tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25509050937627708782024-02-23T05:35:43.901-08:00Susan B. JamesSecond Chance Romances with a touch of magicSusan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.comBlogger329125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550905093762770878.post-15747983504211710492021-07-16T15:07:00.006-07:002021-07-16T15:07:57.711-07:00 Fun facts: Ten Things I Discovered When Researching 2006 <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdKZiZXMo3OIcZukpXdRRlGC0fjGYKFESOFeE8gRjhzxo9fY77u3BtL1dNDpEKjlE4Y6peUQL_m6stecy9PQdtAlRbbAUozcwgFkGtWMWx2po9u46hyphenhyphenXPG0ykuxRcQejAOrFsEmYgN6Mm/s320/9-11+instagram.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" data-pinit="registered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdKZiZXMo3OIcZukpXdRRlGC0fjGYKFESOFeE8gRjhzxo9fY77u3BtL1dNDpEKjlE4Y6peUQL_m6stecy9PQdtAlRbbAUozcwgFkGtWMWx2po9u46hyphenhyphenXPG0ykuxRcQejAOrFsEmYgN6Mm/s0/9-11+instagram.png" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073DJ2RK4/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Maybe This Time</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> won the 2019 Raven Award for Best Contemporary Romance, The 2019 Reader's Favorite Gold Medal for Time Travel, and was runner up for the RONE Best Audiobook General Award. </span><p></p><p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt;">When writing time travel, it’s important to know what existed when. My characters in</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt;"> </span><b style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073DJ2RK4/">Maybe This Time</a></i></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt;">jump forward to 2006 hoping to mend a glitch in time. I choose 2006 because computer technology leapt forward in the five years between 2001 and 2006. </span></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt;">When I researched December 2006, I found a few things I thought existed then hadn't happened yet, and a few did exist that surprised me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt;">Here are ten things I can’t imagine life without today that began their existance in 2006 and 2007.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> 1. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b> </b></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; text-transform: uppercase;">LCD </span><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt;">Flat Screen TV<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt;">Technically these were “around” before 2006. But that was the year they were made affordable for people to buy commercially, and now they’re everywhere.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> 2</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b> </b></span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt;"><b>Facebook</b> While it was available to college students in 2004 Facebook opened its doors</span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> to everyone aged 13 and older with a valid </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-mail_address" title="E-mail address"><span style="background: white; color: #0b0080; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">e-mail address</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="background: white; color: #0b0080; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">on September 26, 2006.</span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; letter-spacing: 0.4pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> 3. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt;"><b>Twitter </b>Twitter launched in July 2006. The world embraced the service which allowed only short bursts of information of 140 characters or less. </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Twitter grew from 400,000 tweets posted per quarter in 2007 to 500 million tweets per day.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><br /></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">4.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> 4.</span></span></span><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; text-transform: uppercase;"><b><span style="color: #333333; letter-spacing: 0.533333px; text-transform: none;">YouTube</span> </b></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt;">YouTube was launched in 2005. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Every day people watch some of the hundreds of millions of hours worth of content, generating billions of views. It’s physically impossible to watch every video uploaded to the site as it would take over 1,000 years. I have a </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roPWoDjvN9M&list=PLxyjQreDjJQnY0hleWbKhUgh3Ag8A-2Eu"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">YouTube channel</span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> for videos of some of my acting roles. Not all of them, because shows like American Horror Story do not allow you to post scenes.</span><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; text-transform: uppercase;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><br /></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; letter-spacing: 0.4pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> 5. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt;"><b>The iPhone </b>It released in March 2007. I thought it was earlier. But in 2006 the most advanced phone was the Blackberry Pearl. Jen, my heroine can’t understand why anyone would name a phone after a piece of fruit. </span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.533333px; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Today iPhones and Androids together with Twitter and YouTube are changing our view of what is really happening in the world. </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> 6. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt;"><b>The Selfie.</b> Obviously we couldn<span style="text-transform: uppercase;">’</span>t take selfies until someone invented the reversible camera. Selfies as a sport, didn’t become popular until the invention of the iPhone<span style="text-transform: uppercase;">. </span>This selfie, taken at the 2014 Oscars, momentarily broke Twitter. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxoWQkBqa_nfZL3b9mrGtVdb_XQX9EPhb5KofDeWAFoi1FSXI50dGv94hAnxf7-ZyG_3bPRiEYqNRTDZ5xzazB_I8p2Scylirpf3c6rdYQlBKtpko5FLEOc2hJAESwSNHuUcdRq9yaviB/s1600/2014+oscar+selfie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="680" data-pinit="registered" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxoWQkBqa_nfZL3b9mrGtVdb_XQX9EPhb5KofDeWAFoi1FSXI50dGv94hAnxf7-ZyG_3bPRiEYqNRTDZ5xzazB_I8p2Scylirpf3c6rdYQlBKtpko5FLEOc2hJAESwSNHuUcdRq9yaviB/s320/2014+oscar+selfie.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><br /></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-outline-level: 2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> 7. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>E-READERS </b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The first Amazon kindle was launched in 2007 priced at $400 and was immensely popular, selling out within five and a half hours and remaining out of stock for months.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-outline-level: 2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> 8.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b> </b></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; text-transform: uppercase;"><b>SMALL INDEPENDENT PUBLISHERS AND SELF PUBLISHING</b> </span><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt;">The demand for content for new e-reader opened up new avenues for authors. Not only did a host of independent publishers spring up, I am grateful that Soul Mate Publishing was one of them. New options for self publishing proliferated. I haven’t tried this yet because I am too chicken, but I’ve discovered wonderful books by self-published Authors.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; text-indent: -0.25in; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>Amazon Prime.</b> I have had Amazon Prime since it started in 2005. For a flat fee of $79.00 I could have free two-day shipping. I added up what I had been paying in shipping for my bookaholic habits and decided it was worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazon Prime wasn’t launched in the UK where my heroine lives until 2007.</span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>AirBnB. </b>This alternative to traditional hotels for short term stays and vacation rentals started in 2007. I’ve used it several times and I love it. I now rent a room in my home through AirBnB.</span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Back in 2006 when Jen needed to find a short term apartment rental in Los Angeles I had her ask her waiter. (I always got my best apartment tips from waiters.)</span><br /><br /><div><b style="background-color: transparent;">BLURB </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0olwM1mKl5srtLV3V4QDDgNsgD079jM17yEKfYa7sy91X6W0miNZ19tUhe75OAXMMA3feb2tRctIdcd745VU9gfrRs5Vv48qYeJnLGrRpb8epwCpEWNRDaoQ7I2k10IaIb5Q9CZDLbVma/s1600/500x500audio+cover+Maybe+This+Time.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0olwM1mKl5srtLV3V4QDDgNsgD079jM17yEKfYa7sy91X6W0miNZ19tUhe75OAXMMA3feb2tRctIdcd745VU9gfrRs5Vv48qYeJnLGrRpb8epwCpEWNRDaoQ7I2k10IaIb5Q9CZDLbVma/s320/500x500audio+cover+Maybe+This+Time.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i>Happy Ever After? Not unless they change time</i></b></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 14px;">Popular London stage actress Jennifer Knight just turned forty-nine and she's fine with her life, thank you very much. Or she was until her beloved niece accidentally time travels them both to 1988 bringing her face to face with her first husband.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 14px;">Computer guru, Lance Davies is more comfortable with machines than people. He never knew how to handle his beloved, mercurial Jen. But now her future-self is here in front of him and he wants another chance.<br />Jen's traitorous body insists that home is in Lance's arms, but her heart has trust issues.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 14px;">When Lance follows Jen into the future, time tangles. And, according to the computer they both died on September, 2001. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 14px;">Their only hope of a future is changing their past. But how?</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.533333px; text-indent: -24px;"> We still have COVID to contend with so I hesitate to ask anyone to buy the book</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">The audiobook is available from your library via Hoopla </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Or I can give you an audiobook code through Findaway books.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">If you want a free PDF ARC or an </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.533333px; text-indent: -24px;">audiobook code, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">please </span><a href="https://susanbjames.com/contact-me/" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">contact me through my Website.</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Or you can leave a comment with your email here.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: 16.5pt; margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.4pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">I wish you a week of small joys in an unprecedented time. Stay Panic Free. Watch News only once a day. Laugh at least three times.</span></div><div style="border: 1pt none white; mso-border-alt: none white 0in; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 31pt;"></div>Susan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550905093762770878.post-17056606288312014662021-06-02T14:45:00.001-07:002021-06-13T14:54:32.740-07:00June Is Audiobook Month. Sale!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2H8ATBhAGaJb4wsHZY-K2BjjyIn0pg0QeP0cfHc6KM2ueIyHdcjQpF485V77l4CnNS_yga5usYitP_4M9ehVihBA32qt64WGH-BC-WrzeC03HKwIrv8UvEeXlpI6yMRn8U8i2sq6Xig5W/s1080/audio+sale+nook.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2H8ATBhAGaJb4wsHZY-K2BjjyIn0pg0QeP0cfHc6KM2ueIyHdcjQpF485V77l4CnNS_yga5usYitP_4M9ehVihBA32qt64WGH-BC-WrzeC03HKwIrv8UvEeXlpI6yMRn8U8i2sq6Xig5W/s320/audio+sale+nook.png" /></a></div>Happy June all. My Second Chance Romance series audiobooks are now available in local libraries and on all platforms.<p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4b4b60; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">I'm Thrilled that Nook Audiobooks included Time and Forever, Maybe This Time and Irish Magic in their discount sale during “June is Audiobook Month.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4b4b60; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"> Here are the links:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<h2 style="background: white; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: red; font-size: 12pt;">Nook June sale<o:p></o:p></span></h2><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 12pt;">Time and Forever</span></div><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505; font-size: 12pt;"><h2 style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: red; font-size: 12pt;">Save 25% </span><s><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505; font-size: 12pt;">7.95 </span></s><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: red; font-size: 12pt;">5.99</span></h2></span></div>
<h2 style="background: white; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.nookaudiobooks.com/audiobook/1032251/time-and-forever"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">https://www.nookaudiobooks.com/audiobook/1032251/time-and-forever</span></a></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<h2 style="background: white; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #050505; font-size: 12pt;">Maybe This Time</span></h2>
<h2 style="background: white; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: red; font-size: 12pt;">Save 21% </span><s><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505; font-size: 12pt;">6.95 </span></s><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: red; font-size: 12pt;">5.49<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<h2 style="background: white; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.nookaudiobooks.com/audiobook/1032253/maybe-this-time"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">https://www.nookaudiobooks.com/audiobook/1032253/maybe-this-time</span></a></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<h2 style="background: white; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505; font-size: 12pt;">Irish Magic <o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<h2 style="background: white; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: red; font-size: 12pt;">Save 25% </span><s><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt;">8.95</span></s><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: red; font-size: 12pt;"> 6.99<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<h2 style="background: white; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.nookaudiobooks.com/audiobook/1010029/irish-magic"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">https://www.nookaudiobooks.com/audiobook/1010029/irish-magic</span></a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h2><div><br /></div><div>If you prefer to borrow them from the library, I have links for that too.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06F5z8q590kP7WrzjZPpZhyphenhypheng0OtynfFq6ROslXifEztnrIoaULYVCpn3WF6jLzbjC0SvEh3OYhmdWuUeS1kz98z3NbW_6mR7sCti9SsEZ6WLj8NcUPNt1khVkr_N-s8mjxTX6xQ13uE3r/s1080/audiobooks+avvail+library.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06F5z8q590kP7WrzjZPpZhyphenhypheng0OtynfFq6ROslXifEztnrIoaULYVCpn3WF6jLzbjC0SvEh3OYhmdWuUeS1kz98z3NbW_6mR7sCti9SsEZ6WLj8NcUPNt1khVkr_N-s8mjxTX6xQ13uE3r/s320/audiobooks+avvail+library.png" /></a></div><h2 style="background: white; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></h2><h2 style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505;"><span style="font-size: small;">Audiobook links hoopla<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2><h2 style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505;"> </span>Time and Forever</span></h2><h2 style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><a href="https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/14084853"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/14084853</span></a></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h2><h2 style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505;"> </span>Maybe This Time</span></h2><h2 style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><a href="https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/14085003"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/14085003</span></a></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #050505;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h2><h2 style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-size: small;">Irish Magic</span></span></h2><h2 style="background: white; margin: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/12831022" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-size: small;">https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/12831022</span></span></a></h2><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I am finally working on a new book.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The most important lesson I feel I've learned from the past year is </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">to seize each moment and be grateful for any joy it holds.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">What's bringing you joy? Please Share.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>Susan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550905093762770878.post-21098864263387214492021-05-10T22:23:00.002-07:002021-05-10T22:23:36.274-07:00What's Your Next read?<p> Happy May. Books I've been Reading</p>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57807648-the-last-big-fake" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Last Big Fake" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1618970832l/57807648._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57807648-the-last-big-fake">The Last Big Fake</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21407352.Kate_Kerns">Kate Kerns</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3987784687">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Fabulous. It's funny with lots of heart.<br />This is the first book I've read by this author. II will be looking for more. She's got a wonderful sense of voice. <br />Darcy and Seth's voices are great. I loved the plot it was twisted and believable and kept me reading far past bedtime. It was a very happy read.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/27923806-susan-james">View all my reviews</a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54893918-the-lady-has-a-past" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Lady Has a Past (Burning Cove, #5)" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1597454236l/54893918._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54893918-the-lady-has-a-past">The Lady Has a Past</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/42211.Amanda_Quick">Amanda Quick</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3994779476">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
This is a wonderful Stand Alone addition to Burning Cove series. Now I want to go back and reread the whole series. This was my Mother's Day present to myself. I broke into it Saturday night and finished it on Sunday.<br />I loved Lyra and Simon and the plot was a roller coaster of a ride. Thank you, Amanda, for a delicious read.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25104078-sorcerer-to-the-crown" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Sorcerer to the Crown (Sorcerer Royal, #1)" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1433347107l/25104078._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25104078-sorcerer-to-the-crown">Sorcerer to the Crown</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4632661.Zen_Cho">Zen Cho</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3972254549">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
<strong> Brilliant mix of magic and Regency England. </strong><br /><br />The world building in this is amazing. I am in love with all of the characters. The plot is twisted and full of surprises and there is of course a happy ever after. For now. Who knows what will happen in the next book?
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/27923806-susan-james">View all my reviews</a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/27923806-susan-james">View all my reviews</a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42190175-vanessa-yu-s-magical-paris-tea-shop" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1578942347l/42190175._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42190175-vanessa-yu-s-magical-paris-tea-shop">Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17917712.Roselle_Lim">Roselle Lim</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3914660260">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Magic, art, love, and Paris seamlessly combined in a book that is a perfect read. There is so much in this book about food and about paintings and about family and it’s all stitched together in a way that makes you want to not stop reading. This is the first book I have read by Roselle Lim. I highly recommend it. I feel reading more Vanessa adventures would be great. I hope there’s a sequel. Someday.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/27923806-susan-james">View all my reviews</a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18934398-night-song" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Night Song" border="0" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1385324325l/18934398._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18934398-night-song">Night Song</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/199260.Beverly_Jenkins">Beverly Jenkins</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3957535027">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
<strong>Passion and history entwined</strong><br /><br />This love story is set against the exodus of 1879 when thousands of blacks fled the horrors of Reconstruction and Redemption of the South to Kansas. This book is set in Henry Adams, and contains some of the ancestors of the Blessings series of books.The hero is one of the buffalo soldiers. the heroine is a teacher. It is a great and steamy love story.
<br /><br />I also reread several of <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18067.Georgette_Heyer">Georgette Heyer's </a>books. She remains my favorite Regency author. What's your next read?Susan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550905093762770878.post-8730504203977121922021-03-23T03:00:00.015-07:002021-03-23T16:12:14.743-07:00Happy Spring. Some laughs for youl<span style="font-size: medium;">Happy Spring. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5W3JbIGFFjO9eLsV_Dxe9RmVm2W91g-uQbFPwrmyQ12-0Cy9ATfOlJexPFzt4ERI2DbPHDklFXSR7xtLocIptbBMgNsUjw39f_vO43-Ijrw6M47T-kOula2DXCr5d6HDuq416ea5rGQlT/s1280/hiphop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1091" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5W3JbIGFFjO9eLsV_Dxe9RmVm2W91g-uQbFPwrmyQ12-0Cy9ATfOlJexPFzt4ERI2DbPHDklFXSR7xtLocIptbBMgNsUjw39f_vO43-Ijrw6M47T-kOula2DXCr5d6HDuq416ea5rGQlT/s320/hiphop.jpg" /></a></div><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I feel we all need laughter. I have for you my audition as a Novice Hip Hop dancer. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">(Epic fail as an audition. but it's really funny.) </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Plus the Current Washington Post Mensa Madness and their contest for Alternate meanings for common words. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='570' height='474' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwRv9QPLqctVdKKVYle8FOTJTDnSMsmdoA7ggOOal5s7QpT4xSA4uS61Trbsl5-LzOocLSoJzAbwyYrV-zoEA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><blockquote style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri;" type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><blockquote type="cite"><div style="overflow-wrap: break-word;"><blockquote type="cite"><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="yiv7997538152gmail_quote"><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><div id="yiv7997538152m_472429104262356188yiv4550237389"><span style="color: red;"><b>The Washington Post's
Mensa Invitational once again invited readers to take any word from the
dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and
supplying a new definition.</b></span></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote></div></blockquote></div></blockquote><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: red;"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: red;"><b> </b></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">Here are the winners: </p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">1. Cashtration (n.): The
act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for a
really long time.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">2. Ignoranus: A person
who's both stupid and an asshole. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">3. Intaxication: Euphoria
at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to
start with.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">4. Reintarnation: Coming
back to life as a hillbilly. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">5. Bozone ( n.): The
substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating.
The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near
future. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">6. Foreploy: Any
misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">7. Giraffiti: Vandalism
spray-painted very, very high <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">8. Sarchasm: The gulf
between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">9. Inoculatte: To take
coffee intravenously when you are running late. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">10. Osteopornosis: A
degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">11. Karmageddon: It's
like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And
then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">12. Decafalon (n.): The
grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good
for you. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">13. Glibido: All talk and
no action. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">14. Dopeler Effect: The
tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">15. Arachnoleptic Fit
(n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through
a spider web.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;"> 16. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a
mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be
cast out.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">17. Caterpallor ( n.):
The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;">The Washington Post has
also published the winning submissions to its yearly contest in which readers
are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words. The winners are:</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;"> 1. <b>Coffee</b>, n. The person upon whom one coughs.</p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;"> 2. <b>Flabbergasted,</b>
adj. Appalled by discovering how much weight one has gained.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;"> 3. <b>Abdicate</b>,
v. To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;"> 4. <b>esplanade,</b>
v. To attempt an explanation while drunk.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">5. <b>Willy-nilly</b>, adj. Impotent.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;"> 6.<b>
Negligent</b>, adj. Absentmindedly answering the door when wearing only a
nightgown.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;"> 7. <b>Lymph</b>,
v To walk with a lisp.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;"> 8. <b>Gargoyle</b>,
n. Olive-flavored mouthwash.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;"> 9.<b>
Flatulence,</b> n. Emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has been run
over by a steamroller.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;"> 10. <b>Balderdash</b>,
n. A rapidly receding hairline.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;"> 11. <b>Testicle,
</b>n. A humorous question on an exam.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;"> 12.<b>
Rectitude</b>, n. The formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;">13. <b>Pokemon</b>, n. A Rastafarian proctologist.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;"> 14. <b>Oyster</b>,
n. A person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;"> 15. <b>Frisbeetarianism,</b>
n. The belief that, after death, the soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck
there.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%;"> 16. <b>Circumvent,</b>
n. An opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men .<o:p></o:p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">I wish you love, joy, and lots of fun reading.</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">PS </span></b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">My favorites were Innoculatte and Circumvent, What were yours? </span></b></p></div></div>Susan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550905093762770878.post-59802165522281113602021-03-16T20:27:00.000-07:002021-03-16T20:27:03.218-07:00Irish Magic is FREE March 17-21 Plus St Patrick's Day recipes <p> Happy St Patrick's Day. </p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">My publisher made <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Irish-Magic-Susan-B-James-ebook/dp/B07V38M9WK" target="_blank">Irish Magic</a> a freebie on Amazon from St. Patrick's day through Sunday, March 24.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjji-ONUtb_nW1v4uSQqAJV3IUdLuef9zv9hqXVVOwVJ54T0P8aMge8xbGye8vdzCmOR1i4QdT4UkfbW4AnqbpdebY7UAlEnqXQobFfwo4iZVGNZQnsp1KmYD6Rw3H6cf8H-B-c3oKN81fd/s940/m+w+rainbow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Irish Magic is Free 3-17 - 3-21" border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" data-pinit="registered" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjji-ONUtb_nW1v4uSQqAJV3IUdLuef9zv9hqXVVOwVJ54T0P8aMge8xbGye8vdzCmOR1i4QdT4UkfbW4AnqbpdebY7UAlEnqXQobFfwo4iZVGNZQnsp1KmYD6Rw3H6cf8H-B-c3oKN81fd/w400-h335/m+w+rainbow.jpg" title="the audiobook is free in libraries" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><strong>Reviews</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">"A quirky tale of love where and when you least expect it, but exactly when you need it most." </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">TomeTender Book Blog</strong><br style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">"A wild cast of amazing characters in an imaginary world the reader will look for around every corner. Ms.James writes with depth and appreciation for Irish folklore that a romantic at heart can appreciate. </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">CoffeeTime Romance</strong><br style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">"A lovely cross of contemporary with a touch of fantasy. I'd definitely pick up more books like this one from Ms. James." </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">Trish on Goodreads</strong><br style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">If you are in the mood for a little escape. please grab a copy. The Free starts on March 17.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Irish-Magic-Susan-B-James-ebook/dp/B07V38M9WK" style="background-color: white; color: #007c89; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/Irish-Magic-Susan-B-James-ebook/dp/B07V38M9WK</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you read and enjoy it please consider leaving a review. Reviews are better than Irish Cream Brownies for authors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0t_nn6zZs0VaOMKYe7pdMeO1Lx7HXmzpolMWZzTRGHR0pbMfyLi_A4iPOkupzQefBAXE2kn3Aye0ru_c55KVD2i-2Q7tEoFHxjW8r1A_uKlWoh8beEnPrmuWSThKL4wePGsPsUZAsRW4/s975/Baileys-Brownies-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="650" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0t_nn6zZs0VaOMKYe7pdMeO1Lx7HXmzpolMWZzTRGHR0pbMfyLi_A4iPOkupzQefBAXE2kn3Aye0ru_c55KVD2i-2Q7tEoFHxjW8r1A_uKlWoh8beEnPrmuWSThKL4wePGsPsUZAsRW4/s320/Baileys-Brownies-25.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">Bailey's Irish Cream Brownies</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">are one of my favorite St Patrick's Day traditions. Here's a link to the printable online recipe. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" /><a href="https://www.spendwithpennies.com/baileys-brownies/#wprm-recipe-container-121570" style="background-color: white; color: #007c89; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">https://www.spendwithpennies.com/baileys-brownies/#wprm-recipe-container-121570</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3DvlsEJUUaXmJWgMH9UxmEPW73Lie9mcs02NE8OvQpjvGX3Dwhyphenhyphen1Whm0YDeeJKkJI9sl6vLM0s3en5w-KSgPgNvafVhrctl9a6hyoHximCpqwLkzjgS0IxFPaap9ZfddDYIOF07mEGkk/s600/coffee+and+irish+magic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3DvlsEJUUaXmJWgMH9UxmEPW73Lie9mcs02NE8OvQpjvGX3Dwhyphenhyphen1Whm0YDeeJKkJI9sl6vLM0s3en5w-KSgPgNvafVhrctl9a6hyoHximCpqwLkzjgS0IxFPaap9ZfddDYIOF07mEGkk/s320/coffee+and+irish+magic.jpg" /></a></div><br />This year I will be doing St Patricks Day for one. So I will not be doing corned beef and Cabbage. Instead, I plan to buy corned beef at a deli and make a Reuben sandwich. </span><a href="https://www.gretasday.com/quick-painless-reuben-sandwich-recipe/" style="background-color: white; color: #007c89; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: 100%;">https://www.gretasday.com/quick-painless-reuben-sandwich-recipe/</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">I also plan to have non-alcoholic Irish coffee with my Soda Bread.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">Here's that recipe. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://confessionsofanover-workedmom.com/wp-json/mv-create/v1/creations/12/print" style="background-color: white; color: #007c89; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank" title="Non-Alcoholic Baileys Irish Ceam coffee">https://confessionsofanover-workedmom.com/wp-json/mv-create/v1/creations/12/print</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">And I may reread Irish Magic. It's been a long time since I read it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">When I wrote Irish Magic I mentioned The Quiet Man movie. Only to be told by my critique partners my audience had probably never heard of it. Since I watch it every Saint Patrick's Day I thought I would share the link to it. It's free to watch with Amazon Prime.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.b2ba7076-3a7f-7c91-3e49-c60ef19cd7c7?ref_=imdbref_tt_wbr_pvs_piv&tag=imdbtag_tt_wbr_pvs_piv-20" style="background-color: white; color: #007c89; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.b2ba7076-3a7f-7c91-3e49-c60ef19cd7c7?ref_=imdbref_tt_wbr_pvs_piv&tag=imdbtag_tt_wbr_pvs_piv-20</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;">John Ford's gentle comedic tribute to Ireland is a great watch. Here's the original trailer.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2kimSAyuIYc" width="320" youtube-src-id="2kimSAyuIYc"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div></span><h1 style="background-color: white; color: #202020; line-height: 32.5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Irish Magic is also part of a <a href="Irish Magic is also part of a free audiobook promo through March 20">free audiobook promo </a></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">through March 20</span><a href="https://storyoriginapp.com/bundles/d66acda0-6634-11eb-8ff4-8b42c23a4fd3?bundleLinkId=pPwYQH5" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 26px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1500" data-pinit="registered" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgBR-g8fV5FEVoCzkmdyIajrVGo9MKL88A1x1q6URUsa6qi9n2IC0s7_hJ4bE-J38WXkn70j487x1-zgoHZRvOIv2yZuaVcZpESQTpKRl-_tWHU3aYGGG4QxxZGf21aBNhmPqxZsRla6C/w640-h214/Fantasy+Dystopian+audio+book+irish+magic+is+in+this+one..jpg" width="640" /></a></h1></div>Wishing you the luck of the Irish and happy reading.Susan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550905093762770878.post-81213026049543258312021-02-23T03:00:00.024-08:002021-02-23T03:00:02.895-08:00What Makes You Happy Today?<p> Giving away books always makes me happy so I will lead with that. </p><p>I am in an audiobook promotion where you can request review copies.If you love Sci Fi and Fantasy audiobooks check it out. <a href="https://storyoriginapp.com/bundles/d66acda0-6634-11eb-8ff4-8b42c23a4fd3?bundleLinkId=pPwYQH5">https://storyoriginapp.com/bundles/d66acda0-6634-11eb-8ff4-8b42c23a4fd3?bundleLinkId=pPwYQH5</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKODpb2cacZYq7pEX1jw6cT-uP6R8tXRTWAQi3aP_1Jp8xm2ZRSBJpAe7bm4xki8NNKOZCyQiFEsCHwQxBl-4FXg7N6k-CzeyVGF1O4r39z8QXENjyvr6Qs6AoWRYemeTswzBA5puKOSb/s1500/Fantasy+Dystopian+audio+book+irish+magic+is+in+this+one..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1500" data-pinit="registered" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKODpb2cacZYq7pEX1jw6cT-uP6R8tXRTWAQi3aP_1Jp8xm2ZRSBJpAe7bm4xki8NNKOZCyQiFEsCHwQxBl-4FXg7N6k-CzeyVGF1O4r39z8QXENjyvr6Qs6AoWRYemeTswzBA5puKOSb/w400-h134/Fantasy+Dystopian+audio+book+irish+magic+is+in+this+one..jpg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="https://storyoriginapp.com/audiobookreviewcopies/188b860b-1303-4646-b994-417b06675c64?bundleId=d66acda0-6634-11eb-8ff4-8b42c23a4fd3&bundleLinkId=pPwYQH5" target="_blank">Irish Magic</a> is in this promo and I have already given away four copies.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JXl9bVQhITVzRLvZ0GqMNXGf34TiNjk6F_7O_Df9FwVhwNk58-HKzby2uYPFFdwo-qf3cSeUbUgzlyckmJkhKBD6NnMWf8JZAofoFrT9dW8Tyo4okCQg9uopiEP5bF1OtTrEBin7_pIp/s1414/audio+cover+2mp.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1414" data-original-width="1414" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JXl9bVQhITVzRLvZ0GqMNXGf34TiNjk6F_7O_Df9FwVhwNk58-HKzby2uYPFFdwo-qf3cSeUbUgzlyckmJkhKBD6NnMWf8JZAofoFrT9dW8Tyo4okCQg9uopiEP5bF1OtTrEBin7_pIp/s320/audio+cover+2mp.png" /></a></div><br /><p>Yesterday was warm and sunny and I watched Eugene while his Dad and a friend moved all the furniture out of three rooms so the floors refinishing could start today. Eugene and I practised singing. Singing always makes me happy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxTFP3Ow0dIKDn7eahQvDlJHerm5Sp6MIEaWKUsGjjdy9Y4Yrt0vV0t1Psm7CUuOZyCWakH79cw-ALIvm7N_A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Other things that make me happy: <p></p><p>I got both my COVID vaccinations and no problems. The arm was a bit sore. It usually is when I get a shot. </p><p>Chocolate, good books and auditions. I've been cutting back on the chocolate but I bought myself new books for Valentines Day and I still have two to read. I had two auditions last week and I have an avail on one. That's Casting-Director-Speak for <i>They are very interested.</i></p><p> And a post about me turned up on the internet last week and it said I was a nice person. The phot they used might put you off though. <a href="https://www.looper.com/337141/the-real-butcher-from-american-horror-story-is-unrecognizable-in-real-life/?">https://www.looper.com/337141/the-real-butcher-from-american-horror-story-is-unrecognizable-in-real-life/?</a></p><p>What's making you happy? I would love to hear from you.</p>Susan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550905093762770878.post-13931062389524114222021-02-12T22:43:00.000-08:002021-02-12T22:43:08.372-08:007 Ways To Be Your Own Valentine<p> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #fafafa; border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: Roboto, RobotoDraft, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; max-width: 6.25in;"><tbody><tr><td id="m_1588985023629738479templateHeader" style="background: 0% 0% / cover white; margin: 0px; padding: 6.75pt 0in 0in;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; min-width: 100%; padding: 6.75pt;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; min-width: 100%; padding: 0in 6.75pt;" valign="top"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd a6T" data-pinit="registered" height="500" id="m_1588985023629738479_x0000_i1039" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhBXowwlolvR0vUi7hV0YDO2go_zoh8GeSPrPA6933-NK_sQBrjP71S61mLNeP4HsJeWsiPKWz9WsSkRKwP_M8Tyd6i9oBjPkDDn40K_sTONBObR799wIu6bcxpX5Mi3jJv7t4roBFweoGzNUsJQoM-N4-MZjFNfPf9YEpJHOBW00j4ZlHtWMc8FxnT_3lD6Eve-SMgWlql6mITIGUpl5lVhXk9=s0-d-e1-ft" style="cursor: pointer; height: 5.2083in; outline: 0px; width: 5.2083in;" tabindex="0" width="500" /><u></u><u></u></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><u></u> <u></u></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 6.75pt 0in 0in;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; padding: 0in; width: 6.25in;" valign="top" width="600"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px; word-break: break-word;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0in 13.5pt 6.75pt;" valign="top"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 27px;">We made it to February!</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 27px;"><br />I</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">t's been 11 months since COVID Lockdowns started.<br />How are you doing? Do you feel there is now an end in sight?<br />I can't seem to get back to writing, but I know it will happen. In the meantime, I count my present blessings.<br /></span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd a6T" data-pinit="registered" height="395" id="m_1588985023629738479_x0000_i1038" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgDnNCMCKgNX8X0Rxfjh7JX9sqlQyNEMQspR6yvdcqV2LUwZn-1TUlldKywMHQx4zF12_i_16jJaor1mus12GymmB9fgwbbWXmNmeizguProdZ32jcLucvBZxa27889Dvod0n_OPOrVMnocColCADMOy19cU5LIt3safnJ2pOFDlUQFFx2_ZkFJt_zq2qE6ugelpfmLi1cccww-xZUlwNDYuPtC=s0-d-e1-ft" style="cursor: pointer; height: 4.118in; outline: 0px; width: 6.0208in;" tabindex="0" width="578" /></span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><br />Chris brings Walter and Eugene over every weekday so Melanie can work from home. I get to watch them grow.<br />Jim sends pictures of him and Ella and we talk every few days.<br /> I am still getting auditions and an agent is looking at Lord Byron's Daughter.<br /></span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd a6T" data-pinit="registered" height="395" id="m_1588985023629738479_x0000_i1037" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgqmAZx1FxkvvWyfAAZ-EKVuqqvCMANqO9wHiO2-ZB5UEwifugBZMACdX07MMl6h3urqA3scII5vd_y0ItwsSl7LXDpO26U9oVVc1fS13Cnkshxb2bGe8Q0RszQxRm1lnAD8r-woHDHtjgvJ8QgDzpdxyKXz6u9hnfSIHcTA97eSqd3jzxebyhMvd4qsK_LN8tY1YMXIxex4sD3PkwUpMtwfZX5=s0-d-e1-ft" style="cursor: pointer; height: 4.118in; outline: 0px; width: 3.3819in;" tabindex="0" width="325" /></span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><u></u><u></u></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><u></u> <u></u></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0in;"><div align="center"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0in;" valign="top"></td><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0in;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; min-width: 100%; padding: 6.75pt 13.5pt;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; min-width: 100%; padding: 13.5pt;" valign="top"><h1 align="center" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 19.5pt; line-height: 32.5px; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Happy Valentine's Day</span></em><u></u><u></u></h1><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 21px;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd a6T" data-pinit="registered" height="437" id="m_1588985023629738479_x0000_i1036" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgaEk4GUc1b26f2CIfPJjG79dm-CbhaTlLdvxRVjC76wPPhEFUYe8U2dPFP84vrO3MHwBCtTgXzuP1_eIrWWYc01-1pTTxjALwGwVgCo_81U1IyT7U60om26UiXm10CIO1PM8_Aay67mlcf10Jl2FSmhU5VOr4parE8scLq3S9ynaUz_OjzGRR7swFFOwh-ym6n5nxPGLJbeNFVHvHb5hjN1Yb_=s0-d-e1-ft" style="cursor: pointer; height: 4.5486in; outline: 0px; width: 3.6458in;" tabindex="0" width="350" /></span></b><b><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 21px;"><u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 21px;">I know a lot of us are going to be spending Valentine's Day solo.<br />I've had a lot of practice at this and I have a few suggestions.<br />This is a good time to be your own soul mate. <u></u><u></u></span></b></p><ol start="1" style="margin-bottom: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 21px;">Make or buy yourself a card. Inside write the things you love best about yourself. (Look at you. You are beautiful inside and out. And you have a great smile and an even better laugh. Keep going. There is so much to admire about you.)<u></u><u></u></span></b></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 21px;">Plan a special meal. You can make it or order out. Personally, I am thinking my favorite Thai restaurant. And if you want company, plan to Skype or Zoom with a friend while you eat it.<u></u><u></u></span></b></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 21px;">Chocolate. The joy of buying your own is getting exactly what you want. <u></u><u></u></span></b></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 21px;">Indulge in a get-ready time worthy of a good romance novel. Soak in a scented tub. Play music. light candles.<u></u><u></u></span></b></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 21px;">If you enjoy dressing up, now's the time. Make yourself beautiful for you.<u></u><u></u></span></b></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 21px;">What's an activity that gives you joy that you can do in lockdown? I love jigsaw puzzles and reading.<u></u><u></u></span></b></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #202020; line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 21px;">Buy yourself a gift. I went overboard on that this year. I bought three new books. I am thinking of buying some flowers too. <u></u><u></u></span></b></li></ol></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><u></u> <u></u></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 6.75pt 0in 0in;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; padding: 0in; width: 6.25in;" valign="top" width="600"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px; word-break: break-word;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0in 13.5pt 6.75pt;" valign="top"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0px;"><strong><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">I hope you indulge yourself in some wonderful way because you are so worth it. Here are a few book suggestions.</span></strong><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><u></u><u></u></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td id="m_1588985023629738479templateBody" style="background: 0% 0% / cover white; border-bottom: 1.5pt solid rgb(234, 234, 234); border-image: initial; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 6.75pt;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 6.75pt;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0in 6.75pt 6.75pt;" valign="top"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd a6T" data-pinit="registered" height="188" id="m_1588985023629738479_x0000_i1035" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEigQmoBv2X82ZM9agIhatOFLhSynBLQuug7s3d626tsufeuNigwlVKwmLMP2WvNnNdhtFaAbWwIMiJKv53cT4Ms5frZscjNfa-OWZA3krPHX3mZxgRip8hnmIVnTMthKbku0NMt7OyIk5IO6MRJzH2Qzu1_CTP0q1hulmtn9-PepphbXnDQvELhStg0sLnR7g8Vi01BSI4bH_E48el5QEssAzD4=s0-d-e1-ft" style="cursor: pointer; height: 1.9583in; outline: 0px; width: 5.875in;" tabindex="0" width="564" /><u></u><u></u></p></td></tr><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0in 6.75pt; width: 423pt; word-break: break-word;" valign="top" width="564"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">Looking for a new book to read? If You have Kindle Unlimited, these are all free to you. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://blogspot.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D7ffba91b25fc7c3c94f403f46%26id%3Debb994cc61%26e%3D863af35047&source=gmail&ust=1613284889556000&usg=AFQjCNE_HI1TjrXWkGyvDGZnU94xyazTQw" href="https://blogspot.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ffba91b25fc7c3c94f403f46&id=ebb994cc61&e=863af35047" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" title="Lotsa Romance. All kinds of romantic genres."><span style="color: #007c89;">https://storyoriginapp.<wbr></wbr>com/to/bUKchm5</span></a><br />If you want to buy one, I think they are all under 4.<br />You can see from the samples below how different the genres are. I've read and loved The heart Collector. I put Monica Bolt's Why This is Wrong and Louise Lennox's Memories of Mistletoe on my TBR list. Because I already bought my Valentine's Books.<u></u><u></u></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><u></u> <u></u></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 6.75pt;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 273px;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 6.75pt;" valign="top"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://blogspot.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D7ffba91b25fc7c3c94f403f46%26id%3D4a21faac2a%26e%3D863af35047&source=gmail&ust=1613284889556000&usg=AFQjCNG5cIA1WHHYu3UYrbRJ5a76p1ROqw" href="https://blogspot.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ffba91b25fc7c3c94f403f46&id=4a21faac2a&e=863af35047" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" title=""Why This Is Wrong" t "><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd" data-pinit="registered" height="394" id="m_1588985023629738479_x0000_i1034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhTbx-qSQHvLSHv5HySwbw7ejXv-rR1xen1JJvWn0zYZV7UyW_GkFBkpW9sD4JeTrtzOxcir704SxCXZUpIbX6nl_4dvs-eA8MAnJDQsdS8rCfPOZHFmXEsYyEtOCSPDX-BPRz6VFw-NmuPRp0OfD8egjny3YBpwcmvG71UJeSSlbpMTyIdIOd2HBaoB9vdh9AXy61ytytS9mL4QP0NsCHpz-zU=s0-d-e1-ft" style="height: 4.1041in; width: 2.75in;" width="264" /></span></a><u></u><u></u></p></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 273px;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0in 6.75pt 0in 0in;" valign="top"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://blogspot.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D7ffba91b25fc7c3c94f403f46%26id%3D389099c416%26e%3D863af35047&source=gmail&ust=1613284889556000&usg=AFQjCNF5nGg5jMsfr1V3fbM475qVX1DUYA" href="https://blogspot.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ffba91b25fc7c3c94f403f46&id=389099c416&e=863af35047" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" title=""The Heart Collector" t "><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd" data-pinit="registered" height="394" id="m_1588985023629738479_x0000_i1033" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEiQ0drxZabcfiIObx-IWfdjvL6as9fiGaki8tQTMo7fDRnIsth1KunbFWlX9vgOdn-7bBsIyYe2GXUEKDurnCyFD1BwCCDaN-OTtui55omvRKOk-osPn1v9BnUk_wD1T5-aa651es6WUXb0il7q_a35YfJaCnrOysh3Ukvlch6n8AwfvypAiz95iq5mAAJxbsRn73Lzl1J_b3rRtAdV1Odnqcih=s0-d-e1-ft" style="height: 4.1041in; width: 2.75in;" width="264" /></span></a><u></u><u></u></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 6.75pt;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 273px;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 6.75pt;" valign="top"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://blogspot.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D7ffba91b25fc7c3c94f403f46%26id%3Df6eb9f85d2%26e%3D863af35047&source=gmail&ust=1613284889556000&usg=AFQjCNH7vPcs9t8Lv3tmOTgJvucXAGTuww" href="https://blogspot.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ffba91b25fc7c3c94f403f46&id=f6eb9f85d2&e=863af35047" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" title=""Time and Forever by Susan B James" t "><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd" data-pinit="registered" height="396" id="m_1588985023629738479_x0000_i1032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgn1M98uSbuDYIc1FsISBPNIivaP1btIyExai9t1lexPDHJaRDf2GGgyOhGpbntdZwek5jWISP2LvkNSIzvW3A-Sa5uA6LlE_82yT4YTVrE4K6aAgHEJRA2diP2ka6jIjGgT8BRONIAgvfYEdx6uI5XImcti8OBQN74d2-qMxOBKhZ_ZdY8vd2ar-Fjmezv8vZbUSX2bhgY8qzJq_Ho7omQEu5R=s0-d-e1-ft" style="height: 4.125in; width: 2.75in;" width="264" /></span></a><u></u><u></u></p></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 273px;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0in 6.75pt 0in 0in;" valign="top"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://blogspot.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D7ffba91b25fc7c3c94f403f46%26id%3Da589336b0f%26e%3D863af35047&source=gmail&ust=1613284889556000&usg=AFQjCNFGma2SjRgx0n6KyU4olUuiCZ42gg" href="https://blogspot.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ffba91b25fc7c3c94f403f46&id=a589336b0f&e=863af35047" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" title=""Memories and Mistletoe" t "><span style="text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd" data-pinit="registered" height="396" id="m_1588985023629738479_x0000_i1031" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgcnDdjFRnNdCFHUTub9SNXa9xY66pEmhq0XSU6Y9CzseDktU4M6mFkvdxwaENuQX_1ry6jTGcnSorAwD9BxieNnCKZyXhbQBOlP-42WOoW4Tf3l5XZ1V57wZ4Gn8Of1z4uI3PL4dI7gLlU99n1wq20RDCOrHaQyHXnKPtKNqf8M8_iXa-0fhHAYONYcH9DCnc3cF3mmGrqhPSxrCbFb74fGHQY=s0-d-e1-ft" style="height: 4.125in; width: 2.75in;" width="264" /></span></a><u></u><u></u></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><u></u> <u></u></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 6.75pt 0in 0in;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; padding: 0in; width: 6.25in;" valign="top" width="600"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px; word-break: break-word;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0in 13.5pt 6.75pt;" valign="top"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">The books I gifted my self with are<br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://blogspot.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D7ffba91b25fc7c3c94f403f46%26id%3Daf70c5264c%26e%3D863af35047&source=gmail&ust=1613284889556000&usg=AFQjCNG5wPkVeSX1DBPtmXfQQ7FIVLf7Bw" href="https://blogspot.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ffba91b25fc7c3c94f403f46&id=af70c5264c&e=863af35047" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #007c89;">All the Colors of the Night by Jayne</span></a> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://blogspot.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D7ffba91b25fc7c3c94f403f46%26id%3De684be3d37%26e%3D863af35047&source=gmail&ust=1613284889556000&usg=AFQjCNH0fdX4Gkx_DNSXYwL4XlrhMnXdsA" href="https://blogspot.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ffba91b25fc7c3c94f403f46&id=e684be3d37&e=863af35047" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #007c89;">Ann</span></a> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://blogspot.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D7ffba91b25fc7c3c94f403f46%26id%3D47adbee42a%26e%3D863af35047&source=gmail&ust=1613284889556000&usg=AFQjCNE8xMFJEmrkkV4-qJpMm0Wxli2AyA" href="https://blogspot.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ffba91b25fc7c3c94f403f46&id=47adbee42a&e=863af35047" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #007c89;">Krentz</span></a><br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://blogspot.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D7ffba91b25fc7c3c94f403f46%26id%3D4b2a3fc33b%26e%3D863af35047&source=gmail&ust=1613284889556000&usg=AFQjCNH467BxDkrFbTFCz_6_jd9mo3zigA" href="https://blogspot.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7ffba91b25fc7c3c94f403f46&id=4b2a3fc33b&e=863af35047" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #007c89;">Wild Rain by Beverly Jenkins</span></a><br />and the third book in The Magic in Manhattan series Wonderstruck by Allie Therin. What are you reading?<br /></span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd a6T" data-pinit="registered" height="250" id="m_1588985023629738479_x0000_i1030" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjGS5ljLZQBzvkXQEFguBwcpPvRNMh4AXThYAM36FUonrvRXQk9UdNIwrphd_anjzH2T3DpS3mQ4HPYYMtsOK10EWul3e8INNFupDYXJJEeUsWdEs91BhFCg7q8AZdQU4Ui50XoSXoNaGk17JSV4pWYwApOZunAV3FrWXqnDhGU9Fd1bA_untGPLg53FVaAXPYpgBudCohqzKbeSVQYhQT7mQiH=s0-d-e1-ft" style="cursor: pointer; height: 2.6041in; outline: 0px; width: 5.5208in;" tabindex="0" width="530" /></span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><u></u><u></u></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><u></u> </p></td></tr></tbody></table>Susan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550905093762770878.post-81736510013985806172021-01-04T20:06:00.000-08:002021-01-04T20:06:32.281-08:00Onward in 2021<p> Apparently, Los Angeles is Ground Zero right now for COVID, Among other things, all film production shut down. </p><p>Lots of fun things coming up. Books to read. Puzzles to do. Movies to watch. Plenty of good home stuff. I just listened to a Podcast from Shelf Love with Jennifer Crusie. I don't usually listen to podcasts, but I loved this one. Pure delight. </p><p><a href="https://shelflovepodcast.com/episodes/season-2/episode-75/075-jennifer-crusie-nothing-but-good-times-ahead/">https://shelflovepodcast.com/episodes/season-2/episode-75/075-jennifer-crusie-nothing-but-good-times-ahead/</a></p><p>In the last couple of weeks my favorite 5-star reads were:<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49867186-the-left-handed-booksellers-of-london"></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4vDy-YgvnAsV8Z5hUigQmcgRuk2emLQaqbvhLXxFImUzTH9O5aT8yqfaKL0pjy9nHG3K0ua3lCgNXSA_MAYrf6JTpGZMrp-nQcxeOuxPBqFYlTX4u0WJtRHTVvXBPexeHBnVt9eFCEaF/s1000/lEFT+HANDED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="662" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4vDy-YgvnAsV8Z5hUigQmcgRuk2emLQaqbvhLXxFImUzTH9O5aT8yqfaKL0pjy9nHG3K0ua3lCgNXSA_MAYrf6JTpGZMrp-nQcxeOuxPBqFYlTX4u0WJtRHTVvXBPexeHBnVt9eFCEaF/s320/lEFT+HANDED.jpg" /></a></div><br />The left Handed Booksellers of London <p></p><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52696457-how-to-catch-a-queen?"></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZcygijqxWJWMQ04aDDiFEe3_JJXD6Jz-7-Okxm2AmY4_9fYc2jDHCF2rKHZNTa9eT71IpyfWYjsBmsTLqNgNQhpH1R7cRv7puM5pI6GalvizU7lVWPJz5_QoYZkJ6jovuqc65NA-CDWE/s400/queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="252" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZcygijqxWJWMQ04aDDiFEe3_JJXD6Jz-7-Okxm2AmY4_9fYc2jDHCF2rKHZNTa9eT71IpyfWYjsBmsTLqNgNQhpH1R7cRv7puM5pI6GalvizU7lVWPJz5_QoYZkJ6jovuqc65NA-CDWE/s320/queen.jpg" /></a></div><br />How to Catch A Queen<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7kBd5dzLNKSHUPNlKoBctp6Fv6cKze94I969s_DtsBeKv3HK5lQ2mvyml0i_vEcpbRxJ42QfdFgbWN-4JWucEaSOiC4YKUt5FhuHzDbl9mpyvmugJH68CDdUqvoORKyRXX9frCkEoqUP/s475/masq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="297" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7kBd5dzLNKSHUPNlKoBctp6Fv6cKze94I969s_DtsBeKv3HK5lQ2mvyml0i_vEcpbRxJ42QfdFgbWN-4JWucEaSOiC4YKUt5FhuHzDbl9mpyvmugJH68CDdUqvoORKyRXX9frCkEoqUP/s320/masq.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>and reread Georgette Heyer's <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32109.The_Masqueraders">The Masqueraders</a>.</p><p>Next up for me will be Belle Ami's Blue Coat trilogy beginning with <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55824672-the-rendezvous-in-paris">The Rendevous in Paris</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOc6tj2odJzDo3bw8A41so4O95g6A7tgFIJK2-w8jIgP7xjVVOevr0s82MhQ37cHWdprKoYBNuLnXakHeZdsFL-A-j4lXzg6zENRrTBBzLb8NCHeOPONszdolyDFUx6lID5zRu0iM7Y9DH/s475/55824672._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="297" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOc6tj2odJzDo3bw8A41so4O95g6A7tgFIJK2-w8jIgP7xjVVOevr0s82MhQ37cHWdprKoYBNuLnXakHeZdsFL-A-j4lXzg6zENRrTBBzLb8NCHeOPONszdolyDFUx6lID5zRu0iM7Y9DH/s320/55824672._SY475_.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>Jayne Ann Krentz's <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53112512-all-the-colors-of-night">All The Colors of the Night</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizm0-2Jq2o_AL2mS3wlta8Yw_Jpbdf6MKT31fkV1KjCGiE9s6dsZUKFOn2lrggyWyR3jEK_vk0Itckeg3Ac5OBuxy1TOEnO7yZD75LTLnJLY1v-DJHdAApR7OBQf1ihpD3DOzDNMKXyy3/s499/jak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="331" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizm0-2Jq2o_AL2mS3wlta8Yw_Jpbdf6MKT31fkV1KjCGiE9s6dsZUKFOn2lrggyWyR3jEK_vk0Itckeg3Ac5OBuxy1TOEnO7yZD75LTLnJLY1v-DJHdAApR7OBQf1ihpD3DOzDNMKXyy3/s320/jak.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>and Elizabeth Acevedo's <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38739562-with-the-fire-on-high">With The Fire On High</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57Tezg-VVkkXDuscpDWEYU0odHLSkLa5J93iPyQAg4XeGQpD-s_kiHWJEnQP2mRPN9Yhbj0WNh8LiAwSkLt68Kkl0TUHrsRWWPv47GXwzrkuem_4s7kCrOogEyf3BsXa3q9ClpyleUghq/s475/fire+on+High.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57Tezg-VVkkXDuscpDWEYU0odHLSkLa5J93iPyQAg4XeGQpD-s_kiHWJEnQP2mRPN9Yhbj0WNh8LiAwSkLt68Kkl0TUHrsRWWPv47GXwzrkuem_4s7kCrOogEyf3BsXa3q9ClpyleUghq/s320/fire+on+High.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>What are you reading? I love recommendations.</p><p>I wish each of you a safe, healthy, and creative 2021. I plan to get some writing done, submit some finished work, and possibly self publish some of my children's books as my beloved Guardian Angel Publishing closed up shop - a sideways victim of COVID. </p><p>I also plan to read lots of books. Right now, that's my comfort zone. What's yours?</p>Susan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550905093762770878.post-39034269296448836642020-12-22T22:22:00.000-08:002020-12-22T22:22:00.557-08:00TwasThe Night Before Christmas A Parody For Book Lovers<p> </p><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.56px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSL5uNqXuAUZDQqxqVoeFXqYg-kzY0L73XyWDyfSX_qMXbMTOG_jGc-6DmEXMsOdcmaH8Es9EWVshgOcITS8DXp7BbVyroMHh4QqyFSYLCWm3KFtUtWQvHK9v1RfWp2oEglcD_4HaCOFL/s1600/night+before+christmas.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #ff1900; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img border="0" data-pinit="registered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSL5uNqXuAUZDQqxqVoeFXqYg-kzY0L73XyWDyfSX_qMXbMTOG_jGc-6DmEXMsOdcmaH8Es9EWVshgOcITS8DXp7BbVyroMHh4QqyFSYLCWm3KFtUtWQvHK9v1RfWp2oEglcD_4HaCOFL/s1600/night+before+christmas.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.098) 1px 1px 5px; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px; position: relative;" /></a></div><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,</span></span></h3><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Each creature was reading. Yes, even the mouse.</span></span></h3><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In a nest made of cotton that used to line pills,</span></span></h3><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">he read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sam-Mouse-That-Saved-Christmas/dp/1501091077" style="border: 0px; color: #888888; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Mouseman Saves Christmas</a> and shivered with thrills.</span></span></h3><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.56px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.56px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Miss Padpaws turned pages of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Elf-off-Shelf-Christmas-Tradition/dp/1440527911/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1419129734&sr=1-2&keywords=elf+on+a+shelf" style="border: 0px; color: #888888; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Elf off A Shelf</a> </span></span></h3><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">And purred as she read it aloud to herself.</span></span></h3><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.56px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9csZKMc8MT1x29p50BDxMVJTjN299NiLg52QTCzXXoh7HtzOZPa7Ico-1DrmGbycBfoQRPx_lvJw1YLSG0axCioj6NUvumFy6H5zxNWfd3snd9bSDhiKF2sflYiEuTzB5M6w_CM1M9TR/s1600/cat.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #888888; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img border="0" data-pinit="registered" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9csZKMc8MT1x29p50BDxMVJTjN299NiLg52QTCzXXoh7HtzOZPa7Ico-1DrmGbycBfoQRPx_lvJw1YLSG0axCioj6NUvumFy6H5zxNWfd3snd9bSDhiKF2sflYiEuTzB5M6w_CM1M9TR/s1600/cat.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.098) 1px 1px 5px; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></div><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bad Dog, on the hearth, was devouring a book.</span></span></h3><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">He'd chewed up five chapters and turned them to gook.</span></span></h3><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.56px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwd1L781m8P8lBwOH-7P5bpz7dbbjWBFlDkHDaHxgaglQCP7TeRHxCxi38dRQ6Bh1XtRf2i3cTJCL0ifXPCj_0SJhe3539UBSd3OftsdeHFve2Vn1ihqdttYyVSoUVnez8RcytqixkEZz/s1600/111dog-eating-books_.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #888888; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img border="0" data-pinit="registered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwd1L781m8P8lBwOH-7P5bpz7dbbjWBFlDkHDaHxgaglQCP7TeRHxCxi38dRQ6Bh1XtRf2i3cTJCL0ifXPCj_0SJhe3539UBSd3OftsdeHFve2Vn1ihqdttYyVSoUVnez8RcytqixkEZz/s1600/111dog-eating-books_.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.098) 1px 1px 5px; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px; position: relative;" /></a></div><h3 align="center" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">The children were nestled all snug in their beds,</span></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">reading books, with the covers pulled over their heads.</span></span></h3><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.56px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoG0twKo6iK7XsiG22jD76xZj-hFwXONzGj97IErU3s00_qm4QIsmuV7ff13j_BFtXgZoTueluoB5rdeysPsInBOZMuNzck0S7Qo0c1jfEYgEfHa_5i6TsF7WxrwXEbLDnYNqi7jtiTG4/s1600/kids.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #888888; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img border="0" data-pinit="registered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoG0twKo6iK7XsiG22jD76xZj-hFwXONzGj97IErU3s00_qm4QIsmuV7ff13j_BFtXgZoTueluoB5rdeysPsInBOZMuNzck0S7Qo0c1jfEYgEfHa_5i6TsF7WxrwXEbLDnYNqi7jtiTG4/s1600/kids.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.098) 1px 1px 5px; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px; position: relative;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Baskerville, "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; line-height: 21.56px; text-align: start;" /></span></div><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span lang="ES" style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Time-and-Forever/dp/B00M78YV6M"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Time-and-Forever/dp/B00M78YV6M"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEici8aRt-8RaPgm2pI5ui2OxO5Z7KbvuW5MrLxpmIJUuRGa8sPsXiDeOggA8g6S-Iyw4Fcjs1LmwPFVCrDyqXROjXRHGj3gdtihINsljafvGQ3Tq0FDinbtQKGlo795aJGRHAnGroz4iuAc/s320/Timeanddorever+square.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div></span></span></span></h3><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">M<span lang="ES" style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">amá in her headset heard <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Time-and-Forever/dp/B00M78YV6M">Time and Forever.</a></span></span></span></h3><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="ES" style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">I chortled o'er <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/006227628X/ref=rdr_ext_tmb">Hogfather</a>. That Pratchett's so clever.</span></span></span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMy1LBgBOGvxMKygAw7cTgAC63BioME9m8BaTjjyZIzhoyWyWMQZRW-JAFaE-rY6HzY5Nvcwd3qVrjLN6lSsDJHQSVT9HZNjjId5CDNOySE9T_ggucnPaFnFzX_cgyMgts8ICk-dGCxSF/s1600/hogfather.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="281" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMy1LBgBOGvxMKygAw7cTgAC63BioME9m8BaTjjyZIzhoyWyWMQZRW-JAFaE-rY6HzY5Nvcwd3qVrjLN6lSsDJHQSVT9HZNjjId5CDNOySE9T_ggucnPaFnFzX_cgyMgts8ICk-dGCxSF/s320/hogfather.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Baskerville, "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="ES" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 21.56px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; line-height: 21.56px; text-align: start;" /></span></div><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="ES" style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not one of us heard jingle bells on the roof.</span></span></span></h3><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">No prancing and pawing of each tiny hoof.</span></span></h3><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Baskerville, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgyTVc9_3Ogdgr9YkL4Hp06xFEo8Bs7Qi7qfny2a81ngVFmE9rJzr9-t_U6OvpWpWPD9U2hfTEX007FiOC6h6o0b1KpMZBMYZe7taCqgSl3POCZezjkbllrnPPcCCD03_4WTXdvzoUnkg/s1600/postcard-santa-41.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #888888; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 21.56px; margin: 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img border="0" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgyTVc9_3Ogdgr9YkL4Hp06xFEo8Bs7Qi7qfny2a81ngVFmE9rJzr9-t_U6OvpWpWPD9U2hfTEX007FiOC6h6o0b1KpMZBMYZe7taCqgSl3POCZezjkbllrnPPcCCD03_4WTXdvzoUnkg/s1600/postcard-santa-41.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.098) 1px 1px 5px; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="213" /></a><span lang="ES" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 21.56px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Baskerville, "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="ES" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 21.56px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Santa slid down the chimney and only Bad Dog, </span></span></div><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="ES" style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">looked up </span><span style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and woofed softly at the man on the log.</span></span></span></h3><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="ES" style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </span></span></h3><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="ES" style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Good Bad Dog," said Santa, and opened his pack.</span></span></span></h3><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="ES" style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">He pulled out a bushel of books from his sack.</span></span></span></h3><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Baskerville, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="ES" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 21.56px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjtiGRQH7KXNbwbbSXnwgNMDX7Cx38uMw6FnkLOFhJ9FZkPWAXyyGy-QfBOGW46sanpSugQbh3PawHtpAOeh0dkyN7lANvfZ8diK9iclxKRtulwHrTWR7HRs__GIocd-DzfhfnMeKHdYT/s1600/gaiman.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #199eb8; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img border="0" data-pinit="registered" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjtiGRQH7KXNbwbbSXnwgNMDX7Cx38uMw6FnkLOFhJ9FZkPWAXyyGy-QfBOGW46sanpSugQbh3PawHtpAOeh0dkyN7lANvfZ8diK9iclxKRtulwHrTWR7HRs__GIocd-DzfhfnMeKHdYT/s1600/gaiman.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.098) 1px 1px 5px; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="145" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.56px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="ES" style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">Picture books, YA, some Midgrades for Simon,</span></span></span></h3><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="ES" style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thrillers, romances and even <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sleeper-Spindle-Neil-Gaiman/dp/1408859645" style="border: 0px; color: #888888; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Neil Gaiman</a>.</span></span></span></h3><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Baskerville, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; line-height: 21.56px; text-align: start;" /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.56px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4GnD_nksLdlg1JBg9ykaptI7VFs2J2ALQHc7KEHZaj09zwHhSCFBC-po3T7UWvTby5wGFc4Y2JCD6WWPhU6gzXzrcFvBIAevZMz-sRgdFHK48TeSirmIwQ3KJgAjQ0LkRo5bUAF_VZQ_/s1600/gerinimo.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #888888; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img border="0" data-pinit="registered" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4GnD_nksLdlg1JBg9ykaptI7VFs2J2ALQHc7KEHZaj09zwHhSCFBC-po3T7UWvTby5wGFc4Y2JCD6WWPhU6gzXzrcFvBIAevZMz-sRgdFHK48TeSirmIwQ3KJgAjQ0LkRo5bUAF_VZQ_/s1600/gerinimo.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.098) 1px 1px 5px; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="136" /></a></div><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="ES" style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Karate-Mouse-Geronimo-Stilton/dp/054510369X" style="border: 0px; color: #888888; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Geronimo Stilton</a>, he gave to the mouse.</span></span></span></h3><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.56px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="ES" style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">A copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Archy-Mehitabel-Don-Marquis/dp/0385094787" style="border: 0px; color: #888888; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Archie</a>, he left for the louse</span></span></span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_AUDnDkg519bYCmDDCwN3nNSUkJtoSOa_h97FqHWeh58XMAldLEDIWGUQ5sN9bOaJpJYKwnheNqghIxMZfhQEbAyWzYxoK06Vuu4G_-ldxvPOYKKU7i5q-VkoWVskbRUM_QO2zNGT7oOA/s1600/firstarchy.gif" style="border: 0px; color: #888888; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img border="0" data-pinit="registered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_AUDnDkg519bYCmDDCwN3nNSUkJtoSOa_h97FqHWeh58XMAldLEDIWGUQ5sN9bOaJpJYKwnheNqghIxMZfhQEbAyWzYxoK06Vuu4G_-ldxvPOYKKU7i5q-VkoWVskbRUM_QO2zNGT7oOA/s1600/firstarchy.gif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.098) 1px 1px 5px; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px; position: relative;" /></a></div><div><span lang="ES" style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXH26jpckX0CndoxlKNNM_w6Sin4PV9atn3xxfUub3vvQnwvNIAIxNiVXc_a7O3ec5y7kM3ipEm3CkT8jqwpM1lCjM5iKJmjcn-wVxfHK23YycBVyCbP3zcsaB2uh2jlDER9UpPdbaFQb/s1600/cats.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="375" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXH26jpckX0CndoxlKNNM_w6Sin4PV9atn3xxfUub3vvQnwvNIAIxNiVXc_a7O3ec5y7kM3ipEm3CkT8jqwpM1lCjM5iKJmjcn-wVxfHK23YycBVyCbP3zcsaB2uh2jlDER9UpPdbaFQb/s320/cats.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><span lang="ES" style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.56px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="ES" style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div><h3 class="separator" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="ES" style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">He patted Miss Padpaws and handed her <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Old-Possums-Book-Practical-Cats/dp/0571311865" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">Cats</a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">.</span></span></span></span></h3><h3 class="separator" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="ES" style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">For Bad Dog, a cake book that tasted like Brats</span></span></span></h3><div class="separator" style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.56px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XZzfQu1LmLYxSDzzUPgBqAOC6J1C_z9IJqM4dsxoWGydLL7wLeJmbv4kXO7w_diuANCKGdQ0_LYkIRRTDb8X0mnMpqcKeWBSIOH_mwU9VX2NstwW7Abph8__Tzos9BxBTs3Skl__Q9eO/s1600/eating+books.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #888888; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img border="0" data-pinit="registered" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XZzfQu1LmLYxSDzzUPgBqAOC6J1C_z9IJqM4dsxoWGydLL7wLeJmbv4kXO7w_diuANCKGdQ0_LYkIRRTDb8X0mnMpqcKeWBSIOH_mwU9VX2NstwW7Abph8__Tzos9BxBTs3Skl__Q9eO/s1600/eating+books.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.098) 1px 1px 5px; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="ES" style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> <span lang="ES" style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">He filled every stocking with poems and prose.</span></span></span></h3><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="ES" style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then ate all the cookies; brushed crumbs from his clothes.</span></span></span></h3><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 2.8rem; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="ES" style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </span><div class="separator" style="border: 0px; clear: both; font-family: inherit; font-size: 28px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydc-qs5caQ7TJAgT9fnN_E8lc3F1vdskyp0tJrpONGFvAyPYMppjsBqUhLp4ile6E7WvrCFwaTVle2c0eT3aEo6gPHccUcuqQKODcWxmo46Cft18klmEU1tmZgzgi9J9vKO-x8mpg4fkv/s1600/santa.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #888888; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img border="0" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydc-qs5caQ7TJAgT9fnN_E8lc3F1vdskyp0tJrpONGFvAyPYMppjsBqUhLp4ile6E7WvrCFwaTVle2c0eT3aEo6gPHccUcuqQKODcWxmo46Cft18klmEU1tmZgzgi9J9vKO-x8mpg4fkv/s1600/santa.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.098) 1px 1px 5px; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></span></a></div></h3><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="ES" style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">On Prancer! On Dancer!" Their bells jingled bright.</span></span></span></h3><h3 style="background-color: #fff9ee; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="ES" style="border: 0px; font-family: "arial"; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Happy reading to all and to all a good night".</span></span></span></h3>Susan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550905093762770878.post-43288480925760007772020-12-03T16:31:00.006-08:002020-12-10T14:23:05.376-08:00Snow 2020 MULTI-AUTHOR Audiobook Giveaway <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAtv8Apt-7IBjBWKb0z824aL4ztIBn0vdNsYZdpfov5zM27I2AhOAV8AuOvWKQSwvOpiCpIjxbhsr9czjCeE6l1-IlGu4ITwY_Zvriaf0CtlQaCQs6kp8FnJztoif71j43zWg9WOQHSlV/s940/Let+it+snow+12-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" data-pinit="registered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAtv8Apt-7IBjBWKb0z824aL4ztIBn0vdNsYZdpfov5zM27I2AhOAV8AuOvWKQSwvOpiCpIjxbhsr9czjCeE6l1-IlGu4ITwY_Zvriaf0CtlQaCQs6kp8FnJztoif71j43zWg9WOQHSlV/s320/Let+it+snow+12-10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxXpc_LHzeJmmbMLPTKgZmiaQYNdc-VPV1njJ89vgq_vKobnybFAVMrBfgxX_s5TophcZYSAFFmF71TWyAOuQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 11.5pt;">Affirming there is still joy in the season. Mandy M. Roth, a "NY Times & USA Today bestselling
author" hosts an annual audiobook giveaway event that I'm participating in
this year. I've giving ten more audiobooks Findaway-Voices/Authors-Direct giveaway codes for IRISH MAGIC available to the FIRST 10 FOLKS who email me (you don't need a specific
e-reader to enjoy the download and the Authors Direct instructions are easy to
follow). I am giving away 10 more Audible codes each for TIME AND FOREVER and MAYBE THIS TIME</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic";">Happy holidays everybody and check out the hashtag <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/snowaudio2020?__eep__=6&__cft__%5b0%5d=AZUivn1nLZT7xN2bksCARBrdzZdCEx_9VYIjgGXVrsFbjPxJW1ssBvRbvzLY88hfyh2gxupiyg35P-_S9o9tO5-HEEEfMAytlckSxD1-gJQTkg&__tn__=*NK-R"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">#snowaudio2020</span></a> on Facebook and Twittermfor even more wonderful audiobooks in all genres.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic";">For my audiobook codes contact me through my website telling me which book(s) you want.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;"><a href="https://susanbjames.com/contact/">https://susanbjames.com/contact/</a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #050505;">If you decide to request a book by leaving a comment on this blog instead of using the above link<b>, </b></span><b style="color: red; text-decoration-line: underline;">please leave your name and email address in the comment, </b>So far I have had two comments on this post with no email addresses. The others received codes. I have a few more to give. Stay safe my friends. Counting your blessing helps with the joy. Today I am thankful for my comfortable bed, hot running water, my car, my son hanging my Christmas lights, making cookies with my grandson, and so much more.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic";"><br /></span></p></div><p> </p><p><br /></p>Susan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550905093762770878.post-74812039946400927472020-11-24T03:00:00.001-08:002020-11-24T03:00:00.143-08:00A Video A Recipe and Heartfelt Thankyou<p>We are closing in on the time when we celebrate hope. To me, that's what Christmas is really about. In a time of poverty, darkness and oppression, a baby was born and that moment has been celebrated for over 2,000 years as the perfect symbol of hope. </p><p>Today I read a piece where people posted their current joy. On of the postees said rewatching John Lewis Christmas Ads made her feel good. I had never heard of John Lewis and I turned to YouTube to see what she was talking about. And I loved them. I am sharing my favorite with you. 2016 <b>Buster The Dog</b></p><p><b></b><span style="color: red;">(Just in case the video insert doesn't work, here's the YouTube link.</span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN0lbTq4HnQ)"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN0lbTq4HnQ</span><span style="color: red;"> )</span></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iN0lbTq4HnQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="iN0lbTq4HnQ"></iframe></div><br /><p>If you enjoyed Buster here is a video showing all of the 2007-2020</p><p><span style="color: red;">(again, Just in case</span>. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rJ86fLF71I&t=180s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rJ86fLF71I&t=180s</a><span style="color: red;"> )</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_rJ86fLF71I" width="320" youtube-src-id="_rJ86fLF71I"></iframe></div><br />For the curious, The John Lewis & Partners Christmas advert is a television <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advertising_campaign">advertising campaign</a> released by British department store chain <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lewis_%26_Partners">John Lewis & Partners</a> and since 2019, also <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waitrose_%26_Partners">Waitrose & Partners</a> in the build-up to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas">Christmas</a>. John Lewis & Partners launched their first Christmas advert in 2007. It has since become something of an annual tradition in the UK,<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lewis_%26_Partners_Christmas_advert#cite_note-2">[2]</a> and one of the signals that the countdown to Christmas has begun.<br /><p></p><p>I am grateful to all who read this blog. My Thanksgiving will be small. I suspect that's true for most of us this year. But the joy and good food will be abundant. More than half the turkey will go in the freezer. Some of it will make a guest appearance in Turkey Corn Chowder. But I see no reason to give up my favorite bird because only three of us will be eating it, - one of the "us" being a five-year-old with a small appetite. My son Chris is now Vegan and he won't be eating it. </p><p>I am also sharing a recipe my daughter-in-law texted me. It sounds delicious.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXU-mdFghaBll7RCKilQe1SScoRsE_Ygeh75ZISp3rqEMk7Uz2e2YrxgA9EvRBC7ufm4gvTl5LeptLCjg2cPPmtVhimtEVZ-z3xNAnjwYQQnzTb0yJyco-PHfXDAOe_ArGSd7Y7b0-aR7/s500/Roasted+brussells.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="499" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXU-mdFghaBll7RCKilQe1SScoRsE_Ygeh75ZISp3rqEMk7Uz2e2YrxgA9EvRBC7ufm4gvTl5LeptLCjg2cPPmtVhimtEVZ-z3xNAnjwYQQnzTb0yJyco-PHfXDAOe_ArGSd7Y7b0-aR7/s320/Roasted+brussells.jpg" /></a></div><h2 class="wprm-recipe-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: none; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 1.8em; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://juliasalbum.com/wprm_print/9097" target="_blank">Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Cinnamon Butternut Squash with Pecans and Cranberries</a></h2><div class="wprm-recipe-rating" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;"><span class="wprm-rating-star wprm-rating-star-1 wprm-rating-star-full" data-rating="1" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><svg height="16px" viewbox="0 0 24 24" width="16px" x="0px" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" y="0px"><g transform="translate(0, 0)"><polygon fill="none" points="12,2.6 15,9 21.4,9 16.7,13.9 18.6,21.4 12,17.6 5.4,21.4 7.3,13.9 2.6,9 9,9 " stroke-linecap="square" stroke-linejoin="miter" stroke-miterlimit="10" stroke-width="2" stroke="#343434"></polygon></g></svg></span><span class="wprm-rating-star wprm-rating-star-2 wprm-rating-star-full" data-rating="2" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><svg height="16px" viewbox="0 0 24 24" width="16px" x="0px" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" y="0px"><g transform="translate(0, 0)"><polygon fill="none" points="12,2.6 15,9 21.4,9 16.7,13.9 18.6,21.4 12,17.6 5.4,21.4 7.3,13.9 2.6,9 9,9 " stroke-linecap="square" stroke-linejoin="miter" stroke-miterlimit="10" stroke-width="2" stroke="#343434"></polygon></g></svg></span><span class="wprm-rating-star wprm-rating-star-3 wprm-rating-star-full" data-rating="3" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><svg height="16px" viewbox="0 0 24 24" width="16px" x="0px" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" y="0px"><g transform="translate(0, 0)"><polygon fill="none" points="12,2.6 15,9 21.4,9 16.7,13.9 18.6,21.4 12,17.6 5.4,21.4 7.3,13.9 2.6,9 9,9 " stroke-linecap="square" stroke-linejoin="miter" stroke-miterlimit="10" stroke-width="2" stroke="#343434"></polygon></g></svg></span><span class="wprm-rating-star wprm-rating-star-4 wprm-rating-star-full" data-rating="4" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><svg height="16px" viewbox="0 0 24 24" width="16px" x="0px" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" y="0px"><g transform="translate(0, 0)"><polygon fill="none" points="12,2.6 15,9 21.4,9 16.7,13.9 18.6,21.4 12,17.6 5.4,21.4 7.3,13.9 2.6,9 9,9 " stroke-linecap="square" stroke-linejoin="miter" stroke-miterlimit="10" stroke-width="2" stroke="#343434"></polygon></g></svg></span><span class="wprm-rating-star wprm-rating-star-5 wprm-rating-star-full" data-rating="5" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><svg height="16px" viewbox="0 0 24 24" width="16px" x="0px" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" y="0px"><g transform="translate(0, 0)"><polygon fill="none" points="12,2.6 15,9 21.4,9 16.7,13.9 18.6,21.4 12,17.6 5.4,21.4 7.3,13.9 2.6,9 9,9 " stroke-linecap="square" stroke-linejoin="miter" stroke-miterlimit="10" stroke-width="2" stroke="#343434"></polygon></g></svg></span></div><div class="wprm-recipe-summary" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px; margin-bottom: 15px;"></div><p>I linked to the printable recipe. Below is a look at it.</p><div class="wprm-recipe-ingredients-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; counter-reset: wprm-advanced-list-counter 0; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;"><h3 class="wprm-recipe-header" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: none; color: black; font-size: 1.2em; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 10px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">Ingredients</h3><div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-group" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><h4 class="wprm-recipe-group-name wprm-recipe-ingredient-group-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: none; color: black; font-size: 1em; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 300; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px !important; padding: 0px;">Roasted Brussels Sprouts:</h4><ul class="wprm-recipe-ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-block: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">3</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">cups</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Brussels sprouts</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes" style="box-sizing: border-box; opacity: 0.7;">ends trimmed, yellow leaves removed</span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">3</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">tablespoons</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">olive oil</span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1/4</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">teaspoon</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Salt</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes" style="box-sizing: border-box; opacity: 0.7;">to taste</span></li></ul></div><div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-group" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><h4 class="wprm-recipe-group-name wprm-recipe-ingredient-group-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: none; color: black; font-size: 1em; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 300; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px !important; padding: 0px;">Roasted Butternut Squash:</h4><ul class="wprm-recipe-ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-block: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1 1/2</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">lb</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">butternut squash</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes" style="box-sizing: border-box; opacity: 0.7;">peeled, seeded, and cubed into 1-inch cubes (Yields about 4 cups of uncooked cubed butternut squash)</span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">2</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">tablespoons</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">olive oil</span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">3</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">tablespoons</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">maple syrup</span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">½</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">teaspoon</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">ground cinnamon</span></li></ul></div><div class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-group" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><h4 class="wprm-recipe-group-name wprm-recipe-ingredient-group-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: none; color: black; font-size: 1em; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 300; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px !important; padding: 0px;">Other Ingredients:</h4><ul class="wprm-recipe-ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-block: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">2</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">cups</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">pecan halves</span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">cup</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">dried cranberries</span></li><li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">2-4</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">tablespoons</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">maple syrup</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes" style="box-sizing: border-box; opacity: 0.7;">optional</span></li></ul></div></div><div class="wprm-recipe-instructions-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; counter-reset: wprm-advanced-list-counter 0; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;"><h3 class="wprm-recipe-header" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: none; color: black; font-size: 1.2em; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; margin: 10px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">Instructions</h3><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-group" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><h4 class="wprm-recipe-group-name wprm-recipe-instruction-group-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: none; color: black; font-size: 1em; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 300; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px !important; padding: 0px;">How to roast Brussels Sprouts:</h4><ol class="wprm-recipe-instructions" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-block: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 5px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Preheat oven to 400 F. Lightly grease the foil-lined baking sheet with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.</p></div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 5px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Trim ends of Brussels sprouts and remove yellow leaves. </p></div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 5px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Then, slice all Brussels sprouts in half. </p></div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 5px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In a medium bowl, combine halved Brussels sprouts, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt (to taste), and toss to combine. </p></div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 5px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Place onto a foil-lined baking sheet, cut side down, and roast in the oven at 400 F for about 20-25 minutes. During the last 5-10 minutes of roasting, turn them over for even browning, the cut sides should be nicely and partially charred but not blackened (see my photos).</p></div></li></ol></div><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-group" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><h4 class="wprm-recipe-group-name wprm-recipe-instruction-group-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: none; color: black; font-size: 1em; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 300; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px !important; padding: 0px;">How to roast Butternut Squash:</h4><ol class="wprm-recipe-instructions" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-block: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 5px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Preheat oven to 400 F. Lightly grease the foil-lined baking sheet with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.</div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 5px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;">In a medium bowl, combine cubed butternut squash (peeled and seeded),1 tablespoon of olive oil, maple syrup, and cinnamon, and toss to mix.</div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 5px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Place butternut squash in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, turning once half-way through baking, until softened.</div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 5px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Note:</b> You can roast both Brussels sprouts and butternut squash on 2 separate baking sheets at the same time, on the same rack in the oven – that’s what I did.</p></div></li></ol></div><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-group" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><h4 class="wprm-recipe-group-name wprm-recipe-instruction-group-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: none; color: black; font-size: 1em; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 300; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px !important; padding: 0px;">How to toast pecans:</h4><ol class="wprm-recipe-instructions" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-block: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 5px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Toast pecans in the preheated oven at 350 F</p></div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 5px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.</p></div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 5px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Toast the pecans for about 5 minutes (maybe a bit longer) in the preheated oven at 350 F until they get darker in color. </p></div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 5px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Note: </b>pecans burn really fast, so make sure to check the nuts after 5 minutes and frequently afterwords. </p></div></li></ol></div><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-group" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><h4 class="wprm-recipe-group-name wprm-recipe-instruction-group-name" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: none; color: black; font-size: 1em; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 300; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px !important; padding: 0px;">Assembly:</h4><ol class="wprm-recipe-instructions" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-block: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 5px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In a large bowl, combine roasted Brussels sprouts, roasted butternut squash, pecans, and cranberries, and mix to combine. </p></div></li><li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 5px 32px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">(OPTIONAL):</b> For more sweetness, add 2 or 4 tablespoons of maple syrup, if desired – do not add all maple syrup at once, start with 2 tablespoons, then add more, if desired, and toss with the salad ingredients to combine.</p></div></li></ol><div>I wish you a week of joy and gratitudes. With Love. Susan</div></div></div>Susan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550905093762770878.post-65498977692075497822020-11-17T03:00:00.001-08:002020-11-17T03:00:03.906-08:00 1925 Magic in New York Spellbound by Allie Therin # Giveaway<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBnRtnLNSViQO_n54Fx9W7KkkFjerLOnXHPrRxV-CwOG0Vwac3A0SupUgITbBG4Sata9d9etUxbrFB8xLnICrkqnQAxPYSLIzcx4Ch7OpA4rd0yVZu4vqFVAPmdWA1qqog3y-dGUcr568/s350/three+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="350" data-pinit="registered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBnRtnLNSViQO_n54Fx9W7KkkFjerLOnXHPrRxV-CwOG0Vwac3A0SupUgITbBG4Sata9d9etUxbrFB8xLnICrkqnQAxPYSLIzcx4Ch7OpA4rd0yVZu4vqFVAPmdWA1qqog3y-dGUcr568/s320/three+books.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Meet Allie Therin, one of my new favorite authors. I found Allie by accident when looking for an example of a good query letter. After reading the letter my thought was I would read it in a heartbeat. Amazon Prime gave me the opportunity. It was a Prime Reading Editor’s Choice for September. I borrowed it, loved it, bought the next book and preordered the third. I love her work so much that I am giving away a copy of Spellbound. (Rafflecopter at the end of the post.)<p class="MsoNormal"><em><b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></em></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJk_ogc4aoOxUW3iTWlQaFdoK0ls9CNBc1mZ8sUwvoxIMdnFerkgYVaFHdfRLK8XAv57mBzIijnuF4BQFJj4LFkC7hLcPPpILzXErdHXyE0HG6FuORI1t42QThd9bbYWFoaOyPVtiO74R/s2048/0719_9781488055089_Spellbound_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1294" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJk_ogc4aoOxUW3iTWlQaFdoK0ls9CNBc1mZ8sUwvoxIMdnFerkgYVaFHdfRLK8XAv57mBzIijnuF4BQFJj4LFkC7hLcPPpILzXErdHXyE0HG6FuORI1t42QThd9bbYWFoaOyPVtiO74R/s320/0719_9781488055089_Spellbound_web.jpg" /></a></b></em></div><em><b><br />To save
Manhattan, they’ll have to save each other first…</b></em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<em><span style="background: white;">1925</span></em><i><span style="background: white;"><br />
<em>New York</em></span></i><br />
<span style="background: white;">Arthur Kenzie’s life’s work is protecting the
world from the supernatural relics that could destroy it. When an amulet with
the power to control the tides is shipped to New York, he must intercept it
before it can be used to devastating effects. This time, in order to succeed,
he needs a powerful psychometric…and the only one available has sworn off his
abilities altogether.</span></span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Rory Brodigan’s gift comes with great risk. To
protect himself, he’s become a recluse, redirecting his magic to find
counterfeit antiques. But with the city’s fate hanging in the balance, he can’t
force himself to say no.</span><br /><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">Being with Arthur is dangerous, but Rory’s
ever-growing attraction to him begins to make him brave. And as Arthur coaxes
him out of seclusion, a magical and emotional bond begins to form. One that
proves impossible to break—even when Arthur sacrifices himself to keep Rory
safe and Rory must risk everything to save him. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">Hop over to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MY6FSZH?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_0&storeType=ebooks" target="_blank">Amazon if you want to use the Look Inside Feature</a></span></p><p><span style="color: red;"> I asked Allie for an interview. Allie, please tell us a little about yourself.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtnBmPeFgtPqo5oXcGIFRc-gF8VqFkPqOhxyU_lmCfbBK5s9DppGeQCrtUcfGoD4Nx41PWy56R0Qd5soXEOZutdBpS3Qxq_fTPFT4cE-6sOaMSuKxMbnOQOCVTT9Rwr5cyd5EcW7j3O2u/s2000/allie+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1769" data-pinit="registered" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtnBmPeFgtPqo5oXcGIFRc-gF8VqFkPqOhxyU_lmCfbBK5s9DppGeQCrtUcfGoD4Nx41PWy56R0Qd5soXEOZutdBpS3Qxq_fTPFT4cE-6sOaMSuKxMbnOQOCVTT9Rwr5cyd5EcW7j3O2u/w177-h200/allie+small.jpg" width="177" /></a></div>Well, like many romance authors, my day job is in law, although I’m more of a law librarian than a practicing lawyer. I have a wonderful seven-year-old son and an adorable gremlin of a cat.<br /> My heritage is mixed Cuban-American, and I also have an autoimmune disease, which I try to be honest about because being chronically ill can be an isolating experience and I want others to know they’re not alone. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpeQfJ9pruiaIcEKdI5wA-UzCgEhM2-h-vnnaDNc1F0fyvtOLzzDKs7zFLUVX3upcZytfN8OaSwZ6uSZ9wR8sSWDU5s3vVWWWmaVo2XQ9h70hm6KonIl6VHRwkdhWdIiPQcANU-72G05km/s2048/catsleepingondesk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1495" data-original-width="2048" data-pinit="registered" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpeQfJ9pruiaIcEKdI5wA-UzCgEhM2-h-vnnaDNc1F0fyvtOLzzDKs7zFLUVX3upcZytfN8OaSwZ6uSZ9wR8sSWDU5s3vVWWWmaVo2XQ9h70hm6KonIl6VHRwkdhWdIiPQcANU-72G05km/w320-h234/catsleepingondesk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="color: red;"> I am happy so see you have such an able assistant. I love firsts, so tell me about the moment when a publisher told you they wanted to publish your book</span>.</p><p>I was actually on a vacation with my family and missed the call! I was in the hotel room and discovered a voicemail from Angela James (then the editor at Harlequin’s Carina Press). I called her back and she told me Carina wanted not just SPELLBOUND, but the three-book series I’d pitched. Hopefully I sounded somewhat professional on the call because I was jumping up and down on the hotel balcony afterwards, lol. <span style="color: red;"><i> I can't wait till Carina decides to bring out Spellbound in paperback. I also have an e-publisher and it usually takes about seven months.</i></span></p><p><span style="color: red;">You mention so many details about 1925 New York – Clothing, food, drinks places, mores. Do you have a favorite tidit you learned by researching?</span></p><p>Oh gosh, I don’t know if I can pick a favorite! There’s so much history I’ve discovered that wasn’t taught in my schools. I loved learning about New York’s immigrant groups and queer community. I loved digging up old pictures--and even film footage--of 1920s New York (and Philadelphia, for STARCROSSED). I absolutely loved learning about Josephine Baker, what a beautiful and fascinating person. <i><span style="color: red;">Yes! I agree. I never got to meet Josephine Baker, but I did meet Bricktop in Rome in 1961 and got to hear her sing.</span></i></p><p><span style="color: red;">What is the most exciting moment, so far, in your writing career?</span>I was sitting in a coffee shop on my lunch break from my day job. I had a physical printout of my first book in front of me, from my home printer, because for the past few weeks I’d been going through it with a red pen. I hit the final page in that coffee shop and I realized—I’d done it. I’d written and edited a book, and now I was going to take that next step and query it. <span style="color: red;"><i> And then you wrote the best query letter I ever read. Here it is, friends. Would you want to see it after reading this?</i></span></p><p><span style="color: #8c8885; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -24px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i style="text-indent: -24px;"><span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><b>Dear Editor:<br /><br />Thank you for taking the time to read and like my #CarinaPitch tweet! I’m excited to query you with my adult historical fantasy male/male romance, SPELLBOUND (68,000 words). I hope you find it matches many items on your wishlist, including an opposites-attract couple with a virgin hero in an intricate fantasy world.<br /><br />It’s 1925 in Prohibition-ruled Manhattan and Rory Brodigan is hiding in Hell’s Kitchen. Afraid his volatile power to see objects’ histories will trap his mind in someone else’s past—or worse, his own past might find him—Rory isolates himself as he scrapes out a living in a fake antiques appraisal shop. At least, until the big timer with the rush job shows up.<br /><br />Seven years ago, Arthur Kenzie was an Ivy League quarterback who quit to enlist in the Great War. Now he still protects the world, recovering dangerous magical relics before they fall into the wrong hands. It’s risky business for magic-less Arthur, but at least it keeps him abroad where his illegal attraction to men can’t hurt his political family. Except now he’s back in New York, chasing a lead: an antiques shop in Hell’s Kitchen with suspiciously accurate appraisals.<br /><br />It’s a rocky start when mistaken identity leads Arthur to trigger Rory’s magic in a Harlem speakeasy. But when a mysterious relic that controls the tide arrives in the Port of New York, Arthur will need Rory’s help to steal it before it’s sold to a telepathic German baron who will weaponize it. Facing Rory’s unpredictable magic and Arthur’s treacherous enemies, they must find a way to save each other, because it’s going to take them both to save Manhattan.<br /><br />SPELLBOUND is a standalone novel with series potential. The novel’s diverse cast includes half-Italian Rory, an immigrant’s son navigating the charged politics of the Twenties. Of mixed Latinx-American heritage and a first-generation American myself, I currently work as an attorney.</b></span></i></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Any advice for new writers just starting out?</span></b></p><p>Be kind and encouraging to yourself. It’s okay to make mistakes and get things wrong; that’s part of learning! Cheer yourself on like you would a friend. Try different things to see what works for you. Have fun and create art with abandon. </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">What’s your current WIP?</span> </b></p><p>Currently I’m working on a paranormal mystery romance that spins off from the Magic in Manhattan series. This book is set in 1925 England and brings back two of STARCROSSED’s antagonists, Lord Fine and Sebastian de Leon, for a romance of their own. It’s planned for release in 2022 from Carina Press.</p><p><span style="color: red;"><b>And finally, where can we find you?</b></span></p><p>You can find more information about me and my books--including my goofy stick figures of Arthur and Rory and some truly spectacular fan art by readers--over on my website, www.allietherin.com. You can also find me on social media: </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://twitter.com/allie_therin" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Twitter</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> | </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/allie.therin" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Facebook</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> | </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/allietherin/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instagram</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> | </span><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/allie-therin" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bookbub</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> | </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18802942.Allie_Therin" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Goodreads</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> | </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Allie-Therin/e/B07P52CJ8F/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amazon</span></a></span></p><p>Thanks so much for having me here!</p><p><span style="color: red;"><b>Thank you so much for being here, Allie. If you don't want to wait, Spellbound is 4.99 on Amazon and the eBook and Audiobook are </b></span><b style="color: red;">available</b><b style="color: red;"> free on Hoopla. Here's the Rafflecopter. Happy reading and please stay safe.</b></p><p><b style="color: red;"><br /></b></p><div><br /></div>
<a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/7b13dc94203/" rel="nofollow" data-raflid="7b13dc94203" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_c9dsf1s5">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Susan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550905093762770878.post-59196058788262030362020-11-10T03:00:00.002-08:002020-11-10T03:00:07.829-08:00Caroline Warfield on Waiting and Writing<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFA0h7V1kIoVAlqFdmB04grzDIHD8a0TKMnIx3HuDfTZ2QPp_6PuaQAZcASiEkPqqr1CrfEqeyFTuBXhh3ZU0y8sBKkcdEbnT5dzHRjUgX1Cnrq9iM23LF3B539XRSAQqyWndRmYe_bbmD/s940/EpicLove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" data-pinit="registered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFA0h7V1kIoVAlqFdmB04grzDIHD8a0TKMnIx3HuDfTZ2QPp_6PuaQAZcASiEkPqqr1CrfEqeyFTuBXhh3ZU0y8sBKkcdEbnT5dzHRjUgX1Cnrq9iM23LF3B539XRSAQqyWndRmYe_bbmD/s320/EpicLove.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>As I write this, the country is waiting. Several states are still counting votes, others have recount requests already being made, and people are demanding that we stop counting votes now that election day is over. Uh, no. We won’t do that. We never have before. While all this gets sorted out, and sane voices call to count every vote, we wait. I plan to avoid getting agitated until every state has counted and every governor issues her state’s “Certificate of Ascertainment” formally announcing their electors. The Electoral College votes December 14. It will be a bit of a wait.<br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11xZuu6vosWrgD3hRlNf4H4TCAUztTl9D9u_8oRQfkaMk6LNxLXv6Z_YxYuRzCs1Cus82-x5eMl55__9sqVaXjttvJqg6Jx_Wo6e7DURuqepFzuvfq2aG89YV6XBH9QypXzp1pS231m82/s1778/SCAN0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1778" data-original-width="1160" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11xZuu6vosWrgD3hRlNf4H4TCAUztTl9D9u_8oRQfkaMk6LNxLXv6Z_YxYuRzCs1Cus82-x5eMl55__9sqVaXjttvJqg6Jx_Wo6e7DURuqepFzuvfq2aG89YV6XBH9QypXzp1pS231m82/s320/SCAN0002.JPG" /></a></div>I’m not fond of waiting, so I’m coping by writing. When it goes well, and lately it is, I’m taken away to a world of action and emotion. I’m working on two different series, one of them for Soul Mate Publishing, and I have plenty of other projects. In short. I’m busy.<p></p><p>On the downside, I somehow worked my way into a big lull in actual publication. My last series ended in 2018, I published a stand-alone novel set in World War I in 2019. Music on the Waters, more of a novella is my sole output in 2020. Neither of my new series will launch until mid-2021. What does that mean? I wait. Impatiently. Did I mention that I’m not fond of waiting? </p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>About the Books</b></span></p><p>In 2019 I published Christmas Hope, my very first independently published work. I didn’t enjoy the process. While reviews were outstanding—“The best book I read all year” for example—it didn’t get enough attention. Part of it was the cover I chose, one of the pitfalls of indie publishing. It has a new one now, and I love it. What do you think?</p><p>Some wars must be fought; some stories must be told. This is one, an epic love story. After two years at war Harry ran out of metaphors for death, synonyms for brown, and images of darkness. When he encounters the floating islands of Amiens and life in the form a widow and her little son, hope ensnares him. Love gives them the hope they need to survive the dark times, but will it still be enough when the war is over?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJy8vtv4GZEDW-n8cf_TKHf1YrGoRKutKbllui4ehsCoonnoq8D6wSBRe4-Yzm3nBqZ5aq88OyFhe4EZklPkakudAS91bvqISPF6oaArJcXz9Y0HO9xAZJ2-htjbefNpvtsVDgLcU_AOs/s940/EpicLove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" data-pinit="registered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJy8vtv4GZEDW-n8cf_TKHf1YrGoRKutKbllui4ehsCoonnoq8D6wSBRe4-Yzm3nBqZ5aq88OyFhe4EZklPkakudAS91bvqISPF6oaArJcXz9Y0HO9xAZJ2-htjbefNpvtsVDgLcU_AOs/s320/EpicLove.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">You can buy it here: </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VXXRXTR" style="text-align: left;">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VXXRXTR</a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Music on the Waters popped up as a surprise this year. I wrote it three years ago while on a long flight to New Zealand. It incorporates sights and sounds from a visit to Orkney the year before. A digital publisher had requested it, but after I sent it off, I didn’t hear much and forgot about it. Since I don’t wait well, I just went on to other things. Imagine my delight when this little gem about a lonely merchant, a gifted musician, and Regency life in Orkney came to life.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEher4NMhQVyP6fGEsIAD5Uifcygjk4MdfbIjlOmGrc3lXCpvJAU0r-2NNPHoA9sGFu6cl7xxrU614vUEZUiHykYt9h2wR6-VvjOTdWSROw5IaF5eTMiUwSdfADntnDlotigx4-5Sxy9ueQF/s940/Mama+Graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" data-pinit="registered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEher4NMhQVyP6fGEsIAD5Uifcygjk4MdfbIjlOmGrc3lXCpvJAU0r-2NNPHoA9sGFu6cl7xxrU614vUEZUiHykYt9h2wR6-VvjOTdWSROw5IaF5eTMiUwSdfADntnDlotigx4-5Sxy9ueQF/s320/Mama+Graphic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Sir Alexander Bradshaw, merchant of Orkney, Scotland, needs a wife to manage his unruly sons, cope with his sullen daughter, and warm his bed. But he hopes for so much more. The Kirkwall organist, Ann Dunwood, has passion that enthralls him when she is lost in her music, but she folds into a demure little mouse when others are around. He is determined to reignite that passion and fill his home—and his heart—with her music. </p><p>You can buy it here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086SGRWSG/">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086SGRWSG/</a></p><p>Who am I?</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQeViLOKltncA5YVPR9YKmvVd8kc7qzE0X0SiRYREWAweGP5G3bWb2xzWGEAPXZtQ-pu76eQTvkr6CX_MAU8bYtFoFX97psB_wj-ODGWHlcGko_cQ9UM1-8xSz5hHUbm3t20bc8aYcQTO/s2048/CRoddy-034_e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" data-pinit="registered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQeViLOKltncA5YVPR9YKmvVd8kc7qzE0X0SiRYREWAweGP5G3bWb2xzWGEAPXZtQ-pu76eQTvkr6CX_MAU8bYtFoFX97psB_wj-ODGWHlcGko_cQ9UM1-8xSz5hHUbm3t20bc8aYcQTO/s320/CRoddy-034_e.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I’m an award-winning author of family centered romance set in the Regency and Victorian eras, but I’ve been many things (even a nun). Someone who begins life as an army brat develops a wide view of life, and a love for travel. Now settled in the urban wilds of eastern Pennsylvania, I believe I’m on my third act or so, waiting impatiently until I can travel again, but happily writing stories brimming with emotion, adventure, and always a happy ending.<p></p><p>Website <a href="http://www.carolinewarfield.com/">http://www.carolinewarfield.com/</a></p><p>Amazon Author <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Caroline-Warfield/e/B00N9PZZZS/">http://www.amazon.com/Caroline-Warfield/e/B00N9PZZZS/</a></p><p>Good Reads <a href="http://bit.ly/1C5blTm">http://bit.ly/1C5blTm</a> </p><p>Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/WarfieldFellowTravelers">https://www.facebook.com/groups/WarfieldFellowTravelers</a> </p><p>Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/CaroWarfield">https://twitter.com/CaroWarfield</a></p><p>Email <a href="mailto:warfieldcaro@gmail.com">warfieldcaro@gmail.com</a></p><p>Newsletter: <a href="http://www.carolinewarfield.com/newsletter/">http://www.carolinewarfield.com/newsletter/</a></p><p>BookBub <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/caroline-warfield">https://www.bookbub.com/authors/caroline-warfield</a></p><p>You Tube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCycyfKdNnZlueqo8MlgWyWQ">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCycyfKdNnZlueqo8MlgWyWQ</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Susan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550905093762770878.post-56839084980045598152020-11-03T03:00:00.001-08:002020-11-03T03:00:09.480-08:00Welcome to November -Month 75 of the year 2020<p> NanoWriMo Started. I am limping along with it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdUhjWokU0iW4YKACJ2TbQWdZMYl-ts6NB4dnQoW-36d2-g6Ad14bvOsbLH_x3fB0K0MhT_n_GZSqC3cDye8gdzPYKPDBdWyt_VxRIAoYXTWYf6sxLn_4KAO0mfHZc09VI9hcmc4OHCdS/s960/apolyptical.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="960" data-pinit="registered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdUhjWokU0iW4YKACJ2TbQWdZMYl-ts6NB4dnQoW-36d2-g6Ad14bvOsbLH_x3fB0K0MhT_n_GZSqC3cDye8gdzPYKPDBdWyt_VxRIAoYXTWYf6sxLn_4KAO0mfHZc09VI9hcmc4OHCdS/s320/apolyptical.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>If anyone has a good idea for a short story they aren't using. Please let me know. I don't do horror so I am not writing about real life. See you next week.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQS-IU7f9ElOs60GwL0CbSo0oQdG6jnUdgL9PSJZBUPRAg6jJ2PfNVXAMSibVjIBgrLJiBolP49IrMCJ939a9aNE5Qf8JO8pn5HFOu6NB71l4nct11UY-HszC70N52dwTv-PAMc1YVhgvk/s451/charades.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="301" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQS-IU7f9ElOs60GwL0CbSo0oQdG6jnUdgL9PSJZBUPRAg6jJ2PfNVXAMSibVjIBgrLJiBolP49IrMCJ939a9aNE5Qf8JO8pn5HFOu6NB71l4nct11UY-HszC70N52dwTv-PAMc1YVhgvk/s320/charades.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Susan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550905093762770878.post-3947622661209700022020-10-27T03:00:00.002-07:002020-10-27T03:00:05.103-07:00Meet Regency Romance Author Susan Varno<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: red;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiP36d9vjfaiCfZXuS_z-btDynKJ9HiDSVOQ_6qTKonG6rcX4R16BAqyTVU0YaUyd5D73-2suKKpqCna5-fQdZdSA7XEi0rYSkxcJ8b_OuekcBFqlkIzJqQgI_WQA3RgGsz1FHjnzkPGT/s640/A+Rebel+and+her+Rogue200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="400" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiP36d9vjfaiCfZXuS_z-btDynKJ9HiDSVOQ_6qTKonG6rcX4R16BAqyTVU0YaUyd5D73-2suKKpqCna5-fQdZdSA7XEi0rYSkxcJ8b_OuekcBFqlkIzJqQgI_WQA3RgGsz1FHjnzkPGT/s320/A+Rebel+and+her+Rogue200.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="color: red;"><br />Please welcome Susan Varno, author of the Regency Romance <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rebel-Her-Rogue-Susan-Varno-ebook/dp/B08C7ZXQT2">A Rebel and Her Rogue</a> . </i></b></span><span style="color: red;">Susan, please tell us a little about yourself.</span><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXhbRuGAxej7X3ImN3inEv0-DjwlsT7VEcUmFU6wGr48T_HgrytV3vCkByfTjmQiC5jOHftb322mTf5jnRqMjdKl9AeCVUdR3UlujtzdHJtmkEYBazWR0WOE43XsJcKIET-d7iKKAa1zL/s2048/Susan+Varno++-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1649" data-pinit="registered" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXhbRuGAxej7X3ImN3inEv0-DjwlsT7VEcUmFU6wGr48T_HgrytV3vCkByfTjmQiC5jOHftb322mTf5jnRqMjdKl9AeCVUdR3UlujtzdHJtmkEYBazWR0WOE43XsJcKIET-d7iKKAa1zL/w161-h200/Susan+Varno++-+Copy.jpg" width="161" /></a></div>I was born and raised in Chicago. I’ve had imaginary friends
from as far back as I can remember. These included “Barbara” who lived in
California. I could only talk to her on my pink plastic phone. Another was my
Betsy Wetsy doll <span style="text-transform: uppercase;">A</span>nnabelle, who I
believed was wiser than myself. I often asked her for advice. Meese, Box, and
Temp were three gnome-like fellows who lived in the radiator above my bed.
Radiators have now disappeared from most homes, but in the 1940s they were
everywhere. Our family lived in a basement apartment, so the radiator was
flattened out and spread part way across the ceiling. I imagined the trio lived
in the rounded corners and traveled down the pipes to visit each other. When
the heat was on, the pipes hissed and banged. To me, that explained their wild parties.
I told my father about this village above my bed. His imagination was as vivid
as mine. Delighted, he asked me for more stories, and he retold them to anyone
who would listen. Based on my descriptions, he even drew pictures of my
overhead friends. His encouragement made me realize you could get attention by
making up stories.<span style="color: red;"><i> I love this</i>. </span>In my 20’s, I
wrote and published romance short stories in women’s magazines. Later <b>I</b> wrote columns and movie reviews for <i>Video Views Magazine</i>. After my husband
and I retired to the Arkansas Ozarks, I interviewed more than a hundred people
for feature articles and columns in magazines and newspapers. My focus was
Ozarks people, culture and history.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><b><span style="color: red;">I love firsts, so tell
me about the moment when a publisher told you they wanted to publish your book.</span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can tell you the
exact day, Wednesday, January 22, 2020. I had entered A REBEL AND HER ROGUE in
several Romance Writers of America contests. I was a finalist in the Cleveland
Rocks contest. Debby Gilbert, editor in chief at Soul Mate Publishing, was one
of the final judges. On September 7, 2019, she asked to see my manuscript. I
replied that I hadn’t finished writing the novel. She agreed to wait. I sent
her my finished manuscript on January 13, 2020. Nine days later, she e-mailed
me, “Great news! I enjoyed THE REBEL AND HER ROGUE so much we'd like to publish
your book.”</p><p class="MsoNormal">At best, I’d hoped
she would say, but we need the following revisions. But she was satisfied just
the way I’d written it. I danced a little.
My heart palpitated most of the day. I started
calling people to tell them the news. My sister who had proofread the manuscript,
my two sons who had seen me writing since they were children, several writer
friends. Then I realized I had to write another book, preferably a sequel. More
about that below.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: red;"><b><o:p> </o:p><i>If it isn’t too nosy.
How about the first time you kissed your true love?</i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2kakb3BtMc78enEgHgQVYlspLn91O3nmxPFxQFlEn7MwM23f6hay73J5ZWEf_30u_Frc9il5kPaFyWTzqh0AJZqlEO3lVwx5zq608gKHqIYa03UQPM62RytMNzvEiosPHFED00NytsLz/s2048/Joe%252C+Richard%252C+Rich%252C+Susan+Varno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1788" data-original-width="2048" data-pinit="registered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2kakb3BtMc78enEgHgQVYlspLn91O3nmxPFxQFlEn7MwM23f6hay73J5ZWEf_30u_Frc9il5kPaFyWTzqh0AJZqlEO3lVwx5zq608gKHqIYa03UQPM62RytMNzvEiosPHFED00NytsLz/s320/Joe%252C+Richard%252C+Rich%252C+Susan+Varno.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This is a little embarrassing. When Richard Varno and I had
our first date, he kissed me at the end of the evening. Nice kiss, but
disappointing. I’d been kissed by a few men and boys before. Always a deep
French kiss. Richard did not French kiss. When I knew him a little better, I
invited him to kiss the French way. He stuck his tongue part way out at me.
That seemed a little rude.Then he said, “That’s as far as my tongue will go out. I’m
tongue-tied. It should have been clipped when I was born, but I was born at
home and the doctor forgot.”Richard could speak as clearly as anyone. He just couldn’t
go real deep with a kiss. However, he was good at everything else. When our two sons
were born, he instructed the doctors to make sure to check their tongues. Both
of our children’s tongues needed to be clipped. <div><span style="color: red;"><i>That's fascinating. I never realized tongue-tied was a real thing<b>.</b></i></span> </div><div><i><span style="color: red;"><b>What is your favorite pastime, other than writing?</b></span></i></div><div>Volunteering, which I haven’t been able to do much lately.
In the past, I’ve volunteered at a domestic violence shelter, at three
not-for-profit thrift stores, a historical society, at several churches,
through my homeowners association, in political campaigns, and through writing
clubs. Currently I’m a commissioner on the Bolingbrook Historical Preservation
Commission, a member of the United Methodist Women’s organization, and I was
helping with Community Outreach at our local school district. Most of the
friends I’ve made in life came through volunteering. My mother was a great
volunteer. When I was five years old, she started taking me with when she
volunteered at the church thrift store and at church luncheons. When I
volunteer, I receive so much more than what I give. <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Tell us about <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rebel-Her-Rogue-Susan-Varno-ebook/dp/B08C7ZXQT2">A REBEL AND HER ROGUE </a></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXeN443bBwPNyEa_Z-3_uQHM6uK5EmJ8OPOAoUiQaa5YpS-4aIvgeHVdQWdnxV8DlyGZivA1NCFbC0xUMWKLZU1CmpJoGBXfe30IlCY8sj3Mo96wvTsUJjWPs42VtFy_RZRjewOq4h0hv/s640/A+Rebel+and+her+Rogue200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="400" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXeN443bBwPNyEa_Z-3_uQHM6uK5EmJ8OPOAoUiQaa5YpS-4aIvgeHVdQWdnxV8DlyGZivA1NCFbC0xUMWKLZU1CmpJoGBXfe30IlCY8sj3Mo96wvTsUJjWPs42VtFy_RZRjewOq4h0hv/s320/A+Rebel+and+her+Rogue200.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><b>Sherwood Forest, 1815 </b><br /><br /> Cassiopeia Valient storms, “Sir, is this any way to conduct a kidnapping?”<br />When Blake Forester rescues her from her crashed carriage, Cassie mistakes him for “The Gentleman Bandit,” the outlaw she hired to kidnap her and then split the ransom. Blake is her intended victim.<br />Blake should be outraged! Instead, he’s intrigued. Since he returned from the War, he suffers terrifying memories. So many died. Why did he survive? This diabolical damsel may be the distraction he needs to get back to living again. <br />After Blake reveals who he is really Lord Rayneford, Cassie’s life shatters. She vows to cease her wild, reckless behavior. This time her actions went beyond dangerous. If she has to bite back words and squeeze out smiles, she will act like a proper lady. <br />Thwarting her resolve, this lord dares her to join him in glorious adventures. She can’t avoid the rascal. He’s lending her father money to repair their flood-damaged estate. Demanding his cut of the cancelled ransom, the real Gentleman Bandit threatens blackmail and kidnapping. Blake and Cassie fend off the culprit only to discover the most dangerous adventure is falling in love. <br /><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red;"><b>What’s your current
WIP?</b></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal">The tagline for my next historical romance POSING AS A
PRINCESS is “She’s a professional thief, and he’s the Sheriff of Nottingham.”<span style="color: red;"> Awesome!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To raise money to
save her brother from hanging, Ruth Fitzhenry, who is the daughter of the
“Gentleman Bandit” in A REBEL AND HER ROGUE, masquerades as a German princess.
King George IV has ordered the newly appointed Sheriff Weston Chandler to
escort the real princess from Nottingham to London. If he finds out she’s a
decoy, will he arrest her? Danger,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>intrigue, some fun, some humor, some mystery. Maybe too much, I’m
editing out the excess right now. <span style="color: red;"><i>Sounds like it's going to be a very fun read.</i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red;">And finally, where can
we find you?</span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Amazon book page <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rebel-Her-Rogue-Susan-Varno-ebook/dp/B08C7ZXQT2/">https://www.amazon.com/Rebel-Her-Rogue-Susan-Varno-ebook/dp/B08C7ZXQT2/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">website <a href="http://susanvarno.com/">http://susanvarno.com/</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">G-mail <a href="file:///C:/Users/Sue/Dropbox/blog/10-27%20susan%20varno/svarnoauthor42@gmail.com%20">svarnoauthor42@gmail.com
</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SVarnoauthor">https://www.facebook.com/SVarnoauthor</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: red;"><b>Thank you for being here, Susan. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rebel-Her-Rogue-Susan-Varno-ebook/dp/B08C7ZXQT2" target="_blank">A Rebel and Her Rogue</a> is available for free on Kindle Unlimited. And you can buy it for 3.99. Stay safe, all. And happy reading.</b></span></p></div>Susan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550905093762770878.post-59446655604703458782020-10-20T03:00:00.008-07:002020-10-20T03:00:03.790-07:00Life After Covid - Rachel Sharpe <span style="color: red;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BjnG_fe4KQOvNSsLSt3PqrLwq3-bSqp1q3Si2Xe6O-oi1e8thu6c7tzXWUFU5xlggOW2rQ8kS0USDgs9ebqfoXu7-SYbnOGYohosq4R7qFs0mYQlyMWhukgFEwiQXrLf4D28cIYVuFIX/s600/Rachel+Jordan+james+4+books.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="600" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BjnG_fe4KQOvNSsLSt3PqrLwq3-bSqp1q3Si2Xe6O-oi1e8thu6c7tzXWUFU5xlggOW2rQ8kS0USDgs9ebqfoXu7-SYbnOGYohosq4R7qFs0mYQlyMWhukgFEwiQXrLf4D28cIYVuFIX/w400-h320/Rachel+Jordan+james+4+books.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />Please welcome my guest blogger Rachel Sharpe.</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Kgccf26hks7UVvCJeEZTe4YdYKnhwiVxjOSMpFLFTCiLwrpXXcKydfYsalglHVK6dqwE6DcGKcpmY9kSKK5FpliDItjrlc3UKyqFcbFOa2zXOvRX96xeKR6IhhhWcwFpqQBrECZkMqn3/s587/headshot.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="397" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Kgccf26hks7UVvCJeEZTe4YdYKnhwiVxjOSMpFLFTCiLwrpXXcKydfYsalglHVK6dqwE6DcGKcpmY9kSKK5FpliDItjrlc3UKyqFcbFOa2zXOvRX96xeKR6IhhhWcwFpqQBrECZkMqn3/s320/headshot.jpg" /></a></div><br />It’s hard to believe that we are almost to Halloween. Halloween. Somehow, we’re nearing the end of 2020. This year has flown by at light speed while also moving at a snail’s pace. It’s been a year of firsts in many ways, making those simple, routine moments all the more precious. <br />What I’ve found most precious is having more time with my family. And what I’ve found most inspiring is the true depth of the human spirit. In spite of all the hardships and challenges, people from around the world continue to rise up to the challenges posed in this life after COVID-19 and make the best of situations, for the betterment of their families and their communities. As Mr. Rogers used to call them, “The Helpers.” <br />From the numerous essential workers like doctors, nurses, and grocery store clerks, to pastors, teachers, and entertainers, people are working together to help others get through this and using creativity to do so. <br />Years from now, I hope when my children look back on this time, they will not think of the virus and the suffering, but instead on our endless backyard summer days, family movie nights, and Zoom Charades with grandparents and cousins. <br /><br /><span style="color: red;">Thank you, Rachel. I hope so too. Stay safe. Keep writing. Rachel is giving away one copy of each of her books. I am using Rafflecopter. Happy Reading, my friends.</span><br />**** <br />Rachel Sharpe is the author of Cold Ambition, Lost Distinction, Bitter Retribution, and Simple Misconception, all part of the Jordan James, PI series, a mystery series with sweet romance. Although born and raised in the South, “Yankee” relatives first led Rachel to historic New England, which she has come to consider her second home and is the setting for the series. <br /><br />Rachel currently resides with her husband and children in the Greater New Orleans area where she and her children work together to maintain a simple garden. <br /><br />Check Out Rachel’s Sites to Keep Up with Jordan James!!! <br /><br />Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/RachelCSharpe">twitter.com/RachelCSharpe</a> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilzq1jXVmRU3G8PolZ2PnNG3d1ZpdU3XXZ3s14VQ_j5CydUN7KDbkVewYATF_pmYG_iN4Gwbn7Kr3FYODt_N6yDT9M8jF8vz4t3fN2N5jHn1V6x-XvR-J_RxAUPrlcsekouqJmXMI_0sx/s600/ColdAmbition400.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilzq1jXVmRU3G8PolZ2PnNG3d1ZpdU3XXZ3s14VQ_j5CydUN7KDbkVewYATF_pmYG_iN4Gwbn7Kr3FYODt_N6yDT9M8jF8vz4t3fN2N5jHn1V6x-XvR-J_RxAUPrlcsekouqJmXMI_0sx/s320/ColdAmbition400.jpg" /></a></div><br />When Jordan James decided to embark on a career as a private investigator, she never could have imagined that a chance encounter would lead to her staring down the barrel of a gun on the roof’s edge of a high-rise building. As she begins to investigate her first case, the puzzling murder of a prominent businessman that has left Boston’s finest mystified for more than two decades, she finds herself suddenly immersed in a treacherous underworld brimming with betrayal, raw greed, and political subterfuge of international proportions. In the midst of this, she discovers she is falling for her mysterious client despite the hints of his dark past. Can this feisty Southern girl with a penchant for trouble solve this baffling case, or is she doomed to become another tragic chapter in an international conspiracy? </span></div></div><br /> <br /><br />COLD AMBITION, Available Now on Amazon!!! <a href="http://www.amzn.com/B00L2OLQPG/">http://www.amzn.com/B00L2OLQPG/</a> <br /><br /> <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFd61oFhWC5Y9gnZOj2R7BjvK0H8OR9DdgP_HaypctjY-ADcu6X1cqFSIm0OrxNXP0yBEkrJreUPFv22B_nLSZPcCTFApHsVyOyZnhJXzTV-MASVcI9uSHtsiyj2fgNFguUB-oGmNU9KU/s600/LostDistinction400.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFd61oFhWC5Y9gnZOj2R7BjvK0H8OR9DdgP_HaypctjY-ADcu6X1cqFSIm0OrxNXP0yBEkrJreUPFv22B_nLSZPcCTFApHsVyOyZnhJXzTV-MASVcI9uSHtsiyj2fgNFguUB-oGmNU9KU/s320/LostDistinction400.jpg" /></a></div><br />"It all started with a favor . . ."<br /> <br /> When private investigator Jordan James agreed to search for the missing son of a U.S. Ambassador, she didn’t realize she was walking into a case one hundred years in the making. The deeper she delves into this unusual assignment, the more shocking, and the more dangerous, it becomes. With time running out and lives at stake, Jordan must race to identify the culprit of an elaborate plot while also uncovering a far more personal truth too intimate to ignore . . . <br /><br /> <br /><br />LOST DISTINCTION, Available Now on Amazon!!! <a href="http://www.amzn.com/B00Q5OGCS4">http://www.amzn.com/B00Q5OGCS4</a> <br /><br /> <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0e-4KJBBLI580aHQ14ikKmiLDWPKdQtzzb0xFnXhNIIu32fm06a6A-7Not5Vm3ZSxgrVNicMDxl3aNpQUKn3P2sxYSiu0o1MpvFf-xXeHLVtDVfM9HS5vzKdle3dZyuIuODty0zDbCYLc/s600/BitterRetribution400+%25281%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0e-4KJBBLI580aHQ14ikKmiLDWPKdQtzzb0xFnXhNIIu32fm06a6A-7Not5Vm3ZSxgrVNicMDxl3aNpQUKn3P2sxYSiu0o1MpvFf-xXeHLVtDVfM9HS5vzKdle3dZyuIuODty0zDbCYLc/s320/BitterRetribution400+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br />"What started out as a star-studded vacation has turned into a sensational avalanche . . ." When private investigator Jordan James decided to join her best friend on the set of her hit television series in the Rocky Mountains, she had no idea she would become a key player in a murder mystery more suited for the big screen than the slopes. With one actor dead and a killer on the loose, can Jordan uncover the culprit before another victim makes headlines on Hollywood Minute? <br /><br /> <br /><br />BITTER RETRIBUTION, Available Now on Amazon!!! <a href="http://www.amzn.com/B015YS0O94">http://www.amzn.com/B015YS0O94</a> <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJegx75wvVdfrQHrtbqz7orEYsz8FZQbiy6vTDckQTLzN8ImVWW3Mfk3jKXa1NghdhIVT150Cr3AEHWsgcULKkT0PMOTPD-s223tmdHaA6DQZzs8zvasQHi3hVrIKBS5ThjyPCbZf1OALl/s600/SimpleMisconception400.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJegx75wvVdfrQHrtbqz7orEYsz8FZQbiy6vTDckQTLzN8ImVWW3Mfk3jKXa1NghdhIVT150Cr3AEHWsgcULKkT0PMOTPD-s223tmdHaA6DQZzs8zvasQHi3hVrIKBS5ThjyPCbZf1OALl/s320/SimpleMisconception400.jpg" /></a></div><br />A Trip to the Big Easy Turns into a Big Nightmare…” <br /> <br /> When private investigator Jordan James returns home to New Orleans for Christmas, she never imagined her holiday could end with kidnapping and death. As she begins to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a childhood friend, she unwittingly stumbles upon a dangerous, international syndicate. With lives at risk and time running short, Jordan must find a connection between these seemingly unrelated events if she ever hopes to find her friend. <br /><br /> <br /><br />SIMPLE MISCONCEPTION, Available Now on Amazon!!! <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D6W244X">https://www.amazon.com/ B07D6W244X</a></div>
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<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Susan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550905093762770878.post-7516458314391293742020-10-13T03:00:00.001-07:002020-10-13T03:00:07.938-07:00Return to Virgin River with Robyn Carr: Review and #giveaway<p> Robyn Carr's newest book is a return to one of my favorite destinations - Virgin River. And I have a hardback ARC to give away.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGcUUlFZpoFimymab09fA_PYBWEPMCBSsPs36U8ba9bmCKeHm7SkwjpU7aCbcEOKM6zrezogFrotGFEfwvXUkNU0-AmblrCEhhE8xZ9yMNWPRhLqVoVMXjbUeoF48YRwY6aUitPF8Fv9O/s499/return+to+vr.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="330" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGcUUlFZpoFimymab09fA_PYBWEPMCBSsPs36U8ba9bmCKeHm7SkwjpU7aCbcEOKM6zrezogFrotGFEfwvXUkNU0-AmblrCEhhE8xZ9yMNWPRhLqVoVMXjbUeoF48YRwY6aUitPF8Fv9O/s320/return+to+vr.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>Blurb: <span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;">M</span>ystery writer Kaylee Sloan has a deadline and a case of writer's block caused by her grief over her mother's death. Determined to escape distractions and avoid the holiday season, Kaylee borrows a cabin in Virgin River. She arrives to find her sanctuary has just gone up in flames. Devastated, she heads to Jack’s Bar to plan her next steps. The local watering hole is the heart of the town, and once she crosses the threshold, she’s surprised to be embraced by people who are more than willing to help a friend—or a stranger—in need.<br /><br />Kaylee’s world is expanding in ways she never dreamed possible. And when she rescues a kitten followed by a dog with a litter of puppies, she finds her heart opening up to the animals who need her. And then there’s the dog trainer who knows exactly how to help her. As the holidays approach, Kaylee’s dread turns to wonder. Because there’s no better place to spend Christmas than Virgin River<span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;">.</span></p><p><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;">This is vintage Carr with a return to the place her readers love best. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Puppies, Kitten and more. It's all there along with the cast of characters we've come to know and love.</span></p><p><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;">Here's the Goodreads link to the book:<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52854998-return-to-virgin-river?" target="_blank"> https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52854998-return-to-virgin-river?</a></span></p><p><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;"> A great treat before you binge the first season of Virgin River on Netflix Here's a preview of the series. I think it looks like a heartwarming good time</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DMNjH5MlQXc" width="320" youtube-src-id="DMNjH5MlQXc"></iframe></div><br /><p>In the back of the book, Robyn talks about her experience of seeing her town come to life on Netflix. Happy Binging. Or Happy Reading. Or both. Here's the Rafflecopter.</p><p><br /></p>
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<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Susan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550905093762770878.post-22064153812229599132020-10-06T03:00:00.020-07:002020-10-06T03:00:08.774-07:00Nancy Thorne's Debut Novel Is a YA Time Travel Romance. Review and #giveaway<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Please welcome Nancy Thorne and her debut novel, a YA Time Travel Romance, </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Victorian-Town-Nancy-Thorne-ebook/dp/B07B65543D" style="text-align: left;">Victorian Town </a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Victorian-Town-Nancy-Thorne-ebook/dp/B07B65543D"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjLVFLVpHItNM7Rj_UT1x1vk2d9zsaozJJCAHJTaJMv5mlys0uZ7IjSnXBekDCwX9uxe-l1ZmwjiuSwxMtYSt4xPTr6wG1cTK6bf76em_eWa1p97Sk_1N16B7knpFvroNaocftoka2uV0/s658/3D+Victorian+Town.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="500" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjLVFLVpHItNM7Rj_UT1x1vk2d9zsaozJJCAHJTaJMv5mlys0uZ7IjSnXBekDCwX9uxe-l1ZmwjiuSwxMtYSt4xPTr6wG1cTK6bf76em_eWa1p97Sk_1N16B7knpFvroNaocftoka2uV0/s320/3D+Victorian+Town.png" /></a></div><br /><div><b>Blurb:</b></div><div><b>A</b><span style="background-color: #fffdfa; color: #575757;">bby </span>Parker had a life plan: finish her last year of school, go to college, move away from her insane family, and stay best friends with Jessica. </div><div>That was before she broke into the nearby tourist attraction and unwittingly answered a call from a centuries-old spirit who dragged her into the 19th century. </div><div>Now she must solve the Victorian mystery of a missing girl without getting herself killed, or worse, spend a lifetime trapped in the past, leaving behind everyone she loves and altering their lives forever. </div><div>But when she meets gorgeous Benjamin, the future looks a lot like wreckage. . .</div><div><div><p class="MsoNormal">I copied this image of an excerpt from <a href="https://www.nancythorne.com/nancy-thorne-published#/victorian-town-nancy-thorne/" target="_blank">Nancy's Website.</a></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-UnVpCgOJXQOWgGkJITEp1xm_dAh5N7k5YD5Ti58flN7xUxXhjqghw-oMCK7lgDeHRfOy4fjlZ-4fN3HEeAoxwNmg9-rVCGoB3_MCo1pePPhy0mLiCipLxEb6NrJ-RFR-mxGEQizehbt/s499/Nancy-Thorne-Victorian-Town-Excerpt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="313" data-pinit="registered" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-UnVpCgOJXQOWgGkJITEp1xm_dAh5N7k5YD5Ti58flN7xUxXhjqghw-oMCK7lgDeHRfOy4fjlZ-4fN3HEeAoxwNmg9-rVCGoB3_MCo1pePPhy0mLiCipLxEb6NrJ-RFR-mxGEQizehbt/w497-h640/Nancy-Thorne-Victorian-Town-Excerpt.jpg" width="497" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Here's the Goodreads link: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39085555-victorian-town?">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39085555-victorian-town?</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I am a big fan of time travel and Abby is a delightful character. The author created a wonderful plot device to go through time. I loved the story, the voice, the plot, and the very accurate details of the 1876 Victorian town setting. And I loved the decision Abby made at the end. This feels like a younger YA, but it's no less fun for that. I asked Nancy to be on my blog. And she is giving away 4 paperback copies of the book. <i>I<span style="color: red;">f you don't read young adult, think Christmas Gift. </span>The</i> Rafflecopter is at the end of the post.</div><div>NANCY, PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFMwku6VWETNKfUwgrPv4wuTas_vqF7mER9GYzB_jtyKit3iZFedxb6Riz-Rez9qoynVcHwyJreeP8VpKfIIQrytPrJi02uNhpCrRoLjLLlMQ9cXJA-rQk55NFYBbdIjabXTQkdTYocKg/s723/NancyThorneSoulMatePublishing+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="715" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFMwku6VWETNKfUwgrPv4wuTas_vqF7mER9GYzB_jtyKit3iZFedxb6Riz-Rez9qoynVcHwyJreeP8VpKfIIQrytPrJi02uNhpCrRoLjLLlMQ9cXJA-rQk55NFYBbdIjabXTQkdTYocKg/s320/NancyThorneSoulMatePublishing+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br />I was raised in what was then a suburb of Toronto although now is considered part of the city itself. If you had asked me in grade five or six what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would have thought to myself at that moment that I already was a writer. However, back then girls didn’t ever wish out loud to be a writer – they wished out loud to be a nurse or perhaps a teacher. What girl would ever say they wanted to be a writer? <br /><br />My love of words never abated. As the years passed, I heard many people state that they wanted to write a book. No one ever did. So I decided that was me as well - that I would never write a book and should simply disregard this dream of mine. But through the years it was impossible to get the feeling that I WAS an author out of my head. It gnawed at me and presented as a major, annoying itch I couldn’t scratch away, no matter how hard I tried. <br /><br />When my family and I moved into our home in 1998, there was one spare room, decorated with wallpaper of realistic books lined on realistic shelves. It felt as if the room was telling me to “get in here and do what you are supposed to do!” So I did. <br /> <br /><br />WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A NEW WRITER STARTING OUT? <br /><br /><div>To not give up. To know going in that it takes time to hone your writing skills. Learn from other writers who have the experience you still need, whether by joining a writing group or attending virtual lectures or researching articles on the Internet. If you can, get some feedback from others who aren’t in your family. There are editors who may be starting out who can critique your work for a good price. Be patient, keep writing and know that you will feel less than others at the beginning of your author journey. Still, don’t compare yourself to anyone but who you were last week, or the week before, as you learn. All writers go through these initial struggles. <br /><br /><br />HAVE YOU EVER HAD AN IMAGINARY FRIEND? <br /><br />When I was in grade school, I felt comforted by small porcelain animal figures of mine that I took to school with me, one each day, hidden in a pocket. Throughout the school day, I’d comfort the figurine, which was actually comforting myself. I’d tell the cat, rabbit, or dog that it was only a few minutes until recess or lunchtime. I made sure they knew they were cared for. <br /><br />WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING MOMENT, SO FAR, IN YOUR WRITING CAREER? <br />Actually, I now have two most exciting moments. The first was eight years ago, not too long after I’d finally admitted to myself that I was meant to be an author and had taken a night school course in creative writing. I’d just arrived home from a wedding reception and the time was around two in the morning. Still, I decided to check my email in my book-wallpapered writing room before getting ready for bed. I opened the email from the first publisher of the first short story contest I had sent my first short story to. The email stated that I was one of thirteen winners and that my story would be published in an upcoming anthology. <br />On went the lights in the house! I hopped around! I woke up my two sons! It was thrilling, to say the least. <br />The second exciting moment came just this month, when my young adult novel Victorian Town won First In Category for the Dante Rossetti Award. The winners were announced virtually. My hands were shaking. When my name was announced, I didn’t hop around, I cried. Happy tears. <span style="color: red;">That's wonderful. Congratulations.</span><br /><br />WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT WIP? <br />My current work is a young adult novel titled The Somewhere I See You Again. Set over one year, it tells the story of seventeen-year-old Hannah who will resort to anything to save her family from financial ruin, including blackmail. But first, she must overcome a near-death experience and face her own mortality. It’s set for release May, 2021. <br /><br />DO YOU EVER SUFFER FROM WRITERS BLOCK? <br />I have to say, not really. I suffer more from procrastination at times. But once I’m in a regular phase of writing every morning (although I write night scenes at night when darkness has set in) I pretty much stick with it and continue on. </div><div><br />I would love to hear from readers! You can find me at: <br /><a href="https://www.nancythorne.com/">https://www.nancythorne.com/</a> <br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/NancyThorneAuthor">https://www.facebook.com/NancyThorneAuthor</a> <br /><a href="https://twitter.com/nthornewrites">https://twitter.com/nthornewrites</a> <br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/nancythorneauthor/">https://www.instagram.com/nancythorneauthor/</a> <br /><br />Thank you for being here, Nancy. I look forward to your next book.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>
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<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Susan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550905093762770878.post-4644815019678452242020-09-29T03:00:00.000-07:002020-09-29T03:00:13.795-07:00THE RUNAWAY WIFE BY CICI CORDELIA<div class="separator"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: red;"><br /> </span> <span style="text-align: center;">THE RUNAWAY WIFE BY CICI CORDELIA</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-indent: 0in;"><i style="text-align: center;">Book Four of the Award-Winning Brides of Little Creede Series</i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Nl3ekWcdKArU2eX_0iCHNZfMwUR4yoZCKLZE9c06Cy3VaJ_rFstFXCJicToh9oah3D28bzEVSGXzdmH3L0O5YrDQypRcsBdcBs1gvZ3n5RH2tIMm8SjWdhj0IG2DX8VLmxZwDu3jakUy/s900/CCCordelia_TheRunawayWife_600x900.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Nl3ekWcdKArU2eX_0iCHNZfMwUR4yoZCKLZE9c06Cy3VaJ_rFstFXCJicToh9oah3D28bzEVSGXzdmH3L0O5YrDQypRcsBdcBs1gvZ3n5RH2tIMm8SjWdhj0IG2DX8VLmxZwDu3jakUy/s320/CCCordelia_TheRunawayWife_600x900.jpg" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="920" data-pinit="registered" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25kj2QjIVXIPXPNjOQEdMBCtYx8u99BsYtimd5Fn8x-xsg36bQVce4biUqzJkp73S6c23zT3j4PJfzDAKd19xFsiYRm90srTCuOrwtce6OMwJbmI53NUA59xT337fc3U4iSoRXpEWCopQ/w200-h200/CiCi+Cordelia+Media+Headshot.jpg" style="text-align: left;" width="200" /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-indent: 0in;">CiCi Cordelia is the pen name for the writing team of award-winning
authors Char Chaffin <span style="text-indent: 0in;">and Cheryl Yeko. Published authors in their own right, they
share a love for well-</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">written stories infused with their favorite romantic
genres:</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> paranormal, suspense, and erotica.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;">W</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">hen
CiCi finished </span><i style="text-indent: 0in;">The Innocent Wife, </i><span style="text-indent: 0in;">Book Three of BRIDES </span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">OF LITTLE CREEDE,
the intention was to move on to something else. Namely, a Contemporary Western
series they’d started that needed to be finished. They’d also framed out and
begun a romantic suspense/ thriller novel. Except CiCi’s wonderful readers had
other ideas. They asked for more Little Creede stories. The asking became a
loving demand.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;">What
else could CiCi do except start plotting?</span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">And a second trilogy was born.<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVq1jv6qvuh6KLJhgJ1rH_he6Lh2IPFSanzK1pF5r59I571jW3toNbNTbNaX02BLucCCaNkSs7adbXJXIu8R8PKYtOO1XAS-90V95x1S-ssRPxLq0Iebj19BlUkaZcAL7GhlwIjYeo3TF/s2048/Trilogy+Book+Promo+%25282nd%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="2048" data-pinit="registered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVq1jv6qvuh6KLJhgJ1rH_he6Lh2IPFSanzK1pF5r59I571jW3toNbNTbNaX02BLucCCaNkSs7adbXJXIu8R8PKYtOO1XAS-90V95x1S-ssRPxLq0Iebj19BlUkaZcAL7GhlwIjYeo3TF/s320/Trilogy+Book+Promo+%25282nd%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;">With
all of the beloved secondary characters of Little Creede taking on
personalities of their own, Cheryl and Char knew it was vital to keep the townsfolk
in sharp focus along with the three new couples whose romances and personal
dramas would unfold within their own stories. Plus, time needed to march on in
a realistic way. Toward the end of the nineteenth century, modernization was
already encroaching, and the Wild West would eventually catch up, requiring
constant research as the next three books were plotted.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;">Talk
about fun . . .!!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><i>The Runaway
Wife, </i>Book Four of the now-extended series, introduces a new hero to CiCi’s
devoted readers, Sam Singleton. A fun little tidbit…</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAxfBVntdrwbVDk-iQi9YVZZ7E-zMlqJoDnXkmT-ZFe4mJSy5v2xEfyHiznZHclHrjcUKLGLBbTD9ilymx30iKN2dfzbYj6A87BuKzBy0c1ehuwSq-NoDAX17pnaLdBSTSYI23DBqyPPQ/s320/Deadwood+2019.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="194" data-pinit="registered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAxfBVntdrwbVDk-iQi9YVZZ7E-zMlqJoDnXkmT-ZFe4mJSy5v2xEfyHiznZHclHrjcUKLGLBbTD9ilymx30iKN2dfzbYj6A87BuKzBy0c1ehuwSq-NoDAX17pnaLdBSTSYI23DBqyPPQ/s0/Deadwood+2019.jpg" /></a></div><br /> CiCi’s hero on the book
cover is Michael Wayne Foster, model and actor, known for his role in The
Walking Dead TV Series, and he’s currently shooting a movie in Hollywood. How
cool is that? Char and Cheryl had the pleasure of meeting Michael a few years
ago at a writers’ conference. A very nice man with a huge sense of humor, it’s
great having him represent CiCi’s hero.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;">Sam
is a former riverboat gambler and hired-gun, turned security expert for the
town’s new, flamboyant Gambling Galleria, owned by none other than Knight
Gleason, the redheaded, brash Southern-Irish riverboat entrepreneur readers first
met in <i>The Innocent Wife </i>(Book Three). Sam’s got his hands full,
policing poker tourneys, thwarting cheating gamblers, uncovering unsavory
criminal activity, rescuing pantry thieves . . . Well, one pantry thief by the
name of Izzy McDougall, who has a very good reason to be rooting through the
Galleria’s kitchen pantry in the first place. Izzy’s the perfect foil for the
strong, rough-around-the-edges and fiercely loyal Sam. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;">Here's
a short excerpt for your reading enjoyment:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="color: #4472c4; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: accent1;">Searching
for the pie server, a thump and a muffled oath brought Sam up short. He spun
toward the sound, coming from the cavernous pantry where most of the dry goods
and supplies were stored.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="color: #4472c4; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: accent1;">Silently
he advanced across the large room, drawing his gun as a precaution. He wouldn’t
put it past some drunken sot to stagger in from one of the gaming rooms,
searching for money, thinking any Galleria staff would be dumb enough to keep a
safe in here. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="color: #4472c4; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: accent1;">The
pantry door stood open an inch. The whisper of rustling and more muttering
hovered in the air. Tensing, he readied for possible danger. Thumbing the
latch, he brought up his gun arm and yanked, hard.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="color: #4472c4; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: accent1;">A mound
of tattered clothes and dark curls tumbled out of the opening, landing on the
floor at his feet. <i>What the—?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="color: #4472c4; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: accent1;">Sam bent
and caught a thin, flailing arm, jerking the thief upright. From the cracked,
scuffed boots to the downcast head of tangled, choppy hair, this was no gambler
desperate for extra coin, only a young boy starving for something to eat.
Narrow-shouldered, dressed in torn trousers and a shirt studded with burdock
stickers, the kid could probably cram an entire cherry pie into his gullet and
his britches would still slide down his backside.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="color: #4472c4; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: accent1;">Tamping
down any feelings of sympathy, he marched the now-struggling pantry poacher across
the kitchen and shoved him into the nearest chair. The boy tried to bolt, so
Sam gripped one bony shoulder. “Stay put and tell me who you are.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="color: #4472c4; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: accent1;">A
dirt-encrusted face raised to his. “Let me go!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="color: #4472c4; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: accent1;">He
frowned, taking a more focused look at the boy. Full lips. High cheekbones
underneath the crud. Long lashes framed remarkable blue-gray eyes. Delicate
ears were visible from between the shorn locks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="color: #4472c4; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: accent1;">“You’re
a girl.” She squirmed in her seat and made to escape. Sam’s grip tightened,
holding her in place. “You’re not going anywhere, missy.” He hooked another
chair on the toe of his boot and dragged it over to block her in, trapping her
against the wall until she had no choice except to remain still. “Start
talking.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="color: #4472c4; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: accent1;">Her
grimy fist pounded the table surface. “You’ve no right to keep me here.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="color: #4472c4; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: accent1;">Sam
didn’t have time for this foolishness. “Your name. <i>Now</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="color: #4472c4; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: accent1;">She
strained against his hold on her shoulder and spat out, “Izzy.” Her mouth
firmed. “Now, let go.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="color: #4472c4; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: accent1;">“Last
name.” He gave her a brief shake. “I’m fast losing patience, and our jail
doesn’t have any niceties for females.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="color: #4472c4; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: accent1;">At the
mention of jail, what color remained in those high cheekbones leeched out.
“Don’t lock me up! I only wanted a place to rest and maybe something to eat.”
Dejection came off her in waves. “My name is Izzy McDougall. Please don’t stick
me behind bars.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="color: #4472c4; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: accent1;">He eased
up on his grip, cupping her shoulder with more care to examine her, looking for
lies and finding nothing more than a scared girl. If she was more than eighteen
or nineteen, he’d eat his hat for supper. Judging by what he now determined
were bruises underneath all that dirt and grime, he realized someone had
mistreated her. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="color: #4472c4; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: accent1;">Anger
tightened his jaw. Where her ragged shirt gapped, a man’s fingerprints marred
her slender neck. Doubtful a woman would have such a large grip. A growl
rumbled in his throat. The urge to track down whoever’d hurt her—and beat the
hell out of ‘em—rose swiftly inside him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Available now!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRN4UwG7-Co7lK2xPq-JApi4yP13EHEZ29-L1rx7r__nTdLJp3_DLkqCBPIIk0abpGbPfzgvcGpqAl4IVltdWHDrxYT_dyW96p_427_ZCKFfNEiYrlUXUB2vhQhNY8L073ahf6LFl-lsU/s1280/New+Release+Graphic+RW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1280" data-pinit="registered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRN4UwG7-Co7lK2xPq-JApi4yP13EHEZ29-L1rx7r__nTdLJp3_DLkqCBPIIk0abpGbPfzgvcGpqAl4IVltdWHDrxYT_dyW96p_427_ZCKFfNEiYrlUXUB2vhQhNY8L073ahf6LFl-lsU/s320/New+Release+Graphic+RW.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">THE RUNAWAY
WIFE: </span><a href="https://www.amzn.com/B08F3W4KM7" style="text-align: left;">https://www.amzn.com/B08F3W4KM7</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt;">BRIDES OF
LITTLE CREEDE SERIES: <a href="https://www.amzn.com/B07JX4TRC5">https://www.amzn.com/B07JX4TRC5</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype
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</v:shape><![endif]--><span style="text-indent: 0in;">CiCi
is busy plotting and researching Book Five, </span><i style="text-indent: 0in;">The High-Society Wife, </i><span style="text-indent: 0in;">expected
to release late spring, 2021. Well, you know, it keeps Char and Cheryl too busy
to get into trouble.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You
can find CiCi Cordelia Here:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Website:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><a href="https://ccromance.com/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">https://ccromance.com/</b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Facebook:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/HeartfeltRomance"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">www.facebook.com/HeartfeltRomance</b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Goodreads: </b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14855439.Cici_Cordelia"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14855439.Cici_Cordelia</b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Individually:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i>Cheryl Yeko:<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Website: https://cherylyeko.blogspot.com/ ‘Where Love Always Wins’<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Amazon: </b><a href="http://tinyurl.com/qzsks8q"><b>http://tinyurl.com/qzsks8q</b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Facebook: </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ProtectingRose"><b>https://www.facebook.com/ProtectingRose</b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Twitter: </b><a href="https://twitter.com/cherylyeko"><b>https://twitter.com/cherylyeko</b></a><b><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pinterest: </b><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/cyeko/boards/"><b>http://www.pinterest.com/cyeko/boards/</b></a><b><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Goodreads: </b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5406425.Cheryl_Yeko"><b>http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5406425.Cheryl_Yeko</b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i>Char Chaffin:<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Website:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>https://charbchaffin.wordpress.com/ ‘Falling In Love is Only the
Beginning’<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Facebook: </span></b><a href="http://facebook.com/char.chaffin"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">http://facebook.com/char.chaffin</b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Amazon:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></b><a href="http://tinyurl.com/pvscu7w"><b>http://tinyurl.com/pvscu7w</b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Twitter: </span></b><a href="http://twitter.com/char_chaffin"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">http://twitter.com/char_chaffin</b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Goodreads: </span></b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5337737.Char_Chaffin" title="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5337737.Char_Chaffin"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5337737.Char_Chaffin</b></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Susan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550905093762770878.post-46136301963335184612020-09-22T03:00:00.010-07:002020-09-22T03:00:12.612-07:00Growing More Brain. No More Secrets Blog Tour and #Giveaway<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHt3AQCF7riMcmXU7l9nRjNno3169IRlUSnlPQjSwrlRbk4odkX1UkUM3mIB0Y0Y04eN4ouaGLfGFB5ojNKfzitjTH2jkrN-y65eWRU9akMN6BuIVS2xCHDvcOO2MAlB92qqQUOW72y8HP/s1060/NMSBlogTourSeptember.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="1060" data-pinit="registered" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHt3AQCF7riMcmXU7l9nRjNno3169IRlUSnlPQjSwrlRbk4odkX1UkUM3mIB0Y0Y04eN4ouaGLfGFB5ojNKfzitjTH2jkrN-y65eWRU9akMN6BuIVS2xCHDvcOO2MAlB92qqQUOW72y8HP/w400-h160/NMSBlogTourSeptember.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><span style="color: red;">Please welcome Joanne Guidoccio. She's here on a book tour of her latest release, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54595345-no-more-secrets" target="_blank">No More Secrets</a> Buy links and a Rafflecopter for a 10.00 Amazon gift card are below this post. I read and loved her suggestions for brain growing.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYCXP036tIz9NYxBm95LnlR7bDPbQyCaCmBo0sWfQXeoCFfrzYvng2b9QKFTY7Kzl3ExZyMwBO1SL3BbetANpK3NNAWqBYZwvA7vd9AADqRyZLKtISLjiqkLswy-cB7YQ6KFeEvFYqF7M/s263/croppedjoanne.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="263" data-original-width="252" data-pinit="registered" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYCXP036tIz9NYxBm95LnlR7bDPbQyCaCmBo0sWfQXeoCFfrzYvng2b9QKFTY7Kzl3ExZyMwBO1SL3BbetANpK3NNAWqBYZwvA7vd9AADqRyZLKtISLjiqkLswy-cB7YQ6KFeEvFYqF7M/w192-h200/croppedjoanne.jpg" width="192" /></a></div><br /><b style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">On Growing More Brain</span></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">The daughter of parents with Alzheimer’s and
Parkinson’s diseases, I am always on the lookout for new ways of improving
brainpower. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">But I am not prepared to fork out enormous sums of
money for supplements and other products that make dubious claims. Instead, I
read columns and books written by health experts such as Daniel Amen, Tony
Buzan, David Snowdon, Andrew Weil, Deepak Chopra, and Mehmet Oz and take
careful note of any low-cost and no-cost suggestions for improving brainpower.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Here are some of my favorite go-to suggestions:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Eat Less and Exercise More<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">The experts agree that obesity is bad for the brain
and doubles the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists have found that
calorie-restricted animals nearly always stay active and healthy until the end
of their lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Since retiring, I have watched my caloric intake
very carefully, and I exercise 200 to 300 minutes a week. I use the treadmill regularly,
lift weights three times a week, and practice yoga. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-top: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1pt 0in 0in;">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="display: none; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-hide: all;">Bottom
of Form<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Cross-Read<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">About ten years ago, I started cross-reading. I
joined a book club and discovered books that I would never have picked up on my
own. At first, I found it challenging to read some of the selections, but I
persisted and became more open to different points of view. I enjoyed reading
many of the translations based in the Middle East and Asia and started reading
more about these countries.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">I also started attending more book readings and
lectures. Often, I do not recognize or know the authors and presenters, but I
look forward to adding their books to my reading list.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Increase Mental Exercise<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Tony Buzan, author of <i>The Mind Map Book</i>,
believes that our memories can improve if we simply take the time to utilize
and improve our brains. He suggests that we take courses, learn a new language,
and change our daily routines.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">I have taken a number of creative writing courses
(online and offline) and joined Toastmasters. While the process of writing,
memorizing and presenting a speech has been challenging, I am pleased with my
improved communication skills and increased confidence. I also enjoy completing
the crossword puzzle in the daily newspaper. At first, I struggled but after
investing in a crossword dictionary, I increased my speed and improved my
vocabulary. In a pinch, I visit </span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://crosswordheaven.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">https://crosswordheaven.com</span></a></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">It is so easy to take the path of least resistance
by sleeping in each day, watching more television, and limiting social
contacts. When this happens, the brain can start to lose its ability to discern
and assimilate new information. To keep our brains properly stimulated, it is
important to keep changing our environments.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">In his
book, <i>Change Your Brain, Change Your Body</i></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75"
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on how to set more change in motion. I found the following tips useful:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Buy
an unfamiliar food like daikon, quinoa, or bresaola. Then, find a recipe
and make a meal using it.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Rearrange
the furniture in one room of your home. I ended up redecorating my entire
condo.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Reconnect
with a friend you haven’t seen in awhile.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Think
back to a favourite hangout or activity from your high school or
university days. Revisit the place or activity and watch your mindset
change<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Book
Blurb<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStXlQzQ0z4pxxhbEc4wXr07lT-Parx0FmIbzvK6m4irrTe1l9IVaRiCpLXFJZi3G67CFg6aX9jHAYkszxF9fNR2Rq3CPs2GIQ5ul4Y7iHmxcES0Ox1JuRzJA6_BG_mUnfoC2jPe-eizb9/s1275/NO+MORE+SECRETS+copy_805x1275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="805" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStXlQzQ0z4pxxhbEc4wXr07lT-Parx0FmIbzvK6m4irrTe1l9IVaRiCpLXFJZi3G67CFg6aX9jHAYkszxF9fNR2Rq3CPs2GIQ5ul4Y7iHmxcES0Ox1JuRzJA6_BG_mUnfoC2jPe-eizb9/s320/NO+MORE+SECRETS+copy_805x1275.jpg" /></a></span></div><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />Angelica
Delfino takes a special interest in the lives of her three nieces, whom she
affectionately calls the daughters of her heart. Sensing that each woman is
harboring a troubling, possibly even toxic secret, Angelica decides to share
her secrets—secrets she had planned to take to the grave. Spellbound, the
nieces listen as Angelica travels back six decades to reveal an incredulous
tale of forbidden love, tragic loss, and reinvention. It is the classic
immigrant story upended: an Italian widow’s transformative journey amid the most
unlikely of circumstances.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Inspired
by Angelica’s example, the younger women share their “First World” problems
and, in the process, set themselves free.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">But one
heartbreaking secret remains untold...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Excerpt<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Go,”
Kelly said. “Your aunt is dying, and this could be your last opportunity to
spend some quality time together.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Her
oncologist shared good news last week,” Nora said. “Her blood counts have
improved, and the cancer hadn’t spread since her last visit. He mumbled
something about a miracle.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“A
miracle?” Kelly’s eyes widened. “Has your aunt been seeing a healer?”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You
could say that,” Nora said as her eyes twinkled. “Right after Christmas, she
hired a companion who’s been able to transform her life. I don’t know her real
name. My mother calls her Bellastrega—beautiful witch.” All recent
conversations with Ma had focused on Bellastrega. Relieved not to have to share
her own problems, Nora had encouraged her mother to talk about the beautiful
witch who had turned all their lives upside down. Nora enjoyed the weekly
updates that sounded like soap operas.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Is she
a beautiful witch?”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nora
shrugged. “My mother mentioned her dyed-blonde hair, too-skinny body, and
watery eyes. She’s put Zia on a vegan diet and an exercise regimen. At
Christmas, Zia needed a walker to get around, but now she’s walking freely. My
mother and aunt are convinced that Bellastrega is a witch who’ll end up robbing
Angelica and leaving.” Nora had tried to point out that if Bellastrega’s
intention was to steal, it would make more sense to let Angelica get weaker.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“She
sounds intriguing,” Kelly said. “I’d go just to meet this woman.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Hmm. I
guess.” Nora was curious and wouldn’t mind sitting and chatting with the woman
about wellness. But from Zia Angelica’s email, it sounded like Bellastrega
would leave soon after everyone arrived.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Think
of it as an adventure. How many beautiful witches have you met in this
lifetime?”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Book
Trailer<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><a href="https://youtu.be/vo5ozMtcz2U" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">https://youtu.be/vo5ozMtcz2U</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Buy
Links<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Amazon (US)
-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/No-More-Secrets-Joanne-Guidoccio-ebook/dp/B08CVTYWWX"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">https://www.amazon.com/No-More-Secrets-Joanne-Guidoccio-ebook/dp/B08CVTYWWX</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Amazon (Canada)
- </span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/No-More-Secrets-Joanne-Guidoccio-ebook/dp/B08CVTYWWX"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">https://www.amazon.ca/No-More-Secrets-Joanne-Guidoccio-ebook/dp/B08CVTYWWX</span></a></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Amazon (UK) - </span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/No-More-Secrets-Joanne-Guidoccio-ebook/dp/B08CVTYWWX"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">https://www.amazon.co.uk/No-More-Secrets-Joanne-Guidoccio-ebook/dp/B08CVTYWWX</span></a></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Amazon
(Australia) - </span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/No-More-Secrets-Joanne-Guidoccio-ebook/dp/B08CVTYWWX/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">https://www.amazon.com.au/No-More-Secrets-Joanne-Guidoccio-ebook/dp/B08CVTYWWX/</span></a></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Author
Bio<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">A
member of Crime Writers of Canada, Sisters in Crime, and Women’s Fiction
Writers Association, Joanne Guidoccio writes cozy mysteries, paranormal romances,
and inspirational literature from her home base of Guelph, Ontario. </span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Social
Media Links<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Website:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://joanneguidoccio.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">https://joanneguidoccio.com</span></a></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Twitter:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://twitter.com/joanneguidoccio"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">https://twitter.com/joanneguidoccio</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Facebook:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/BetweenLandandSeaJG"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">www.facebook.com/BetweenLandandSeaJG</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pinterest:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://www.pinterest.ca/jguidoccio/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">https://www.pinterest.ca/jguidoccio/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Goodreads:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7277706.Joanne_Guidoccio"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7277706.Joanne_Guidoccio</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">LinkedIn:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanneguidoccio/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanneguidoccio/</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Amazon:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Joanne-Guidoccio/e/B00FAWJGCG"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">https://www.amazon.com/Joanne-Guidoccio/e/B00FAWJGCG</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Giveaway<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joanne Guidoccio
will be awarding a $10 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn winner via
Rafflecopter. Find out more here:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="8b4740301" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/8b4740301/" id="rcwidget_5ofapasv" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Or If you prefer a FaceBook link, here it is.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/8b4740301/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/8b4740301/</span></a></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> Happy Reading.</o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>Susan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550905093762770878.post-35539498973299918182020-09-08T01:22:00.000-07:002020-09-08T01:22:34.183-07:00Celebrating September #giveaway.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Happy September. </span> </b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cxzdxSe1PecGfIqEQWvkzLbbX9iPsCFlLmeVuQ6denw_5W9afy5m9jJ3KzN8_mOMMhUpAr97V4bm1dvNiNktFC-QuT_olL-c-hSamW8OwI76hSkJxl4Gla-tEfrWP5DVrCTMuOIhxjub/s1600/Readers+choice+wtih+other+awards.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="530" data-pinit="registered" height="320" id="id_3f04_9aaa_51d1_6dac" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cxzdxSe1PecGfIqEQWvkzLbbX9iPsCFlLmeVuQ6denw_5W9afy5m9jJ3KzN8_mOMMhUpAr97V4bm1dvNiNktFC-QuT_olL-c-hSamW8OwI76hSkJxl4Gla-tEfrWP5DVrCTMuOIhxjub/s320/Readers+choice+wtih+other+awards.png" style="height: auto; width: 210px;" width="210" /></a></div>Even in COVID lockdown, I have so much to be thankful for.<div>On September 1st, 2019 Readers Choice awards were announced and Maybe This Time won the Gold Medal in Time Travel fiction.<br />IN September 2020, I have an article in Uncaged Magazine <a href="http://uncagedbooks.com/">http://uncagedbooks.com/</a>which begins on page 34.<div>My Susan b James website is revamped. <a href="https://susanbjames.com/">https://susanbjames.com/</a></div><div>My children’s book website is alive and I have two new children’s books coming out in 2020. </div><div><a href="https://www.susanjberger.org/">https://www.susanjberger.org/</a></div><div>I have a lovely role in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hTapR_IjZY" target="_blank">Looks That Kill,</a> currently available on Amazon Prime. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hTapR_IjZY">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hTapR_IjZY</a></div><div>On September 25th<a href="https://youtu.be/xiMPCevu8Wk" target="_blank"> Kajillonaire</a> is due to hit the theatres. <a href="https://youtu.be/xiMPCevu8Wk">https://youtu.be/xiMPCevu8Wk</a> Really?</div><div>The AP Bio episode I did earlier this year <a href="https://www.peacocktv.com/ap-bio" target="_blank">Season 3 Episode 1. Tiny Problems </a>dropped on NBC's new streaming service Peacock last week. It was great fun to do.</div><div>September is my favorite month of the year. I never lost the feeling that a new year started with the school year.<br /> Autumn leaves. New Clothes. New books, And best of all, my birthday. This year I will be 77/ Double sevens. That feels very lucky.<br />Next best was my sister Kelly's birthday. She was my birthday present. We are eight years and eight days apart. It only took a few days for me to forgive her for not being the pony I thought I was getting. She was so cute. Still is.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX04pAvZbj7WkM5E5y752QLJsbRet6yqHTeH8WuchMw7QGLURN7RCu2MxIOeYFU8RGCSdKR-2LcWXWsIZstHomPUaCJB3EUROUmQ8ZM_AF8scZeLreVZpNJ9G4ZvMEkpb9QBJBxdWRoc0R/s1600/kelly+me.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" data-pinit="registered" height="240" id="id_3098_5882_490d_2027" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX04pAvZbj7WkM5E5y752QLJsbRet6yqHTeH8WuchMw7QGLURN7RCu2MxIOeYFU8RGCSdKR-2LcWXWsIZstHomPUaCJB3EUROUmQ8ZM_AF8scZeLreVZpNJ9G4ZvMEkpb9QBJBxdWRoc0R/s320/kelly+me.jpg" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In September 1982 my wasband Barry Corbin finished filming on The Thornbirds on a Friday and started filming War Games on my birthday. Out second son Christopher was born two days later. I have so many blessings in my life and my sons are two of my best. And they keep giving us more.</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" id="id_fb06_6bf7_118_eb3b" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" id="id_ae22_6afa_1f33_5a41" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBC0MjhP1upEFTJEZXBZD7sBriOkmYcN28A0bNXyQY3I_IyrrZgoFOk7NHStAQxKUiu5mgSGUaPWi0OBxnEObQsV-v_QJkGCeEfsftXmEp3d2P-iURuzB0QdpZzBU5K8wz75YavEAIx4CG/s1600/1986+christmas+maybe.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" data-pinit="registered" height="320" id="id_3679_9c69_eff6_1b1e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBC0MjhP1upEFTJEZXBZD7sBriOkmYcN28A0bNXyQY3I_IyrrZgoFOk7NHStAQxKUiu5mgSGUaPWi0OBxnEObQsV-v_QJkGCeEfsftXmEp3d2P-iURuzB0QdpZzBU5K8wz75YavEAIx4CG/s320/1986+christmas+maybe.jpg" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Barry, Jim, Sue, Chris, Gingerbread Party 1986<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" data-pinit="registered" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprO5DrH_murQnlQsJCsydkzEpucJgO878E7jXC9Wv4uRxj2I4bi0C8AlMDOwyL8V0kcvTxPCTZq5zjGHjgV_oNng7MX7CoRl9wWrMO6gl2nmOh0upDEJCKCiamckjKRbNctuMFlSHaosz/w240-h320/IMG_1079.JPG" title="Chris with Walter and Eugene" width="240" /><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="960" data-pinit="registered" height="318" id="id_4d9d_9ad7_4e12_56d6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7sBLYna3YjXBXqjd8462hw9sG5ppLjPJXu2btX3F6ZhxN1_TQlBQsiA2MRVYBf9C2om26CyUKUkk6Ml9Y4Fs3kYQINU_SDywYnbKM7PyePAGbeSZDBG8fsjac-C4PR-1MhhnawFoMqka/s320/ella+and+Jim+incredible.jpg" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Chris with his sons, Walter and Eugene. Jim with his daughter, Ella</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since Maybe This Time won three awards, (2019 Gold Medal for Time Travel in Reader's Favorite, 2019 Raven for Best Contemporary and runner up for the 2019 RONE in the Audiobook General Category) I am offering three free audio codes and three eBooks. Please leave a comment here with your email, or better still, subscribe to my website. https://susanbjames.com/</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I get your email address for my very infrequent newsletters and you get a free ebook or audiobook code.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">Tell me, dear ones, I know this is a crazy year, but what do you normally like best about September?</span></div>
</div><br /><br /></div>Susan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550905093762770878.post-65628572425569533262020-09-01T03:00:00.005-07:002020-09-01T03:00:01.514-07:00Hope Malory's An Inconvenient Attraction and #Giveaway<p><span style="color: red;"> <b>Please welcome Hope Mallory who is celebrating her new release by giving away a copy of her last release. See the Rafflecopter at the end of the post.</b></span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"></i></p>Thanks, Susan, for having me on your blog today. I’m so excited to announce my newest release, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08FMR33XL" target="_blank">An Inconvenient Attraction,</a> launching tomorrow! This is a contemporary romance, the fifth in my Azalea Valley Series, and can be read as a standalone.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89cO0HhlyIeGnLasnRdZ_8PAlBR_eveWETlQqwu8QytI7R8Kn-ldrxRO0sxy8SPm0-Qr-y81nLVMXF1G9fsfc_8CtazGTHV-PFCA0jAICcDADpWk459ksKSV_CTEX5IoSU97uEsy9LRZy/s300/An+Inconvenient+attraction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89cO0HhlyIeGnLasnRdZ_8PAlBR_eveWETlQqwu8QytI7R8Kn-ldrxRO0sxy8SPm0-Qr-y81nLVMXF1G9fsfc_8CtazGTHV-PFCA0jAICcDADpWk459ksKSV_CTEX5IoSU97uEsy9LRZy/s0/An+Inconvenient+attraction.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">How Difficult is it to get notice for a new release during a pandemic</span></b></div><div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">An Inconvenient Attraction will be my third release during the pandemic. The first launch this year was</span><span style="font-size: 14px;"> mid-March at the beginning of the shut down. Although I have been home more which gave me ample opportunity to write, it has had its challenges. The stress at times zaps the creativity, but conversely, as reading often does, writing helps authors counteract the stresses by transporting us into a different place—one without Covid. I enjoy book signings and look forward to them again which hasn’t been possible this year. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Has it changed your writing?</span></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Not really other than I might have been overambitious releasing four books in 2020. My next book, </span><i style="font-size: 14px;"><b>Christmas Chances</b></i><span style="font-size: 14px;">, will launch in December. Since this has been such a busy year, I will take a few weeks break and continue to write, but maybe at a slower pace. This time has been a reminder for me to do ALL the things I enjoy and not only writing.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">Tell us about An Inconvenient Attraction.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWJR0G0H3eU47keTOJP8hI2NBhm7VyHiHzUpdSgTA5dgo9sfdghXL8ZemNmWsTQQo3R0_V8H72-w33QYU0qo06YfnPQ4MOXcK3WMxMPaBVZ4hRAF-yk1XXbzv-sMSR8536bGahkiUet3_/s300/An+Inconvenient+attraction.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWJR0G0H3eU47keTOJP8hI2NBhm7VyHiHzUpdSgTA5dgo9sfdghXL8ZemNmWsTQQo3R0_V8H72-w33QYU0qo06YfnPQ4MOXcK3WMxMPaBVZ4hRAF-yk1XXbzv-sMSR8536bGahkiUet3_/s0/An+Inconvenient+attraction.jpg" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">In this return to Azalea Valley, readers will find small town charm, single parents with bruised hearts, and challenging decisions. </span><span style="font-size: 14px;">Escaping the heat of New Orleans turns into a dangerous floodwater rescue for Dr. Lilly Barnesworth. Meeting the handsome Derrick May, father of a rescued boy, interrupts her self-prescribed remedy of a retreat with her young daughters to heal wounds from her recent divorce.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Derrick is on a “not interested” basis with women after his ex-wife ditches him. Seeing Lilly in action saving his asthmatic son forces a crack in his resolve. Both single parents fight their mutual skyrocketing attraction and neither expects Azalea Valley’s small-town magic to fuel their relationship. The question is, can they overcome Lilly’s ex disturbing her newfound peace and Derrick’s rich, aggressive client demanding his personal attention?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">This sounds like a great premise. Hope, tell us a bit about yourself.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="262" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ypCSO-k0-dhBAyoEjSUh_s1XJ_JX6YPLp-zq1ImaHRf_1TN2dXdoLPQVouA1CCKSoRTOHWoZj7aVYJSMMTl62qo_ms28bPgixe_9NaIdaNv6ORKQOaZFGoTMN69ZQ3qosXae4Tb04oP9/w210-h192/Hope+Malory.jpg" width="210" /></div><span style="font-size: 14px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I grew up in a small Tennessee town. My husband and I live near Nashville and travel as often as we can while still trying to make time for our family including two precious grandchildren. Sometimes settings and experiences from our travels make it into my novels. I write both contemporary romance and romantic suspense. My first novel in the series, <i>Wildfire and Roses</i>, recently won runner-up in the contemporary category of the Raven Awards.</div></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">Congratulations! I love the Raven Awards. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">We can we find your books?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">For <i><b>An Inconvenient Attraction</b></i>, go to <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://amzn.com/B08FMR33XL&source=gmail&ust=1598905418858000&usg=AFQjCNGlgVT1-IaZ65UEEJ6xLTFll5yBdA" href="https://amzn.com/B08FMR33XL" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://amzn.com/B08FMR33XL</a><wbr></wbr> On pre-order today and releases tomorrow.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">For the first four in the series:</span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><ul style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The first, </span><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><i>Wildfire and Roses</i></b>, </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://amzn.com/B07J55F9RN&source=gmail&ust=1598905418858000&usg=AFQjCNEfYp2m2QG37CbulX6TvJWCOsfbzg" href="https://amzn.com/B07J55F9RN" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 14px;" target="_blank">https://amzn.com/<wbr></wbr>B07J55F9RN</a><span style="font-size: 14px;"> features Beasley and Will’s outdoor adventures and long-distance relationship.</span></li></ul><ul style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">In the second, </span><i style="font-size: 14px;"><b>Rhythm in Blue</b></i><span style="font-size: 14px;">, </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://amzn.com/B07Y5GVHBG/&source=gmail&ust=1598905418858000&usg=AFQjCNGM9nDiQwsKscN9Y1D7SgBzDkf5qg" href="https://amzn.com/B07Y5GVHBG/" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 14px;" target="_blank">https://amzn.com/<wbr></wbr>B07Y5GVHBG/</a><span style="font-size: 14px;"> read about talented Brenner and Garrett’s enemies-to-lovers journey.</span></li></ul><ul style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The third, <i><b>Blue Skies of Summer</b></i>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amzn.com/B083JGL74Q&source=gmail&ust=1598905418858000&usg=AFQjCNGiaWGxG3GGP7WR9hZ6Al3FGgkLTw" href="https://www.amzn.com/B083JGL74Q" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.amzn.com/<wbr></wbr>B083JGL74Q</a> is a romantic suspense following the danger Blake and single mother, Krystan, face.</span></li></ul><ul style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">And, the fourth, <b><i>Catching a Curveba<i>l</i>l</i>,</b> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amzn.com/B0874VCC1Y&source=gmail&ust=1598905418858000&usg=AFQjCNH-BswzbRNU8dsk82eVTe1Zm9O0HQ" href="https://www.amzn.com/B0874VCC1Y" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.amzn.<wbr></wbr>com/B0874VCC1Y</a> spotlights a romance between Benjamin and Michelle when they meet on a Caribbean cruise.</span></li></ul><div style="color: #222222;"><span face="" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">An Inconvenient Attraction sounds like an excellent Labor Day read. I find that right now I relax better with books promising an HEA.</span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: inherit;"><b><span>Hope is offering a copy of her last release, </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Catching-Curveball-Azalea-Valley-Book-ebook/dp/B0874VCC1Y" target="_blank">Catching a Curveball</a> to one lucky reader. You can use this link to Look Inside </b></span></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0874VCC1Y/" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0874VCC1Y/</a> Scroll down for the Rafflecopter.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauy0sPstKwH8Vxt2RDrGv7lm2xPLgB19gm-vop_90cMxi2AGADY4ZZxUXvT2RSey7ocmdk0JVLQvYXujYh3fJ21j98mCQ2HVwiXNIeVeEoJzuCb6j1Q5ZlVfe_I9lalajAVQWaMZKaHOT/s500/catching+a+curvball.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauy0sPstKwH8Vxt2RDrGv7lm2xPLgB19gm-vop_90cMxi2AGADY4ZZxUXvT2RSey7ocmdk0JVLQvYXujYh3fJ21j98mCQ2HVwiXNIeVeEoJzuCb6j1Q5ZlVfe_I9lalajAVQWaMZKaHOT/w170-h256/catching+a+curvball.jpg" width="170" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span face="" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">Thanks for being here, Hope. I know Hope, like all of us authors, loves to hear from readers. (I got two notes from readers last week and it made my month.) Her links are below. </span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">W</span><span style="font-size: 14px;">ebsite: </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.hopemalory.com&source=gmail&ust=1598905418858000&usg=AFQjCNFD-6c8q9acLenkPRUx2PP4UXIyYQ" href="http://www.hopemalory.com/" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 14px;" target="_blank">www.hopemalory.com</a><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Like my Facebook page: </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.facebook.com/HopeMalory&source=gmail&ust=1598905418858000&usg=AFQjCNF4PcBMhQqUR3wAkJIXqrdhhwXt0A" href="http://www.facebook.com/HopeMalory" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 14px;" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/<wbr></wbr>HopeMalory</a><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Amazon page: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Malory/e/B07J5XGHL3/&source=gmail&ust=1598905418858000&usg=AFQjCNEHiTquUSQtkge228bJ1F40bqoEcQ" href="https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Malory/e/B07J5XGHL3/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/<wbr></wbr>Hope-Malory/e/B07J5XGHL3/</a> </span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Goodreads: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18522356.Hope_Malory&source=gmail&ust=1598905418858000&usg=AFQjCNEJ6jJDcyXZInR-feyrJNFPKsrC-g" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18522356.Hope_Malory" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.<wbr></wbr>goodreads.com/author/show/<wbr></wbr>18522356.Hope_Malory</a> </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">BookBub: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.bookbub.com/profile/hope-malory&source=gmail&ust=1598905418858000&usg=AFQjCNEZ5nc2MlGj7x1M4LthX97AssUS3A" href="https://www.bookbub.com/profile/hope-malory" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.bookbub.<wbr></wbr>com/profile/hope-malory</a> </span></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700;">Happy reading,my friends. Stay safe. Avoid news as much as possible. Laugh three times a day. Read a Romance.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
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<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Susan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550905093762770878.post-23500959482116775612020-08-25T03:00:00.001-07:002020-08-25T03:00:07.441-07:00Free on Kindle August 30-Sept 1 Maggie's Way <p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Link to Maggies Way on Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZSOX4BA">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZSOX4BA</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Reminder. It is only free August 30-Sept 1 AND It's a BookBub selection on August 30th. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">That's a big deal. Hop on over and get your copy. I already own it. Happy Reading.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">PS I hope you got to my blog through my redesigned website. </span><a href="https://susanbjames.com/">https://susanbjames.com/</a> If not, please check it out,</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPxejT1Lh0wb96QXjke5Vqzsk6KqQDppl36WDtHghFmlRYnrOItUbDa9mcq74b6Vqk-o1h6x2FJFPuyHmEUCeAWpkmujSlMISYczgafjNdnvJF9HL8MwHiQRJxAp3j9u4cwFjHQiHXFQk/s2048/maggies+way+jpeg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1589" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPxejT1Lh0wb96QXjke5Vqzsk6KqQDppl36WDtHghFmlRYnrOItUbDa9mcq74b6Vqk-o1h6x2FJFPuyHmEUCeAWpkmujSlMISYczgafjNdnvJF9HL8MwHiQRJxAp3j9u4cwFjHQiHXFQk/s640/maggies+way+jpeg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">Maggie’s Way</i><span face="" style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">is book 1 in Linda’s</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">Montana Bound Series</i><span face="" style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">. She wrote this book after being diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago. Writing about Maggie provided solace and spurred (pun intended) Linda to venture west to explore her own</span><span face="" style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">Montana Bound</i><span face="" style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"> </span><span face="" style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">adventures with her family. She is cancer free and happily writing at home with her husband and rescue dog.</span></div><p></p><div class="ii gt" id=":ry" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: roboto, robotodraft, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="a3s aXjCH" id=":rx" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.5; overflow: hidden;"><div style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><div style="font-size: 10pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYKiqiDY1SmO2N8xqeZbnCwC-VfKNePrqeihSRMaiCzWEJOBTUE91ch2m3a8Jxl52MPOa-rpyF7JHI1cc96UkYaeJ0ZOwyB2iuyprwoRBG0AuvuWzqyAKTwly7ky-wSCJRIW8ewYEzFBun/s800/lINDA+BRADLEY+Maisey+Photo+with+Maggie%2527s+Way.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYKiqiDY1SmO2N8xqeZbnCwC-VfKNePrqeihSRMaiCzWEJOBTUE91ch2m3a8Jxl52MPOa-rpyF7JHI1cc96UkYaeJ0ZOwyB2iuyprwoRBG0AuvuWzqyAKTwly7ky-wSCJRIW8ewYEzFBun/s640/lINDA+BRADLEY+Maisey+Photo+with+Maggie%2527s+Way.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bio:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><u></u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Linda’s inspiration comes from her favorite authors and life itself. Her women’s fiction highlights characters that peel away outer layers of life to discover the heart of their dreams with some unexpected twists and turns along the way. Her writing integrates humor found in everyday situations, as well as touching moments that make readers connect with her characters.</span><u></u><u></u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: calibri; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt;"><div id="m_-3371596576114126219yiv7904100981"><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><div style="font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><div style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 13.3333px;"><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span>Website: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lindabradleyauthor.com/&source=gmail&ust=1598403743800000&usg=AFQjCNGTUIn-dgzun7DNfNKUMcwyFYePfA" href="https://lindabradleyauthor.com/" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">https://<wbr></wbr>lindabradleyauthor.com/</a></span></div></div><div style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 13.3333px;"><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span>Amazon Link to Maggie's Way: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZSOX4BA/ref%3Ddbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i4&source=gmail&ust=1598403743800000&usg=AFQjCNGCcKfxjnfyB2cFMPfi6POVaAQmvg" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZSOX4BA/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i4" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/<wbr></wbr>gp/product/B00ZSOX4BA/ref=dbs_<wbr></wbr>a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i4</a></span></div></div><div style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 13.3333px;"><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span> </span></div></div><div style="font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 13.3333px;"><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span>Amazon Link to all books: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Linda-Bradley/e/B00JUIS2FS%253Fref%3Ddbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share&source=gmail&ust=1598403743800000&usg=AFQjCNFZxLHcn7OAbErU6kytol65bXHavQ" href="https://www.amazon.com/Linda-Bradley/e/B00JUIS2FS%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.<wbr></wbr>com/Linda-Bradley/e/<wbr></wbr>B00JUIS2FS%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_<wbr></wbr>rwt_scns_share</a></span></div></div></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">Author Website: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lindabradleyauthor.com/&source=gmail&ust=1598403743800000&usg=AFQjCNGTUIn-dgzun7DNfNKUMcwyFYePfA" href="https://lindabradleyauthor.com/" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt;" target="_blank">https://<wbr></wbr>lindabradleyauthor.com/</a><br clear="none" /></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><br clear="none" /></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">Facebook: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/LBradleyAuthor/&source=gmail&ust=1598403743801000&usg=AFQjCNErCmgvFEr1toyUkqIcvzEDjhrU6A" href="https://www.facebook.com/LBradleyAuthor/" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="color: blue; font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 10pt;" target="_blank">https://www.<wbr></wbr>facebook.com/LBradleyAuthor/</a></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; 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font-size: 0.875rem; margin: 15px 0px;"></div>Susan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550905093762770878.post-51004709797629423892020-08-17T22:20:00.001-07:002020-08-17T22:20:14.266-07:00Free Forgotten Short Story by Frank Sullivan<p>I want to share with you a short story called the Ugly Mollusk written by Frank Sullivan in 1938. I have loved this story for years and I think we all need some fun about now. Here's the link</p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-VTohXMb25kHq2Rx3pIV1_I4-fwOH7cF/view?usp=sharing">The Ugly Mollusk by Frank Sullivan</a></p><p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4O8cvm1A9COIfZ9bxsfTKjMHbt0DViAC3qI88L-BKqqwdv5H0cI-g0AyV1HZvQwTth0tBGgAEdf_PON4SMtPUrRJeLiRvamgYEpLl6ZWAKDWjz5wJ3bspr8WWLsTay38D4gs2vlUBO8m/s1080/The+Ugly+Mollusk.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Ugly Mollusk" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" data-pinit="registered" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4O8cvm1A9COIfZ9bxsfTKjMHbt0DViAC3qI88L-BKqqwdv5H0cI-g0AyV1HZvQwTth0tBGgAEdf_PON4SMtPUrRJeLiRvamgYEpLl6ZWAKDWjz5wJ3bspr8WWLsTay38D4gs2vlUBO8m/w328-h328/The+Ugly+Mollusk.png" width="328" /></a></i></div><p></p><p> Any of you who want, to please do download it. It was written for the Saturday Evening Post and published April 1, 1938. My daughter in law typed it up from a treasury of Saturday Evening Post book for a Christmas gift. I uploaded it to Scribed so I could share the fun.</p><p>Frank Sullivan was a humorist, a member of the Algonquin Round Table and is a largely forgotten literary figure.</p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">Frank’s fame began in the Roaring Twenties and it is this part of his life that I know will provide some keen biographer with the core of an excellent book. Simultaneously writing for </span><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The World</em><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"> and </span><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The New Yorker</em><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">, while contributing to the </span><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Saturday Evening Post </em><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">and other magazines, Frank Sullivan also became an “unofficial” member of the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algonquin_Round_Table" style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Algonquin Round Table</a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">. A daily luncheon gathering at Manhattan’s Algonquin Hotel, the Round Table included newspaper reporters, columnists, and humorists, as well as Broadway playwrights, producers, directors, and actors. Its“official” (charter) members were: Franklin Pierce Adams, Robert Benchley, Heywood Broun, Marc Connelly, Ruth Hale, George S. Kaufman, Dorothy Parker, Brock Pemberton, Harold Ross, Robert E. Sherwood, John Peter Toohey, and Alexander Woollcott. Harold Ross, not coincidentally, was the founder and editor of </span><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The New Yorker</em><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">.</span></p><div id="content-box" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div id="content-container" style="border: 0px; float: left; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px -234.078px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 770px;"><div id="content" role="main" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 270.266px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 500.422px;"><div class="post-1542 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-uncategorized tag-the-sage-of-saratoga tag-alden-whitman tag-algonquin-round-table tag-author-frank-sullivan tag-literary-landmark tag-cornell-university-and-frank-sullivan tag-frank-sullivan-and-the-new-yorker-magazine tag-humorist-frank-sullivan tag-jane-king-and-frank-sullivan tag-john-ohara-and-frank-sullivan tag-lincoln-avenue-saratoga-springs tag-monty-woolley-and-frank-sullivan tag-saratoga-springs tag-saratoga-springs-public-library tag-saratoga-today tag-saratogareads tag-the-night-the-old-nostalgia-burned-down tag-the-saratogian tag-thomas-dimopoulos tag-united-for-libraries" id="post-1542" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="entry-content" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0.85em 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Frank Sullivan had been “invited to the table” as an intellectual compatriot and would become a lifelong friend to many of them. But, before you think of the Round Table’s “unofficial” members being minor players in that scene, consider just some of those who held that rank with Frank: Noël Coward, Harpo Marx, Tallulah Bankhead, Jane Grant, and Edna Ferber. Ferber, you’ll recall, wrote <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Saratoga Trunk</em>, later made into the musical <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Saratoga</em> by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II.</p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Frank’s period of greatest fame spanned from the 1920s through the 1940s. Beyond the Algonquin Round Table, Frank’s friends also included noted writers, actors, playwrights and producers. For example, there was his dear friend and drinking companion Monty Wooley—Yale professor, Broadway producer and actor, and Hollywood movie star. Also, Frank counted the acclaimed novelist and short story writer John O’Hara as a friend. And there were many more friends from every walk of life. That was the gift he had.</p><p style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.7em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You can read more in the post from which I culled this.<a href="https://pipingrock.wordpress.com/2016/11/26/saratoga-springs-humorist-frank-sullivan-is-honored/" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">post. <span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">https://pipingrock.wordpress.com/2016/11/26/saratoga-springs-humorist-frank-sullivan-is-honored/</span></a></p></div></div></div></div></div><div id="footer" role="contentinfo" style="border: 0px; clear: both; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.7em; vertical-align: baseline; width: 770px;"><div id="footer-widget-area" role="complementary" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Bitstream Charter", serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Happy Reading my friends. I wish you all good things.</div></div>Susan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2550905093762770878.post-53007122787653255782020-08-11T00:14:00.001-07:002020-08-11T00:14:34.289-07:00News and Free Things<p> <strong>I'm sitting under a happy cloud.</strong></p><p><strong>It's raining good things. I have so much to be thankful for.<br />Maybe This Time is free on Amazon August 12-14.<br /><a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073DJ2RK4/" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073DJ2RK4/"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073DJ2RK4/</span></a><span style="color: blue;"> </span><br />This link will only show as free on August 12-14<br />And August 12 it will be on BookBub which is amazing.<br />Those promos are hard to get. This is my first.</strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicvQ1mDadxPh55nNftmMHE2g8kKim8AgB8Lsg9UdjaK38sSqO8MqbDViU8Rlz6VyF4OhpbGN-LupmMtjZZc9HH3__bgGwf0MQ-XXr1kmy-WjiOgr8F5icPlj2uHb38GXSCLqDQuwBjDfO/s654/aug+12-14+maybe+this+time.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="654" data-pinit="registered" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicvQ1mDadxPh55nNftmMHE2g8kKim8AgB8Lsg9UdjaK38sSqO8MqbDViU8Rlz6VyF4OhpbGN-LupmMtjZZc9HH3__bgGwf0MQ-XXr1kmy-WjiOgr8F5icPlj2uHb38GXSCLqDQuwBjDfO/s640/aug+12-14+maybe+this+time.png" width="640" /></a></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><strong style="text-align: left;"><a data-cke-saved-href="https://storyoriginapp.com/to/nbHsliV" href="https://storyoriginapp.com/to/nbHsliV" target="_blank"><img align="center" alt="Beach Reads" data-cke-saved-src="https://mcusercontent.com/7ffba91b25fc7c3c94f403f46/images/e1223e4f-9218-4174-9f08-fa27199e556f.jpg" data-file-id="6578162" data-pinit="registered" height="188" src="https://mcusercontent.com/7ffba91b25fc7c3c94f403f46/images/e1223e4f-9218-4174-9f08-fa27199e556f.jpg" style="border: 0px initial; height: 188px; margin: 15px 0px; width: 564px;" width="564" /></a></strong></strong></div><strong><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 16px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V38M9WK" target="_blank">Irish Magic</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073DJ2RK4/ ">Maybe This Time</a> are both participating in the Beach Reads Promo.<br /> There are over fifty books in the promo and I found a few I want to try.<br />Please check it out.<br /><a data-cke-saved-href="https://storyoriginapp.com/to/nbHsliV" href="https://storyoriginapp.com/to/nbHsliV" target="_blank">https://storyoriginapp.com/to/nbHsliV</a></span></strong><a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.susanjberger.org/" href="https://www.susanjberger.org/" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank" title="Susan J Berger Website"><img alt="Susan J Berger website" data-cke-saved-src="https://mcusercontent.com/7ffba91b25fc7c3c94f403f46/images/5647d571-a17b-423b-846b-2b0a19ea0898.jpg" data-file-id="6578034" data-pinit="registered" height="413" src="https://mcusercontent.com/7ffba91b25fc7c3c94f403f46/images/5647d571-a17b-423b-846b-2b0a19ea0898.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: 413px; margin: 0px; width: 654px;" width="654" /></a></div></strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica neue,helvetica,sans-serif;">I have a new website for my children's books designed by the very talented Sarah Kaja. <br /><a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.susanjberger.org/" href="https://www.susanjberger.org/">https://www.susanjberger.org/</a><br />There is a tab for <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.susanjberger.org/free-stories" href="https://www.susanjberger.org/free-stories" target="_blank" title="Free Stories">free stories</a>. One day I hope to go in and illustrate them and make them into downloadable picture books. First I have to learn to illustrate. Or hire an illustrator.<br />My picture book <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.susanjberger.org/sunday-cat" href="https://www.susanjberger.org/sunday-cat" target="_blank" title="Sunday Cat">Sunday Cat </a>is coming out later this year.<br />Followed by My Sister Ella in late 2020 or early 2021.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>Last week I wrapped on Joel Coen's Macbeth which will hopefully hit actual theatres in 2021. The Tragedy of Macbeth stars Frances McDormand as Lady Macbeth and Denzel Washington as Macbeth. Working on it was a magical experience. I loved everyone on the cast and crew and I am so glad that we were able to finish the film with COVID precautions. I can show costumes, But here's my wig before dressing (Note shaved forehead.) Wig dressed and what I look like one the way home with spirit gummed hair and my KN95 mask. Everyone was masked when not performing. It's weird seeing marvellously dressed and wigged performers all wearing kN95 masks in a medieval banquet hall. I wish I had a picture of that.</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica neue, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><strong></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><img data-cke-saved-src="https://mcusercontent.com/7ffba91b25fc7c3c94f403f46/images/1066ea0e-1564-43ce-8334-2a2242ab49a0.png" data-file-id="6578214" data-pinit="registered" height="451" src="https://mcusercontent.com/7ffba91b25fc7c3c94f403f46/images/1066ea0e-1564-43ce-8334-2a2242ab49a0.png" style="border: 0px; height: 451px; margin: 0px; width: 564px;" width="564" /></strong></div><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">A movie I did in 2018, Looks That Kill came out in June.<br />Due to COVID, it released to Amazon Prime and other streaming services. <br /><a data-cke-saved-href="http://I just finished filming on Joel Coen's Macbeth. A movie I did in 2018, Looks That Kill released to Amazon Prime and other streaming services. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8179470/" href="http://I just finished filming on Joel Coen's Macbeth. A movie I did in 2018, Looks That Kill released to Amazon Prime and other streaming services. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8179470/" target="_blank">https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8179470/</a></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 16px;">Another movie I am in, Kazillionare releases in September. </span></strong><br /><span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>Where? I don't know. But I've seen the preview and it's delightful. <br /><a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.imdb.com/video/vi3764567577?playlistId=tt8143990&ref_=tt_ov_vi" href="https://www.imdb.com/video/vi3764567577?playlistId=tt8143990&ref_=tt_ov_vi">https://www.imdb.com/video/vi3764567577?playlistId=tt8143990&ref_=tt_ov_vi</a></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">I wish you good books to read and joyful moments in every day. Stay safe and avoid the news. I find I am much saner when I only check the headlines once a day. And when I get outside and walk.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p>Susan B Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10752641433121011158noreply@blogger.com0