tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60121967078284236952024-03-04T23:08:23.340-06:00Cookin' with Miss HavanaCookin' with Miss Havana: Recipes, book reviews, advice and bits of wisdom from the devilish Miss Havana.James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012196707828423695.post-14530995548267362002023-05-05T14:06:00.000-05:002023-05-05T14:06:28.029-05:00<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">5/5/2023: </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There’s More To Editing Than Meets The Eye</span></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I don’t claim to be an expert writer or editor, but
I do claim about 22 years of writing experience. During that time I have
published nine novels and a few short stories. Under different circumstances I
might have written more; however, I took a five-year sabbatical to care for my wife
as she battled dementia. She lost that battle recently, and I started writing
again. I have been surprised the quality of my writing seems to have improved
during my absence. I’ll share some thoughts with you about the editing approach
I used for two novels I recently submitted to Solstice Publishing: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beyond The Horizon</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Infinity Quest</i>. I wrote the majority of
those novels before I became a caretaker; therefore, I had a unique historical
perspective on my writing “then” vs. “now.” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new
novels were intended to logically follow <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aftermath
Horizon</i>, which was published in 2018. Therefore, the first task was to
reread that novel to ensure all the stories fit together. This step required more
time than I guessed. I wrote fast in 2018; now I don’t, and that’s my first
lesson. The details in novels that follow an original must be consistent. That
includes character names, event timelines, dates, equipment available to your
characters, and concepts. If it all doesn’t fit together, then you will lose
your reader and maybe your editor. Take your time to ensure flaws are removed. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2. Assuming the novel is consistent and complete,
start reading and rereading. In an ideal world one would reread enough times so
that the final read would have no errors. I read each of the two recent novels six
times from cover-to-cover, and then spot checked many chapters before I submitted
the novels to a Solstice editor. There are specific items you should check as
you are rereading, among them:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a. Ensure
correct use of words like lie/lay, its/it’s, might/may, rise/raise, who/whom,
etc. I have two screens open for that task—one for Googling grammar and word
usage, and one for novel text. Always question word usage. When there is the
slightest doubt, look it up. For example, read the last sentence in paragraph 1
above. “If” and “then” are used together as they should be.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>b. Be
careful of the word “and.” The word means “at the same time.” Therefore, it is
impossible to “walk to the bar, pick up a beer, and sit down.” You cannot walk
and sit at the same time. If a series involves mutually exclusive items, end it
with “and then.” Don’t confuse “and” with “but.” The word “but” implies an exception
to what was presented earlier in the sentence.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>c. Don’t
confuse “may” (which implies permission) with “might” (something could happen).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>d. Search
your document for the following items (without the quotes): “, and”, “, but”,
“, so”, “, yet”. These prepositions, with the comma and following space, join
independent clauses. Without the comma they join a dependent clause. Don’t mess
it up.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>e. Run
spelling check even if your word processor does that while you are writing. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>f. Change
the margins between the 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> reading. Changing the
margins forces the words in the text to wrap differently. Many errors occur
where a sentence wraps to the next line. You might be surprised how many “new
errors” crop up just by wrapping the text differently.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>g. Embed
actions with dialog in a way that implies the speaker. Except in rare cases,
don’t explicitly identify the character (like “John said”). This will take some
practice. Try to picture the action going on with the dialog and intersperse
the action you see in your mind with the dialog from the characters. For
example: “She shook her head as she began pacing. Time seemed to stop while we
all wondered how she would react. When she passed the table the third time she
stopped abruptly, downed a shot of whisky, slammed the jigger down hard, and
then glared at Tom. ‘What the hell do you mean my check bounced?’” The
characters need to come alive. Sometimes the dialog itself is enough to
identify the speaker. For example: “What do you mean by that, Mother?” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">h. Use quotes correctly. The ending punctuation
should be inside the quote, even when there is a quote within a quote, as
above.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">i. Minimize the use of adverbs. They can be the kiss
of death.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">j. You can often eliminate the word “that” without
changing the meaning of anything. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">k. Perhaps the most confusing for new authors is the
meaning of “show vs. tell.” When you are telling a story, you are the narrator.
When you are showing a story, the characters are the narrators. The story
should be told from the character’s point of view as much as possible.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">l. The thoughts of a character should be italicized.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">m. Be careful with hyphens. The only way to know for
sure is to look the word up in a dictionary. Note that most words that begin
with “re,” like rewrite, do not need a hyphen. The usual exception is words
that begin with “e,” like re-edit.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">n. Don’t use exclamation points except when the
character is literally screaming. Don’t use capital letters to make a point.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">o. Eliminate excess punctuation. If you can say
something without punctuation, then do it. I do not set off four-word
preposition phrases at the beginning of a sentence nor do I put commas before
one if a prepositional phrase ends a sentence. If you cannot decide whether
there are two independent clauses or one is dependent, then rewrite the
sentence to clear it up. </span></p>
<p></p>James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012196707828423695.post-11369307410979891942014-07-13T08:34:00.000-05:002014-07-13T08:34:27.811-05:00Tina's New Book: THIS TIME WHEN WE TOUCH<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwD5Af_ocOooJcN6TcxevrL6XzHDPmJjgs6HvwHxT9V2lOTLisTVPPKK84LIUhr_mvYIkBzQfklGr26Nz4fElSjRY3TgG93JEkLYA6BfvWv_4_lB5DMxwJxKbMq8nJQ_SqUMGRZL2wcRDA/s1600/td-ttwwtouch+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwD5Af_ocOooJcN6TcxevrL6XzHDPmJjgs6HvwHxT9V2lOTLisTVPPKK84LIUhr_mvYIkBzQfklGr26Nz4fElSjRY3TgG93JEkLYA6BfvWv_4_lB5DMxwJxKbMq8nJQ_SqUMGRZL2wcRDA/s1600/td-ttwwtouch+(2).jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">For those of you who follow Tina Donahue's work, you only have to wait four more days! "This Time When We Touch" will be released 17 July 2014: </span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fate has cruelly
torn them apart through the centuries. </span></i><i style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Endless desire
and unparalleled love will bring them together a final time.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Through numerous reincarnations, Jade
Jacome has adored one man. His love for her has repeatedly led to her murder,
always on the same day and time. Jade’s scientific research proves this is
their final rebirth, her last chance to outwit destiny and fulfill their
passion. Against a backdrop of Brazil’s lushly decadent Carnaval, Jade has
forty-eight hours to meet and tempt her lover, now known as Patrick Kane, then
break fate’s deadly pattern. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Irresistibly drawn to Rio, Patrick
senses Jade’s yearning that matches his. Seeing her again, time stops. Though
they’ve never met in this life, he feels their connection, and that she’s in
danger because of him. Baffled and unsettled, Patrick resists his attraction to
Jade to keep her safe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In a contest of wills and shameless
seduction, Jade must gamble all, even her life, before the anniversary of their
first separation or risk losing Patrick forever.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Here's a sneak peek excerpt:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What seemed to be love flared in the
woman’s green eyes, further softening her features. A welcoming smile broke
across her delicate mouth, creating two dimples.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pure wonder overcame him. He couldn’t
look at her enough to satisfy his lust, heart, and soul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Reddish-brown hair, shiny and thick,
cascaded down her back, the tendrils around her exquisite face wiggling in the
wind. Her slender throat bobbed gently with her swallow. Even before he looked,
he knew three moles circled her navel, the marks he’d been looking for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It didn’t make sense. None of this did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For some reason, he expected her to be
wearing a yellow gown, elegant and modest in design.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Clothed in a thong the locals called <i>fio dental </i>or dental floss, she seemed
unaware or unconcerned that its bronze color matched her skin, creating an
illusion of nudity. The tips of her nipples strained against the stretchy
fabric that barely contained her full breasts. No more than a scrap of cloth
hid her cunt from him and not very well. The Lycra revealed the outline of her
slit that led to her hot, wet sheath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">His lungs burned for air. Steadying
himself, he dug his toes in the mud, feeling the bite of sand instead.
Surprised and confused, he looked down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her voice whispered in his mind, <i>“Esta vez cuando tocamosa.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The words lingered, chasing away the
remaining sounds until they disappeared, leaving a heavy silence. He managed a
swallow and a shallow breath that left him hungry for more. Lifting his face,
he stared at her, tenderness overwhelming him. Her voice, her promise echoed in
his thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Esta
vez cuando tocamosa. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
time when we touch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hope roared through him with the
arrogance of youth, followed by a broken man’s despair. He stopped lifting his
hand to invite her closer. Unease crept through him. A warning rang in his mind
to keep his distance, to do everything he could to keep her safe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Above, a gull cried out, interrupting
his apprehension, bringing with it the other sounds. Women laughed, men
boasted, children shrieked. The reality and normalcy of the beach intruded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Unsteady, Patrick blinked. What in the
hell was happening?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rubbing water from his eyes, he didn’t
immediately look up, concerned that she’d vanished. That she hadn’t been real
to begin with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Her patient gaze told him how wrong he
was. She regarded him as though no one else existed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Patrick’s chest pumped with his erratic
breaths. Blood flowed to his groin. His cock thickened painfully wanting inside
her sweet cunt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Just as he was about to act on impulse
and go to her, a man from behind caught Patrick’s attention. He looked to be in
his early thirties. Although she seemed unaware of him, he stared at her naked
ass and legs, his attention more than appreciative. It was fucking possessive,
possibly jealous. The kind of prick who talked with his fists to keep a woman
in line.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Patrick went hot with outrage, his only
thought to see that she was safe. He crossed the beach, stopping directly in
front of her. She lifted her face to his, her expression guileless, brimming
with what seemed to be adoration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Baffled…grateful, he recalled her voice
in his mind. Or what he thought had been her voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
time when we touch.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He remembered his concern, the insane
idea that he had to protect her. From the guy behind her? Some other man? Or
from himself?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
thought should have struck him as crazy, but he couldn’t dismiss it. Taking a
step back, Patrick asked what he had to know but was afraid to face. “Who are
you?”<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">BIO:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tina Donahue is an award-winning,
bestselling novelist in erotic, paranormal, contemporary and historical romance
for Samhain Publishing, Ellora’s Cave, Siren Publishing, and Kensington<i>. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly,</i> <i>Romantic Times</i> and numerous online sites
have praised her work. Three of her erotic romances (<i>Adored, Lush Velvet Nights, </i>and <i>Deep,
Dark, Delicious) </i>were named finalists in the 2011 EPIC competition. The
French review site, Blue Moon reviews, chose her erotic romance <i>Sensual Stranger</i> as their Book of the
Year 2010 (erotic category). The Golden Nib Award at Miz Love Loves Books was
created specifically for <i>Lush Velvet
Nights</i>, and two of her titles (<i>The
Yearning </i>and <i>Deep, Dark, Delicious) </i>received
an Award of Merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competition (2011 and 2012). <i>Take Me Away </i>and <i>Adored </i>both won second place in the NEC RWA contest (different
years). Tina is featured in the 2012 Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market.
She was the editor of an award–winning Midwestern newspaper and worked in Story
Direction for a Hollywood production company.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">FB
Fanpage: </span></b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TinaDonahueBooks">https://www.facebook.com/TinaDonahueBooks</a></span></u><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Email:
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="mailto:tina@tinadonahue.com"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">tina@tinadonahue.com</span></a></span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Website:
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.tinadonahue.com/">http://www.tinadonahue.com/</a></span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Blog:
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.tinadonahue.com/blog/">http://www.tinadonahue.com/blog/</a></span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Twitter:
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://twitter.com/tinadonahue">http://twitter.com/tinadonahue</a></span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">EC Author Page: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.ellorascave.com/index.php/authors/index/author/slug/tina-donahue/">https://www.ellorascave.com/index.php/authors/index/author/slug/tina-donahue/</a><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Samhain Author Page: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://store.samhainpublishing.com/Tina-Donahue-pa-1630.html">http://store.samhainpublishing.com/Tina-Donahue-pa-1630.html</a><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">CONTEST<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Please leave a comment. Tina
will be choosing one winner randomly from the comments section. The winner gets
her choice of one of Tina’s backlist ebooks – FIFTEEN IN ALL – contemporary,
paranormal, suspense, ménage. From this list:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">1. Adored – RWA
award-winning; EPIC 2011 Finalist; 4 Stars RT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">2. Deep, Dark, Delicious
– EPIC 2011 Finalist; Holt Medallion Award of Merit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">3. Lush Velvet Nights –
EPIC 2011 Finalist; Golden Nib Award<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">4. In His Arms – SIX 5
Star Reviews; 4 Stars RT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">5. Sensual Stranger –
2010 Book of the Year (erotic); 4 Stars RT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">6. The Yearning – Top
Ten Bestseller<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">7. Take Me Away – #1
Pick, Miz Love Loves Books<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">8. Unending Desire –
Best Book Rating LASR<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">9. SiNN – Nominated for
Book of the Week LASR<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">10. Sinfully Wicked – Magnificent
– Romancing the Book<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">11. Claiming Magique – Top Pick – NOR<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">12. Illicit Desire –
Four Stars Romantic Times<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">13. Come Fill Me – Five
Stars – Guilty Pleasures<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">14. Losing Control -
Four and a Half Stars - Sensual Reads<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">15. Shameless Desire -
Four and Half Stars - The Jeep Diva<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Please note: </span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Buy Link: </span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.bookstrand.com/this-time-when-we-touch">http://www.bookstrand.com/this-time-when-we-touch</a></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">PRE-ORDER!</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">AVAILABLE: Thursday, July
17th</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">This title is offered at a 10% discount. Offer ends midnight CST, July
24th.</span></b><div>
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></div>
James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012196707828423695.post-9867877544301937362014-06-27T10:03:00.001-05:002014-06-27T10:04:31.880-05:00"Earth's Magick" and "Decker"<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqGvm-JKnE2thviXtiDMym7LAm-0EFhnP63k9GXdRbuhH9r5MTuzdIQ17Ljtc14soz_SDwDBFOsJDmlQ8_fgHoMVTC6UnamoIGtylvjsQ6DM-656_lUAXFDNHAOYOuuwxu0FK7-K6j6Db/s1600/me1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqGvm-JKnE2thviXtiDMym7LAm-0EFhnP63k9GXdRbuhH9r5MTuzdIQ17Ljtc14soz_SDwDBFOsJDmlQ8_fgHoMVTC6UnamoIGtylvjsQ6DM-656_lUAXFDNHAOYOuuwxu0FK7-K6j6Db/s1600/me1.jpg" height="200" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mel Massey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Today Miss Havana presents an interview with Mel Massey, author of <i>Earth's Magick</i> and <i>Decker</i>. Miss Havana believes the short blurbs that follow the interview will pique your interest ... and Miss Havana knows a great deal about the dark side.</div>
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<b>Give us an insight
into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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My poor main character, Mela, really gets it bad from the
first page. A nasty being that’s trying
to kill her attacks her nightly. Mela is
special because of the choices she makes to protect herself. She’s open to the idea and the power of "magick." Although, she really has no idea
about any of it, she’s willing, and that’s all it takes sometimes, a little
leap of faith and a whole lot of intent.
She wasn’t born with any area or special gifts, she’s simply a bit braver
than most.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>How much research do
you do?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Sooooo much research went into this series. First, let me say, I’ve outlined the entire
series, and that took some time. Then I
outlined, researched, and created the “ancient characters” and that took an
extremely long time. Not to mention
writing spells, and "magickal" history that worked with this world. I had to
create the entire history of the Elementai, which is totally made up by the
way.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>If this book is part
of a series, tell us a little about it?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Yes! This is the
first book in a five part series. Plus
four companion novels. Each book’s theme
is written right on the cover. The first is Earth. Book 2 is Water, etc. Each book introduces
new characters both good and bad. The
story starts to get more complex, and sadly, darker, as the series goes on.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>What are your thoughts
on writing a book series?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Personally, I’m a fan of authors who know where the series
is going. Even if they’re not sure on
how the main character will get there, I’d like to know there is a purpose and
a reason for it all. I do know how the Earth’s Magick series will end. Some things may change as the books are
written but I know the final outcome and I think that makes for a stronger
series. I read somewhere that an author
of a series ought to plot the tale from the end to the beginning. I totally agree with that. But then again, there are other authors
who’ve made a great living on going with the flow with no real clue…to each
their own.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>EARTH’S MAGICK, BOOK
1 ~Earth~<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Blurb:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QmP6PWZVKjuQmCFG6rTbT2gG0faWF5-oESJctjxF6t7RhndS1mmC_Mj_P-5h7F_UGHsBaP3RtI89JtMXfbBkhrf1uHmFJ1Vjqcn5yjLA62OVMAyB__fv6tDBKn5yjxp00TOvyict2wEQ/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QmP6PWZVKjuQmCFG6rTbT2gG0faWF5-oESJctjxF6t7RhndS1mmC_Mj_P-5h7F_UGHsBaP3RtI89JtMXfbBkhrf1uHmFJ1Vjqcn5yjLA62OVMAyB__fv6tDBKn5yjxp00TOvyict2wEQ/s1600/cover.jpg" height="200" width="155" /></a>Life in Trinity Hills, Texas goes from normal to deadly for
Mela Malone. Whenever Mela falls asleep, a mysterious creature, called The Hag,
tries to kill her. What begins as dabbling in protective spells from an ancient
Grimoire, leads to her initiation into an ancient order of warrior witches known
as the Elementai. Mela learns war is coming with The Darkness and the Hag is
only one of the evil creatures in its service. As an Elementai, Mela learns
it’s her duty to find four part-human sisters who can help defeat the evil that
threatens to return to the world. With every new discovery, Mela uncovers
ancient secrets that complicate her quest further. As war approaches, everyone
must make a choice - fight with the Elementai for all life on Earth, or fight
for The Darkness.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>DECKER<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Blurb:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaee1TTfGSjOw3W0ON3Iz_yPchalucp0ro2E0YremTsG32husX0dpOj05jzUlEPmQ6PM14Ra-gPVytD8r3RPd9agJcWgTwfXI0RUJRYbyOiU4GWDwn2EhzzZQImxXGop7Doblf-11ZDWyt/s1600/CoverDecker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaee1TTfGSjOw3W0ON3Iz_yPchalucp0ro2E0YremTsG32husX0dpOj05jzUlEPmQ6PM14Ra-gPVytD8r3RPd9agJcWgTwfXI0RUJRYbyOiU4GWDwn2EhzzZQImxXGop7Doblf-11ZDWyt/s1600/CoverDecker.jpg" height="200" width="142" /></a>In this first companion novel to the Earth’s Magick series,
Decker tells his incredible, and sometimes painful, life story. For over 2,000
years, he has fought to survive and find his place in this ever-changing world.
Beginning in a remote village in ancient Saudi Arabia, he takes the reader with
him to Egypt, Rome, Gaul, Ireland, Scotland, Africa, and finally to the New
World. Earth’s Magick readers will relive Decker’s incredible adventures and
his most intimate secrets.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Please see <a href="http://www.melmassey.com/">www.melmassey.com</a>
for news on the Earth’s Magick series, Mel’s blog, links to her books, and
forums for readers to chat with each other.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Buy Links:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Mel’s books on Amazon</b>:
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mel-Massey/e/B00ID9Z9D8/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1">http://www.amazon.com/Mel-Massey/e/B00ID9Z9D8/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Mel’s books at Barnes
& Noble</b>: <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/mel-massey">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/mel-massey</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<b>Mel’s books on The
Book Depository</b>: <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/search?searchTerm=Mel+Massey&search=Find+book">http://www.bookdepository.com/search?searchTerm=Mel+Massey&search=Find+book</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Author: Mel Massey<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="mailto:melmasseyauthor@gmail.com">melmasseyauthor@gmail.com</a></div>
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James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012196707828423695.post-74997883514160246082014-06-06T19:49:00.002-05:002014-06-06T19:49:52.195-05:00Review of Tidal Surge by Francene Stanley<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6vthLzopwQKSiiFbrbw2jp8gHpfSWnKcq-db4qe9BxWrGxTVkgMekvDp8Y4bHlgSNC0zl84MN15q5cWjwoHqxC35sCChT4mux0SHVAS0XPr8fXOclok0EskxIv2Rndswdc4Tx5_QIeE7/s1600/Tidal+Surge+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6vthLzopwQKSiiFbrbw2jp8gHpfSWnKcq-db4qe9BxWrGxTVkgMekvDp8Y4bHlgSNC0zl84MN15q5cWjwoHqxC35sCChT4mux0SHVAS0XPr8fXOclok0EskxIv2Rndswdc4Tx5_QIeE7/s1600/Tidal+Surge+copy.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
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Not at all what I expected from the title, <i>Tidal Surge</i> is a paranormal tale of a
woman who enters the thoughts of another and, once inside, can also make
suggestions—for good or bad. As a new wife, Liliha shares her secret ability
with her husband, Oliver, who encourages her to use her talent for the good of
those she influences. Liliha has no control over the episodes that take her
and, like an advancing tidal surge, she is swept away into a vortex of jumbled
thoughts time and again throughout the novel. The story pivots from third
person to first each time she is thrust into the mind of another. I was a
little confused the first time that happened but adjusted quickly and enjoyed
the perspective shift.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Liliha derives her power from an ancient Egyptian moonstone
ring, and the ring has two associated golden bracelets, one of which is in
Liliha’s possession. The bracelet, like the ring, bestows on those who wear it
an ability similar to Liliha’s but there is a difference. While the ring encourages
good, the bracelet brings out the worst. Kaelyn, Liliha’s daughter, happens on
the bracelet while rummaging through her mother’s things and is swept away into
a dark world inside the mind of people intent on evil deeds. Encouraged by the
bracelet, Kaelyn’s destructive nature blooms, and the sullen, insolent daughter
becomes even more hostile.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Amid the chaos of good vs. evil as Kaelyn and Liliha battle
each other within the minds of predators and victims, Oliver’s sexy
ex-girlfriend, Beatrice, schemes to recover her relationship with Liliha’s new
husband. Beatrice flees the witness protection program to add her physical
beauty and lustful soul to the eternal battle being waged by Liliha and Kaelyn.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNE9vT_Jt2KcIAUedkq3xZR4PerVb4NANZEHgyQQnq6E6UQHuFNBrz3EBm0Pj0RNAz8YvPsoMIdU8T0H_KVh3HP0Kohh-dI3YNOHV9eLD3ba331g9RJwGKbaeOThUI9r8f2QraZEsgdsO/s1600/Francene-cropped.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNE9vT_Jt2KcIAUedkq3xZR4PerVb4NANZEHgyQQnq6E6UQHuFNBrz3EBm0Pj0RNAz8YvPsoMIdU8T0H_KVh3HP0Kohh-dI3YNOHV9eLD3ba331g9RJwGKbaeOThUI9r8f2QraZEsgdsO/s1600/Francene-cropped.jpeg" height="200" width="155" /></a>The plot is highly entertaining, the ending is unexpected,
and the book is masterfully edited. I enjoyed the English writing style and
vocabulary. Francene Stanley also walked the fine line between enough
description of people and places to embed the reader into her story, but not so
much to slow the reader’s momentum. Here’s an example as Kaelyn reacts to the
bracelet: “She took a deep breath, and then slid the bangle up her arm. The
gold clamped and settled on her bicep. Shudders of guilt-tainted pleasure
flowed through her. Suffocating, sweet essence invaded her psyche. She slid
onto the void with an expectation of delight.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having raised two teen girls myself, I applaud the author
for capturing the aloof nature, lack of forgiveness (for almost everything),
and haughtiness of a young woman striving to come to grips with the world as it
is. Overall, I believe <i>Tidal Surge</i> is
a five-star read. <o:p></o:p></div>
James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012196707828423695.post-38443454244314001532014-02-26T02:01:00.000-06:002014-02-26T02:01:00.374-06:00Rachel's Legacy by Lizzy Stevens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPDKAHDlVK_DyrLH0XPeCVdqzAVJbSLl9MzBpGSy5WywXLVbfXbXiymOaD7YRsUYC8hnChowhkPUn9cKdPtkIZjaxgArClCvH7w4yfCtIC8_Wx3bfKZWhL9KtZ9xSLdMqE-bnqrzLyUaG/s1600/Rachel's+Legacy+--+Option+%231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPDKAHDlVK_DyrLH0XPeCVdqzAVJbSLl9MzBpGSy5WywXLVbfXbXiymOaD7YRsUYC8hnChowhkPUn9cKdPtkIZjaxgArClCvH7w4yfCtIC8_Wx3bfKZWhL9KtZ9xSLdMqE-bnqrzLyUaG/s1600/Rachel's+Legacy+--+Option+%231.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #444444;">Rachel Connors loved her life, and her job as a manager at a
ski resort in Aspen Colorado, but after learning she was ill, she decided to
take a long needed vacation to her parent's home. This was when she met Kyle
Landers, who in her absence had moved into her parent's lives, and before he'd
even met Rachel, Kyle had decided not to like her. Kyle had been alone in the
world when Rachel's parents had taken him in; and he couldn't understand why
their ungrateful daughter had chosen to distance herself from them. </span><span style="color: #444444;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Rachel and Kyle
grew closer, and she knew she was falling for him. Everything changed when Rachel
was scheduled to meet Kyle, but a call from her doctor summoned her back to
Aspen, telling her parents there was a problem at work. When Kyle hears of
this, he boards a plane to find her, learning the truth of her condition. Their
love blossomed but it was to be short lived when on their flight back to the
ranch the plane crashed. Despite an extensive search, Kyle was never found, and
Rachel was forced to go on without him.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Four years had
passed, and Rachel's relationship with Marcus, her new boyfriend, was moving to
a different level, but at the same time, the thought dead Kyle had come out of
his coma; his mind lost in the events four years earlier. After Rachel accepted
Marcus' proposal, Kyle returns, leaving Rachel with a dilemma. For four years
Marcus had been by her side, but now Kyle was back, wanting her just as much as
he had the day of the crash. She needed to get away to make her decision, so she
left for Aspen, only Kyle followed her to try to convince her that they
belonged together. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Who will Rachel
Chose? Is Kyle's love enough to bring her back to him?</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012196707828423695.post-70066436216374772082014-02-12T15:22:00.000-06:002014-02-12T15:22:22.925-06:00Interview with Miss Havana<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVia8PtQHPARumlNjLIfdwSIzjpTgz0j8ffEg1SU24a7Gccc472yKgVhjXpgWerUiR1G1ptm94rcSkogoguT7nSBLntsqelbBgT8tZWDSyeXesjojStqk8cvpsgHCzZqVgwD-X13vMSBB1/s1600/The+Substitute+150X225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVia8PtQHPARumlNjLIfdwSIzjpTgz0j8ffEg1SU24a7Gccc472yKgVhjXpgWerUiR1G1ptm94rcSkogoguT7nSBLntsqelbBgT8tZWDSyeXesjojStqk8cvpsgHCzZqVgwD-X13vMSBB1/s1600/The+Substitute+150X225.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a>Host: Today we welcome Miss Havana,
the beautiful starlet of the Miss Havana paranormal comedy series. Please, Miss
Havana, have a seat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
MH (flicking her hair while looking
down at the chair): Is that seat clean? Do you have a towel so I can dust it
off?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
Host (providing paper napkins): As I
said, thank you for joining us today. We—<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
MH (interrupting): You wouldn’t have
a glass of chardonnay would you?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
Host: Ah, no, but I do have water.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
MH (adjusting her mini-skirt): If
that’s all you’ve got, I guess it’ll have to do. A lady simply must be careful
about what she puts in her body.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
Host (flipping through notes): Really?
It says here you once gave birth to Lilith, Lucifer’s daughter. That would
indicate you weren’t very discriminating about what you put in it back then.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
MH (yawning): That’s such old news. Seducing
that dolt was just a means to an end. I’ve become a better person over the
years, although my ex would still choke the life out of me if he could get his
grubby hands on my neck.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
Host (shuffling through the pages):
I wondered about that. It says here you married Samuel Jackson. The actor? Does
Lucifer resent that?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
MH (deep sigh): Your research sucks;
I’d never marry a liberal. My Samuel Jackson is a fireman…and he understands
that accidents happen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
Host (clears throat): His occupation
could come in handy if Lucifer ever catches up with him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzr2wf7oW-UWdxN-nA2m7Ih_fVtB0WhHIlHbZO1-ByjWOwc0YYPPtxYlVvvUdEgBJAqKZ2jO50ix5vp5ouygkyq249lxOKD729bzx8eWiersK1nU7PP0SIMPK6bIqukfjELKRinZa2gdsI/s1600/Scaled+Oh,+Heavens,+Miss+Havana+150X225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzr2wf7oW-UWdxN-nA2m7Ih_fVtB0WhHIlHbZO1-ByjWOwc0YYPPtxYlVvvUdEgBJAqKZ2jO50ix5vp5ouygkyq249lxOKD729bzx8eWiersK1nU7PP0SIMPK6bIqukfjELKRinZa2gdsI/s1600/Scaled+Oh,+Heavens,+Miss+Havana+150X225.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a>MH (grinning): Our daughter, Angel,
protects us. She has friends in high places.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
Host (wide-eyed): You mean God, right?
Some people think He is her real father. Is that true?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
MH (scrunching up face into a
scowl): All I can say is that Immaculate Conception isn’t what it’s cracked up
to be. Our daughter … is just an angel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
Host: My notes indicate you have two
daughters now…both adopted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
MH (shaking head): Things are not
always what they seem. Living or dead is not necessarily black and white in my
world. Shades of grey crop up all the time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
Host (changing topic): Our audience
wants to know—does Lucifer still seek to do you harm?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
MH (sitting up straight and glaring
into host’s eyes): My, my, we are focused on the dark side today, aren’t we?
Lucifer wants to do <i>you</i> harm, you
idiot. It’s what he does.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
Host (flushing): No need to get
personal. How about I just ask about your new book, <i>The Trophy Wife</i>? That’s due out soon, isn’t it?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
MH (smiling): Don’t you just <i>love</i> the picture of me on the cover? I
teased the photographer with that one. He sweat so much he had to clean his
lens. But you are right. The book was released yesterday, February 10! I’m so
excited.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
Host (loosening his collar): Yes,
the cover is, well, you. Can you tell us a little about the story?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYCvyjNMZx5O5Q9-EBiP0EGY_UYzd9N0p_U45W6Z9aJfht4NWAS50blBsi2k4R3d7LkmGW4MHPFSRitJXElNQGNoFugs2w5uFbb295otPSs5J7mNKoEH2YiShqmogBf1WsGad_TT-gptA/s1600/The+Training+Bra+150X225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYCvyjNMZx5O5Q9-EBiP0EGY_UYzd9N0p_U45W6Z9aJfht4NWAS50blBsi2k4R3d7LkmGW4MHPFSRitJXElNQGNoFugs2w5uFbb295otPSs5J7mNKoEH2YiShqmogBf1WsGad_TT-gptA/s1600/The+Training+Bra+150X225.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
MH (flexing her shoulders): Oh, yes.
<i>The Trophy Wife</i> <span style="background: white;">is my most outrageous novel yet. You <i>will</i> laugh until you cry! Because I’ve
made Lucifer’s afterlife a nightmare, he kills me—again—but God intervenes. I
find myself on the good side for a change. God sends my spirit<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="textexposedshow">to inhabit a
six-year-old Cuban child, who becomes a flawed but beautiful high school
teacher, and Lucifer sends our daughter Lilith, the Princess of Darkness, to haunt
Lily, one of my students. Lilith rains comical torment on me like a natural
enemy, and we ratchet up our level of destructiveness as we discover more of
our underworld power. Murder eventually becomes an option…for both of us.
Despite dips into horror and tragedy, the novel is a hilarious romp through
heaven and hell. God helps me a lot, frustrating Lucifer and Lilith enough to
char the pages. Even though my journey toward happiness is fraught with peril, I
still find inner faith and strength along the way.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
Host (glancing up to observe MH over
the top of his glasses): So, you’re on the good side? That’s a new role for
you, isn’t it?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
MH (huffing): There you go again.
Things are not always black and white and they never will be.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
Host (putting down his notes): Can
you give us a sample from <i>The Trophy Wife</i>,
just for fun?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
MH (rolling her eyes): That’s the
reason I’m here. Here’s a couple of paragraphs where I strike back at Lilith
with my famous paddle. I didn’t know I was once the Queen of Darkness at the
time, or that Lilith was once my daughter, so what happens to Lily seems, well,
just coincidence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
* * *
*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4C9Ff1zW2uH603qq__JlBGE1268hgD2_ErS1fs1AYl8PdUGd2HFtJD3Sj9zmNzytGz5VubpNo_Yt4vbGK5cjtoPadsuWiuHfvW4kM_s2bBKsilUuU6Oc6SsgUoRyM4kZqms-J_6WL0kB/s1600/Trophy+Wife+150X225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4C9Ff1zW2uH603qq__JlBGE1268hgD2_ErS1fs1AYl8PdUGd2HFtJD3Sj9zmNzytGz5VubpNo_Yt4vbGK5cjtoPadsuWiuHfvW4kM_s2bBKsilUuU6Oc6SsgUoRyM4kZqms-J_6WL0kB/s1600/Trophy+Wife+150X225.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a>Miss Havana then strutted to the front of the room, picked
up the paddle and began tapping the rounded end on the floor. Once again her
hardened glare fell on Lily. “Discipline can be a bitch. You may come to the
front of the room now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Suddenly Lily seemed compelled to get out of her chair and
walk robot-like to the front of the classroom as if on autopilot. She couldn’t
scream. She knew what would happen next but seemed helpless to prevent it.
Although she fought with every muscle in her body, she stooped over and grabbed
her ankles. Miss Havana lined up behind her and, with all the strength she
could muster, swung the paddle against Lily’s butt. <i>Whack!</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lily danced on her toes as soon as the paddle made a
fire-hot imprint on her ass. She wanted to cry out, but whispered sympathy from
the other side of the door kept her in check: “Oh, my God”…“Poor Lily”…“What
comes around goes around”…“That’ll leave a mark.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
* * *
*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Miss Havana heard the hushed voices too, and smiled. <i>From now on</i>, <i>my other students should be far more receptive to my lessons</i>.
Watching Lily gyrate in abject pain on her tippy toes produced the same
reaction Miss Havana had noted before. Her private area dampened, and she
secretly wished Jackson would show up to put out the flame building inside her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Lily stopped her dance of silence, Miss Havana blew a
quick puff of breath across the surface of the paddle. “We can do this forever,
Lily, or you can just stop attacking me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lily shot back. “I hope you choke on the next penis you
swallow!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And Miss Havana responded without thinking, “And I hope you
drown in shit, but neither is likely to happen. You may leave now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Both Lily and Miss Havana could hear the shuffling outside
the door, like a herd of cockroaches abandoning a dumpster. Lily stormed out
and slammed the door behind her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Miss Havana sat at her desk. Her fingers twitched and
tremors shook her arms. She took a deep breath and exhaled slow. <i>Why didn’t Lily resist</i>? <i>I called her to the front like leading a
lamb to slaughter. Does the girl actually have a shred of decency, a tiny bit
of respect for authority?</i> Miss Havana expected a showdown, and had even
brought pepper spray, the “Hello Kitty” brass knuckles Duane insisted she
carry…and a Taser. She thought this might be her last day teaching in a public
school, but the session with Lily had gone down smoother than double malt
whisky. <i>Why?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
* * *
*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lily reached the parking lot in F5 tornado rage. She
wanted…needed…to destroy something…anything. She dragged her ignition key the
full length of Miss Havana’s car as she passed by and then walked to each door
panel and kicked it in while screaming “Bitch!” at the top of her lungs each
time her foot impacted the metal. Other students gave her a wide berth. No one
wanted to get involved.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lily stormed to her Festiva, revved the engine far more than
advised by the manufacturer’s owner’s manual and threw the car in gear. Her
tires squealed as students scattered in all directions. She accelerated through
the parking lot, ran the stop sign as she entered the main drag, and raced
through the crosswalk like she had the right of way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two blocks from Redmond High, she rounded the corner much
too fast to remain in her own lane…and slid sideways into a large yellow truck
with black trim, red flashers, and the words “Stool Bus” stenciled on the
doors—a vehicle owned by a local firm that profited from pumping port-a-potty
effluent. The Festiva slammed into the pumping valves with such force they
penetrated the vehicle’s driver’s side door just above Lily’s lap…and snapped
off. Lily screeched, “Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!” as the entire chunky load
emptied inside her car.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
* * *
*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
MH (with sheepish grin): Okay, you
get the picture. Now you need to get the novel. You can buy it at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/James-L.-Hatch/e/B005CQB6E6">http://www.amazon.com/James-L.-Hatch/e/B005CQB6E6</a>.
(She leans forward just enough to expose the tops of her marshmallow-like
breasts) I really wish you would.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
Host (now sweating): Yes, yes, I
will. Thank you for being with us today. (Turning to face the audience) And
thank all of you wonderful people for taking the time to read this post. Just a
quick reminder: <i>The Trophy Wife</i> makes
a fantastic Valentine gift for both men and women. Nothing says “I Love You”
like a good laugh.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012196707828423695.post-63058591857575355512014-01-25T02:01:00.000-06:002014-01-25T02:01:00.685-06:00Announcing a New Release: Fairy, Texas<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hiJaqUx4K-L4IGTiDhea586qCS3KPR2R7jMumxIpOQMBbgddCRa8F1_mCvAYZGNyBb4wWEhjQxE5ZdDiE01dylFTf4-d-tNSpf9biIS9tx_26RCtJMMul82hHOOQeouhDPkzefSgPEmX/s1600/FairyTexasCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hiJaqUx4K-L4IGTiDhea586qCS3KPR2R7jMumxIpOQMBbgddCRa8F1_mCvAYZGNyBb4wWEhjQxE5ZdDiE01dylFTf4-d-tNSpf9biIS9tx_26RCtJMMul82hHOOQeouhDPkzefSgPEmX/s1600/FairyTexasCover.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><span style="text-indent: 0in;">Coming from Solstice Shadows
Publishing on February 4, 2014: </span><i style="text-indent: 0in;">Fairy,
Texas. </i><span style="text-indent: 0in;">Here’s the blurb:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
Fairy, Texas, is a small town like
any other, and Laney Harris didn't want to live there. When her mother remarried
and moved to Fairy, where a date meant hanging out at the Sonic, Laney figured
that "boring" would have a whole new meaning. A new stepsister who
despised her and a high school where she was the only topic of gossip were bad
enough but, when she met the school counselor (and his terminal bad breath),
she grew suspicious—he had wings only she could see. Josh and Mason also piqued
her interest, two gorgeous, glimmering-eyed classmates whose interest in her
might not be for the reasons she hoped. Even more, she could not begin to
explain the dead guy she tripped during gym class. Perhaps Fairy, Texas, wouldn’t
be so boring after all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p> </o:p>_____________________________________________</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Excerpt 1:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Fairy High could have fit into one wing of my old school.
The three-story, red brick building looked like it had been around for at least
a century—it actually had carvings over two of the doorways that read “Men’s
Entrance” and “Women’s Entrance.” I was glad to see that none of the kids paid
any attention to those instructions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Counselor’s office,” I muttered to myself.
At least I wasn’t starting in the middle of a term—though given the fact that
there were fewer than 500 students in the entire high school, I didn’t think I
was going to be able to go unnoticed, even in the general bustle of the first
day back from summer vacation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I walked through the door marked “Men’s
Entrance,” just be contrary, and faced a long hallway lined with heavy wooden
doors. The spaces in between the doors were filled with lockers and marble
staircases with ornate hand-rails flanked each end of the long hallway.
Students poured in behind me, calling out greetings to each other and jostling
me off to the side while I tried to get my bearings. None of the doors
obviously led to a main office; I was going to have to walk the entire length
of the hallway. And people were already starting to stare and whisper.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God. I hated being the new kid. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I took a deep breath and stepped forward. I
made it halfway down the hall without seeing anything informative—all the doors
had numbers over them and many of them had name plaques, but neither of those
things did me any good since I didn’t know the name or office number for the
counselor. I was almost getting desperate enough to ask Kayla, but of course
she was nowhere to be seen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I turned back from scanning the halls for her
and caught sight of the first adult I’d seen—and almost screamed. As it was, I
gasped loudly enough for a guy walking past me to do a double take. The man
standing in the open doorway was tall, over six feet, and way skinny—so
emaciated that it looked like you ought to be able to see his ribs through his
shirt, if his shirt didn’t hang so loosely on him. He had white hair that stuck
out in tufts, thin lips, a sharp nose, and pale blue eyes that narrowed as he
watched the kids walk past—and all the kids gave him a wide berth without even
seeming to notice that they did so. He stood in an empty circle while students
streamed around him in the crowded hallway.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But none of that was what made me almost
scream.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For a moment, just as I’d turned toward him,
I could have sworn that I’d seen the shadow of two huge, black, leathery wings
stretched out behind him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
_____________________________________________<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Excerpt 2:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Okay, girls,” Coach Spencer yelled above the
chatter around me. “We’re going to get warmed up for this year with a little
run around the outer track.” She gestured toward a field off to the right of
the building. I could see a dirt track wending its way along the edge,
disappearing into a copse of stubby trees and scrub brush at the far end. “Four
laps,” Spencer added. A general groan went up, and I was glad that the
discussion at lunch had distracted me from eating too much. Late August in
Texas is hot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well?” the coach said. “Get going!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We started off at a trot toward the field,
many of the girls around me still complaining. For a moment, I considered
hanging back with the crowd, but Andrew had told me that Spencer coached the
girls’ track team. I wanted to impress her. So I stretched my legs out as I hit
the track and settled in to a long stride, my breathing still easy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The afternoon sun beat down on my head. I
watched the small grove grow closer, anxious for some shade. By the time I hit
the bend in the track that led into the thicket, I was yards ahead of the rest
of the runners—so when I rounded the curve and tripped over the body, I was all
alone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It didn’t take long for everyone else to
catch up, but it seemed like an eternity as I scrambled back, crab-like. It
took a moment for my brain to translate the messages my eyes were sending
it—the images coalesced slowly, like one of those magic pictures with the 3D
images inside. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He had been stretched out spread-eagle across
the trail, head and feet half-concealed in the brush on either side. Blood
pooled around him, sticky and half-dried at the edges. His shirt had been
ripped open and a slash opened him from his throat to his stomach.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the other girls rounded the bend, I
realized that the high, keening noise in the background was the sound of my own
screaming. As soon as I realized it, I stopped, but several of my classmates
picked up where I left off.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My hands and knees were coated with blood
where I had landed; my skin was tacky with it. I crawled over to the nearest
bush and vomited. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Coach Spencer shoved her way through the
girls and stuttered to a stop, her hand to her mouth. “Oh, God,” she said.
“It’s Cody Murphy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>_____________________________________________</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Excerpt 3:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
I was partnered with Mason
Collier, the infamous football-playing, cute, but possibly black-magicky
friend-of-Bartlef I’d heard about at lunch. I looked around and saw a guy
waving at me from across the room. He was looking at me kind of like he was
hungry and maybe I was breakfast. It worried me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Still, at least I hadn’t been paired up with Kayla. It
could have been much worse.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“Okay,” Carlson said. “Go ahead and meet with your partner
and plan your strategy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Mason and I stood up at the same time and walked toward
each other. I was so busy making sure I didn’t trip over any desks that I
didn’t see Kayla headed toward me until she was right in front of me. And then
she leaned in close to my face and hissed at me. “Don’t get too cozy. He’s way
out of your league.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
I rolled my eyes and moved around her without responding.
Three days. Three days I’d been in Fairy, and already I had an enemy. And I
lived in her house. My life kept getting better and better.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Mason and I met in the middle of the room. Kayla and her
friends huddled nearby, watching us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“Hey,” Mason said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“Hey.” Nice, neutral word,<i> hey</i>. Can mean almost anything. Or nothing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“So,” he said, “where do you want to start?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
He was asking me? Where I wanted to start was away from
here, where there weren’t any dead boys to trip over. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
So much for that option.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
_____________________________________________<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>About the Author<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4-_R0dNBicOVeZb2ZitmcYTpbqhMjDjVOEwcS3_PFpGL8RJMuTj05Dodfitezx-l8bMZYK7HltqZMvP9S2GYKj0T-hFt3uMGitggmKQMis-SKib4zFIBa_n0Ni2wZLC2Ul_0s8zyaqfh/s1600/MargoBondCollins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4-_R0dNBicOVeZb2ZitmcYTpbqhMjDjVOEwcS3_PFpGL8RJMuTj05Dodfitezx-l8bMZYK7HltqZMvP9S2GYKj0T-hFt3uMGitggmKQMis-SKib4zFIBa_n0Ni2wZLC2Ul_0s8zyaqfh/s1600/MargoBondCollins.jpg" height="171" width="200" /></a><b>Margo Bond Collins</b> is the author of a number of novels, including <i>Waking Up Dead</i>, <i>Fairy, Texas</i>, and <i>Legally
Undead</i> (forthcoming in 2014). She lives in Texas with her husband, their
daughter, and several spoiled pets. She teaches college-level English courses
online, though writing fiction is her first love. She enjoys reading urban
fantasy and paranormal fiction of any genre and spends most of her free time
daydreaming about vampires, ghosts, zombies, werewolves, and other monsters. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
_____________________________________________<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Connect with Margo<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; vertical-align: top;">
Amazon Author
Page: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/margobondcollins">https://www.amazon.com/author/margobondcollins</a><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Email: <a href="mailto:MargoBondCollins@gmail.com">MargoBondCollins@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Website: <a href="http://www.margobondcollins.com/">http://www.MargoBondCollins.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoBondCollin">https://twitter.com/MargoBondCollin</a> @MargoBondCollin<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Google+: <a href="https://plus.google.com/116484555448104519902">https://plus.google.com/116484555448104519902</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Goodreads Author Page: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/vampirarchy">http://www.goodreads.com/vampirarchy</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Facebook Author Page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MargoBondCollins">https://www.facebook.com/MargoBondCollins</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Facebook Novel Page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Waking-Up-Dead/502076076537575">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Waking-Up-Dead/502076076537575</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tumblr: <a href="http://vampirarchybooks.tumblr.com/">http://vampirarchybooks.tumblr.com/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pinterest: <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/mbondcollins/">http://www.pinterest.com/mbondcollins/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Manic Readers: <a href="http://www.manicreaders.com/MargoBondCollins/">http://www.manicreaders.com/MargoBondCollins/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Be sure to add <i>Fairy,
Texas</i> to your Goodreads bookshelves: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19502285-fairy-texas">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19502285-fairy-texas</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012196707828423695.post-20840572697573436622013-12-27T09:42:00.001-06:002013-12-27T09:42:47.253-06:00D.M.Sears, Author and Baker<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUO2UNOBC8p_R46m5I4Iq6v58ZD49V4-7fStq_l5exkffmeCcQlaasDHUT2Hh1-BIDK08eUbzODffPiXGZicgEDr1CkELZjHCFIxwnigB8mVpzh1rEubyc9JrdvMdkXk6GSL8l0so4PQl/s1600/2012-11-27+18.26.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUO2UNOBC8p_R46m5I4Iq6v58ZD49V4-7fStq_l5exkffmeCcQlaasDHUT2Hh1-BIDK08eUbzODffPiXGZicgEDr1CkELZjHCFIxwnigB8mVpzh1rEubyc9JrdvMdkXk6GSL8l0so4PQl/s320/2012-11-27+18.26.27.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Today I welcome
Diana Sears, author of <i>Eden’s Mark</i>,
Book 1 of the Ellethny Series. Diana tells us a little about herself, and then
give some insight into her new book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tell us a little about yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Let’s see,
that is kind of hard. I usually don’t talk about myself, but since you asked…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I am a
mother to a 12 year old daughter. I start with that because she is my life.
This whole book series began because of her (it was a bedtime story). We live
in Mid-Missouri, which most of you probably think is boring, and you are right!
However, I love it here, the country is peaceful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I am a
baker on the side, when I am not working or writing, and recently was told my
name about town is Cupcake Diana! I sing a lot, used to sing for weddings and
such, now it is reserved for the unfortunate souls in my car and karaoke!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What inspired you to write your latest release? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> The Ellethny Series began as a
bedtime story for my daughter when she was young. Her middle name being Eden, I
thought it would be exciting for her. As the years went by, the story unfolded
into this world that I never knew was inside my head. The voices began to
scream at me until I wrote them down, gave them names, and a place to live.
They are perfectly happy now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Was there a certain moment of the book that was your
favorite to write? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I
enjoyed the moments when Eden really has to think about things, come to terms
with her life, her reality. We all have these moments and my goal was to create
the link from character to reader, hopefully I did that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Who is your favorite author?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
I have more books than I can count, so picking one is too tough. I will
say, I read Eon and Eona by Alliason Goodman, Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins,
and the four books in the Inheritance Cycle by Paolini at least 15 to 20 times
a year, if not more. I am also an Anne Rice, Christine Feehan, J.R.R Tolkien, and
P.C. Cast book lover too!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tell us one thing about yourself that people would be
surprised to find out. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
I am the biggest nerd you have ever met! I love Star Wars, Star Trek,
Legend, Hobbit, and all those Sci-fi movies! My movie collection is full of
them and that makes me happy. I also game, no really, WoW, Diablo 3, etc…love
it all =D.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do you have any advice for anyone
hoping to write their first novel?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Just keep at it!
Nothing comes easy, and your first novel, novella, etc. is the same. You will
find your groove and when you complete that work of art you toiled over
forever, the feeling of pride and accomplishment will flood you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDr-lAvuTqRxIAkK8FpMtGOIvlxmKiGiofutiCtFFicQpL6aIJBF07E4Jat6Kqdqsd1W9O0HS5PG6E24PMKRa3rcp8QZkWeXQN9z8IPhQpttXoRJ3BADFNUCPShPuh0CzNqJh690SsC1d6/s1600/Eden's+Mark1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDr-lAvuTqRxIAkK8FpMtGOIvlxmKiGiofutiCtFFicQpL6aIJBF07E4Jat6Kqdqsd1W9O0HS5PG6E24PMKRa3rcp8QZkWeXQN9z8IPhQpttXoRJ3BADFNUCPShPuh0CzNqJh690SsC1d6/s320/Eden's+Mark1.jpg" width="198" /></a><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Blurb:</span></b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <i>Eden's Mark</i>, Book 1 in the Ellethny
Series</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<span style="background: white;">What would you do if you had to save a world you
knew nothing about?</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Eden Arik was a typical teenager who lived the
typical teenage life...until the pale eyes showed up in her dreams. The
birthmark, Eden had always ignored, burned at the new nightmares, raising
questions about her past. Eden finds out she is more than a mere human that is
destined to save a world she never knew existed. Her only solitude is the woods
behind her house where she meets a mysterious stranger with steel eyes. With
the help of her guardians, two unlikely shape shifters, and a vampire who can
bring her to her knees with one glance, Eden goes on to search the secrets of
her past, present, and future. Along her way to discovery, Eden comes across
Circenn, her grandmother, consort to the Darkness and the evil magic he
possess. Circenn will stop at nothing to bring Eden to the darkness so she can
harness her granddaughter's limitless power. Seduction, power, and death pave
the way towards Eden's destiny and the fate of Ellethny.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Blurb:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <i>Eden's Darkness</i>,
Book 2 in the Ellethny Series<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Time waits for no man, or so they say. Darkness has but a
little time to find a vessel to inhabit so he can find his true form, only
problem is...Eden is the key. She is tied to his future, giving him his true
form, or casting him back into the shadows for another millennium. Circenn is
mad with jealousy at the revelation and wants to destroy her granddaughter more
than ever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For Eden, things just go from bad to worse. Terrifying
nightmares of death and betrayal surrounds Eden, nightmares about her beloved.
With a child on the way, she must protect the future ruler of her new home and
raise an army to defeat Circenn and Darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The life she hoped would be hers
hangs in the balance in the second installment of the Ellethny Series. To be
released in Feb/March 2014 from Solstice Shadows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Excerpt</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> from <i>Eden's Mark</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When Gregor opened his eyes, my
world shifted a tiny bit. The blood rushed through my veins and I felt it pool
at my wrist. My skin tingled, my mark glowed a golden white. He sent back an
expression of curiosity. I felt compelled to kiss him. I wanted, no, needed to
kiss him. My soul reached out to his knowing he was meant for me alone. Our
faces were closing the inch gap between us and I felt his cool sweet smelling
breath on my face. My wrist pulsed out the faint golden light leaving an
effervescent trail in my blood.<br />
His lips touched mine; electricity arced down my skin fueling my desire. I
pressed against him fervently as images faded in and out before me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Excerpt</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> from <i>Eden's Darkness</i><br />
The stone courtyard lay in the midst of large dead trees. The branches were
gnarled and knotted, linking into the others forming a halo over the stone
below. Night blooming flowers of scarlet and snow white covered the ground.
Candles were abundant, placed in trees giving the glow of a thousand fireflies.
The space held the presence of beauty and evil combined, just like Circenn. A
large boulder had been placed in the middle of the courtyard, off to the left,
a roaring fire blazed on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The sliver of moon showed her
silvery beams on the giant flat rock. Linden and Bronie each had a prisoner in
tow, bringing them to their fates, to the end of their lives as they knew them.
Gregor struggled against his shadow bonds as he was pulled before Circenn and
the vaporous figure of Darkness. Marcus had no need for restraints, he walked
willingly behind Bronie, his face filled with longing and hopes to see Eve in
the afterlife. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bio:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
D.M. Sears lives in Missouri with her daughter and one crazy cat. Her first
paranormal fantasy, <i>Eden's Mark</i>, was
recently published by Solstice Publishing. D.M. Sears is a Director of an early
childhood center and bakes cupcakes on the side. She loves most genres of books
and has just signed a publishing contract for <i>Eden's Darkness</i>, Book 2 in the Ellethny Series, which will be out
Feb/March 2014. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">@DMSears1<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/diana.sears2" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext;">https://www.facebook.com/diana.sears2</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://myrissaeden1.wix.com/ellethnyseries" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext;">http://myrissaeden1.wix.com/ellethnyseries</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Edens-Mark-D-M-Sears-ebook/dp/B00GIZPNLM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1383916338&sr=8-3&keywords=eden%27s+mark" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext;">http://www.amazon.com/Edens-Mark-D-M-Sears-ebook/dp/B00GIZPNLM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1383916338&sr=8-3&keywords=eden%27s+mark</span></a></span></div>
<br />
<o:p></o:p>James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012196707828423695.post-52448711604450299712013-10-31T22:24:00.000-05:002013-10-31T22:24:06.104-05:00Winter's Spirit<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-IxJU9KHaT2ycTViW14_kuo5qA5Ux-H6yr4zK5HojqApOpefxVfdPZk7ko4sCL719qeEHuQubk2ooKwFjiSbOmW3LllFYKN6XmqP9GqodRjaP9WCtZqdkno53ZWIx__4MkG-vjjF_rpo/s1600/wintersBlogtourbanner850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-IxJU9KHaT2ycTViW14_kuo5qA5Ux-H6yr4zK5HojqApOpefxVfdPZk7ko4sCL719qeEHuQubk2ooKwFjiSbOmW3LllFYKN6XmqP9GqodRjaP9WCtZqdkno53ZWIx__4MkG-vjjF_rpo/s200/wintersBlogtourbanner850.jpg" width="200" /></a><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Today is my Wedding Anniversary. Sixteen
years ago today, we visited the Town Hall, enjoyed a small gathering at our
home and finished the evening off with some fireworks and a few drinks. As it
was so close to bonfire night, we didn’t actually need to buy our own fireworks
either. Luck was certainly on our side.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So, today got me thinking. What traditional
gift should I buy for my husband? A quick bit of research informs me that 16
years means a gift made of wax. Well, that’s a handy one. I’m sure he’d appreciate
a lovely scented candle. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So I’m looking through the list and the
previous fifteen years’ worth of gifts and just checking that he has been
provided with everything. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">1. Paper – Yes. I seem to have
given him lots of paper in our first year of marriage. Usually till receipts
for all the shopping I did.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">2. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Cotton – Yes. I’ve bought him
lots of shirts over the years.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">3.
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Leather – Yes. He has had the
honour of seeing me with a leather bag or two.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">4.
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Fruit – Of course. I make sure
to buy him some every week.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">5. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Wood. Certainly. He has been
the proud recipient of some super pieces of garden fencing.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">6.
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Sugar and iron. Sadly, no he
doesn’t take sugar. However, I have more than made up for this by providing him
with an iron (usually at the weekends) and many iron nails (usually used for
his no.5 gift.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">7.
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Wool and copper. Jumpers – yes
– there have been many. Copper –lots of coins – he has his own jar for loose
change.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">8.
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Bronze and pottery. I failed with bronze, but always provide him
with at least one piece of pottery every evening with his dinner.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">9.
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">More pottery and willow. I think we’ve covered the pottery.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">10.
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Tin, aluminium. Yes. Often used
to wrap his sandwiches in the absence of some Tupperware.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">11.
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Steel. Does the car count?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">12.
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Silk and linen. Bedding covered
with that one.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">13.
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Lace. No comment readers.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">14.
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Ivory. No. Illegal.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">15.
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Crystal. We have some lovely
wine glasses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">Wow. He’s one lucky man. </span><span lang="EN-GB">Bet he can’t wait for the next 16.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Speaking of gifts, the heroine in my story,
Winter’s Spirit, runs a gift store. It’s full of all sorts of exciting goodies.
Come through the door with me now and have a look around. I’m sure you’ll find
something in there you’d like.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">Winter’s
Spirit </span>Blurb:</span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsyv2NMwXnJpK-BQi94tuUsapqJvmEqLVMHvEaIoIsmZI1FkgyVbMGUjiQBVpiwb9L_VT6DRJXAeBo7VnJ75XW7H9st-e22_RiBXuA0FUlKquSUfwPxI2rWtBfqEbf63-UynBzgg6knr6/s1600/winter's+cover+text2jpeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsyv2NMwXnJpK-BQi94tuUsapqJvmEqLVMHvEaIoIsmZI1FkgyVbMGUjiQBVpiwb9L_VT6DRJXAeBo7VnJ75XW7H9st-e22_RiBXuA0FUlKquSUfwPxI2rWtBfqEbf63-UynBzgg6knr6/s200/winter's+cover+text2jpeg.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsyv2NMwXnJpK-BQi94tuUsapqJvmEqLVMHvEaIoIsmZI1FkgyVbMGUjiQBVpiwb9L_VT6DRJXAeBo7VnJ75XW7H9st-e22_RiBXuA0FUlKquSUfwPxI2rWtBfqEbf63-UynBzgg6knr6/s1600/winter's+cover+text2jpeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></a><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Winter
McAndrew is on the brink of divorcing her philandering husband, Philip, when he
dies in a car crash. One year later and with unfinished business; Philip is
still earth bound and interfering in his wife’s love life. Trying to make
amends isn't always easy when you're dead. Not only has Winter fallen for her
old crush, Jack Tobin, but he also happens to be Philip’s cousin. With more
complications than a woman needs at Christmas, Winter tries to find peace at
her holiday home in The Lake District. However, when she finds herself snowed
in with Jack; ghosts, old and new cause quite a stir. Will Winter get her man,
or will ghostly Philip put an end to all her festive fantasies?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Excerpt:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Oh heck,” she muttered. Not only did the vase shatter, but
so too did her sexy daydream. Would it ever be possible for her to get though
one of these daytime fantasies without breaking something in the shop? Last
week it had been a coffee mug, the week before, a china soap dish. It wouldn’t
do to get her sister too suspicious.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Tut, tut,” came the
voice she was fast learning to hate. “Not another one of your smouldering day
dreams I hope.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">She turned around to see Philip; floating somewhere between
the fragranced soaps and bath bombs. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m starting to get annoyed at you just turning up here
uninvited, Philip. Can’t you send out a psychic calling card or something? Or
even better, leave me alone.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">He grinned, displaying his still perfect white teeth. Sadly,
death had done little to deteriorate his charming good looks. “I can’t leave
you until the deed is done. Whatever it may be. You know full well I need to do
my good act on earth before I can pass over.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well hurry up and do it. It’s been a full year already. I
thought you would have figured it out by now. Haven’t you any idea what it is
you need to do?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“No. I haven’t. Believe me, I wish I could. This situation is
just as bad for me as it is for you. I didn’t ask for it. Or this.” He gestured
towards his attire. “It’s bloody freezing at the best of times, but this week
has been awful. The cold gets everywhere.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Perhaps you should have thought about your appearance before
you died in a hospital gown. I’ve no sympathy at all. Now if you’ll excuse me,
I have to tidy this mess before Summer comes in.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Ah, yes. You wouldn’t want her to see the evidence of your
day dreams would you? If only I could read your mind dear wife. I’d love to
know who is occupying your thoughts these days.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well let me assure you, it isn’t you. Now go.” He folded his
arms sulkily and vanished into the ether. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“Good riddance,” she
muttered, bending to pick up the pieces of the broken vase. Her occasional
clumsiness could be explained away, but she shuddered at the prospect of
explaining her dead husband’s haunting. </span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">----------------------------------------</span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapSuWWvhmZ83lvuyRdWw6iADCHaklkM0LbShLKrtlSpM3ScOmlYiDv0ChbgjngUHERlJZ6iO7e-fPhe160dQ3km-DEYUPPik9JK7nUpjl5mhlx-kK6GrpX1T_uYKFN_YnZHU9KQPbZ4NQ/s1600/Deb's+Cartoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapSuWWvhmZ83lvuyRdWw6iADCHaklkM0LbShLKrtlSpM3ScOmlYiDv0ChbgjngUHERlJZ6iO7e-fPhe160dQ3km-DEYUPPik9JK7nUpjl5mhlx-kK6GrpX1T_uYKFN_YnZHU9KQPbZ4NQ/s1600/Deb's+Cartoon.jpg" width="200" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">About the author; Deborah Melanie</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"> writes romantic stories, is the wife of a retired semi-professional
footballer and lives in the historical town of Northampton.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapSuWWvhmZ83lvuyRdWw6iADCHaklkM0LbShLKrtlSpM3ScOmlYiDv0ChbgjngUHERlJZ6iO7e-fPhe160dQ3km-DEYUPPik9JK7nUpjl5mhlx-kK6GrpX1T_uYKFN_YnZHU9KQPbZ4NQ/s1600/Deb's+Cartoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">Buy
links; </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Winters-Spirit-ebook/dp/B004M18NW0">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Winters-Spirit-ebook/dp/B004M18NW0</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">Author’s
Blog ; </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://deborahmelanie.blogspot.co.uk/">http://deborahmelanie.blogspot.co.uk/</a></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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; </span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://twitter.com/deborah_melanie">https://twitter.com/deborah_melanie</a></span></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012196707828423695.post-28782285913132042212013-06-22T02:01:00.000-05:002013-06-22T02:01:00.827-05:00Skunk Ape Semester<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiEOadRGEEW1Vl2lLJ-sJHWezRiiyo2HTVmJeogE8DnwF6HG75kY8uX0o97Epet-7khR71YVcvEysaPIS_WsqWdIoZq-IuspmkJ4wLylYoHYnU7KKQRIQ75fO8-9U3aIlN3aXpSvwY357/s1600/Skunk+Ape+Aemester+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiEOadRGEEW1Vl2lLJ-sJHWezRiiyo2HTVmJeogE8DnwF6HG75kY8uX0o97Epet-7khR71YVcvEysaPIS_WsqWdIoZq-IuspmkJ4wLylYoHYnU7KKQRIQ75fO8-9U3aIlN3aXpSvwY357/s200/Skunk+Ape+Aemester+Cover.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
Miss Havana:
(flashing a “come hither” smile at Mike Robinson): Oh, my, do I have a treat
for all my lovely visitors today—and for me as well—an outstanding writer, the
author of <i>Skunk Ape Semester</i>. Now,
let’s be real, with a title like that, the book must be outstanding, right? So,
I want to delve right to the heart of things … you know, get to the most
important questions first if Mr. Robinson doesn’t mind. (Miss Havana leans
forward, rests her elbow on the table and places her chin on her closed fist) Tell
me, Mike, are you married?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
MR (blushes):
Ah, no, I'm not married. How is that relevant to Skunk Apes?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
MH (flexing her
shoulders forward playfully): I’m not entirely certain what a Skunk Ape is,
Mike. Please tell me … and then I might be able to answer your question.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
MR (looking
incredulous): Even blondes know what a Skunk Ape is. Are you pulling my leg?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
MH (shrugging
and with an even blanker look than normal): Well, maybe not everyone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
MR (sighs): A
Skunk Ape is a sasquatch … a Bigfoot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
MH (eyes
lighting up and grinning as she glances toward the ceiling): I dated a guy with
big feet once. It’s true what they say.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-indent: 0in;">
MR
(rolling his eyes; shaking his head): Any chance we could get back on topic?
I’d like to tell you a little about my book. It’s about a paleontologist and
three students who go on a quest to find a Skunk Ape. They travel from place to
place meeting level-headed and eccentric characters and, in seeking Bigfoot,
Chupacabras, UFOs, goblins and lake monsters, they discover truths about
themselves and one another.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
MH (clapping her
hands together; grinning from ear-to-ear): I knew a paleontologist once. His
name was Jeremy and he liked to jump my bones. As a kid, he claimed that
meeting a ghost would be more exciting than meeting a girl. I never believed
that because he hadn’t met me yet. Too bad he married that Sheri Belhem girl
before he finished college. I would have been a lot more fun.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
MR (Snorts.
Clearly irritated): I heard about that, but you told him your name was Beth.
Jeremy is <i>my</i> main character.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
MH (eyes wide
open): Oh, dear. I hope he isn’t one of those loose-lipped guys who kisses and
tells all the sordid details. What did he say about me?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
MR (places hand
on forehead, grimaces): Nothing … nothing good at all. As I was saying, my book
is about an experience with a Sasquatch <span style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">Jeremy Fishleder had when he was ten, and his subsequent quest to re-capture that moment as an adult.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
MH (dabbing on
face powder): Interesting. So, how would you classify your book? What genre? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
MR: I’d call it
a Literary Paranormal Road Trip. I try to go where no others have gone before.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
MH (looking
puzzled): You mean, like Star Trek?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
MR: No, no …
that’s not what I mean. All I’m saying is that my genres are unique. My novel, <i>The Green-Eyed Monster</i> is a
horror-mystery, and <i>The Prince of Earth</i>
is literary horror. My forthcoming <i>Negative
Space</i> is uniquely genre-less. Honestly. Read it and tell me what exactly it
is … if you can. It has elements of "coming of age" and
"thriller," but those descriptions just don’t encompass all of it.
You can read … can’t you?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
MH (snapping her
purse closed; curls upper lip and casts an angry glare): Of course I can read …
I’m a substitute teacher. But I’m not teaching now. I’m learning. Do you have
children?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
MR (raising his
eyebrows): I told you … I’m not married.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
MH: Well, duh.
The two aren’t necessarily connected. Are you evading my question because of
child support issues? I can assure you, the IRS rarely reads my blogs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
MR (gasping;
places splayed fingers over sternum): You are one messed up character, Miss
Havana, I’ll give you that. No, I don’t have children. Unless you count
brainchildren. They can be just as messy as the real ones, in a more
metaphysical sense.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
MH (Huffs):
Well, I did like Jeremy, so your brainchildren must be pretty good. (She sighs)
For an average-looking zoology professor, he had his moments. Why don’t
you give our visitors a look into your book, a little excerpt to whet their
appetite? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiISpouCNEqI_tnY4rDMirAH8B9pillhF06lbySk-XZDrBGbQSwxmcxUV0aI5QMGlcBqZeNDP5wf4_NweO6RBFP_r3__cI0XRR-OQ3NKGQGp126gfwwiHi_OqSSl-FqRMKfwBLiIpxwiC/s1600/Mike+Robinson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiISpouCNEqI_tnY4rDMirAH8B9pillhF06lbySk-XZDrBGbQSwxmcxUV0aI5QMGlcBqZeNDP5wf4_NweO6RBFP_r3__cI0XRR-OQ3NKGQGp126gfwwiHi_OqSSl-FqRMKfwBLiIpxwiC/s1600/Mike+Robinson.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike Robinson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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MR: Sure. Picture this:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0in;">
The night is a bristly alive thing in the Florida summer,
and it spreads from the shadows and comes in close and suffocating while
concealing secrets rarely glimpsed. I was a kid when I encountered one of these
secrets, barely a decade removed from my physical birth, and it was then that
the real Jeremy Fishleder was born.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0in;">
As I sat alone the smell returned but it was faint and
hollow, so much so I initially took it as an imaginative perversion of some
other smell, if not downright fabricated by my heightened, caffeinated senses.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0in;">
I righted at the sound of disturbed foliage and snapping
branches. Something big lurked on the fringe our backyard, just beyond the
light of the back porch. Fortunately for the adult into whom I would later
develop, my young fears weren’t big enough to drive me into the house,
screaming and disrupting Mom’s phone call and who knows what else. At this
point – God knows why, given the last month – curiosity trumped fear.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0in;">
I waited and tried to peer past the foliage, then got up and
went down the porch steps to the grass when something truly did make me halt in
fright: the smell, oh God the smell, that sulfurous stench that was like a
harsh olfactory whip, bladed and terrible, worse than anything I’d smelled of
it prior.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0in;">
There was something there. Two eyes glinted back at me
from the brush, elevated in the darkness. I assumed it a deer, especially in
the way the animal froze.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0in;">
But the smell grew. Deep and musky. Wild.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0in;">
Then the lighted eyes rose -- it was definitely taller
than a deer. Maybe six feet. I stepped back. We stared at one another across a
gulf not only of species but of spirit, two entities from two different
dimensions suddenly intersected.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The eyes rose a final time as it stood its full height,
and for a long second all of civilization drained from me. It was gargantuan.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And cautiously, it came forward and the light drew it
further and further into form.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The thing emerged from the fringe of the backyard and I
stepped back. Our eyes remained dead-locked and I could see them better, see
them deeper and they were orange-tinted, small citrus gleams alien but
identifiably terrestrial, even twistedly empathetic. The animal was bipedal,
more erect than most people I see, and so goddamn massive – to my child brain,
a Rose Parade float. All functions in my young body came to a standstill. It
was like a childhood fantasy thrust upon me, a trespassing dream lost in
reality, and I had no reaction other than a strange sensation that straddled
the line between awe and terror.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The creature stood and looked towards the house, then back
into the warm syrupy wilderness from which it had come stomping. The odor held
firm and strong, a noxious force field. It opened its mouth as if to yawn and I
could see long wet canines. Then the mouth closed sharply and the head – which
was fastened directly to the shoulders with no discernible neck – slanted back
and from the depths of its throat issued a burst of whooping noises that ranged
from fleeting to full, long and slow. Its body responded to each whoop with a
tremble that ruffled the lengthy silver-blue hairs hanging like coarse tinsel
from its skin.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Then it turned, moved, and was gone.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Hurrying back inside, I went for the first visible person
which was my father. Though I stammered and was probably somewhat incoherent,
he was patient enough to bring it out of me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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“What’s wrong,
Jeremy?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;">
MR: Does that
pique your interest, Miss Havana?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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MH: Sounds wonderful, Mike. You’ve
got my attention, and apparently the attention of others as well. I loved the
reviews below.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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"One of the
best books I've read this past decade." <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-indent: 0in;">
------ Leslie Ann
Moore, award-winning author of <i>Griffin's Daughter</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-indent: 0in;">
"I loved this
book! Are you interested in the weird and unexplained? SKUNK APE SEMESTER by
Mike Robinson’s a page-turning road trip--a journey of the mind, heart, and
spirit. I was captivated from the first page, and I learned a lot. Most of the
stories in this novel (other than Bigfoot) I'd never heard of before. You'll
like the characters and feel like you took this fascinating journey with
them."<o:p></o:p></div>
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------ Syrie James,
international bestselling author of <i>The Lost Memoirs of Jane
Austen </i>and<i> Dracula, My Love</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-indent: 0in;">
“‘On the Road’
meets ‘The X-Files’!”<o:p></o:p></div>
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------ Marla
Miller, author and columnist<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-indent: 0in;">
"A love song
to Fortean Americana....a truly unique book."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-indent: 0in;">
----- Richard
Freeman, author / researcher<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
MH: I’ll read <i>Skunk Ape Semester</i>, and then review it here on my blog in the near
future. I look forward to it. How would our visitors find you?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
MR: That’s an easy one: <a href="mailto:mike.blackrat@gmail.com"><span style="color: #4f81bd; mso-themecolor: accent1;">mike.blackrat@gmail.com</span></a>. Readers can find the book at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Skunk-Ape-Semester-ebook/dp/B0076S5TH8/ref=tmm_kin_title_0" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #4f81bd; mso-themecolor: accent1;">http://www.amazon.com/Skunk-Ape-Semester-ebook/dp/B0076S5TH8/ref=tmm_kin_title_0</span></a>.
But here’s a question that’s not easy. This blog is part of a scavenger hunt.
Your readers need to answer the following question at <a href="http://cryptopia-blog.com/">http://cryptopia-blog.com/</a> to be eligible
to win: What phony name did Miss Havana give Jeremy when she toyed with him in
college?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
MH: Hey … I don’t tell anyone my
real name until I get to know them better … and the phone number I gave him was
for the IRS.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Thanks for reading!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
James L. Hatch<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">amazon.com/author/jameshatch</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 15.75pt; text-indent: 0in;"> </span></div>
James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012196707828423695.post-11823293486637219492013-06-21T02:01:00.000-05:002013-06-21T02:01:00.914-05:00Secrets of the Subplot<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqA7nWUI4NLvof0_WY41JfkvPCfpGeqiTmX9VI-OQMk07juAcLSvVgCzutbZsD670V68POxKJ9dKVUBwHk1MLbVocIHkAie9J3stOJLwb-tTCVRvtB74jIOqnel2pBYeTrlhYcCjJgGoFH/s1600/The+Second+Vendetta+Remake+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqA7nWUI4NLvof0_WY41JfkvPCfpGeqiTmX9VI-OQMk07juAcLSvVgCzutbZsD670V68POxKJ9dKVUBwHk1MLbVocIHkAie9J3stOJLwb-tTCVRvtB74jIOqnel2pBYeTrlhYcCjJgGoFH/s200/The+Second+Vendetta+Remake+copy+2.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
James Hatch, I thank you for hosting me on the website with
my favorite name in cyberspace. I’ve got a few literary thoughts to offer as
well as info on my new novel, <i>The Maxwell
Vendetta</i>, and I hope your readers will enjoy the thoughts and, of course, buy
the books. Yes, books, plural. <i>The Second
Vendetta </i>is the sequel to <i>The Maxwell
Vendetta </i>and they’ll make a great pair for your library<i>. </i>Anyhow, here we go:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Secrets of the Subplot<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
There’s lots of ink devoted to plot
technique, but relatively little to the subplot. It also seems to me that
contemporary writers pay scant attention to this opportunity not only to spice
up the action, but to add dimension and depth to their work.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
The still-reigning subplot king is
the bard of Avon. From the Toby Belch-Maria-Aguecheek-Malvolio action in <i>Twelfth Night</i> to the
Laertes-Ophelia-Polonius family dynamics in <i>Hamlet</i>,
Shakespeare knows how to keep us so involved in the secondary action that we
sometimes forget what’s happening with the main characters. But never for long.
In the end, he always brings the two streams of action together in a way that
not only complements but enlarges and influences primary plot and character. In
<i>Twelfth Night</i>, the humiliation of the
Puritan Malvolio serves as a warning to those who would overreach and pervert
the course of true romance such as that of Duke Orsino-Viola and
Sebastian-Olivia. In <i>Hamlet</i>, of
course, Laertes becomes the instrument by which Hamlet not only accomplishes
his goal of avenging his father’s death, but fashions his own demise as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
A more modern example is F. Scoot
Fitzgerald’s use of Nick Carraway as the narrator of the title character’s rise
and fall in <i>The Great Gatsby</i>. So
skillful is Nick’s storytelling that it’s easy to forget that he’s
romanticizing the image of a narcissistic gangster with a perverted idea of love.
In that sense, the book is as much about Nick as about Gatsby. However, Gatsby
carries the story, and important as he is, Nick’s part in the action is a
subplot, an essential element without which the story would not have happened
as it did, but is nevertheless background. Gatsby & Daisy are the
characters we remember. Nick brings them together, and Nick helps Gatsby cover
his and Daisy’s hit and run. But Fitzgerald is not satisfied with only one
subplot. It’s a character from a second—George, the husband of the hit-run
victim—from killing Gatsby and bringing the whole edifice tumbling down. We,
the readers, view Gatsby’s death, then, not so much as martyrdom, as Nick does,
but as rough justice. The point here being that 1) Without the subplot(s) the
main plot could not survive; 2) without the subplots the view of Gatsby as a
victim of his romantic yearnings would remain untarnished.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Different though they are, the
common thread running through all these works is that the subplot operates
parallel to the main action, but merges with and becomes vital to the finish.
Furthermore, the subplots add color and dimension to the ideas and themes which
would be impossible without them. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
I offer here an illustration from
my own work, not because I count myself in the ethereal realms of these
masters, but because I believe it’s important to study and learn from them. Plus,
of course, I want to plug my book. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
In my recently released historical
thriller, <i>The Maxwell Vendetta</i>, Andy
Maxwell sets out to quash a vendetta that threatens to wipe out his prominent
family and destroy their Sierra Nevada Ranch. The inciting incident is the
murder of his younger brother on a San Francisco sidewalk in the summer of 1908.
Along the way, Andy runs into a Chinese underworld lord named Charley Hung, to whom
said brother owed a considerable sum, which Hung wants to collect from Andy.
Andy goes through some harrowing adventures to escape Charley and his henchmen
early in the book, then proceeds to his main mission of defeating the main
agent of the vendetta, one Michael Yellow Squirrel. Near the end of the book,
just when it appears Andy is about to accomplish his goal, Charley’s minions
show up again at a most unexpected time and place and put his entire scheme in
jeopardy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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True to the principles I’ve
outlined above, these subplot characters become essential to the book’s finale,
and (I hope) help add some texture to this novel that is more than an
action-adventure-romance tale, but one with some telling insights into such
matters as racism and political corruption as they manifest not only at the
turn of the last century, but even today. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Give it a go at <a href="http://amzn.to/16KTlyU"><u><span style="color: #084ee6; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA; text-decoration: none; text-underline: #084EE6; text-underline: none;">http://amzn.to/16KTlyU</span></u></a><span style="color: #084ee6; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">, </span>& don’t
pass up its sequel<span style="color: #084ee6; mso-fareast-language: JA;">, </span><i>The Second Vendetta</i><span style="color: #084ee6; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> </span>at<span style="color: #084ee6;"> </span><a href="http://amzn.to/PXmxt8"><u><span style="color: #084ee6; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA; text-decoration: none; text-underline: #084EE6; text-underline: none;">http://amzn.to/PXmxt8</span></u></a><span style="color: #084ee6; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-language: JA;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Biography—Carl R.
Brush<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThZMSiatIKtKWy9_1YR3B-U83olAGtRWgRsLV2NdohU0uz3VjlI5mb55CqNA1-2lkbf5xzki8Ym8XFQrYVOljqE5Ys12HYJokAe5USY_TJH6f09bVycaWlTuPjLbHDLik79m68t2JhnR7/s1600/CARLWEB2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThZMSiatIKtKWy9_1YR3B-U83olAGtRWgRsLV2NdohU0uz3VjlI5mb55CqNA1-2lkbf5xzki8Ym8XFQrYVOljqE5Ys12HYJokAe5USY_TJH6f09bVycaWlTuPjLbHDLik79m68t2JhnR7/s320/CARLWEB2.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
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Carl Brush has been writing since
he could write, which is quite a long time now. He grew up and lives in
Northern California, close to the roots of the people and action of his historical
thrillers, the recently-released <i>The Maxwell
Vendetta, </i>and its sequel, <i>The Second Vendetta.
</i>A third volume of the trilogy, set in pre-gold-rush San Francisco is
nearing completion. Its working title: <i>Bonita.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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You can find Carl living with his
wife in Oakland, California, where he enjoys the blessings of nearby children
and grandchildren.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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Journals in which his work has
appeared include <i>The Summerset Review,
Right Hand Pointing, Blazevox, Storyglossia,</i> <i>Feathertale, </i>and <i>The Kiss
Machine. </i> He has participated in the
Napa Valley Writers’ Conference, the Squaw Valley Community of Writers, the
Sewanee Writers’ Conference, and the Tin House Writers’ Workshop.<o:p></o:p></div>
James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012196707828423695.post-50446188671291058032013-06-19T09:29:00.000-05:002013-06-19T09:29:40.051-05:00It’s the Cover Reveal for ‘Volume Seven of Memoirs of a Gigolo’ by Livia Ellis!<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqyXwaMrbt8RB0BC9MKaS-p1eVB15qm-06g92QIOsULOn3NrEr4qn0ax1vPILz05aHBwYZ0pP1DSXaTO-hrTdql-9Jwhas90f_nTp5NWddivHyMYGn5YRMLKTzsZFbQW0M4LPT_lkChNf/s1600/Cover+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqyXwaMrbt8RB0BC9MKaS-p1eVB15qm-06g92QIOsULOn3NrEr4qn0ax1vPILz05aHBwYZ0pP1DSXaTO-hrTdql-9Jwhas90f_nTp5NWddivHyMYGn5YRMLKTzsZFbQW0M4LPT_lkChNf/s320/Cover+Image.jpg" width="208" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Welcome to the official cover reveal
of Volume Seven of Memoirs of a Gigolo! The story continues as Oliver enters
into a world parallel to his own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Oliver Adair. Beautiful on the
outside. Damaged on the inside. One bad decision followed by the next leaves
him broke and out of options. When propositioned to sell his body he enters
into a parallel world of sex for hire. Oliver embarks on a journey that will
force him to confront his demons, answer for the sins of the past, and become a
man. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Connect with Livia:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">• Blog
– www.liviaellis.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">• Goodreads
- </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6517993.Livia_Ellis"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6517993.Livia_Ellis</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Buy it now:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">• Amazon
UK</span> - <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Livia-Ellis/e/B0093XV43M"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Livia-Ellis/e/B0093XV43M</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">• Riverdale
Ave Books - </span><a href="http://riverdaleavebooks.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://riverdaleavebooks.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">• Smashwords
- </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/liviaellis">http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/liviaellis</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012196707828423695.post-60375631523165003392013-06-05T09:50:00.000-05:002013-06-05T09:50:40.986-05:00Miss Havana Strikes Again<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHP5yEzyzZsiFybKKUYZnzMD2WlBxavpERaPouKrzjK8qrE6_LV8cRQaer5-37Z1j28Kxyvtv6bM2QgHdlpY97_UlCDYyDVo4TR9Aacfws9voPaLDakO98By_CC9EWMTYapClPA48rZ1t/s1600/The+Substitute+150X225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHP5yEzyzZsiFybKKUYZnzMD2WlBxavpERaPouKrzjK8qrE6_LV8cRQaer5-37Z1j28Kxyvtv6bM2QgHdlpY97_UlCDYyDVo4TR9Aacfws9voPaLDakO98By_CC9EWMTYapClPA48rZ1t/s200/The+Substitute+150X225.jpg" width="149" /></a>Interviewer: Today we welcome Miss Havana, the lead
character in <i>The Substitute</i>; <i>Oh, Heavens, Miss Havana!</i>, <i>The Training Bra</i> and <i>The Trophy Wife</i>. It’s good to have you
here Miss Havana.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
MH: I’m sure it is. By the way, who dyes your roots? They
look great. I can hardly see any grey at all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Interviewer: Ah … this interview is about you, Miss Havana,
not me. Tell me, do you get killed in your new novel like you do in all the
others?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
MH: You know, that’s a hard question to answer. I mean, my
daughter, Lilith, did overdose me on chloroform … that came pretty close …
except the Most High weighed in and saved me. I’m not sure if I’ll be killed
off permanently during the edit cycle or not. Those editors can be brutal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Interviewer: I see you have dyed your hair too. Aren’t you
normally blonde?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
MH: That’s a viscous rumor. I’m only blonde when my host is
blonde. That’s the thing about spirits—it’s hard to wrap your hands around
something that isn’t really there. As <i>The
Trophy Wife</i>, my host is Cuban. She’s a knockout with beautiful ebony hair.
I try to do her justice … you know, by not acting <i>too</i> blonde.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Interviewer: So you are <i>The
Trophy Wife</i>. Based on your other books, I’m a little surprised by that.
Whose trophy are you, anyway?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
MH: Well, what a lame question. God’s of course. We have a
child together too, but that wasn’t very satisfying, considering the whole Immaculate
Conception thing and all. It’s not just me. He said Mary wasn’t all that
satisfied either.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSA1MU116BV-6HloQqEGwyRuA9Curem0LhGkZaKMUTApf_wW9C4s_VenkDqRZL8XWCTDB4_5dswHWoN6T10RFskuCLWmAOpgFtQ_I6nE8i8k-szo1klUCqmvkgn2Pjd8C2BdCXyMjlIDJH/s1600/Scaled+Oh,+Heavens,+Miss+Havana+150X225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSA1MU116BV-6HloQqEGwyRuA9Curem0LhGkZaKMUTApf_wW9C4s_VenkDqRZL8XWCTDB4_5dswHWoN6T10RFskuCLWmAOpgFtQ_I6nE8i8k-szo1klUCqmvkgn2Pjd8C2BdCXyMjlIDJH/s200/Scaled+Oh,+Heavens,+Miss+Havana+150X225.jpg" width="133" /></a>Interviewer: You had a child with God? How is that possible?
Wasn’t your last mate Lucifer? Isn’t Lilith your daughter with him?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
MH: I see … you are not a believer. Anything is possible
with God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Interviewer: No, no … that’s not what I meant. I mean … how
could … <i>He </i>… consider <i>you</i> … a trophy?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
MH: Now see here, a lesser person might take that line of
questioning personally, but the answer to your question is simple. He likes me.
I’m pretty.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Interviewer: You’re pretty. That’s it? That seems a little
shallow.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
MH: Well, there are those other things. I did stop the rise
of the Antichrist in <i>The Substitute</i> …
and I became the Angel of Death in <i>Oh, Heavens,
Miss Havana!</i> … and I prevented the apocalypse in <i>The Training Bra</i> when I broke up the horsemen. Those guys and girl
don’t like each other anyway. They don’t like Lucifer either. Come to think of
it, they didn’t like me much, if you can believe it. Although interfering with
those events really got under Lucifer’s skin, God apparently appreciated my
effort, even if most everything was an accident.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Interviewer: So God … does He love you?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
MH (batting her hand across her face like chasing away a
gnat): Oh, you are primitive, aren’t you? Of course He loves me—He loves
everyone. The problem really wasn’t God’s love, but the issues associated with
showing up pregnant. My sterile husband became suspicious right away.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Interviewer (flipping pages of notes): Oh, that had to be
bad. It says here you are married to Samuel Jackson. The actor?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
MH (looking disgusted): <i>That</i>
Samuel Jackson is a liberal; my husband is a conservative. No one gets them
confused … except possibly you. Yes, I would say the experience of showing up
pregnant could have gone better. I suspect Joseph had the same issues, but hey,
that was a long time ago.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iDb97kEuw0wr70kslHnTfHFwQpUY7nSVWwjgozkwo0cy5eJy9oIJBK-EHMNyY4NTKXuWxL5h0lPTRlM06avBfvIv-xKxrr6DD0SbUHjhAcyaQ_rHo58u1no9KcePtstOigpDQ3NqSLfM/s1600/The+Training+Bra+150X225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iDb97kEuw0wr70kslHnTfHFwQpUY7nSVWwjgozkwo0cy5eJy9oIJBK-EHMNyY4NTKXuWxL5h0lPTRlM06avBfvIv-xKxrr6DD0SbUHjhAcyaQ_rHo58u1no9KcePtstOigpDQ3NqSLfM/s200/The+Training+Bra+150X225.jpg" width="133" /></a>Interviewer: Can you tell us a little about your new baby?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
MH: You mean, Angel. Oh, she was a very sweet girl … while
she lived. I have to talk to the author about that. He keeps killing off people
I get close to. That just doesn’t seem right.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Interviewer: He killed your child? What kind of rat would do
such a thing?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
MH (nodding agreement): You’re right. Nailing her to the
side of a barn seemed a little extreme, even to me. On the up side, he did
replace her with two little girls Jackson and I adopted, fraternal twins we
named Lily and Angel. They are the stars of the next novel, <i>Sisters</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Interviewer: Will your children continue the battle between
good and evil like you have … since the beginning of time?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
MH: You must mean my brief stint as Eve. Yes, those were
good times, but that’s the topic of another novel still being formulated. I
think it might be called, <i>In the
Beginning</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Interviewer: We’re just about out of time, Miss Havana.
Thank you for stopping by today.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
MH: My pleasure. And, for those who wish to stay just a bit
longer, I’ve provided an excerpt below from <i>The
Trophy Wife</i>. The scene takes place when my daughter, Lilith, who inhabits
the body of Lily, and her rotten boyfriend, Fred, Jr., who is haunted by
Lucifer’s right-hand shadow creature, Waldo, attack me with caramel sauce and
feathers. Of course, I strike back later, and the cycle of attacks just get
worse and worse until someone dies. Isn’t that how it always works?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
--------------------------<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JvYuOdE_X5j04LCN7HmrFvYgOB2g4gxViFcKBJlSX02-P3enJYHQBGm3MhRK1DhSTh4tGJChvKYxThkiuNcIRlgAjF8_d0QxCO76qZoj7AbI_9rdpsDc95uEPgt1CQQ1Z29wtLiqlbHQ/s1600/Trophy+Wife+150X225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JvYuOdE_X5j04LCN7HmrFvYgOB2g4gxViFcKBJlSX02-P3enJYHQBGm3MhRK1DhSTh4tGJChvKYxThkiuNcIRlgAjF8_d0QxCO76qZoj7AbI_9rdpsDc95uEPgt1CQQ1Z29wtLiqlbHQ/s200/Trophy+Wife+150X225.jpg" width="133" /></a>They laid in wait for almost forty-five minutes before they
saw Miss Havana walking toward the garbage bin with her evening trash. They had
pre-positioned their supplies, and the moment Miss Havana stepped into the
dumpster enclosure with her trash, Fred Jr. sprinted to the gate and locked it
from the outside with the chain and padlock. Miss Havana heard the chain rattle
and turned to look. “Hello. Is someone there?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Snickering came from outside the fence, and then the deluge
began. Two focused beams of caramel sauce rained down on her from out of
nowhere. She screeched and tried to cover her hair with her hands, but to no
avail. The sauce kept coming … and coming … and coming. And when the downpour
stopped, it rained feathers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She could hear receding laughter, a man and a woman, before
she heard screeching tires … and then nothing but silence. She spit feathers
from her mouth and grumbled low, “It had to be Lily. That bitch!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When she tried to leave she realized she was locked in. She
had left her cell phone in the apartment, and began to shake from both anger
and cold. The stench of rotting garbage made her want to gag. She slipped to a
sitting position in one corner and looked into the dark celestial dome toward
the stars. “Oh, God, please help me. This girl is driving me crazy. Remember
the angel I asked for? I could sure use that now. Are you out there?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She bowed her head as tears slipped down her cheeks. At
first her sobs came softly, and then they grew louder. She cried like she had
never cried in her entire life. Her tears flowed like an open hydrant. She felt
alone, despondent and helpless, and began thinking of Sister Elizabeth’s words,
“You can always work at Saint Mark’s.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She took a deep breath. Yes, she did have options. Maybe she
should consider them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just then she heard Jackson’s voice. “Miss Havana? Are you
in there? Hello?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Jackson? It’s me,” she yelled. “I’m locked inside this damn
fence. You don’t have any bolt cutters with you, do you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She heard a loud thump followed by some scraping sounds, and
then Jackson’s smiling face appeared at the top of the fence. “Evening, Ma’am.
Can I be of assistance?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She looked up without standing. “That’s a fool question,
Jackson. Get me out of here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Okay, give me a minute.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She heard the chain rattle again, followed by, “Hum, it’s
chained up pretty tight. I’ve got to go to my car.” She heard him snicker
before saying, “Stay where you are. Don’t leave.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She put her head in her hands. “Oh, my God. I need rescuing,
not a comedian.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In a few minutes Jackson returned. She heard the
high-pitched whine of a battery-operated power tool, and could see sparks
flying through a small slit in the fence. It looked like Jackson was playing
with a Fourth of July sparkler out there. In another few moments the equipment
went silent and Jackson popped open the gate. “Hello. I heard someone in here
needed the fire department. Is that right?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With her head held low, Miss Havana slinked out of the
enclosure. Feathers covered her from head to foot. Jackson shook his head. “My
goodness, Ma’am, looks like you plum been run outta town.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Very funny,” she said dryly. “I don’t know whether to hug
you or slap you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jackson took a step back. “You could use a shower … then I
could use a hug.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The hot shower never felt better. Miss Havana scrubbed the
feathers and caramel sauce while Jackson kept reaching in to remove the
feathers clogging the drain. It was a two-person operation he enjoyed,
especially the view from where he sat. He thought it best to wait until she
completely cleaned herself before questioning her. She didn’t seem too
receptive at the moment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About thirty minutes later she turned off the water and
glanced down at Jackson. “Towel, please.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He handed one in. “Ah, heck. Looks like the show is over.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She asked the question foremost on her mind when she stepped
out. “Why are you here, Jackson? I thought you were on duty tonight.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He grinned. “Terry owed me a favor. I asked him to fill in
for me so I could ask you out for dinner. Are you up for that … or do you just
want to ‘stick’ with what you’re doing?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He thought the comment was clever, but she just glared
before her face softened. “More than anything, I want to be held. Are you up
for that?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sure, but I’ll owe Terry big time if I’m not back in two
hours.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Terry’s a big boy,” she said as she let her towel drop and
began dragging him toward her bedroom. “He can handle it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-----------------------<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks for reading!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
James L. Hatch<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
amazon.com/author/jameshatch</div>
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</div>
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<br />
<o:p></o:p>James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012196707828423695.post-58641710497783960142013-05-25T13:27:00.001-05:002013-05-25T13:27:59.882-05:00THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLyUodQOQ8fROzbsRNLF2IuSc-bbZ5VzIeFghQ0wot08Ugas4JS0MOV0gT2jWJ1LTW4yV4wkzNeMrGQRkF7SeBMcNJE3BbNvlBSSBJ5iP0WaIqRkGgBoJM2mS8YBiHsoHInMhWbc9fugT/s1600/For+a+Hero+Final+copy+(small+version).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLyUodQOQ8fROzbsRNLF2IuSc-bbZ5VzIeFghQ0wot08Ugas4JS0MOV0gT2jWJ1LTW4yV4wkzNeMrGQRkF7SeBMcNJE3BbNvlBSSBJ5iP0WaIqRkGgBoJM2mS8YBiHsoHInMhWbc9fugT/s320/For+a+Hero+Final+copy+(small+version).jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;">I just moved into a new apartment. There were a few
spooky goings-on and it reminded of a time earlier this year when I drove down
to San Antonio on business. I went last year as well and, before I left, I did
my research on which hotel would be the best choice. After much deliberation
and combing, I decided that the Days Inn two exits from my office building
would be perfect. It had free internet and breakfast and that’s really all I
could ever ask from life.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;">However, this year, the hotel seemed different. Of
course, since my planning was so flawless last year, I felt no need to alter my
sleeping arrangements, so I arrived at my Days Inn, only to be greeted by a
very different feel. The sign in front read “Days Inn – San Antonio As Seen on
Sci-Fi … Under New Management” I thought very little of it, since I had
important issues on my mind—such as chicken bacon ranch subs and Batman—and I proceeded
to park and enter the office.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;">Although the ambiance of the hotel felt different, it was
nice. It had almost a touristy air about it. The staff was very relaxed and
friendly with an odd sense of theater, as if they worked at a theme park or
something instead. They reclined in the lobby eating ice cream on sticks until,
having been alerted to my presence, they sprung up and got about their jobs.
The front desk lady asked me about my trip and where I’m from and all of the
usual banter as she took my debit card, gave me my key and told me my room
number. I bade her “adios” and took off into the night to embrace my new temporary
shelter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;">As I approached my room, I felt an odd chill climb up my
spine. I am usually terrified of sleeping in hotels alone, so I forced the
feeling from my mind. I am, after all, a goddamn man, and I sauntered into my
hotel room as confident as I cross most thresholds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;">The room took me aback. The sheets on the bed looked like
they had been tossed off as if someone just woke up. The furniture was moved
around. The water was running in the bathroom. There were half-empty Dr. Pepper
bottles all over the room. Assuming I had been given the key to someone else’s
room, I immediately left and set off to rectify this mistake with the front
desk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;">I spoke to the front desk lady. “Ma’am, I do believe you
gave me the key to an occupied room. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, might
I be moved to a different room?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"> “Of course, Sir! I am terribly sorry. Let me take a
look.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"> At the moment, some man ran over to her with an
alarmed look on his face. He asked me, “Which room were you placed in?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"> “114.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"> He turned to the girl. “You know better than to put
a customer in that room.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;">“I’m sorry, Boss, I guess I forgot. It was the last
vacant room with a single bed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;">I said, “It wasn’t vacant, there was definitely someone
there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;">“No, there was not. The room is not occupied. It is
haunted.” He said with an ironic degree of candidness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">“</span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">DAFUQ</span></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">!</span>” I orated eloquently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;">“Yes, haunted. Robert lives there. He is our resident
phantom. He is why we are famous! He is always up to mischief.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;">“Does Robert like Dr. Pepper?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;">“Oh yes. Robert LOVES Dr. Pepper. We have bottles go
missing from shipments ALL the time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;">“I’d like a different room, please.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;">“You just can’t make people happy sometimes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;">Not having noticed the attendant’s snarkiness due to my
processing the ectoplasmic data dump I had fallen victim to, I walked to my new
room, which, much to my chagrin, was two doors down from Robert. If he saw fit,
he could merrily skip over to my room, diffuse through the door and decorate my
room with fear-induced excrement that would be rocketing from my heinie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;">There was good news, however. Like the girl said,
Robert’s room was the last vacant single room, so my new room had two beds. If
Robert DID decide to sleep over, he would have his own bed. I’ll be damned
before I play big spoon to a pernicious poltergeist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;">So just recently, after waking up for the first night in
my brand new place, I remembered hearing the door open to my bedroom during my
slumber and I guess I had dismissed it and chalked it up to the air conditioner
or something similarly innocuous. But when I opened the fridge to make a
protein shake for my breakfast, I saw my box of coke zeroes had been turned
upside down and there were cans everywhere and some stacked up in the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;">A jolt of fear went through me and I looked around the
room. There was no place for someone to break in. The windows were closed; the
door was locked. All of my valuables were still where they should be. And then
I thought, <i>dammit, Robert, I don't have
any Dr. Pepper</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thank
you for reading.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Here’s
the link to my new book and there is an excerpt below.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/For-A-Hero-ebook/dp/B00CDAXAN4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369500647&sr=8-1&keywords=for+a+hero">http://www.amazon.com/For-A-Hero-ebook/dp/B00CDAXAN4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369500647&sr=8-1&keywords=for+a+hero</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Here
is my email – <a href="mailto:jesshunter247@gmail.com">jesshunter247@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
my facebook author page. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ForAHero?ref=hl">https://www.facebook.com/ForAHero?ref=hl</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I’ve
also included a little PG excerpt from my book – hope you enjoy it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jess<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">-------------------------- </span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Flames
licked every wall of the once-beautiful Victorian home. The fire danced and
made every hue transform into a dark orange. David knew exactly what to do. He
felt more comfortable in a fire than out of one. A loud crack sounded above his
head as a support beam gave way. Its heavy descent ended abruptly in the
sturdy, solid palm of David’s broad hand. He effortlessly tossed it aside and
continued searching the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Between
the crackling of the burn, David’s ears caught a strangled cough. A child.
Probably a young girl. He could hear her in one of the bedrooms in the back
hallway. He sturdied himself. His self-contained breathing apparatus allowed
him to stand tall without the smoke filling his lungs. The muscles on his back
hardened, preparing to support whatever burden he was called upon to bear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hello?
Is anyone there?” David didn’t want to waste time searching each room. He
needed to know exactly where she was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m
in my room,” a tiny voiced choked out through sobs of fear. David checked, but
the door was jammed. The hinges may have warped or the walls become compressed
together due to the fire eating away at the studs and ceiling. Fire can kill in
so many ways. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Step
away from the door,” David shouted. With a mighty shove, he broke the door open
quickly and cleanly. A lonesome young girl lay on her bed, clasping a teddy
bear wearing a red ribbon, while fire ate the room around her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Are
you ok, Sweetheart?” David asked gently. . He would have liked to stop and
check her for injuries, but there just wasn’t time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
want my mommy. I am so scared.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s
ok, Honey. I know where your mommy is. I am going to help her save you. Is it
alright with you if I pick you up?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
young lady nodded and held her arms into the air, one still holding tightly to
the teddy. David gently lifted her to his chest, flexing his biceps until his
arms were solid as oak. She was wrapped in armor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">David
walked back the way he came, it was imperative that they leave the building as
soon as possible. It might fall any moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
house creaked at David, warning him of the impending collapse. He lengthened
his stride. She mustn’t know what danger she was in. David had made her safe
now. That was his purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
was too late. Just as the light of day could be seen through the front door,
fire ate through the ceiling and it came crashing down, blocking their way with
embrous debris. The scream of the child’s mother was muffled behind the
mountain of white-hot wood, insulation and sheet rock, obstacles fire had
placed in his way. Ceiling tile and a large wooden board clashed with David’s
back. The plank snapped on his trapezius. He felt no pain. This was his job.
However, the sound of the crash caused the child to bury her face in David’s
chest. He hated her to be afraid while he held her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
turned around. Homes like this always had another door. He marched through the
kitchen, shielding the child from spark and flame. He found it. The side door.
It stood near the cooking appliances and the danger of electric shock kept most
of the emergency response team clear of the area. David, however, had no
choice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Without
a hand to open the door, he stepped back to ready his kick. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hold
on, Honey. We’re almost there. Protect Teddy.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A
wicked snap resounded through the house and the door flew through the air into
the back yard. The breeze of freedom wrapped their bodies in cold and comfort. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">From
the front, the snap could be heard clearly. Police held on to the woman, her
screams echoing down the street. The house trembled and cracked. With a belch
of smoke, her home imploded into rubble. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“NOOO!!
God, no!! My baby! Why did nobody get my baby?” She screamed accusatorially at
the firemen and police who stood idly watching fire steal her world from
her. The news reporters had nothing to
say. The cameras just rolled on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“The
Fire Chief, David Conlon, was in the house, Ma’am. He went in after your
daughter.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“He
went alone?!?! Why was he trying to save her alone!?!? Where are they?!?!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
team hung their heads while the fire hose rained life-saving water down upon
the house. It would be hours before the firemen and EMT’s could retrieve and
transport the bodies from the smoldering ruins.
Despite the ruckus, a silence stole the minds of the spectators between
the sobs of the mother. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">At
that moment, bursting forth from the cloud of smoke and water and despair, an
angel walked calmly into the street, a little doll cradled in its arms. A wave
of cheer and celebration erupted from the crowd. Where once there was silence
and sadness, joy and hope popped like fireworks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">David
handed the baby to her mother. Tears of joy streamed down her face and she petted
the little girl’s face with kisses. He
peeled off his hat and mask. His black curly hair framed his face. The
ash-blackened silhouette of his SCBA encircled his brilliantly blue eyes. She
gasped at the beauty of the man that saved her only child.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thank
you so much. You have no idea what you did for me today. You are my hero.” Her
thankfulness welled up within her. This man was her savior. Without him, she
would have said goodbye to her daughter instead of hugging her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Please
don’t, Ma’am. It’s just my job.” David accepted the gratitude, but he did not
bask in it. He did not do what he did for the “thanks.” He smiled a little
smile at the woman and kissed the girl on the crown of her forehead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Without
an ounce of pride or boastfulness, he turned and walked away. The excitement
faded. The police and rescue teams retreated. The mother took her child to
start a new life elsewhere. Fire rested to attack another day, and David
returned to his home alone. He cleansed himself of the ash, treated his wounds and
waited for another chance to do the only thing on this Earth he knew how to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012196707828423695.post-41667523209992778132013-04-18T13:32:00.001-05:002013-04-18T13:32:45.170-05:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_76iP_HfjdOiP7Ak6jr1cNqXCCNDbXSZZz3Avf2Xwmj7B1raMGhvOFgnzavlMefnrlhUTS1R1om84M2P782k-BZQJjIT_Ic9rXqcraeG2Q5S0l2Dc077Epdql9Z2zPxVkS8hhmjzIT3r/s1600/Have+No+shame+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_76iP_HfjdOiP7Ak6jr1cNqXCCNDbXSZZz3Avf2Xwmj7B1raMGhvOFgnzavlMefnrlhUTS1R1om84M2P782k-BZQJjIT_Ic9rXqcraeG2Q5S0l2Dc077Epdql9Z2zPxVkS8hhmjzIT3r/s200/Have+No+shame+Cover.jpg" width="129" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">HAVE
NO SHAME</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br />
<i>When civil rights and forbidden love
collide<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"This
book will resonate with readers who enjoyed Kathryn Stockett's, <b>THE
HELP</b>, Julie Kibler's,<b> CALLING ME HOME</b>, John Grisham's, <b>A
TIME TO KILL</b>, Sue Monk Kidd's, <b>THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES</b>, and Kathleen
Grissom's, <b>THE KITCHEN HOUSE</b>."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #37404e; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Buy it Now on Amazon:<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://amzn.to/16TaOSZ"><span style="background: white; color: #3b5998;">http://amzn.to/16TaOSZ</span></a><span style="color: #37404e; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<span style="background: white;">Buy it Now on B&N:<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><a href="http://bit.ly/12WGCYD"><span style="background: white; color: #3b5998;">http://bit.ly/12WGCYD</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"<i>Within
moments of starting to read, you will be transported back to the Arkansas of
1967 - hot, dusty, utterly rural and edgy. Poor white farmers dependent upon
cheap black labor who, due to their superior numbers, are constantly
suppressed, living on the wrong side of town, ghettoised and terrified. You
will remember scenes from `In the Heat of the Night' and `Easy Rider'; you will
remember that, less than fifty years ago, if you were black, you could be
beaten for simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. And if you died at
the hands of a white youth, justice would almost certainly be denied you."
</i>Author Roderick Craig Low<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">SUMMARY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Alison
Tillman has called Forrest Town, Arkansas home for the past eighteen years. Her
mother's Blue Bonnet meetings, her father toiling night and day on the family
farm, and the division of life between the whites and the blacks are all Alison
knows. The winter of 1967, just a few months before marrying her high school
sweetheart, Alison finds the body of a black man floating in the river, and she
begins to view her existence with new perspective. The oppression and hate of
the south, the ugliness she once was able to avert her eyes from, now demands
her attention.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">When a
secretive friendship with a young black man takes an unexpected romantic turn,
Alison is forced to choose between her predetermined future, and the dangerous
path that her heart yearns for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">****<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"A
gripping and poignant novel dealing with a subject once taboo in American
society."</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Hagerstown
Magazine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"Have
No Shame is a powerful testimony to love and the progressive, logical evolution
of social consciousness, with an outcome that readers will find engrossing,
unexpected, and ultimately eye-opening."</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Midwest Book Review<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"A
historical novel of love and its triumph, told with a unique and compelling
voice." </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Bestselling
Author Kathleen Shoop <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"Have
No Shame is a delightful eye opener and a rather poignant book that everyone
everywhere should put on their must-read list."</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Readers' Favorite<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"A
dynamic and heartwarming tale of young love, giving testament to those who
struggled so we can live in an integrated society."</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Author Rachelle Ayala<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"[HAVE
NO SHAME] Perfectly catches the South at the dawning of the Civil Rights
Movement. Melissa Foster takes us on an adventure that twists and turns
unpredictably to a tense climax that renders this novel a true page-turner.
This is undoubtedly the best novel I have read in a long
time." </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Roderick
Craig Low, Author of 'Promises of Love and Good Behaviour'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"This
book is not just a story; it's an experience."</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Author G.E. Johnson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #37404e; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Buy HAVE NO SHAME on Amazon:<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://amzn.to/16TaOSZ"><span style="background: white; color: #3b5998;">http://amzn.to/16TaOSZ</span></a><span style="color: #37404e; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<span style="background: white;">Buy HAVE NO SHAME on B&N:<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><a href="http://bit.ly/12WGCYD"><span style="background: white; color: #3b5998;">http://bit.ly/12WGCYD</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Melissa Foster<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDSZ-VipwfFLAyxh2G71aWNHYfrIJUMNG9rn79VPdD9dSiRQ3v2mIMkPdTYUzIgS6cldSZAQ-NDwmU3NmpJp6FjK8rvK_RLlulgT_ByO9YfcRmxSEyyu544xJe0Ap02DgG0y51QaraP_K/s1600/mel+author+photo+headshot400x535+border.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDSZ-VipwfFLAyxh2G71aWNHYfrIJUMNG9rn79VPdD9dSiRQ3v2mIMkPdTYUzIgS6cldSZAQ-NDwmU3NmpJp6FjK8rvK_RLlulgT_ByO9YfcRmxSEyyu544xJe0Ap02DgG0y51QaraP_K/s200/mel+author+photo+headshot400x535+border.jpg" width="139" /></a><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Melissa
Foster is the award-winning author of four International bestselling novels.
Her books have been recommended by USA Today's book blog, Hagerstown Magazine,
The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the <a href="http://www.womensnest.com/"><span style="color: #76a0b0; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Women’s Nest</span></a>, a social and support
community for women, the <a href="http://www.worldlitcafe.com/"><span style="color: #0062a0;">World Literary Café</span></a>. When she's not writing,
Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author
training programs on <a href="http://www.fostering-success.com/"><span style="color: #76a0b0; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Fostering
Success</span></a>. Melissa is also a community builder for the Alliance for
Independent Authors. She has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the
Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Melissa
hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and
donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC.
Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">Visit Melissa on <a href="http://www.womensnest.com/"><span style="color: #76a0b0; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">The Women's Nest</span></a>, <a href="http://www.fostering-success.com/"><span style="color: #76a0b0; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Fostering Success</span></a>, or <a href="http://www.worldliterarycafe.com/"><span style="color: #76a0b0; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">World Lit Cafe</span></a>. Melissa enjoys
discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an
invitation to your event.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Awards</span></b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Megan's
Way</span></i></b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
2011 Beach Book Award <i>Winner</i> (Spirituality)<br />
2011 Readers Favorite Awards, <i>Winner</i> (Fiction/Drama), <i>Finalist</i> (Women's
Fiction)<br />
2010 Next Generation Indie Book Award, <i>Finalist</i> (Spirituality)<br />
2011 New England Book Festival, <i>Honorable Mention</i> (Spirituality)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Chasing
Amanda</span></i></b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
2011 Readers Favorite Awards, <i>Winner (Paranormal), Finalist, (Women's
Fiction, Mystery)</i><br />
2011 Dan Poynter's Global eBook Awards, <i>Winner</i>, (Paranormal)<br />
Top 10 Books of 2011, Pixel of Ink<br />
Amazon Top 100 75+ Days running<br />
Indie Reader's Bestselling List That Counts (8 weeks)<br />
Top Books of 2011, The Write Agenda<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
<b><i>Come Back To Me</i></b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; padding: 0in;">2012 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Finalist, </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; padding: 0in;">2012 Readers Favorite Awards, Finalist </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; padding: 0in;">2012 Kindle Book Review Best Indie Books Award, Finalist</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; padding: 0in;">2011 Dan Poynter's Global Ebook Awards, Finalist </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Top
5 Must Read Books of 2011, IndieReader<br />
Top Ten Books of 2011, </span><b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #76a0b0; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://teawithmarce.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-favourites-of-2011.html"><span style="color: #76a0b0;">Tea Time With Marce</span></a></span></b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #444444; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
IndieReader Best Reviewed Books of 2011, <b><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amy-edelman/best-indiereader-reviewed_b_1181460.html?ref=books#s585989&title=Come_Back_to"><span style="color: #76a0b0;">Huffington Post</span></a><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Website: <a href="http://www.melissafoster.com/"><span style="color: #234786;">http://www.MelissaFoster.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Melissa-Foster/240064542695303"><span style="color: #234786;">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Melissa-Foster/240064542695303</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Melissa_Foster<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Georgia, serif;">The Women’s Nest, women’s
social network: <a href="http://www.thewomensnest.com/"><span style="color: #234786;">http://www.TheWomensNest.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Georgia, serif;">World Literary Café: </span><a href="http://www.worldliterarycafe.com/"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.worldliterarycafe.com</span></a><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Fostering Success:
htto://www.fostering-success.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Facebook Melissa
Foster: http://www.facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor (Fanpage)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3023973.Melissa_Foster<br />
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James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012196707828423695.post-40752471804715994482013-04-10T17:15:00.000-05:002013-04-10T20:41:07.589-05:00Review of: Have No Shame by Melissa Foster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkOrhpltjWmrDqHVV4jrcs6ze5l8SQHVNAirnr6WCFHgJ7f7ygMuATWbXjPUIAQZSi2wV7iIS8j_JixT6kDdPhMeq3LNfGoYyw9lnQM6NQFWFA7lDts7zzVBE7Tt3ZwJ6SMs5FXSHgrvr/s1600/Have+No+shame+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkOrhpltjWmrDqHVV4jrcs6ze5l8SQHVNAirnr6WCFHgJ7f7ygMuATWbXjPUIAQZSi2wV7iIS8j_JixT6kDdPhMeq3LNfGoYyw9lnQM6NQFWFA7lDts7zzVBE7Tt3ZwJ6SMs5FXSHgrvr/s200/Have+No+shame+Cover.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>
I had no idea what to expect when I volunteered to review <i>Have No Shame</i>. I knew Melissa Foster is
an outstanding author, but did not know she would sweep me into the mind of Alison
Tillman, an eighteen-year-old girl with an unbridled curiosity and an innocent
heart. I felt like a voyeur in Alison’s mind as she blossomed into a mature and
loving woman … and came to grips with the stark realities of rampant racism.<br />
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While the Vietnam War and civil rights struggles tore at the
fabric of society, changes sweeping the country passed by the community where Alison
lived like the waters of the St. Francis River. As it had been since the time
of slavery, everyone in Forrest Town, Arkansas, knew their place.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When Alison finds the decaying, beaten body of a black man snagged
along the riverbank, she has an epiphany: her children will be born into a
hateful society where violence against blacks is accepted, even encouraged.
Deeply troubled, she begins a mind-opening and life-altering journey that will
make her more steadfast and convicted in her belief that all people should be
treated equal. It’s an uphill struggle against everything she has ever been
taught.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Her brother, Jake, and her fiancé, Jimmy Lee, are among
those who brutalize black youths for fun, and most of the town, including the
police and Alison’s father, turn a blind eye. She speaks out timidly when she
can, but is soundly rebuffed or ignored. Desegregation events of the day swirl
around her, sending her life into a tailspin as she grows stronger in character
and more determined to stand up for what is right. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In a community where white woman are not even allowed to
show kindness to a black child, Alison yearns to know more about the dead man
and the families being traumatized by Jimmy Lee and his bullies. She is driven
to show kindness to the victims, even if only to say she is sorry for their
grief.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Although engaged to Jimmy Lee, Alison is repulsed by his
racism, drinking and meanness. She tries to fend him off as he leaves for
college, but in a tragic scene reminiscent of the “Vagina Monologues,” he has
his way with her. And here Melissa Foster’s writing genius shines. On the one
hand, Alison and Jimmy have been intimate and planning marriage for some time. On
the other, she is growing to hate his character. The internal conflict is
stunning—a woman’s perspective that should be required reading for every
redneck in the country.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Burdened with enormous misgivings over her upcoming wedding,
Alison inadvertently meets a gentle soul named Jackson, the brother of a young
man beat up by Jimmy Lee. Jackson is home on military leave. He has experienced
a world where color doesn’t matter, where men of all races fight side-by-side
in war, but he also knows the danger of speaking to a white woman in Forrest
Town. Alison is drawn to Jackson’s kind nature like a moth to flame, and the
two come to know each other through forbidden rendezvous. Before Jackson
returns to the Army, Alison gives in to deep feeling of love for him, and her
life begins to unravel in terrifying ways.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Alison’s internal struggle mirrors the racial struggle
within the country. Her relationships with her family, her husband and her
community are both strengthened and destroyed as the true nature of people are
revealed by the conflicts of the time. I will not expose the turmoil Alison
goes through with Jimmy Lee after her marriage, or how her relationship with
her family turns out, but I will say this: if you have ever wondered what it
would be like to enter the inner conflicts of a young woman driven by her
conscience, then <i>Have No Shame</i> is for
you. Readers will be both saddened and uplifted by this compelling, poignant
and important five-star read … and they won’t be able to put it down until they
reach the end. Bravo, Melissa Foster!<o:p></o:p></div>
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The opinions expressed in this review are those of James L. Hatch, who is solely responsible for its content.</div>
James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012196707828423695.post-71767411047970948492013-04-05T14:49:00.000-05:002013-04-05T14:54:51.346-05:00Review of: Somewhere My Love by Beth Trissel<br />
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<i>Somewhere My Love</i>
brings back a cast of main characters from a murder that occurred in 1806. Modern-day
equivalent characters are haunted by the spirits of their distant relatives,
each being driven by memories and motivations of their originals. The plot
builds to a re-enactment of the dastardly crime that both reveals the
200-year-old killer and re-kindles the historical romance that was shattered by
it. Amid blooming present-time love, the re-enactment moves to completion … and
a new body moves to the morgue.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Julia, an impressionable and innocent British teen, arrives for
a summer job to assist with tours and maintenance at Foxleigh, a restored old
home along the James River in Virginia. She immediately falls in love with the
image in a painting of the 200-year-old master of the mansion, Cole, and sets
her sights on the current heir, Wil.<o:p></o:p><br />
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In a stunning twist of fate, the characters she meets in the
present, as well as herself, are not only affected by the spirits of the past,
but their current physical forms bear strong resemblance to the originals. Wil
fights jealousy of his long-dead rival as Julia often confuses him with Cole,
her eternal object of affection, but that doesn’t stop him from bedding her.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As the entire cast of characters struggles to create a credible
performance of Hamlet for a midsummer night’s eve presentation at the mansion,
the original crime re-enactment unfolds. Much of the dialog in the second half
of the novel is quoted from the original Shakespeare play, and the interplay of
the characters is related to the play as well. Those affected by spirits move in and out of time warps that enable them to experience the thought and
feeling of their past originals. Before the play is complete, the original
killer and the modern-day killer are revealed … and a wronged spirit from
the past saves the day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The book is well-edited, but I found the extensive use of Old
English Shakespearian quotes so distracting and heavy that I could not read
this book quickly. It just didn’t hold my interest. Still, I know Shakespeare
has many more fans than I, so I would give this book an overall four-star
rating.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinions and rating expressed here are those of James L. Hatch.</div>
James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012196707828423695.post-64514079840469596572013-02-26T06:49:00.000-06:002013-02-26T07:00:44.966-06:00The Path Of The Fallen by Dan O'Brien<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyC1jL4QmuHL1SPpebpNKzrt6nasTjEC814NS_iVLQ4eAkzx4VhHsnv-6QSTLSIxZHzi0VzzdPz_j_fcJvQuoWdAmiT8vaVGK2orBkeIMAnV5Raa20hQoTU5zXaoolIIx8W4jYJdQASKO/s1600/The+Path+of+the+Fallen+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyC1jL4QmuHL1SPpebpNKzrt6nasTjEC814NS_iVLQ4eAkzx4VhHsnv-6QSTLSIxZHzi0VzzdPz_j_fcJvQuoWdAmiT8vaVGK2orBkeIMAnV5Raa20hQoTU5zXaoolIIx8W4jYJdQASKO/s320/The+Path+of+the+Fallen+Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As I sit down at my
computer, I am struck by the eerie presence of someone behind me. Leaving
behind the blinking cursor, I realize that the cast of my latest novel, <i>The Path of the Fallen</i>, are standing
behind me. E’Malkai, sullen and burdened by the weight of the pilgrimage he has
undertaken, stands behind the immovable figure of his Umordoc guardian,
Elcites. Arms crossed over his chest, his gaze unsettles me despite how much
time I have spent in his company whilst writing <i>The Path of the Fallen</i>. Arile, proud hunter of the north, leans
against his spear and inspects the wall with a carefree look upon his face.
Fe’rein, shrouded in the darkness that complements him so well, seethes with a
dark mix of irritation and confidence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">E’Malkai: I heard
that you wanted to speak to us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Me: (clearing my
throat) In a manner of speaking, yes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Fe’rein: (glowering)
What do you want? We have business left unfinished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Me: I am releasing <i>The Path of the Fallen</i>, after nearly a
decade hiatus, and wanted to let potential readers know a little more about it.
Instead of giving them a dry summary or an adjective-laden exposition, I
thought getting to know the characters might be a fun exercise. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Arile: (not making
eye contact and looking away with a bored look on his face) What precisely
would these <i>potential</i> readers want to
know about us? We are an open book (snickers).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Me: Let’s start with
something simple: </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Describe yourself to the readers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fe’rein: Darkness.
Death. There is little else to know. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">E’Malkai: (shifting
uncomfortably behind his guardian) I do not know what to say about myself. I
thought I knew what I supposed to do with my life, but there was always
something missing. When I learned about the history of the Fallen and the
journey my father began, I realized that I had to find out more, learn about
where I came from. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elcites: (grunting) I
am no more than what is expected of me. I guard E’Malkai. That is all that
matters. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Arile: I am the last
of my people. We once could hear all the voices of the earth. The world has
been broken. I can no longer hear what I once could. My people have been
scattered into the winds, but I can still hear their distant voices. They speak
of a new age, and of a final war. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Me: That all sounds
quite dire. You make it seem like there is only darkness and sadness. </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Are
there no happy moments in your life, memories that give you pause and hope when
you consider them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Elcites: The day I
was given my charge, when I first met young E’Malkai, was the greatest and
saddest day of my life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">E’Malkai: (looking up
at the stoic look on his guardian’s face) I recall playing with my uncle once
upon a time. (Pausing) The world changed, and so too did those memories. I
cannot seem to look back upon the strained moments of my life and see
happiness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(Fe’rein scoffs and
crosses his arms over his chest. He clearly is not going to answer the
question.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Arile: Each day is
full of happiness and sadness, joy and terror. I find grace and importance in
the simplest of tasks. This day is a gift. We must not look upon it with
sorrow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(I start to speak,
but Fe’rein interrupts me, his power crawling over his skin like a swarm of
frightening insects.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Fe’rein: What makes
this <i>story</i> any different than any of
the other drivel available?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Me: That is a bit
strong, isn’t it? I would like to think that my writing offers a fresh
perspective on the fantasy and science fiction genre. I always try and include
elements of ethics and philosophical assumptions in my novels, and this one is
no different. I love to explore the elements of good and evil, as well as the
murky gray area that is exposed when decisions and choices and are no longer
easy. I think it captures the essence of the <i>monomyth</i>, or the hero’s journey, as well as being a rousing
adventure tale that a reader of any age can enjoy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">E’Malkai: How is it
doing so far?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Me: It is a bit early
in the game to really say much about it. I released it almost a decade ago and
it was well received, but it was in desperate need of a strong editing session.
Now, I feel like it accurately reflects my growth as a writer and that it has a
strong chance of being pretty successful, perhaps my most successful work
yet. Let’s put the focus back on you: </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
do you want from life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">E’Malkai: I want to
set things right…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(Fe’rein stands
suddenly. Elcites turns, interceding between the Dark Creator and the youth.
Arile moves soundlessly behind the <i>mion</i>.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Fe’rein: There is
nothing to set right. I did what was necessary. They took Summer away from me.
They had to pay. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Me: (standing) It
seems as though I have struck a nerve. Let’s try something a bit easier, shall
we? What’s the most important thing in your life? What do you value most?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Arile: (lowering his
weapon) The search for truth, questioning my place in this world. Complacency
weakens the mind. I value knowledge, intelligence, and logic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Fe’rein: (sitting
once more with a huff) Solitude. The power to do what I must to keep what I
have claimed. Once, I valued family and love, but those times have passed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Elcites: My charge,
my mission. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">E’Malkai: My family,
the people who depend on and believe in me, even if that faith is misplaced. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Me: Speaking of
family, </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">did you turn out the way you expected? The
way your parents predicted?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">(Elcites maintains
his ambivalent stare and Arile inspects something deeper in the darkness of the
room.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Fe’rein: I did not
know my mother and father well. I have memories of them, brief glimpses of who
they were, moments in time frozen and exaggerated. I used to wonder how they
would judge me, but that doesn’t matter to me any longer. I turned out the way
I did because of the choices I made. My father could not have known what would
fall into my path. His plan for me is irrelevant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">E’Malkai: (looking at
his uncle, Fe’rein, with sorrow) I did not know my father, but as I traveled
north I learned much about the man he was and who he wanted me to be. My mother
was secretive of my past, but I do not blame her. I realize now that she did
not want me to die as my father had.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Me: That is quite
sad. The path of the fallen began when Seth, your father, was cast from the
Fallen and then ends when you return. Were you afraid of traveling north by
yourself, E’Malkai? What is your greatest fear?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">E’Malkai: Not being
able to do what is necessary. Turnabout is fair play: At what point in your
life did you realize you wanted to be a writer?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Me: A meaningful
question indeed. I think I always knew I wanted to be a writer. When I was
about six, I designed an entire play for my cousin’s birthday: sets, script,
and little figures on Popsicle sticks. As the years went by, I found that the
notion of storytelling was very attractive. This pursuit led me to writing my
first novel in high school, a space opera that I published in 2002. Since then
I have published ten novels and plan on telling stories until someone spreads
my ashes over the sea. (Turning to Fe’rein) Fe’rein, what is your greatest
regret?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Fe’rein: Beyond being
summoned to this ridiculous farce, I would imagine the content of my life was
the result of walking down a path to darkness. It was not sudden or abrasive,
but instead incremental and engrossing. My greatest regret is taking my
brother’s life. It was too late for me by then. I could only see darkness,
despair. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Elcites: (clearing
his throat) What was your intent with writing <i>The Path of the Fallen</i>? Why did you set us down this path?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Me: I wanted to tell
a very particular story: one in which the line between good and evil become
blurred and the consequences of a hero’s actions mean much more than defeating
the bad guy. I liked the notion of a family saga wrapped up in an epic science
fiction/fantasy novel. The hero’s cycle makes for a powerful story and often
answers fundamental questions about the human condition. Hopefully, my book is
successful to that end. (Taking a step forward and gesturing to Arile) Arile, </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">how
do you decide if you can trust someone? Do you test the person somehow? Or are
you just generally disposed to trust or not to trust?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Arile: Trust, like
respect, is earned. When I first met E’Malkai, it was his naivety and simple
manner that let me know that I could trust him. Generally, the test of whether
or not a person is trustworthy is created by the environment, selected for by
pressures that challenge a person. The idea of being predisposed to trust, or
not to trust, is born of not trusting oneself. Have you written many more
stories? Are we to carry on, storyteller?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Me: As the book
closes, the story does not end. The path has ended, at least metaphorically,
but the journey is far from over. <i>Book of
Seth</i> returns to the beginning, giving us a glimpse of the life of Seth
Armen, as well as Ryan Armen before he was corrupted. The sequel, which takes
place after <i>The Path of the Fallen</i>,
is called <i>Breath of the Creator</i> and
weighs in on what comes next. There are several other novels with transient
beings not of your dimension: a supernatural detective solving murders in San
Francisco; a young man who discovers what it takes to be responsible as the
world falls apart; a love story set in an epic fantasy world. (Spreading my
hands wide, acknowledging all of them) This question is for all of you, </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">what</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> is one strong memory
that has stuck with you from childhood? Why is it so powerful and lasting?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Arile: I will never
forget when I returned home from a hunt and found my village decimated, wiped
from this earth by Umordoc. I took the long walk into the tundra, to die, but
found peace and a new home. The winds have been my companion ever since. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fe’rein: Your
question is foolish, storyteller. My childhood was a lifetime ago. I am no
longer that frail boy who walked beside his brother on the tundra. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elcites: I do not
recall my childhood. I was born on Terra and raised in Culouth. My youth was
devoted to learning everything I could about human beings and their ways so
that I might one day protect E’Malkai.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">E’Malkai: Once I had
fond memories, but now they all seem like lies meant to obscure my path.
Storyteller, do you read other stories? </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Are you reading
anything right now, or have you read anything recently that is worth
mentioning? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Me: I have been
reading <i>A Dance of Dragons</i> by George
R. R. Martin. I have become very invested in that world, though I will admit
that the pace of the narrative has slowed dramatically. I find myself
undulating between being surprised and intrigued by the story and then suddenly
being quite bored.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elcites: </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">How
did we come into being? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Me: I am assuming you
are asking me about my writing process. For <i>The
Path of the Fallen</i> I wrote it for four months straight, including <i>Book of Seth</i>. Generally, I like to
create a living outline that evolves as the characters come to life and begin
to guide the narrative. It is dependent on the world I am invested in at any
given time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">E’Malkai: </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Are
our names meaningful? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Me: They are not
derived from other lore, if that is what you meant. E’Malkai was named as homage
to the naming scheme of the tundra people. It really depends on what I am
writing. For instance, <i>The Journey</i>
has names that are quite significant in terms of their meaning. Otherwise, I
like to invent names for a particular world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Arile: </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">How
do you define success as a writer? Have you been successful?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Me: Success is
elusive once you define it. It becomes something that you aspire for regardless
of the process and the craft. I would like to think that success is writing
stories that people in enjoy and connect with, even if it is negatively. I
think I have been successful in a very limited way: people have read my books
and enjoyed them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">E’Malkai: </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Do
you have words of wisdom about writing that you want to pass on to novelists
and writers out there who are starting out?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Me: Write what you
love and learn from criticism. The publishing world has changed. I have been
writing for nearly a decade and I find that every year there seems to be a new
opinion on which way the wind is blowing for fiction. Stay the course and do
what you love. If writing novels and telling stories is what you want to do,
then do that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fe’rein: I have
noticed that you ask this ridiculous question of other storytellers: </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What
is your End of the World Playlist? Why do you ask this question?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Me: I like hearing
what people think about the notion of an end-of-the-world scenario. Also, I
have a zombie novella of the same name and I like having the vibes out there
for it. Do you guys have anything specific that you want to say to the readers?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Arile: E’Malkai of
the South will do what he must to set the world right. His story will be passed
on for generations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Elcites: The path of
the fallen is filled with both adventure and sadness. Follow E’Malkai and be
transformed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Fe’rein: I will have
my day, in this life or the next. I am not evil, nor is E’Malkai good. We are
merely opposite perspectives. You decide who visited more harm upon the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">E’Malkai: I would
like to think that I have done the right thing, taken the right path. The
storyteller will not give away his secrets, but he might give you a glimpse.
The greater question is: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to
your readers, storyteller?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Me: I am honored for
anyone to read my novel. I hope that it will foster and appreciation of reading
and the arts that is slowly disappearing among children and adults alike. I
love to hear back from readers, so if you would like to get in touch with me,
please be sure to check out my links below. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Bio: </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A psychologist, author, philosopher, freelance editor, and
skeptic, Dan O’Brien has published several novels and currently has many in
print, including: <i>The End of the World
Playlist</i>, <i>Bitten</i>, <i>The Journey</i>, <i>The Ocean and the Hourglass</i>, <i>Deviance
of Time</i>, <i>The Portent</i>, <i>The Twins of Devonshire and the Curse of the
Widow, </i>and <i>Cerulean Dreams</i>.
Follow him on Twitter (@AuthorDanOBrien) or visit his blog at </span><a href="http://thedanobrienproject.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://thedanobrienproject.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He also
works as an editor at <i>Empirical</i>, a
national magazine with a strong West Coast vibe. Find out more about the
magazine at </span><a href="http://www.empiricalmagazine.com/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">www.empiricalmagazine.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Links:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Path of the Fallen (US): </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Path-Fallen-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B009D2PNIU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348005293&sr=8-1&keywords=the+path+of+the+fallen+dan+obrien"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.amazon.com/The-Path-Fallen-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B009D2PNIU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348005293&sr=8-1&keywords=the+path+of+the+fallen+dan+obrien</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Path of the Fallen (UK): </span><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Path-Fallen-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B009D2PNIU/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1348194299&sr=1-2"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Path-Fallen-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B009D2PNIU/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1348194299&sr=1-2</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/authordanobrien"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.facebook.com/authordanobrien</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bitten (US): </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bitten-Lauren-Westlake-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B005METJLU/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328663974&sr=1-1"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.amazon.com/Bitten-Lauren-Westlake-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B005METJLU/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328663974&sr=1-1</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">End of the World Playlist (US): </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/End-World-Playlist-ebook/dp/B0072KE9EO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328663887&sr=1-1"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.amazon.com/End-World-Playlist-ebook/dp/B0072KE9EO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328663887&sr=1-1</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cerulean Dreams (US): </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cerulean-Dreams-ebook/dp/B005S9ZKLM/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328664085&sr=1-1"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.amazon.com/Cerulean-Dreams-ebook/dp/B005S9ZKLM/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328664085&sr=1-1</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Journey (US): </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Journey-ebook/dp/B005MEND1M/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328664146&sr=1-1"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.amazon.com/The-Journey-ebook/dp/B005MEND1M/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328664146&sr=1-1</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The End of the World Playlist
(UK): </span><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/End-World-Playlist-ebook/dp/B0072KE9EO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328664608&sr=1-1"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.amazon.co.uk/End-World-Playlist-ebook/dp/B0072KE9EO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328664608&sr=1-1</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bitten (UK): </span><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bitten-Lauren-Westlake-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B005METJLU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328664631&sr=1-1"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bitten-Lauren-Westlake-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B005METJLU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328664631&sr=1-1</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cerulean Dreams (UK): </span><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cerulean-Dreams-ebook/dp/B005S9ZKLM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328664681&sr=1-1"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cerulean-Dreams-ebook/dp/B005S9ZKLM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328664681&sr=1-1</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Journey (UK): </span><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Journey-ebook/dp/B005MEND1M/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328664706&sr=1-1"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Journey-ebook/dp/B005MEND1M/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328664706&sr=1-1</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Blog: </span><a href="http://thedanobrienproject.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://thedanobrienproject.blogspot.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Twitter: </span><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/AuthorDanOBrien"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://twitter.com/#!/AuthorDanOBrien</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012196707828423695.post-47431232750607850102013-02-26T06:45:00.000-06:002013-02-26T07:01:26.934-06:00A Writing Perspective from the Other Side of the Fence - A Guest Post by Dan O’Brien<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryDkOL7LhPO0DM-qSStrfhSvtQovSyJfAhtt78-IOWvfNC8NH2xpiK8YVJ23qXTLXAlVyNGItr8OP_6ovA4qEG7beZzmbkQA1qaVp5vxSjJPb4E2zb37isvGdqwZgv9PQlQOGRd2j6-XD/s1600/Empirical+Dan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryDkOL7LhPO0DM-qSStrfhSvtQovSyJfAhtt78-IOWvfNC8NH2xpiK8YVJ23qXTLXAlVyNGItr8OP_6ovA4qEG7beZzmbkQA1qaVp5vxSjJPb4E2zb37isvGdqwZgv9PQlQOGRd2j6-XD/s1600/Empirical+Dan.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;">Life as a
writer can be hard sometimes.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">Success is
elusive; fans shift as often as a summer wind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">Yet, we
persevere, writing into the late hours of the night and waking in the early
hours of the morning to log the hours and enter, for a time, the worlds we
create. When I first started writing, more than a decade ago, it was because I
loved the idea of immersing myself in a place where I could construct the
narrative; walk through dense forests and to the tops of mountains. Over time
the process became more about writing as a tool to move through emotions and
languishing memories that required catharsis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">Writing
takes on many forms, for many different writers, over the course of our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">For me, the
process is the reward. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">I love to
write. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">When I ask
myself that silly question of what I would do if I had all the money in the
world, the answer is always quite simple: write. Now more than a decade later,
I have a renewed sense of purpose and have become quite adept at balancing the
spinning plates of responsibility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">Recently,
between being a full-time graduate student and writer, I joined <i>Empirical</i> magazine as an editor – among
other responsibilities. A national magazine similar in spirit to <i>Harper’s</i> or <i>The Atlantic</i>, the magazine is firmly rooted in a West Coast
sensibility. There is a little something for everyone, and honestly, the hope
is that everyone will take a look. Contributors to the magazine come from
around the globe and cover everything from politics to fiction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">Working at a
magazine, especially at this point in its maturation, is a wonderful
experience. There are so many moving parts that enliven your day. Sometimes I
spend the day sorting through fiction and poetry submissions, searching for
that piece of prose, or perhaps a stanza, that ensnares my imagination. Other
days I am editing, constantly referring to the Chicago Manual of Style to
ascertain the correct usage of an archaic sentence structure. As a writer, the
prospect of editing and rummaging through the work of others might not sound
exciting, but there are some wonderful consequences: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">You learn to become a better editor of your
own work<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">You begin to recognize redundant
sentence structures and overused phrases<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">Your grasp of language grows
exponentially<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">However, the
most important component for me is:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">You get to help others bring their work
into a public forum<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">For many
writers, and certainly for me early in my writing career, the notion of being
picked up by a magazine or a small press was foremost in my mind. It was that
distant promise of publication and everything that goes with it that pushed me
forward. When I got rejection letters, most of which lacked a personal touch, I
would get down on my writing, denigrate my ability. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">The years
passed, during which thousands of rejection letters amassed, and I realized
that the pursuit of writing for a purely extrinsic reward was dooming myself to
Vegas-style odds. I became clear to me that I needed to write because I loved
it, and then find a way to share it with others – even if it was not through
traditional routes. I found that I was more comfortable with my writing when I
did it for the pure joy of it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">Now that I
am on the other side of the fence, so to speak, I have noticed a few myths
about submitting to paying publications that otherwise mystified and frustrated
me prior to becoming an editor and being responsible for interacting with
first-time and established authors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">I have
decided to provide a humorous, but serious, collection of things you should do
and things you shouldn’t do when submitting and entering into a discourse with
a publication – sprinkled, of course, with some anecdotes. And without further
ado (or perhaps <i>slight</i> ado if you
count this sentence here):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">Things
You Should Do<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">Read
the publication you are submitting to before sending an email</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">. This one sounds obvious, I know.
However, it happens so often that it warrants mentioning. If you have written a
brilliant piece of prose that is about zombies, it is quite likely that <i>Popular Mechanics</i> will not be that
interested in it. Pick up an issue of the magazine you are interested in
submitting to and familiarize yourself with the kinds of stories they publish.
The next part is the hardest part: be honest. Does your piece fit with what
they publish? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">Read
and follow the submission instructions</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">.
Again, a no-brainer. If you are thinking that you don’t know where to find the
submission instructions and you just have an email address, be prepared for
disappointment. Your email might go to submission purgatory with a one-liner
response about having received your correspondence – if you’re lucky. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">Address
your submission to the appropriate person</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">. If you are thinking that I am giving you the obvious
pointers, then you are quite right. With that in mind, imagine that I still
receive hundreds of emails a month that manage to ignore these simple suggestions.
If you are writing a stunning expose on corporate greed, the poetry editor is
probably not the best destination for your work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">Edit
your work</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">. I tell this
to students a lot, so I will mention it here as well: spell check in Microsoft
Word is not sufficient. I am not saying that you need to be a copyeditor to
submit to a magazine, but do yourself a favor and read it out loud. If it
something sounds funny when you read it, you can only imagine how it will sound
to an editor who is choosing among thousands of articles and stories to
determine what goes to print. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">Be
cognizant of turnarounds. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">By
this I mean, the amount of time between when you sent in the work until you
hear back from an editor about the status of your submission. Nothing will send
your work to the bottom of a slush pile than to send a follow-up email the day
after you submitted, wondering whether or not you are going to be in the
magazine. Most publications will post how long it takes to hear back from them
about the status of a submission, and an amount of time after which you should
contact them if you haven’t heard from them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">Things
You Shouldn’t Do<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">Send
an email telling an editor that they would be stupid not to publish your work. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">It always surprises me when I get an
email telling me that I need to publish a story, poem, or piece of nonfiction
because it is the next best thing. Top this off with letting me know that I
would be a fool not to accept it, almost guarantees a trip to the trash can. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">Send
a photocopy of your story by registered mail. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";"> If you want to have your story in a magazine,
start by giving it to editors in a format that they can actually use. By
sending a faded and blurry photocopy of your forty-word poem and declaring that
it is a soul-searching masterpiece does not inspire as much confidence as you
would think.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">Contact
an editor on a frequent basis about the status of your submission</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">. I have to sort through hundreds of
emails a day, edit for the current issue, and work on editing an anthology; not
to mention a thousand other intangibles. We posted a time table about getting
back to you for a reason: read it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">Be
discouraged by a form rejection letter.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";"> This is a bitter pill to swallow for many writers. They
think the form rejection letter means that the editor didn’t read their work,
or simply had things already planned and was stringing writers along. The
reality is on any given month I send out hundreds upon hundreds of rejection
letters. There is simply not enough time in the day to offer feedback to every
single person. This not to say that I do not offer feedback, or that editors do
not offer feedback in general, but instead the process is streamlined so
writers can be responded to in a reasonable amount of time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">Call
the magazine to find out about your submission. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">This is subsumed by not contacting an
editor about the status of your submission before enough time has passed, but I
thought it warranted a special mention considering it is really going the extra
mile in terms of being an irritation. If we haven’t gotten back to you yet,
calling us is not going to suddenly make us more accessible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">Send
another email with corrections. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">Read
twice, send once. If you don’t think what you sent is ready for publication,
then please don’t send it. You get one chance at a first impression, and
nothing speaks to being underprepared and unprofessional than sending a draft
and immediately following up with another draft. If your piece needs work, note
that in your submission, but don’t send a series of emails chronicling the
different stages of the edits for that story. The exception, of course, is if
you have already been accepted and you have been asked to make edits.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">Contact
the magazine to air your frustrations about not being selected.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";"> I say this with all seriousness. It is
very likely that you got rejected because the piece was not a good fit and not
that the magazine has decided to order a hit on your writing career. Please
don’t treat it that way. Lashing out at a publication for sending a form
rejection letter, or passing on a piece you have written, reeks of a lack of
professionalism and could impact your ability to publish elsewhere. Many
editors are friends, especially in the digital age, and word spreads fast. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">8.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">Contact
the magazine to ask if you think a story you are working on would be a good fit
elsewhere.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";"> I can
appreciate the sentiment. A lot of editors are writers themselves, and they
love talking about the process and the product. I find myself building
friendships with writers, those we publish and those we do not, and often I
will give them suggestions about their work. However, if you don’t know me
personally and have never been published or solicited in any way to use me as a
sounding board, then do not contact me and ask if a poem or story would be a
good fit at another magazine. If you think it is ready for publication, then
submit it here. An obvious exception would be if the writer knew the story
would not be a good fit and asked because they were uncertain in venturing into
new territory. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">I could
probably keep listing things you shouldn’t do, but I will wrap it up there. I
encourage you to keep trying and keep writing. Things only get better with
time, and time is all we really have. I love to hear from other writers and
potential readers, so please stop by and say hello. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">Bio: A
psychologist, author, editor, philosopher, martial artist, and skeptic, he has
published several novels and currently has many in print, including: <i>The End of the World Playlist</i>, <i>Bitten</i>, <i>The Journey</i>, <i>The Ocean and
the Hourglass</i>, <i>The Path of the Fallen</i>,
<i>The Portent</i>, and <i>Cerulean Dreams</i>. Follow him on Twitter (@AuthorDanOBrien) or visit
his blog </span><a href="http://thedanobrienproject.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">http://thedanobrienproject.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">. He recently started a consultation
business. You can find more information about it here: </span><a href="http://www.amalgamconsulting.com/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">http://www.amalgamconsulting.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012196707828423695.post-2319319174853924292013-02-07T12:50:00.000-06:002013-02-07T12:50:54.367-06:00Review of Subspecies, a novel by Mike Arsuaga<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJ691CryHQlqAHI7nGNx4WeKjbcEcO5utkmr4mUnOtcho9q-kwHHKwIH7PeNIU7X06lLDoDcWdUE2ed4v4k1XChMwHWI_sofTHjpsZl-RFUG84p-xEMd1pKpYE1M9qLz4mJKTIRa9GrCT/s1600/Subspecies+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJ691CryHQlqAHI7nGNx4WeKjbcEcO5utkmr4mUnOtcho9q-kwHHKwIH7PeNIU7X06lLDoDcWdUE2ed4v4k1XChMwHWI_sofTHjpsZl-RFUG84p-xEMd1pKpYE1M9qLz4mJKTIRa9GrCT/s200/Subspecies+Cover.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
Maybe it’s not fair, Subspecies being the only vampire novel
I’ve ever read, but I found the book refreshing in concept compared to all the
vampire movie plots I’m aware of. To me, what made this novel different was that
it provided a reasonable basis for the existence of vampires and werewolves,
and treated them more like regular people—people who live for three hundred
years or so … and drink blood … and eat other people. The novel also provided
insight into the heightened physical senses of the characters in the story:
better vision, outstanding hearing, a sense of smell a bloodhound would die for,
great strength when morphed into their “otherworldly” self, and an elevated sex
drive beyond normal comprehension despite being incapable of reproducing their
kind. These vampires did not turn into bats, but they sure were horny.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mr. Arsuaga presented his vampires and werewolves in a most
original way, and his heightened grasp of the English language helped him do
it. The book had an almost “Old World” tone to it because of the word
selections used, something I found titillating. The main character is, after
all, quite old, and one would expect he would drag forward into the modern
world much of the manner of speaking from the past. I liked that.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The storyline goes something like this: boy vampire meets
girl werewolf. They have a deep and meaningful relationship while filling their
freezer with various body parts and, despite the species differences when
morphed, manage to have a whooping good time in the bedroom doing all manner of
things werewolves and vampires really enjoy. A police detective gets close to
discovering the two have dispatched a few missing people, so they have to eat
her. Despite their differences, they have a litter. And that’s where the next
novel picks up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I found the novel humorous, despite the gore. It was also
quite sexually explicit, a little more than I normally choose, but hey, no one
forced me to keep turning the pages. There is also a content warning on the
first page, and I am over eighteen—way over. The book was very well written and
extremely well edited. I applaud that; both are difficult to achieve.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, here’s my assessment. High marks for originality,
writing and editing; a little less for plot. Explicit content warning must be
heeded. Overall, a solid 4.5 stars.<o:p></o:p></div>
James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012196707828423695.post-76999850081181781622013-01-06T05:56:00.001-06:002013-01-06T05:56:04.891-06:00Blurb and Excerpt: Human No Longer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0IHXvCxOyP2KCzHni4H06qi8Mr_oPKpAx-fxkfFeeQaqO18LJVPwUd0kPX-xz_fJDFPvPYr7hLPTee3tV8TjcLtauIp2sfdL9icgT4JDbRMBZqAxPzKJjOc5IrcRBP3yx6nqmP4ND7JK/s1600/HumanNoLonger_Kindle_itunes_apple_Smashwords.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0IHXvCxOyP2KCzHni4H06qi8Mr_oPKpAx-fxkfFeeQaqO18LJVPwUd0kPX-xz_fJDFPvPYr7hLPTee3tV8TjcLtauIp2sfdL9icgT4JDbRMBZqAxPzKJjOc5IrcRBP3yx6nqmP4ND7JK/s320/HumanNoLonger_Kindle_itunes_apple_Smashwords.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Blurb: Human No Longer</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On a summer night, </span><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Jenny and Jeff Sanders become the victims of a bizarre crime, leaving Jeff dead and Jenny in a coma. Their attackers aren’t caught. She returns to her children and her life. With Jeff’s<br />
death his business and their income are also gone. Jenny, a novelist, hasn’t written a book in years, so she must move back to her childhood home in Summer Haven, Florida, where years before she and Jeff destroyed a sadistic family of vampires.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
At least her brother, Joey, who owns a local diner, is there to help.<br />
But Jenny has no appetite. She’s edgy. Her eyes hurt. Could be trauma from the attack. Grief. Until one night, after they’ve moved into the rundown family farmhouse, she can’t resist the night woods or drinking animals’ blood. Gradually she accepts the truth. Her attackers were vampires. Now she’s becoming what she once hunted and fears she must either kill herself or run.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">She can’t abandon her children, but promises herself never to drink human blood; to find a way to live in the human world. It’s not easy. They renovate the farmhouse, which local gossip says is haunted. At night she hunts and hides what she’s becoming from everyone. She fights to be a good mother and not let the blood lust overpower her. Gets a job and attempts to fit in.</span><br /><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">People, bodies emptied of blood, begin dying. Like years before. With her blackouts, she fears she may be their killer and confides in Joey. While a Detective, investigating her husband’s and his daughter’s murders,<br />
complicates things. Jenny suspects it’s her attackers doing the killings. They’ve found her and demand she join them–or her family will die. When she resists, her children are taken. To save them, she becomes part of their killing spree. Becoming a monster like them…until she finds a way to outwit and ultimately destroy them.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
In the end it takes supernatural intervention, a ghost, and the help of a childhood friend to set her, and the world, free from the vampires once and for all. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><b>
Excerpt: Human No Longer</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
The moon had inched downwards in the sky as she turned and headed towards the farmhouse. It was time to return home to her children. Awareness of the shadows stalking her, an encircling noose of entrapment, began once she entered the woods. She’d let her guard down again. So foolish of her. Before she could run, the shadows were on her. A steely hand grabbed one arm, another clamped around the other. Her instincts warned she was in real danger. These were her kind but not like her. There was this stench of malevolence<br />
around them. Strong as smoke. Don’t let them capture you. You must get away.<br /><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Ah,” a voice spoke near her ear, “you are strong. Zebulon said you were. I didn’t believe him. It’s beyond me how you’ve come to be what you are. It’s extraordinarily rare you didn’t die and then became one of us. You’ll come with us. Now.”</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
“Who are you?” she demanded, not struggling to escape. Be smart. Wait for a chance. Think of Teddy and Sarah. You must protect them.<br /><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“I go by Dante. And you?” She refused to answer. “Can’t you read my mind?”<br /><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">He didn’t answer for a minute. Then he replied, “It doesn’t matter. All you need to know is you belong to us. We’ll decide what to do with you. Come along.”</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
“And if I don’t come along as you so nicely put it?”<br /><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Then,” his laugh was somehow sinister, “we’ll have no further use for you. You’ll die here and now. I’m stronger than you. We’re all stronger than you.”</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
As afraid as she was, the words slipped out, “Did you kill my husband?”<br /><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Your husband?” As if he didn’t know what she was talking about.<br /><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Jeff Sanders. We were attacked in St. Louis beneath a bridge late one night the end of August. He died. I lived. Something, a cloud of shadows, swept in and out and left him dead.”<br /><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The vampire didn’t respond at first as if he were mulling it over.<br /><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well, did you?”<br /><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Most likely. We dispatch so many of you. You’re our nourishment. We travel all over your world.” He snapped his fingers and the crack ricocheted around them. “You can’t expect me to recall every last pitiful one and where.”<br /><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The heartlessness in his voice made her instantly loathe him, as his grip tightened.<br /><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“How did you find me?”<br /><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“What you are called to us once your change was complete. It’s the way we knew you existed. Distance doesn’t matter.”<br /><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Are you…am I…a vampire?”<br /><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“A vampire?”<br /><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“A vampire,” she hissed.<br /><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Another disgusted laugh. “Vampire? That’s what your kind think we are, except we’re so much more. We’re from another…place.”<br /><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">His free hand waved in front of her face. “A vampire is a creature you humans made up. We’re not dead or undead, nor one of your devil’s disciples or any of those ridiculous things. One day we’ll rule this planet and all you cattle on it.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
“I’ll give you a choice. You join us or not. It matters little to me either way. We just can’t have you out in the world running free. Alerting people to our existence before we’re ready for that to happen. It puts us in danger. If you’re not with us, you’re our enemy–and our enemies we do not allow to live.”<br /><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">She didn’t want to join him. Them. She wanted to scratch his eyes out and break his neck. Jeff had been more than this monster’s nourishment; his death more than a consumed Happy Meal to her, to Teddy and Sarah. Damn if she was going with them!<br /><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The rage, fear and loss of the last month boiled over inside her and ignoring the words and warnings, she tore from their grasp and fled. Her body, lifting from the ground, moved faster than the wind through the night trees. Behind her she heard their curses and pursuit. She thought of the farmhouse, longing for the safety of its walls, and suddenly she was there in her kitchen. Her enemies left behind somewhere in the woods. She got away this time. How? Could they track her? Find her? She didn’t know.<br /><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">She held her breath, listening, for what felt like an eternity. Nothing. After a while she thought she might be safe. No one had followed her. She consciously cloaked her thoughts, her very being, and shutting her eyes, leaned against the wall so she wouldn’t sink to the floor.</span><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span>James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012196707828423695.post-37162438534474380772013-01-06T05:32:00.000-06:002013-01-06T05:33:33.241-06:00Human No Longer Backstory<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzoTwjp9uEPKvn4uKT75WuDx4IvlfjTUmoFshLhhrchMXU90wPS48onQhv9rei5QxwA2bqQ7GyLH0V3ESfUjO9Ap3wQZR1Lj5-M3l-_GkLlK0Y_N-_o3dnAMpl64MEUBSybHMBCaHHQ6-/s1600/HumanNoLonger_Kindle_itunes_apple_Smashwords.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzoTwjp9uEPKvn4uKT75WuDx4IvlfjTUmoFshLhhrchMXU90wPS48onQhv9rei5QxwA2bqQ7GyLH0V3ESfUjO9Ap3wQZR1Lj5-M3l-_GkLlK0Y_N-_o3dnAMpl64MEUBSybHMBCaHHQ6-/s320/HumanNoLonger_Kindle_itunes_apple_Smashwords.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="text-indent: 22.5pt;"><span lang="EN-GB">Human No Longer</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;"> is
my 17<sup>th</sup> published book – yeah! – and my fourth vampire novel. First,
let me tell you where I got the idea for it. About five years ago, I was still
trying to please the agent who’d sold four of my earlier
paperback novels to Zebra in the 1990’s and, because she didn’t like
any of my new potential concepts, I asked her what she would <i>like</i> to see. Out of nowhere, she said, "You know your 1991 Zebra vampire novel, <i>Vampire
Blood</i>? I liked that one a lot. The characters. Well, how about writing me a
sort of sequel with basically the same cast, but with this premise: A woman, a
mother, after being turned into a bloodthirsty vampire, must learn to adapt to
the human world and still be a good mother. You know, how would she deal with
everything when she had children she loved; didn’t want to hurt or leave
them … but still had the need to feed on blood? Still had all the urges and
desires of a vampire?"</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 22.5pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Yikes.
I hated the idea but, to please her, I went ahead and begrudgingly wrote the
book. I tentatively called it <i>The Vampire’s Children</i> or the <i>Vampire Mother</i> or
something like that. I finished it. Not too happy with it. I had never liked
writing what other people wanted me to write. Stubborn, I guess.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My agent, in the meantime, had begun her own online
erotic (which I don’t much care to write) publishing company, and when I
finished with the novel she was too busy to read my book. She handed it off to
an apprentice intern, an intern who didn’t like it at all? What? Duh. So,
disgusted, I tucked the file away on my computer and, fed up with the whole
agent thing, returned to writing what I wanted to write, an end of days novel
called <i>A Time of Demons</i> and a new
vampire novel where the evil vampire wasn’t a mother.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In 2010 I went with a new publisher, Kim Richards at
Damnation Books/Eternal Press, and she contracted not only those two books but
asked me if I’d like to rewrite, update and re-release all seven of my older
out-of-print Leisure and Zebra paperbacks going back to 1984. Heck yes, I said!
So for the next two years I was busy doing that. Some of those books were over
twenty-five years old and very outdated. Their rewriting, editing and
rereleasing took a lot of work and time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Then, in late 2012, I decided to take a very old book
of mine (Predator) which was contracted to Zebra Paperbacks in 1993 but, in the
end, was never actually released, and just for the heck of it, as my 16<sup>th</sup>
novel, self-publish it to Amazon Kindle Direct in e-book form. It was a kind of
grand experiment, the first time I tried self-publishing to see how it’d sell.
The book is <i>Dinosaur Lake</i>, a story
about a hungry mutant dinosaur loose in the waters of Crater Lake that goes on
a rampage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Hey, I wrote <i>Dinosaur
Lake</i> before <i>Jurassic Park</i> came
out! Really. I had my cover artist, Dawne Dominique make a cover for it … and
it was <i>stunning</i> with a dinosaur
roaring on the front. I did everything else myself. Editing. Proofing.
Formatting. With forty years and endless publishers behind me I felt I was
capable. The book was selling so well
I decided to self-publish another one … and I remembered the mother/vampire
book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So I revamped (ha, ha, inside joke), polished and
self-published it as well. I re-titled it <i>Human
No Longer</i>. My fabulous cover artist, Dawne Dominique, made a lovely,
haunting cover with a troubled-looking woman standing outside a spooky house,
with two children behind her in its shadows, on the front … and voila! All in
all, I don’t think the book turned out half bad. In fact, with the changes I
made I think it’s not bad at all. Now I just hope my readers will like it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So that’s the story of <i>Human No Longer</i>, my 17<sup>th</sup>
published novel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText2" style="text-indent: 22.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7_M2fHsrkAMLi88vEZl74PZQO2XObv1o1GbqfJwDCUfRzDOwj8mq_68VDm2m_zYzXMe2Aql4KjPy3Se97xg981Nm4j86xYAAcMnC1zP6lrK0GRtT6zt5Yr-AVZZ3dQ6hbwvkENFzcO0y/s1600/100_8628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7_M2fHsrkAMLi88vEZl74PZQO2XObv1o1GbqfJwDCUfRzDOwj8mq_68VDm2m_zYzXMe2Aql4KjPy3Se97xg981Nm4j86xYAAcMnC1zP6lrK0GRtT6zt5Yr-AVZZ3dQ6hbwvkENFzcO0y/s200/100_8628.jpg" width="150" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">About <b>Kathryn Meyer Griffith</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .05in; text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Since childhood
I’ve always been an artist and worked as a graphic designer in the corporate
world and for newspapers for twenty-three years before I quit to write full
time. I began writing novels at 21, over forty years ago now, and have had seventeen
(ten romantic horror, two romantic SF horror, one romantic suspense, one
romantic time travel, one historical romance and two murder mysteries) previous
novels, two novellas and twelve short stories published<span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"> from Zebra Books, Leisure Books, Avalon Books, The Wild Rose Press,
Damnation Books/Eternal Press and Amazon Kindle Direct</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .05in; text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I’ve been
married to Russell for almost thirty-five years; have a son, James, and two
grandchildren, Joshua and Caitlyn, and I live in a small quaint town in
Illinois called Columbia, which is right across the JB Bridge from St. Louis,
Mo. We have three quirky cats, ghost cat Sasha, live cats Cleo and Sasha, and
the five of us live happily in an old house in the heart of town. Though I’ve
been an artist, and a folk singer in my youth with my brother Jim, writing has
always been my greatest passion, my butterfly stage, and I’ll probably write
stories until the day I die … or until my memory goes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #333333;">All Kathryn
Meyer Griffith’s Books available at Amazon.com here:</span></b><span style="color: #333333;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Kathryn+Meyer+Griffith"><span style="color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black;">http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Kathryn+Meyer+Griffith</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> <span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><u>Novels
and short stories from Kathryn Meyer Griffith:</u></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Evil Stalks the Night</b> (Leisure, 1984;
Damnation Books, 2012)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The Heart of the Rose</b> (Leisure, 1985;
Eternal Press Author’s Revised Edition 2010) <strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Blood Forge</b> (Leisure, 1989; Damnation Books
Author’s Revised Edition, 2012) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Vampire Blood</b> (Zebra, 1991; Damnation Books Author’s
Revised Edition, 2011)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The Last Vampire</b> (Zebra, 1992; Damnation Books
Author’s Revised Edition 2010) You Tube
Book Trailer:<b> </b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZU77j_q4S8"><span style="color: black;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZU77j_q4S8</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Witches</b> (Zebra, 1993; Damnation Books Author’s
Revised Edition 2011)<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The Nameless One</b> (short story in 1993 Zebra
Anthology <b><i>Dark Seductions</i></b>; Damnation Books Author’s Revised Edition,
2011) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The Calling</b> (Zebra, 1994; Damnation Books Author’s
Revised Edition, 2011)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Scraps of Paper</b> (Avalon Books Murder Mystery,
2003…soon to be an Amazon Kindle Direct ebook)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>All Things Slip Away </b>(Avalon Books
Murder Mystery, 2006; Amazon Kindle Direct paperback & ebook 2012)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Egyptian Heart</b> (The Wild Rose Press, 2007;
Author’s Revised Edition, Eternal Press 2011) My self-made<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You Tube Book Trailer:<b> </b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cogCNYKzPqc"><span style="color: black;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cogCNYKzPqc</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Winter’s Journey</b> (The Wild Rose Press, 2008;
Author’s Revised Edition, Eternal Press 2011) <strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">You Tube Book Trailer address:</span></strong> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZYCs2DVhHg"><span style="color: black;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZYCs2DVhHg</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The Ice Bridge</b> (The Wild Rose Press, 2008;
Author’s Revised Edition, Eternal Press 2011) You Tube Book Trailer: <b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28HZqu-my1g" target="_new"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28HZqu-my1g</span></a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Don’t Look Back, Agnes </b>novella & bonus short story:<b> In This House</b> (2008; ghostly romantic
short story out; Eternal Press 2012) <strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">You Tube Book Trailer:</span></strong><strong> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3q9rZryFMo"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3q9rZryFMo</span></a></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>BEFORE THE END: <i>A
Time of Demons</i></b>
(Damnation Books 2010) You Tube
self-made Book trailer with original song<b> </b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0-U9c2Lwfo"><span style="color: black;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0-U9c2Lwfo</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The Woman in Crimson</b> (Damnation
Books 2010) You Tube Book
Trailer Link:<b> </b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcRBvDI5G4Y"><span style="color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcRBvDI5G4Y</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong>The Complete
Guide to Writing Paranormal Fiction</strong>: <em>Volume 1</em> (I did
the Introduction)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Dinosaur Lake</b> (from Amazon Kindle Direct 2012)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>4 Spooky Short
Stories</b> (Amazon Kindle 2012)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Telling Tales of Terror</b>(I did the chapter
on the Putting the Occult into your Fiction)<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Human No Longer </b>(Amazon Kindle 2012)<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>My Websites:</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.myspace.com/kathrynmeyergriffith"><span style="color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black;">http://www.myspace.com/kathrynmeyergriffith</span></a> (<i>to see all my book trailers with original
music by my singer/songwriter brother JS Meyer</i>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.bebo.com/kathrynmeyerG"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-style: normal; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black;">http://www.bebo.com/kathrynmeyerG</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1019954486"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-style: normal; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black;">http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1019954486</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.authorsden.com/kathrynmeyergriffith"><span style="color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black;">http://www.authorsden.com/kathrynmeyergriffith</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/profile/kathrynmeyergriffith"><span style="color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black;">http://www.goodreads.com/profile/kathrynmeyergriffith</span></a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.jacketflap.com/K.griffith"><span style="color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black;">http://www.jacketflap.com/K.griffith</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.shoutlife.com/kathrynmeyergriffith"><span style="color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black;">http://www.shoutlife.com/kathrynmeyergriffith</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://romancewriterandreader.ning.com/profile/KathrynMeyerGriffith"><span style="color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black;">http://romancewriterandreader.ning.com/profile/KathrynMeyerGriffith</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://www.romancebookjunction.ning.com/profile/kathrynmeyergriffith"><span style="border: none; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">http://www.romancebookjunction.ning.com/profile/kathrynmeyergriffith</span></span></a></span>James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012196707828423695.post-24541072035890686452012-12-22T02:01:00.000-06:002012-12-22T02:01:00.495-06:00The Family Truth behind "The Shadow Lord"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdRQ8i5kECxCAXHMhwjq5DER6HQjow2dfYAzeqaYwi3RvQ52BYL7ibuo4MnDShsHFMhGJMEdr-S0O8hkm9fxdPMD6ZOMSzIeKR2XV8PUdfmkL10SuzoPRC8P21YWaM_p7UJnqWtzuieEO/s1600/shadowlordfinishcover.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdRQ8i5kECxCAXHMhwjq5DER6HQjow2dfYAzeqaYwi3RvQ52BYL7ibuo4MnDShsHFMhGJMEdr-S0O8hkm9fxdPMD6ZOMSzIeKR2XV8PUdfmkL10SuzoPRC8P21YWaM_p7UJnqWtzuieEO/s1600/shadowlordfinishcover.jpeg" /></a>Vampires based in
Fact<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i> It was a
lovely Southern summer afternoon—late afternoon, in fact. What the townspeople called “evening,” that
time before day turns into night and the sun begins to dim. It was around six o’clock when Warene de
Vissage stepped from the dining room of the house onto the back porch, calling
to her child to come in for dinner. The
sinking sun was shining on the back side of the house and Warene was sheltered
from its rays by four walls and a roof.
Nevertheless, she could see the heat rising in shimmering waves from the sidewalk fifteen feet away behind the barrier of a running
rose-covered picket fence. She could
also feel that same heat touching her skin and surrounding her like a prickling
aura.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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Wrapping
her arms protectively across her chest, she hurried back inside not waiting for
the child to obey.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i> The next
morning, Warene awoke in agony. Her skin
burned, felt hot and tight. Staggering
out of bed and to the mirror above her vanity, she stared at the horrorific
image before her…its skin crimson and scorched, blistered and scaling, the
burst edges of blisters curled and inflamed.
As if someone had held her over an open fire. To touch her face brought excruciating
pain. To look at it brought tears. It itched, it burned, and the awful part was…she
knew why.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i> The sun…reflecting
off the pavement. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Hadn’t she felt its heat? She’d dared step outside during daylight,
thinking just this once, it wouldn’t matter…just this once, so late in the day,
she wouldn’t suffer, but though she hurried back inside, that damnable sun
still found her, and did its work.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i> It would
be weeks before she would heal.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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This may sound like the beginning of a vampire story, but
it’s true, taken from my own mother’s life.
<i>Maman</i> suffered from PMLE. <i>Polymorphic
light eruption</i> is one of the less virulent forms of XP<i>, xeroderma
pigmentosum</i>…a condition in which an individual’s DNA cannot repair the
damage done to the skin by ultraviolet
rays. There is also the danger of
cancer ( 2,000 times stronger than for an unaffected individual) or progressive
neurological damage. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Not much was known about it back in <i>Maman’s</i> day and
she was given no treatment, except the
usual and customary treatment prescripts for an “allergy,” which did absolutely
nothing in the way of alleviating her pain, and definitely didn’t provide a
cure. One doctor actually suggested
ultraviolet treatments, and the result of that…you can imagine.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Although they now say that PMLE generally resolves itself by
age 30, there’s no cure for XP. XP suffers <i>never </i>come out in daylight;
they live their entire lives after dark.
<i>Maman</i>, however, refused to do that. Probably because she had no true knowledge of
what she was suffering from, and because she had a family to take care of, she
simply forged ahead with her life. She
was never able to go into the sunlight without being
completely covered from head-to-toe, even on the most overcast days. Long pants, knee socks, a long-sleeved shirt,
gloves, a neck scarf, and a wide-brimmed
hat were her usual attire when leaving the house, plus the addition of an
umbrella…and still, she could be touched by sunlight reflecting from the
pavement or any surface, and going through her clothes to cause first degree
burns.<o:p></o:p></div>
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PMLE/XP appears to be hereditary, though the occurrence is one in a million, so
I was lucky; even with my blond hair and fair skin, I can walk in sunlight with
no more than the normal fear of getting a sunburn. SPF-70 sunblock and I are old friends,
however, and I use it faithfully. My
mother’s skin, where it wasn’t scarred by old, healed burns (mostly on her
arms), was as pale and translucent as a piece of alabaster.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In hindsight, I imagine this condition also contributed to
her death of ALS, <i>Amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis</i>, a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that
control voluntary muscle movement.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Okay,</i> you’re probably saying about now. This is all very interesting, and you have
our sympathy, Tony-Paul, but… <i>What does this have to do with vampires?</i> <i>I
want to hear about your latest novel,
not your familial illnesses.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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The inference is obvious, and may be one of the ways the
vampire myth began. If you were a
superstititious person living in a primitive time when it was believed the sun
sank into the sea every night and rose from it every morning, and you saw
someone actually burned by that same sun…someone who was only comfortable after
dark and only felt he could safely come out of his dwelling in nighttime…what
would you think? Other opinions have
been offered: premature burials,
porphyria, lycanthropy. I’m certain all
these—plus PMLE and XP—attributed to the legend a good many of us who are
writers have used to our advantage.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When I began my series <i>The Second Species</i>, I wanted
my vampires to be different, not the usual <i>Undead, sleeping-in-a-coffin</i>
type. So I made them a <i>living</i>
people, a second species of Mankind, divorced from their human brothers because
of their differences. They have many
characteristics of the Undead but I’ve given them acceptable
reasons: the entire group suffers
from XP, therefore they can’t emerge into sunlight. I explained away other vampiric
characteristics. They have allergies—the
most powerful one being to garlic and certain herbs. Their refusal to look at crosses, etc., is
not because they are repulsed by them but because their <i>own</i> religion demands
they not look on the sacred objects of other faiths, and so on. They have certain Laws, Canon handed down
from their gods, to govern their behavior,
especially in regard to humans.
Understanding how normal people fear them, they have hidden themselves
away in the cloud-covered peaks of the Carpathians where the sun never
penetrates and whenever they emerge, tragedy inevitably follows.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That is the story behind the creation of my “vampires,”
based in fact, elaborated in fiction.
The first novel in the series, <i>The Shadow Lord</i>, will in the early
months of 2013 by Double Dragon Publishing.
Look for it…I think you’ll enjoy it…and feel a little sympathy for those
true suffers who are “deprived of God’s holy sunlight.”<o:p></o:p></div>
James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012196707828423695.post-26003177681959026192012-12-15T02:01:00.000-06:002012-12-15T02:01:01.348-06:00Dark God Descending<br />
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<b><i>Tony-Paul de Vissage</i></b> <b><i>Author Bio:</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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One of Tony-Paul de Vissage’s<span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","serif";">
first movie memories is of being </span>six<span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","serif";">
years old, viewing the old Universal horror flick, <b><i>Dracula’s Daughter</i></b><i>, </i>on television, and </span>being<span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","serif";"> scared sleepless—</span>and <span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","serif";">that may explain a lifelong
interest in vampires. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: JCkg; mso-hansi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: JCkg;">This was further </span>compounded<span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: JCkg;"> when the author </span>crossed paths with<span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: JCkg;"> a band of transplanted Transylvanian vampires </span>sightseeing<span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: JCkg;"> in </span>the<span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: JCkg;"> </span>South<span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: JCkg;">. Thinking
<i>nosferatu</i> were getting a<i> bad press </i>and in need of some </span>favorable<span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: JCkg;"> </span>publicity<span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: JCkg;">, he decided to </span>use his writing <span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: JCkg;">to
change that attitude. Though </span>it<span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: JCkg;"> may be </span>argued<span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: JCkg;"> his efforts have probably done the opposite, </span>no<span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: JCkg;"> vamp has complained…yet</span>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: JCkg;">A voracious reader whose personal library has
been shipped more than 3,000 miles, Tony-</span>Paul<span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: JCkg;"> has read hundreds of vampire tales and viewed </span>as<span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: JCkg;"> many </span>movies<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p> </div>
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<b><i>The Maya Gave us Something More than a Calendar<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtlywN0DAvTuwQd5yT6ICnT0FUUAyUmlSlmiE4xUPrg4FLzu2GaOVBtWG0iF23yqdpdOT-dRtzo_Rz9NwZrQRP-Qcz6Qo3zMjBNQ91uCuV2YcxJt9__0XP5zRot5N13de5GBRo0w4Vj1h/s1600/mayantemple+copy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtlywN0DAvTuwQd5yT6ICnT0FUUAyUmlSlmiE4xUPrg4FLzu2GaOVBtWG0iF23yqdpdOT-dRtzo_Rz9NwZrQRP-Qcz6Qo3zMjBNQ91uCuV2YcxJt9__0XP5zRot5N13de5GBRo0w4Vj1h/s200/mayantemple+copy.jpeg" width="133" /></a>I guess we can all relax.
Archaeologists excavating in Xultun, Gautemala, have uncovered a hidden
room which houses wall paintings indicating the world isn’t going to end on
December 22, 2012. The walls reveal the oldest known astronomical tables from
the Maya, dating from about 1200 years ago and extending 6,000 years into the
future, proving that Time will indeed “keep marching on.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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Since that problem’s out of the way, let’s turn to something
also Mayan but a lot less worrisome.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Recognize this plot?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>In the jungles of
the Yucatan, a lost city flourishes.
It’s stumbled upon by scientists who carry away some object precious to
the inhabitants. In doing so, they bring
a curse upon themselves as the embodiment of the sacred object, itself mindless
except for the desire for revenge, brings the wrath of the gods upon the
wrongdoers. Various minor characters are
killed off as the hero struggles to save his friends and return the sacred
object to its home...and the inevitable happy ending flashes upon the screen</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HB8By4Kr6wyWBPf599OkELy1OpS5F2Q_3qua3SzZRgmOvjHph4nhxzgLtJbY55KJH3g_GcUc1vmwogZRmrodfJ3prRY1_-ZlQGncDM-4JJzLdTZqD6F3VpYibIfb8E2hTXQUIZd_8YEl/s1600/Front+Cover+-+God+Descending.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HB8By4Kr6wyWBPf599OkELy1OpS5F2Q_3qua3SzZRgmOvjHph4nhxzgLtJbY55KJH3g_GcUc1vmwogZRmrodfJ3prRY1_-ZlQGncDM-4JJzLdTZqD6F3VpYibIfb8E2hTXQUIZd_8YEl/s200/Front+Cover+-+God+Descending.jpeg" width="133" /></a>My soon-to-be-published vampire novel <b><i>Dark God Descending</i></b>
touches on a few of these points, and then goes flying wildly away, as is my
usual wont when writing about familiar themes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There’s a lost city—<i>Nikte
Uaxac,</i> where life is going on as it has for thousands of years—and a sacred
object is definitely stolen from the city, but there the similarity ends. The stolen object is the Emperor himself,
Semris II, son of the god of Death, a vampire godling with too much curiosity
about the Outside World. and Semris himself is the first to admit it. In fact, it’s his “insatiable curiosity” that
gets him kidnapped in the first place.<o:p></o:p></div>
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To the Maya, the vampire wasn’t a cursed creature but simply
another of their gods, several gods in fact.
First and foremost was the God of Death, called by various names of <i>Yum Cimil, Cizin</i>, and <i>Au Puch</i>. <i>Yum Cimil’s</i> companion in the Underworld was <i>Cama-Zotz</i>, the demon bat, also known as <i>Ikal Ahau</i>, a gigantic bat who ate raw human flesh. There was also a god called <i>Zotzilaha</i>, depicted as a tall man with
wings and fangs. <i>Zotzilaha</i> was supposed to have power over the living and was
offered the sacrifice of human life.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Semris most closely resembles <i>Cama-Zotz</i> except for the fact that he is slowly in the process of
becoming as human as the mortals over whom he rules. When the story opens, he’s already lost his
protective armor of scales, and he’s never taken blood directly from a living
being. He’s actually a “blood virgin”
until his captors nearly starve him to death and he does the only thing he
can. He attacks the one man who’ll soon
become his friend. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8B0QZso5BLNj9aP43_PhVqRqmftrovEmQRx4ThczcVbxwWRXE3Xafty73TAHnwC_9n7tYhqRJuc02xyiQ-GXBR1JBWrj3yPMRsGwGbW8Y-i9vxN8MmxBmHaFiet3efBZsSY0UNtgWw8Br/s1600/Fotolia_8430577_M.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8B0QZso5BLNj9aP43_PhVqRqmftrovEmQRx4ThczcVbxwWRXE3Xafty73TAHnwC_9n7tYhqRJuc02xyiQ-GXBR1JBWrj3yPMRsGwGbW8Y-i9vxN8MmxBmHaFiet3efBZsSY0UNtgWw8Br/s200/Fotolia_8430577_M.jpeg" width="141" /></a>From the moment Semris sinks his fangs into Tuck’s arm,
their lives will never be the same again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Tuck walked
over to the cage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Oh, God, did
that last shot kill him</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">? As far as he could tell, Semris hadn’t moved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">When he saw
the slow rise and fall of the bare chest, he felt abrupt relief. He also saw
the golden amulet, recognizing it as the twin of the one that had started all
this unpleasantness in the first place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The fruit
hadn’t been touched, was rapidly darkening, the sweet, overripe smell
permeating the cellar, attracting flies. <i>How the
Hell did they get in here, anyway? </i>Several big bluebottles
were buzzing around inside the cell, hovering over the peaches, a couple
crawling along the edges of the plate. One was floating in the water glass,
wings fluttering and making little splashes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Tuck knelt
and opened the little flap, reaching inside to remove the glass. As he reached
back in for the plate, it happened. so fast he didn’t even realize Semris had
moved until he felt the iron grip upon his wrist, saw the fangs drop and the
dark head covering his hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">He screamed
as twin razor slashes struck through his wrist...knowing no one could hear,
struggled desperately to get away. Frantic, disbelieving thoughts whirling
through his mind. <i>Oh, God, this is why he didn’t eat the
fruit. He’s a vampire! Sweet Jesus, he’s going to kill me! Help
someone, help me! Why should they? I didn’t help </i>him<i>.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The pain
went away, his arm numb from wrist to fingertips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">He knelt
there on the floor, watching the pale body crouched so near he could have
reached out and touched his shoulder...his bare, <i>wingless</i> shoulder.<i>Where
did his wings go</i>? <i>What happened to them</i>? All he could do was
watch those shoulders heave with the strength of each deep swallow, feeling his
life ebb away, and a vague surprise that it didn’t hurt at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Eyes rolling
up, Tuck gave a little sigh and collapsed against the bars. He was barely
conscious as he saw Semris raise his head and release his arm. In spite of
being only slightly aware, he felt a stab of surprise as the quiet voice
whispered, “<i>Gracias. Gracias por su sangre</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">He’s
thanking me? Thanking me for letting him kill me</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">? With an
effort, he made himself withdraw his wounded arm, cradling it against his chest
with his other hand. Forcing his eyes open, he stared at his wrist, fighting
the wave of blackness floating before his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">There was no
bloody ripped-away flesh as he’d imagined, only four deep punctures. Two of the
five little veins had been pierced, but the wounds were clean and already
clotting. Tuck forced himself to take a deep breath, then let it out, and repeated
the procedure. <i>Keep breathing! Don’t pass out. He might
decide to have a second helping</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“I took too
much. I am sorry. I was too hungry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">There was
such concern in Semris’ voice that Tuck found himself replying, “That’s all
right. I-if I’d known, I… Oh, God, <i>what am I saying?” </i>He fell
silent, feeling a bout of hysteria galloping toward him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Something
was thrust into his hand. One of the peaches. Semris’ hand, between the bars,
holding it out to him. “<i>Aqui. Come. Pronto</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">So he took
the peach and bit into it, choking slightly as the rich, sweet juice slid down
his throat, but forced himself to keep chewing and swallowing. As the fruit
sugar hit his stomach, he began to feel better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“That was
good.” With a sigh, he tossed the peach pit aside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Through the bars, hands helped him to his feet. He
leaned against the door, hanging onto it to keep his balance as dizziness
flooded back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> “Again,
I am sorry. He looked up, meeting Semris’ eyes, startled at the concern in
them. “It has been so long since I have had the <i>living wine</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Living
wine…what a beautiful way to describe it. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Tuck still
felt a little groggy, wondered if he was now under the vampire <i>thrall. </i>He
decided to find out. “Am I your minion now?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Why would
you think that?” Semris sounded genuinely puzzled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Well,
you’ve taken my blood. Generally, when a vampire--”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“<i>Vampiro! Donde</i>?”
Semris looked around quickly, arms crossing over his throat in a protective
gesture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“<i>You.”</i> Tuck
answered, feeling he’d made a mistake. “Aren’t you a vampire?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Of course
not!” The answer was disdainful that Tuck might mistake him for such a vile
creature. “I am a Dark Lord. <i>Un demonio.</i>” The pale chin lifted
proudly. “<i>Los vampiros </i>are creatures accursed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Tuck thought
that over. “And you’re <i>not</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“No.” Semris
shook his head, the dark hair swinging. “I am not.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Tuck realized he must be feeling
better, to be able to marvel at the absurdity of this conversation.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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That’s grad student Tuck’s introduction to Semris, with whom
he soon develops an emotional bond, as they communicate through an archaic form
of Spanish. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s the relationship between these two men—separated by
millennia but joined by their unexpected friendship—that makes up the majority
of the story. Oh, there’s a love story,
too, don’t doubt it—as well as a love triangle, but it’s the interaction
between Tucker and Semris, and their attempts to learn about and accept each
other which eventually changes both their lives, gaining one immortality and
the other humanity, as well as affecting their loved ones and their people
forever.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>Dark God Descending</i></b> has been described as a “unique,
stay-up-all-night read.” by Margaret Marr, and received 5 Angels from Dark
Angel Reviews. House of Toad called it
“a classic Indiana Jones adventure with a dark and bloody spin.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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As prejudiced as I am, I think it’s got something for anyone
who likes the paranormal <i>genre.</i> Adventure, suspense…sex, of course, most
definitely. Wouldn’t be a love story
without it. There’s some humor, as a
staid and upright physician loses his inhibitions enough to become a permanent
resident of his own particular <i>Twilight
Zone</i>. And don’t forget the blood and
violence. Plenty of that, too. After all, it <i>is</i> a story about a vampire.
And the villain’s fate? Totally
and completely fitting, and at the same time ironic in the extreme. If it were a movie, the audience would cheer!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>Dark God Descending</i></b> is scheduled for a very appropriate
December release by Class Act Books, December 15, to be exact. I tried to get it scheduled for December 22,
but the publishers just wouldn’t agree.<o:p></o:p></div>
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NOTE: To celebrate
the discovery of the “new” Mayan calendar, I’m offering a copy of my novella <b><i>Vampires
are Forever</i></b> to one lucky commenter who can answer this question: Which Mayan vampire god does Semris most
closely represent?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Author
website: <a href="http://www.tony-paul.com/"><span style="color: windowtext;">http://www.tony-paul.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Twitter:
@tpvissage</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Facebook:
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/tonypaul.devissage"><span style="color: windowtext;">www.facebook.com/tonypaul.devissage</span></a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">MySpace:
<a href="http://www.myspace.com/505918625"><span style="color: windowtext;">http://www.myspace.com/505918625</span></a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Goodreads:
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5117438.Tony_Paul_de_Vissage"><span style="color: windowtext;">http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5117438.Tony_Paul_de_Vissage</span></a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012196707828423695.post-90005207191410335082012-11-28T12:22:00.000-06:002012-11-28T12:22:13.957-06:00Review of Jack Thompson's "Godmachine"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkg6231joJqoV3K2lDAO-MHyuSe81R3P8iFWAP99i7tWDxE5ecV0lPQ8wqHaQZ6x-1k4swS_4IKtMj0MMCPrvx5_y_YKadCZSlzI24OpfHtr0T4IkFPAY9KqoU4Cq1CPBvHPI7EeCFBUHp/s1600/Godmachine+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkg6231joJqoV3K2lDAO-MHyuSe81R3P8iFWAP99i7tWDxE5ecV0lPQ8wqHaQZ6x-1k4swS_4IKtMj0MMCPrvx5_y_YKadCZSlzI24OpfHtr0T4IkFPAY9KqoU4Cq1CPBvHPI7EeCFBUHp/s200/Godmachine+Cover.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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Jack Thompson’s <i>Godmachine</i> is a fascinating futuristic
thriller reminiscent of Orwell’s <i>1984</i>,
with a touch of Isaac Asimov’s <i>I Robot</i>
thrown in, except the willing relinquishment of individual freedoms to an ever
invasive government/Godmachine supercomputer in the name of greater security takes
place on the planet Plixon rather than on Earth. Subservience for the “greater
good” seems reasonable at each step of the way … until the tampering by elitists
is revealed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The story unfolds after a strange object is discovered on Mars,
which is determined to be a recording device with a stern warning message from
Plixon. The astronauts who discover the device decipher the message and send it
to their superiors on Earth, but when the astronauts and the device are destroyed
on re-entry, the reader is left with the empty feeling that political powers on
Earth are not capable of heeding it. The Godmachine is a clever story, itself a
stern warning about complacency. And just when you believe there is little hope
humans can learn from the mistakes of others, the saga ends with a hint of hope
for us all.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">My take: this novel’s editing is outstanding—I didn’t
find a single error. It is also a five-star read. Sci-Fi fans will love it, but
those in favor of massive government control of individual lives might find it
offensive. But hey, I believe that was the point.</span>James L. Hatchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16878657504618939978noreply@blogger.com0