tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134770612024-03-07T14:25:27.050-06:00Mila Ramos - Jademystique BlogOfficial Blog and think-tank of published author of paranormal and contemporary romance Mila Ramos. Hilarity, life, writing, chocolate and not necessarily in that order.Mila Ramoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749425163028904436noreply@blogger.comBlogger573125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13477061.post-63717399168970035612015-02-20T08:57:00.000-06:002015-02-20T20:58:03.895-06:00Infected: Prey by Andrea Speed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SO0jFA9lNhAzvmaSrfpbmzGDxYm0NCgwHLMyTf1HmZVE3zaHOuO7qmxdj-ZNEPP3lbCsfL012ulDBI7kLFxTFl2iT7QXxaeYt8u-guDrVgbXjvgvyTVuMSM661PGZkQ2pdrNjw/s1600/Infected+Prey+Banner+851+x+315.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SO0jFA9lNhAzvmaSrfpbmzGDxYm0NCgwHLMyTf1HmZVE3zaHOuO7qmxdj-ZNEPP3lbCsfL012ulDBI7kLFxTFl2iT7QXxaeYt8u-guDrVgbXjvgvyTVuMSM661PGZkQ2pdrNjw/s1600/Infected+Prey+Banner+851+x+315.png" height="118" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tour Giveaway<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kindle Voyage with wifi<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">5 copies of Infected: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">Prey- ebook or paperback
winner’s choice (paperback open to US Shipping)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1416210150l/23420502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1416210150l/23420502.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></span></a><br />
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Infected:
Prey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Infected
Series<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book One<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Andrea
Speed<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Genre: Gay mystery/urban fantasy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Publisher: DSP Publications<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ISBN: 163216325X<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ASIN: B00NJRJZGG<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Number of pages: 376<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Word Count: 152,000<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cover Artist: Anne Cain<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book Description: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In a world where a werecat virus has
changed society, Roan McKichan, a born infected and ex-cop, works as a private
detective trying to solve crimes involving other infecteds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The murder of a former cop draws Roan
into an odd case where an unidentifiable species of cat appears to be showing
an unusual level of intelligence. He juggles that with trying to find a missing
teenage boy, who, unbeknownst to his parents, was “cat” obsessed. And when
someone is brutally murdering infecteds, Eli Winters, leader of the Church of the
Divine Transformation, hires Roan to find the killer before he closes in on
Eli.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Working the crimes will lead Roan through
a maze of hate, personal grudges, and mortal danger. With help from his
tiger-strain infected partner, Paris Lehane, he does his best to survive in a
world that hates and fears their kind… and occasionally worships them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Available at
<a href="http://dsppublications.com/">DSP Publications</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NJRJZGG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00NJRJZGG&linkCode=as2&tag=dreamspress0c-20&linkId=S2IEBQ6K2XL67YXQ">Amazon</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Excerpt: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">HE was on his third beer
of the evening when he thought he heard a noise in the backyard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hank DeSilvo scowled and
looked out the window over the kitchen sink full of dirty dishes. He could see
nothing but darkness, and maybe a bit of reflected light from the television.
This was probably a bad time to remember the back porch light had blown out two
days ago, and he’d forgotten to replace it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not that it mattered.
The only light currently in the house was coming from the television, and as
long as he ignored it, he developed enough night vision to make out a shape
moving in the back garden. Or was it the wind moving a shrub? Kind of hard to
say. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He slammed his can down
with an annoyed grunt. It was probably the Hindles’ stupid ass dog again,
shitting all over the place and tearing through his garbage. He hated that
fucking thing, some ugly Rottweiler mix they insisted was a “friendly” dog, and
yet it always had a look in its flat, black eyes that was just this side of
rabid. They never leashed the damn thing either, and apparently his yard
destruction was “cute.” He was just about out of this fucking place and that
damn thing had to make a final appearance. And it was final all right; he was
going to make damn sure of that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He went back to the
living room, glancing at the game as he walked past—it was a fucking damn
boring game anyway—and got his shotgun from the cabinet. It was illegal as all
hell, a sawed-off thirty ought six with the barrels cut so short you could have
stowed it under a jacket, but the barrels had been filed down expertly; it
wasn’t just the rough work of a desperate amateur but the sign of a pro. Which
was why, when they’d searched the drug mule’s truck and he’d found it wedged
under the front seat, he hid it in his trunk and didn’t report finding it. It
wouldn’t have added that much to the mule’s sentence; he already had enough
rock in his glove compartment to put him away for the rest of his pointless
life, especially if it was his “third strike” (and it was, no surprise there),
and he doubted the guy was so stupid that he’d actually ask why he wasn’t
charged with owning an illegally modified weapon. Yeah, he was dumb; you had to
be dumb if you were speeding and had a few thousand in rock in the car, as well
as being obviously stoned yourself. But asking after that was a special kind of
stupid, the kind only politicians and people on reality television ever seemed
to crest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He cracked open the gun
and made sure he had some shells loaded in it before snapping it shut again
with a sharp flick of his wrist. Man that felt good. This was a real man’s
weapon, made him feel a foot taller and made of pure muscle, and he knew why
that meth fuckhead was carrying it around with him. A weapon like this was a
real god-killer; it made you feel invincible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was pure overkill, of
course. The Hindles’ dog was fairly big, and yet one shot from this gun would
rip it in half clean down the middle, as well as make a boom loud enough to set
off every car alarm on the block. But what the fuck did he care? He was an
ex-cop; he’d say the dog charged him, and on his property he could shoot the
fucking thing if he wanted. He’d swap out the sawed-off for his Remington
before they arrived. Ballistics wouldn’t match, but by the time they proved
that, he’d be long gone. Good-bye, shit-hole city; hello, tropical paradise. It
was just a shame that it took him this long to collect. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He stood at the back
door for a moment, cradling the shotgun gently, and let his eyes get adjusted
to the dark before going out onto the concrete patio. He had a mini Maglite
with him with a red lens over the bulb, so if there was something he needed to
see he could twist it on without losing his night vision. Not that he needed to
make a direct hit; even if he just winged the dog, he’d probably rip half its
face off, maybe a leg. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">First step off the patio
his foot squelched in something; it felt too liquid to be shit, but the smell
that hit him was meaty, redolent of shit and offal and God knew what else. Had
that fucking dog already strewn his garbage about? Goddamn it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Holding the shotgun in
one arm, he turned on the flashlight and looked down at what he’d stepped in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At first it looked like
a puddle, which didn’t make sense since it hadn’t rained in a week, and the
thought that it was dog piss was dismissed since it was dark, and dog piss
wasn’t usually black. Or was that red-black? Swinging the light outwards, he saw
greasy, ropey strands that couldn’t have come from his garbage can, and then a
big hunk of raw, bloody meat like a lamb shank… only it was too long and thin
to be a shank, too dark, and ended in a paw. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was a Rottweiler leg.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Someone—something—had
dismembered the Hindles’ psychotic dog and spread about a third of it all over
his backyard. He saw the leg, which was the biggest piece, an assortment of
internal organs, loops of intestines laid out like fallen party streamers, and
lots of blood. But where was the other two thirds of the dog? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The hair stood up on the
back of his neck, and he knew he had to get the fuck inside now. But as he
turned, shotgun at the ready and braced against his hip, he saw the flash of
white teeth in the dim moonlight, and his brain sent out the impulse to pull
the trigger. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He didn’t have time to
wonder why it never happened as the teeth ripped open his throat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1359797806p5/3020553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1359797806p5/3020553.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">About the Author:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Andrea Speed was born looking for trouble
in some hot month without an R in it. While succeeding in finding Trouble, she
has also been found by its twin brother, Clean Up, and is now on the run,
wanted for the murder of a mop and a really cute, innocent bucket that was only
one day away from retirement. (I was framed, I tell you - framed!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In her spare time, she arms lemurs in
preparation for the upcoming war against the Mole Men. Viva la revolution!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Website: <a href="http://www.andreaspeed.com/">www.andreaspeed.com</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/andrea.speed.3">www.facebook.com/andrea.speed.3</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Facebook Page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Andreaspeedwriter">https://www.facebook.com/Andreaspeedwriter</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Twitter: @aspeed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Google+: <a href="https://plus.google.com/109420358312270961913/posts">https://plus.google.com/109420358312270961913/posts</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Goodreads: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/andreaspeed">www.goodreads.com/andreaspeed</a></span></div>
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Mila Ramoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749425163028904436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13477061.post-86544593260575226202014-12-30T06:44:00.001-06:002014-12-30T06:44:28.085-06:00American Specter by Rasheedah Prioleau<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yBlqebWN9mTIijZYsb5CszDFgdpwIRokLNyNNJiGrYtg9XKzc_YOb_yqi5GXxrI6zym8ij_idXzFXv5tKz_WHc7WY_zg7Ws1P3Or5_u5YpFRCTIVXtbw9nL75BkocS3xONwyCQ/s1600/American+Specter+Banner+851+x+315+(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yBlqebWN9mTIijZYsb5CszDFgdpwIRokLNyNNJiGrYtg9XKzc_YOb_yqi5GXxrI6zym8ij_idXzFXv5tKz_WHc7WY_zg7Ws1P3Or5_u5YpFRCTIVXtbw9nL75BkocS3xONwyCQ/s1600/American+Specter+Banner+851+x+315+(1).png" height="118" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrU_hmgmQ8rXlyJJgl9LW3-GeBpW0aNXDfBxDYC9PhawYaNJ12B-V8ReePQAOWA9ZMr3mjSdNfsv1XV5Un8MRj_9-QECO_Z6fLGaRmUDRgtMt4bk09teL3nstQhWWXOMc68Kf-w/s1600/cover2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrU_hmgmQ8rXlyJJgl9LW3-GeBpW0aNXDfBxDYC9PhawYaNJ12B-V8ReePQAOWA9ZMr3mjSdNfsv1XV5Un8MRj_9-QECO_Z6fLGaRmUDRgtMt4bk09teL3nstQhWWXOMc68Kf-w/s1600/cover2.jpg" height="320" width="204" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">American
Specter<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Rasheedah
Prioleau <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Genre: Paranormal Mystery<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Date of Publication: Feb, 2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ISBN: 978-0692226582<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ASIN: B00IOWGVZY<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Number of pages: 248<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Word Count: 72,000<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cover Artist: Roger Raymond<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book Description: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">FBI Agent Audra Wheeler has been
haunted for the last thirteen years by a paranormal attack that left her
sister, Kendra, in a coma. Mentored by FBI Assistant Director Jonathan Cordero
to investigate crimes committed by specters, Audra believes she is on the trail
of a ‘serial killer’ specter with a MO very similar to her sister’s attacker. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The investigation takes her to a
small town of Specter, Georgia; a haven for ghosts who exist among the living.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book
Trailer: <a href="http://youtu.be/i6m6vTxw-Yg">http://youtu.be/i6m6vTxw-Yg</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Available at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/American-Specter-Seven-Sisters-1/dp/0692226583">Amazon</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Excerpt:
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">CHAPTER ONE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was half past
noon on Monday when Special Agent Audra Wheeler of the FBI stepped into the
apartment of Gwyneth Miller. She’d been in Savannah the prior week but, as a
native New Yorker, she was sure that she would never get used to the stifling
Georgia heat. She noted that the air conditioner was not on as she walked
across the living room, listening to the muffled sounds of country cops
inevitably messing up Gwyneth’s room that was now an official FBI crime scene. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Gwyneth Miller was
the fifth victim of a suspected serial killer of the specter variety, who had a
thing for dark haired, dark eyed women sleeping alone. As she stepped into the
crime scene, Audra activated the specter shield she wore around her left wrist
to block any specters from getting within five feet of her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She’d spent nearly
four years on special assignments with the FBI investigating specter crimes and
bringing them to justice. The biggest problem with catching a criminal specter
was that they never left any physical evidence, no DNA, no fingerprints, no
calling card, no expository note, and no obvious motive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In this particular
case, all of the hunches that Audra had to go off of were of a personal nature
that she was still not entirely comfortable sharing. To her knowledge, this
would be the first and only specter that had crossed the line into murder and
then into serial killing. This particular specter had taken her from Boston to
New Jersey, then Charlotte, Savannah, and finally the small town of Specter,
Georgia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She walked into
Gwyneth Miller’s bedroom and immediately noted the scent of candles and
perfume. Audra suspected that maybe this woman had, in fact, had a visitor the
night before and, perhaps, this would not fit the profile of her four previous
cases.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She quickly
scanned the room and made note of the cheap, feminine décor. Audra cringed,
turning her attention to the body of the victim. Gwyneth was lying in bed, on
her side with her hands near her throat, which was singed with strange burn
marks. Her fingernails had scratched at her throat as well, peeling away some
of the skin. These were the telltale signs of the specter that she was
following but, most disturbingly, this victim, like all the others, looked a
lot like her sister. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Shit,” Audra
said. She looked over at the side table and took in a large purple candle.
“What is this?” She leaned in close. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“A candle from the
Daylight Candle Shop.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hearing his voice,
Audra took a shallow breath before quickly letting it out. She turned as he
strolled through Gwyneth Miller’s bedroom door and walked towards her. He wore
laid back local Southern clothes; faded jeans with a slightly tattered t-shirt
and baseball cap, but there was no mistaking the city attitude in his walk. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When Audra had
received the initial fax of a possible fifth victim, she’d read Ethan Cole’s
name on top of the report file with disbelief. Now, in front of her, she was
wary. His New York City swagger was enough to make a nun forget her vows just
long enough to break them four or five times. Audra quickly contemplated the
precious few times she’d crossed the line with her ex-partner before he’d been
transferred to the American South. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He was six-foot
two and maybe two hundred pounds of muscle. Audra remembered the feel of his
baby-smooth chocolate skin and the taste of his beautifully full lips. He was
six years older than her twenty-seven, but it looked good on him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She turned her
attention away from his large hazel eyes back to the candle and examined the
tiny instruction card next to it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“May love’s
embrace meet me at dawn’s face.” She snorted as she became painfully aware of
how close Ethan was standing next to her. She had to mentally and physically
resist the draw of his cologne as it invited her to lean into him. “The
Daylight Candle Shop,” she confirmed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She had already
known there would be no evidence of the killer at the scene, but she’d asked
for nothing to be touched, not even the body, before she arrived and took a
look around. Audra listened to the coroner’s report; the victim had died of
asphyxiation from a suspected crushed esophagus, somewhere near dawn of the
previous day, Sunday. She said a prayer for Gwyneth and then left without
another word to anyone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ethan followed her
out of the apartment building. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Hey, Audra. Wait
up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She turned as she
stepped outside, and he closed the space between them. She ignored the
oppressive heat for a moment to address him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m going to go
over to the library and question the people she worked with.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I already did
that,” he said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well, I’m going
to do it as well,” she said, making it clear that the investigation was now
hers to control. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Okay, but listen.
This town is full of – ” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Specters? Yeah, I
know.” Audra rolled her eyes at the thought of an entire town, in southern
America of all places, which was home to people who had passed away. Ethan
placed a hand on her shoulder. She turned to walk to her car, pulling away from
his touch in the process, shutting out the wave of feelings that screamed for
her attention. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Don’t worry, I
won’t go around zapping your ghostly citizens.” Her specter zapper was safely
tucked away in her gun belt, just to the rear of her handgun. “But, you might
want to warn the Daylight Candle Shop that they’re next on my list.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">About
the Author:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Rasheedah Prioleau is a southern
African American writer with an eclectic range of writing and ghostwriting
credits. After a few years in the corporate world she started over from the
bottom as an unpaid intern for a literary manager and never looked back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I love to write because there
are no limits. All it takes is a finite space of time and I can create a story
from infinite possibilities."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Writers who have influenced her
include: Judy Bloom, Jude Deveraux, V.C. Andrews, Octavia Butler, Stephanie
Meyer, Charlaine Harris, Joss Whedon, William Nicholson, Shonda Rhimes, Quentin
Tarantino, Tyler Perry, Mike Kelley, and J.J. Abrams... just to name a few.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Website: <a href="http://www.rasheedahprioleau/">www.rasheedahprioleau</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Twitter: @prioleaura<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Facebook:
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/rasheedah.prioleau">https://www.facebook.com/rasheedah.prioleau</a></span></span>Mila Ramoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749425163028904436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13477061.post-76402639909644533292014-12-18T08:00:00.000-06:002014-12-18T10:25:18.631-06:00Computer Love Inc II: Gestation by Kurt and Jessica Hansen<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Computer
Love Inc. II: Gestation<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Computer
Love Inc. Series <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book
II<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kurt
and Jessica Hansen<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Genre: Science Fiction <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ISBN: 978-0989068338<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ASIN: B00O05VR6C<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Number of pages: 215<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Word Count: 46,095<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cover Artist: Steven J. Catizone<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book Description: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After the sudden deaths of two
previous Computer Love Inc. CEOs, Marius takes control of the company.
Embracing the talents of his godson, John, and his best friend, Zak, he hires
the boys to oversee the Companion Services Division. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Marius refines his breakthrough
technology, the Brain Machine Download, and as a result, creates his double,
M2, as the prototype. Together, they ignite the future of <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Computer Love Inc. by acquiring
an elite team of scientists to expand the company’s technological boundaries.
Meanwhile, Marius struggles with the government’s demands for a clandestine
initiative - the Secret Service Companion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Between the looming government
presence and the overwhelming force behind his new team of inventors, can
Marius survive the outcome of his own creations? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Available at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Computer-Love-Inc-II-Gestation/dp/0989068331/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416347760&sr=8-1&keywords=computer+love+inc">Amazon</a>
and <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/computer-love-inc-ii-kurt-hansen/1120428171?ean=2940150375475">BN</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Music Playlist for
Computer Love Inc. II: Gestation<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We don’t want to give away any important scenes for anyone
who has not yet read the book, but if you are familiar with the storyline or if
you’d like to read it in conjunction with the “soundtrack,” we feel that these
songs work well alongside the chapters we’ve outlined here:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter 1: Phantom Planet, “California”; AWOLNATION, “Sail”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter 2: Imagine Dragons, “Radioactive”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter 3: Everclear, “Santa Monica” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter 4: David Guetta & Sia, “Titanium”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter 5: Jimmy Eat World, “The Middle”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter 6: The Fray, “How to Save a Life”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter 7: Muse, “Uprising”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter 8: The Black Keys, “Gold on the Ceiling”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter 9: Kanye West, “Power<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter 10: OneRepublic, “I Lived”; Black Sabbath, “War
Pigs”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter 11: Kenny Chesney, “Shiftwork”; Alan Jackson &
Jimmy Buffett, “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter 12: Tiesto, “Wasted”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter 13: Mumford & Sons, “Broken Crown”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter 14: Kacey Musgraves, “Silver Lining”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter 15: Zac Brown Band, “Who Knows” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b> </b><b> </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Excerpt
#1:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> “So,
Marius, I’m pleased, as I’m sure you must be, that the download between you and
I went so well.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> The
remark was sudden and bewildering. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> “Yes,
I am also pleased…” Marius paused. “What brings that up, M2? Is there something you feel we need to
improve upon?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> “No, actually, I don’t think that at all. In fact, I think the process and aftermath
have proven to be extremely fruitful, don’t you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> “Well,
yes… But then, what is it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> “I
just recalled an idea we had, that’s all,” M2 said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> “’We’
had an idea?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> “Well,
as you know, to say that we think alike would be an understatement.” M2 paused and allowed Marius to have a
laugh. “So obviously your knowledge of
robotics resides not only within you, but within me as well. I know you’ve thought about it, the
possibility to help the company pounce into the next generation. What if, say, we were to make a team of
Companions, not unlike myself, created from experts in different fields? For example…
We could use that famous technology instructor, the woman from Advance
Propulsion Labs who’s won awards for all of those groundbreaking projects
they’ve done recently, or even that metal-loving genius who combines materials
recovered from asteroids with titanium and such. It would be a team of biorobotic and
propulsion brilliance with unlimited potential!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Excerpt
#2:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The room
remained silent. Ten pairs of eyes were
fixed on Marius, not even a single person consumed with a hangnail or discreetly
checking messages on his or her unit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“So then – and
please forgive me when I say this, because often it seems that social
delicacies elude me; I’m sure you all possess unique and likeable
personalities, but really – it’s your brains that we’re after here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Again Marius
paused. By now, some gazes had shifted:
faces looked amongst one another, gauging reactions – animals measuring a
threat by observing the rest of the pack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Have you ever
heard someone say, ‘Can I pick your brain’?
Essentially, that’s what I’d like to do here. I need your brilliance, and I implore you to
consider this proposal. I would like to
perform a Brain Machine Download on each of you in order to capture your
intelligence. Is everyone familiar with
what the theory of the BMD is, or what it entails?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If they were not
familiar, no one spoke up or raised a hand.
Again, the looks flashed around the room – there were a few who wanted
to know more, but, seeing that no one else had first spoken up, they remained
quiet. Marius had seen it. Even in the wisest, cowardice lives…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Excerpt
#3:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> The
wave was perhaps the greatest in height they’d ever seen. Later, John was sure they’d recount it as
being of tidal proportions, hyperbolic as they always were when it came to
surfing expeditions. But in truth, he
wasn’t even sure how to approach its vastness; he caught the edge of the big,
rolling force in an awkward, unbalanced maneuver, yet he evened himself out at
once, rising up into a standing position, and coming through the tube with
precision.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Zak
waited for John to reach their squatting spot once again, then greeted him with
a seated bow from atop his board.
“Nicely done. But that was great
luck, catching a swell that size. Next
one’s mine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> They
didn’t have to wait long. The pair
ignored a series of smaller waves that rolled past (though, by a normal day’s
standards, they would have been worth riding), until a massive upsurge formed
within the surf, collecting all of the surrounding water to join its force. Zak was gone before John could give him any
encouragement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> John
held up his unit, readying its hologramera to capture Zak’s performance. He pressed “record,” but then, a loud beep
emanated from underneath him, coming from his surfboard. The sonar screen at the top of his board lit
up, depicting a large incoming vessel approaching Zak’s position. John looked up again, but noticed that Zak
was alone - there were no other surfers or boats nearby.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://lindanightingale.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/b0cc8-media2bkit2bauthor2bphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://lindanightingale.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/b0cc8-media2bkit2bauthor2bphoto.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">About
the Authors:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kurt and Jessica Hansen reside in
northern New Jersey . Kurt has worked in the aerospace electronics industry for
over three decades and enjoys the outdoors, writing, and composing music. Kurt
is easily recognized with a guitar in his lap, a pencil in his mouth, and a
piece of paper in front of him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jessica graduated from Montclair
State University, summa cum laude, with a B.A. in English. Her favorite
pastimes include reading, running and spending time with her family. She can
usually be found with a book in one hand and a hazelnut coffee in the other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.computerloveinc.com/">www.ComputerLoveInc.com</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Computer-Love-Inc/396920320362031">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Computer-Love-Inc/396920320362031</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">twitter: @ComputerLoveInc<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7134845.Kurt_Jessica_Hansen"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7134845.Kurt_Jessica_Hansen</span></a>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Mila Ramoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749425163028904436noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13477061.post-7036361878921668372014-12-16T08:00:00.000-06:002014-12-19T06:43:20.595-06:00A More Perfect Union by Betty Bolte<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Emily’s Vow<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>A More
Perfect Union <o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Book 1<o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Betty Bolté</b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Genre: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Historical Romance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Publisher: ePublishing
Works!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Date of
Publication: October 4, 2014<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ebook:
978-1-61417-654-1 <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paperback:
978-1-61417-655-8<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">ASIN:
B00O7601NY<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Number of
pages:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>247<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cover Artist:
ePublishing Works!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Book
Description:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Emily
Sullivan’s greatest fear is dying in childbirth, as did her twin sister and
their mother. Then she’s thrown in a loyalist prison for her privateering
father’s raids on the British, and her accuser--a former beau--promises to
recant if she will marry him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Frank
Thomson always loved Emily despite her refusal to return his affections. A
patriot spy posing as a loyalist officer, when Frank learns of Emily’s plight,
he challenges her accuser to a duel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Freed from
prison, Emily ponders returning the affections of her rescuer--the only man
she's ever loved and who married her twin to save the Sullivan family's
reputation. But Frank cannot afford to be discovered. For the sake of young
America, he must deliver his secrets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Available at<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://amzn.to/1Ekb9Qs"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Amazon</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span></span><a href="http://bit.ly/12f899o"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">BN</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span></span><a href="http://bit.ly/1thE1UK"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Kobo</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><a href="http://bit.ly/1DUsvAc"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">iBooks</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><a href="http://bit.ly/13Bll94"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Google Books</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Excerpt: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Emily
hurried down the sandy road beside her friend, noting the waning sunshine
draping shadows across the street. The slap of the waves at the distant
convergence of the Cooper and Ashley Rivers beat a syncopated rhythm against
the array of ship hulls, large and small, in the protected harbor. Many of the
masts bobbing against the darkening sky sported the hated British flag. The
losing army had resorted to sanctioned looting of the beautiful homes—those
still standing after two years of British occupation as well as fires and
bombardments—as booty for the officers and soldiers before they withdrew. She
hoped they would leave soon, but nobody knew exactly when the British ships
planned to depart. They'd already sent the bells to London along with other
pilfered items. In fact, the British officers sought retaliation for the threat
posed by the patriots, who had hidden their true allegiance, against the
loyalists living in the city. The officers encouraged harassment of the
American citizens, which translated into her father, a leading merchant in
town, fearing for her safety more than ever. Until the British actually
evacuated, uncertainty and fear blanketed the town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dragging in
a deep breath, unease settled over Emily's frayed nerves at the thought of
Frank's return. "I cannot believe Father insists I marry him after all
that man has done. Surely Americans have matured enough they wouldn't force a
woman to marry. It's 1782, after all. I'm not a child. Why doesn't he
understand?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A seagull
glided past, its laughing call bringing a smile to her face. Her enjoyment
didn't last long, though. The occupation of the town created fear and disquiet
throughout the citizenry. Add in the horror of her sister Elizabeth's fiancé
Jedediah dying, leaving her pregnant and in need of a husband. Then Jedediah's
brother Frank, the man Emily had secretly cared for, married her sister to keep
the child from being a bastard. Emily survived the misery of watching Frank
marry Elizabeth only to suffer much more when Elizabeth died in childbirth with
Frank away at war. Emily had come to terms with the prospect of raising her
nephew, but being forced into marriage with Frank, too? How could life turn and
twist with such disregard for her future goals and plans?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Frank's
imminent arrival now distressed her as much as the three hundred British ships
crowding the harbor. The rumor about town suggested the ships stood poised to
carry away the defeated enemy troops along with any loyalists wanting to flee
the town. Many slaves would likely take the chance on freedom offered by the
British, despite the American protests. The constant motion of the water for
once failed to soothe her troubled thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Have
you told your father how you feel?" Samantha matched Emily's stride easily
despite her slight limp and the basket she carried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sharing her
feelings with her father had once enjoyed an easy place in Emily's heart. Now
his demands for her to cloister within the theoretic safety of the town house,
joined with his desire that she marry to secure her future, made confiding in
him difficult. His concern stemmed from her advancing age with few appropriate
prospects for marriage due to America's fight for its independence from an
overbearing mother country, which seemed to be winding down. She longed for
those carefree days, years before, filled with friendly banter and heartfelt
discussions with her father.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Emily
wrinkled her nose. "I haven't spoken with him, not that I think he'll
care. He's more concerned with my supposed need for a protector while he's
away." What a pickle. Did he have to choose Frank to serve as both
bodyguard and suitor?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The thought
created ripples of fear along her spine. Marrying a man, any man, meant losing
her individuality, a fate she dreaded. The vows included obeying and honoring
him, which translated into having his children. She shivered, recalling her
twin sister on her deathbed mere days after delivering her son. Emily held her
hand as Elizabeth's life departed, her fingers falling limp within Emily's
clutching grasp. Just like their mother before her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So many
young women across the country feared pregnancy and being brought to bed for
that very reason. Elizabeth, like many of those women, had written out her will
when she discovered she carried a child. At least the document detailed her
wishes for her son. And her surrogate husband, Frank Thomson. Elizabeth was to
wed Jedediah, the betrothal announced and celebrated, before Elizabeth revealed
she was with child. The banns had been read twice when his militia duty arose
and he'd left to fight. If Jedediah hadn't been killed, Frank would not have
felt obligated to do his duty as Jedediah's brother to wed Elizabeth and give
the unborn child a father and thus avoid bastardy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Emily used
to think of him as her Frank, until he told her his decision to wed Elizabeth.
Her heart had hurt for months as she struggled to understand and accept the
reality that she could never have him. But once Elizabeth died in similar
circumstances as their mother, Emily's fear of dying as a result of childbirth
eclipsed any naive desire to marry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No, better
to pursue her dreams of opening her ladies' accessories shop. She squared her
shoulders, ready to face the astonishment of the ladies in town as well as plan
a strategy for the battle when her father voiced his objections.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://p.gr-assets.com/200x200/scale/books/1412605366/23312795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://p.gr-assets.com/200x200/scale/books/1412605366/23312795.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Amy’s Choice<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A More
Perfect Union <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Book 2<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Betty Bolté<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Genre:
Historical Romance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Publisher: ePublishing
Works!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Date of
Publication: October 5, 2014<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ebook:
978-1-61417-659-6 <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paperback:
978-1-61417-660-2<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">ASIN:
B00O7984P8<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Number of
pages:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>231</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Book
Description:</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Without a
goodbye, Amy Abernathy's childhood sweetheart, Benjamin Hanson, leaves to fight
in the American War for Independence. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Amy chooses
to pick up the pieces of her heart and leave Charles Town to help her sister
who is with child.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Benjamin
knows he hurt Amy, but he plans to make it up to her after his mission is
completed. Then he learns that Amy has been captured by renegade soldiers. Now
Benjamin faces his own choice: free the sassy yet obstinate woman he's never
stopped loving or protect Charles Town from vengeful British occupation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Available
at<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://amzn.to/1wcuEZ5"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Amazon</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><a href="http://bit.ly/ZHT9Pl"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">BN</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><a href="http://bit.ly/1zlf2Vk"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Kobo</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><a href="http://bit.ly/1s9ifyG"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">iBooks</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><a href="http://bit.ly/1ocTIfL"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Google Books</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Excerpt: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Benjamin,
what brings you out here so early this morning?" Walter slathered yellow
butter on yet another slice of bread.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Amy kept her
eyes on her plate, but her movements slowed, indicating she listened intently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Colonel
Scarsdale made an important announcement last week, one that increases the
chance of violent retaliation and looting by the British troops as they prepare
to evacuate the city." Benjamin kept his eyes on Walter but watched Amy's
actions at the side of his vision.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Is the
war finally over then?" Walter laid down his knife, eyes intent on
Benjamin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"It
appears to be, all but the acts of signing the peace treaty and evacuating His
Majesty's troops."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"When
might that happen?" Emily fisted her napkin and gazed at him with hopeful
eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"As
soon as conditions allow them to leave the harbor. But between now and then
they will scavenge for any items of value they can lay their hands upon."
He willed Amy to look at him, and finally she rewarded him by lifting her eyes
to meet his. The force of her gaze sent a shock racing through him, stirring a
reaction below his belt. Shifting to be more comfortable, he held her stare for
a moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"But
how does that impact us out here?" Amy regarded him, one hand poised above
her plate, a bite of ham waiting. "Surely the Britons will not harm us so
far from town. They'll be busy preparing to evacuate."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Clearly
you do not fathom the reality of the matter." When Amy merely stared at
him, realization dawned as to the extent of the situation before him. He nearly
let out a loud breath in annoyance. He checked the reflex. He needed to address
the fact that Amy wasn't the only one in danger. Ideas popped into his head and
he dismissed several before nodding. A simple solution. "I have come to
take the girls back to town where I can keep them safe."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A startled
silence followed his pronouncement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"We are
safe here." Samantha strode into the room and made straight for the
sideboard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Benjamin
rose to greet her, and she waved him back into his seat. As he resettled
himself, he noted Walter had not moved from where he sat crunching on a slice
of apple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Yes,
more so than we'd be in town at any rate." Emily looked from one person to
another. "So many soldiers still roam the streets, after all."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Besides,
we cannot move Evelyn." Amy held knife and fork poised to slice through
the ham. "I won't leave her here alone. She needs help until the baby
arrives, and for a span after."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"She
has me." Walter laid his hands flat on the table at either side of his
plate. "I can take care of her."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why did
Walter brace himself as he spoke about his wife? Benjamin recognized the
defensive nature, an insecurity, exemplified in Walter's behavior.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Amy darted a
glance at Walter, then returned her gaze to Benjamin. "That's my
fear."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Her mouth
formed a stubborn pout as her eyes reflected her concern. What had occurred
here to provoke such a statement? Amy glanced at Walter with unease plain in
her expression, her distrust of the man evident. Despite himself, Benjamin
tensed at the idea of Amy living under the same roof as Walter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"I know
how to defend myself, so I'll stay." Samantha placed her napkin in her
lap. "More to the point, Evelyn will deliver any day now, and she'll need
me."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Walter
looked like he wanted to say something but held his thoughts in check. His brow
lowered as he dipped his bread into his coffee. Walter did not act as refined
in character as his appearance first suggested. More pieces to the puzzle fell
into place, but still some holes remained before Benjamin formed an opinion of
him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"You'll
need help with running this place." Emily laid her napkin on the table,
her eyes steady on Samantha. "I'm accomplished at that, so I will stay to
assist."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Seeing where
this was leading, Benjamin made an effort to change the conversation's course.
"In the event, Miss Amy stays with me." He spoke with less conviction
than earlier as his resolve wilted under the arguments put forth by the women
surrounding him. "I can't stay away from town long, not only because
Captain Sullivan expects me to ensure the museum collection is not touched, but
also because Amy's father requested I bring my fiancée back posthaste."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A feminine
gasp drew his eyes to Amy's startled expression. Damnation. Too late, he
realized his error as, in rhythm with three blinks, her stubborn expression
shifted to surprise, then anger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Pardon
me?" Her eyebrows arched over wide eyes. "You are engaged? To whom,
pray tell?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The set of
her jaw dared him to say what he must in order to tell the truth of the matter.
An attack of cotton mouth forced him to try to swallow as he searched for the
proper response. How crass could he be, blurting out his bald intent? His
carefully prepared speech blown apart by his own foolish words. Again, words
had tripped him up and left him floundering. Yet, his mother would be proud of
him for sticking to the facts, even if they created an awkward moment. He
heaved a sigh. Nothing for it but the bare truth. "I spoke with your
parents a few days ago, and they agreed..."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Stop."
Amy, face red, held up a hand as though warding off a blow. "Pray, don't
tell me my parents actually negotiated with you for my hand?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">About the
Author:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Betty Bolté
writes both historical and contemporary stories featuring strong, loving women
and brave, compassionate men. No matter whether the stories are set in the past
or the present, she loves to include a touch of the paranormal. In addition to
her romantic fiction, she’s the author of several nonfiction books and earned a
Master’s in English in 2008. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, the
Historical Novel Society, the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and the
Authors Guild. Get to know her at www.bettybolte.com.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Website:
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Mila Ramoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749425163028904436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13477061.post-66617119176777021172014-12-16T06:52:00.000-06:002014-12-16T07:52:26.432-06:00Waterfall by Lacy Danes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Waterfall<o:p></o:p></div>
A Dragon’s
Fate Novella <o:p></o:p><br />
Book 1<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Lacy Danes</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Genre:
Romance, Alternate Worlds, Paranormal, Steamy/Erotic<o:p></o:p></div>
Publisher:
Samhain Publishing<o:p></o:p><br />
Number of
pages: 138<o:p></o:p><br />
Word Count:
38K<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Cover
Artist: <a href="http://www.kanaxa.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Kanaxa<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Book Description:
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It’s easy to
fall in love. Destiny requires tooth and claw. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Curses are
designed to be cruel, but the one afflicting Jordan and his brothers <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is almost beyond bearing. A dragon born by
blood magic, he is an immortal <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>trapped
in human form, with only one hope of finding his eternal mate. He must <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>bite her—and pray she lives. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br />
One dark
night, he senses the wounded heartbeat of a woman in the shadows, begging him
to end her life. Ever the gentleman, he chivalrously obliges her wish. Only to
discover three days later that she lives. And has married another. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Celeste
always dreamed of marrying for love, but the nightmare of living in her
father’s home drives her to wed the Duke of Hudson. Yet on her wedding eve, she
is compelled to follow a mysterious man who professes to know her secret. A man
with curious blue scales on his muscular arms—whose shadowed eyes reflect a
dangerous mix of destiny and desire… <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Warning:
This novel contains explicit sex, sex in water, four super-hot dragon brothers,
and a curse born from magical power that has left them wondering who they are
all their lives.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Available at
<a href="https://www.samhainpublishing.com/book/4471/waterfall"><span style="color: blue;">Samhain</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/waterfall-lacy-danes/1113969076?ean=9781619214491"><span style="color: blue;">BN</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Waterfall-Dragons-Fate-Lacy-Danes-ebook/dp/B00ALUPHFM"><span style="color: blue;">Amazon</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/waterfall/id586199028?mt=11"><span style="color: blue;">iTunes</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Lacy_Danes_Waterfall?id=Tco70JH6ekUC"><span style="color: blue;">Google
Books</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Excerpt:<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Carefully
stepping around scattered, fractured boards, trunks and lengths of tangled
rope, Jordan and Ferrous neared the last grouping of rocks at the trees’ edge. Jordan
sighed. About time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A faint
heartbeat crawled out of the obscure shadows, stalked up his spine. Something
lived from this bloody mess. Though barely.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Jordan
stilled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Ferrous
turned to the left. “I feel it too.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Jordan
followed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
On the
opposite side of the rocks, jagged boards bumped, clattering against a boulder.
A mass of tangled human remains bobbed and swayed with each lap of water
against the shore.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
From this
mess, a heartbeat cried. Jordan closed his eyes and sighed as his stomach
flipped. He would find it. He stepped into the water amid the carnage and
shuddered. I must move as hastily as possible. I can do this. The sound of life
grasped him as if a hand itself clasped his flesh. He flinched, then turned to
the left.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
An arm’s
length away, half in the water, lay a woman. Her limbs were twisted and broken,
as if made of nothing more than weeds. A man’s head, severed from the body it
had once belonged to, floated close to her hand. Jordan’s heart pinched, and
the scales on his elbows prickled anew.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
No one
deserved to be half alive after experiencing a tragedy such as this. He stepped
up next to her, knocking the human debris away with his boot. He leaned down
and wrapped one hand about her slim, bare shoulders. The other he slid beneath
her knees, fisting up a handful of her full skirts. She should have drowned in
such a garment. He lifted her, pulling her body up against his.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
She hung
like a sack of barley in his grasp. Her long, wet skirts and hair trailed cold
water in a stream, trickling over the rocks and babbling down into his boots.
He turned and stumbled along the slag toward the trees.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Ferrous
turned after him. “She won’t live, Jordan.” He strode behind him. “Leave her.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Her
clothing, laden with seawater, soaked his coat in blood. Was it hers or the
rotting blood of the pool in which she had lain? He shook his head. Don’t think
about the stench. He grimaced. Think about her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Ferrous was
right. She would never live.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
He fell to
his knees and laid her on the high grass that bordered the trees. Her dress was
that of an aristocrat, finely tailored with small pearls and embroidery now
torn open down to her flesh in several places. Her hair had been swept up with
the sun, golden rays that now hid beneath a cloud of red death. “I will end her
suffering.” Yes, that was the correct thing to do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
“For bloody
sake, Jordan. You are not to indulge unless you have an inkling she may be the
one. There are no exceptions to our rules. Look what happens to Ilmir when he
breaks one. Who knows what calamity awaits us in London.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Jordan’s jaw
clenched, and he narrowed his eyes, refusing to look at Ferrous, who stood
behind him. “This is different, and you damn well know it. I am not Ilmir, and
she is not a woman I am courting. She is dying.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
“Being chivalrous?”
Ferrous threw up his hands, grumbled and walked through the trees back toward
the shore. “Make haste. I wish to make this hellish scene vanish this hellish
scene and be to London to deal with Ilmir.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Did Ferrous
truly think he wanted to do this? To kill another woman was the last thing he
wished. Twenty years had passed… Jordan inhaled a deep breath and blew it out
between tense lips. He ran his fingers down her pale cheek and around her chin,
tilting her face toward his. A slender nose, full, angelic lips, and noble
cheekbones. A beauty. “To a better afterlife, dear.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
He raised
her chin, exposing her long, graceful neck and faintly beating pulse. Another
death…<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Dash it. He
stared unblinking at the slight flutter of her blood beneath her skin. Relax,
Jordan. He closed his eyes and exhaled. All will be well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Prickling
pain clawed through the roof of his mouth as his two pointed teeth extended
into thin slivers of bone. He stared down at her neck. She had been floating in
blood and seawater. He spit on her neck, twice. His saliva glimmered as it slid
down her throat to the grass below. There, that should wash away the dirt she
had stewed in. Or would it? His throat tightened. Don’t lick her. Be done with
it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
He leaned in
and pressed his teeth to her vein. His mouth opened, saliva pooled heavily, and
his tongue thickened. The pouches by his back teeth filled with poisonous
blood, forcing his jaw still wider. He inhaled a jagged breath. His heart leapt
and pounded, vibrating through his entire being…<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Bite her,
Jordan. Be done with it. Bite her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Her faint
pulse bumped against his teeth, willing him to take her as his mate. Mate?
Well, that urge was pointless. She would pass just as swiftly as the others. He
rolled his lip back and hissed, then pressed, slicing through her soft, salty
outer skin and into her tepid blood flowing below.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
She didn’t
flinch.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This was the
first time he had taken a woman when he was not passionately joined with her.
Odder yet not to have her scream. To have her do nothing but lie on the wilted
grass.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
He
swallowed. Dirt be damned, he needed to taste her and know that one essence of
the life he now took. He fluttered his tongue on her smooth skin. Warm, salty
blood slid thickly down his tongue. Damn. His muscles quivered as his poisonous
blood streamed from his pouches and down his teeth, twisting into her veins.
His cock pressed painfully hard against his thigh.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The task was
done. There would be no more. He would not take his pleasure in her. He would
not know the feel of her flesh against his. He would never know her favorite
color. This woman, like all the others who had come before, was not meant to be
his. Enough!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
He
growledand opened his mouth wide. Her soft flesh slipped from his fangs. He
pulled his head back, and their mixed blood trailed in streams down her neck
and dress. His vision shifted and popped. Adrenaline mixed with power bubbled
through his veins. This…this, he had missed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This was
what he was meant to be. His full elemental power at a glimpse. He tossed his
hair back and then growled a dragon’s cry up to where the moon should hang in a
radiant, colored vision. Yet only the ebony fog resided tonight. There was no
moon to lighten this scene. His vision rippled with detailed clarity. Ah.
Indeed. This was the power that years of existence without his mate had
diminished. He wanted this power back. It had been too long. In a burst of
speckled light, everything changed back to somber mist. Bloody hell. His throat
closed off, and his eyes burned. No! He swallowed hard, and his shoulders
sagged. This was a tease. A temptation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
He closed
his eyes and shook his head. He would never know more of what the Zir were than
this… Death and a glimpse of the exhilarating power they were destined to have.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
He inhaled
and smelled her metallic, sweet blood on his lips. His tongue traced his teeth
and upper lip, gathering up the enslaving essence. Sweet orange blossoms and
candied cherries. His made-up version of what she should taste like. Remember
her. His jaw trembled as hot blood pounded through him to his groin. His soul
wanted more of her. To mate. To love. To live a lifetime of companionship.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
He clenched
his teeth, and his fangs pierced his lower lip. You have done enough to end her
suffering. Quite enough. Let her be. He opened his eyes once more.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A shadow
shaped as Ferrous stood head down and arms straight out in the air at the
rocks’ edge. “Make haste. I wait no more.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Jordan
placed her head softly back on the grass. “Will scant be a moment more of pain,
beauty.” He trailed his hand down her broken arm to a heavy, thick bracelet
looping her wrist. He unclasped the chain and slowly rubbed the metal between
his fingers. His token of her death. He tucked the jewelry in his inner coat
pocket, then rose to his full height. Turning to his left, he skulked into the
inky woods.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
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About the
Author:<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Lacy Danes
made a New Year's resolution to write a hot, historical romance. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A year and a
half later, she achieved her goal. She lives in Portland, Oregon, where besides
writing she enjoys playing cards, chasing her kids around, and savoring a great
martini with the man of her dreams all while watching the world go by. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p>Visit Lacy
at her web site. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="http://www.lacydanes.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.LacyDanes.com</span></a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="http://twitter.com/lacydanes"><span style="color: blue;">http://twitter.com/lacydanes</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p>Mila Ramoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749425163028904436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13477061.post-84324030599872224592014-12-15T07:30:00.000-06:002014-12-16T07:59:42.742-06:00Feel by Karen-Anne Stewart<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Feel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Karen-Anne
Stewart</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Genre:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New Adult Paranormal Romance </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Suspense
/Contemporary</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Date of
Publication:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>December 15th, 2014.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ISBN:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>978-1502757746</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Number of
pages: 276 </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Word
Count:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>94,000 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Book
Description:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The one
whose emotions I can’t feel is the one who makes me feel the most.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was a
sensitive, at least that’s what I was told by the boy who saved me from the
overwhelming emotions that consumed my soul, the boy who saved me from myself
when my gift became stronger. Through the years, he was my redemption, my
reason to take my next breath…then, he was gone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jensen
always told me I was strong, but I didn’t believe him until I was forced to be
strong on my own, and I kept breathing without him. I’ve taken 42 million
breaths since the moment he sent me away. Now, four years later, he’s standing
in front of me, and I can barely breathe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This isn’t
just a story about the abilities I possess; it’s a story about something much
stronger…the love of the man who possesses every part of me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Disclaimer –
Feel is intended for readers 18+ due to strong language, mature scenes, and
some violence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Book
Trailer: </span><a href="http://youtu.be/SoWsYWu9jik"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://youtu.be/SoWsYWu9jik</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Available
at </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Feel-Karen-Anne-Stewart-ebook/dp/B00PRC0RFE/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Amazon</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Excerpt 3: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Her dark
eyes are clouded with doubt as she searches me, needing me to tell her what I
see, needing me to be her strength right now after she’s been strong on her own
for far too long, and just needing me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
want to rip the hearts out of everyone who has hurt her, but I tame the rage so
I can give her everything she needs of me right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The second I met you I knew that you were
special and I don’t mean just because of your gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s this wild gentleness buried inside of
you that is rare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You fight for what you
believe, never backing down, even when you felt all the pain, all of the shit
from everyone fighting to restrain you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You didn’t give a damn what you lost of yourself and did what you felt
was right, what needed to be done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
aren’t many people like you left, Saige.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You said I was your hero, well, I’m not the hero here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry,” she blurts, rubbing her hands
down her tear stained cheeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“For what?” I ask, using my thumbs to help
her dry her tears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t know,” she answers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“For punching your friend, for being stupid,
for everything.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s a helluva lot to be sorry for.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My lips curve into a smile and another tear
slides down her cheek, leaving a hot, wet trail that I trace with my finger. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m also sorry for how I’ve treated you
since we met again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You thought I sent you to a nut house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t sweat it,” I tease, trying to cheer her
up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So that excuses my being a total bitch to
you?” Her eyes are red and puffy when she stops rubbing them and gives me a
lopsided smile, looking so damn beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, it explains why you’ve been a total
bitch,” I grin, giving her a wicked wink, “but I have a whole other slew of
ideas of how you can make up to me for your bitchiness.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She laughs, the sound soft yet strong, and
so fucking seducing, the sweet lull rumbles through her throat like an
aphrodisiac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After what she said about
Wes, I can’t be like him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She deserves
to know she’s loved before she gives herself to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all she’s been through, I won’t risk
the chance that she’ll get scared I’ll leave her like he did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will be no doubt about how much I love
her when we make love for the first time; I’ll make damn sure of that. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">About the
Author:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="color: #0066cc;"></span></u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Karen-Anne
Stewart <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is an author of New Adult
Romance who doesn't shy away from writing about sensitive issues and hot
heroes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She has
always adored reading and has now fallen in love with writing. Her written
works are The Rain Trilogy: Saving Rain, Healing Rain, and After the Rain, and
the newly released standalone novel, Ash to Steele. Her debut novel, Saving
Rain: The First Novel in The Rain Trilogy, was a nominee for the Book Junkie’s
Choice Awards, and Saving Rain and After the Rain were nominees for the 2014
RONE Awards. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When
Karen-Anne isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends,
hiking, and visiting new places. She fuels her addiction of creating new
stories by her only other addiction, caffeine, and listening to a myriad of
musical genres. Tucked away near the Blue Ridge Mountains, Karen-Anne lives
with her husband, daughter, three dogs, and their cat. She plans on writing new
adult romance as long as her fingers maintain dexterity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Website:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.karen-annestewart.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.karen-annestewart.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Goodreads
Author page:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6920317.Karen_Anne_Stewart"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6920317.Karen_Anne_Stewart</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Facebook
author page: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SKarenAnne"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">https://www.facebook.com/SKarenAnne</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Twitter: </span><a href="https://twitter.com/SKarenAnne"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">https://twitter.com/SKarenAnne</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Instagram: </span><a href="http://instagram.com/skarenanne/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://instagram.com/skarenanne/</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Mila Ramoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749425163028904436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13477061.post-29803965622997744502014-11-18T03:00:00.000-06:002014-11-19T07:21:59.513-06:00Braving Fate by Linsey Hall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisq6_rQO0k7rqEW0snMQVsPZwSD43F0sVc9NYRM3Gw73Ma5pa6ob-JIn6Ej18xQqjACTqXj_27Y5wDRyCfP6gBZr5kq2UELd0Uf0PI9yX9rpqntXaG7dfly6ZvAS89ewyyyoTtiw/s1600/Braving+Fate+Banner+851+x+315.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisq6_rQO0k7rqEW0snMQVsPZwSD43F0sVc9NYRM3Gw73Ma5pa6ob-JIn6Ej18xQqjACTqXj_27Y5wDRyCfP6gBZr5kq2UELd0Uf0PI9yX9rpqntXaG7dfly6ZvAS89ewyyyoTtiw/s1600/Braving+Fate+Banner+851+x+315.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Two words: Celtic. Scotland. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Need more? Loved this book. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">:)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Welcome Linsey!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Braving
Fate <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The
Mythean Arcana <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book
1<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Linsey
Hall<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Genre: Paranormal Romance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Publisher: Bonnie Doon Press<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ISBN: 978-1-942085-00-3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ASIN: B00O27QLAU<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Number of pages: 273<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Word Count: 80K <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cover Artist: Damonza<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book Description: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As
chaos looms, a warrior queen is reborn<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=13477061" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=13477061" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bookish academic Diana Laughton
has been having terrible dreams. Dreams of battle, dreams of blood... dreams so
vivid she's living them day and night. When demons invade her quiet life, she
wonders if she's going mad. Or if perhaps she's remembering a past life she had
no idea existed...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In
the midst of betrayal, he must protect her<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mythean Guardian Cadan Trinovante
loved and betrayed Britain's warrior queen Boudica two millennia ago. Now he's
tasked with protecting mortals whose lives affect the fate of humanity. His
latest assignment is Boudica herself, reincarnated as a woman with no idea of
her past or her fated future. Though in the irresistible form of Diana
Laughton, it's possible Cadan has once again met his match...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To
succumb to seduction could prove fatal<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thrown together in a shadowy
world that exists alongside our own, Diana and Cadan must fight not only the
demonic forces that want Diana dead, but a past and a passion that have lasted
centuries. Their desire could be deadly. But as evil from the underworld unites
against them, their only hope could be each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Available at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Braving-Fate-Mythean-Arcana-Book-ebook/dp/B00O27QLAU/ref=la_B00OF7Y6CC_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1413645675&sr=1-1">Amazon</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1414694868l/23480003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1414694868l/23480003.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book 2 <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Soulceress-Mythean-Arcana-Book-2-ebook/dp/B00O4CPOUQ/">Soulceress</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1026"
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://piecuppaticket.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/rogue-soul-ebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://piecuppaticket.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/rogue-soul-ebook.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></b></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book 3 Rogue Soul<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Also Available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Linsey-Hall/e/B00OF7Y6CC/">Amazon</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Excerpt
Prologue<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Central
England, AD 60, eve of the Roman conquest of Britain</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The
woman he loved lay dying in his arms. Blood spilled over her breast, trickling
from the dagger she’d sunk into her chest. Drops of blood hitting the dirt
floor of the stone roundhouse echoed hollowly in his ears, amplified by the
dawning knowledge of what he’d done. What she’d done. What they’d done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Why,
Boudica?” His heart and voice were breaking. “Why do this?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She
shuddered in his arms, her broken body cold and fragile with looming death, but
no less fierce than when she’d fought on the field of battle the previous dawn.
She was their warrior queen, the force that had drawn thousands of British
Celts together to revolt against Roman occupation, and he her top general. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She
was his love. The one bright spot in the miserable spectacle of blood and death
his life had become. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Boudica
drew a harsh breath that rattled in her wounded chest and glared at him, her
eyes alight with hatred. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Why?”
It was clear she would have screamed it if she could. Another faltering breath.
“After your betrayal, you ask me why?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Betrayal?
I did it for you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her
bitter laugh died on a cough. “I thought you knew me. I was wrong. You only
know what you think me to be. I’m a warrior, the leader and symbol of our
beaten land. I led my people in battle for our lives, our homes, our freedom.”
She paused to catch her breath. “But we’ve lost. Irreparably.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">His
jaw clenched, his chest aching with the weight of their past and his future.
For she would die this night, her future forever erased. <i>Because of him. </i>Because
he hadn’t been able to protect her. As he hadn’t protected his village and
family before he’d joined her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The
Roman dogs are at our door.” She coughed. “My daughters dead at their hands.
Our lands stolen. Why would I live when capture is inevitable and my very life
will be used as leverage? My head will be on a pike in Rome before summer’s
end. More likely, they’ll use me against our people.” She raked him with a
scathing glance and coughed again. Blood marred her colorless lips. “What would
you do, O great warrior?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The
same.” His throat burned. Capture <i>was </i>inevitable. And unbearable. Now,
with the final battle lost and thousands of their families and allies dying in
the fields around them, the fate that awaited her at the hands of the Romans
would be worse than death, not only for her, but very likely for her people as
well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He’d
tried to save her from this, but she hadn’t let him. He would have committed
any deed, no matter how terrible, to save the woman who’d changed his life when
he’d met her a year ago. But Boudica was a warrior first, his woman second. And
she would die believing he had betrayed her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She
coughed, her pallor more pronounced. “And yet you would deny me my honorable
death?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I
love you. I’d do <i>anything</i> to save you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“And
I thought I loved you,” she whispered. And as her eyes closed, the enormous
life force that had propelled Boudica, Celtic Queen of the Iceni, evaporated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The
crushing weight of grief squeezed the breath out of his lungs. Collapsing over
her, the black night swallowed his roar of pain. <i>He would have vengeance.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter
1<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cadan
Trinovante jerked awake, the sheets tangled in his fists. He ignored the
vibrating phone that had awakened him from the nightmare and stared at the wide
wooden rafters supporting the ceiling above him, struggling to catch his
breath. Of all the memories that had faded in his two thousand years of life,
the memory of Boudica’s death was the one that never had.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Guilt
tugged at him and he reached for the phone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Cadan,”
he said as he glanced at the clock on the bedside table. The gleam of
Edinburgh’s streetlights shone on hands pointing toward one a.m. The yells of
revelers stumbling from pub to pub filtered in through the open window. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Cadan,
it’s Warren.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cadan
merely grunted in response and walked to the window. He listened with half an
ear as he stared out at the gothic spires of Edinburgh’s churches and the
soot-blackened stone of the surrounding buildings. They rose tall and narrow,
pressed cheek by jowl on either side of the sloping cobblestones of the city’s
oldest street. Cadan shut out the cool night air and the sound of fading
revelry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You’ve
a new assignment,” Warren said. “Can you be here in an hour?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Finally.</i> He needed something to keep his
mind off the past. The damn dreams had been hounding him more often lately and
he was ready to forget, to slip back into work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Aye,
I’ll see you by two,” he said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Damn
it. He could still hear the revelers below. Living for so long was wearying,
but listening to others take such joy in life was just salt in the wound.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In
less than an hour, he strode through the great iron-sheathed wooden doors of a
building on the campus of the Immortal University. The eyes of the eerie stone
gargoyles who guarded the entrance followed him as he entered the cool halls of
the Praesidium, named over a thousand years ago when Latin was still the
language of education. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fucking
Latin. Fucking Romans<i>.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He
dragged a hand through his hair. The<i> </i>short drive to the outskirts of
Edinburgh where the university was located hadn’t fully banished his dreams.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">His
footsteps were soundless on the marble floor of the wide, familiar hallway. It
was a habit he’d never broken, though there was no need for stealth here.
Terrible, unforgivable things happened when you let your guard down. But this
was the safest place for a Mythean in Edinburgh since it was hidden from the
prying eyes of mortals, who shouldn’t know of the existence of the supernatural
beings who walked among them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He
pushed open the old oak door at the end of the hall and entered his friend’s
office, a book-filled room lit by a small fire that smelled of autumn. Warren
looked up from his cluttered desk and leaned back in his chair. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Cadan,
thanks for coming in so early.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No’
a problem,” Cadan said. He sank into an old leather chair across from Warren’s
desk. “Who’s it this time?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As
one of the few Mythean Guardians in the world, it had been Cadan’s
responsibility for nearly two millennia to protect those mortal or supernatural
beings deemed important to the fate of humanity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Warren
glanced down at a rumpled piece of paper. “Looks like a Celtic warrior.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Interesting—a
man who’d been alive for as long as he. “Why’s the bloke need protecting if
he’s made it this long? Destiny just revealed to him?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>And
why haven’t I met him before? </i>Though
he didn’t get out much, Cadan knew, or knew of, nearly all the Mytheans in
Great Britain. The ones who hadn’t gone rogue, at least.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well,
that’s where it gets a little strange. The warrior hasn’t been alive. The soul
has just been reborn.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“A
reincarnate? They’re damn rare. Doona think I’ve ever actually met one.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It
doesn’t happen very often,” Warren said, picking up the Slinky on his desk and
fiddling with it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Why
wouldn’t Warren meet his eyes? The claws of nerves crawled up Cadan’s back,
little pinpricks sinking into his skin that wouldn’t shake loose. It took him
off guard; he hadn’t felt that in centuries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’ve
spoken briefly to Aerten about it.” Warren finally glanced at him, but looked
away almost immediately. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Shite.
</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What
does the goddess of fate have to say about it?” He hadn’t seen her in ages.
Hell, he’d only seen her a few times since she’d offered him a spot in the
Praesidium. Whether he should thank her or curse her was something he hadn’t
figured out yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That
only select souls are reborn. Those who were so strong in life that their souls
never left this plane.” Warren set the Slinky down. “Their souls wait in stasis
until humanity needs them. At that point, they’re brought back to perform a
task that only they can accomplish.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“So,
I’m going to be protecting a child who will save the world?” A cold sweat broke
out on his skin. Killing and guarding adults—no’ a problem. But dealing with
children was something he was entirely unqualified for after being alone for
two thousand years. Fuck, what a mess. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No’
exactly,” Warren hedged. “Apparently with Druidic reincarnation, the soul is
reborn in another person, but the person doesn’t become conscious of their
previous life until they reach the approximate age at which they died
originally.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Shite,
they develop split personalities?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Ah,
no’ exactly.” He paused, seemingly unaware that he’d grabbed the Slinky again
and was juggling it faster and faster. “They doona survive that long. Once they
remember who they are and complete their fated task, they die.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Die?
That’s some shite luck.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Aye.
The tragedy that took the soul too early the first time follows it. History is
destined to repeat itself, after all. You need to protect the reincarnate until
the fated task is complete, longer if you can.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That
would be a challenge, but then, he liked a challenge. “Do we know what this
guy’s task will be, once he regains his memory? And where is he, anyway?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Doona
know the task, but Aerten has prophesied that a catalyzing event will spur the
memory of the reincarnate and lead them to Arthur’s Seat, likely today or
tomorrow. That’s where you’ll meet.” Warren hesitated before continuing,
finally meeting Cadan’s eyes. “And the warrior isn’t a man.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cadan’s
breath stuck in his throat and a chill broke out on his skin. Nay, it couldn’t
be. “Who is it, Warren?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It’s
Boudica.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">About
the Author:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Linsey Hall is the author of the
Mythean Arcana, a sexy paranormal romance series. Before becoming a romance
novelist, Linsey was an underwater archaeologist who studied shipwrecks in all
kinds of water, from the tropics to muddy rivers (and she has a distinct
preference for one over the other). Her books draw upon her love of history,
travel, and the paranormal elements that she can't help but include. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Several of her books may or may
not feature her cats.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.linseyhall.com/">www.linseyhall.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://twitter.com/HiLinseyHall">https://twitter.com/HiLinseyHall</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8588556.Linsey_Hall">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8588556.Linsey_Hall</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Mila Ramoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749425163028904436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13477061.post-37206354836970534992014-11-17T09:09:00.004-06:002014-11-17T09:09:35.614-06:00Hellish Haven by L.K. Below<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjCoDOzoNf47JqFLtA-Dtuxx5obDGfeWk99M9D1ObcE8t9No7MpqmmehSiimlWZD0n0NtswKgeF5hyiJKiKqrDns6FAkuxl2Glay5nsTurK6r_gkpdMDbM_QY01SgS0P5aBoG1/s1600/Hellish+Haven+Banner+-+RDB-+851+x+315.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjCoDOzoNf47JqFLtA-Dtuxx5obDGfeWk99M9D1ObcE8t9No7MpqmmehSiimlWZD0n0NtswKgeF5hyiJKiKqrDns6FAkuxl2Glay5nsTurK6r_gkpdMDbM_QY01SgS0P5aBoG1/s1600/Hellish+Haven+Banner+-+RDB-+851+x+315.png" height="118" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.speconspecfic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/HellishHaven_byReneeRocco.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.speconspecfic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/HellishHaven_byReneeRocco.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hellish
Haven</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">L.K.
Below</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Genre: Dystopian Romance</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Publisher: Kensington Publishing
Corp., </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lyrical Press Imprint</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Date of Publication: November 17,
2014</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ISBN: 9781616506254</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ASIN: B00NJ0VL6A</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Number of pages: 72</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Word Count: 33,718</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cover Artist: Renee Rocco</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Book Description: </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Two lives. Two realities. But
only one truth.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Senator reigns all-powerful
in a manifested picture-perfect world. No worries. No wars. Only the unspoken
threat of oblivion if you step a toe out of line. On the other side of the
divide, the rebels face a debilitating war against an invulnerable robotic
army. Every day is a struggle to earn back their freedoms. Freedom to feel.
Freedom of speech. Freedom of thought.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sergeant Grant Baker is pivotal
to the war effort. But ever since his wife’s abduction, he’s been walking
around in as much of a daze as the Senator’s brainwashed citizens. Then Eva
reappears—without memories of him or their son. And he’s willing to do anything
to keep her. Even if it means jeopardizing the war.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Eva doesn’t know which side to
believe. Her predictable life as a single nurse, or the man claiming to be her
husband. All she knows is she needs to discover how to end the war, quickly. If
she doesn’t choose sides soon, she may lose the man—and the life—she never knew
she wanted.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Available at <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;"><a href="http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/book.aspx/31107">Kensington
Books</a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hellish-haven-lk-below/1120341817?ean=9781616506254">BN</a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/hellish-haven">Kobo</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hellish-Haven-L-K-Below-ebook/dp/B00NJ0VL6A">Amazon</a>
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/hellish-haven/id918575625?mt=11">iTunes</a></span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Excerpt</b></span></span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Acting as
vanguard for the injured squad, Grant turned a corner and froze. A hulky man
carried a limp woman over his shoulder.</span></span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Grant
automatically reached for his gun. Even if they weren’t yet across the divide,
he couldn’t stand idle as a man accosted a woman. Or worse. He aimed the rifle
at the criminal. “Set her down nice and easy.”</span></span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The man froze.
He glanced over one meaty shoulder, his unshaven mouth set in a scowl.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Set her down,
or I’ll shoot.”</span></span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A gold tooth
flashed as the criminal grinned. He hurled the small woman at Grant and dashed
for the slim space between two buildings.</span></span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Grant moved
without thinking. His gun clattered to the ground as he lunged forward to catch
the woman before she split her head open on the sidewalk. He grunted as he
caught her with her weight against his bruised forearms. He shot a flickering
glance her way. A riot of brown curls obscured her face. He set her gently on
the ground.</span></span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He dashed for
the opening the shady figure had disappeared into, but saw no sight of the man.
The delinquent was long gone.</span></span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ashland panted
as he jogged to Grant’s side. “What happened?”</span></span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If Grant never
heard that question again, it would be too soon. He shook his head wearily. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Mugging, I guess.”</span></span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“They still have
those here? I thought the Senator brought an end to violence.” Ashland drew
sarcastic quotes in the air as he spoke.</span></span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Grant didn’t
bother to answer. He turned to the woman and where his squad was now gathered.
A horrified private glanced from the woman to Grant and back again. “What do
you want us to do with her…sir?”</span></span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If they left
her, the Senator’s people might find her and stick her back in the pen with the
rest of their brainwashed sheep. Then again, that same goon might double back
to continue what he started. </span></span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He crossed to
the woman and crouched to lift her into his arms. Her tangled hair fell away
from her face. He nearly dropped her. “Eva?”</span></span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Frantically, he
pressed his ear to her chest. Her breathing was shallow, but her heartbeat
steady and strong. He clutched her tighter. He couldn’t believe it.</span></span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He’d found his
wife.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">The Power of Women in Romance</span></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">We readers of romance know a
secret that readers of other genres are only beginning to figure out. We know
the true power of women. Think about it. Girls portrayed in fiction for young
readers fall apart when rejected by their love interest. Mystery all too often
victimizes women or paints them as helpless. Fantasy and science fiction use
women as background noise, caricatures and stereotypes rather than people. This
is changing, as woman-empowered literature is invading the mainstream. These
other genres are learning what we romance readers already know:</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">Women are powerful. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">Women in romance fiction take
charge of their lives. They take risks. They put their lives -- and their
hearts -- in danger. They are assertive, confident women…more or less the kind
of woman I aspire to be. The kind of woman who pursues something she wants, be
it a man, a job promotion, or even a much-needed day of relaxation. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">That’s not to say the women we
like to read about don’t have insecurities. Take, for example, my heroine from Beauty
in His Bed, Amy, who is self-conscious about her weight. Or my heroine from Stone
Cold Kiss, Kelsey, who would rather fly halfway across the world than give a
public speech to earn the promotion she deserves. Both of these women, through
the course of their stories, overcome those insecurities. They learn to embrace
who they are, and that they have something important to say. They learn to
trust in themselves. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">The heroine of my newest book, Hellish
Haven, is different from the other heroines I’ve written. Eva is thrust into a
world she doesn’t understand, and struggles to reconcile what she knows with
what other people (notably the man who proclaims himself her husband) present
as history. But even while confused, she is no less powerful than other women
in romance. In fact, I might say she is even stronger. Instead of accepting
what she is told as fact, she digs deeper. She wants to find the truth. And
when that truth endangers her young son, she is willing to put everything on
the line in order to defy the government threatening to turn her son into a
homeless orphan. She knows she must survive in order to reunite with her son.
So, simply put, she does. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">When I read a romance novel, I
find myself feeling like I can be superwoman, just like those heroines. They
overcome obstacles we also face as women. Obstacles that sometimes tempt us to
give up. Their example in the books I read inspires me to keep going. Romance
novel heroines might be sassy, they might be reckless or insecure, but they
always prove themselves to be the equal of any man, including the man who earns
a place in their lives and in their hearts. The women portrayed in romance
novels aren’t secondary characters, thrust out of the spotlight. They are women
who refuse to be taken for granted, who give as good as they get, and achieve
the goals they set their sights on. They are women like you and I, women who
teach us that assertiveness and perseverance will win the day. Like the
heroines we love and admire, we can do anything we set our minds to.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">Why? Because women are powerful. </span></span></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IFkhdBK5GGqB51o-8oyqPa-_m3FnoiWIjyiJjXulGMFWwBjcjKghDmAAZWF21fwJ_oaE45Fz15JCS6GSlC9JviIIvFR2MWdXFen7eQLlzeHg99otKi-TtHKXu4XX10n3BFR5cA/s1600/Author_Photo_2011.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IFkhdBK5GGqB51o-8oyqPa-_m3FnoiWIjyiJjXulGMFWwBjcjKghDmAAZWF21fwJ_oaE45Fz15JCS6GSlC9JviIIvFR2MWdXFen7eQLlzeHg99otKi-TtHKXu4XX10n3BFR5cA/s1600/Author_Photo_2011.JPG" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About
the Author:</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">L.K. Below wrote Hellish Haven to
bring her love of Orwell’s classic 1984 into the modern day…or near future, as
it turns out. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">She reads as obsessively as she
writes and likes to Tweet about both at @LBelowtheauthor.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.lbelow.net/">www.lbelow.net</a>
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://twitter.com/LBelowtheauthor">http://twitter.com/LBelowtheauthor</a>
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">November 20
Twitter Party</span></b></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: black;">1-2pm
EST #hellishhaven </span></b></span></span></div>
Mila Ramoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749425163028904436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13477061.post-14612693112543420892014-11-05T01:00:00.000-06:002014-11-05T01:00:02.461-06:00Of Sentimental Value by P. Fumi Hancock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Rkoz1-nr9HH4SXe6Ow3fIiowCPEcUKcs5fRpQHDTQq_cDon_s2kAltSx_WgHRV2b9rGh1F5U_bAXYPoAAVqZIczdSqQefiryGbelMWlE7Bwzg1A9RzSl573Up80ETJ5ZU0Hiww/s1600/Of+Sentimental+Value+Banner+851+x+315.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Rkoz1-nr9HH4SXe6Ow3fIiowCPEcUKcs5fRpQHDTQq_cDon_s2kAltSx_WgHRV2b9rGh1F5U_bAXYPoAAVqZIczdSqQefiryGbelMWlE7Bwzg1A9RzSl573Up80ETJ5ZU0Hiww/s1600/Of+Sentimental+Value+Banner+851+x+315.png" height="118" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Of
Sentimental Value<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Princess
Fumi Hancock<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Genre: Mystery / Romantic
Suspense<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Publisher: Princess in Suburbia<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Date of Publication: July 17,
2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ISBN-10: 0990584801<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ISBN-13: 978-0990584803<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ASIN: B00LX2GK8K<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Number of pages: 328<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Word Count: 68, 183<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cover Artist: Phatpuppy Arts
Studios<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book Description:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One event Elects Who You Are<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One event Molds Your Values and Beliefs;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One event Charts the Course of Your Journey… Good, Bad
or Indifferent;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One event Determines Your Destiny… For
Life<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One event Will Change Your Life… Forever<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bestselling
Author, Indiefest and African Oscar Award Winning Filmmaker, Host of an African
Oscar nominated TV Talk show, An African Heritage Leadership Award recipient and
a globally sought after transformation interventionist, Princess Fumi Hancock
delivers an inspirational and intriguing romantic suspense story, yet
laced in mystery and comedy. Of Sentimental Value, a titillating and jaw
dropping adventure set between the deep rich forest of Africa and the southern
flat plains of Nashville, Tennessee.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A Twenty-one year old, Young
African Immigrant, SIBERIA TONKA has all the ingredients of a successful
writer: Commitment, dedication, and drive to become famous. Until her dream of
becoming the next bestselling media sensation in America is threatened by an
inexplicable cosmic force! Buried and spiraling in unsurmountable debt and a
string of misfortune hovering over her, she is forced to pawn her most valuable
possession. But when told her sister’s life in Africa hangs in the balance and
that would die if artifact is not returned back to the rightful owners, Siberia
in desperation sets out to retrieve the artifact at any means necessary. A
Mystery enigma is released and the stakes are high! The harder Siberia tries…
the closer she seems yet the farther she was from solving the turmoil. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Alas, in the midst of this chaos
evolves an undeniably love triangle between Siberia, a wealthy rugged-looking
African, but Nashville-based, art collector (Alan) and a simple American
consignment store owner (Jake). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Will Siberia retrieve the
artifact in time to save her dying sister, Naiya? Who / what wins her heart?
Money or True Love?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book Available at<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fumi-Hancock/e/B009BHBI6S/"> Amazon</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book
Trailer Produced by Cambium Break Pictures<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://youtu.be/6Nfpf3S_aGE">http://youtu.be/6Nfpf3S_aGE</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-orNnR74KYz0/VFGTZ5Po_bI/AAAAAAAACIM/is5AEHLbBd4/s1600/rafflecopter-OSV%2BPOSTER1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-orNnR74KYz0/VFGTZ5Po_bI/AAAAAAAACIM/is5AEHLbBd4/s1600/rafflecopter-OSV%2BPOSTER1.jpg" height="320" width="223" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_348742764"></span><span id="goog_348742765"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Of
Sentimental Value Motion Picture Release 2015 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Starring
Malik Yoba, New York Undercover and Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married? and
Tommy Tiny Lister, Deebo on Friday, 5th Element with Bruce Willis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">VIP Screenings and Private Book Launches
in Los Angeles, California and Nashville, Tennessee<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nashville<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Award
Winning Filmmaker Princess Fumi Hancock shares clip of SOLD OUT "
Live" Nashville TN Red Carpet Event: <a href="http://youtu.be/s0LlaKZyI7Y">http://youtu.be/s0LlaKZyI7Y</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Video Reviews<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Miss
Haiti International, Régine Pierre Shares Her Review of, Of Sentimental Value: <a href="http://youtu.be/21hlsgE81lQ">http://youtu.be/21hlsgE81lQ</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Los Angeles<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Of
Sentimental Value VIP Movie Screening and Book Launch Raving Reviews Bring
Producer to Tears! <a href="http://youtu.be/4VwnYXNAoHI">http://youtu.be/4VwnYXNAoHI</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">LA
welcomes Red Carpet Screening of Award Winner, Of Sentimental Value<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://youtu.be/D4HlAjuwJEE">http://youtu.be/D4HlAjuwJEE</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Video Reviews<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Award
Winning Filmmaker, Princess Fumi Hancock Shares a “Kairos Moment” with Host,
Lola Ogunleye Reviewing Of Sentimental Value <a href="http://youtu.be/417hPzsQ4C4">http://youtu.be/417hPzsQ4C4</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Gift
Items Available at:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.ofsentimentalvalue.com/?deeplink_referrer=ess#!cambium-break-shop/c1seb">http://www.ofsentimentalvalue.com/?deeplink_referrer=ess#!cambium-break-shop/c1seb</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Excerpt:
Murky Haze<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Spiraling
through the murky haze is a stream of white smoke; Africa’s humid and gloomy
weather punctuated the striking of an African “bata” drum; a sign of impending
doom in this Never-never land called Oyo, set majestically in the flat plain
fields of West Africa.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wrapped in
ruffled white sheets and face painted with pungent white chalk, distinct tribal
marks from Oyo; she chuckles and giggles out loud, sometimes overpowering the
African “bata” beats rippling the air. This enigma of a mystery woman’s deep
tones carries with it an air of danger and magic. Her fiendish chuckles are
exaggerated by her threatening mannerisms. She adds to the mystery in the air
by thrusting out her spectacularly painted arms, holding a uniquely designed
African clay pot filled with bubbling steaming water. The steam spiraling out
of the magical pot is hypnotic. She begins to laugh again as the rhythmic
African beat gently fades, instantly replaced by an urgent tick-tock sound,
intensifying the anxiety. Seeing my clandestine woman’s animated and daunting
striking face, Yemoji becomes boisterous as she squints her overpowering eyes;
eyeballs fiercely protruding, eliciting intense fear in those who behold the
strange sight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As the tick-tock
sound gets louder, Yemoji abruptly clutches her magical pot to her bosom. Her
arms stretch out with purpose, displaying her remarkably long claw-like nails.
She beckons me closer. Yemoji welcomes hushes me into undeniably captivating
presence, placing one finger to her sultry lips. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> “Sshh!
Sshh!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Suddenly, the
tick-tock sound intensifies yet again as Yemoji’s thunderous and wickedly cold
laughter reverberates into the atmosphere. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> “Did
you hear me? I said.... Sshh! Sshh! Siberia! Si-be-ria!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wisdom
Nugget from Siberia Tonka:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“A
person who sows love reaps a harvest of good friends and family. It doesn’t
really matter where we come from; we all have something of sentimental value.
And this crazy chain of events has led me to my destiny….it has led me to fight
for the people I love” ~Siberia<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1nDZAEYBrMU/U1XCFXeTwwI/AAAAAAAAB9M/mPHlqocpqKY/s1600/MOVIE%2BPHOTOSHOOT-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1nDZAEYBrMU/U1XCFXeTwwI/AAAAAAAAB9M/mPHlqocpqKY/s1600/MOVIE%2BPHOTOSHOOT-15.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">About
the Author <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Princess
Fumi <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stephanie
Hancock Ph.D.:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bestselling Author, NAFCA African Oscar People’s Choice Winner,
Indiefest Films Merit Award Filmmaker, TV Host, Transformation Interventionist
and Philanthropist are just a few accolades to describe this dynamic woman.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Born in the heart of Nigeria,
Lagos State; Princess Fumi Hancock was raised to appreciate her royal roots
from the South Western region of Nigeria, Emure Kingdom, where her family, the
Adumori Nigeria Royal Household have ruled since the 1800s’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After acquiring her first degree
in English from one of the most prestigious colleges in Nigeria, Obafemi
Awolowo University; she stormed the United States of America with a pen, a
script and the dream to change the world. Little did she know that it would
take her over thirty years to finally fulfill her dream of becoming a prolific
writer and most importantly, one who would have the ability to translate her
literary works into movies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As an author, she has written several
inspirational books for women, Beyond Idol Worship: A Diary of an African
Warrior Princess; Starting Right Now to name a few! After writing these
inspirational books and her return back to African after over 25 years
absentia; she reaches out to help her community through her US based nonprofit
organization, Adassa Adumori Foundation, Inc. (www.adassafoundation.org); she
also decided to venture into the world of young adult fantasy. To her surprise,
her very first young adult fantasy, The Adventures of Jewel Cardwell: Hydra’s Nest became an amazon bestseller!
There has been no stopping her since then. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her new novel, Of Sentimental
Value, a mystery and suspense drama is yet another landmark for her. The book
was made into a feature film which is scheduled for release soon
(www.ofsentimentalvaluemovie.com ). In the advent of its release, it has
garnered multiple award interest. It was nominated in the NAFCA African Oscar
Peoples’ Choice category for Favorite Trailer and Original Score while the
Princess took home the winning trophy as Favorite Screenwriter. Since then, the movie itself has been
nominated in the following categories: Best Diaspora Drama and Best Make-up.
One of our supporting actors, Malik Yoba was also nominated as Actor in Foreign
Film category.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Princess Fumi is one who truly
believes that dreams do come true if we keep plugging away at it and never give
up! Her very first crack at writing, she will never forget her professor at a
college in New York telling her, “you need to quit! You are a horrible writer!”
“I was devastated,” she said. But did not allow that to keep her down. With
time, even the professor finally announced to the post graduate class that she
was the best student he’d ever had. That screenplay, “The Royal Bird” ended up
winning Best Screenplay of the year in 1988 in a New York festival. It was
later auctioned to one of the largest television stations in Africa, Nigerian
Television Authority (NTA). The rest of
her time today is spent presenting her new empowerment program, Your Vision
Torch, an Innovator’s Prescription to Igniting Your Dreams and Harnessing Your
Vision to leaders, business owners and women across Africa and the United
States of America. More details on how
to bring her to your event: <a href="http://www.worldoffumihancock.com/">www.worldoffumihancock.com</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.ofsentimentalvaluenovel.com/">http://www.ofsentimentalvaluenovel.com</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.ofsentimentalvaluemovie.com/">http://www.ofsentimentalvaluemovie.com</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.princessinsuburbia.com/">http://www.princessinsuburbia.com</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://fumihancock.blogspot.com/">http://fumihancock.blogspot.com</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/worldoffumihancock">http://www.facebook.com/worldoffumihancock</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/fumihancockgrimmlyn">http://www.facebook.com/fumihancockgrimmlyn</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/ofsentimentalvalue">http://www.facebook.com/ofsentimentalvalue</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/ThePrincessinSuburbia">http://www.facebook.com/ThePrincessinSuburbia</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/fumihancock">http://www.twitter.com/fumihancock</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/cambiumbreakpix">http://www.twitter.com/cambiumbreakpix</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/Princessinsub">http://www.twitter.com/Princessinsub</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/fumihancock">http://www.goodreads.com/fumihancock</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/fumihancock">http://www.pinterest.com/fumihancock</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=4422170">https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=4422170</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/cambiumbreakpictures">https://www.youtube.com/user/cambiumbreakpictures</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/princessinsuburbia">https://www.youtube.com/user/princessinsuburbia</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.ofsentimentalvaluemovie.com/">http://www.ofsentimentalvaluemovie.com</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <a href="http://www.ofsentimentalvalue.com/">http://www.ofsentimentalvalue.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<a href="http://about.me/fumihancock"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">http://about.me/fumihancock</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Mila Ramoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749425163028904436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13477061.post-56660578843728973532014-11-04T05:30:00.000-06:002014-11-04T05:30:50.148-06:00Hers to Claim by Patricia A. Knight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://booksbycenteno.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/hers-to-claim-banner-851x-315.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://booksbycenteno.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/hers-to-claim-banner-851x-315.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.patriciaaknight.com/uploads/1/4/6/5/14654868/8550890.jpg?157.18181824684143" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.patriciaaknight.com/uploads/1/4/6/5/14654868/8550890.jpg?157.18181824684143" height="320" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hers
to Claim<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book
Four in the Verdantian Series <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Patricia
A Knight<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Genre: Adult, Sci/Fi, Fantasy Romance 18+<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Publisher: Troll River
Publications <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ASIN: B00MQGNQD4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Number of pages: 360<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Word Count: 90,637<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cover Artist: <a href="http://truenotdreams.weebly.com/">Skylar Faith</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book Description: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A
prince from the Nyth Uchel mountains … a healer from the Oshtech desert …<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Scornfully rejected by her desert
lover and uncertain of her place in the world, Adonia traveled a perilous road
to the fabled mountain-city of Nyth Uchel. She came to heal the sick and dying,
but in the arms of highborn prince, Hel, Adonia found the answer to saving
herself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Descended from nobility, once
great kings of Verdantia, Hel willingly bore the burden of his dying city and
its people on his shoulders. Watching helplessly as a malingering evil attacked
the very soil under his feet, he crushed his pride to summon help. He’d been
staggered to discover the answer to saving his city and perhaps all Verdantia
might lie behind a heavy fall of chocolate hair and shy brown eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As their entire planet faces an
encroaching black death, two seemingly disparate individuals forge a
partnership of love and sacrifice that will alter their future forever. All of
Verdantia will be tested. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stand
alone. Not a cliff-hanger. HEA 360 pages. M/F, Mild D/s themes, light spanking,
and an over-sexed but sensitive prince with a hero complex.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Buy it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hers-Claim-Verdantia-Book-4-ebook/dp/B00MQGNQD4/">Amazon</a> <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/hers-to-claim">Kobo</a> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/patriciaaknight">Smashwords</a> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book Trailers:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://youtu.be/n0FbdEYahV0">http://youtu.be/n0FbdEYahV0</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://youtu.be/0qn1OdDSL4U">http://youtu.be/0qn1OdDSL4U</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://youtu.be/mji6SCxiskQ">http://youtu.be/mji6SCxiskQ</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Quotes from the book:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes. I know all about
soul-wraiths.” Ramsey frowned. “How did you avoid them in the past?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Set a perimeter of energized
diaman crystal. That will keep them at bay.” Hel smiled without humor. “I have
the diaman crystal in my saddle pack. I lack a sexual partner to energize them.
I had intended to return with a magistra but a magister will work as well. Care
to volunteer?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Only if I top,” Ramsey snapped. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You’d have to kill me first,”
returned Hel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“With pleasure.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Steffania took a breath. Ram cut
her off. “No. I don’t share you, Vixen.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fear of the unknown almost froze
Adonia’s tongue, but she was the obvious answer. She could do this. The
opportunity would never present itself again. “I’ll be your partner.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He would have seduced her into
the erotic world his particular carnality demanded and reveled in the
passionate response he knew he could draw from her. She would submit to him
gladly. The Goddess had created her for it. The woman gloried in serving. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sadly, his world was not that
world any longer. Brutal practicality stripped his relationships of any
niceties and turned sex into another duty performed for those who looked to him
for protection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Steffania shook her head in mock
sorrow. “I’ve heard it said people never grow up. They merely learn how to
behave in front of others.” She leaned over and whispered loudly, “Ramsey has done
neither.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"It’s a delicious
contradiction. He is never more wholly mine than when I am under his total
control, in complete service to him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Excerpt
One:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A third male crossed his arms
over his chest and with a low rumble of laughter, relaxed his stance.
“DeHelios. Ha! The last time I saw you, you sprawled unconscious in a shrub
leaving a lovely piece of horseflesh in need of an owner.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hel studied the speaker. He knew
that laconic drawl—but its owner was a criminal with no love for Verdantian
nobility. What was this man doing here? “Ramsey DeKieran, you nefarious thief!
You owe me the price of that fine horse. You fell on me from a tree, you
coward. I never had a chance.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ramsey snorted. “Still an
egotistical ass. You should be grateful I took only the horse. Your head is
still nicely attached.” He caught the eyes of the other two men. “Gentlemen,
that tower of smelly fur is ‘Hel’. You may know him by a different name. The
Haarb called him bás dtost—the silent death.” Ramsey rolled his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hel raised his lip in a snarl at
Ramsey’s mockery. “Such illustrious company, DeKieran. Your status in the world
seems to have risen—but then it could hardly have fallen lower.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ramsey grunted. “Unlikely, eh?
You may address me as Lord DeKieran, Fifteenth Earl of House DeKieran, and the
striking redhead preparing to unman you from ten feet away is my wife,
Lieutenant Colonel Steffania Rickard of the Queen’s Blue Daggers. Be careful
with your words, Hel. My vixen is wicked with a throwing knife and takes insults
to me personally.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hel arched an eyebrow in surprise
and nodded at the glorious redhead measuring him with amused golden eyes.
“Ma’am, my condolences on your marriage. I assume you had no choice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Excerpt
Two:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The small track Adonia rode
resembled a game trail more than a byway of commerce. Her horse lunged up the
steep, rock-strewn trail. In spite of the increasing difficulty in maneuvering
the grade, the constant insults and rude comments volleyed between Ramsey and
Hel lifted her foul mood with a growing sense of amusement. She heard the
frequent cackle of Steffania’s laughter and her taunting jabs at both men. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Loyal to you, DeHelios? Ha! Your
retainers only stay because they are frozen solid to that block of ice you
inhabit. I should relieve your people of the burden of gazing on your
flea-infested, hairy face,” said Ram.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Bring it on, dickless wonder.
There aren’t any trees for you to fall out of to give you an advantage. Your
wife inspires more fear in me. You aren’t half the man she is.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Oh, your death at my hand is all
but assured, DeHelios. Only the knowledge it would be pointless stays my sword.
The Hound of the Seven Hells would vomit you up as an indigestible hair ball,
and I’d be back at square one.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Adonia pulled her horse up and
turned to face the two men. The absurdity of their exchanges had finally pushed
her over the top. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At Hel’s irritated, “What?”
hilarity welled up inside Adonia until she clutched at her belly and then her
horse’s neck to remain seated. She finally abandoned the attempt and simply
slid down and lay on her back on the rocky ground, convulsed with laughter.
Ramsey a ‘dickless wonder’? Hel an ‘indigestible hairball’? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She registered Ramsey’s, “I don’t
know. Something we said?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She flopped her arm in the air to
motion them on and was aware Hel and Ramsey continued past her. When she opened
her eyes, she looked up at a mounted Steffania grinning down at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“They’re well-matched, don’t you
think?” Steffania chuckled. “One might be fooled into thinking they didn’t like
each other.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">About
the Author<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Patricia A. Knight is the pen
name for an eternal romantic who lives in Dallas, Texas with her horses,
Italian Greyhounds, "Gidget the Rescue Chihuahua"—and the best man on
the face of the earth—oh yeah, and the most enormous bullfrogs you will ever
see. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Word to the wise: don’t swim in
the pool after dark.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She loves to hear from readers
and can be reached online<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.patriciaaknight.com/">http://www.patriciaaknight.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/patricia.knight.71619">https://www.facebook.com/patricia.knight.71619</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/patriciaknight">https://www.amazon.com/author/patriciaknight</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.rebelmouse.com/patriciaknight/">https://www.rebelmouse.com/patriciaknight/#
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<br />Mila Ramoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749425163028904436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13477061.post-14607144037587969632014-11-03T02:30:00.000-06:002014-11-05T11:31:05.394-06:00At Death's Door by Astrid V. Tallaksen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At
Death's Door</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Freefall
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book
One<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Astrid
V. Tallaksen</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal
Romance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Date of Publication: 8/1/2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ISBN: 1500486922 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ASIN: B00MU3PSES <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Number of pages: 232<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Word Count: 79,003 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cover Artist: Indie-Spired
Designs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book Description:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The world is a pretty
straightforward place. Even for medium Sara Stone things seem pretty simple,
aside from the whole talking to spirits bit. But when the spirits get too hard
to handle and Sara ends up admitted to a mental hospital, the world starts to
seem a lot less straightforward. First her family disappears, including her
four year old son. Then she gets the sneaking suspicion that not only are the
staff at the mental hospital somehow connected, but they also have no intention
of ever letting her leave the hospital. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Everything changes when Sara has
her first visitor in three months. Daniel is handsome, friendly, and a complete
stranger. When he promises to spring her from the hospital and swears that
everything she's experienced is completely real, Sara has no choice but to
believe him. But once she reaches a run-down Victorian house in the tiny
Alabama town her rescuer calls home, the last thing she expects to discover is
that every memory she has is a lie. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Daniel reveals a world filled with
angels, demons, and an impending war humans know nothing about. Sara wants to
ignore her role in the whole mess – all that matters is solving the mystery of
where her son has gone. But the forces of Heaven, Hell, and the Heart have
other plans for her. Can she find her child before the world comes crashing
down?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MU3PSES">Amazon</a> <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/at-deaths-door-astrid-v-tallaksen/1120165219?ean=2940046334890&itm=1&usri=2940046334890">BN</a>
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id910324345">iBooks</a> <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/at-death-s-door-2">Kobo</a> <a href="https://www.scribd.com/book/237150536/At-Death-s-Door-Freefall-1">Scribd</a>
<a href="http://www.inktera.com/store/title/221cd943-e628-4f4b-85d0-d8865c01b542">Page
Foundry</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
EXCERPT:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chapter 1<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Apparently having conversations with dead people means you're crazy. And no
matter how long you try to hide the strange ability, someone is going to find
out and they're going to start questioning your sanity. Unfortunately, the more
you try to shut out the ghosts who need you to listen, the louder they shout.
And the more you try to get your family to understand, the crazier they think
you are. Eventually, between your own helplessness and your family's disbelief
in your open line with the other side, you end up on a one way trip to the
mental hospital.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don't think I left my room at the hospital except when it was required; for
meals, for processing group, and to see the doctor. If it wasn't mandatory for
those I wouldn't even do that. The doctor only gave me more medication, and the
people in group—who had their own issues—just stared at me. There was no point
bothering to “contribute” anymore, and the therapist leading it didn't bother
trying to make me. If I had refused to leave my room I doubt anyone would have
said much after the first few days of prodding me to go. It wasn't like I was
going to be evicted. I was too “crazy” for that. It was supposed to be a
short-term treatment facility, but I'd been there for three and a half months,
wondering how long it would be before they'd transfer me to something more
permanent. When were they going to figure out that no medicine, no therapy,
nothing they did or said was going to change what they thought was wrong with me?
The problem, as my family and the doctors saw it, was that I believed I talked
to dead people. I'd hidden it for so long, but in the last year the dead had
become so insistent, the things they said so absurd, and I'd tried twice to
kill myself. To be honest, I'm not sure if it was the suicide attempts or the
seeing dead people that convinced them to hospitalize me indefinitely. The
doctor was perplexed, and of course didn't believe a word I said. My family was
downright frightened of me. In fact, at some point during my hospital stay,
they disappeared. Took my son and fled, as far as I knew. The terrifying part?
The doctors and the police all insisted I had no son, and the address where I
claimed to live was the residence of an elderly couple who knew nothing of me.
How could they have forgotten that my mother was the one who brought me to the
hospital? How could they forget the times my son's father brought him to visit?
I pleaded with the doctor to believe me, telling him my son had been kidnapped
and I could have sworn he laughed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Through all of this I still saw and heard the dead; on a good day it was only a
couple pushing at me to listen. Translucent figures, young and old, whispered
secrets of their loved ones, insisting I go find them. The torture seemed
almost intentional and there was no way to make them stop, no blades, nothing
to at least distract me. I tried to ignore them, but a pillow over your head
won't deafen voices in your mind even if you can't see their distraught or
laughing or angry faces. While trying to use the sharp edge of metal under the
sink to cut into my wrists, the nurse caught me on her rounds. I ended up
sedated and in bed, wanting to scream in frustration at the ghosts nobody else
could see. My body and mind were too drugged to do anything but stare at the
ceiling. I didn't believe in god, but prayed for death. The next time I
wouldn't fail, I swore to myself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I waited, only leaving my room to eat when a nurse came in, pulled me to my
feet, and directed me to the common room. The food wasn't bad, but being around
people was getting harder and harder. Their loved ones would stand behind them
and beg me to give them a voice. When I'd first gotten to the hospital and the
ghosts asked, I shared their requests. But it scared the other patients, and
angered the nurses. Ignoring the dead made them louder and more insistent. It
soon became too difficult to hear what the real people were saying, and I just
tried to nod when they expected it. Mostly they didn't.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two weeks after that first attempt, four months into my stay, I filled the
bathroom sink and immersed my head to drown myself. I took a deep breath of
water, then another, but fell to the floor choking. A nurse came again, and
tried to help me, but I was so angry at failing again that I swung a fist and
then tried to strangle her. The ghosts cheered me on, the sadistic pieces of
shit. Another nurse came and managed to subdue me long enough to pop a needle
into my hip, which dropped me like a poleaxed bull in the space of two breaths.
They must have used a stronger sedative that time. I woke up, who knows how
long later, in a different room, on a different bed, in very uncomfortable
restraints. The ghosts were STILL talking, at such a volume and so many at a
time that I couldn't understand anything they said, except for the repeated
word “apocalypse”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“STOP!” I rasped when I could take no more, my voice hoarse from the
unsuccessful attempt at drowning. “I can't hear you all! You have to stop,
please just stop. I can't tell everyone your messages. It makes them sad or
angry. I don't know why you have to talk to me all the fucking time!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other dead fell back, faded away, as one stepped forward. Why were they
suddenly willing to be quiet on behalf of one particular spirit? Unlike the
myriad others who plagued me, this man was nearly corporeal. His deep voice
wasn't distant or faint, although he still spoke in hushed tones. “We talk to
you because you are different. We talk to you because the apocalypse is coming
and you have to help.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can't help if you make me look like a nutcase! I can't help if I can't hear
myself think because all of you are constantly in my ear. And most of all, I
can't help if I'm stuck in this place. Nobody is ever going to sign off that
I'm safe to go home. Least of all if I'm lying in a padded room in restraints
talking to ghosts.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You have no idea just how much you can help.” In all the time I'd seen the
ghosts of the dead, I'd never had an actual conversation with any of them. They
would tell me what they wanted their loved ones to know, or if they were the
more recent ones, they'd tell me the apocalypse was coming or that that world
was going to end, but they never responded to anything I had to say to them. My
heart was like a battering ram trying to burst through my ribs as the new
spirit spoke. He appeared thirty-five or forty years old, with short brown hair
and the palest blue eyes. “We'll try to be quieter, but you have to be ready.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Closing my eyes for a moment, I wondered if I should be grateful for his
promise to give me a little peace, or terrified at his insistence that I could
help. The idea of an apocalypse seemed far-fetched, and the idea that I could somehow
have anything to do with it, whether for better or worse, seemed even less
believable. When I opened my eyes to ask the innumerable questions
swimming around in my head I was alone and the room was silent for the first
time in years. And for the first time in years, I closed my eyes and slept,
deep and dreamless, for hours. He wasn't joking about the quiet. I wasn't
sure how long it was until a nurse woke me while loosening my restraints.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Think you can be kind to yourself and the staff?” she asked me with what
sounded like a combination of gentleness and sarcasm.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sat up as she finished the straps on my arms, “I'll try to behave myself.” My
voice was just as gentle and sarcastic as hers. The last of the straps fell
away and I swung my feet over the side, stood up, and followed her to the door.
I looked at the clock as we walked to the nurse's station to check my vitals
for the day and give me my afternoon medicine. An hour until visitation. Last
time for the week. I always waited in the common room just in case my parents
or my son were, by some miracle, to show back up for a visit and say I was
going home. No matter how unrealistic it might be, I couldn't tell myself to
give up. Ghosts, a key part in the apocalypse, and the undying belief in
something impossible—maybe I did need to be here after all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sara, you have a visitor.” A nurse touched my shoulder and pointed to a man,
about my age, 28, standing in the doorway to the common room. He was tall, six
five I would have guessed, considering he was nearly a head taller than me, and
I'm a good six feet tall. Shaggy dark hair curled around his ears and grazed
the collar of his shirt. He looked a bit embarrassed or unsure about being in
the psych ward of a hospital, but when his gaze landed on me, the tension went
out of his body as if he had all at once become much more at home in the
place. His smile wasn't exactly bright or cheery, but it was still a
smile aimed at me that wasn't faked. He came and sat across from me at one of
the many tables in the room, all of which had families visiting with their
loved ones. For the first time in three months, I had a visitor. To my
disappointment it was neither my parents nor my son and his father, nor anyone
else I had ever met in my life. Maybe he was confused. He didn't look
confused—at least not anywhere near as much as me. And for once the dead were
nowhere to be found; just my luck. When the blue-eyed man had offered peace and
quiet, I didn't know this was coming down the line. I cursed the damned wily
ghost. And then myself for being so strange.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Umm, Sara,” the man said my name, pulling me out of my odd little reverie,
“You look a little out of it. How much did they sedate you today?” He seemed to
know a little more than I was comfortable with about my current situation. I
frowned, my forehead creasing, and looked down. He reached forward, pushed the
curtain of red hair out of my face and lifted my chin so I'd look at him. His
eyes were golden brown, like amber, and he looked at me like he'd known me for
years.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not to be rude, but who the fuck are you? I wasn't exactly expecting anyone to
visit today.” Sarcasm was my usual defense.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Daniel, I'm Daniel,” he introduced himself, ducking his head in a sort of
apology. “I know it's out of the blue, especially after the few months—”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Months?! Try last couple forever! I've never met you before! Then you show up
'out of the blue',” I punctuated the obvious sarcasm with the symbol for quotes
as I tried to somehow yell at him without raising my voice, “just so
conveniently after I've spent the last 4 months, all by myself, in a fucking
nut-house that was supposed to be temporary and wouldn't have been necessary at
all if I didn't have some stupid—” I stopped talking, because there was a very
good chance he had no idea what I did. Maybe he was investigating the
disappearance of my family; I doubted it. Nobody else would even acknowledge
they'd ever existed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know about your … what you see and hear. That's why I'm here. I can't get
you out of here right now. I don't have that kind of pull. And if you do manage
to get out on your own—barring the likelihood that you'll be sent to a
long-term facility first—we'll have to find somewhere safe to take you. You
have to stick it out. I know you aren't crazy.” He kept leaning toward me
even though I was pulling away, our conversation a shared secret that he spoke
in a low voice. If he hadn't seemed so serious about it all I'd think it was
some sort of joke. He knew too much about me, and cared too much about what
happened to me. Too bad he didn't care enough to get me out. “Listen to them
okay?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“To the doctors and nurses?” I asked incredulously. The hell I would. That was
asking too damned much.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No,” he laughed although the mirth didn't reach his eyes, “your ghosts.
They're a part of all of this.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Part of all of what? How do you know I'm not crazy? Why can't you get me out
of here right now? Why do you even care?” I had so many questions that he might
answer with some degree of honesty instead of just penalizing me for even
thinking about it. This was the very tip of things starting to make sense, but
I felt like every tiny answer he laid out caused me to have ten more questions.
“For that matter, who are you? Just your name isn't much information—anyone
could give any name. How much DO you know about me?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Most of those questions I can't answer while you're in here, I'm so sorry.” He
rubbed the back of his neck, his other hand rolling a pencil back and forth on
the table. It looked like he was holding his breath, and when he released it in
one long exhale it was to continue speaking. Maybe he really was distraught
that he couldn't answer more of my questions. “I know you are Sara Stone, 28.
You were born in Chicago, raised here in Birmingham, Alabama. You have a son,
four years old, and you're a single mom. And you talk to people nobody
else can see or hear. There's more, but we can't talk about it here.” His eyes
never left my face as he listed everything he knew about me. When he reached
out as if to take my hand I pulled it away into my lap, his gaze breaking from
mine for the first time and looking down at the table where my hand had been as
if I'd somehow hurt him by removing it. “When we get you out of here, I'll tell
you everything. I swear it. I know my word means nothing to you, but it means
everything to me, and I would never hurt you, of all people.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“When you get me out of here? You know about my son and you won't tell me where
the hell he is. Do you even know? The problem is, every time you tell me
something I just want to know something else, and all you keep saying is you
can't tell me while I'm here. I might never leave here! Or if I do, it will
just be to somewhere more permanent.” The nurses were looking at me as my voice
rose in anger. “Saying you can't tell me, just makes me think that it's all a
conspiracy, and I'm here because someone isn't letting me leave.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Shhhh you have to calm down,” he urged me in a harsh whisper. “It's not one
person you can't trust, it's all of them. We have no idea who does what here,
but something isn't right. They have all the power in the world to never sign
the papers for you to leave. And I can't make them, no matter how much I want
to. I'm not a doctor, and I'm not family as far as they know. You just need to
go with the flow, make them happy, and maybe they'll let you go. I'll leave you
a cell phone so that if they do, then you can call me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If the dead stay quiet, then I'll stay calm and go with the status quo. I
can't promise anything if they don't. Trust me, I don't want to be sedated and
restrained any more than most people. Here least of all,” I assured him,
lifting my hands from my lap, resting my elbows on the table and my forehead in
my palms. Falling apart, panicking, wasn't an option. He knew about my son, but
he didn't say he knew where Danny was. All I wanted to think about was how to
find him. But I could only do that if I got out of the hospital. “And even if
they let me leave, where do I go? My apartment is already leased to someone
else I'm sure. You said my son was real, but you didn't say my parents were.
Even if they were at home and just telling people they don't know me, I
obviously can't go there. Do they have Danny and just think I'm not stable
enough to take care of him? If you know where he is you better fucking tell
me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I'll take you home,” he promised. What the heck was that supposed to mean? I
just said I couldn't go home, and I didn't think he misunderstood me. The fog
of the sedative still lingered, and I was so frustrated and scared I found
myself on the verge of tears. I rubbed at my eyes to hold them at bay, and as I
pulled my hands away, Daniel grabbed both and held them. “I know it's hard,
almost impossible. Just please believe me. This whole terrible part of your
life is going to be over soon. And I'll make sure you get through it safely and
find your son. I promise.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don't have much choice but to trust you, do I? Just get me out of here. Get
me back to my son.” I didn't pull my hands away. His were warm and they
surrounded mine, and for the moment that was more comforting than the coldness
of the hospital. He let one hand go and reached to the pocket of the leather
jacket he wore, pulling out two things. One was a crappy prepaid cell phone
which he set on the table, the other was an odd, woven bronze torc bracelet
that he slipped onto my wrist. It was beautiful, looked ancient, and had been
made with impeccable craftsmanship. It didn't take a person with strong
intuition to know it was somehow important. But I couldn't decipher why in the
world he would want me to wear something so precious. I frowned and looked up
at him, waiting for some explanation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The phone is off right now. I can't and won't call you on it, and I don't want
it to be dead when you're finally able to leave. Turn it on and call the third
number in the contact list, and I'll be here to get you within 15 minutes.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"And the bracelet?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Taking my wrist in his hand, he ran a finger over the cool metal, “I know it
seems strange to give you a random piece of jewelry, but I just..." he
hesitated, looking at me with a pained expression, "I just need you to
wear it. I promise you I'll explain when you get out of here. I know you aren't
seeing any spirits right this moment, but at some point they'll be back. You
really need to try to get out as soon as possible when that happens, if you
haven't gotten out already by that point.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why does it matter how soon I get out of here. It might never happen. It's a
lot more likely they'll just take me to Wallace.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just do what I say, please. It will make everything easier. And if things
don't go as planned, I WILL find you.” He squeezed my hand and stood up, and I
followed suit. Maybe he was just used to hugging people, or he thought I was in
desperate need of a hug, but without warning he enveloped me in his substantial
embrace, holding me a bit longer than I expected to be comfortable with. It
wasn't uncomfortable though. I found myself returning the hug, my forehead
resting against a chest that was reassuring and solid, and I wasn't even a
hugging person. “I've got to go now,” he said as he stepped away, one hand
lingering on my shoulder as he looked back toward the nurse who was stepping
into the common room to tell all the visitors they needed to leave. “Try to
stick it out and give them no reason to keep you and call me when you're able
to leave. I'll be waiting.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I'll try,” I agreed, more than a little worried about him leaving me here
alone again. There was no reason I should trust him anymore than the staff at
this place, but he believed me and seemed to be more forthcoming and also more concerned
with my well-being. Maybe I was crazy (they thought I was), but my instinct
said that if there was anyone I could trust, it was this man who just happened
to show up four months into my stay at the looney-bin. Now, as he was telling
me goodbye, I realized I couldn't wait for him to come and get me. He was a
glimpse at freedom, and I was ready to see it from the outside instead of just
through his veiled promises of hope. “You'd better be for real. I can't handle
hoping for something that's a lie.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I am real—probably more than most things you've had to live through recently,
as terrible as they've been,” he reassured me, with another quick side hug and
a tap at my temple—referring, I guessed, to the spirits. “Don't forget.” The
nurse ushered him out along with the other visitors and shut the door behind
them. The click of the lock was almost painful. I only had time to ask that the
cell phone be put in my bag in the closet where they kept most of our
belongings. They wouldn't keep the bracelet, if they noticed it at all, because
we were allowed watches, books, toiletries, hair bands, and simple jewelry that
couldn't be used to hurt ourselves or anyone else. I had to go back to the
common room for the dinner they were carting in while we put away our things or
got ready to eat. It was a relief to eat without ghosts telling me this and
that, or begging to tell their loved one how they died or that they loved them,
or whispering in my ear about the apocalypse.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After dinner was the usual nighttime group session where we told whether we met
our goals for the day and what we learned. It wasn't much more than repetitive
psychobabble, but I did as Daniel had urged, interacting with the group when
necessary and staying quiet whenever I could. The therapist stared at me; I'd
caught her off guard when I responded when spoken to, and she seemed to perk up
quite a bit as if she alone was responsible for the miracle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I take it restraints and sedation don't get along with you, Sara?” Her voice
was over-sweet and flippant. I had a strong urge to punch her, but I didn't; I
wanted to leave far too much for that. I imagined myself in the passenger side
of Daniel's car as we pulled away from the hospital and sped off before they
could make me come back.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes ma'am I suppose you're right. Not many people like restraints and sedation
I guess. And they changed my meds too,” I admitted. “Maybe they're helping,
because I'm not hearing the dead people anymore.” Lying was something I'd
become quite good at thanks to my special “gift”. The therapist, Roxanne,
seemed pleased to hear what I had to say, and gave me a hug after the group
session before letting the nurse know I was “feeling better”. It wasn't a lie,
but it wasn't because of anything the staff here had done. I glanced down at my
wrist to see what time it was before I remembered it wasn't a watch I was
wearing, but instead the strange bronze torc Daniel had given me. How long
would I have to wait for the doctor to write my release? What if he never
did? That was a scary thought I didn't want to entertain.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://bridgetblackwood.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/10365585_10152576802350439_429127288159047106_o1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://bridgetblackwood.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/10365585_10152576802350439_429127288159047106_o1.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">About
the Author: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Debut author Astrid V. Tallaksen
grew up in North Alabama. She was fortunate to be raised with a heart for
stories of creatures and places outside of this world. Her love of reading
quickly became a love of writing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She spent several years creating
content and helping writers to improve their craft on the online world of
Althanas, a creative writing workshop in the guise of a roleplaying forum. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A self-avowed nerd, Astrid loves
science fiction, comic books, and eighties fantasy movies in the vein of The
Princess Bride and Labyrinth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her geekiness extends to annual
volunteer work at the massive sci-fi convention known as Dragon*con every year
in Atlanta, Georgia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the odd times that she's not
immersed in geekdom or writing, Astrid loves to sing karaoke, crochet, and
spend time with her family and pets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorastridvtallaksen">https://www.facebook.com/authorastridvtallaksen</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Twitter: @astrid_writes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Blog: <a href="http://authorastridvtallaksen.wordpress.com/">http://authorastridvtallaksen.wordpress.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Goodreads <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8389080.Astrid_V_Tallaksen">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8389080.Astrid_V_Tallaksen</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Mila Ramoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749425163028904436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13477061.post-26088756897558255512014-10-01T11:46:00.002-05:002014-10-01T11:46:26.654-05:00Kasadya Series - Kasadya Hellbound Awakened by Karen Swart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kasadya
Hellhound Awakened </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kasadya<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Series</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Book One</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Karen Swart</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Genre:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Urban Fantasy/Paranormal</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Audience:
YA/NA - 14 years and up</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 163.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Publisher: Karen Swart</span><span lang="EN-ZA"></span><u><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 163.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cover by: </span><span lang="EN-ZA"><a href="http://ebookindiecovers.com/"><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Melody Simmons</span></a></span><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 163.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Edited by: </span><span lang="EN-ZA"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/MAI-Editing-Services/312257048911972"><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">MAI-Editing-Services</span></a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"> , There for you
Editing Services & </span></span><span lang="EN-ZA"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Butterfly-Editing/508919045811279"><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Blue Butterfly Editing</span></a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">ISBN:
978-1311699121</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Date
Published: 21 August 2012</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: center 122.6pt;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pages: 342 pages<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Book Description:</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In
a constant battle between good and evil, evil is dominating the battlefield and
leading mankind to its destruction. With our Creator's intervention, a creature
destined to conquer and destroy is created. He gives mankind hellhounds to
fight back and reclaim freedom. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Join
seventeen year old Kasadya Levourne as she fights against evil to protect us.
With each step, she faces destruction, and yet she has the talent to give it
back tenfold. Stubborn and hard-headed she makes her mark in the Fallen world
and starts a battle none can escape. Not even her trainer, the very attractive
Chax de Luca, was prepared for her presence. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Will
evil prevail? Or will Kas and her Fallen friends succeed in protecting us
against it? Hold on to your seats, this is going to be one hell of a ride.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Special
Note:</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
Kasadya Series should be read back to back, </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">books
1- 3 each end with a cliff hanger.</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><a href="http://amzn.to/1okzGcj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Amazon</span></b></a></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"> / </span></b><span lang="EN-ZA"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18196327-hellhound-awakened"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Goodreads</span></b></a></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"> / </span></b><span lang="EN-ZA"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/458816"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Smashwords</span></b></a></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Excerpt Kasadya Hellhound Awakened <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Prologue</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There was a time when heaven was filled with peace and
serenity. God, Jesus Christ, and all the Angels lived in harmony; no evil and
no sin existed. Until one fateful day...</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With all gathered to hear their Sire speak, God rose and
addressed his Angels. Before all, he proclaimed His Son, Jesus Christ, was
equal to Him. That Christ’s words should be obeyed as if they were His own.
Christ would command the heavens, with the same authority as Him. All the
Angels bowed down before Christ and accepted their Sire’s proclamation, all
except for one…</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">An Archangel was furious with this proclamation. He was his
Sire’s right hand, the deliverer of justice, the commander of many legions. He
had served his Sire for centuries, and never failed him. It should be to him
that God bestow power, not a Son whom had never even seen battle.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With his heart filled with hatred and jealousy, he gathered
all the angels in secret. He told them that their days of sweet liberty were at
an end. That God has now placed Christ as their ruler and that they should now
obey his wishes. Many angels were angered at such a false statement, but many
also agreed with the Archangel. He had led them for many years; why should they
now question his leadership?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The faithful Angels fled to God and told Him what was
happening, and together they prepared for war. With the sun rising on a new
day, God and his Angels stood ready for battle against the Archangel and his
followers. The battle only lasted a day, the Archangel and his followers
defeated before the sun set for the night.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Seeing the angels on their knees before Him, He gave them one
final chance… “Repent and declare your loyalty, and I will forgive you, my
children.” He told his beautiful angels, tears falling with each word. This was
His family. This was His love. How could they betray Him? Some of the Angels
cried their penance, begging Him to forgive them for their deceit. They claimed
that the Archangel deceived them, and they followed him into battle, as they
have done for centuries.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">God took pity on them, but still believed that their deceit
must not go unpunished. He had spoken many times about the importance of
punishment, that lessons learned must be earned... “I herewith grant you mercy,
but as punishment you will be sentenced to an earthly realm. I will take your
beauty as payment for my children lost today. In the place of your beauty, I
will give you purpose. In mercy, and because I love you still, I give you life
in this realm. Let this be known, that I was merciful this day,” God finished.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He placed them in an earthly realm, and called it Exsilium.
In this realm they would carry their deceit, and earn their place with him. He
took their beauty and replaced them with elements of his earth. Half would be
of animal and element, and would resemble punishment. The other, in a humanoid
form, and would resemble mercy. He called them his Fallen.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Archangel, and those whom did not repent, were not that
lucky. God looked into the eyes of His once faithful angels and only saw
destruction, hatred, jealousy, and heartache. He knew that His beloved ones had
died this day, and that others needed to be protected. But how could you
destroy one you loved? He placed the Archangel, and his followers, in another
earthly realm, but where Exsilium was above the earth, this one was in the
center. With one wave of His hand, their beautiful forms were replaced with
forms as ugly as their hatred and deceit. Using His word and blood, He sealed
this realm from any other.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As He looked into the many eyes of hatred, He spoke his final
word... “This realm will be called Hell, and you will be called demons. You, my
once faithful Archangel, you will be called the Devil. Your angel name will be
erased from the past, present, and future. You will be forgotten,” He
proclaimed and left them to their demise.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Many years have passed since that day. God created mankind
and cherished his new children. The male and female were his new hope; in them
he would find peace again. But the Devil had grown strong through the years,
and somehow managed to enter God’s garden. Here, he found the female God
created, using her to strike back. He whispered words of deceit in her ears,
and watched as God’s new children stepped into sin. With her first bite, a
crack appeared in the seal around Hell, and demons escaped to earth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">From that day onward, the Devil and his demons created chaos
amongst God’s new children, leading one after the other into sin. God looked
upon this and decided to fight for his loved ones. He went to Exsilium and
spoke to the Fallen... “You, my children, have proven your loyalty in the years
that have passed, and so I came to offer you another chance at Heaven. If you
slay the Devil and his demons to protect mankind, I will give you a place in my
Heaven once again. With your last breath on this earth, you will join me and
your brethren in Heaven,” He finished. The Fallen agreed and God gave them the
power to move in and out of Exsilium to battle the demons. The war between Good
and Evil began.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But as mankind spread over the earth, sin became their
followers. And with each sin, the demons grew stronger and created more demons
to torture mankind. The Fallen were now fighting against millions; they needed
assistance to ensure victory. God had watched the battle from Heaven and saw
that they were failing because of their numbers. He also saw that the demons
grew stronger than the Fallen. He intervened and created a new creature. This
creature would have features encompassing the best of both worlds. One half was
as strong and loyal as the Fallen, while the other was as hard and enduring as
a demon. This was His ultimate weapon. This would be His greatest creation. To
ensure that these creatures could not be swayed, He placed Heaven’s soul into
them. He called them His hellhounds.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The hellhounds delivered justice swiftly, as strong and just
as the Fallen. Yet hard and durable like the demons, they conquered the earthly
realm and the demons retreated. Not one hellhound could be swayed. All stayed
true to their calling. God, knowing that the Devil and many more demons had
retreated, gave His hellhounds life, and offered them a place among the Fallen.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Until this day they still watch over mankind, protecting them
from evil. Will we be worth it?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://yuq.me/users/39/772/4aiTlrLsf7.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://yuq.me/users/39/772/4aiTlrLsf7.png" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kasadya
Hellhound Twisted</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kasadya <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Series</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Book Two</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Karen Swart</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Genre:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Urban Fantasy</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Audience:
YA/NA - 14 years and up</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Publisher:
Karen Swart</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 163.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Edited by: </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">There for you Editing Services &
</span></span><span lang="EN-ZA"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Butterfly-Editing/508919045811279"><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">Blue Butterfly Editing</span></a></span><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 196.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cover by: </span><span lang="EN-ZA"><a href="http://ebookindiecovers.com/"><span style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">Melody Simmons</span></a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: #2e74b5; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 196.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">ISBN:
978-1301357192</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pages:
251 Pages</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 196.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Date Published: 15 February 2013<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Book Description:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">She
fought against all odds and became the warrior she was meant to be … or so she
thought. In a world where the rules have changed, can she embrace her destiny
and become the hellhound she was meant to be?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kasadya
is back in Exsilium and finds her world a little different. Her half-breed
fallen friends join her, and they are ordered to complete their apprentice
training in order to obtain the right to be guardians. She must learn that her
own fate cannot be denied and that others are set to follow. But most of all,
she must learn that to trust is the greatest battle of all.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
tables are turned and Kasadya is put to the test. Will she be able to prevent
her own death, or that of a friend? Or will her actions call forth the
destruction of Earth and Exsilium? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">For a Phoenix to rise, it must first die.</span></i><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> —Chax De Luca</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-ZA"><a href="http://amzn.to/1fg1riQ"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amazon</span></a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> / </span><span lang="EN-ZA"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17379714-hellhound-twisted"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Goodreads</span></a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> / </span><span lang="EN-ZA"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/286004"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Smashwords</span></a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
/ </span><span lang="EN-ZA"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kasadya-hellhound-twisted-karen-swart/1119458932?ean=2940045863537"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Barnes and Noble</span></a></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kasadya Hellhound Born</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kasadya
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Series</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Book
Three</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Karen
Swart</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Genre:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Urban Fantasy</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Audience:
YA/NA - 14 years and up</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Publisher:
Karen Swart</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cover
by: </span><span lang="EN-ZA"><a href="http://ebookindiecovers.com/"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Melody
Simmons</span></a></span><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Edited
by: </span><span lang="EN-ZA"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/MAI-Editing-Services/312257048911972"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">MAI-Editing-Services</span></a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> & </span></span><span lang="EN-ZA"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Butterfly-Editing/508919045811279"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Blue
Butterfly Editing</span></a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-background-themecolor: background1;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">ISBN: <span style="background: #F7F7F7;">9781301863594</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-background-themecolor: background1;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="background: #F7F7F7; color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pages:
235 pages</span><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Date
Published: 15 August 2013</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Book
Description:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In
a world filled with evil, the Fallen prepare for the ultimate battle against
the demon world!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kasadya
is ordered to unleash her crazed born transformation to complete her divinity.
But there is a chance that her born will be uncontrollable, and she will be
destroyed. There is just one person that can save her; her charm, her destined
mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Left without a choice, she must
surrender, and place her life in his hands. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In
a race against time, the Fallen must stand together and fight the evil
threatening to invade earth. If her divinity was in reach, victory would be
theirs. That is until she starts having visions of the final battle, and her
true destiny is revealed. She just found her love and place in the Fallen
world; will she be able, and willing, to sacrifice it all?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
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<b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Excerpt
Kasadya Hellhound Born –</span></b></div>
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<div class="DefaultCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Kasadya, don't do this to me,” Chax spoke, using
Corra. </span></div>
<div class="DefaultCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I stopped completely and looked at him. Reaching for
my necklace, I held it.</span></div>
<div class="DefaultCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I am so
sorry, Chax. This is the only way; we can’t win any other way. I know; I have
seen the end too many times,” I replied. </span></div>
<div class="DefaultCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">His face fell even more and he looked around,
searching for a way out. </span></div>
<div class="DefaultCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“I want to thank you... for being there for me. For
searching for me when I went missing. For enduring all of my crap. I am sorry I
messed up so many times. But not this time; this I promise. But most of all,
thank you for loving me.” Even my mental voice broke down on the last part. </span></div>
<div class="DefaultCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Chax started to scream and pound at the invisible
wall, while others joined him. I looked at Nanini, shocked that she couldn’t
get out. </span></div>
<div class="DefaultCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Take care of Max for me,” I sent to her. </span></div>
<div class="DefaultCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Tears formed and ran down her cheeks, but she nodded.
</span></div>
<div class="DefaultCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Kas, let us help you!” Lotan yelled. My friends, my
family were still trying to save me. Tears ran down my own face now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="DefaultCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“I love all of you. Thank you for always being there
for me.” Finally my mental voice began to a sob. </span></div>
<div class="DefaultCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I turned away, afraid that the sight of them would
stop me. </span></div>
<div class="DefaultCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“Kasadya! Don’t do this to me. I beg you!” Chax
yelled at me. </span></div>
<div class="DefaultCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Demons were closing in around me, but my heart was
so broken I just let the tears and heartache spill out of me. </span></div>
<div class="DefaultCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“I am so sorry, Chax. Forgive me.” With that, I
stormed forward. </span></div>
<div class="DefaultCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I used my g-force punches to clear the masses out of
my way. When that stopped working, I started shifting. Demons grabbed at me and
some got in a slice or two. But I wasn't stopping.</span></div>
<div class="DefaultCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I saw Ballen trying to flee from me. He thought I
was heading for him. Good. I needed him on the other side when I blew it up.
Using my wings for momentum, I sent a massive g-force punch into the horde that
remained between me and my target. They flew backwards, clearing the way for me
to advance. I swiped at a few too close and took their heads. Blood sprayed all
over me. Searching for the hole to make sure I was heading in the right
direction, I saw the shoulders and arms of something freaking big, already
beginning to breach. </span></div>
<div class="DefaultCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I need to move faster!</span></div>
<div class="DefaultCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I lifted up with my wings. They were tired, but I
had no other option. Now I had the flying demons to contend with. We fought and
sliced and I sent a few down to earth without a head. At last, I was advancing
on the hole. Pain shot through my left wing and I tumbled to the ground,
hitting hard. At the last moment I made sure that the front of my body hit the
ground and not the back. Demons jumped me all at once. Ballen was yelling at
them to stop me. I used everything I had left and flung out with my wings and
arms. They went flying and just in front of me was the hole with the devil
stuck in it. Ballen was standing at the entrance watching me, his face a mask
of shock.</span></div>
<div class="DefaultCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">With a deep breath, I reached for the pouch and took
hold of the balls. Now armed and ready, I just had a few feet to go. I stormed
through the demons, not caring if they sliced me open. I wasn't stopping for a
fight anymore. I held the balls to my chest, sealing them from any other
impact. Then, finally, I was at the entrance of the hole. With the last of my
strength, I leaped into the air and went flying straight for it.</span></div>
<div class="DefaultCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">There were many things that go through your mind
that moment before you die. I remembered my first step into Exsilium. Meeting
Lada and Nanini. Meeting Chax and hating my first day. I remembered our fun at
the beach, the Hellhouse and the grub spot. Seeing Lada and Lotan kissing for
the first time. Meeting Max and Ryan, and then all of the rest. My heart no
longer troubled by Kali or Seth or all the others who had betrayed me. I
remembered finding Chax and the Fallen again. Seeing my parents again. So many
memories bombarded me at that last moment. I remembered my day and night with
Chax, and how it felt to be loved. </span></div>
<div class="DefaultCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“I love you,” I sent a final message to him. </span></div>
<div class="DefaultCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">He was still screaming my name, begging for me to
stop. </span></div>
<div class="DefaultCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I remembered why I was doing this. For them I gave
my heart, my life. Ballen's shocked face was in front of me, right in my path.
Just when I reached him, I dropped the balls and slammed into him.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PeQku0tvQKsda0YCHgK30wGVf6o90yK3NBFmp6UAPeojZ57QE06b2s8eAN9e_vv7ZMv0_BwaZLeNXsnDipwe_-6KJ2kQ-DExZJO2L_bq_Kduh2z-tGmV76_VpNgYLrpV4sW3/s1600/Kasadya_Hellhound_Defined_ORIGINAL_300_dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PeQku0tvQKsda0YCHgK30wGVf6o90yK3NBFmp6UAPeojZ57QE06b2s8eAN9e_vv7ZMv0_BwaZLeNXsnDipwe_-6KJ2kQ-DExZJO2L_bq_Kduh2z-tGmV76_VpNgYLrpV4sW3/s1600/Kasadya_Hellhound_Defined_ORIGINAL_300_dpi.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kasadya Hellhound Defined</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kasadya
Series</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Book
Four</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Karen
Swart</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Genre:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Urban Fantasy</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Audience:
YA/NA - 14 years and up</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Publisher:
Karen Swart</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cover
by: </span><span lang="EN-ZA"><a href="http://ebookindiecovers.com/"><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Melody Simmons</span></a></span><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Edited
by: </span><span lang="EN-ZA"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Butterfly-Editing/508919045811279"><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Blue Butterfly Editing</span></a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">ASIN:
B00J698M1A</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">ISBN:
978-1311495075</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pages:
135 pages</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Date
Published: 21 March. 2014</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Book
Description:</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">For
centuries his only reason for existence was to destroy evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when he finally found his mate, that all
changed for the deadly Chax De Luca. When the hellhound Kasadya captured his
heart, he surrended it to her, thinking he’d finally found what he’d been
looking for. Little did he know that his mate would sacrifice herself to save
them all.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">His
fury is legend. His wrath, merciless. His love for his mate, undeniable. He’s
going to hell to retrieve his heart, and if that means that he must destroy
hell itself, then so be it.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kasadya
awakes to a world in peril, her mate forever changed, and a war filled with
evil creatures intending to enter Earth’s realm and destroy all that she holds
dear. Can she complete her divinity in time to save her loved ones and mankind?
Will she have to choose? Or will all be lost in the final battle?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
final battle is here, and with it, secrets are revealed and worlds are changed
forever.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-ZA"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18073159-hellhound-defined"><b><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Goodreads</span></b></a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> / </span></b></span><span lang="EN-ZA"><a href="http://amzn.to/1do31E5"><b><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Amazon</span></b></a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> / </span></b></span><span lang="EN-ZA"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kasadya-hellhound-defined-karen-swart/1119370320?ean=2940045855754"><b><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Barnes and Noble</span></b></a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> / </span></b></span><span lang="EN-ZA"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/429530"><b><span style="color: #00007f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #00007F;"><span style="color: windowtext;">Smashwords</span></span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">About the Author </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-ZA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I am a complete
book addict, and really proud of it. My entire world is made of books. From
reading to writing to blogging to helping other authors. A day without my world
of books would be impossible. I am a mother of three, two boys and a little
princess. Happily married for 8 years with my high school sweetheart. I live in
South Africa, just on the rims of the Kalahari Desert in a small town with one
shop and friendly faces.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-ZA" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Media
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Mila Ramoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749425163028904436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13477061.post-48519029768128548122014-09-02T13:15:00.000-05:002014-09-02T13:15:28.100-05:00Chandrea: The Return of the Avatar Queen by Marlene Wynn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chandrea:
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The
Return of the Avatar Queen <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Marlene
Wynn<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book Description:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chandrea Averill thinks she’s
just like any other normal young woman.
But, on the day of her 23rd birthday, her life changes forever. Surrounded by magical creatures, dangerous sorcery,
and insidious political intrigue, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chandrea desperately wants to
return to Earth and the only life she’s ever known. But, the longer she stays, the more she
realizes that she may be the only one with the power – both magical and
political – to save the people of Lyrunia.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Will she find the courage to
remain and fight for her home world?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book trailer <a href="http://youtu.be/lzJpY3nai34">http://youtu.be/lzJpY3nai34</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Available at <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chandrea-the-return-of-the-avatar-queen-marlene-wynn/1119974196?ean=2940045646550">BN</a> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/458953">Smashwords</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chandrea-Return-Avatar-Queen-Volume/dp/147911569X">Amazon</a> <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/books/chandrea-the-return-of-the-avatar-queen/ZQBLZCelOkKoNBEGORq87A?MixID=ZQBLZCelOkKoNBEGORq87A&PageNumber=1">Kobo</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/chandrea-return-avatar-queen/id900663270?mt=11">iTunes</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Add it to your <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22605642-chandrea---the-return-of-the-avatar-queen">Goodreads
Shelf</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The morning sky was overcast and cloudy and a stiff southwesterly
wind blew the grasses erratically. A bank of heavy, dark grey clouds were
visible over the horizon to the south, and it was moving quickly towards her.
The constant flashes and murmur of thunder confirmed that she was in for a bad
storm, and had nowhere to take shelter. She didn’t know how long it would take
for it to reach her, but she wanted to be closer to civilization when it did.
And she did <i>not</i> want to get caught in an electrical storm out in the
open. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chandrea started to walk, and after a few minutes began to jog,
though it was not easy to do on the uneven ground. Her pulse quickened as her
body warmed up to the accustomed exercise, and she made quick work of the first
couple of miles. But, you can only push an already weakened body so hard before
it starts to reach its limits, and, as she anticipated, she began to labor, her
breaths coming in short ragged pants, her throat hot and dry. She slowed to a
walk until she got her breath back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Looking anxiously to her right, she saw that, despite her brief
run, the clouds had come much closer, and that the clashing lightning and
thunder were almost on top of her. Flutters of fear crawled down her spine and
made a home in her belly. This was not good. Chandrea looked around for some
place to find protection. Though the grasses seemed to be thinning out and she
was seeing small scrubby bushes here and there, there still weren’t any signs
of civilization, so she continued to walk tiredly east. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The brisk wind turned into powerful gusts, and she had to lean to
avoid being thrown off her feet. Dust and debris were torn from the ground and
swirled all around her, and she was forced to raise her hands to shield her
eyes. Lightning struck nearby, followed by a powerful blast of thunder that
shook the ground. Chandrea cringed and screamed in raw fear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She felt the first few warm splashes of water on her skin, and
looking up, saw that the bulk of the sky had turned a deep heavy looking grey.
She began to run again, the flight instinct now in full control of her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The heavens opened up and rain came sheeting down. The drops were
huge at first, but quickly became small and piercing as they pelted her skin.
Her clothing soon became saturated, weighing her down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lightning flashed all around her, dazzling bursts of light
followed closely by violent claps of thunder. The strikes blew chunks of dirt
and debris into the wind. The world was shaken by the repeated crack of thunder
and her eardrums throbbed in painful harmony from the overwhelming sounds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Animal instinct took over. Throwing herself to her knees, she
clawed at the dirt. Her breath came in terrified, ragged gasps, but she was all
but oblivious to it as she dug and tore at the stubborn soil. Every time
lightning struck near her, she screamed and ducked, covering her head with her
arms in an unconscious effort to protect herself, and then continued digging. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She tore at the web of roots, desperate to dig a hole she could
take shelter in, but to no avail. The old grasses had been in the dry plains
for a long time, and had grown their roots long and wide to find any available
ground water. Without a shovel or a pick, she could make no headway, and only
managed to tear her hands to the point of bleeding in the effort. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Gasping, she stopped and looked around with wild, frightened
eyes. The world around her had gone mad. Lightning struck rapidly now, all
around her, for miles in all directions, and the sharp booming thunder was
close on its heels. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A small, sane portion of her mind recognized that she should
hunker down and try to make the smallest target of herself possible, but that
was akin to taking your eyes off the hungry lion crouched nearby and hoping it
wouldn’t notice you. Instead, she knelt and watched with horrified fascination
as the prairie took a beating from mother nature. Her entire body shook from
the fear that washed through her, and she knew that at any moment lightning
would strike and kill her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Without conscious thought or effort, her magic bloomed to life.
She gasped at the suddenness of it, yet welcomed it with a desperate hope. She
felt it growing and expanding inside her, filling her completely with an eerie,
tingling sensation. What was happening? What would her magic do this time?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her skin began to glow a soft ethereal white. She held her hands
out in front of her, and, despite the dangers surrounding her, wonder filled
her at the sight. She’d seen her skin glow before, but never so clearly. The
glow rapidly enveloped her until she was encased by a soft white ball of energy
that extended a few feet out from her on all sides. The wind and rain no longer
affected her, apparently unable to penetrate her protective sphere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Curious, she poked a finger at the ball. It rippled like water
when she touched it. She became bolder and stuck her whole arm out. Once again,
the wind, rain, and nearby grass stalks pelted her tender skin. She pulled her
arm and hand back inside and the sensations ceased. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She looked around with a newfound sense of security. The storm
raged on around her, but in her sheltering bubble, it seemed that none of the
elements could touch her. She gasped as a bolt of lightning struck nearby. She
could only hope that the bubble would protect her against the lightning strikes
as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With a frightening intensity, suddenly a new roaring sound filled
her senses, causing her to gasp and duck involuntarily. It was followed
immediately by anther, and another, each successfully competing in volume and
depth with the crashing thunder. But, these new sounds weren’t caused by mother
nature. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was almost as if a whole <i>pride</i> of hungry lions were
surrounding her, and roaring in excitement of the hunt and the kill to come. </span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But, it couldn’t be lions, for, like the thunder, these sounds
came from the sky itself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some had a deep, throbbing quality to them. Others were shrill
and almost metallic. All of them were terrifying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chandrea tried to determine what was up there in the deep dark
grey of the clouds. It was difficult to see through the soft glow of her
bubble. When several lightning bolts struck, causing a strobe effect, she
sucked in her breath in disbelieving terror at what she saw.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Silhouetted in brief, white-clad glory, were dozens upon dozens
of dragons of various shapes and sizes. Each time the lightning flashed, it
would cause a still-life effect of the great beasts circling in the sky with an
almost playful air about them. With huge, earth- shaking roars, some shot
massive flames from their mouths, causing the heavens and the ground far below
to be lit by the intense yellow-red flare. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But what was the most astonishing to Chandrea was when one of the
monsters would get hit by a bolt of lightning. It would open its immense,
toothy maw in what appeared to be almost a silent scream, then arch its back
and long serpentine neck as though in ecstasy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She watched in awed amazement as one of the airborne dragons was
struck by a large bolt of energy. The massive creature’s blue scales briefly
burst into glittering brilliance. Small electrical charges snaked and popped
across their surface. A large, bright turquoise nimbus shimmered around the
rapturous dragon. It temporarily highlighted the dragons surrounding it until
the dazzling luminescence died down to a soft glow. Once the strike was
finished, the dragon would start to swoop and circle faster, almost daring the
lightning to come again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chandrea felt her heart would beat its way right out of her
chest. She could actually feel her chest vibrating from the intensity of her
heartbeat. She panted, feeling cornered and very small. Her protective shield
may keep the lightning and elements at bay. But its glow might be noticed by
the serpents in the sky. Would a human make a tasty treat during a dragon sky
party?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">God, she wanted to go home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The storm went on for what seemed like an eternity. Chandrea felt
rather like the little field mouse trapped in the corner of a covey of cats,
hoping upon hope that it wouldn’t be noticed, but knowing in its heart that
eventually it would be. A part of her couldn’t help but be fascinated by the
colorful display of serpentine bodies soaring high above her, at times almost
floating in their deadly dances. Death, it seemed, had a very mesmerizing
effect on her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Eventually, the storm started to weaken, the lightning and
thunder to come less and less, and the bulk of the dragons began to disperse.
Though it was still quite dark around her, she started to breathe a little
easier, thinking she might just come out of this alive. Her magical ball,
reacting instinctively to the lessening threat, dissipated then vanished
completely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then one of the dragons swooped down out of the sky and landed
right in front of her, folding its wings flat against its back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was difficult for Chandrea to see the beast clearly in the
gloom of the storm clouds, with only the occasional lightning flash. But, boy,
could she <i>smell</i> it. Its body reeked of moldy ash, its hot breath of
rotten flesh. Its eyes, as large as her body was tall, glowed a sullen dirty
yellow in the grey light of the day. It was immense. Its head and shoulders
were about thirty feet over Chandrea’s head, and looked like it was no less
than 140 feet from the tip of its nose to the tip of its tail. Its legs were as
thick as tree trunks, and long, wickedly sharp claws adorned its massive feet.
Its scales dully reflected the dim afternoon light in shades of rusty red,
while the underside of it was a soft tan color. Copper colored spikes of
different sizes ran from its snout, along its spine and down the length of its
long tail. At the end of its tail were numerous long, sharp spikes. Nestled
atop its massive head was a pair of lengthy horns that pointed straight back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lowering its head, it sniffed at the air above her, apparently
trying to determine what she was, and if she was edible. Its long, forked
tongue licked the air. Chandrea tried not to gag as its foul breath washed over
her in hot waves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Rearing back, the beast then cocked its head to the side, and
eyeing Chandrea, it said in a soft, deep voice filled with menace, yet somehow
female-sounding, “Ah…what do we have here? A lone, unprotected human out in the
grasslands.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Narrowing her sulfur-colored eyes, the dragon moved a bit closer
to her and murmured in satisfaction, “Yes… you’ll make a nice meal for my
hatchling.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chandrea blinked up at it in stunned surprise. The creature could
speak!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Belatedly, the dragon’s words finally registered in her mind.
Terror lanced through Chandrea. She was trapped! She could never even hope to
out-run this creature even at her top physical best. In her weakened condition,
it was a laughable concept at best. She had nowhere to hide, and nowhere to
take shelter, surrounded as she was by miles of grass. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Unbidden, her magic rushed to the surface, once again responding
to her fight or flight instinct. This time, though, it came much faster, absent
one moment, there the next. She could feel it rushing through her, instantly
filling her every fiber and pore. Energy snapped around her, and her eyes and
skin glowed with a pearlescent sheen. Her breathing deepened as she stood up
from the ground and faced the beast before her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The dragon growled in anticipation. Flame and smoke started to
lick out of its snout, and in a rush, it lowered its head, roared, and shot out
a huge column of white-hot flame, aimed right at Chandrea!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Feeling as though she were a distant observer of her own body,
she watched as she raised her hands in a defensive position and her magic
called up a shield. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She had a mental flash of the dream the Dark Fairy had cast on
her, where she drew the energy from all the objects around her to fuel her
magic, and attempted it again. She siphoned the energy from the dragon’s flames
into her body, using the very thing that was threatening her to protect her.
She could feel the intense heat pouring into her body, almost burning her from
the inside out, and, before they could even reach her, the flames from the
dragon sputtered harmlessly out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Upon seeing this, the dragon narrowed its eyes, lowered its head,
and growled menacingly. Her body throbbed in harmony with the deep resonation
and the very ground seemed to vibrate beneath her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chandrea frantically tried to figure out what she could do to
scare this creature away. She was supposed to be the most powerful sorceress in
this world, but her magic was untested and very unreliable. However, she didn’t
see as she had much choice in the matter. She couldn’t very well use her
Taekwondo on this monster! And running was definitely <i>not</i> an option. So,
even as the dragon’s growl was echoing off in the distance, she decided to
stand and fight as best she could with what she had, and hope that the dragon
didn’t eat her before she could conjure anything up. Were dragons like birds?
Did they eat their prey and then regurgitate it for their young? She quickly
banished that horrifying image from her mind and focused on the task at hand.
She would try to use fire again. She would just have to do it better than last
time. And quicker.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chandrea concentrated. She could feel the dragon’s hot energy
swirling around inside her, growing ever stronger, mixing with her own fear and
panic to create a maelstrom of intense power. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She stopped focusing on the shield in front of her and it simply
disappeared, the energy rushing back into her. Her skin suddenly glowed a fiery
red. She raised her hands, and, as Adelaide had taught her, with a mighty
mental and physical shove, she flung the energy from her own body out at the
beast. Chandrea watched as a great ball of flame materialized and was cast out
at the dragon. Like before, when she’d tried to create fire, this ball was
intensely white hot on the inside and deep yellow and red on the outside.
However, this ball didn’t have as far to go as the first time, and instead of
plowing through huge swaths of trees, it plowed into the dragon directly in
front of her…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">…and blew out as it struck, as though nothing had happened at
all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Unable to fathom what had just happened, Chandrea just stood
there in stupefaction. Her magic had just dissipated on the scales of the
dragon and done nothing at all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The dragon looked somehow amused by this turn of events. Chandrea
would’ve sworn the beast even smiled. Lifting her mighty head, the serpent then
carried the motion even further and stood on her hind legs. Clawing at the air
in front of her and spreading her massive wings wide, she bellowed out a
trumpeting call that echoed up and down the grasslands and throbbed painfully
in the tiny earthling’s ears. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chandrea threw her hands over her ears in a feeble attempt to
lessen the sound, but to no avail. Then, the massive reptile lowered its body,
jaws open, clearly intending to finish this one-sided battle by devouring her
whole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">An answering bellow washed over her from above as a second dragon
plummeted from the sky to crash into the first one, knocking it from its feet
with a powerful blow. Chandrea screamed and jumped to the side, narrowly
missing the powerful swipe of a tail studded with spikes. Chunks of dirt and
grass were gouged out of the ground where she’d previously stood, showering her
with grit and hard rocks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This new dragon was unlike any she’d ever imagined or seen in
fairy tales. It had scales on its belly, but its back and wings were covered
with feathers. Its head and legs were a bright, scarlet red. The feathers on
its legs were short and spiky, while the ones surrounding its head were long
and stiff, and puffed out, making it look both fierce and dangerous. The
beast’s back, body and tail were covered with short, dense feathers in a
striking deep indigo color. Its deep and muscular chest narrowed down into a
snakelike torso and a tail that was covered in spikes. It had what appeared to
be two sets of wings. One was a feathered set, shaped rather like immense eagle
wings and were the same indigo color as its body. The second set were over the
first, and were covered with ocher-colored scales, the same color of its belly.
This second set of wings were much larger than the first, and tipped with razor
sharp claws. Where the first dragon was large and muscular, the second one was
long and slender. The first dragon was the stronger of the two by far, but what
the second one lacked in strength, it made up for in speed and its sinuous body.
Its movements were a blur to watch, as it snaked its way around its bigger foe,
striking with lightning quick attacks and then slithering out of reach of the
larger dragon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> With ear-splitting snarls
and growls, the two beasts flipped and rolled across the prairie, savagely
tearing at each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chandrea, panting from the fear of the sudden attack, scuttled
backwards in the grass, trying to get as far away from the two battling titans
as possible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When no headway could seem to be gained by either one, the two
monsters backed warily away from each other. Growling fiercely, they flapped
their wings, extended their necks, and slammed their tails on the ground, all
in an attempt to show strength, power and dominance over the other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The larger dragon rushed the smaller one, but in a sudden blur of
motion, the blue one slithered its body around its larger opponent. Using its
own momentum against it and reminding Chandrea of a javelin toss, the blue one
spun the rusty red beast back around and threw it across the field. The dragon
landed with an earth-shaking thud that threatened to throw Chandrea from her
feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Spinning around, the blue dragon jerked its head back and forth
until it found Chandrea. It hunched down, then gave a mighty leap, and flapping
its massive wings, swooped up then back down, heading directly for Chandrea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With a scream, Chandrea spun on her heels and tried to run away,
but what little speed she could muster was nothing in comparison to the flying
monster. To her horror, its sharp claws grabbed her up and before she knew it,
they were airborne.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chandrea clutched at the long talons that held her in their
grasp. The grasslands dropped away below and her stomach dropped. The huge
wings of the dragon flapped quickly in an effort to get the beast and its prize
higher in the air. She could feel the rhythmic motion of its muscles working,
and the roaring sound of the wind assaulted her ears. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Craning her head down and around, Chandrea frantically checked on
the whereabouts of the red dragon. Her eyes widened as she saw it taking to the
air in pursuit of her stolen meal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dear God…how <i>did</i> she get into these things?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And how was she going to get out? The claws, even though none of
them had actually pierced her skin, were holding her as securely as any jail
cell. And, as far up in the air as they were now, even if she could get out,
she would fall to her death. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Watching behind her in horrified fascination, she saw the larger
dragon was having difficulty keeping up with its prey. But it clearly was not
giving up. With a roar, it doubled its efforts, cutting through the misty
clouds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Up the trio soared, higher and higher, until they were engulfed
in clouds and Chandrea couldn’t see the ground anymore. Nor could she see the
rusty red beast that had been chasing them, which was particularly worrisome to
her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cool, misty air rushed over her as the blue dragon climbed with
powerful thrusts of its wings. Her wet clothes and hair whipped around in the
wind, and she found herself wishing for a ponytail holder. A hysterical giggle
threatened to burble out of her throat at the thought, but at the last minute
she was able to halt it. She knew that if she let it out, she might never stop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Without warning, they reached the top of the storm clouds, and
with a final flap, burst out into bright sunshine. Once above the clouds, the
blue dragon settled in and took to soaring, only flapping its wings
occasionally to maintain its altitude. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Squinting against the glare, Chandrea couldn’t help but look
about her in wonder. Spread out for miles below them was the massive storm, its
dark clouds large and menacing. Even heading away from the storm as they were,
she could still hear the occasional rumble of thunder and see the clouds light
up with the strobes of lightning encased within. Above them, the sky was
pristinely blue, the sun a huge golden ball of light. Warm air now gently
passed over her as the dragon glided in the stillness of the heavens. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<br /></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But as beautiful and peaceful as it was, Chandrea could not fully
relax and enjoy it. She knew her life would soon be cut short in a horribly
violent fashion. Against her better judgment, she pictured the dragon landing
amongst its young then standing back in peaceful satisfaction as the babies
tore her to bloody pieces with their sharp teeth and claws. She began to
tremble violently, her breath coming in short, sharp pants. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">However, eventually the gentle peace of the heavens did help to
make the mortal fear coursing through her veins a little more bearable. Trying
to make herself as comfortable as possible in the hard claws of her cell, she
did the only thing she could at that point: she settled back for the ride. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They flew for hours. It was rather like flying in a passenger
airplane, but with a much better view. She saw farms, cities, forests, and
hills all passing beneath them. People and animals looked like tiny ants
scurrying around on the ground. Were they even aware of what was flying up
here? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The one thing that she didn’t see, thankfully, was the red
dragon. The speed of her captor must have finally worn the bigger dragon down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As the day wore into evening, the dragon finally started to
descend toward a large grassy meadow filled with wildflowers. Large leafy trees
surrounded it in an uneven circle, and the sounds of night insects were humming
in the air. Off to the side was a small crystalline lake, the sun glistening
off its gentle waves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fear started to flutter again in her chest, and her breathing
hitched. If she’d had anything in her stomach, it would’ve come back up. So
this lovely, serene place was where she would die. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She wondered where the beast’s nest was. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She wondered if it would hurt terribly when the hatchling tore
her apart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
</div>
<div class="BODY">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She wondered how long it would take her to die.</span></div>
<div class="BODY">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosTEc_vC9dGAIhmaEuV5JfN2Wsn4b5BhPqkJGrPO2m0cLNaajZH7_pw6Hihlisn8yHdxs6a6UsHxsa-ZRLNrJVLmL7B7sdXfCK_2bsde5KKh5CtePPnBuVnysDUBp1YlGsRqzVw/s1600/Professional+Head+Shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosTEc_vC9dGAIhmaEuV5JfN2Wsn4b5BhPqkJGrPO2m0cLNaajZH7_pw6Hihlisn8yHdxs6a6UsHxsa-ZRLNrJVLmL7B7sdXfCK_2bsde5KKh5CtePPnBuVnysDUBp1YlGsRqzVw/s1600/Professional+Head+Shot.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">About
the Author: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Marlene Wynn is a Utah native -
fondly referred to as "Utonian" by a friend. She transplanted herself in 1992 from the
majestic Rocky Mountains to the beachy shores of sunny Virginia Beach, Virginia
and has been there ever since. Though
she has worked in the benefits field for several years, she finally worked up
the courage to chase her dream as an author.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Website: <a href="https://www.marlenewynn.com/">https://www.marlenewynn.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MarleneWynn.Author">https://www.facebook.com/MarleneWynn.Author</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8343236.Marlene_Wynn">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8343236.Marlene_Wynn</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/MarleneWynn"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/MarleneWynn</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Mila Ramoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749425163028904436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13477061.post-45162855303960569932014-09-02T03:30:00.000-05:002014-09-02T11:57:29.377-05:00Memory War by Paul Anthony Shortt<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba112ffc753/" id="rc-ba112ffc753" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbAhXubgmBZbx8ERWT0eqa9JOptaG4fzHajGKiuiR8MQ0FNwMgOq9_Egqj9A6rVnJkmujvd0QklbsukEGvYk6XmdH-9XTNuI6Sd3RBkUuTcym90XYWblvmk5If30Ta72A4ZpwQw/s1600/MemoryWar_CVR(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbAhXubgmBZbx8ERWT0eqa9JOptaG4fzHajGKiuiR8MQ0FNwMgOq9_Egqj9A6rVnJkmujvd0QklbsukEGvYk6XmdH-9XTNuI6Sd3RBkUuTcym90XYWblvmk5If30Ta72A4ZpwQw/s1600/MemoryWar_CVR(1).jpg" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The
Memory Wars Trilogy <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book
3<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Paul
Anthony Shortt<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Genre: Urban Fantasy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Publisher: WiDo Publishing LLC<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Date of Publication: September
2nd, 2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ISBN: 978-1937178550<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ASIN: 1937178552<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Number of pages: 330<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Word Count: 104,500<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cover Artist: Steven Novak<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book Description:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">War is coming to New York. Nathan
Shepherd's growing band of followers is dedicated to protecting the city, but
they now face their greatest threat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Athamar returns, plunging the
city into chaos. Uniting the forces of darkness against Nathan and his allies,
Athamar strives to discover a secret hidden for thousands of years. A secret
lost to Nathan's memories. Something so dangerous, even the gods themselves
fear it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nathan and Elena were once the
greatest of heroes, champions against evil. Now, haunted by Nathan's past-life
betrayal, they must work together and brave the pain of long-buried lifetimes.
Somewhere, locked within their former incarnations, lies the key to stopping
Athamar, an enemy who has hunted them from one incarnation to the next.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As the city burns and innocents
suffer, as heroes fall and hope dies, Nathan and Elena face their final battle,
a battle where legends will be reborn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Available at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Memory-War-Paul-Anthony-Shortt/dp/1937178552/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1403770895&sr=8-4&keywords=paul+anthony+shortt">Amazon</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Excerpt
Chapter One</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tuxedos were the
worst. At least in the Roman Empire, the Middle Ages, even during the
Renaissance, clothing, men’s especially, was designed to allow enough freedom
of movement to fight or defend oneself. The 21st century had long seen the end
of that. Nathan Shepherd’s feet blistered in polished shoes. He was sure they
were too small, despite what the man in the rental store had said, and found
himself longing for a practical form of battle dress which would also go with
black tie events.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He scanned the
ballroom as he descended the marble steps. The scent of expensive perfume
drifted across the air, accompanied by the gentle sway of a string quartet on
the stage. Tugging at his collar, Nathan walked to the buffet table and plucked
a glass of champagne.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Status?”
Cynthia Keller’s voice crackled in his earpiece. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Champagne’s not
bad,” he said, softly. “Not sure about the caviar though.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You’re supposed
to be watching the mayor.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m getting
into character.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well listen,
007, we’ve got four people who just went in through the kitchen door and one of
them looks a lot like Lucius.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lucius was a
vampire, one of the top-ranking enforcers for the Council of Chains. He’d been
seen on the street a lot since Dorian went missing last year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Were they
armed?” Nathan asked, sipping the champagne.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Couldn’t see,”
Cynthia replied. “Nothing big, at least. No heavy bags or boxes that could
conceal large amounts of weaponry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“How are they
going to do this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Poison?”
Cynthia said. “That’s how they got the chief of police.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Difficult,”
Nathan said. So many people were taking hors d’oeuvres and drinks from tables
and passing servers that it would be impossible to predict what the mayor would
take. “Unless they poison something other than the food,” Nathan said. He
frowned. It was something to watch for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What else is
there?” Cynthia asked. “This is too big for a bomb or a shooter.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Keep me posted
on anything suspicious entering or leaving the building,” Nathan said, sipping
his drink and wandering along the dance floor. The crowd on the dance floor
parted and he saw the mayor speaking to a group seated at a table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I have him,”
Nathan said. “Tommy, what’s your status?” This was Tommy’s first time in the
field, and he was doing everything he could not to seem nervous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Uh, restroom,”
his voice came back through Nathan’s earpiece.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You’re supposed
to be by the stage.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sorry boss,”
Tommy said. “Must have been the crab meat crackers.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’ve got
Green,” Nathan said. “I need your eyes out here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’ll do my…”
The sound of Tommy’s voice was replaced by retching and the splash of liquid
hitting liquid. Nathan’s stomach turned a little.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Just give me a minute,”
Tommy said, coughing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Movement caught
Nathan’s eye. Four men moving through the crowd, shoulders set back and arms
loose. They were ready to pounce. “I don’t have a minute.” Where was Lucius?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of them
nodded across the ballroom. Nathan turned to follow the gaze and spotted Lucius
emerging from a staff door. Nathan set his glass down and started across the
dance floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then he saw her,
flowing across the floor in a backless scarlet dress, split along the sides to
reveal her sculpted calves and thighs. Three ebony hairpins held her long black
hair in a coiled bun, leaving only a few tantalising locks framing her face.
She turned and narrowed her eyes. He wondered how many other people would have
been able to spot the marks on her arms and back where she’d used make-up to
cover her scars. Marks earned in battle. Nathan’s gaze drifted of its own
accord, up each curve from her hips to her neck, settling for a moment on her
blood red lips and wide, practiced smile. Her sea green eyes fixed him and she
advanced, sweeping toward him and locking her arms around his shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Elena,” he
said. “What are you doing here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Making sure you
get out alive,” she said. Her smile never faltered. She pulled Nathan into the
crowd as the musicians started up a new piece.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I don’t have
time to dance.” He tried to pull away, but Elena held him firm. Nathan placed
his hands on her hips and pushed, but she pressed herself against him. He
shivered and inhaled her perfume.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You have four
behind you,” she said, “and another four coming from the staff entrance.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I know,” he
said, leading her across the floor in time to the music. “Lucius is leading
them. It’s a Council hit.” He glanced to the side. “Two more on your left,
dancing.” They moved apart, keeping their steps in perfect rhythm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Elena flicked
her eyes around. “Three by the stairs. Just you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nathan shook his
head as they closed in together again. “Tommy’s inside. Cynthia and Cadence are
watching from the next building. Sue’s got the truck waiting.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sam?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Watching the
bar.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You should have
Cadence in here,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I can handle
this,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You need help.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nathan smirked
and dipped Elena, gazing down at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That’s the
wrong step,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nathan felt the
energy in the crowd shift. A forgotten sense most mortals possessed, but which
only those regularly exposed to the supernatural were aware of, allowed the
detection of emotional energy and even the presence of supernatural creatures
and magical effects. The crowd was nervous. Eyes moved to Nathan and Elena.
People backed away. One of the men approaching from behind Elena flashed a
grin, showing a pair of long fangs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It’s time to
change the tempo,” Nathan said. “Allegro, perhaps?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Elena nodded and
reached for one of her hair pins. Nathan pulled her back up and she threw the
pin. It flew straight into the heart of one of the Council agents. Nathan
ignored the scream and delivered a side-kick to the sternum of the vampire
behind Elena.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Tommy,” Nathan
yelled into his radio. “Where are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nathan spotted
him pushing his way through the crowd as two more vampires moved in on him and
Elena. They fought back to back. Elena kicked off her shoes and used another
hair pin as a close-range stabbing weapon. Nathan blocked a wild punch and
twisted the vampire’s arm, breaking it at the elbow joint. The vampire yelled
and Nathan spun, hurling him against the buffet table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A female vampire
leaped onto Nathan’s back. Her hiss closed in on his ear as she reached for his
throat. Nathan reached around to grab her, but another vampire kicked him in
the stomach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tommy tried to
push onto the dance floor, but the crowd was too thick and panicked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Cadence,”
Nathan said, struggling to breathe as the woman on his back tried to strangle
him. “Now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A window smashed
inward as a rolled-up black wrap flew through the air. It landed close to
Nathan and fell open, revealing the hilt of his sword.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Elena!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The woman on
Nathan’s back seized and shrieked. Her grip loosened. Nathan spun his hips and
threw her off. One of Elena’s pins stuck out of her back. These vampires
weren’t dying immediately upon wood piercing their hearts. That meant they were
older; more powerful than the average street vampires. They’d need their heads
cut off or their bodies burned to finish them off for good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nathan dove for
his sword, snatching it and slashing the next vampire’s leg. He rolled to his
feet and swung down as the vampire’s fingernails grew into long black claws.
Its hands fell away and the vampire shrieked, running from Nathan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Elena reached
for the roll of weapons and took two small curved axes. Five vampires
surrounded them. Nathan pointed for Tommy to get to the mayor and he nodded,
running to the stage. The vampires pounced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nathan and Elena
reacted as one, fighting off their attackers with precision and unity honed
over a hundred lifetimes. Dark blood splattered the dance floor as they cut
down the vampires one by one. With every heartbeat, Nathan felt Elena’s soul
pulsing and his own respond in kind. They breathed in unison, feeling what the
other felt, seeing what the other saw. It was in this, the work of performing
death, that their last true bond remained. Nathan was almost used to the
regret. It urged him on, giving him power, bringing forth memories of past-life
battles to fuel his strength and speed. He reached into those memories now,
plucking one from the chaos and taking his past-self’s adrenaline to keep his
mind focused on the task at hand. There was no room for mistakes here.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOifR0hD1hIkumSqKEGgMuQETNp1vudmnmiDFtBKiF4Qk1aIQ1g89DPrc1EH_ELjQQ7wJpM354M9MRuKoPfSfVLvSlRkmkxt0WJSe8JF9x2benhnehNPgboXouj7Elq01Dy8fkA/s1600/ME4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOifR0hD1hIkumSqKEGgMuQETNp1vudmnmiDFtBKiF4Qk1aIQ1g89DPrc1EH_ELjQQ7wJpM354M9MRuKoPfSfVLvSlRkmkxt0WJSe8JF9x2benhnehNPgboXouj7Elq01Dy8fkA/s1600/ME4.jpg" height="200" width="178" /></a></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>About
the Author:</b></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A child at heart who turned to
writing and roleplaying games when there simply weren't enough action figures
to play out the stories he wanted, Paul Anthony Shortt has been writing all his
life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Growing up surrounded by music,
film and theatre gave him a deep love of all forms of storytelling, each
teaching him something new he could use. When not playing with the people in
his head, he enjoys cooking and regular meet-ups with his gaming group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He lives in Ireland with his wife
Jen and their dogs, Pepper and Jasper. Their first child, Conor William Henry
Shortt, was born on July 11th, 2011. He passed away three days later, but
brought love and joy into their lives and those of their friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The following year, Jen gave
birth to twins, Amy and Erica. Their fourth child, Olivia, was born in January,
2014.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">http://paulanthonyshortt.blogspot.com
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pashortt">https://www.facebook.com/pashortt</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://twitter.com/PAShortt">https://twitter.com/PAShortt</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6476977.Paul_Anthony_Shortt"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6476977.Paul_Anthony_Shortt</span></a>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Mila Ramoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749425163028904436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13477061.post-53975620421691031042014-08-20T03:00:00.000-05:002014-08-20T03:00:02.653-05:00Witch’s Bane by Ann Gimpel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlEtzDKju4o0Cg7ticBjADCK3gZy_DriB8aRQRfWe8No9CKQPz4f4qhZOqBWmKX0RASUl5Ms0ct0zj8G5cEudH3M-xccwKOseu7JtvZjeQIAyi86ShnPd2TUec65S_XvZwbqTPA/s1600/Witchs+Bane+Banner+540+x+200.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlEtzDKju4o0Cg7ticBjADCK3gZy_DriB8aRQRfWe8No9CKQPz4f4qhZOqBWmKX0RASUl5Ms0ct0zj8G5cEudH3M-xccwKOseu7JtvZjeQIAyi86ShnPd2TUec65S_XvZwbqTPA/s1600/Witchs+Bane+Banner+540+x+200.png" height="118" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3r_bUqxh6RKTkgYOEvrXJ6C9S3dW5vsshUNoAXbMepLDhKduZuBFRS7oLT6xHHJoGM6iVsAUa0d8Ej7KdtkKRQMIYGvQeFBaWL7Joh56-5TO_SmPxSdWcSf6Fkb9pGLwVB4O6UQ/s1600/Witchs_Bane-Ann_Gimpel-500x800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3r_bUqxh6RKTkgYOEvrXJ6C9S3dW5vsshUNoAXbMepLDhKduZuBFRS7oLT6xHHJoGM6iVsAUa0d8Ej7KdtkKRQMIYGvQeFBaWL7Joh56-5TO_SmPxSdWcSf6Fkb9pGLwVB4O6UQ/s1600/Witchs_Bane-Ann_Gimpel-500x800.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Witch’s
Bane</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The
Witch Chronicles </b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Book
2</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Ann
Gimpel</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Publisher: Taliesin</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ISBN:<span> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Release Date: 8/7/14</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Genre: Dark Paranormal Romance</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Word Count: 65,000 </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Two
stubborn people—a witch and a mage—come together with a fierceness borne of
desperation. Can passion trump their intense need for independence? Will they
live long enough to find out?</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Book Description:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Roz, Jenna, and Colleen are the
last of the demon-stalking witches. So far, they’ve escaped disaster, but their
luck is running low. When demons strike in the midst of Colleen’s wedding, Roz
launches desperate measures because she and her sister witches are Earth’s only
hedge against being overrun by Hell’s minions. As she shape-shifts to keep one
step ahead of the demons, at least it takes her mind off her other problems.
Personal ones. She burned through a couple of marriages with a string of loser
men before, after, and in between. Though she wants to be happy for Colleen,
the jealousy bug bit deep and hasn’t let go.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In Roz’s secret heart she’s attracted
to Ronin, one of the Daoine Sidhe. He’s so profanely beautiful she can barely
breathe around him, but he’s also headstrong and arrogant. Not good partner
material, she tells herself, unless she wants to end up dusting her heart off
one more time.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ronin set his sights on Roz when
she was at his home in the U.K. for a strategy meeting and he can’t get her out
of his mind. Unfortunately, she’s so prickly getting close to her requires
scheming. He casts an enchantment to lure her at Colleen’s wedding, but she
senses the spell and rebuffs him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Roz is used to calling the shots.
So is Ronin. Sparks fly. Tempers run hot, right along with an attraction too
strong to be denied. Roz and Ronin come together with a fierceness borne of
desperation, but demons are determined to rid themselves of the witches for
good, no matter what it takes.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Excerpt:
</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ronin Redstone
unwound his arm from Roz and gripped his hands together in his lap to lessen
the temptation to touch her again. Where he figured most of the guests were
anxious to see the bride, he’d been interested in Roz. Probably too interested
since he’d bounced to his feet the moment she entered the room and had even
spun the mildest of spells to coerce her to sit near him. He pressed his lips
into a flat line as he wrestled with his thoughts. Ever since he’d met the
tall, imposing witch at his home in northern England a couple of weeks before,
he’d been able to think of little else. She even entered his dreams with her
silky black hair, pronounced cheekbones, and hawk-like nose. In those dreams,
she was naked, her bronze skin glimmering in moonlight.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Her heady scent,
pine forests and jasmine, tickled his nostrils and made him wonder what she’d
feel like in his arms. Once he kicked the door open to that slippery slope, his
cock sprang to life, clearly eager to find out. He tried to clip his libido
before things whirled out of control and she noticed his arousal, but his cock
wasn’t in the mood for negotiation—or retreat. He wove the tiniest don’t look
here spell and draped his lower body with it.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In years past,
he’d simply have created a love charm, imbued it with compulsion, and bedded
the woman. That probably wasn’t a good idea, though. Roz would sense his magic,
be outraged he tried to coerce her, and that would be the last he ever saw of
the striking witch. Never mind she had good reason to not want much to do with
him since he’d been one of the key players two hundred years ago who’d
suggested foisting demon stalking onto the witches. He tightened his jaw muscles.
Who could have guessed his little machination to get his kin out from under a
highly unpleasant task would nearly be the death of the few witches who’d
inherited the power through a magical version of gene splicing? Of course, he’d
also been the one to send Duncan to fetch one of the witches to quell a demon
uprising in the U.K. last month. That was how they’d discovered only three of
the special witches remained…</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">No wonder she’s
not overly fond of me. Ronin grimaced, not liking the truth in his thoughts. An
inner voice huffed, reminding him it wasn’t his fault the witches in question
hadn’t produced more offspring, but he shushed it.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Surely I can at
least charm Roz out of that sour expression on her face.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He forced his
breathing into a regular pattern and glanced toward Duncan and Colleen at the
front of the room. The resident witch had completed her part of the ceremony
and Titania was speaking in Gaelic so old he had trouble following it. The
Sidhe binding ceremony lasted at least half an hour, so he let his thoughts
drift. Anywhere but to his cock, which still throbbed uncomfortably.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As de facto
leader for the Sidhe, a post he held more because no one else wanted it than
because of any special skills on his part, he sensed they stood at the edge of
a cataclysmic event. Abbadon and his henchmen, the Irichna demons, had grown
appallingly strong. Capturing them one at a time and shepherding them to the
Ninth Circle of Hell where they were trapped for all eternity wasn’t a workable
solution anymore. There were too many of them, and maybe not enough space in
the bottom of Hell.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Because he was
afraid of a firm answer regarding Hell’s demon storage capacity, he hadn’t
asked Titania, though surely she’d know. If they couldn’t dump Irichna behind
the Ninth Circle’s gate, he had no idea what they’d do with them. And if
Abbadon consolidated his full power, Earth would be laid waste. Ronin clamped
his jaws together. Apocalypse didn’t come close to describing what would happen
if Abbadon were freed from protecting his demons and could concentrate on
taking over Earth.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In addition to
not inquiring too closely about the Irichna, I also haven’t asked about Oberon.
Ronin grimaced again. If the King of Faerie were truly so tired of immortality
he’d let himself fade into the Dreaming, Ronin didn’t want to know about that,
either.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When did I turn
into such a craven I avoid unpleasant answers?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Even though he
wasn’t expecting one, a response popped up anyway. He’d loved a human woman
once, but she’d died bearing their son, who’d perished right along with her.
The major vessel serving her heart had ruptured, and no amount of Sidhe magic
could heal her or breathe life into their dead child. Ronin withdrew from the
other Sidhe after that, mostly because he didn’t want to hear their lectures
about the whole debacle being his own fault. After all, they weren’t supposed
to mate outside their blood. When he finally picked up the reins of command a
couple of centuries later—or maybe it had been three—he held himself aloof and
avoided confrontations with anyone, about anything.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He ground his
jaws harder together. His internal inventory was damned depressing; it forced
him to take a harsh look at himself, and he didn’t like what he saw. He glanced
at Titania. She clasped Duncan’s and Colleen’s hands between her own, and his
eyes widened. Had he truly spent the entire ceremony sunk in memories and
self-pity?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It would appear
so, he thought dryly. In moments, Titania would utter the final words, Duncan
would kiss Colleen, and the ritual would be done. He barely had time to wonder
why Titania hadn’t kicked up more of a fuss about Duncan marrying a mortal,
when the bridal pair kissed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The tiniest sigh
escaped Roz, and he looked sidelong at her. Her full lips were parted in half a
smile, and she looked captivated by the ancient binding that had unfolded,
mostly without him paying one whit of attention to it. She leaned toward him,
her earlier ire apparently forgotten. “They make such a lovely couple,” she
whispered.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ronin narrowed
his eyes and looked hard at Duncan and Colleen, wrapped in one another’s arms
and kissing enthusiastically. He didn’t know about the lovely couple part,
because he didn’t view the world that way. “They do look happy,” he whispered
back because he thought he ought to say something.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bubba, who’d
been standing off to one side, made a grab for a bag Ronin hadn’t noticed
before. The changeling reached inside and Ronin’s internal alarm went off. The
changeling was about to throw something at the couple. Had the creature been
co-opted by demons? It wasn’t unheard of since their race contained a
smattering of demon blood. Afraid if he hesitated he’d be too late, Ronin
pulled strong magic and rose to his feet.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Before he could
loose it, Roz fastened a hand around his lower arm. “It’s just rice,” she said,
her voice still low. “He’s going to throw rice at them. Stand down.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ronin met her
dark, luminous gaze. “What sort of custom is that?” he demanded. Magic thrummed
around him, making the air shimmer in iridescent hues. The changeling indeed
tossed rice high in the air, showering everyone within a ten-foot radius of
him, laughed uproariously, and then did it again.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“An old one.”
Roz tugged on his arm and he sat reluctantly. “Bubba adores Colleen. He’s laid
his life on the line for her a bazillion times. He’d never hurt her.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Better safe
than sorry,” he muttered, feeling like an ass. “How was I to know?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“It’s okay.” She
let go of his arm and patted one of his hands.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As long as he
was in an apologizing mood—they were rare for him—Ronin exhaled sharply and
said, “I’m sorry I, um, suggested you sit next to me.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">She cocked her
head to one side and quirked a brow. “If you’d only suggested, it would have
been fine, but you did a tad more than that.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Flutes and
guitars began to play Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March.” Colleen and Duncan turned
and floated up the center aisle with Bubba right behind, still throwing rice.
Even Ronin had to admit they looked radiant. He’d known Duncan his entire life,
and he’d never seen his fellow Sidhe look so carefree and besotted with joy. In
one wild, unrestrained moment, before he glossed his emotions over with
rationality, he wanted the same for himself.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ronin felt Roz’s
gaze still on him and knew he couldn’t ignore her comment. “You’re right,” he
said stiffly. “I did do more than that.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">She repositioned
herself so he had to look at her. “Why?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Because I’ve
wanted to strip you naked and worship your body from the day I met you. He
cloaked his mind, hoping he’d been fast enough and she hadn’t read his
thoughts. “I’m not quite sure,” he stumbled over the words, because they
weren’t the truth.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Her dark gaze
never left him as she weighed his statement. Finally she nodded, almost to
herself. “When you figure it out,” she said and winked broadly, “be sure to let
me know.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Heat rose from
his neck and swooshed over the top of his head. Damn! He was a Sidhe and a
warrior. It was unseemly to blush like a love-struck maid. He opened his mouth
to stammer some sort of reply, but she got up, along with the rest of the
guests. “Come on,” she said. “I’m starving.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He’d been afraid
the second the ceremony was over, she’d race away from him as far and as fast
as she could, but she’d just invited him to eat with her, at least he thought
she had. He bit back a smile until just the edges of his mouth twitched. Maybe
she didn’t abhor him as much as it seemed when she’d shot him that poisonous
look once she sensed his magic.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I learned
something. I have to ask her, not simply push her to do what I want. He hurried
after her swishing skirt, not wanting to lose her in the crowd. He could always
locate her, but the less magic he used until she got to know him, the better.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">*</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Roz caught up to
Jenna just inside the dining area and hugged her. “Wasn’t it just perfect?” she
gushed, still caught up in the mystical pull of dual wedding ceremonies.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jenna hugged her
back and nodded. She disentangled herself and eyed her friend. “What the hell,
Roz? It isn’t like you to fall all over yourself.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Roz settled her
face into its usual, stern planes. “There. Is that better?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jenna grinned.
“Yup. There’s the grumpy witch I know and love. What happened to you anyway? I
looked back and you were trailing after that hunky Sidhe.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“He snared me in
a spell.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Ooooh.” Jenna
clapped her hands together. “He must be interested.” She leaned close. “What
did he do during the ceremony?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Roz felt her
face redden. “Nothing. I got mad at him once I realized he’d bamboozled me.
Hush. Here he comes.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Awesome.” Jenna
practically vibrated with enthusiasm. “He can eat with us.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I already invited
him.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A knowing look
crossed Jenna’s face and she opened her mouth, but Roz hissed, “Can it,
sister,” just before turning to Ronin and asking, “Where would you like to
sit?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He half-bowed—a
courtly, old world gesture that drove home just how old he was—lifted Jenna’s
hand to his lips, and said, “Nice to see you again, Miss Jenna. Anywhere the
two of you wish to settle is fine with me.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Maybe we should
get our food first,” Jenna suggested brightly, “since the tables will fill
fast.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Good idea,” Roz
snapped, feeling unaccountably jealous. Ronin hadn’t kissed her hand, but he’d
been quick enough to snatch Jenna’s.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“If you don’t
want him…” Jenna spoke in their telepathic speech.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I thought you
were interested in Tristan.” Roz led the way to a buffet table and picked up a
plate.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jenna smirked.
“I am, but he’s not here.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Roz dished up an
interesting looking salad, brimming with shrimp and crab, and followed it with
a few slices of rare beef and a roll. They found a table beneath a leaded glass
window and laid their plates down.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I’ll get us
something to drink.” Ronin smiled. “Preferences?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“What are you
getting?” Roz asked, avoiding Jenna’s gaze.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Mead,” he
answered. “It’s what I prefer.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I’ll take Irish
whiskey,” Jenna trilled and settled into her seat.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Just bring me a
glass of one or the other,” Roz muttered. “I’m not picky.” As soon as Ronin was
out of earshot, or close enough, she glared at Jenna. “Leave him alone.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“But you’re not
even sure you’re interested in him,” Jenna protested.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“And how would you
know that?” Roz stuffed a forkful of salad into her mouth, chewed with a
vengeance, and swallowed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The other witch
dropped her gaze, looking sheepish. “I, um, peeked.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Roz slammed a
fist on the table hard enough the dishes rattled. “You looked inside my head
without asking?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“’Fraid so.
Sorry.” Jenna started eating with a studied nonchalance.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Roz exhaled and
then did it again. Both of them were lonely; getting angry with her longtime
friend wouldn’t serve any purpose other than creating bad water under the
bridge they’d have to clear at some point. “Jenna. It’s the wedding ceremonies.
All the old magic in them makes us want what Colleen and Duncan have.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I suppose
you’re right.” Jenna’s hazel gaze met hers and she looked repentant, her brows
drawn together. “I’m sorry.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Me too.” Roz
smiled crookedly. “Let’s not fight. Not today.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkwvfe-iTN_4QQM0ol034Y9QVez99oWEmaylnLw7tnfQUOJiHN5-OAndkJtQJ-l5xycVsJfnYza5mBulkwPjCOLI6zrRclcVXijQpMYxtxzn_lHG56WtOrkIoUKv8WGgGyWHN/s1600/Ann.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkwvfe-iTN_4QQM0ol034Y9QVez99oWEmaylnLw7tnfQUOJiHN5-OAndkJtQJ-l5xycVsJfnYza5mBulkwPjCOLI6zrRclcVXijQpMYxtxzn_lHG56WtOrkIoUKv8WGgGyWHN/s1600/Ann.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>About
the Author: </b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ann Gimpel is a mountaineer at
heart. Recently retired from a long career as a psychologist, she remembers
many hours at her desk where her body may have been stuck inside four walls,
but her soul was planning yet one more trip to the backcountry. Around the turn
of the last century (that would be 2000, not 1900!), she managed to finagle
moving to the Eastern Sierra, a mecca for those in love with the mountains. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was during long backcountry
treks that Ann’s writing evolved. Unlike some who see the backcountry as an
excuse to drag friends and relatives along, Ann prefers solitude. Stories
always ran around in her head on those journeys, sometimes as a hedge against
abject terror when challenging conditions made her fear for her life, sometimes
for company. Eventually, she returned from a trip and sat down at the computer.
Three months later, a five hundred page novel emerged. Oh, it wasn’t very good,
but it was a beginning. And, she learned a lot between writing that novel and
its sequel.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Around that time, a friend of
hers suggested she try her hand at short stories. It didn’t take long before
that first story found its way into print and they’ve been accepted pretty
regularly since then. One of Ann’s passions has always been ecology, so her
tales often have a green twist.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In addition to writing, Ann
enjoys wilderness photography. She lugs pounds of camera equipment in her
backpack to distant locales every year. A standing joke is that over ten
percent of her pack weight is camera gear which means someone else has to carry
the food! That someone is her husband. They’ve shared a life together for a
very long time. Children, grandchildren and three wolf hybrids round out their
family.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.anngimpel.com/">www.anngimpel.com</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://anngimpel.blogspot.com/">http://anngimpel.blogspot.com</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/author/anngimpel">http://www.amazon.com/author/anngimpel</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/anngimpel.author">http://www.facebook.com/anngimpel.author</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">@AnnGimpel </span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
Mila Ramoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749425163028904436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13477061.post-18712209818475014522014-08-19T03:30:00.000-05:002014-08-19T03:30:00.444-05:00Wrath of the Highlander by Sky Purington <script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wc7UCga0SmdW95Cqzk_3ese8RTZCisu9jee9m_jExOV-87_Ln2IAjYW-oiP88XKzGuDJEg3FFml6kSVjwtUOlXXFTyNsW5XVG8mOiLyeY92HdtbOo4Tyu6qlhEVqhyNJ4_1VJQ/s1600/Wrath+of+the+Highlander+Banner+851+x+315.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wc7UCga0SmdW95Cqzk_3ese8RTZCisu9jee9m_jExOV-87_Ln2IAjYW-oiP88XKzGuDJEg3FFml6kSVjwtUOlXXFTyNsW5XVG8mOiLyeY92HdtbOo4Tyu6qlhEVqhyNJ4_1VJQ/s1600/Wrath+of+the+Highlander+Banner+851+x+315.png" height="118" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Dear All: I am currently having HUGE problems with my Blogger interface</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>hence the late tour. If there is someone proficient enough with Blogger</i></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>that would mind contacting me, I would appreciate it.</i></span></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba112ffc757/" id="rc-ba112ffc757" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1406260963l/22814532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1406260963l/22814532.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Wrath
of the Highlander </b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The
MacLomain Series </b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Next
Generation </b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Book
3</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Sky
Purington</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Genre: Time Travel Fantasy Romance</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Date of Publication: July 9, 2014</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ASIN: B00LNU0PLK</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Number of pages: 254</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Word Count: 76,500</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cover Artist: Tamra Westberry</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Book Description:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bookstore owner and ghostwriter,
Cadence wants nothing more than to be part of the unending draw between her
Broun heritage and the medieval MacLomain clan. When an unexpected Claddagh
ring appears on her finger, the distant past soon becomes her future. Though
sure she was brought back in time for another man, the laird’s cousin soon
draws her eye, then her every thought. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Recently widowed by a traitorous
wife, Malcolm MacLomain has no use for love. Merciless, he swears revenge on
his enemies and embarks for war. When courageous and persevering, Cadence
becomes part of his endeavor his broken heart starts to mend. Caught in an
unexpected journey of forgiveness and discovery, two worlds collide and heal
despite the, Wrath of the Highlander. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Available
Now- Mark of the Highlander (Book 1), Vow of the Highlander (Book 2) and Wrath
of the Highlander (Book 3). Coming Soon- Faith of the Highlander (Book 4) and
the final in the series, Plight of the Highlander (Book 5). </i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Available at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wrath-Highlander-MacLomain-Next-Generation-ebook/dp/B00LNU0PLK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1405024559&sr=1-1&keywords=wrath+of+the+highlander">Amazon</a> <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wrath-of-the-highlander-sky-purington/1119940293?ean=9781501460517">BN</a> <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/wrath-of-the-highlander">Kobo</a></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Excerpt</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Have you found
your mystery man yet, lass?” he said, so low she would feel the rumble of his
inquisition through the thin material of her silky, smooth dress.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Her lips
trembled, eyes wide, but she gave no answer.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oh, but to close
his lips over hers.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“No,” Cadence
finally murmured, her eyes still locked on his. “But I will find him.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When she licked
her lips, his eyes drifted down. Wide and full, they were created for pure sin.
He could only imagine them running down his body. Damnation, he needed her
closer.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Though he
wouldn’t kiss her, he’d sure as hell dance with her.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ignoring her
assurance that she was meant for another man, Malcolm pulled her into the
dancing crowd. It didn’t matter if the music was merry. He wasn’t in the mood
for speed. Besides, he was viciously aroused. She’d feel his need while she
tried to keep focus on the man she so eagerly sought. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Goddess above,
what are you doing to me,” she whispered, voice strangled.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Arms wrapped
around her lower back, he brought his mouth against her ear. “‘Twill be no
goddess giving you answers, only me.” He tightened his hold. “Do you feel me
then, lass?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“How could I
not?” she gasped. Hands clamped on his upper arms, she turned her face into his
chest and mumbled, “You show ill respect to a man you have not met.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I dinnae
respect a man until he earns it.” Malcolm closed his eyes and breathed in the sweet
scent of her hair.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As each
individual note trilled from the bagpipe, she melted against him more
thoroughly than the icy snowflakes speckling his heated skin. Fire and drink
might warm the crowd but where they stood his breath hit the air in foggy puffs.
Always a fan of the cold, but an even bigger fan of a bonnie wee lass against
him, he cupped one hand around the back of her neck.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Her heart
thundered against his.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Her body
shuddered.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Easy, lass,” he
whispered. “I willnae take what you’re unwilling to give.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Yet you hold me
prisoner,” she murmured.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Nay, we but
dance.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“If only.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Her words were
so soft he barely heard them.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jaw grinding, he
held her securely while pressing tighter against her. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“No,” she
whispered. Then she pulled back, her voice stronger as her eyes met his. “No.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Aye, lass.” But
he loosened his hold and gave her one more word before he let her go. “Soon.” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>About
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sky Purington is the best-selling
author of eleven novels and several novellas. A New Englander born and bred,
Sky was raised hearing stories of folklore, myth and legend. When combined with
a love for nature, romance and time-travel, elements from the stories of her
youth found release in her books. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Purington loves to hear from
readers and can be contacted at Sky@SkyPurington.com</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Interested in keeping up with
Sky's latest news and releases? Visit Sky's website, <a href="http://www.skypurington.com/">http://www.skypurington.com</a> to download
her free App on iTunes and Android or sign up for her quarterly newsletter.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Love social networking? Find Sky
on Facebook and Twitter.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Website: <a href="http://www.skypurington.com/">www.skypurington.com</a>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Blog: <a href="http://www.skypurington.blogspot.com/">www.skypurington.blogspot.com</a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/skypurington">www.twitter.com/skypurington</a>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sky-Purington/260484263999780">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sky-Purington/260484263999780</a>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pinterest: <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/skypurington">www.pinterest.com/skypurington</a>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>Mila Ramoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749425163028904436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13477061.post-7369194869398032492014-08-15T03:00:00.001-05:002014-08-15T20:09:30.442-05:00The Blue Effect - Rose Shababy<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPs-6bfT1sW0rcpaf6oKJDHLTLOCd8hH1Yr8kmpeb9oZzKyKhPo4_Ub5apzG7EPC9VlMzy1Z8XM14Vt05nTO6O3ArnEG902vARU8BCs9cvXvYGhids-jZZ4y3MKBVbFg6ojO2pA/s1600/The+Blue+Effect+Banner+851+x+315.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPs-6bfT1sW0rcpaf6oKJDHLTLOCd8hH1Yr8kmpeb9oZzKyKhPo4_Ub5apzG7EPC9VlMzy1Z8XM14Vt05nTO6O3ArnEG902vARU8BCs9cvXvYGhids-jZZ4y3MKBVbFg6ojO2pA/s1600/The+Blue+Effect+Banner+851+x+315.png" height="118" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Dear All: I am currently having HUGE problems with my Blogger interface</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>hence the late tour. If there is someone proficient enough with Blogger</i></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>that would mind contacting me, I would appreciate it.</i></span></span><br />
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba112ffc747/" id="rc-ba112ffc747" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://jenniferwrightauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/The-Blue-Effect_ebooksm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://jenniferwrightauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/The-Blue-Effect_ebooksm.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>The
Blue Effect</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Renegade
Heroes </b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Book
One</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Rose
Shababy</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
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</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Genre: Adult Urban Sci-fi/Fantasy</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
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</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Date of Publication: September
8th, 2014</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
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</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Cover Artist: Regina Wamba</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Book Description: </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
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</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="uficommentbody">Blue
Brennan is jaded and bitter despite her pinup girl looks and quick wit. Night
after night, she scours the Seattle club scene looking for someone or something
to fill the emptiness inside.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3VHOW1Y5ZrbqMJADvzvp19CaBypbCaarloHOJEpVGCOkmD0aKghXQP5YL1boB1JW9N6NmLaHso0ZXtJXYYEKx29IPYeb3xt52-PFL3weeOa4oHIzX65HifoqnrdLeHzDz9u-jw/s1600/artistic+girl+teaser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3VHOW1Y5ZrbqMJADvzvp19CaBypbCaarloHOJEpVGCOkmD0aKghXQP5YL1boB1JW9N6NmLaHso0ZXtJXYYEKx29IPYeb3xt52-PFL3weeOa4oHIzX65HifoqnrdLeHzDz9u-jw/s1600/artistic+girl+teaser.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="uficommentbody">When
she meets the mysterious Kasey, her world stops… <i>literally</i>. He claims she has the ability to control time and stuns
her even further when he reveals his own gifts. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="uficommentbody">Blue
is inexplicably drawn to Kasey and reluctantly enters his world filled with a
new breed of humanity. They’re misfits like her, blessed or cursed with
powerful abilities, struggling to hide their differences from the rest of
society.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="uficommentbody">Then
the group </span>discovers
a nameless, faceless sociopath with nightmarish powers; and he’s coming for
Blue. She’s left reeling when they discover her gifts are the key to defeating
his terrible evil and saving them all. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now she must <span class="uficommentbody">race against the clock to harness her own powers and save
her new friends. Can she be more than a renegade? Can she be a hero too?</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span class="uficommentbody"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br clear="all" style="page-break-before: always;" />
</span></span>
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</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="uficommentbody"><b>Excerpt One</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="uficommentbody">As
I scanned the crowd my eyes fell on one person out of sync with the rest. Close
to my age, maybe a little older, he obviously didn’t belong in the club. His
clothes, messy looking slacks and a gray t-shirt, hung on his lean frame. He
finished his look with a tartan scarf and brown fedora that seemed more at home
on an old man than one in his twenties.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="uficommentbody">He
pulled his hat off and shaggy brown hair fell across his eyes as he danced.
Well, he didn’t dance so much as sway to the music, his eyes closed while a
hint of a smile graced his lips. As he danced, he bobbed his head back and
forth and his hands moved like graceful waves. His shadow grin seemed to infuse
his entire body. He danced by himself as if he didn’t care what anyone around
him thought, as if he danced for himself and no one else. He looked completely
out of place, yet he appealed to me and I felt myself wanting to go to him.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="uficommentbody">I
was shocked by the surge of jealousy that rushed through me as I stared at him.
His face broke through my drunken haze and I realized this man was no paper
doll. His face belonged to a truly happy man. Hell, he looked fucking ecstatic.
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="uficommentbody">He
had the face of an angel.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="uficommentbody"><b>Excerpt Two</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="uficommentbody">“Kasey,”
I yelled stupidly, knowing it wouldn’t do any good but unable to stop myself.
“Kasey, where are you?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="uficommentbody">I
burst through another door to find the bathroom, a layer of steam frozen in the
air. I pulled the curtain back without even thinking about who might be in the
shower, and slumped with relief when I found Kasey. He held a washcloth to his
face as a stream of water rained down on him, frozen in place.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="uficommentbody">“Kasey,”
I breathed happily, and reached out to grab his hand.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="uficommentbody">As
I touched him, the same spark I always felt when we made contact erupted and
the world came to life again. Water spewed all over me, soaking my clothes,
spilling over onto the floor, but I didn’t care. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="uficommentbody">Kasey
startled and yelped a little when he saw me. He recovered quickly. “Blue? What
happened?” </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="uficommentbody">I
smiled, my tears mixing with the hot water from the shower as I launched myself
at him, hugging him tightly. He smiled back and wrapped his arms around me.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="uficommentbody">Thank
god I found you! I thought. “I’m so glad you’re here,” I whispered in his ear.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="uficommentbody">“I
knew you would come back,” he whispered back, just before his lips found mine.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="uficommentbody"><b>Excerpt Three</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="uficommentbody">Clearly
the time had come for the two of us to have it out. “I may have thought you
were hot when we first met, and you got to listen to the nasty thoughts in my
head, but every time we meet I find it harder to like you. In fact, every time
you open your mouth, you get uglier and uglier. I don’t know if Val was right,
and you really are jealous, but let me make this crystal clear for you. There
is no part of me that wants you.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="uficommentbody">His
eyes narrowed for a moment, and then, before I could do anything, his hands
shot out and grabbed my shoulders again. He yanked me close to him and I the
heat from his chest burned through my t-shirt. His face was so close to mine I
could feel his hot breath blazing against my cheek when he spoke. “You’re a
little liar,” he hissed. “There is a part of you that likes this,” he shook me
a little and I flushed with rage… and something else. “And goddamn me, there’s
a part of me that likes it too.” He hovered with his face still close to mine
and for a moment I thought he was going to kiss me. My head fell back slightly
and my lips parted involuntarily as I anticipated his invasion. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="uficommentbody">Then
he released me, almost flinging me away from him. I pressed my back against the
wall as I watched him and tried to catch my breath as my traitorous heart beat
so hard I thought it might burst out of my chest.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="uficommentbody">“Let
me make this crystal clear for you,” he mimicked. “Kasey is like a brother to
me and if you hurt him, you’ll wish you never met me.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="uficommentbody"> “I already do,” I whispered with sincerity.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
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</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://pennydreadfulbooks.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/rs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://pennydreadfulbooks.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/rs.jpg" height="200" width="192" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>About
the Author: </b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Rose Shababy and her family
reside in eastern Washington State. Rose grew up in the Northwest but swears
she’s going to move to warmer climates someday. She’s claimed this for over 20
years, however, and has yet to move more than 75 miles away from her mother. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Rose has a deep love of all
things Star Trek and yearns to travel the heavens, as well as an intense desire
to be bitten by a radioactive spider. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Unfortunately she sucks at
science and math so she hasn’t been able bring her dreams to life, instead
living vicariously through books, comics, television and film. She hopes to
someday make a million dollars so she can afford to buy her way to the
international space station, but she’d settle for being able to fly around the
world and leap tall buildings in a single bound.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Rose also loves to cook and
worked for years in a gourmet Italian grocery and deli where she learned to
hone her skills. She prepares culinary masterpieces for her family, but
fervently wishes the dishes would wash themselves. Especially now that her
dishwashers/children are nearly grown and only one still lives at home.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Rose likes to use her free time
wisely. For instance, she likes to daydream, will often read for hours until
she falls asleep on the couch with an electric blanket and a warm tabby cat
curled up on her hip, as well as spending cozy weekend days watching Syfy
movies like Sharknado and Mega Piranha with her husband. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If Rose were a cartoon animal,
she’d prefer to be a wise old owl or a sleek and sexy jaguar, but in reality
she’d probably be a myopic mole with coke-bottle glasses.</span></span></div>
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</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>Mila Ramoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749425163028904436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13477061.post-77902846132334853852014-08-15T03:00:00.000-05:002014-08-15T19:54:03.600-05:00Love And...Series by Mary Kate Kopec<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vLnIY_nUUzxRSnCPxy6LMOLFEH90fGFBVFfYiLhodIIk13dzBfRPQRUgKD1R3R5gePTlID1GKos0zPX4IcBc1rJX49RSL5lFbcptCGQSY1cG3rA-bPkPLzvdXpqydlmiSN6Zdw/s1600/Love+and+Series+Banner+851+x+315.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vLnIY_nUUzxRSnCPxy6LMOLFEH90fGFBVFfYiLhodIIk13dzBfRPQRUgKD1R3R5gePTlID1GKos0zPX4IcBc1rJX49RSL5lFbcptCGQSY1cG3rA-bPkPLzvdXpqydlmiSN6Zdw/s1600/Love+and+Series+Banner+851+x+315.png" height="118" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Dear All: I am currently having HUGE problems with my Blogger interface</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>hence the late tour. If there is someone proficient enough with Blogger</i></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>that would mind contacting me, I would appreciate it.</i></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba112ffc750/" id="rc-ba112ffc750" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1355984021l/17157768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1355984021l/17157768.jpg" width="208" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Love
and Bullets</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Love
And Series</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Book
One</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Mary
Kate Kopec</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Genre: Romantic Action Suspense</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ISBN: 978-0615968957</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ASIN: B00AP54YTS</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Book Description: </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Three years ago Giffin Reese fell
for the man of her dreams. But it wasn't meant to be. She was already married
to a good man. A man who believed in her. Needed her. Loved her. Sometimes in
life we do what it calls upon us to do.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It wasn't your everyday
protection detail of a Senator plus trophy wife. First, she was no trophy. She
came with brains and an attitude. Just what he liked. And two, the case was all
kinds of screwed up. A threat with no name on it. Maybe even a leak. And it all
turned to hell when the Senator got taken down by a sniper shot.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Devon Monroe still doesn't know
what the hell went wrong that day. But he's not going to let it happen again.
Someone's serious with an itchy trigger finger, and this time the target is
squarely pointed at a certain Senator's beautiful widow. But not if he can help
it. It'll take everything he has to set things right, clear his conscience, and
prove himself to her. Even if it means dying, trying.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Love and Bullets is an action
packed steamroller of mystery, suspense, and rekindled desire. Come join Devon
and Giffin as they race against the clock, explore their hearts, and dodge
bullets in this story of secrets, deception, betrayal, and love.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Sparks
fly and so do the bullets!</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Book Trailer: <a href="http://youtu.be/MTrON4X1yl0">http://youtu.be/MTrON4X1yl0</a> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Available at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AP54YTS">Amazon</a></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Love
and Leaving</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Love
And Series</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Book
Two</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Mary
Kate Kopec</b></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPZPlYWYSVNDyqSIgvMQvqiRieNz82CQ8HrILo9oZFz9XDGZOQfFIg2eNg62G3z84yrqLSNAJcd-JLb2Z62jxhPl_5TheN86luqQEiFYvZxNFaoS0c1FtOaCgvVNIcJKGqJrm/s1600/Love_Book_Covers_LEAVING.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPZPlYWYSVNDyqSIgvMQvqiRieNz82CQ8HrILo9oZFz9XDGZOQfFIg2eNg62G3z84yrqLSNAJcd-JLb2Z62jxhPl_5TheN86luqQEiFYvZxNFaoS0c1FtOaCgvVNIcJKGqJrm/s1600/Love_Book_Covers_LEAVING.2.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Genre: Romantic Action Suspense</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ISBN: 978-0615988610</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ASIN: B00BH51P4W</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Book Description:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Emma June Carter’s life is as
normal as can be. All except the part where once upon a time she was Miss
Michigan and a finalist for the Miss American Sunshine pageant. She's a baker
and a co-owner of Delectable Delights, a sweet treats bakery that she loves.
She has good friends. A best friend. And it was all going so well - until her
boyfriend dumped her. The boyfriend that had hinted at love and a life together
- and then disappeared.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Detective Jack Haley is good at
his job, likes life, and knows how to laugh. Poker and his luxury ride with
perfect performance and buttery soft leather seats take the edge off of the
grit and grime of his work in property crimes.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For them, it was any other day.
Until he got the call. And she went out for one last drink to shake off the
breakup. A chance meeting in a bar, and neither gets what they came for. They
get so much more. Neither know it, but danger is trailing Emma's footsteps, and
her life is about to go from normal to hell in six seconds, flat. It doesn't
take long before their paths cross again, and this time it won't be so easy
leaving.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Love and Leaving is a story about
nothing being safe, but in life, having everything to gain . . . at a cost.
Jack and Emma will have to decide what is worth it and what isn't.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>He's
coming, and she's leaving!</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Book Trailer: <a href="http://youtu.be/QpzL4FJwSWY">http://youtu.be/QpzL4FJwSWY</a> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Available at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BH51P4W">Amazon</a></b></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41PnY7zqduL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41PnY7zqduL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Love
and Revenge</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Love
And Series</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Book
Three</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Mary
Kate Kopec</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Genre: Romantic Action Suspense</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ISBN: 978-0692212103</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ASIN: B00K7J85EM</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Book Description:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maddie Monroe has had better
days. And made better choices. When she wakes up kidnapped--used for bait--and
in more danger than she could have ever imagined, it's all she can do to hope
that she'll live to regret telling Seamus no.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ex-Navy Seal Seamus Kincaid knows
that the only easy day was yesterday. And in his line of work, enemies happen.
He just never thought anyone would use Maddie to get to him. And now her life
is on the line.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maddie's dimples bring hard men
to their knees, and her smoothies make them beg for more. She's smart, funny,
and just one of the guys. She wields a computer like Seamus wields a knife. And
she's a spunky ray of sunshine in skinny jeans and a bop-tail who gives his
serious, get-it-done attitude the adjustment it needs. She's happiness in his
life, until he scares the hell out of her on a mission gone bad, and she can't
deal. Letting her go won't be easy, but losing her forever is unacceptable</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Love and Revenge is a story about
facing your fears, fighting for what's important, and learning that you can't
control life--you can only decide which life you want to live.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Fight
for love - die for revenge!</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Book Trailer: <a href="http://youtu.be/dZ-vxUx3qlU">http://youtu.be/dZ-vxUx3qlU</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Available at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K7J85EM">Amazon</a></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Love AND
… series book excerpts from Mary Kate Kopec</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Excerpt,
Love AND Bullets:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">“As you can see, Mrs.
Reese, we can quite easily get to you.<span>
</span>You cannot be protected, despite what Mr. Monroe seems to think.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: black;">Devon?</span></i><span style="color: black;"><span> </span>They knew him?<span> </span>How could that be?</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">“So unless you choose the
same fate as your husband, I suggest you reconsider your current ventures.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">She was baffled.<span> </span>What current ventures?<span> </span>She helped people.<span> </span>How could that be a problem?</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">“What do you mean?” she
asked.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">He continued, ignoring her
interruption.<span> </span>“Mrs. Reese, you will die
if you do not heed my warning.”<span> </span>As if to
emphasize his words, he raised a gun and pointed it in her face.<span> </span>“This is <i>not</i>
a negotiable request.<span> </span>Do you
understand?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">No way did she understand,
but she nodded anyway, afraid to ask and not wanting to get shot.<span> </span>What current ventures?<span> </span>What could she be doing that would get her
killed?<span> </span>What could she be doing, and had
it gotten her husband killed?<span> </span>She felt
sick with fear and confusion.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Without warning he leaned
over and opened her door.<span> </span>Keeping his
gun leveled on her, he added flatly, “Now get out.<span> </span>Your ride is coming.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Abruptly the car stopped.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">You didn’t have to tell her
twice.<span> </span>She didn’t hesitate.<span> </span>She jumped out.<span> </span>But before she could get all the way out, the
car began accelerating again.<span> </span>And in her
efforts to clear the speeding vehicle, she fell to the ground and rolled,
skinning her hands and knees.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Pain shot through her, and
tears stung in her eyes.<span> </span>Giffin
attempted to get up, but stumbled back down to one knee.<span> </span>Her arms and legs shook like leaves.<span> </span>She was in a full body tremble.<span> </span>Not for trying, but she couldn’t quite catch
her balance, and she realized that her heel had broken.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Giffin reached around, and
with a shaking hand, removed her shoes.<span>
</span>Holding them in her hand, she pushed herself up and tried to stand
steady on her two feet.<span> </span>She looked up
the road to where her abductors’ car was disappearing into the horizon and a
wave of overwhelming relief flowed through her.<span>
</span>They didn’t kill her.<span> </span>It was
over.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">But then the other side of
brain fought back and asked,<i> What the
hell is going on?</i></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">She was unsurprised now,
when Devon pulled around the bend in a shiny silver Lexus sedan and came to a
stop beside her.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">“Get in,” came the voice in
the car.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">She knew that voice, knew
it well.<span> </span>It did something to the pit of
her stomach.<span> </span>She got in, tossed her
shoes to the floor, and fastened her seat belt.<span>
</span>Throwing him a sidelong glance, without humor, she asked, “Just in the
neighborhood?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Excerpt,
Love AND Leaving:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>E</b>mma June Carter,
former Miss Michigan, now successful pastry chef and master of all things
sweet, sat twirling her pathetic excuse of a lemon twist stormily about in her
second, now half-empty, vodka tonic, swearing off men and their many useless
promises.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Twenty-nine—<i>for real</i>—and three days shy of being thirty, she thought she’d
found the one.<span> </span>But after six months of
crazy-for-you, non-stop fun and abandon—and a major hint at permanent things to
come—Max Stone, man of her dreams, had abruptly called it quits.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One phone call.<span> </span>No explanation.<span> </span>And he was gone.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now all she wanted to do—when she
wasn’t bawling miserably—was rip his lying heart out of his gorgeous, too-fit
chest and feed it to him for lunch.<span> </span>Or
at least sit here for the moment, <i>alone</i>,
to enjoy a short, self-indulgent and well earned—<i>if you don’t mind</i>—pity party.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And a drink or two. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Emma wasn’t one for anger or wallowing,
but this really hurt, and she just needed a moment to cope.<span> </span>And process.<span>
</span>And get a grip.<span> </span>And to stop
seeing herself stomping her pain out all over Max’s, <i>now annoyingly</i>, beautiful face.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">She smiled.<span> </span>Stomping on his face wasn’t the nicest of
thoughts.<span> </span>True.<span> </span>But “It’s over.<span> </span>Take care of yourself.<span> </span>Bye.” followed by a dial tone just wasn’t the
way it was done.<span> </span>The weasel hadn’t even
been respectful enough to do it in person.<span>
</span>And now, all she got was voicemail and a visit to his empty
apartment.<span> </span>So yes, not a nice thought,
kicking the crap out of Max, but Max didn’t deserve a nice thought.<span> </span>And as wishful thinking went, it was a pretty
good image, and so even though it really wasn’t like her, it made her smile.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Your drink’s getting low.<span> </span>Lemme buy you another.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Emma dropped her smile and slid her
eyes left to the gravelly and deeply masculine voice interrupting her lament to
find Mr. Ripped and Ruggedly Handsome in black leather and jeans eyeing her up
appreciatively.<span> </span><i>Good grief.<span> </span>Not another one.</i><span> </span>She barely suppressed a sigh.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ruggedly Handsome was just that and
then some.<span> </span>But he and his
molten-chocolaty brown eyes, heavy jaw, thick brows, and perfect lips—minus the
hairline scar—were all bad-boy to the bone.<span>
</span>And if you weren’t convinced, the spider web and dagger tattoos on his
hands and hard-ass biker boots should finish off the story.<span> </span>He was oozing sex appeal like the Hoover Dam
had just let loose.<span> </span>And barking up the
wrong tree.<span> </span>Emma had had enough of suave
and slick.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">She shook her head, “No thanks.<span> </span>I’m good.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Returning to her drink and her
thoughts, it occurred to her that perhaps having a pity party publicly—even if she
was situated at the end of the bar, with her face tilted down, hair falling
forward, staring morosely into her drink—wasn’t the best signal for personal
time.<span> </span>But still.<span> </span>Couldn’t Mr. Ripped and Ruggedly Handsome see
that she wasn’t up for company, especially <i>male</i>
company? </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Apparently not.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mr. Handsome followed with, “I can see
that, and it’s just a drink.<span> </span>Give me a
chance.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Oh
God.<span> </span>He was going with a lame line.<span> </span>Seriously?</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not really wanting to engage hotty
biker dude in a verbal duel over drinks, Emma thought to cut him short, so she
could get back to her alone time.<span> </span>But
she wasn’t the mean type, so she returned his appreciative once over and sighed
in mock disappointment, “Sorry, but you’re way too cool for me.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not-getting-it biker guy edged closer
with an undeterred glint in his eye and gave her comment the brush off.<span> </span>“Don’t say that—”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So much for being nice.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Emma realized her pity party was
over.<span> </span>Ruined by Mr. R. and R. Handsome
and his annoying persistence.<span> </span>And this
time, she dropped a very heavy sigh for real.<span>
</span>He made to continue with his pitch, but frustrated by his intrusion,
Emma pushed back from the bar, scraping the metal feet of her stool on the
stone tile floor beneath, and dropped a ten spot next to her drink as she made
to leave.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Hey,” he said, and inappropriately
reached for her arm. “You don’t have to go.”<span>
</span>But Emma firmly deflected his touch with her hand.<span> </span>“Let me stop you right there.<span> </span>No means no.<span>
</span>I’m done.<span> </span>Got it?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The molten look in his eyes wasn’t
chocolaty anymore, and he said, “Got it,” like he meant it.<span> </span>And then he called her a bitch as he turned
to the barkeep and signaled for another round.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Emma stood, shouldering her purse, back
to thinking feeding men their hearts for lunch was a good idea and came to the
conclusion, <i>Bars are bad.<span> </span>Next time just buy a bottle and take it home.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But there wasn’t going to be a next
time.<span> </span>She’d sworn off guys, and Mr.
Ruggedly Handsome Jerk had just sealed the deal.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shaking her head, fully irritated and
no longer feeling any form of self-pity, Emma angled for the door wanting
nothing more than to get the hell out of this bar.<span> </span>Two strides into her escape, the front door
pulled wide and bright-ass sunshine poured in, silhouetting her view of the incoming
human.<span> </span>She blinked to shake off the
flashbulb effect and kept marching toward the door.<span> </span>And subsequently plowed headlong into a
six-foot tall wall of solid muscle.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bouncing back, jolted, and losing her
footing, Emma once again noted that <i>Bars
are bad</i>, and this time added, <i>Men are
worse</i>.<span> </span>As evidenced by the shadowed
cretin blocking her getaway.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Whoa,
hey there,” came the solid hands that kept her from stumbling, and the calm,
even-timbred male voice that felt soothing on her angry nerves.<span> </span>“You okay?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Excerpt,
Love AND Revenge:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Maddie,”
he said, and reached out to pull her into his reassuring embrace before she
could retreat any further.<span> </span>“That was a
bad day.<span> </span>One of the worst.<span> </span>But I made it.<span> </span>The whole team did.<span> </span>Everything’s okay.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">No.<span> </span>It wasn’t.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He
held her tightly, but her arms stayed at her sides.<span> </span>His chest was solid, his arms strong, but
they no longer brought her the comfort they once did.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Every
time he had to deploy to suppress a hostile environment—even though it was
completely unlike her—all she could do was think the worst.<span> </span>And she didn’t want to do it anymore.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Seamus,
refusing to accept her withdrawal, kept her close and lovingly whispered into
her ear, “Maddie, you are my world, my joy, my laughter, the sunshine in my
days.<span> </span>I love you.<span> </span>You are the only woman for me.<span> </span><i>My
family</i>.<span> </span>Maddie,” he whispered low,
with his heart in his words, “marry me.<span>
</span>Be my wife.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maddie
stopped breathing.<span> </span>Her lungs froze.<span> </span>Her breath got lost somewhere in the silence
between the stalled beats of her heart.<span>
</span>Unwanted tears blurred her vision, so she closed her eyes and leaned
into his shoulder.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Seamus
cradled her as though she was the most precious person in the world to him, but
his words coaxed aching misery into the very core of her bones.<span> </span>Her body.<span>
</span>Her heart.<span> </span>They had so much in
common.<span> </span>Yet they were so very different.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">She
was the light to his darkness, the laughter to his calculating necessitated
tenacity, the warmth to the loneliness of his life, and she knew it.<span> </span>And they both valued family and could see
their hopes fulfilled in each other.<span> </span>But
she wouldn’t ask, and he wouldn’t offer—and his job was her breaking point.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">She’d
known it was going to tear her apart, facing him down again.<span> </span>But no way was she prepared for this.<span> </span>He was pulling out all the stops, save one.<span> </span>And she knew that if he gave up his field
work for her it would be poison to them both, so she never asked and wouldn’t.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">She
just needed to let him go, so he could do what he was driven to do, and he
needed to let her.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
took everything she had to step back from him, out of his embrace, away from
his love.<span> </span>Tears rolled heavily down her
face.<span> </span>She couldn’t seem to stop them,
and rather than brush them away, she ignored them and stood up straighter,
gathering her strength and will.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Seamus
looked confused, but no less determined.<span>
</span>“Maddie,” he said reaching for her again, but she took another step back
and out of his reach.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“No
Seamus.<span> </span>If you really love me, you’ll
let me go.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">His
eyes briefly clouded, then cleared.<span> </span>His
ironclad willpower maintained his control.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Maddie,
this doesn’t make any sense.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Matters of the heart
rarely did.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“We
can do this.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">She
shook her head, and his frustration began to break through.<span> </span>“You’re not thinking this through.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
was the perfect thing to say to move her from disconsolate agony to biting
anger.<span> </span>He was telling her she wasn’t
being rational, and there was a part of her that agreed, but he didn’t get to
make that call.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“You’re
wrong Seamus,” she said with heat in her voice.<span>
</span>“I have thought it through, and I’ve met somebody.<span> </span>I’m moving on.<span> </span>I suggest you do the same.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maddie’s
stomach clenched, and she’d gone cold with the pain of her own words.<span> </span>Her heart was breaking, and from the look on
his face, so was his.<span> </span>But he said
nothing.<span> </span>He just stood there searching
for a new tactic, a solution, a way to win the fight, and if she didn’t get him
out of there, he’d find one.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">She
couldn’t take much more of this, so she didn’t give him the chance.<span> </span>She couldn’t cave.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A
desperate force of will incited her tone with something so harsh it made her
nearly sick.<span> </span>She didn’t want to hurt
him, but before he could find his bearings, Maddie dismissed him with a
firmness that shattered like ice across her skin and made it hard for her to
breathe.<span> </span>“Please.<span> </span>Leave.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">To
her relief and misery it worked.<span> </span>And her
stomach sank as she watched the light in his eyes fade, shutting her out.<span> </span>Where once she was his joy, now she was not,
and the determination in the strong lines of his face turned flat.<span> </span>She could have never imagined how bad this
was going to feel.<span> </span>It stabbed at her
heart and ground her stomach into bits.<span>
</span>She wanted to crumple into a ball and cry the horrible river she knew
was coming, but she’d made him let her go.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Seamus
stood there a moment longer, staring at her with strengthening detachment, and
if she wasn’t mistaken, disgust.<span> </span>He
shook his head, then stiffly turned and walked out of her room and away from
her.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>About
the Author:</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mary Kate Kopec creates steamy
character driven stories of hopeful love. She thinks love and life are worth
fighting for and that at times both are filled with hard bits and messy emotions.
She likes a good mystery, lots of action, and a heavy dollop of humor to
lighten the mood. She writes what she loves and wishes you great enjoyment in
everything you read.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Website: <a href="http://www.marykatekopec.com/">http://www.marykatekopec.com</a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/marykate.kopec">https://www.facebook.com/marykate.kopec</a>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Goodreads: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4353265.Mary_Kate_Kopec">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4353265.Mary_Kate_Kopec</a>
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<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>Mila Ramoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749425163028904436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13477061.post-23405930679999415742014-08-12T03:30:00.000-05:002014-08-12T15:55:25.779-05:00Bayou Blues by M.M. Shelley<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dear Readers: I am currently having problems with my Blogger interface</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>hence the late tour. If there is someone proficient enough with Blogger</i></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>that would mind contacting me, I would appreciate it.</i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDaXW340USCu3v_VbgkjtzzzXqIqEJ74Y5BTXl2BtNSJhtlble2pc6Y84A-Hc0nJwBcAaI13-CXZpB_hyphenhyphenl06r2Iz4DQTXyjZN-jM0Es3RfwmwwL262JgMtpc-g-niOBjy1Vo7Mw/s1600/Bayou+Blues+MM+Shelley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDaXW340USCu3v_VbgkjtzzzXqIqEJ74Y5BTXl2BtNSJhtlble2pc6Y84A-Hc0nJwBcAaI13-CXZpB_hyphenhyphenl06r2Iz4DQTXyjZN-jM0Es3RfwmwwL262JgMtpc-g-niOBjy1Vo7Mw/s1600/Bayou+Blues+MM+Shelley.jpg" height="320" width="202" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bayou
Blues <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A
New Orleans Mystery<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book
Two<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">M.
M. Shelley<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Genre: YA, Fantasy, Urban<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Date of Publication: June 2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ISBN: 978-1500255053 / <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ISBN: 150025505X<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ASIN: B00L7YLU0W<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Number of pages: 322<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Word Count: 52,500<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cover Artist: Michelle Marquez<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Available at <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/451052">Smashwords</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bayou-Blues-New-Orleans-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00L7YLU0W/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=">Amazon
</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book Description:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sixteen year old orphan, Ava
Lopez, has returned to New Orleans, Louisiana, just as a dark entity has taken
residence in the bayou. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not only does Ava have to
discover who or what is taking its victims from the Quarter, and leaving their
remains in the Bayou. She will also have to maneuver her way around a new
school and deal with a new bodyguard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ava will have to uncover the
mystery before she becomes its next victim. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Excerpt:
Prologue</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It had been at least three years
since he had left New Orleans, Louisiana and Auguste Cheval still wasn’t sure
if he had made the right decision in returning. It didn’t feel right, yet he no
longer had the option to stay away. His father had skipped out on him again
leaving him no choice but to live with his uncle Prosper Cheval. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Uncle Prosper was absolutely
crazy. He refused to live in town preferring instead to live out in the Bayou.
Auguste had to make the long trek from town to his uncle’s shack each and every
day, to and from his high school. Auguste attended Ben Franklin, in part thanks
to his social worker, who for some reason or another seemed focused on making
sure he stayed the course. His social worker Phillips believed that Auguste had
the grades and the drive to excel at school; a school where nearly everyone
excelled at one thing or another. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The only issue Auguste had was
that a normal life could never be in the cards for him, but he wasn’t about to
tell his social worker Phillips just why that was. How could he even begin to
explain it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As Auguste headed deeper into the
Bayou he ventured down a narrow pathway that was nearly completely covered over
with knee high marshway cordgrass. Auguste had taken the long way home as he
was in no hurry to return. His uncle Prosper probably wouldn’t be there, more
than likely he was out checking on his traps. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A slight sound came from his
left. Something heavy was pushing through the marshway cordgrass, but Auguste
couldn’t see what it was. So he waited. He didn’t want to move any further
until he could see it clearly. In the light of the fading sun, Auguste held his
breath as he waited to identify what moved in the cordgrass. In spite of the
fact that the sun had reached the horizon, the air remained hot and humid
enough to cause his clothes to stick to his body. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A man in his early forties rolled
out of the cordgrass falling right in Auguste’s pathway. The man rolled until
he was on his hands and knees, he lifted his head high up in the air, his chin
tilted skyward and his eyes closed. He smelled the dry stillness in the air.
His eyes opened and he quickly shifted toward Auguste. His eyes locked in on
Auguste and his head made a rather sharp movement almost like a wolf finding
the scent of his prey. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As the man’s eyes focused sharply
on Auguste, a deep low growl escaped his throat. The eerie sound was so
disturbing that it caused Auguste to feel ill. As the man leaned onto his back
legs ready to pounce on Auguste, a wolf jumped out of the marshway cordgrass
and latched onto the man’s throat, dragging him onto the ground and ripping at
his flesh. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He tried to fight back, sinking
his teeth into the wolf’s coat, but to no avail as the wolf tore fiercely away
at him. The man screamed out in pain against the assault. Sudden silence
signaled that the man had given up the fight. His body grew limp as his life
began to ebb, leaving him unable to endure anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The wolf turned and shifted
toward Auguste, it took a step towards him with a giant paw. The wolf had an
unearthly presence as its paws were large and sunk into the earth with each
heavy step. Its head was slightly larger than the rest of the body giving it a
disproportionate appearance. The wolf’s green eyes looked like they had seen
centuries of war and chaos and were filled with a sadness that tore at
Auguste’s heart. In spite of his feelings, Auguste found the hint of darkness
lurking beneath the wolf’s demeanor disturbing. It was a darkness that wouldn’t
think twice about attacking Auguste and harming him, just as it had killed the
man without hesitation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Auguste held out his arm as if to prevent it
from coming any closer. As he did so, the fading sunlight illuminated the scar
that ran from the outside of Auguste’s elbow to the inside of his middle
forearm. The wolf sniffed at him before taking another step; then, as quickly
as it had appeared, it turned and ran back into the cordgrass leaving behind
the lifeless body of the man it had just killed for sport. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">About
the Author:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">M.M. Shelley is a storyteller,
wordsmith and dreamer. She has traveled the world extensively in search of the
magic which is often overlooked in everyday life. M.M. Shelley is a native of
southern California, and a student of mythology from which she gets much
inspiration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.mmshelley.com/">www.mmshelley.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://mmshelley.blogspot.com/">http://mmshelley.blogspot.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://twitter.com/MM_Shelley">https://twitter.com/MM_Shelley</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/MM-Shelley/174012559302730"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">https://www.facebook.com/pages/MM-Shelley/174012559302730</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Mila Ramoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749425163028904436noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13477061.post-41840871805391671702014-08-11T16:25:00.001-05:002014-08-11T16:25:30.927-05:00Extraordinary Love by Various Authors<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Dear Readers: I am currently having problems with my Blogger interface</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>hence the late tour. If there is someone proficient enough with blogger</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>that would mind contacting me, I would appreciate it.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Extraordinary
Love</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Micah
Persell </b>(author
touring),<b> Kathleen Shaputis, Holley
Trent, Andrea R. Cooper, Candace Sams, Spring Stevens, Bobbi Romans, Lisa
White, Becky Flade, Danica Winters</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Genre: Paranormal</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Publisher: Crimson Romance</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Date of Publication: August 4,
2014</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ISBN: 1440583269 </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ISBN 13: 9781440583261</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ASIN: </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Book
Bundle containing 10 full category-length novels</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Book Description:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Everybody needs love — especially
those sexy shapeshifters, gentlemen ghosts, misunderstood demons and witches,
and intergalactic leaders. You’ll find all of these otherworldly heartthrobs --
and the strong, sexy women who make their perfect matches -- in this
captivating collection of paranormal titles from Crimson Romance. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Titles include:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of Eternal Life: Micah Persell</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Her Ghost Wears Kilts: Kathleen
Shaputis</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A Demon in Waiting: Holley Trent</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Garnet Dagger: Andrea R.
Cooper</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Peacekeeper’s Soul: Candace
Sams</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Embrace the Fire: Spring Stevens</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Swamp Magic: Bobbi Romans</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Discovery: Lisa White</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fated Souls: Becky Flade</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Nymph’s Labyrinth: Danica
Winters</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Available at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Extraordinary-Love-Enthralling-Paranormal-Romances-ebook/dp/B00MEWCG4A/">Amazon</a></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i.usatoday.net/communitymanager/_photos/HappyEverAfter/2012/08/O/Of%20Eternal%20Lifex-inset-community.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.usatoday.net/communitymanager/_photos/HappyEverAfter/2012/08/O/Of%20Eternal%20Lifex-inset-community.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Chapter
One Of Eternal Life by Micah Persell</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Abilene Miller,
sitting cross-legged on the floor, squinted at the rolls of gauze on the shelf
in front of her through the fringe of her lashes. When the gauze blended into
something resembling a snow-covered mountain, she sighed with satisfaction and
leaned her head back against the wall behind her. The supply closet was the
coolest place in the hospital, and with this little trick, she could almost
fool herself into thinking she was not in the God-forsaken Mojave Desert.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Southern
California, you lying bitch,” she murmured as she took a vehement bite from her
peanut butter and jelly sandwich.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dreams of
rolling ocean waves, vibrant night life, and Disneyland had quickly given way
to the reality that was Needles, California: a small town of 4,000 outside of
the Mojave National Preserve.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of course, the
two military recruiters who had come to her hometown of Aspen, Colorado, right
after med school to convince her to come work in their “cutting edge” research
facility had played up those very tourist attractions in a way that merited a
court martial for perjury. If that was even a thing that could happen. She
didn’t know. Military I am not, she thought in amusement as she set aside her
sandwich for a baggie of Oreos.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">She sighed
again, this time in disgust. Top 5 percent of my class at Duke University Medical
School, and I get duped. She hadn’t even begun her residency, and these guys
had wanted her. Really, really wanted her. Enough to throw an obscene amount of
money at her, making “no” an impossibility. And if she had thought it was
suspicious that they wanted to hire her before she had even seen the facility,
the pull of finally being on her own had overshadowed the oddity.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">She snorted. “On
her own” was proving to be an elusive concept. In fact, she felt as though
every step she took was measured. She lived in a military dormitory with the
four other women who worked in the labs. They all carpooled to work each
morning, and the head of the hospital, Major Taylor, seemed to lurk around
every corner, as aware of her movements as her overbearing parents.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Abilene knew
she’d made a mistake in taking this job. She just so badly needed to prove
herself. What was that old adage? If it sounds too good to be true, don’t
effing move into a military compound?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Abilene, you in
here?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">She gave an
unfeminine grunt in response and returned her attention to her Oreos. The door
edged open, and Dahlia looked in.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Oh, Abi, hon,
are you fantasizing that the gauze is snow again?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Among other
things,” Abilene replied.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dahlia shut the
door behind her and sank down to the floor beside Abilene, reaching over and
snagging an Oreo from the baggie. She turned her warm caramel-colored eyes
toward Abilene.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Tough day?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Abilene met her
friend’s gaze. “Dahlia, how many patients have you seen today?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Understanding
lit in her friend’s eyes. Dahlia had been at the facility longer than Abilene.
She had been recruited straight out of the University of Pennsylvania, also
before her residency, and had been working here for nearly ten months. From
their talks, Abilene knew it had been a long ten months.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Abi, I haven’t
seen any patients today. You know that.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Abilene nodded.
Both women had come to this hospital in part because they believed in the
cause. According to the military recruitment team that had visited each of
them, the government was conducting an experiment in which they planned to
refurbish small, abandoned military buildings in rural areas. These facilities
would be for the local population as well as for the processing of the armed
forces’ medical tests. The facilities would employ civilian doctors, but they
would be funded by the government and sanctioned by the military.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was nice in
theory; however, the largely Native American population in Needles viewed any
help from the government with suspicion, understandably so, and avoided the new
hospital as though they still used plague-ridden blankets — a reaction the
government had to have expected, which lead Abilene to wonder what the real
purpose of this facility was. It was hard to believe she and the other women
were here just to run labs.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“What are we
doing here?” Abilene pushed a hand through her short blonde curls in
frustration. “Damn it, I want to see patients. I want to save lives. I want to
do something.” Dahlia broke eye contact and looked at the floor.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Abilene blew out
a breath. “Sorry.” She offered a smile. She’d gotten carried away again. “Jeez,
I’m sorry, Dahlia. I know you’re frustrated, too.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dahlia gave
Abilene’s knee a squeeze. “Hey,” she shrugged, “the government is paying us to
run labs and make friends. What’s to complain about?” She rose to her feet in
effortless grace, turning to offer Abilene a hand up. “Come on. Treat you to a
Diet Coke from the vending machine?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was turning
into a tradition among the women at the hospital. Whenever one of them had a
meltdown, it always ended with Diet Coke, which, personally, Abilene loathed.
The other women sucked it down like ambrosia.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Oh baby, you
know just what I like,” Abilene said in a breathy voice, grasping Dahlia’s
proffered hand while shoving thoughts of her disappointing career aside. She
rose to her feet, much less gracefully than Dahlia. “You and your weird Swan
Lake moves suck, you know,” she grumbled.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dahlia chuckled
and glided out into the hall.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">• • •</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Awareness
flooded his senses so quickly he choked on his gasp of air. For several moments
all he could do was gulp as his body took over in its need for oxygen. His
lungs burned. He could hear his ragged breaths echoing around him, bouncing
around an empty cavern.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Where am I?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">His instinct
urged him to take in any details he could. He heard a measured beep. His
frantic mind wouldn’t place it. In fact, he couldn’t seem to concentrate on
anything but that hysterical pull of air. Panic crept into the edges of his
consciousness, causing his heart rate to thump.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Where was he?
What was happening? Why was he … afraid?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God, not fear.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">His mind clamped
down on him. Fear was dangerous.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Regulate
breathing. Determine surroundings. He clenched his teeth behind closed lips.
Slowly, steadily, he drew a measured breath through his nose. The debilitating
fear in his chest abated. Again, an internal voice whispered.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He pulled
another breath through flared nostrils, this time blowing it out between
parted, parched lips. As the panic receded, he noticed the incessant beeping
slowed. In an instant, he discerned the beeping: his own heart rate.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A medical
facility.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I’m hurt? He
took mental inventory of his body. The sudden awareness of his limbs brought an
onrush of pain. His bones felt crushed, agony knifed through him, and he
groaned in the back of his throat.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pain. Familiar
pain. He was not a stranger to this anguish. He eased his eyes open. An
involuntary moan escaped his lips, and he squeezed his eyes shut against the
bright lights.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“1457, subject
is stirring. Shows signs of light-related visual pain.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Intense, animal
fear arose at the sound of the clinical voice above his head. At the alarming
reference to a subject.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As in test
subject? Ah, God …</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He held his
breath as he processed this new information, what the presence of that voice meant.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I’m not alone.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For some reason,
instead of calming him, this revelation ratcheted the terror tighter, to the
snapping point. The inner voice whispered urgently:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This man is
dangerous.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A lock fell from
a hidden cache of information in his brain. He recognized the voice that
whispered to him. The Voice had been his constant companion since this
nightmare had begun. Now, the Voice whispered the identity of the other person
in the room: The Tormentor. The beep above his left shoulder sped up as panic rushed
in again. The muscles in his arms and legs clamped down as his mind scrambled
over fight-or flight.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This involuntary
movement caused more pain to slice through him, and he just stopped another
moan from rising out of his chest. He could not let himself make any sounds of
distress. Another revelation from that hidden instinct: Hide your suffering. He
loves it.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oh, God. How did
he know that? There was no doubt in his mind that he knew that from personal
experience. This newest revelation solved his fight-or-flight dilemma: flight.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He moved his
left arm infinitesimally to determine how much pain he would be dealing with
when he fled. He became aware of the cold, cutting metal impeding further
movement.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A new flare of
panic. Oh, no. Not that. He moved his arm again and met the same immovable
restraint. He tried to move his feet. He was shackled. The sharp edges of the
metal binding his wrists and ankles bit into his skin, adding to the buffet of
pain, but his terror would not allow him to cease his struggles.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">His mind
screamed at him, urging his body to do the impossible.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“1500, subject
is showing usual onset of panic at regained consciousness. Thrashing has opened
wounds at the sites where he is restrained.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The last of his
confusion melted away. He remembered. He remembered everything, and knew he was
lost. There would be no escape, just as there had been no escape for the past
eight years. He’d been through this before. The panicked awakening. The fierce
pain swamping every corner of his existence. The dawning horror of remembered
tortures.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When he forced
his eyes open, ignoring the sting of the bright operating room lights, a
familiar figure approached.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Always such a
fuss, hmm, Eli?” The Tormentor tsked. Eli recoiled. His name was not safe with
that man. He never heard it without being reminded that he had no control over
himself or his situation.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">His struggles
against the metal restraints now resulted in a rather satisfying cacophony, but
still only caused blood to drip down his arms and pool beneath his feet. The
Tormentor approached, eyeing the damage Eli had done to himself with a sadistic
leer that turned Eli’s stomach.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Blood is
strength, you know.” The Tormentor shook his head in mock-sorrow. “What a pity
that you seem to hold it in such low regard.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A feral growl
resonated in Eli’s chest, and he punched his head up from the stretcher to
glare into the Tormentor’s eyes. “I’m going to kill you.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I’m going to
make sure everyone knows what you’ve done here, and then,” he paused to ensure
the Tormenter was looking at him, “I’m going to kill you.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Tormentor
cocked an eyebrow and raised a recording device to chin level. “0817, subject
is displaying the symptoms of aggression that have heretofore been associated
with memory recollection. Has threatened death. Again.” He clicked off the
recording device and slipped it into the pocket of his scrubs.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“‘What I’ve done
here,’ hmm?” He leaned down until his face almost touched Eli’s. “What I’ve
done here is what you signed up for, soldier.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nothing more,
nothing less.” He straightened with a sneer and turned toward the door.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the two
guards on the other side of the see-through barrier keyed a code into the door,
and the hiss of released pressure and a grinding of gears announced that the
door was unlocked. The Tormentor paused with his hand on the handle and turned
to announce over his</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">shoulder,
“Number 140 begins in four hours. Perhaps you should use this time to gather
your strength instead of waste it.” He twisted the handle and left the room.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Four hours.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In just four
hours they were going to conduct their one hundred fortieth experiment.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Number 14:
gunshot wound to the chest. The cold feel of steel pushed against his sternum.
The force of the bullet driving his body into the unforgiving metal at his
back. Gunpowder stinging his nostrils as his teeth chattered from the cold
caused by his bleeding out.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Number 58:
asphyxiation by smothering. Excruciating burning in his lungs. The flailing of
his limbs as he fought the restraints in a need to knock the oppressive hand
from his mouth and nose. Stars dotting his vision as his brain fought the lack
of oxygen.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">His heart rate
sped up to match his ragged breathing. Number 100: dismemberment. He couldn’t
stifle the moan that memory dredged up, hearing in his mind the buzz of the
bone saw, feeling the heat of whirring metal on flesh. His Tormentor had
informed him that they had wanted to make the one hundredth “special.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He was panting
like an animal now. Four hours. In four hours, they were going to kill him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For the one hundred
fortieth time.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://nickypeacockauthor.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/micah-persell-author-pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://nickypeacockauthor.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/micah-persell-author-pic.jpg" height="200" width="198" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>About
the Author: </b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Micah Persell, winner of the 2013
Virginia HOLT Award of Merit for her first novel Of Eternal Life, holds a
bachelor's degree in English and a double master's degree in literature and
English pedagogy. She is an avid reader of all types of literature, but has a
soft spot for romance. She currently teaches high school English classes in
Southern California. Her paranormal romance series, Operation: Middle of the
Garden, and her "wild and wanton" editions of Austen's Emma and
Persuasion are available now through Crimson Romance.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.micahpersell.com/">www.micahpersell.com</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/MicahPersell">www.twitter.com/MicahPersell</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/MicahPersell">www.facebook.com/MicahPersell</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/MicahPersell">www.goodreads.com/MicahPersell</a></span></span></div>
Mila Ramoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749425163028904436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13477061.post-27173434707679930412014-08-11T16:18:00.002-05:002014-08-11T16:18:23.302-05:00Sinful Cravings by Annie Nichols<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dear Readers: I am currently having problems with my Blogger interface</span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">hence the late tour. If there is someone proficient enough with blogger</span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>that would mind contacting me, I would appreciate it.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba112ffc749/" id="rc-ba112ffc749" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://annienicholas.webs.com/SinfulCravings_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://annienicholas.webs.com/SinfulCravings_Web.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Sinful
Cravings</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Lake
City Stories </b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Book
2</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Annie
Nicholas</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Genre: Paranormal Romance</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Date of Publication: August 11,
2014 </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Word Count: 50,000 word</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cover Artist: Kanax</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Book Description:<span> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pia Blyton, a succubus, isn’t
ready for an official engagement since her skillset consists of setting
kitchens on fire, singing at vampire hellholes, and most embarrassingly, she
recently passed out in bed while feeding Valerio Hunan, the most eligible
incubus in Lake City. Yet somehow he turns a blind eye to all her faults and
still wants to set his marriage tattoos on her wrists.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The compulsion to have sex forces
their people to have unconventional relationships. Every three days, she has to
orgasm creating energy to survive. She can’t even live off bad sex. Unlike her,
Val can’t feed off just anyone. He consumes the energy only a succubus creates
and his hunger isn’t on a clock. Most incubi feed legally by luring multiple
succubi into marriage with money and power. Val had caught Pia by the heart
strings. Sneaky bastard.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When his food supply suddenly
stops, he’s faced with starvation. Despite Pia’s adoration, she’s not an all
you can eat buffet. He would suck her dry of all her life force within days. In
order to save her, Val forces her to leave. With nowhere to go, Pia ends up at
the last place she wants to be—her parent’s home, with nothing but her pink
suitcase and a list of all her failures.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pia needs to pull on her big girl
panties and figure out why Val’s energy supplies have stopped arriving before
he kills some unsuspecting succubus. But the demon inside Val is closer to the
surface than either of them realize. When Pia leaves, the only thing on its
mind is tracking her down and dragging her back into its bed where she
belongs...even if it kills her.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Excerpt
One</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">John snatched my
offending finger and kissed the tip. “You were worried?” A shy smile tugged at
his lips. No fair.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I yanked my hand
out of his grasp. “Of course I was. It’s not like I have suitors waiting in
line.” My excuse for worrying sounded thin but I didn’t want to give John the
wrong impression. Caring about my suitors was dangerous and falling in love
against the rules. Emotional detachment had to be maintained to protect my
fragile heart and to ensure my relationship with Val would work. For an
incubus, he was oddly very possessive. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“You could have
anyone you wanted. You just don’t—”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Want to.” I
finished the old argument between us. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“So.” He stared
at his shoes. “You met my brother.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Yeah, I did. He
wants to suck my soul out of my body like a juice box.” I set my hands on my
hips and gazed out at my parent’s wooded property. Val was wandering out there
under the bare branches. Somewhere. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Sounds like
Amel.” He twisted and followed my gaze. “Did he come looking for me here?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“No, I used the
locket you gave me last Winter Solstice.” I scowled and leaned closer so he
couldn’t escape my glare. “You didn’t tell me that wasn’t your name.” When
pressed the locket would say something and it turned out to be his brother’s
name. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">His shy smile became
a grin. “I didn’t say it was either.” The dumbass’ smile faded. “Wait. You
tried to summon me using that name?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Yeah.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Oh…”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Yeah.” Instead
of my sweet John appearing in the pentagram, his pissed off big bro showed up
and let’s just say he wasn’t happy about it.<span>
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“The city is
still intact. Did your father defeat him?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My eyebrows shot
up. Dad? Beat a Mazzikim demon? “No.” John feared my father like no one else.
That he stood on our doorstep showed how much he wanted my forgiveness. But Dad
wasn’t a warrior. Zur-Sin, my vampire suitor and co-ruler of Lake City, however
was not only a warrior he also practiced black magic.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“How exactly are
you still alive?” His whispered question took me by surprise. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Sin blood bound
him.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The blood
drained from John’s face.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Reflexively, I
reached out and steadied him. “John, where have you been?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Yes, John,
where have you been?” Val strolled around the corner of the house, hands in
pockets, and looking quite warm in just a suit. Incubus powers? </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I jumped at his
voice, an undeserved wave of guilt crashing over me as I released my hold of
John’s elbow. Our people didn’t practice love. They saw the emotion as a
weakness and I could see their point. Falling in love with a human had almost
killed me a few years ago. Sex equaled food for my people and fidelity couldn’t
be part of the equation. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My parents
managed to have a beautiful four-way loving relationship. Well, until now, with
a fourth wife on the horizon. After being raised in such an environment why
wouldn’t I crave to have the same? I smiled at Val and held out my hand. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He was willing
to give me everything, even his heart, but unlike me he’d been raised in a
cold, sterile traditional succubus household. He wanted to love me, he just
didn’t know how.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>When our hands touched, I half expected to see
sparks of desire dance between our fingers. I met his pale blue stare and my
stomach fluttered. Would he ever stop affecting me this way? “John, this is
Val, my fiancé.” Valerio Hunan had recently moved to Lake City. After a
whirlwind courtship over a few days, I agreed to an engagement. My stomach
rolled as I recalled why he’d dragged me here today. He wanted my mothers to
force me to pick a date so we could publically announce our families uniting. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We had only been
living together for a few weeks. In a hotel room no less. His wives hated me.
What was the rush?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>“Fiancé? I thought you didn’t want to ever get
married, Pia.” John’s gaze traveled from Val to me and back again. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I’m beginning
to believe the same thing.” Val murmured under his breath.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I could kick
John where the sun didn’t shine. “Shut up. A lot’s changed since you left me
high and dry on my day three. So why don’t you answer my question before I ask
Val to drag your scrawny ass to your big brother.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Excerpt
2</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Are you always
going to flirt with my suitors?” I tossed my purse on the counter in our hotel
suite and faced Val.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Jealous?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I’m not sure
but I think Cooper is more excited to see you than me lately.” The last time we
visited him at his cabin in the garden district, I could swear he wagged a
non-existent tail when Val stepped out of my VW Bug. A girl could get a complex
if her fiancé stole all her lovers.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I never flirt
with Zur-Sin.” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I’m pretty sure
Sin considers the amount of fighting you both do as foreplay.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Val pulled a
handkerchief out of his suit pocket and mopped his forehead. He had grown up in
a different age and still had some old fashion habits. He appeared pale and his
hands shook.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I went to him
but he withdrew from me. “What’s wrong?” I called out to Val’s live-in
assistant, Hoel, who should be home. He’d worked for Val for over fifty years.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The fallen angel
didn’t answer.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I tried to
support Val’s elbow but he sidestepped out of my reach.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Pia, stop
trying to touch me.” Val leaned against the counter. “I’m very hungry.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My hands
fluttered to my sides. “Oh.” I’d never seen him look so flustered. “You
shouldn’t let yourself go so long between feeds.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I’ll go check
the mail. My wives’ package should have arrived today.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Then I’ll go
with you.”<span> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“No. Just stay
here.” Val left me standing opened mouth in the middle of the suite. The boom
of the door echoed. He almost sounded afraid. Even when faced with a crazed
demon, Val hadn’t shown any fear. I gazed down at my petite body. Had I grown
horns?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I hurried to our
bedroom and changed into more comfortable clothes. Maybe I should call John and
have him come over early.<span> </span>Screw the
contract for one night.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cooper and John
dealt directly with me when it came to our contracts. In exchange for feeding me,
they had exclusive rights to my body for that evening. Zur-Sin had a special
deal with my father concerning my being fed. Let’s just say I couldn’t break
any of the terms or my father would lose his soul. I’d made a big mistake and
my dad had paid for it. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Something savage
snarled outside our suite door and I jumped. With a racing heart, I peeked out
of the bedroom half expecting to see Amel, John’s badass brother. Nothing. My
cell phone was in my purse on the counter and this seemed like a good time to
call for help. Not that 9-1-1 responded to demon attacks but at least they
could clean up my body parts. I tiptoed toward the kitchen and froze mid step.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pale with a thin
sheen of sweat covering his skin, Val halted just over the threshold of our
suite. His piercing blue gaze pinned me to the spot. Shadows carved the
features of his face and he appeared… </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Starved. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Primal heat of
desire blasted through my body as he strode around me, staring as if he could
see right through my yoga pants and t-shirt. I twisted to follow his path.
“Val?” My voice shook and I was surprised to hear it was from fear, not
anticipation. My sweetie knew how to turn on the smolder but this type of
intensity bordered on supernatural to the power of ten.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He undid his tie
and slid it free, wrapping the ends around each hand as if wanting to strangle
someone. Me? I knew I did some things that drove him crazy like squeezing the
tooth paste tube from the middle, but that didn’t deserve capital punishment.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I swallowed with
a throat gone dry and searched the room. “Where’s Hoel?” The fallen angel
assistant-slash-shadow was never far. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“He’s occupied.”
Val’s voice caressed my flesh. Incubi were born with enough sexual magnetism to
draw the most resistant of succubi to them. Evolution, only the strong
surviving, and all that jazz made Val almost crackle with come-hither. Their
need to feed upon us gave them the skills to melt the panties off any succubus
within their vicinity.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">With all that
power focused directly at me, I caught my hands already inching inside my
pants. Something was seriously wrong. My clothes felt too tight like I couldn’t
bear their touch. Every inch of my flesh tingled and my nipples popped in
aching readiness. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I’d never seen
Val this hungry. An incubus of his power and influence couldn’t afford to lose
control. Incubi could only feed off succubi and if his wives couldn’t provide
what he needed then he’d be forced to go hunt. Last time I checked raping and
pillaging were considered bad.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Normally, as his
prospective bride I’d feed him but I couldn’t afford to feed another mouth.
Hadn’t Val gone to check the mail for a package containing more vials from his
wives? The responsibility to keep him well fed was theirs, not mine. Not yet.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For a succubus,
I was considered picky when it came to my lovers. One night stands might be
good for my body but they did terrible things to my soul. I needed a few bad
boys that irked me enough not to fall in love yet dependable to be around when
I needed them.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yeah, I know,
but I was allowed to dream big. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Take off your
clothes.” It didn’t sound like a request.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>About
the Author: </b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Annie Nicholas writes paranormal
romance with a twist. She has courted vampires, hunted with shifters, and slain
a dragon’s ego all with the might of her pen. Riding the wind of her
imagination, she travels beyond the restraints of reality and shares them with
anyone wanting to read her stories. Mother, daughter, and wife are some of the
other hats she wears while hiking through the hills and dales of her adopted
state of Vermont. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Annie writes for Samhain
Publishing, Carina Press, and Lyrical Press.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Website: <a href="http://www.annienicholas.com/">www.annienicholas.com</a> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3YuSG7IgTu5XaSNI3ZpUSPhX42WPqxnwUiNw6tD1faIG1c0V5xQw-vZT5EGYqZhKCwyKdwS-goSclXyoVHWmHxln0dbEsxrLrj3nyxa2NAtqXnLcyKxRw5LgApOHYOlxeazr/s1600/Sleeping+Beauty+And+The+Demon+(eBook).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3YuSG7IgTu5XaSNI3ZpUSPhX42WPqxnwUiNw6tD1faIG1c0V5xQw-vZT5EGYqZhKCwyKdwS-goSclXyoVHWmHxln0dbEsxrLrj3nyxa2NAtqXnLcyKxRw5LgApOHYOlxeazr/s1600/Sleeping+Beauty+And+The+Demon+(eBook).jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Sleeping
Beauty and the Demon</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The
Cursed Princes</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Book
4</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Marina
Myles</b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Genre: Historical/paranormal
romance</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Publisher: eKensington</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Date of Publication:<span> </span>August 7, 2014</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ISBN: 9781601832818</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ASIN:B00IUPCLWW</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Word Count: 75,000</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Book Description: </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Sleight
Of Hand </i></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dragomir Starkov poses as an
illusionist, a showman performing tricks, his Romanian accent and dark good
looks all just a part of the drama. That’s how Rose Carlisle first sees him.
She’s a respectable girl—she wouldn’t accept witchy birthday gifts from a
demon. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But the hustle and bustle of 1912
New York City offers plenty of ways to slip around the strict old rules of
propriety. A good thing, too, because once Rose meets Drago, she no longer
cares about being respectable.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But the only illusion in Drago’s
act is that his magic is smoke and mirrors. Every word of power he speaks is as
real as Rose before him, in thrall to his lust and adoration. Drago knows about
Rose’s curse, that she will die on her next birthday. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But the shadowy threat that stalks
her hasn’t won her yet. If she can trust him, perhaps he can save her too…</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Available at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sleeping-Beauty-Demon-Cursed-Princes-ebook/dp/B00IUPCLWW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397505702&sr=8-1&keywords=sleeping+beauty+and+the+demon">Amazon</a><span> </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sleeping-beauty-and-the-demon-marina-myles/1118912176?ean=9781601832818">BN</a><span> </span><a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-za/books/sleeping-beauty-and-the-demon/XcuK2w9JQU28CVCxo9ow1w?MixID=XcuK2w9JQU28CVCxo9ow1w&PageNumber=1">Kobo</a><span> </span><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sleeping-beauty-and-the-demon/id836628063?mt=11">iTunes</a><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Marina_Myles_Sleeping_Beauty_and_the_Demon?id=DKhIAwAAQBAJ">Google
Play Books</a></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CHAPTER
ONE</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">New York City</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1912</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A
torrential downpour bounced off the sloping roof of the Sunshine Theater.
Inside the auditorium, an eager audience sat riveted by Dragomir Starkov’s
onstage presence. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dressed
in black, he moved with confidence. With his hair slicked back from a widow’s
peak and his eyes drawing the crowd into his mirage, he spoke in a heavy,
Romanian accent. “Ladies and gentlemen, I will now attempt something few
magicians dare. I will bring a creature back to life.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Turning
to the rear of the stage, he hid his hands from view. When he faced the
audience again, he presented the body of what appeared to be a dead kitten. The
small animal hung limply across his open palm. Murmuring a low chant, he waved
it from one side of the stage to the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then, with a flick of his white-gloved fingers, he urged the kitten back
to life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
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“meow,” it sprang to the floor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
audience clapped wildly. In turn, Drago stepped forward. That’s when he spotted
the woman he had willed to come to tonight’s show. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With
an abundance of flaxen hair that swayed from a ponytail like wheat in a summer
breeze, and a flawless complexion that glowed against the stage’s low-lying
gaslights, the young woman’s beauty imprisoned Drago like a padlock. In the
sparkle of her violet eyes he saw something amazing—a unique essence of
goodness that compelled him as he often compelled </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">others. </span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She’s even more beautiful than she
was in my vision. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
girl flashed him a smile—and when it illuminated his world of darkness like a
bright spotlight, the need to protect and possess her rose within him. But it
didn’t matter how he felt. He was here to banish a cruel curse cast upon her
when she was a baby. And if he wanted to weave his unique spell around her, he
needed to hypnotize her now<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A
hush fell over the theater. Clasping his hands behind his back, Drago paced the
stage like a caged animal. “For my next trick, I need a female volunteer from
the audience.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Numerous
hands went up. He ignored them. Once he unlaced his dark cape, he threw it into
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participant for this mystifying trick.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pressing
his forefinger to his temple, he pretended to use his powers of telepathy. Just
then, the beautiful blond girl left her seat, accompanied by her dark-haired
friend. They scurried to the theater’s center aisle, apparently adverse to the
thought of being called on to volunteer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You
there!” Drago thundered. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The duo froze in their tracks and wheeled
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pulling
on her thick, blond ponytail, Rose—her name popped into Drago’s head
suddenly—blushed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“You,
my dear.” He galloped halfway down the staircase at the side of the stage and
extended his hand.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Go
on, Rose!” her friend encouraged. Drago was right about her name.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rose
smoothed her gingham dress. She joined him on the shadowed staircase, then took
his hand. As Drago grasped it, an alarming chill raced up his spine. And when
her pink lips spread into another shy smile, he found himself completely
enchanted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Leading
her to center stage he said, “Please tell the audience your name, Miss.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It’s
Rose Carlisle.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Have
we ever met before, Rose?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“If
you don’t mind, I’d like to tell the spectators how old you are.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
don’t know how you could guess that, but very well,” she replied in a sweet,
clear voice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He
cleared his throat. “Today is your birthday, and you are twenty years old.” The
number surfaced in his mind as surely as he knew his own birthday.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rose’s jaw dropped open. She nodded
vigorously. “How did you know?” Her friend, who had returned to her seat in the
front row, mirrored her stunned expression.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Drago
felt his affinity for the doe-eyed beauty grow. Yet he urged himself to be
careful—and to make her feel as comfortable with him as possible. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It
doesn’t take a magician to see that you’ve attended this show without your
parents’ permission,” he said. “Is that right, Miss Carlisle?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
crowd chuckled lightly at the joke. Rose looked stunned. “I haven’t seen my
parents since I was a baby. But my adoptive parents don’t know I’m here.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I
see,” Drago remarked lightheartedly. But when he saw Rose clutching her hands
together nervously, he sensed her pain ran deep.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Have
you ever been a magician’s assistant?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No,”
Rose replied. “In fact, this is my first magic show.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“We’ll
have to make it one you’ll never forget.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When
he reached for her small, velvet hand, it trembled inside his at the
suggestion. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Promise
me you won’t be anxious,” he said. “I would never allow harm to come to you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She
slid a glance his way—and they locked eyes for what felt like an eternity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll try not to be nervous,” she finally
promised. “What do I have to do?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Absolutely nothing. Just close your lovely
eyes and remain in one spot.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rose did as she was told. Drago took the
opportunity to study her high cheekbones, dainty mouth, and hourglass figure.
Though she was tall, her demeanor lent her a fragile air. She seemed to him a
delicate, porcelain doll which could be broken easily if handled improperly. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frowning, he tried to concentrate on
performing his illusion. While Rose kept her eyes closed, he massaged the air
in front of him with his fingertips. As he murmured something inaudible, he
willed Rose’s feet to rise slowly off the ground. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It
appeared as if someone was pulling her legs out from under her. Eventually, her
torso, limbs, and head reached a plane parallel to the stage and she was
levitating in space.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
crowd gasped as Drago reached for a large silver hoop. He proceeded to pass the
circle back and forth over Rose’s stiff body. When he twisted and turned it in
every direction, the audience gasped. The trick, which had been performed only
one time before, proved it had the power to intrigue.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Are
you doing all right, Rose?” Drago asked in a gentle voice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She
nodded. Her ponytail swung toward the wooden floor.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Excellent.” Drago passed the silver
hoop to his brunette assistant, Katherine. “Ladies and gentlemen, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have a confession to make. The
second half of this trick is new even to me. However, it’s something I feel
bold enough to try with Miss Carlisle’s help.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Drago’s
assistant cast him an angry look. He continued on anyway. “Katherine, would </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">you hand me that red silk drape?” he
asked. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Clearly
irritated, Katherine moved to the tiny prop table in the corner. Once she
passed a large cloth to Drago, he unfolded it and draped it over the length of
Rose’s levitating body. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Ladies
and gentlemen,” he said in a low tone. “Making a woman levitate in midair is
one thing. But what if I made her …disappear?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He
whipped off the red drape and exposed nothing but air. Men in pinstriped suits
leapt to their feet and women touched their hats in astonishment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When
the audience’s enthusiastic clapping subsided, Drago removed his gloves. “Now</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ll make our lovely Rose <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">reappear.</i> Just… like… that.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Snapping his fingers loudly, he moved to a
cabinet in the middle of the stage. He opened the cabinet’s door with an
exaggerated gesture and there stood a pale-faced Rose. Grinning, Drago took her
hand and helped her out. Together they walked to the front of the stage and
were greeted with thunderous applause. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As
he took one step away from Rose, Drago bowed to her as well. Her cheeks
regained their color—and she looked at him as if he were the most wonderful man
in the world. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although leaving her was the last thing he
desired to do, he had no choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drago
came closer to her and pressed something into her hand. Then he mouthed the
haunting words, “Wear this and come back to me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rose’s hand closed around the item
the handsome magician had placed in her palm. The curtain closed with a
dramatic <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">whoosh</i>—and as she stumbled
up the aisle, she unfurled her hand and stared at the object. It was a
beautiful amulet that bore a silver chain and mysterious Egyptian engravings.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Character Interview</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
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</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Character Name: Rose Carlisle</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Character Bio: I’m a very curious person. At the same time
I’</div>
m deathly afraid of a curse cast upon me as a baby. This curse prophesizes
that I’ll die on my twenty-first birthday.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you can add a dreamcast pic of the character that would
be great<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kate Upton</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.listal.com/kate-upton/pictures"><span style="color: blue; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><br /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.listal.com/kate-upton/pictures"><span style="color: blue; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><br /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNoZOPCURGfS9nUYkJCXrXDiUXXeu9OZkLdXXUxL6YuW424e6GfG3D8NvFe562uQ7KHLnat-cK4mHBxXPc5q5D0e3Lhg2XJzgvVSL2tUELwnf5mM_m12heOwF-l_7gxRmSFajbw/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNoZOPCURGfS9nUYkJCXrXDiUXXeu9OZkLdXXUxL6YuW424e6GfG3D8NvFe562uQ7KHLnat-cK4mHBxXPc5q5D0e3Lhg2XJzgvVSL2tUELwnf5mM_m12heOwF-l_7gxRmSFajbw/s1600/2.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0066;">Describe yourself what is your worst and vest quality? </span>My
worst quality is trusting people too easily. My determination is my best
quality.</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0066;">What is the one thing you wish other people knew about
you? </span>I wish people would know that while I don’t live with my parents,
they are alive and they still love me. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0066;">What is your biggest secret something no one knows about?
</span>This goes along with the previous question. My birthparents allowed me
to be raised by family friends because they wanted to keep me safe from the
person who cursed me. I’m supposed to see my parents on my twenty-first
birthday. If I don’t die from the hex first, that is.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0066;">What are you most afraid of? </span>My curse!</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0066;">What do you want more than anything? </span>To experience
love before I die.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0066;">What is your relationship status? </span>Well, I’ve
fallen in love! He is a mysterious magician who incredibly, knows everything
about me.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0066;">How would you describe your sense of fashion? </span>I’m
very tall, so enjoy dressing in the long dresses of my time period.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0066;">How much of a rebel are you? </span>When I set my mind to
something, I do it. I think about the consequences later.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0066;">What do you considered to be your greatest achievement? </span>Becoming
one of the few, female reporters in turn-of-the- century New York.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0066;">What is your idea of happiness? </span>My idea of bliss
if cuddling with my fiery-eyed illusionist. Hopefully, he’ll never make me
disappear in a puff of smoke!</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0066;">What is your current state of mind? </span>My
twenty-first birthday is drawing near, so I am extremely anxious.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0066;">What is your most treasured possession? </span>It’s a
music box Drago gave me for my twentieth birthday. I love and cherish it. It
plays my favorite Mozart melody and is adorned with African violets. Drago says
they remind him of the color of my eyes.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0066;">What is your most marked characteristic? </span>My golden
hair.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0066;">What is it that you, most dislike? </span>My height.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0066;">Which living person do you, most despise? </span>The
person who cast the curse on me.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0066;">What is your greatest regret? </span>Having to marry
Drago secretly, without friends or family present.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0066;">What is the quality you most like in a man? </span>Self-assuredness.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0066;">What is the quality you most like in a woman? </span>A
caring quality.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0066;">Who is your favorite hero in fiction? </span>Sherlock
Holmes. He’s naturally curious, like me.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0066;">Which living person do you most admire? </span>All
newspaper reporters. They are my inspiration.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0066;">If you could change one thing about yourself what would
it be? </span>I would be less curious.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0066;">What is your motto? </span>“The most beautiful thing we can
experience is the mysterious.”</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once again thank you for the interview. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Thank you for having me!</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Karen Swart - Portals to new worlds</div>
</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>About
the Author: </b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.jenniferestep.com/site/wp-content/files/Marina-Myles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.jenniferestep.com/site/wp-content/files/Marina-Myles.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Marina Myles’s love of books
began as soon as she read her first fairy tale. During her college days, she
received degrees in English Literature and Communications—and enjoyed the
unique experience of being a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now that she lives under the
sunny skies of Arizona, she hasn’t left her glamorous life behind completely.
After all, she gets to divide her time between her loving family, her loyal
Maltese, and worlds filled with fiery—but not easily attained—love affairs. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Visit her at <a href="http://www.marinamyles.com/">www.marinamyles.com</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/marinamylesauthor">www.facebook.com/marinamylesauthor</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/#!/marinaauthor">www.twitter.com/#!/marinaauthor</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/author/marinamyles">www.amazon.com/author/marinamyles</a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>Mila Ramoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749425163028904436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13477061.post-14296287146182962932014-08-04T16:10:00.000-05:002014-08-04T16:10:20.101-05:00A Portal In Time by Claire Fullerton<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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</div>
<a href="http://www.dieselbookstore.com/files/diesel/APortalinTime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://www.dieselbookstore.com/files/diesel/APortalinTime.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></span></a><a href="http://susanwingate.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/claire-fullerton-authorportrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A
Portal in Time<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Claire
Fullerton<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Genre: Paranormal/Historical
Romance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Publisher: Vinspire Publishing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Date of Publication: November 30,
2013<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ISBN:0989063224<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ASIN:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Number of pages: 192<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Word Count: 50,000<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cover Artist: Elaina Lee/For the
Muse Designs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book Description:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When we are inexplicably drawn to
love and a particular place, is it coincidence, or have we loved before? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Enigmatic and spirited Anna
Lucera is gifted with an uncanny sixth-sense and is intrigued by all things
mystical. When her green, cat-eyes and long, black hair capture the attention
of a young lawyer named Kevin Townsend, a romance ensues which leads them to
the hauntingly beautiful region of California's Carmel-By-The-Sea where Anna is
intuitively drawn to the Madiera Hotel. Everything about the hotel and
Carmel-By-The-Sea heightens her senses and speaks to Anna as if she had been
there before. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As Anna's memory unravels the
puzzle, she is drawn into a past that's eerily familiar and a life she just may
have lived before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/A-Portal-Time-Claire-Fullerton/dp/0989063224/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403457977&sr=8-1&keywords=a+portal+in+time">Amazon</a> <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-portal-in-time-claire-fullerton/1117405689?ean=9780989063227">BN</a> <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=a+portal+in+time">Kobo</a> <a href="https://www.overdrive.com/media/1527170/a-portal-in-time">Overdrive</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The idea for “A Portal in Time” came from a trip my husband
and I took up the California coast to Carmel-by-the-Sea. It was our one year anniversary, and we’d made
reservations at an historic hotel. Everything about the lobby of the hotel piqued
my interest, and as my husband checked us in, I let my imagination roam, taking
in every inch of the opulent lobby with its travertine floors, sand-stone
fireplace, and sweeping Mediterranean tiled staircase. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> As I walked through
the lobby, I pretended I was in my own house. I followed a particular hallway
from the lobby where sepia tinted photographs depicted people in period
clothing beside horse drawn carriages. Beside the pictures were architectural
plans of somebody’s home, and as I looked closely, I realized the hotel began
as a private residence. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Walking up the staircase, a wooden cathedral door loomed
ominously at the end of the hall.
“Surely,” I thought, “this was once the master bedroom.” I considered
the position of the room and decided there must be a window that looked out to
the sea. Visualizing myself in period clothing, I imagined standing before the
window, scanning the grounds below intently. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I believe energy lingers in historic sites, that memory is
retained within walls like an indelible record of history. So firm am I in this
belief, that on our first night, I tapped my husband on the shoulder at two in
the morning. “It’s so haunted in this
place, I can’t sleep,” I reported. I ruminated for the following hour, while
the story of “A Portal in Time” unfolded in my mind’s eye. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“A Portal in Time” is
the story of an imagined life that brought me to that window at the top of the
stairs in Carmel-by-the-Sea’s historic hotel.
I knew the story could only be told in alternating time periods with an
uncanny destination. I wanted to give my readers a paranormal experience, to
take them on a journey that could only be reached through a portal in time.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“A Portal in Time”(Vinspire Publishing) is available on
Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, Overdrive, and Kobo. </span></i></div>
</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Excerpt:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter Ten<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">March 18, 1999, West Hollywood, California<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What’s this all
about?” Lucia pulled out a chair across from her sister. They sat outside on
the sidewalk in front of The King’s Head Café in West Hollywood amidst the hum
of traffic and the flow of patrons looking for available seating on Beverly
Boulevard. “You sounded funny on the phone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I sounded
funny?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You sounded
mysterious,” Lucia clarified.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I didn’t want
to get into it on the phone. I thought I’d wait to talk to you in person.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“All right, I’m
listening,” Lucia settled back into her chair and looked at Anna expectantly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You’re not
going to believe this, but Kevin brought up the subject of marriage the other
day.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Why wouldn’t I
believe that? It’s perfectly understandable to me, isn’t it to you?” Lucia
laughed. “What did you say when he brought up the subject?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I skirted the
issue, of course,” Anna’s tone suggested Lucia should know that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Wait a minute,
did he just bring up the subject or did he ask you to marry him?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well, it seemed
to me he was testing the waters, but what he said was, ‘God help me, I’m
married to a witch.’ I’m not sure I was supposed to hear it, but that’s exactly
what he said,” Anna told her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Wait a minute,
back up, I’m getting lost. Were you doing something that made him call you a
witch or was he just making a general observation because he’s had enough time
to realize that you are a little touched in that way?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“In what way?”
Anna sounded defensive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Come on, Anna,
anyone who knows you knows you’re bent towards the uncanny, and I mean that
with nothing but love,” Lucia tried to suppress a smile. “You’re the same way
that Mom was—obviously these things run in families.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Anna felt the
immediate tug of her heartstrings at the mention of their mother, who had died
of Leukemia two and a half years earlier. Her illness had been a harrowing
experience to both her and Lucia, absolutely draining them emotionally for the
two years prior to her death. Her slow decline compounded the loss of their
father when they were only teenagers and now that both parents were gone, Anna
and Lucia only had each other. Anna conjured the memory of their mother’s face,
her tall elegance and demure ways and recalled that she, too, had an intuitive
ability that everyone who knew her remarked upon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I don’t know
that I’m anywhere near the way Mom was,” Anna leaned back. “Do you remember how
she always knew what we were up to when we were little? There was no point in
ever trying to fool her about anything because she always knew the truth.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Of course,
you’ve always been a terrible liar. Everything you’re thinking is always
written on your face. You were the one who always gave us away to Mom, not me,”
Lucia reminded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That’s not
entirely true,” Anna volleyed, “I remember the time you tried to sneak out the
upstairs window at night and found Mom sitting on the garden bench under the
tree you used because she’d picked up on what you were thinking practically
before you even decided to do it. She could just tell by looking at you!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You’re right
about that,” Lucia nodded. “Mom was something else altogether, wasn’t she? I’m
convinced she was clairvoyant. I think she knew how to read us both. I really
do miss her every day. I think of her every time I see a sunset, every time I
feel the change of seasons in the air, every time I see the full moon. She made
such an event out of the little things in life, didn’t she?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“She definitely
did. She placed great importance on ceremonies and symbolism and things like
that,” Anna said. “I see so many things the same way she did because she taught
us how.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I do, too. What
she did to the exact spot where Dad got in his car wreck is a perfect example.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well, a lot of
people do a similar thing. I see markers on the side of the road all the time.
Standing crosses with bouquets of flowers under them at the scene of a fatal
accident. It’s a commemoration of a particular place where something
significant happened.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes, but it was
so much more to Mom than that,” Lucia reminded Anna. “That’s why she buried the
key where Dad got in the accident. Do you recall that night? It was only two
days after Dad died, but somehow Mom managed to set aside her grief in order to
take care of business. She woke us up after midnight and told us to get in the
car because we were going to conduct a ceremony. “<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Interview with Anna Lucera from “A Portal in Time.”</span></u></b></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q: How old are you, and where are you from?</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A: I’m twenty-six, and was born and raised in Los Angeles,
California. I’m one of the few people actually from Los Angeles!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q: What do you do for a living?</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A: I’m a free-lance writer, which means I work for myself. It suits me perfectly because I wouldn’t want
to work in an office. I write for magazines
such as “Whole Life Times” and “Yoga Journal.” I like writing about ways to
live your best life.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q: What are your hobbies?</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A: I have been a student of Ballet since I was six. I love Yoga and Pilates as well. I like to
take long walks in nature, and I am a voracious reader. I am also a collector
of semi-precious gemstones, such as Amethyst, Citrine, Aventurine and clear
quartz. I’ve been collecting crystals for about ten years. I have them all over
my apartment, and like studying their metaphysical properties.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q: What do you like to read?</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A: I love books on spirituality, historical fiction, and
mainstream fiction.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q : When you say books on spirituality, can you name a few?</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A: Yes, for example, “Anatomy of the Spirit” by Caroline
Myss, “A Return to Love” by Marianne Williamson, all the books on “the other
side” that John Edward has put out ( I’m fascinated in mediumship; John Holland
is one of my favorite writers on the subject), Barbara Anne Brennan’s “Hands of
Light,” and I have two copies of the Wilhelm/Baynes version of the I-Ching as
well as Carol K. Anthony’s interpretation.
There are too many books to name my extensive library!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q: What was your major in college?</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A: Psychology. I wanted to learn everything I could about
the mind. I am intrigued by what motivates us as human beings, and especially
love the subject of dreams. I still study dreams, and am currently taking a
class in developing intuition. I think I’ll always be interested in the
mysteries of the mind. I also studied Journalism, which lead to my writing
career. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q: If you could live anywhere, where would it be?</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A: Definitely Carmel-by-the-Sea on California’s Monterey
Peninsula. I feel inexplicably drawn there. The first time I visited Carmel, I
felt as if I’d been there before! The
temperature is mild year round, kind of like a perpetual fall season, and there
is usually an ethereal mist in the mornings and early evenings because of the
marine layer that comes in from the sea. There are pine trees and cypress
groves all throughout Carmel, and there is an historic, bucolic feel to the
entire area that is accompanied by the incessant, rhythmic sounds from the sea.
Carmel Bay is at the bottom of Carmel’s main street. It is a <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>white-sand
beach shaped in an arch that lays beneath majestic sand dunes. What I love
about Carmel is its residential area: there are many cottages built from the
1920’s through the 1940’s that look like houses out of Grimm’s Fairy
tales. All in all, Carmel-by-the-Sea is
a magical place!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Q: Where do you see yourself in ten years?</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A: I hope to be
living in Carmel, California, living in one of its cottages – hopefully with
the man I’m dating now! One never knows what fate has in store!</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://susanwingate.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/claire-fullerton-authorportrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://susanwingate.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/claire-fullerton-authorportrait.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">About
the Author:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Claire Fullerton is the author of
Paranormal/Historical Romance, “A Portal in Time.” Her second novel, “Dancing to an Irish Reel,”
set in Connemara, Ireland, will be published in March, 2015. Claire is a contributor to numerous magazines
as well as a multiple contributor to the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book
series. She is a multiple award winning essayist, a former major-market radio
disc jockey, and an avid ballet dancer.
Claire hails from Memphis, Tennessee, and currently divides her time
between Malibu and Carmel, California with her husband and two German
shepherds! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.clairefullerton.com/">http://www.clairefullerton.com</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Portal-in-Time/652046314828696">https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Portal-in-Time/652046314828696</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7388895.Claire_Fullerton">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7388895.Claire_Fullerton</a>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">@cfullerton3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Mila Ramoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749425163028904436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13477061.post-79903051368757685742014-07-04T10:24:00.002-05:002014-07-04T10:24:31.456-05:00C.O.V.E.N. by Casey Moss<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba112f704/" id="rc-ba112f704" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.coffeetalkwriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Casey-Moss_COVEN_240px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.coffeetalkwriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Casey-Moss_COVEN_240px.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Open
World </b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>C.O.V.E.N.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Book
1</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Casey
Moss</b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Genre: Erotic Urban Fantasy</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Publisher: Evernight Publishing</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Date of Publication: May 15, 2014</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ISBN: 978-1-77130-852-6</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ASIN: B00KCE12JW</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Number of pages: 146</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Word Count: 52,000</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Book Description:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The world has broken out in wars.
Las Vegas has been ravaged by chemical warfare and is now home to several clans
and creatures.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Welcome to I-D-8 Entertainment’s
newest game: Clans of Vegas—Endless Night.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Friends and family have gathered
for a crunch time playtest of C.O.V.E.N.. When a horrible thunderstorm hits,
everyone’s sucked into the game for real. In the MMORPG, Hope Collins is
kidnapped by Buzz and forced to submit to his whims. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Her boyfriend, Alden, has to
delay his quest of defeating a clan’s prince to save her, but time and
circumstance don’t seem to be on his side. Faith Collins is bombarded by
strange dreams brought on by Buzz. Her boyfriend, Tavis, learns to dream walk,
but can he help break the spell she’s under and save her before she’s lost to
him?</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">C.O.V.E.N. is more than just a
game. It’s a whole other world.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Available at <a href="http://www.evernightpublishing.com/open-world-by-casey-moss/">Evernight
Publishing</a><span> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Open-World-C-O-V-E-N-Casey-Moss-ebook/dp/B00KCE12JW">Amazon</a>
<span> </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-openworld-1514409-147.html">All
Romance eBooks</a> <span> </span><a href="http://www.bookstrand.com/open-world">BookStrand</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Excerpt Open World – C.O.V.E.N. by Casey Moss</u></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He
homed in on the guy, and repulsive vibes poured over him. Thoughts, full of ill
intent, infiltrated his mind.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The man’s here to claim. Conquer.
End game…power</i>.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">T</span>he
prince had changed his name, but to what he didn’t know. He couldn’t fault the
man on that kind of switch. He and his buddy, Tavis, had assigned themselves
new names, too.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Alias
or no, though, the royal’s presence was a cause for high concern.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Does he know of mine and Tav’s
existence? Our ultimate mission?</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He
calmed his thoughts, fixated on the man again. Answer—negative. <i>Good</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
prince didn’t know about the two of them, but the man did have the same
plan…make nice with the family to apprehend one of the two daughters, or the
cousin if need be.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He
snorted. <i>Same plan. Yeah, right</i>. In
the prince’s case, his eagerness to have one of the women stemmed from
nefarious reasons.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Den’s
eyes shot open. The black of the grill and the off-white concrete appeared less
vibrant than they had moments before. The light of day dimmed more. He blinked,
then looked up. The sky had darkened with the formation of thick gray clouds.
The forecast had mentioned a thirty percent chance of showers, but everyone
believed if it were to rain it wouldn’t happen until much later or the storm
would fizzle after it spent itself in the upper elevations.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Frustrated
over his uneasiness due to the perplexing vibes, his trying to rationalize the
afternoon and the changing weather, he ran his fingers through his hair. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>And what the fuck were all those
thoughts about? Mirroring that of my C.O.V.E.N. character and the quests I’ve
been on? Nothing like this ever’s happened before. Did the programmers do
something to the game to affect us?</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As
one of the level designers on the development team, he’d been a part of the
alpha-testing and minor playtests during the creation process. Mr. Gott, the
head honcho of the whole design department, thought implementing a lot of tests
along the way would cut down on major changes during the last phases. From what
he understood, the closed-beta test he, Mr. Gott and several others had
performed a handful of weeks ago to check a couple of clans, hadn’t turned out
as well as expected. Hence the LAN party, a crunch time playtest to see what
was going on before they implemented another beta run. All the designers and
programmers, along with any friends and family members who were interested in
giving C.O.V.E.N. a try, were present.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Except if there’s something in
the game that’s going to mind fuck everyone, shouldn’t we call it a day? I
didn’t sign on for crap like this. I’m sure no one else has either</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>About
the Author:</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Casey Moss delves into the darker
aspects of life in her writing, sometimes basing the stories on reality,
sometimes on myth. No matter the path, her stories will take you on a journey
from the light-hearted paranormal to dark things unspeakable. What waits around
the corner? Come explore…</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Website: <a href="http://caseymossbooks.com/">http://caseymossbooks.com/</a> <span> </span><span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Blog: <a href="http://caseymossbooks.blogspot.com/">http://caseymossbooks.blogspot.com/</a>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/author.CaseyMoss">https://www.facebook.com/author.CaseyMoss</a>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/CaseyMoss_">https://twitter.com/CaseyMoss_</a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Goodreads: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/CaseyMoss">http://www.goodreads.com/CaseyMoss</a>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>Mila Ramoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749425163028904436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13477061.post-26470470594307233492014-06-27T05:38:00.002-05:002014-06-27T05:38:23.534-05:00Messenger by Laury Falter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Messenger</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
Guardian Trilogy</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Prequel</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Book
One</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Laury
Falter</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Book Description:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Messenger is the first prequel to
the bestselling Guardian Trilogy - the breathtaking romantic saga about a love
that has lasted centuries between a messenger and her guardian.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Maggie does not know she is a
messenger. She has never met her eternal lover. She has never survived a Fallen
One. All this changes when a messenger awakens in the Hall of Records only to
die moments later, never to return. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">As Maggie sets out to determine
why the messengers are suddenly beginning to die, she crosses paths with the
infuriatingly appealing Eran and their story begins. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In this riveting account of
Maggie's first life on earth with Eran, the star-crossed lover's romance
transpires amidst treacherous enemies, their friends' resistance, and their own
opposing wills. With the odds against her, can Maggie survive long enough to
admit the feelings she has so carefully denied?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Messenger-Guardian-Trilogy-Prequel-1-ebook/dp/B00K6MOM56/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399492544&sr=8-1&keywords=laury+falter+messenger">Amazon</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/messenger-laury-falter/1119450112?ean=2940149293339">BN</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=kcaFAwAAQBAJ&rdid=book-kcaFAwAAQBAJ&rdot=1&source=gbs_atb&pcampaignid=books_booksearch_atb">Google
Books</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">EXCERPTS</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">MESSENGER </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">GUARDIAN TRILOGY PREQUEL 1</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">EXCERPT
1</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He strode to me
and crouched at my hip. His shirt was already off and the nearness of his
well-built chest made it a challenge to stop myself from glancing at it. To my
astonishment, he seemed not to notice my internal plight, not even the tremble
that shook me when he tenderly took my chin and turned it toward him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">"You're
healing nicely," he observed, concentrating on my forehead. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">"Mm-hmm."
It was all I could muster.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was the
closest we had ever been. His lips were no more than a few inches from me and
drew my attention. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">"I don't
think you'll even scar."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">When I didn't
answer, I felt a shift in his presence and my eyes darted up to find him
staring back with his striking blue-green eyes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We froze in
place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Only our chests
rose and fell, and they did it more rapidly the longer we stared at each other.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">As his eyes
lowered to my lips, his fingers tightened gently around my chin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The flare of his
nostrils and the intensity of his stare mesmerized me, made me want him closer.
And it told me that he was struggling too and was in profound debate over what
we were doing. No ward should be this close to their guardian, even if the ward
didn't recognize them as one. It was taboo, unheard of, an abject insult to the
role the guardian had been given. Yet, here he was, looking at me, at my lips,
tensing at the sight of them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">And he wasn't
alone in the struggle. For the first time, I forgot my urge to throw him off
balance, my need to establish my independence. I was the one quickly losing my
poise and forgetting who was dominant. The charm I fought so hard to deny, the
very one that drew all others to him, took hold of me. And I gave into it out
of my own free will.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">EXCERPT
2</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Without thinking
about it, I rolled my shoulders backwards into his palms. The heat from him was
soaking into my tight muscles and it was an unavoidable relief.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">"Was that a
moan?" he asked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">"Did I make
a sound?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">"I think
you did."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I released a
half-laugh, too tired to offer anything more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">"It was a
good sound," Eran whispered and I felt his fingers stiffen at his candid
acknowledgement. It was the first time he moved them since he laid them on me,
but I got the distinct feeling he didn't want to stop there and yearned to curl
his fingers around my shoulders and feel me more fully. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">A constrained
sigh escaped him, followed by a deep, forced inhale.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">His thumbs
moved, sliding down the dip between my shoulder and neck. They were tender,
barely a whisper against my skin. And I knew he was exploring me, just that
small and subtle part but taking his time not to miss an inch. When his hands reached
the base of my neck, they paused and I thought he was done, would now pull back
and step away. But his thumbs moved up over the top of my palms, embracing my
hands.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I was acutely
aware of his scent, the quickened pulse in his thumbs, his restrained breathing.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He opened his
mouth to speak but the tent flap opened, bringing him to a sudden halt. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">About
the Author:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Laury Falter is a bestselling
author of young adult romantic suspense and urban fantasy. She has three series
out: the Guardian Trilogy, the Residue Series, and the Apocalypse Chronicles.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Website: <a href="http://www.lauryfalter.com/">http://www.lauryfalter.com</a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Twitter page: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/LauryFalter">http://www.twitter.com/LauryFalter</a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Facebook page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laury-Falter/196033543803745">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laury-Falter/196033543803745</a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Goodreads page: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/lauryfalter">http://www.goodreads.com/lauryfalter</a></span></div>
Mila Ramoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749425163028904436noreply@blogger.com0