/interview-giveaway-with-tina-scott.html#.UW24pbXrwtU</a><br />
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Don 't forget to check back April 23rd to comment on my blog for another chance to win. </h2>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07167286682024364885noreply@blogger.com0