tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10518480621569749012024-03-14T14:48:43.821-04:00Feed My Need . . . For a Good ReadOr suffer the consequences. Cue evil laughter.
Formerly called A Three Way Tie.Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.comBlogger278125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051848062156974901.post-41463131320957403502014-04-14T17:09:00.000-04:002014-04-14T17:09:44.687-04:00So Long, FarewellWell, this is the official end of this blog.<br />
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<img src="http://coveredincathair.com/sites/coveredincathair.com/files/pussinboots.jpg" /><br />
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Oh, don't give me that look! I think we all knew that I was . . . Less attentive lately thanks to my teaching job, writing, and my new found love of gardening.<br />
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I want to just thank everybody for their support during this time. I really enjoyed this blog but it's time to move on to greener pastures.<br />
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Oh yes, people, I have a website!!<br />
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<img 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" /><br />
<br />
Here it is: http://www.larissahinton.com/<br />
<br />
Much easier to remember the website name, huh?<br />
<br />
:D<br />
<br />
The only thing has changed (and this is the biggest part): I will no longer focus on my blogging/book review.<br />
<br />
It's a focus on my writing career.<br />
<br />
I need to put things into drive and give my full attention to my novels. They have suffered in the darkness long enough.<br />
<br />
It's time to become a full-fledged writer and unfortunately, that means that blogging has got to go.<br />
<br />
So no more book reviews.<br />
<br />
It's time for a change.<br />
<br />
Thanks for understanding my devoted followers! I will miss you and I hope you find a great blog that you will follow with as much devotion as you have mine!<br />
<br />
(This blog will be up for about a month, to let y'all transition smoothly, but after that I will officially delete this blog. Adjust accordingly.)Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051848062156974901.post-12368097882848235772013-11-04T07:00:00.000-05:002013-11-04T07:00:03.916-05:00Huge Fan?Huge fan of my books? Want to keep up with my new releases?<br />
<br />
Then you're in luck! Sign up and I'll email you only when I have published a new release, my books go on discount, or when I'm running an exclusive giveaway for my special fans!<br />
<br />
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<!--End mc_embed_signup-->Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051848062156974901.post-9682403726026587392013-08-09T08:00:00.000-04:002013-08-09T08:00:14.183-04:00Dangerous Job: Book Reviewer/Author<div style="text-align: center;">
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When I first started this blog, I thought being the book reviewer would be fun. I always wanted to share my opinion about books and have that lovely conversation about my favorite books.</div>
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However, from year to year, it seems like it's getting more and more dangerous to be a book reviewer.</div>
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What do I mean by that?</div>
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Anytime I critique a book, I look at the reviews. Of course, I read the book, form my own opinion, then write the review. Then I glance at what other people have to say.</div>
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Then when I see nothing but 4 to 5 stars for a book that didn't seem to earn it, it leaves me in a quite an odd spot.</div>
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It's always easy to agree with other reviewers but it takes a bit of . . . something to be able to stick with your review.<br />
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<a href="http://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/5326453/il_570xN.183347097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/5326453/il_570xN.183347097.jpg" /></a>It can be so tempting to just say, "Maybe I was wrong about the book. Maybe I didn't read it right. Maybe I missed something they didn't."<br />
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That's what makes writing reviews challenging at times.<br />
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Another part of this dangerous jobs are the folks that just love the author so much they are willing to defend the book to the ends of the earth.<br />
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Granted, I totally understand the fan club dedicated to Twilight series or the Divergent series. I, myself, was an avid Harry Potter, Twilight, and Chronicles of the Unicorn (by Bruce Coville) fan.<br />
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And it can be so easy to criticize other people who do not value your book. Especially Harry Potter.<br />
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Slight side track: Quick story, I was walking down the school hallways with my friends and I mentioned that I fell asleep reading the fifth Harry Potter book. For some reason, I seriously could NOT stay awake. In fact, I tried to re-read for the second time, and fell asleep again.<br />
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Well, once those words poured out of my mouth. It was on like donkey kong.<br />
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"How can you fall asleep during Harry Potter!?"<br />
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"How can you call yourself a fan and fall asleep! Shame!"<br />
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I mean, really? These were my best friends and they didn't even try to be supportive or even lenient with their tone. They thrashed me a good one. Just for an honest comment.<br />
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Nobody mentioned the fact that the fifth book compared to the fourth epic book of the Harry Potter series was just suck-tastic. Nope. I was clearly in the wrong since I fell asleep.<br />
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This is the perfect example of what can happen to a reviewer.<br />
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There have been plenty of times where a reviewer or even an average joe reader will write a review of a book and then get thrashed.<br />
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Maybe even cyber bullied about their opinion.<br />
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It amazes me what a simple opinion can cause.<br />
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There have been countless battles between book blog reviewer and authors and fans. It's probably as old as time. The book reviewer with their nose so high in the air versus the honest author who has slaved over a book for months to only be ridiculed about their book.<br />
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And sometimes it can be vice versa.<br />
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Sometimes the author can be in the right. Some bloggers intentionally read a book they KNOW they will hate with every fiber of their being and review it anyway.<br />
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And they trash it from beginning to end. Just because they can. Just because they want to get a rise out of the author.<br />
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And sometimes they get what they want. And sometimes they don't.<br />
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However, this is all besides the point.<br />
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My point in writing all of this is to caution young book bloggers and authors alike. Sure, reviewing a book you received for free can be the best thing eva since sliced bread.<br />
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I will fully admit, receiving the free books is the best part of this job.<br />
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But, like Rumplestilskin says in Once Upon a Time, there's always a price.<br />
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Just like Claudia says in Warehouse 13, there's always a downside.<br />
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Even though those are fantasy shows, there is always a grain of truth.<br />
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There's always a consequence for our actions and choices.<br />
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Nobody forced me to be a blogger. Nobody forced me to be a teacher. Nobody forced me to be an author.<br />
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For one of them, I was chosen to be one. And I fought it fighting and screaming the whole way.<br />
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I'll let you decide which one. :)<br />
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All of this to say, be careful for what you sign up for. Make sure to get tough leather skin for this business.<br />
It can literally eat you alive with anger and guilt. The blame game can go rampant. Depression and rejection can share company at times and the life can get lonely. Ever so lonely.<br />
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However, remind yourself everyday as to why you signed up to do this. Why you chose to write, teach or blog. You chose this for a reason. You are here on this earth for a reason.<br />
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Fulfill your purpose and let fate determine the rest.<br />
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What do YOU think is the most dangerous job out of all three: teacher, writer or blogger?<br />
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Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051848062156974901.post-49900656390553883132013-08-07T08:00:00.000-04:002013-08-07T08:00:03.490-04:00Fire by T.G. Ayer<div style="text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">Normal people sneak out to a party and have fun. Maya Rao ends the evening by incinerating the guy who attacks her. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">Nik Lucas, sexy, new in town and totally forbidden, happens to walk in on her. Normal guys would run for the hills. Nik knows a whole lot more than he's telling.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">Maya doesn't believe the gods are real, doesn't waste her time with mere mythology. But when gods, demons and hellhounds become the new normal and wielding fire becomes her new skill, she must decide what it is she really believes. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">Can Maya accept that normal is something she will never be because it isn't normal to be ...</span></i></div>
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<i>The Hand of Kali.</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">My Thoughts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Before I begin, I would like to thank
Innovative Online Book Tours for this fabulous book. I received this book for
free for a review. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Well, I have to say that the character and
the plot development is excellent. I love Maya's spunk and the mysterious Nik.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Although this book was good, it just
wasn't for me. There was just nothing that was particularly wrong with it, but
it just wasn't my taste.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">All of the great elements were there,
great characters and great plot development, but I just didn't dig it. Maybe if
I break this down a little better, I'll be able to see what it was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Characters: Like I said earlier, love the teen angst and the spunk
of Maya. And she's not a typical white female kickbutt character. I love how
her culture as an Indian-American comes into play into the paranormal plot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Love Nik and his mysterious nature. I kinda figured out what was
going on between Nik and Maya, but it was still interesting to learn more and
more about this character as it continued on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dialogue: This is where I had an issue with the book. Especially
with the parents. They talked as stiff as a cardboard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Think about all of the stereotypical responses parents give typical
spit fire teens, and you will know what I'm talking about. I couldn't stand the
fact that they were so stiff with the language they were using.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">And the crucial part of this is: All parents are different. All
children are different. To tell me that these parents are the same type of
parents down the street is doing them an injustice. To give Maya and Nik such
depth but skimp out on the parents makes me feel like the author was lazy or
just plain ol' tired of all of the effort she gave to all of the other
characters and just said, "Screw it" to the parents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I feel slightly cheated that she did that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Plot: Like I said, plot development was excellent. No complaints
here. The character led the plot forward and that's how it should be. Well
paced, well structured and well executed. Nothing I could ask for more in this
arena.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Setting: Love how the setting and the culture came into play with
the plot. It's like the author took all of the literary elements and strung
them together to the Indian culture which is just so what I've been waiting for
from other others in the paranormal genre.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">If you've been a follower since the beginning, you will know that
I've been begging for an author to tie in minority roots to the paranormal
genre for years. And I'm so thankful that somebody did. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Anyway . . . :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Historical Context: I know, I had to throw it in there for a loop!
:) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Anyway, I got a bit lost in the Indian culture and the religion. I
think the author made it accessible, but I still got a little lost since there
are so many different gods and different powers associated with each. I had no
idea they had an underworld and a god to boot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But I really think that if I tried a bit harder and flipped back
from time to time, I think I would get it. I wasn't lost enough not to get back
my footing, but I thought I would mention it just in case. If you're going to
buy it, then you need to make sure you know what you're going in to. Just my
honest opinion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Ending: Ended with a bow on top. Couldn't be happier.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Overall: I would definitely recommend this book to people, like
me, who are just waiting for a minority character to explore the Indian
paranormal mindset.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It's your choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Just because it didn't suit me just right, doesn't mean it won't
for you! I love practically everything about this book, it just didn't fit my
personal taste. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Anyway, I highly recommend this book for paranormal romance
lovers. Check it out. Read it and thank me later. :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051848062156974901.post-36708864070829416742013-08-07T07:00:00.000-04:002013-08-07T07:00:07.177-04:00Book Excerpt: Dying to Dream<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
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<i>When Jack Robesaux is found lying dead on a Louisiana beach, psychic Marin Seurat must use her gift to prove it is murder and not suicide. Though Marin knows her dreams with their messages from the dead could help, she struggles with the idea of returning home and facing a troubled past—but a phone call informing her of Jack's murder and the return of the family curse gives Marin that final push. In a surprising turn of events, Marin discovers a mystery from long ago that somehow connects to recent deaths. With the help of cryptic messages delivered by spirits, Marin races to solve the mystery of Saint Toulere</i>.</div>
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<br /><b>Excerpt</b><br /><br /> The sweltering Louisiana heat steamed up from the ground and carried through the air, along with the salt and acrid stench coming from the gulf. It burned the nostrils and caused an ache from head to toe. It didn't matter where, a body felt it. However, this particular morning it carried more. The odor of blood and urine, mixed in with other smells all too familiar to Trent Robesaux. It violated his senses while he struggled to hold back the bitter taste gagging his throat. Swallowing hard, he concentrated on the words spoken by Sam Tomaso. <br /><br /> "Found him about three this morning. Somebody trolling the beach—searching with one of those metal detectors, I guess—come up on his body." The sheriff of LaForche parish wiped a handkerchief across the back of his neck.<br /><br /> "When will you be releasing him? I need to call Rochere's sometime today and make the funeral arrangements." Trent kept his eyes on the swelling ocean water, anywhere but below with the scene of Jack Robesaux, his head marinating in a bloody pool, and the homicide team gathering around him. A collage of images scrolled through his mind; he filtered out the happy ones to remind him of the father who raised him.<div>
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<a href="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/cf/fe/c01bddcf0b340a7f0235af.L._SX80_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kathryn Long" border="0" src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/cf/fe/c01bddcf0b340a7f0235af.L._SX80_.jpg" /></a> </div>
Kathryn Long is a native Ohioan, born and raised in Barberton, the "Magic City". She is the youngest of five children, although the closest sibling in age is a brother sixteen years her senior. Being raised like an only child, Kathryn found reading and writing as favorable forms of entertainment. In high school as a member of the Writers' Club, she continued to nurture her writing talent. <br /><br />After high school Kathryn attended and graduated from the University of Akron with a BA degree in French. Before marriage and children the author managed a Waldenbooks store and continue writing short stories and song lyrics as a hobby. In 1987 she returned to school for a Bachelor's in Education. She has been an employee of the Green Local School system since 1990 and currently teaches SLD students at the high school. <br /><br />Writing took a more serious turn a few years ago as Kathryn completed her first novel-length work and discovered that mystery was her nitch. Early on, determined to improve her craft, she developed a habit of spending most of her free time in the summer and on weekends during the school year, writing story after story. Mystery merged with the color of Native American culture to create Oklahoma's Gold and A Pleasant View. Venturing into cozy mysteries and romantic suspense writing, Kathryn has created three novels with the cozy, Whips, Cuffs, and Little Brown Boxes; a romantic suspense, A Deadly Deed Grows; and the recently completed, Dying to Dream, another romantic suspense. <br /><br />Kathryn has also written short stories, two of which are published in The Piker Press: "A Good Man" and "Betrayal in a Letter". She also has ventured into the young adult genre, writing the modern-day fairytale, Cinderella Geek, under the pen name, K. Sean Jennkrist.<br /><br />Keeping connected is an important element of writing. Staying in tune with what goes on in the writing world and being visible are reasons why Kathryn is a member of Sisters in Crime and maintains a blogsite - Writers & Teachers as well as a facebook page.<br /><br />GREAT NEWS! My latest mystery, DYING TO DREAM, has been acquired for publication by MAINLY MURDER PRESS. The target date for release is in June, 2013. So, please put this on your calendar, if you enjoy mysteries with a bit of the paranormal and spiced with romance. It's a Louisiana delight full of suspense and colorful characters.<div>
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Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051848062156974901.post-59380932116562689942013-08-05T08:00:00.000-04:002013-08-05T08:00:01.817-04:00Guest Post: Rejection Blues by Mattie Dunman<a href="http://readingaddictionvbt.blogspot.com/"><img height="102" src="http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh501/myreadingaddiction/banner-339_zps77aa829e.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Please welcome the author of the great book Instinct, Mattie Dunman to Feed My Need!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">How to Deal with Rejection Blues</span></div>
<br />I remember about five years ago when I first decided I was going to write and publish a book, I knew that I would get the book written within a few months and that it would immediately get picked up by an agent, I would be offered a five-book contract with a major publishing house, and within a year I’d be watching my story play out on the big screen.<br /><br />Weird how none of that happened, huh? <br /><br />Instead, it took me closer to a year to finish my first book and edit it. Although I got a few nibbles on my manuscript, I pretty much ended up collecting rejection after rejection without even coming close to selling the book. <br /><br />I was fortunate enough to have gotten some stellar advice from a seasoned author at the beginning of my journey; she told me to join writers’ groups and to go to as many conferences as possible. I did as she suggested, and I’m still grateful for everything I learned that first year as a writer. I learned not to take rejection personally, that it didn’t mean my book wasn’t any good, or that I was a hack. I learned what it meant to “write for the market” and why that meant I might not really fit in with the major publishing houses. And I learned, most importantly, that a real writer doesn’t need an agency, or a big-name publisher, or even a bucket-load of cash (although that would be nice). All a writer really needs is a reader.<br /><br />So after another few years of incredibly frustrating rejections, close calls, and two more books that no one would give a chance, I decided to follow the footsteps of the new pioneers and went the self-publishing route. <br /><br />I’m still trying to figure the whole thing out, and I’m absolutely miserable when it comes to maintaining a website and online presence thanks to my less than tech savvy nature, but I’ve never been happier. I hear from new readers all the time and I know that they’ve only heard about my books because someone else told them they were good. Word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool, but it’s also incredibly satisfying for me as an author to know that my books are steadily gaining more readers not because I’m a brilliant social media diva, but because my characters resonate with readers and my stories are solid enough to draw people in. <br /><br />So when someone asks me how I deal with all the rejection I’ve gotten over the years, I look at some of my reviews and the letters I’ve gotten from readers, and I just shrug. Rejection is never a fun thing, but I know that I haven’t had to compromise my vision to match a bottom-line, and that I’m making it, slow as it may be, on my own merit. Do I still have dreams of getting a big contract? Of course! I’m only human, and it’s hard work being self-published. But every rejection made me a better writer, gave me more drive to get my work out there, and helped me realize that I don’t need to change my stories to match the market. All I really need is a reader, and they are everywhere, just waiting for a story.<br />
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If you loved this guest post, check out her book Instinct!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Instinct-ebook/dp/B00D2DZB5G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372873034&sr=8-1&keywords=mattie+dunman"><img src="https://sites.google.com/a/myaddictionisreading.com/summer-2013-2/_/rsrc/1372951273695/mattie-dunman/instinct%20cover.jpg?height=400&width=250" /></a></div>
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<i>To tell the truth...it doesn’t really matter if you lie.</i></div>
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<i>It’s impossible to lie to Derry MacKenna. For as long as she can remember, Derry has been plagued by the extraordinary ability to hear, see, and feel the truth. But when Derry and her erratic, self-centered mother move to historic Harpers Ferry, she discovers she is not the only one with hidden talents. </i></div>
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<i>As the newest reporter on the school newspaper, Derry learns of a high school student’s unexpected suicide and recognizes that the truth behind her death may still be hidden. When tragedy strikes, Derry is drawn into a deadly battle of wits with the only person whom her abilities don’t affect. </i></div>
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<i>Driven by guilt and an obsession with bringing the killer to justice, Derry finds herself in danger from a vindictive murderer, a sadistic deviant who preys on the weak, and trapped in the middle of a treacherous triangle of attraction between two brothers whose abilities rival her own. Derry must trust her instincts to guide her to the truth and bring her enemies to justice even as she fights for her own survival.</i></div>
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<i>INSTINCT focuses on a gifted, intelligent, and loyal heroine who must contend not only with the inherent dangers of high school bullying and backstabbing, but with loss, grief, and guilt. Against issues of sexual abuse, teenage suicide, and destructive relationships, the heroine learns to cherish the strength of real friendship, understand accountability, and experiences the healing touch of first love</i>.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Author Bio</span></div>
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<a href="https://sites.google.com/a/myaddictionisreading.com/summer-2013-2/_/rsrc/1372951408767/mattie-dunman/me.jpg?height=200&width=177" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://sites.google.com/a/myaddictionisreading.com/summer-2013-2/_/rsrc/1372951408767/mattie-dunman/me.jpg?height=200&width=177" /></a></div>
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Mattie Dunman is a lifelong resident of "Wild & Wonderful" West Virginia, and has dreamed of being a writer since she first held a pen in hand.<br />
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Mattie has pursued several useless degrees to support this dream, and presently enjoys teaching (or tormenting, as the case may be) college students the dying art of public speaking. She spends most of her free time writing, but also indulges in reading and traveling.<br />
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She is the proud owner of an adorably insane American Eskimo named Finn, and a tyrant cat named Bella, who take up more of her attention than they probably should.<br />
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Please visit Mattie's website at <a href="http://www.mattiedunman.com/">www.mattiedunman.com</a><br />
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<br />Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051848062156974901.post-45693447716017269112013-08-02T07:00:00.000-04:002013-08-02T07:00:10.539-04:00Cast the Cards Release Blitz <div class="MsoNormal">
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friend Clark—the man she secretly loved—didn’t. Guilt-ridden and changed after
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as a profiler. When she’s targeted by the very same kidnappers wishing to
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neck. It was a sweltering summer, and her parents’ air conditioner was on the
fritz. Which chased her over to Carey’s while they worked on their case after
hours. I wonder if Clark has something to do with that. The case had
become an all-consuming driving force for both of
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not that I mind.” His gaze raked over her. “I like the view.”
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like a pig. I doubt I’m much to look at.” </span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t underestimate your appeal.” The gravelly
quality of his voice touched her in places long unattended. Clearing her
throat, she attempted to refocus her attention on anything other than the sexy
man who sat across from her in a white tank top and a pair of sweats. No matter
how hard she tried, she couldn’t keep her gaze from his
tats.</span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Okay, I have to ask. What do the tattoos mean?”
</span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Aaah. The million dollar question.”
</span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Is it a secret?” Intrigued, she sat up
straight.</span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“No, just personal.” Red appeared in his cheeks.
“It’s a memorial.” </span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“That makes perfect sense. Why are you
embarrassed?” She arched an eyebrow.</span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s for the three of us… I sort of felt like we
died with Clark.” He placed his hand on his arm. “The rose
in the Rosary represents you.” </span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m on your arm?” she whispered. Touched, she covered her
mouth. </span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I couldn’t do the piece without you. It didn’t
feel right. When I first started work on this I knew I wanted us all on a
rosary, connected despite everything that went down.”</span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Carey.” Unable to find the right words, she shook
her head. </span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“See, this is why I didn’t want to talk about it.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. </span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“What have you been telling people all this time?”
</span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“That it’s a memorial tat for my twin brother. They don’t ask
for more detail after that.” </span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Am I the only one who knows?”
</span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yeah.” His jaw was tensed. He refused to meet her
gaze. Setting her drink on the table, she walked over to him and sank
onto the arm of his chair. She traced the rosary that faded into the background
of the brightly-colored, old school sailor designs that surrounded it. There
were red stars, a red and blue swallow, and a set of dice.
</span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Thank you,” she whispered. </span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He tilted his head up. Their gazes
locked.</span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Want to hear something funny?”
</span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sure.” He nodded, his voice equally
soft.</span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Stepping back, she pulled up the hem of her tank
top and lowered the top of her cutoff shorts. A delicate brown branch
with three blossoms, black, red, and pink, graced the curve of her hip.
</span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“For us?” </span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She
nodded. A slow smile erased the pinched, austere expression he’d held moments
earlier. He extended a finger and traced over the pattern. She sucked
in a breath. A searing heat spread through her body. Her pulse kicked
into overdrive and her muscles tensed. His finger crept lower, brushing the top
of her shorts. Holding her breath in anticipation of more, she watched him
through half closed lids. </span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Savannah?” Raspy and uncertain, his question asked
for permission. </span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Y-yes.” The words were out before she could over
think them. His head dipped and his tongue shot out and caressed the path his
digit had traced. </span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh.” Her nipples hardened and her pussy grew moist.
Years of neglect combined together to overthrow her objections. Desire exploded
inside her like a bomb, superseding her common sense. Latching her fingers onto
his shoulder she allowed her head to fall back, enjoying the feel of his mouth.
He nipped her skin, moving across her waist. The stubble on his chin tickled
where it grazed her delicate skin. He paused at her belly button and dipped his
tongue inside. Her stomach muscles quivered, and her toes curled in her
flip-flops. He pulled back, blowing on her wet
skin.</span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Carey.”The wobbly words made him look up.
</span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Do you want me to stop,
Vannah?”</span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> “N-no.” </span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Holding her stare, he brought his hand up and
cupped her pussy. She gasped. </span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Still okay?” </span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Unable to speak, she nodded. He began a massage.
</span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oooh.” In need of relief from the pounding rhythm of need
emitting from her core she spread her legs to allow him more room to play.
</span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’s it, baby, open up for me.” Her
legs trembled. The rough material pressed into her cleft. She rocked her hips
against him. Needy mewls slipped from her mouth.</span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“It feels so good,” she moaned.
</span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are you going to come for me, Vannah?”
</span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Y-yes.” </span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Mmm. I can feel the heat from your pussy through
your shorts. Are you going to let me taste you after I make you come?”
</span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The erotic image of his head between her legs sent
her hurtling up the precipice she’d climbed to at the speed of light.
</span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
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</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The sound of a zipper being pulled down brought her
back to the present. He parted the miniscule piece of fabric and worked it down
her hip, stopping to kiss the new patch of skin revealed to his hungry gaze.
</span></span></div>
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</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eKrLl6t79ks/Ue2cXcbmmWI/AAAAAAAAWOk/mj42ntUy20s/s1600/Author+Shyla+Colt.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eKrLl6t79ks/Ue2cXcbmmWI/AAAAAAAAWOk/mj42ntUy20s/s1600/Author+Shyla+Colt.png" width="310" /></a></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Shyla
Colt</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Author
Bio</b></span></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
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<o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><div class="MsoNormal">
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</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Told once 'You have to be an author, then you're
craziness becomes eccentrics', Shyla Colt has always been in love with the
written word and possessed a desire to write. Named after Super Girl in the
comics, she often mistakes her mortality for super hero status. So, she holds
many hats, Mother, Marine Wife, and writer are her top three. Writing allows
her to explore new venues, face her demons, and touch others. A huge
practitioner of paying it forward, and putting in what you want to get out, she
hopes to inspire, enlighten, move, and entertain you with her work. Mixing
humor, drama, and strong women, often with a paranormal element, she continues to
soldier ahead in the writing field. One of her favorite things is talking to
fans. If you'd like to learn more or just drop a line, please check her out at
<a href="http://www.shylacolt.com/">www.shylacolt.com</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="font-family: BlackChancery; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.shylacolt.com/">Website</a> | <a href="http://www.shylacoltsstraightshot.wordpress.com/">Blog</a>
| <a href="https://twitter.com/ShylaColt">Twitter</a></span><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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| <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mid-life-love-whitney-gracia-williams/1115860162?ean=2940016453293">Barnes
and Noble</a></span></span></div>
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<o:p></o:p>Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051848062156974901.post-63532448395232192302013-07-26T08:00:00.000-04:002013-07-26T08:00:01.630-04:00Autumn by Sierra Dean<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Autumn (Dog Days #1)" src="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1357246714l/17206499.jpg" /></div>
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<i>Cooper Reynolds’s life is going to the dogs… literally.</i></div>
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<i>As if being a high school senior in a small Texas town wasn’t hard enough, Cooper has bigger things to worry about than who he’ll take to prom and whether or not the Poisonfoot Padres will win homecoming. He has less than a year before his eighteenth birthday, when a curse placed on his family will doom him to live in coyote form forever.</i></div>
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<i>The last thing he needs to complicate his already messed-up life is a girl, but fate has other plans in mind for him when it brings Eloise “Lou” Whittaker to Poisonfoot. She’s grouchy, sarcastic and has no love for her new Texas home, but she might be exactly the right person to help Cooper break the curse.</i></div>
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<i>The clock is ticking, and Cooper will have to decide if he’s willing to let Lou in on his dirty little secret before it’s too late.</i></div>
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My Thoughts</div>
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Before I begin, I would like to thank NetGalley and Sierra Dean for the free book in exchange for a review.</div>
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I have to say from the moment I read this book, I was addicted. I literally couldn't stop reading it. I don't think it was the character this time (even though she was awesome and love her nickname of Lou which fits her perfectly), I think it was the plot.</div>
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It was so well written and developed that I literally tore through this book in two days. It was amazing and I'm so glad I read it.</div>
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However, I do have a few things to nitpick about this book.</div>
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Characters: Like I said, love Lou and Copper. It was interesting to see the whole character unravel in a very interesting way. I love the fact that this author brings a fresh twist to the paranormal realm and to the stereotypical characters.</div>
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She takes a jock and makes him unpopular and makes the "perfect" girl with a boy nickname have a flaw. It was nice to see that creativity in an author. </div>
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I think I love her just for that simple fact. </div>
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After reading Culture Shock, I needed something new. Something creative and I have to say Autumn did that in the most interesting way.</div>
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Overall, her character development is spot on. Love how she gives a twists to the stereotypical characters. It's just so refreshing.</div>
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Dialogue: Quick and witty. No cheesy love lines anywhere. I love the intensity she gave the characters. You knew that something was going on, but you didn't know what or even why. And she didn't tell, she showed!</div>
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She let the characters have their voice.</div>
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Plot: It kept me on the edge of my seat even when I knew I had to go to bed. I just couldn't. I had to keep reading.</div>
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She builds enough tension and mystery to keep you wondering and guessing. I kinda figured out a majority of the plot. Some of it was predicable but I still was curious enough to keep reading. I had some of the puzzle but I didn't have the complete picture. So it kept me reading even though I knew like half of the plot.</div>
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Anyway, I still say well developed plot and I loved how she played with the foreshadowing. Great job.</div>
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Setting: Love the name Poisonfoot and I absolutely love the fact that the author did her research on Texas. It was clear from the word go that the author knew her setting like the back of her hand. </div>
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I know I keep saying this, but it just amazes me how much refreshingly different this whole story was and how the author incorporated into the plot line. </div>
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Ending: This is where I fell out of love a bit. I'm not loving or feeling the ending. It ended suddenly. Without warning. And with a major twist. But not a twist I haven't seen before. However, it was a good twist that left me speechless.</div>
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It was good, but in a, "Dang, I didn't even see THAT coming!" </div>
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So Idk about the ending. I'm on the fence.</div>
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Overall: Would I recommend this book?</div>
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Heck yes!</div>
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The only reason this book does get full five stars is because of a few typos and the ending. However, there IS good news: There's a second book coming in November. </div>
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Cheerleader high five! </div>
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So I would absolutely invite you guys to read the book and enjoy. You will thank me later. :)</div>
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Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051848062156974901.post-75408816789865366372013-07-24T08:00:00.000-04:002013-08-04T14:54:01.455-04:00Culture Shock by Jeanette Pekala<div style="text-align: center;">
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<i>CULTURE SHOCK is a witty tale of mystery and romance with a large helping of southern hospitality.</i></div>
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<i>Macy Holmes is a seventeen-year-old socially-isolated introvert since her best friend's death a year ago. When her family decides to move from Manhattan to the quaint country town of Bougainvillea, Florida, Macy finds she's in a completely different world. Macy is no longer the outsider hiding behind designer clothes when she is sought out by three strange students, one of whom she is particularly interested in. The more time she spends with Chad the more things don't add up. When his true identity is finally revealed, Macy is pulled into a supernatural society with its saturation of inhabitants residing in Bougainvillea. </i></div>
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<i>You would think she has enough on her plate, but no, then her dreams become infiltrated by an external magical force, Macy and her band of supernatural misfits must find the culprit behind the magic-induced nightmares. They must dodge zombie assassins, shifty shape-shifters and high school bullies in order to stop this perpetrator before Macy, her friends or her parents pay the ultimate price. Especially when Macy has the sneaking suspicion that these dreams are reality...</i></div>
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My Thoughts:</div>
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Well, this is without a doubt an interesting book. It has a very lovable main character (Macy), an incredible setting, and the southern drawl has me feeling like I'm home.</div>
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However, there are quite a few problems for this southern paranormal romance book.</div>
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For one, the book was far too long. 676 pages for any book other than a textbook is just too long for my taste. Especially for a paranormal romance. I would highly suggest to the author to cut it up into three complete novels. (Even Twilight was 450 pages for the first book!)</div>
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Especially since the villain was so obvious from the beginning.</div>
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Of course, what ultimately killed the novel was the exposition dumps and description dumps. There was literally a point where I skipped ten pages of description to get to the dialogue between the characters.</div>
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It was simply too much.</div>
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In fact, I think if the editor would have insisted on her cutting it, the book would have been 400 pages of solid work. And if the author was in a good slicing mood, 250 pages.</div>
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Anyway, let's dissect this book even further.</div>
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Characters: I have to say, I liked all of the characters. Macy can get annoying, but overall, I like her personality. She's a NYC gal dropped into the southern part of the US. </div>
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Chad and Max were okay to me. I didn't really jive with either one of them. I liked Max better than Chad because of his charming personality and he's such a sweetie pie.</div>
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The problem I had with Chad was that he reminded me of the whole Edward Cullen struggle. He's trying to be the "vegetarian" type vampire and not be involved with humans. So he doesn't want to be with Macy. He tells her this point blank. But, of course, he can't help himself but to get jealous and to try to stop her from dating other boys.</div>
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Does this sound familiar? All I ask is for originality in the vampire-human romance stuff. I know it's a tall order, but please something different. Couldn't we start with Chad trying to kill her, straight up taking her as a victim, but something about her makes him stop to reconsider not killing her as a monster? Maybe something about her reminds him about his childhood sweetheart . . . Or something.</div>
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You know what I mean! Originality, please!</div>
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Additionally, I'm so tired of wishy-washy guys. </div>
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Like pick what you want (either date Macy and screw the consequences, or firmly decide that you are not dating Macy ever) then stick with it! I know it's part of the struggle of his attraction to her, but it still irks. And it's not like it was a gradual, I don't know if I should let her go sort of thing, it was more one day he's jealous, the next day he's all over her like white on rice. Plot is something I'll get to in a minute, but I wish the author took more time to sort this whole thing out.</div>
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One more issue with Chad: His vamp teeth. Really? Needle thin teeth to dig into his victim? Not only is that a weird choice, it just seems like Chad is a wimpy vampire. I'm use to seeing vampires really go into their victims neck with all of this blood oozing from the side.</div>
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And they didn't do that with some needle-thin teeth. They did that with strong canine teeth. </div>
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Anyway, I absolutely adored Emma. I even love that name. I'm actually going to name my daughter Emily, or some other variation (and no, I won't tell you, because I don't want YOU stealing it! :D). Which is why none of my characters will have that name.</div>
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Another concern was that Macy claimed that she never dated before. At 17. But she could get a friend? But she could be social? I get it, she's somehow (with a bubbly personality) an introvert but even introverts have close friends that they have crushes on. Or at least dream crushes that they pursue. And besides, she's gorgeous! How can someone NOT ask her out? OR hit on her?!</div>
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I'm sorry. I'm calling bullcrap on that one.</div>
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Dialogue: Overall, I have to commend the author on a job well done on depicting the southern drawl almost perfectly. However, I did notice one combination that didn't sit well with me. One character said, "Y'all 'ill."</div>
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As in you all will. I've never heard of that combination. Maybe it's just me, but I haven't heard of it.</div>
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Another thing that bugged me so much was the romance between Chad and Macy. Like the language was just so corny. The one liners reminded me so much of Twilight and Shiver it wasn't even funny. I couldn't even laugh at the corny lines (unlike Shiver, I had to laugh, they were just terribly corny). I just skipped right over them and sighed. </div>
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I wish she would have been more creative with the love lines. That's all I ask for. </div>
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Plot: Point blank: It needs a ton of work. For example, the big reveal of the supes and it's like the author decided randomly, "I'm going to put the big reveal (closes her eyes and selects a spot) here!"</div>
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Like no. I'm not buying it.</div>
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There needs to be a slow progression of what makes these characters so different than everybody else. Sure she managed to show on the outside that they look different. And I will fully admit, meeting them and her description of the characters did make me think that something was different. </div>
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But then she stopped right there and got into a different plot avenue.</div>
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No reveal of any superpowers? No really weird strength or quickness?</div>
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Sure, she jammed it right at the end for Chad and Max, but nothing for Emma. I had no idea what she was other than British. That's the only clue I have to go on?</div>
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Not cool.</div>
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This is where the author could have seized the opportunity to build on the tension of not knowing who they are and questioning if they could really be friends of Macy. </div>
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But nope. </div>
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Additionally, the plot was rushed in some places (like the whole ending) then it was slowed down by description. It was just a hot mess.</div>
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Setting: I liked getting to know Florida through a northerners eyes. It was a refreshing take on Southern culture. I liked how she noticed all the landmarks and how far city life is from the country. </div>
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All of the quirks of southern living were included and I have to applaud her for getting that distinctly right. As a matter of fact, you can tell this author is well versed with southern life so I'm glad somebody is doing their research.</div>
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Word Usage: I have to be nit picky on this. It was driving me bananas. </div>
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The word coven does NOT refer to a vampire club or group!! </div>
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I don't know why the author used a word that distinctly, even when it was first used, associated with a group of witches but it just irked the crap out of me. </div>
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I can somewhat understand, as an author, expanding the definition of a word. But this still irks me. I think the English teacher side of me just hates that a word is being used incorrectly.</div>
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That's like using the word Wicca for vampire. It just hits a direct nerve.</div>
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Anyway, I had to point it out for that simple reason. It may not irk everyone, but it certainly irked me. It irked me so bad I had to look it up. But if I'm wrong, please feel free to correct me with the link and educate me. I would love to be informed of this new word usage.</div>
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Ending: Did I love it?</div>
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Hmm, still chewing on it.</div>
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To me, she wrote the ending well. It was well paced. I just skipped half of it because I was tired of reading it. I just wasn't invested and connected enough to the characters to care. I knew what was going to happen anyway.</div>
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Sorry but I have to be honest. </div>
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I did read the last few paragraphs and caught the little twist at the end. Still chewing on it if I believe it or not. If that could seriously happen. It smells like Amy Plum sorta deal and I'll leave it at that.</div>
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Don't want to ruin the ending for you. :)</div>
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Overall: Would I recommend this book to persnickety people like me?</div>
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Absolutely not! Read something you can't dissect through editing eyes! </div>
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This book is just not the type of people who are very particular about plot development and length of books. The characters I could stand. The plot, the description dumps, and the telling not showing killed the writer and English teacher in me.</div>
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However, it may be for you. I see there are a tons of good reviews for this book (surprised the snot out of me), but they state their reasons for loving it and I can't blame them. I do like the characters a lot. </div>
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So overall, I would recommend this book to fans of Shiver. And maybe Twilight. To people who maybe want more description instead of action. Who want predicable villains. </div>
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Anyone who is as picky as me, shouldn't read it. Read Dearly, Departed instead (if you're a zombie lover, like yours trully). You will thank me later. :)</div>
Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051848062156974901.post-20302739661431643552013-07-22T08:00:00.000-04:002013-07-22T08:00:05.699-04:00Hidden by M. Lathan<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Series-ebook/dp/B00A6301BO/ref=sr_1_5?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1373042371&sr=1-5&keywords=hidden"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41LU3ZfqN9L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-64,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Sixteen-year-old Leah Grant has given up on being normal. She'd settle for stopping the voices in her head, intrusive visions of the future, and better odds of making it to her seventeenth birthday.</i></div>
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<i>That's the thing about pretending to be human in a world where magic used to exist - at any moment, her cover could be blown and she'll be burned to death like the rest of the witches.</i></div>
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<i>Everything changes when she loses control of her powers and flees the orphanage she grew up in. She desperately wants to be invisible but finds her face plastered on every news channel as humans panic over the possible resurgence of her kind. And now the hunters won't give up until they find her.</i></div>
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<i>Making friends for the first time in her life and falling in love with one of them drives her to discover why she is unlike any being she's ever met - human or otherwise. The dangerous powers inside of her that would repel Nathan, her new, handsome reason for living, are priceless to some. The locked up forever kind of priceless. And to others, they are too dangerous to allow her to live.</i></div>
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<i>Let's hope she can stay hidden.</i></div>
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My Thoughts</div>
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My thoughts about this book aren't hidden: I like this book alot. I like the characters, the setting, and the twists and turns of the plot.</div>
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I can tell this author did a lot research on bullying and depression. I would so air high five her for that.</div>
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You would think this would make me flip out of my seat excited?</div>
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Not quite.</div>
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Characters: I like the main character Leah/Christine/Celia.</div>
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Yes, you read that right, the main character has three different names and switches through them. To give the author credit, she waits for you to get accustomed to name Leah, then tacks on the other two after a while.</div>
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So she doesn't slam you with names, but that doesn't include her nickname. </div>
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So confusing much?</div>
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Other than that, I like all of the characters. I like the layers she added. I can't really complain (other then the multiple names) about characters. They're well written and developed.</div>
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Plot: Hmm, for the most part, the plot has plenty of twists and turns in it to keep me on the edge of my seat. For a while, nothing kinda happened which was okay by me. I was getting to know the character and there was enough going on to keep me from getting bored. </div>
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I think pacing was a bit off near the end. A bit rushed. Or maybe it was just me and I didn't want it to end. </div>
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Well, at least, the way the author ended it anyway. But more on that later.</div>
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Setting: I like the setting, but I'm totally blanking out on where it was. I know part of it was Paris, New Orleans, and another setting where it starts but Idk. </div>
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But when she gets to New Orleans, I like she uses the house and kinda builds on plot through it. It's kinda interesting how she does it.</div>
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Ending: This is where I want to divorce the author and slap her silly.</div>
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I loathe the ending. The romantic end is fine, but the main plot ending sucks. I think she explains why she ended the way she did, but I was still in shock.</div>
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After all of that, she ends it like that? Um, no. Don't like it whatsoever.</div>
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Overall: Would I recommend this book to someone else?</div>
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Probably.</div>
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Even though I'm not exactly thrilled with the ending, there's some hope: There is another book in the series.</div>
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So maybe she'll change her ending somehow or amend it in the next book. </div>
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Additionally, the author has a great writing style. She had me smiling and laughing at some awkward but cutely awkward moments that were just precious. And her plot and character development were great.</div>
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So yeah, I would recommend this book to somebody. I would warn them about the ending a bit, but still. </div>
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Other then, give it a shot and let me know what you think. And quench your need to read. :)</div>
Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051848062156974901.post-45559187565981110782013-07-10T08:00:00.000-04:002013-07-10T08:00:13.053-04:00Whatcha Reading? Wednesday<div style="text-align: center;">
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Well, I like to read a lot of books at the same time. I know, worst habit ever, but whatevs. Here's what I'm reading this week. :) I'll probably be reviewing these books next week!</div>
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<i>Josie's an average girl who just wants one simple thing out of life--to have sex with a vampire. When she receives an invitation to a party thrown by one of the world's richest vamps, she doesn't stop to question her luck; she jumps into her favorite stilettos and heads out to the event of a lifetime, hoping that she'll come home with a sexy party favor.</i></div>
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<i>But the great undead aren't just pointy toothed hotties waiting to satisfy Josie's carnal desires. With a single-minded focus on fulfilling her sole sexual longing, Josie unwittingly entrenches herself in the twisted world of vampire relationships with no one to guide her but herself.</i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">Quirky and funny so far. I hope she keeps it up. :)</span></div>
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<i>Cooper Reynolds’s life is going to the dogs… literally.</i></div>
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<i>As if being a high school senior in a small Texas town wasn’t hard enough, Cooper has bigger things to worry about than who he’ll take to prom and whether or not the Poisonfoot Padres will win homecoming. He has less than a year before his eighteenth birthday, when a curse placed on his family will doom him to live in coyote form forever.</i></div>
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<i>The last thing he needs to complicate his already messed-up life is a girl, but fate has other plans in mind for him when it brings Eloise “Lou” Whittaker to Poisonfoot. She’s grouchy, sarcastic and has no love for her new Texas home, but she might be exactly the right person to help Cooper break the curse.</i></div>
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<i>The clock is ticking, and Cooper will have to decide if he’s willing to let Lou in on his dirty little secret before it’s too late.</i></div>
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First Impression:</div>
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The blurb is too long for my taste, but the premise is interesting. I haven't cracked the spine on this one yet but I did receive this book for free in exchange for a review on NetGalley.</div>
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Now, I'll probably finish the vampire dating guide by Friday, and probably post it by Friday. Maybe. We'll see. And Autumn will be posted next week. Since it's only fair. </div>
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I also will have more NetGalley books to review, so please lovely authors out there, do NOT send me any books to review. The book review policy will be back up probably by September-ish, but it's not set in concrete since I might be moving (again) this summer. And that can screw up my perfect timeline.</div>
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Well, I think that covers everything. So in the words of a famous cartoon character, "That's all folks!"</div>
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Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051848062156974901.post-34835080891649940132013-07-08T08:00:00.000-04:002013-07-08T08:00:00.255-04:00Diamonds and Toads: A Modern Fairy Tale by K.E. Saxon<div style="text-align: center;">
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<i>Together, sweet Delilah and wicked Isadora make the perfect woman. But the Perrault family fairy is a troublemaker and imbues diamonds upon one sister and toads upon the other. Now up is down and down is up in a world where no good deed goes unpunished. Leather, blindfolds, and handcuffs purge sweet of all reserve. A few misspoken words of lust gives wicked a whole new meaning. </i></div>
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<i>Once upon a time, there were two sisters, one cursed and one blessed by fairy magic… </i></div>
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<i>Bibbidee-bobbidi-boo, They’re naughty. How about you?</i></div>
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My Thoughts</div>
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First off, I would like to thank Net Gallery and the publisher, Passion Flower Publishing, for this interesting read. I was offered this book for free in exchange for an honest review.</div>
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Now, my honest opinion, well . . . I loved the Toads part but didn't like the Diamonds part much. I have to say, overall, not my favorite book. I think if the author had or took more time developing the characters and plot, it would have been ten times better. I really like the humor though she has in her book and I love Isadora, even though she's a snob. </div>
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However, this book needed, at least, two more rounds of editing. The whole story felt rushed and predicable with stereotypical cardboard characters. The snotty stepmother, the beautiful but snotty sister, and the voluptuous but very self-conscious and seemingly shy Delilah. </div>
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You know why I love Grimm so much? Or Once Upon a Time? Because they bring a whole new modern twist to the fairy tales. Especially Grimm. They take the classic Cinderella and make her seem like a privileged, spoiled brat.</div>
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I know, Cinderella, right?</div>
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Once Upon a Time brings the old timey characters and breathes new life into them with a modern twist. Don't get me wrong, they still pay their dues and give a nod off to the original story but they still give a twist that is unexpected. Especially in Grimm.</div>
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So what am I trying to say? I was expecting the same sort of twist on fairy tales in this book that Grimm and Once Upon a Time tv series accomplished almost flawlessly. Unfortunately, I did not get that modern feel to the story or any new twists.</div>
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Sure, the author gave the characters some interesting sexual twists, but there was so much more she could have done to make it fresh. </div>
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There are a few positives in this retelling of a fairy tale, so I'll address it in this breakdown.</div>
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Characters: Like I said, there are 2 dimensional cardboard cut out characters with very to little twist at all. There was just no freshness to it. She literally took the characters out of the fairy tale, slapped them on her page, gave them a bit of a sexual make-over and called it finished.</div>
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And that's not how you do them justice. </div>
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Additionally, I feel like Delilah should have been more confident. Not all BBW (Big Beautiful Women) are self-conscious about their weight. And it sounded like, to me, she wasn't fat at all anyway. Especially if you look at the cover. I mean, which one is suppose to be Delilah? </div>
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Delilah just didn't have the depth that I think the character needed. I could see that the author put a lot of thought behind her sexual presence but not into everything else. </div>
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So why didn't the character have that depth everywhere else in her life? Sex isn't everything, even in a romance book.</div>
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I liked Isadora a lot more than I liked Delilah. Why? Because, it seemed to me, she had just a tad more depth than Delilah. Besides, she's kinda funny. Not on purpose though (I'll explain later). </div>
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Additionally, the pov (point of view) switching was driving me bananas! I literally ignored the guys point of view after a little while since she kept flip-flopping from one character (for like a page) to the other.</div>
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Now granted, I've read quite a few books that have managed the flip-flopping successfully, like Dearly, Departed. The author decided to switch between like five characters and it really didn't bother me much. Why? Because she gave them their own INDIVIDUAL chapter.</div>
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Unfortunately, this author only gave each character like a page at the most, and at the shortest, a paragraph, which is just jarring to the reader. So did she pull it off as Lia Habel did in Dearly, Departed?</div>
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Absolutely not.</div>
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Dialogue: I liked Isadora's slip ups, even thought I wish they weren't sexual ones. Like she would think one thing, but say another. Usually with a sexual twist, which I liked a lot.</div>
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Granted, the author didn't get me laughing out of my seat but she did get a smile or two.</div>
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What can I say? I'm a sucker for some humor. </div>
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Other then that, the conversations were realistic but not like something I would pay close attention to.</div>
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Plot: Too rushed. I know she was writing practically two novellas but still. She should have spent more time developing the plot. </div>
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Diamonds needed more attention toward character development than plot, but it was still too predicable probably because of the lack of character development. We all knew what Chas would pick eventually. We all knew what Delilah would have found out, eventually. We all knew what was going to happen at the very end. </div>
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The only thing I didn't predict was the sexual parts. And I'll address that later.</div>
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Toads needed more time on dialogue and plot as well. I think she let Isadora off the hook WAY too early. Let her build more frustration, let her really get the message about her behavior and how inappropriate it is. Let her kinda feel the intensity of not being able to be understood clearly.</div>
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Another problem I saw with plot was the descriptions. There were WAY too many of them. I get it, you need to tell us the background story, but there was way too much of it for my taste. I think if she would have cut down on description and worked more on the characters, it would have helped move the story forward a lot better and help with pace.</div>
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Also, the chunky paragraphs were driving me bananas. You guys know how I feel about chunky paragraphs.</div>
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Which I know has nothing to do with plot, it needs to be addressed.</div>
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Now onto the sex scenes. It felt like the author was going in the erotic direction with the sex scenes but didn't achieve the feeling of erotica. Like for both stories, Diamond and Toad, they both started with the sex first, then love later. Which is pretty much erotica up and down. But the thing that killed it, was the descriptions. The guys could be rock stars in bed, but if I don't get the feelings of the characters, then there aren't any erotic feelings.</div>
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And of course, the pov swicthing in the middle of intercourse ruined it for me. Like if two characters (or more) are having sex, there should be only 1 pov duirng the entire time. Unless, at the very end, one of the characters has an epiphany then I would allow the switch AT THE END ONLY!</div>
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Now some authors can do this exceptionally well, the pov switches, and the only one that comes to mind is Kate Douglas in her epically long series, Wolf Tales. Love those books.</div>
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Anyway, I think the author should have stuck with EITHER romance or erotic romance. It just felt like the sex scenes fell somewhere in between or failed in the erotic romance part. Just pick one!</div>
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Ending: Predicable, but good. I did like Toads ending a lot better than Diamonds, even though they both did a good job of adding a bit of a twist. But still predicable. </div>
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Overall: Would I recommend this book?<br />
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It depends.<br />
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If half of the stuff I mentioned doesn't bother you, then feel free to read it.<br />
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If the list of problems I had with it would bother you, then don't read it.<br />
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As for me, I don't think I'll be reading anything else by this author. There are just way too many problems in one book that makes me question. There is a lot of potential in this author to do great, but I don't know.<br />
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I would have to think about it, read the blurb, then read the first chapter of the book to see if I would read it or not. Then read the reviews. I just don't know if I could trust the author with my money to read her books.<br />
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It's really a gamble. I could say that this book was just her way of combining two stories that maybe she just wasn't ready for and in her other books, she's just focusing on one story that maybe the quality will improve.<br />
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Overall, I would say try it but tread carefully. </div>
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Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051848062156974901.post-86495735470259846262013-07-05T08:00:00.000-04:002013-07-05T08:00:00.789-04:00Violets Are Blue by Carrie Green<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/VIOLETS-ARE-BLUE-ebook/dp/B005L3YTLW/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1372342989&sr=1-2&keywords=violets+are+blue"><img alt="Violets Are Blue" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1329280441l/12663183.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Newly-wed Sarah was delighted to move in with her mother-in-law, Martha, a widower who had raised her son, by herself, on an isolated Midwest farm.</i></div>
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<i>A kid from a broken home who had been raised in a group house in Chicago, Sarah had struggled to put herself through college on scholarships. She considered herself to be self-reliant and willing to work hard for her dreams. She wanted only one thing, a real family. Todd was the love of her life, so that she was sure that she'd love Martha, too.</i></div>
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<i>It never occurred to Sarah that Martha would see her as competition, to be eliminated.</i></div>
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First off, I would like to say this is my first horror book. So kudos to me for making that first jump towards reading a horror book. It wasn't like I expect though. I was expecting to be just scared crapless. </div>
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Like I started reading this novella at midnight. I was going for the whole, "This is going to scare me so bad I'm going to have nightmares!" atmosphere.</div>
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Unfortunately, it didn't scare me at all. It was more of a romantic suspense book, which is what I'm really use to. I was surprised by the lack of scare power in this book. It had such great reviews, and it seemed like a good premise. </div>
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But it just didn't wow me. I think the main problem for me is that I was never included in the action parts. Like clearly there was a lot going on, but I just felt like my girlfriend was telling me a scary story about her girlfriend and what she went through.</div>
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I wanted to be part of the scare factor. I wanted to be shocked and have nightmares. Instead I listened on to what my girlfriend had to say. It was an interesting story, but to me, it just didn't include me into the action. Therefore, it wasn't SO finger biting or anything. It was just bleh.</div>
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But I will say she's an awesome writer, I just wished I enjoyed it more.</div>
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Characters: Believable and true. I could feel that these characters were realistic. Especially Todd. There are some men, who shall not be named, who do not feel their mothers do anything wrong. Ever.</div>
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So that, to me, is so realistic. I've seen it happen where the daughter and the mother-in-law don't get along and the husband refuses to believe his mother is "that bad". So that to me felt believable.</div>
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The only thing I can complain about in this section is how she told us their background story. She just dumped it on us. This is a typical example of exposition dump. </div>
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I wish that the author and the editor sat down and talked about this a little bit more. I wish they talked about a lot more as a matter of fact.</div>
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Plot: This was clearly well developed. I just didn't feel part of the action. I wanted to be part of it. It was just the way the story was told that just threw me off.</div>
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The author clearly worked this whole thing out perfectly. </div>
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Dialogue: This was a huge issue to me and part of the heart of the problem. The characters only had, at the most, ten lines of dialogue in the WHOLE novella. </div>
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That is just ridiculous. </div>
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Characters talk ALL THE TIME and should be allowed to talk. There should be conversations in the text and allow us to see into their personalities. The only was I was able to tell the mother-in-law was bad was because of her actions.</div>
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I don't even know what she SOUNDS like. Which is just wrong. I want to feel her evil. I want to hear her snub towards the daughter-in-law. I want to be able to see the difference in the way she talks to Todd and Sarah. I want to hear the sugar sweetness that she caters to Todd, and the rock hard hate she feels towards Sarah. I want to hear her spit out Sarah's name like it's venom.</div>
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I wanted the mother-in-law to corner her and say every loathing thing she could think of to Sarah and have Sarah talk back to her in the same matter.</div>
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In short: I wanted confrontation in words and not only in actions! </div>
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I wanted the build up the tension in the conversations!</div>
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I wanted to hear Sarah and Todd argue in their bedroom and the mother-in-law to overhear it and grin maliciously!</div>
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I just wanted more in this department. </div>
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I understand that this is a novella, but come on! I need something more than just hear Sarah complaining about what her mother-in-law did. I want to hear the pathetic excuses the mother had for her actions!</div>
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I just wanted to hear the characters more, and Sarah describe the actions less.</div>
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Setting: I do love how Carrie Green incorporated the country theme to the whole plot. It worked wonderfully.</div>
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I could feel the isolation that Sarah felt. I wish I could hear her complain to her husband about it. That would have been nice.</div>
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Ending: A bit rushed, but I love the last line. It was beautiful and rounded out the whole ending with a bow on top.</div>
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Symbolism: Yes, there is a category for this! I love how she incorporated violets from beginning to end. And how she unraveled the meaning at the end. I thought I understood what they meant, but she broke it down like a shot gun. It was nice and understated. And it rounded out the ending as well.</div>
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Overall: Would I recommend this book?</div>
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Eh. I don't know.</div>
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I would give her bonus points for writing talent. She can obviously write. And I would give her another chance. </div>
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But I don't know if I would recommend this to someone with my high expectations. If it was free, then yes I would. It's only like 0.99 cents, so give it a shot and tell me what you think.</div>
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I would be cautious that's all. And please read other reviews. It could have been just me, but I just didn't like it. I know it could be SO MUCH BETTER and THAT'S what drives me bananas. I wish I could have sat down with them (the author and the editor) and had a nice long chat about where I expect the book to grow. I would been on her like white on rice to make sure the book came out like it should have. </div>
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I would have loved to been her beta reader and tell her what I really thought needed improvement.</div>
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However, this is life. Just read it and tell me what you think. And please, never stop feeding your need to read! :) </div>
Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051848062156974901.post-13931782315276290422013-07-03T08:00:00.000-04:002013-07-03T08:00:01.672-04:00To Kill a Warlock by H.P. Mallory<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/To-Kill-Warlock-Paranormal-ebook/dp/B003UNLIOQ/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1372214353&sr=8-1"><img alt="To Kill A Warlock (Dulcie O'Neil, #1)" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1334956305l/13608100.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>The murder of a dark arts warlock. A shape-shifting, ravenous creature on the loose. A devilishly handsome stranger sent to investigate. Sometimes working law enforcement for the Netherworld is a real bitch. </i></div>
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<i>Dulcie O’Neil is a fairy. And not the type to frolic in gardens. She’s a Regulator—a law-enforcement agent who monitors the creatures of the Netherworld to keep them from wreaking havoc in the mortal world. When a warlock is murdered and Dulcie was the last person to see him alive, she must uncover the truth before she’s either deported back to the Netherworld, or she becomes the next victim. </i></div>
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<i>Enter Knight Vander, a sinfully attractive investigator sent from the Netherworld to work the case with Dulcie. Between battling her attraction to her self-appointed partner, keeping a sadomasochistic demon in check, and fending off the advances of a sexy and powerful vampire, Dulcie’s got her hands full. As the body count increases, Dulcie finds herself battling dark magic, reconnoitering in S&M clubs and suffering the greatest of all betrayals.</i></div>
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My Thoughts</div>
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I can't say, I absolutely love this book, but I still like it alot. I love pretty much all of the characters. Even the cocky Knight Vader. Love him to pieces. It's nice to have a male lead who knows who he wants and how to get it. </div>
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Can I get one in real life? Much appreciated! :)</div>
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The only thing I didn't particularly like with this book is all of the romantic potential partners. There was the vampire, the elf, and Knight all vying for her attention. It was way too many for me to juggle even though I get the fact she is a very attractive fairy and wanted by many men. </div>
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Other then that, I think I have no complaints. I think I was expecting so much since I've heard many great things about this author, but I just disappointed by the lack of wow factor that I was so expecting.</div>
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Characters: Like I said, I love all of the characters. I don't remember any character that annoyed me, which is unusual. I even ended up liking an unlikable character. I know a total tongue twister, but still. That's pretty decent characterization.</div>
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I also really liked the fact that Dulcie and pretty much all the characters had layers. Especially Dulcie and Knight. Delving into their past and discovering their current situations was interesting to say the least.</div>
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I also liked the powers given to Dulcie. I had to tip my hate to Ms. Mallory for giving them unique powers. I love the fact that the author took it back to Peter Pan with the fairy dust, and then shaking the hand to accumulate fairy dust? Ultra nice touch. </div>
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I didn't understand why the author gave Knight these powers and associated them with the god Loki. It such a weird mix, but I do dig it. I just don't particularly like it. I don't know why, maybe it's because I can't really get why she picked certain aspects that make Loki Loki and added other powers that have relation to that character. So I have mixed feelings about his powers.</div>
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Then, to me, the whole elf thing just didn't really register. It's almost like she's recreating some of the old fairy tales and their powers and I don't really like the way she did. Making an elf tall for example kinda irks me .I don't know what it is. And of course, there were no Keebler jokes (which is beyond me) but that's just a sarcastic twist that I wish she would have put in there. It dead obvious that she should have put at least one cookie joke, but then again, it's probably just me. </div>
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I guess in general, some of the powers for some characters made sense and others had no correlation at all, which kinda bugs me. Anyway, I think it could have been done with a better respect to the older versions but still given a unique twist. I'm thinking something along the lines of Grimm or Once Upon Time type of twist.</div>
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Plot: Love the twist at the end! Overall, I would give the plot a thumbs up. I even give her credit for developing a solid plot.</div>
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The only thing, plot wise, I didn't like was the fact that bdsm was treated like some kind of foreign entity. I didn't like the way it was portrayed. I know that bondage is part of the kinky realm of sex, but it doesn't mean that it has to be treated like only freaks love that sort of stuff. </div>
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I think it could have been handled better with a lot more research and some more delicacy. Maybe I'm partial since I'm into it a bit, but I still feel like I can't be the only one who felt like, "Sheesh, bdsm isn't THAT weird." I guess for me, I think it could have handled better.</div>
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But I do love the fact that Knight likes it. So there's some hope that bdsm will get its due in the book and shown in a more favorable light.</div>
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Setting: While I understand the main setting, I didn't completely understand the Netherworld. Maybe she'll explain that in more detail throughout the series since I thought the Netherworld is suppose to be hell. So where is hell and why did she change it to a place that is reflective of the earth as is? I mean, what is the point of having a duplicate of earth anyway? </div>
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And this is the same problem I had before, she's not really paying her dues toward the historical aspect of the Netherworld. Like I think, and I could be wrong, I thought in the Greek history that Hades was in charge of the Netherworld. That's where all of the dead go. </div>
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So in her new world, where do all the dead go?</div>
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Or is she creating an alternative dimension where all the demons reside along with other paranormal creatures? And that hell is still there, just beneath Netherworld?</div>
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To me something isn't making any sense to me about her world. I wish I could figure it out, but I'm struggling to piece it altogether.</div>
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Ending: I like the ending. It's realistic and ties the story with a bow at the end. It still leaves me with a lot questions about her world and about what will happen next, but it was still a nice ending. I especially liked what she did for the main character and how she changed her. So I'll give her props on that too. Clever idea.</div>
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Overall: Would I recommend this book to friends?</div>
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I don't know.</div>
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I think I'm still on the fence about this one. I would be willing to give it to them since it's a free book. Would I tell them to buy the second?</div>
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I would have to read it and find out.</div>
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Am I tempted to buy the second book?</div>
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A little bit. The thing is: Lucy has A LOT of explaining to do, and if she doesn't do it in the next book, where does it leave all of my questions? And sure, I could ask the author, but shouldn't her book have the answers? Shouldn't the world building be sufficient enough that I wouldn't have all of these deep questions?</div>
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Shouldn't she have done the research? And sure, she might have, but then where is the hat tipping off to the history? That's where I just have an itchy feeling that I'm not going to be satisfied with her style of twisting the old.</div>
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It's not I wouldn't give her a chance. I would have to think about it some more first. And I would have to read the reviews to find out. Maybe ask one of the reviewers what they think about her world.</div>
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For right now, I would say read it and see if you find it suitable to your tastes. As of right now, I'm leaning on not reading any more books out of that series. But I might try some other book in her collection since she has demonstrated clear talent and work through this book. Hmm. This is tough.</div>
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Anyway, I hope that helps. Enjoy and tell me what you think about it!</div>
Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051848062156974901.post-89425702479939842792013-07-01T08:00:00.000-04:002013-07-01T08:00:00.599-04:00Dreams of Gray by Maurice Lawless<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Dreams of Gray (The Marked Clan, #1)" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1319055437l/12917819.jpg" /></div>
<i><br />Dreama Cargill is in trouble. She woke up naked, cold, and sporting a back mural. Where did it come from? Tattoos aren’t her usual scene. Then again, neither is blood and a strange attraction to the woods at night. Something is changing her, and not for the better. Can she unravel the mystery before the moon calls her to kill?</i><br />
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My Thoughts</div>
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Overall, I wasn't too impressed to be honest. Like I will give him his props for giving werewolves a different twist, but I just wasn't that into it. I will also give him major credit on the layout of the plot. It had enough twists and turns to keep my attention. And I love the cover. God, you guys know how I love a great cover story. </div>
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It was interesting enough to hold my attention but not interesting enough to make me go, "WOW!" I think the biggest problem I had with was the characters. I did like Dree but I didn't identify with her. I understood her, liked her in some parts, but I didn't like bond with her as the main character. I think if he spent a little more time on her and less time on her sex life, it could have been a lot better. </div>
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But let's break this down.</div>
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Characters: I don't absolutely, positively love the characters. I like them and can relate to them. I like Dree well enough. But I do not like PJ at all. Something about her bothers me so much. Needless to say, in real life, she would definitely not be my friend. </div>
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She's a slob, she is constantly cussing like a sailor for no reason. She came into a bathroom cussing about how she had to go. To me, that is just so classless. She is always calling Dree a ho.</div>
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Which granted, she may be one, but why bring your friend down like that? I just can't stand derogatory name calling. I expect an enemy to call her a ho, not her friend. Maybe it's a culture difference, since I know girlfriends may call each other b-words and such, but I just can't identify with someone like that. </div>
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I also didn't like Slate but I liked her character development. She just came across to me like a stalker gone wrong. I just wish there could have been a different angle the author could have gone off from. I can see the layers that he built in her. I can see all of the time he spent developing her character, but I just couldn't like her either.</div>
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I think the only character I kinda liked more than Dree was Alan. But to me, he's a punk. He's a nice guy, he's a loyal guy. I liked his character a lot. I could also identify with him. He would be the guy you would bring home to your mother and be proud of. But I can't stand his, "We can make it through any problems you have baby!" attitude. Like that, to me, is a slight indication of desperation. You want to be in a relationship so bad, you are willing to go through practically Hades and back for a girl who treats you like crap.</div>
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That's a punk.</div>
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**SPOIL ALERT** If you don't want to know about the love interest and how it ends, turn away NOW!</div>
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Like I understand this isn't a paranormal romance (which is clearly identified in the beginning as such), but why introduce a guy who could really have Dree's back then tear him away? I understand that there's a lot going on. I understand that he adds nothing to plot line. However, I'm a hopeless romantic. If a guy is great guy in all aspects (which Dree admits), then why not develop a romantic interest there? It's like she used him like a condom. And I can't really stand that about her character. I know there are people like her all over the world and probably have their own show (Keeping Up With the Kardashians rings a bell), but still. </div>
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The author really annoyed me with the love interest. That's all.</div>
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**SPOIL ALERT OVER** You may now look at the rest of the review without me spoiling it for you. :)</div>
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Plot: I can't argue with this: He developed the plot well. The only problem I had was pacing. Some bits were too fast and some were too slow. But that's me being a bit picky. He could have done it on purpose but I still felt in some places the pacing was a bit off.</div>
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I also didn't like the fact that every chapter had some sort of sex in it. To me, that doesn't add to the plot. I get it, sex is part of it, but I still think it could have been left out. Like I'm a bit old school with romance. I get where he was going with it, and the changes. But at the same time, I think it could have been done a bit better. And with less graphic stuff in it. I just wasn't into it.</div>
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Granted, she's an adult. She's single. However, did he have to make it so focused on sex? I don't think so. Besides, I think some of the sex-fueled stuff could have been shown in other ways. I would go into it, but I'm trying not to ruin the story for you.</div>
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Setting: I didn't even know we were in the south, much less Houston. I didn't hear a y'all, any southern sayings or anything. And y'all know I'm from the south. I was so excited, then the author didn't use any terms that were from that place. I was slightly disappointed. We could have been anywhere.</div>
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Additionally, we didn't get any other mention of the weather or anything. I wish he could have delved deeper into the culture down there instead of doing a drive-by style: The setting is in Houston and now we're going to keep moving with the plot.</div>
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Now, I could be wrong about the sayings not being there, but for me, there wasn't any. Maybe the author could point them out to me. That would be great, then I will retract my comment.</div>
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Ending: I liked the ending a lot. It was a nice ending, I just wish it ended differently. The author stated the reasons why he ended like that, but for me, it could have been better.</div>
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Overall: Would I recommend this book?</div>
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Probably not, even though it is a free book. </div>
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Especially if you are picky, like me, about some of the issues I had. </div>
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I know you guys are looking at me and asking, "What?! It's a FREE book, why are you complaining?"</div>
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Because I've had better free books. I've had free books that have made me cry and tell the whole world how great this book is. And just because it's free, doesn't mean the quality should be lower. My expectations are still there. Granted, they may be a bit more forgiving, but still my expectations are still up there.</div>
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I hold the same standards for indie or traditionally published. Free or not free book. Of course, I'll be a bit more critical of the paid book (since I had to pay for it), but still. I expect the same overall.</div>
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And before y'all criticize me, yes, I know my views are slanted. I totally know I root for the underdog. The indie authors. However, my standards are the same: Make great characters and plot, and I will love you forever. And I will wait for your wonderful books to come out. Just keep the quality the same. That is literally all I ask. Keep the quality up and I will not whip you like you stole something from me. </div>
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Bonus points for great sarcasm and wit. Bonus points if the main character is a minority. Double bonus points if you incorporate both.</div>
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Anyway, that's what I thought of this book. If you had a different experience with this book, please let me know! I would love to talk about it more in depth. </div>
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And please, never stop reading!</div>
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Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051848062156974901.post-60505034378827625642013-06-29T08:00:00.000-04:002013-06-29T08:00:01.244-04:00Expectations Vs. Reality: Tip My Hat to Donalyn Miller and Nancie Atwell<div style="text-align: center;">
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You know, as a first year teacher, I had high expectations.</div>
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I really wanted my students to fall in love with reading. Then of course reality kicked me in the gut. Teachers wondered what I was doing. The administration didn't believe in what I was doing. </div>
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Standards of Learning was all I was taught. Standards of Learning was all I heard. Scores, scores, scores.</div>
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But where did this leave our students?</div>
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My students weren't stupid. They knew a lot more than I gave them credit for. They knew the push for scores. They knew that what I was doing int he classroom was completely out of their comfort zone. </div>
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Out of their realm of expectations.</div>
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To read? With no tests tacked on? With no quizzes? With no boundaries?</div>
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You have to be kidding me?!</div>
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We're being forced to read for fifteen minutes everyday? Any book that we choose?</div>
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My answer: Absolutely.</div>
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They fought me tooth and nail. They talked during the reading, they laughed, they pulled me aside and tried to talk me out of it. Parents didn't understand. Other teachers gave me the eyebrow: Is she really trying to get these students to read? What is she trying to accomplish?</div>
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These students were low score readers. Most of them didn't pass the SOL tests last year FOR reading.</div>
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What was I trying to do?</div>
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The impossible.</div>
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Make my students CARE about reading.</div>
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But God gave me strength and the courage to see: All things are possible to those who believe.</div>
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To God be the glory for the great things he has done.</div>
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I kept hearing his words over and over again as people would see homework: Read for 15 minutes and laugh. This year is focused on writing for the state test.</div>
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Why have the students read?</div>
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Then the impossible happened: My students read.</div>
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After a full two months of struggle to get them to see what I see: That reading can be FUN! They actually start complaining when the time would end. I was actually smiling. It worked. The impossible worked! </div>
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Until one day, the reading ended and they all groaned. One student raised their hands and asked, "Could we have a longer time to read?"</div>
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Then the popular jock student, Kevin, raised his hand, "Could we extend it to like twenty minutes?"</div>
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Everybody murmured their agreement. twenty minutes sounded good to them. They were asking me what they swore would never happen: More time to enjoy reading.</div>
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Of course I told them, "I'll think about it." Little did they know I expanded it to twenty minutes already, so they got their wish.</div>
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What does this all have to do with reading?</div>
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As a teacher, I was never given support to introduce reading as fun. I was told to stick to tradition. Open the large textbook, have students read a literature selection outloud, ask questions ad nasuem, and test then on their knowledge.</div>
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Expectation versus reality.</div>
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The reality that people didn't understand: Our students need both types of reading. They need to learn reading to access knowledge, and the other one to just have fun.</div>
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Where has tradition brought us, as far as reading literature only in the classroom?</div>
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Where has "Read then test" really brought us?</div>
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Nowhere.</div>
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All I ever wanted to do was introduce my students to a new world: Reading can be fun.</div>
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And I get shut down, and told by a former reading specialist, "Reading like that doesn't belong in the classroom."</div>
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And then people wonder why students don't like to read. Because we as educators or parents fail to introduce our youth to fun reading. We need to introduce them to the library as a fun place to explore different voices, experiences in life.</div>
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Instead we stick to tradition. </div>
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Where will this lead us as a nation?</div>
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Expectations versus reality.</div>
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We expect our youth to know how to read. Instead we push them as far away as possible by giving them literature that is far beyond their level. </div>
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The more we do this, the more we take money out of education, the more we undervalue reading, the more we will have students who cannot read past the kindergarten reading level who will drop out in high school.</div>
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It's time for a change. And hopefully, next year, I will able to make this change.</div>
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Will you?</div>
Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051848062156974901.post-23961417985977193822013-06-26T14:07:00.000-04:002013-06-26T14:07:00.230-04:00Free Book Tips With Some Dash of Advice <div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.ideachampions.com/weblogs/Confused.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.ideachampions.com/weblogs/Confused.jpg" /></a></div>
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Don't know how to pick free books on Amazon?</div>
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You look at all of those free books and wonder: Gee how can I pick ONE that I like?</div>
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Well, don't worry: I'm here to help. </div>
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As you probably noticed, I've been reviewing A LOT of free books lately. I love reading a book that is free and great, then support the author by buying more from them.</div>
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That's the great thing about a free book: It gives you insight into what the author is like without the money entering into.</div>
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So without further ado, here are my helpful hints as to how to pick a great free book:</div>
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1. Pick off the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Kindle-Store-eBooks/zgbs/digital-text/154606011/ref=pd_ts_zgc_kstore_154606011_more?pf_rd_p=1564960442&pf_rd_s=right-3&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=154606011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=003KEMM4K6Y3NEBCNWYV">Top 100 Free List</a></div>
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This is practically guaranteed great books. You can pick any genre you want and literally pick a couple of them off this list and be certain that these books are great.</div>
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I literally check this list everyday for great new books from authors I haven't heard from and read. </div>
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You will thank me later. :)</div>
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2. Check the bad reviews</div>
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I know this seems like a slap on the forehead, duh move but sometimes in the excitement of a free book, you might forget to check the reviews. </div>
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And don't look at the great, glowing reviews. Look for the most horrible review. Why? Because they will honestly tell you why they don't like the book. And this will let you know if you want to read the book or not. </div>
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And if you don't want to look at simply the bad reviews? Then check out the best detailed review. Look for the positive and negative reviews. At least two of each, that way before you read the book, you'll get a good feel of if you want to read the book or not.</div>
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And if the book doesn't have any reviews . . .</div>
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3. Read the first few pages</div>
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I will fully admit, I don't read the first few pages until after I get the book. But boy, would I have loved this hint BEFORE getting the book. I get so caught in, "Gee, this book is FREE! How can it possibly go wrong?"attitude.</div>
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But just spare yourself the heartache: Read the first few pages first. ESPECIALLY if the book doesn't have any reviews. This is a good indicator if the book suits your flavor or your expectations. </div>
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4. Check out <a href="http://www.fkbooksandtips.com/">Kindle Books And Tips Blog</a></div>
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This blog is especially helpful to people who are like, "I don't want to read what EVERYBODY else is reading!" But you still want an awesome book with reviews to back it up.</div>
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This blog has helped me find a tremendous number of free books that are just not that popular but are awesome all the same. It's like veering off the New York Bestsellers list but has the same quality book wise. </div>
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Additionally, they give you the scoop on free apps. Bonus! *fist pump!*</div>
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5. Don't be cheap</div>
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If you love the first book by the author, please don't be cheap by NOT buying the second book. Buy it. It may be a little more expensive (but not crazy expensive like traditional publishing), but please don't be cheap. Buy it. Support that author for giving you a FREE book and buy the second book of the series.</div>
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Show that author some love for giving you a free book, which leaves us to my next tip . . .</div>
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6. Leave a Positive Review</div>
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If you LOVED the free book, please leave a positive review. Sure, that author may have 300 reviews, but be kind and leave your review too. It might help somebody decide if they want to get that book.</div>
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Especially leave a review if you bought the second book. Some people need reassurance that the second book is as good as the first book. That would include me in that group. </div>
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And the author would appreciate it if you would reassure her/his readers that they continue their quality standards into the second book. So please, be so kind and leave a review.</div>
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7. Limit Yourself/Open Yourself Up</div>
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I know this is a conflicting title: How can I limit and open myself up?</div>
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All I'm saying is: Don't limit yourself as to broaching new topics in fiction. When you are looking at these free books, don't snub the indie authors. Don't harrumph at an author that doesn't have the publishing title behind them.</div>
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I know this might surprise you, but I'm glad they don't. Why? Because their books are A LOT cheaper.</div>
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Don't get me wrong. Love the author of Firelight series by Sophie Jordan. Love, love, LOVE that book. I might actually do a review on it.</div>
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But have you seen those prices for the ebooks?! Oh. My. God. I've been totally spoiled on indie author prices now. The highest I go, and this was for a really, really, really good book: $4.99</div>
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Anyway, back to my main point: Don't snub indie authors. Try them first (especially if they made it into the top 100 free), then say if you don't like or like indie authors.</div>
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Some indie authors you will fall madly in love with. Others you will ditch on the first date, a.k.a. on the first page. It's all based on opinion and taste. </div>
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As Dr. Seuss states, "Try it, you may like it." Green Eggs and Ham.</div>
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Now, I will step back from my podium and stop preaching at you and give you another conflicting line of advice: Limit yourself.</div>
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Please don't go crazy and get all of the 100 free books and feel weighted down by reading them. If you're a book blogger like me, you'll feel obligated to read AND review each one. Do yourself a huge favor: Only get books when you read a whole bunch.</div>
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Or let me translate that: Only get more books, when you read a couple of books. For example, I've probably read, about twenty books (yes, and they were ALL free), so I would go back and download ONLY twenty or less books when I go back to look at that list. </div>
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Trust me, you will thank me later. I have about 164 books on my Kindle app, and I'm still trying to read them all (and some of them I bought!). So just saying, go easy. The list, the reviews, and lastly, the books aren't going anywhere.</div>
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Take it slow and easy. Get like 20 books and try them on for size. Read and enjoy!</div>
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Don't ever stop reading! :)</div>
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Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051848062156974901.post-33457081506875452012013-06-24T08:00:00.000-04:002013-06-25T14:31:53.959-04:00Brood of Fenrir by Coral Moore<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Broods-of-Fenrir-ebook/dp/B006AKQVR0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1371920178&sr=1-1&keywords=broods+of+fenrir"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41WSNkEDpXL.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Shapeshifter Brand Geirson was raised to rule the Broods of Fenrir, but he refused his birthright. Instead, he killed their brutal leader–his own father–and walked away.</i></div>
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<i>For hundreds of years he’s avoided brood society, until a werewolf kills an innocent human woman and Brand finds himself dragged back into the violent politics of the shapeshifters. When the two brood women who mean the most to him come under threat, he must take up the throne and risk becoming the kind of vicious bastard his father was, or let the broods descend further into chaos–taking the friend he swore to protect and his lover with them.</i></div>
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My Thoughts</div>
<br /><br />I really, really, really wanted to love this book. The book cover looks awesome. The premise sounds cool. But then I started reading the book, and for some reason I couldn't get into it.<br /><br />I wanted to get into it. It sounded good. But something for me didn't work out. I'll list the positives and negatives.<br /><br />Positives:<div>
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<li style="text-align: left;">Good character</li>
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The main character seemed interesting, at least partially.</div>
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2. Great Cover</div>
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The cover is just lovely to look at. </div>
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3. The graphics and formatting are high quality</div>
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I can't argue the fact that whoever did the formatting did a great job. It looks professional and well done. No grammatical errors that I could see.</div>
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Negatives:</div>
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1. Chunky paragraphs</div>
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You guys know how I feel about chunky paragraphs. I can't stand it! It makes the book seem thick and would take forever to read. It's a real pet peeve of mine.</div>
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2. No draw in</div>
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Nothing about this book excited me. I wanted to be wowed. I wanted to be forced into the action. And trust me, there was some action. It just didn't force me to pay attention. It was more like, "Please pay attention, Larissa. We're about to get to the good part."</div>
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Um, no. I don't want to wait for the good part. I want to BE at the good part. And for me, the prologue just wasn't it.</div>
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Overall: Would I recommend this book to anyone?</div>
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Depends.</div>
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If you're more patient to me, then yes. Feel free. However, I just want to be forced into the action. I don't want to wait. I want to be pulled in so far into the book that I don't even realize where I am in real life. </div>
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I want to be submerged into the plot. I want to fall for the characters. I want to cheer for the bad guy.</div>
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What? I like bad guys. :)</div>
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Anyway, overall, I would give it a shot (this book ISN'T free) because it could have been just me. It could have been my expectations were sky high because of the lovely cover and the great blurb. So try it and see. </div>
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It has great reviews. So it could have been me. I will fully admit that. But as for me, I won't be reading anything else by this author. This book was just not for me. </div>
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Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051848062156974901.post-63631656176046001442013-06-22T12:52:00.005-04:002013-06-22T12:53:37.887-04:00Tempest (#1 Destroyers Series) by Holly Hook<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tempest-1-Destroyers-Series-ebook/dp/B00433TBEG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371917799&sr=8-1&keywords=the+tempest+by+holly"><img src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1370633543l/9411579.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Sixteen-year-old Janelle knows something's not right with her father when they move to their new home in Florida. He refuses to evacuate them from the coast when a hurricane bears down on them, despite the fact that all their neighbors have gone. Even worse, it seems like there's something he wants to tell her, something terrifying, but he's not quite opening up.</i></div>
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<i>Then Janelle's life flips upside down when a teenage boy, Gary, materializes out of the storm right in front of her. He bears a strange marking on his arm, a gray spiral that matches the one she was born with. Perhaps her strange birthmark means something after all. But when she points out Gary's mark to her father, he refuses to speak more about it. </i></div>
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<i>It's up to Janelle to find the truth about the connection she and Gary share. When she tracks Gary down again and discovers it, it's far more terrifying than she could ever imagine: she and Gary share a powerful, deadly curse. Worse, learning the truth is only the start of Janelle's horrifying adventure into a world she had never imagined.</i></div>
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My Thoughts</div>
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First off, I love the idea of people being storms. It's just an awesome idea that I wish I would have come up with. It's just an interesting way to make the normal paranormal.</div>
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I like the characters, the plot, and the idea. It just all spins (pun intended) wonderfully. The only problem I really had was the romance. At times, it was just plain ol' awkward. </div>
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And trust me, I get it. Been there, done that. However, it seemed like a Dia Reeves problem. Like the author was struggling with developing the romantic tension between them. And I wish she could have done a better job of it.</div>
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But you really can't beat the price: It's free! :) </div>
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Anyway, let's dissect this book further.</div>
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Characters: I love all of the characters. I love the fact that Janelle is discovering the "ugly" side of her family and it helps to understand herself. It's like discovering layer after layer of what makes her . . . Well, her.</div>
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I liked Gary. I liked how they both met but I just didn't like the development of the romance. Like I said, it was awkward. I do like the fact that they were willing to go all out for each other.</div>
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Other then that, I liked them all. Even the bad guy. They were all believable, thought-out characters.</div>
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Plot: Well developed plot as well. I loved how piece by piece was discovered and the more you discovered, the more confusing it was. </div>
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I also would love to add: I HEART the beginning. Sucks you right into the story and gets right to the point. I love how we see the problem from the word go.</div>
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I loved how much the author created just enough pressure, just enough acceptance to make us see the real Janelle. It was just nice to see.</div>
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Setting: I like the setting in Florida. She didn't wow me with the description of the setting, but there was a good reason why the setting was in Florida. I'll leave it at that. </div>
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Ending: Perfect ending with a bow on top. And it leaves you wanting more. So no complaints here.</div>
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Overall: Would I read the second book in this series?</div>
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Absolutely!</div>
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I still love the idea, care about the characters, and love the plot development. Additionally, this whole series has major potential. I would just read it to see where she takes this whole storm people thing. How deep does the rabbit hole go.</div>
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I would definitely recommend this book to someone who loves paranormal romance but is tired with vampires and werewolves. It's a wonderfully refreshing type of paranormal romance.</div>
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Actually, I would recommend this book to people who haven't read YA paranormal romance. This would be a wonderful introduction to the genre. Of course, if my complaint about the romance really bothers some people, then fine. Don't try it.</div>
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But I would still give this book a shot. The romance didn't bother me so much that I wouldn't continue the series. It's still solid on characters, plot and setting. What more can you want? :)</div>
Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051848062156974901.post-77567355957405946922013-06-19T14:02:00.002-04:002013-06-19T14:02:37.419-04:00The Accidental Demon Slayer by Angie Fox<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Accidental-Demon-Slayer-Witches-ebook/dp/B00AWU8WO4/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1371660850&sr=8-1"><img height="640" src="http://cache.smashwire.com/bookCovers/45f9eb2d85cc56ea7a211368a4aee3d257a42b25" width="396" /></a></div>
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<i>It's never a good day when an ancient demon shows up on your toilet bowl. For Lizzie Brown that's just the beginning. Soon her hyperactive terrier starts talking and her long-lost biker witch Grandma is hurling Smuckers jars filled with magic. Just when she thinks she's seen it all Lizzie learns she's a demon slayer-and all hell is after her.</i></div>
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<i>Of course that's not the only thing after her. Dimitri Kallinikos a devastatingly handsome shape-shifting griffin needs Lizzie to slay a demon of his own. But how do you talk a girl you've never met into going straight to the underworld? Lie. And if that doesn't work how dangerous could a little seduction be...?</i></div>
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This free book definitely grabbed my attention from the first page. I love the main character, Lizzie, who actually reminds me of my very own Lindsey character in my book. Smart, funny, and just a normal woman who lands herself int he paranormal world. Love her to pieces! :) And to top it all off, blonde!</div>
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I also love, love, love the grandma witch character who completes the protagonist tough female character perfectly. I love how she toughens Lizzie up! </div>
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Anyway, there are so many reasons why I love this book, I have to list them in my typical analytical format. :)</div>
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Have I mentioned that this book is one hundred percent FREE?!</div>
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Characters: I don't think there is a character I don't love. I even love the bad guy. He has a razor sharp humor that caught me off guard. </div>
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I have to say, every character plays their part and I even remember all of their names (even though it has been a week since I read the book). </div>
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I also love the romantic tension between Dimitri and Lizzie. It plays out perfectly. </div>
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Dialogue: Full of wit and awkward moments. I heart it. It's also realistic and deep when needed. </div>
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Plot: I have to say, I love the twists and turns that were unexpected in this novel. There were some predicable parts, but for the most part, she held my attention and kept me on the edge of my seat with some unexpected turns.</div>
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Setting: I love the setting. I love how we have the rough and tumble part of grandma's setting versus Lizzie's suburban type of home. It's a great contrast.</div>
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Ending: Everything I wanted it to be and more. The romantic tension is resolved. Her ultimate question is resolved. And the whole quest is resolved. I don't think she left much for the second one, except to make up another problem, but I look forward to finding it out.</div>
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Overall: I love the book and I couldn't think of anything to complain about. All the characters have plenty of layers to delve into. The plot wasn't too predicable. And there was a great dose of humor used.</div>
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I would recommend this to people who love to read paranormal romance novels. Especially to people who are total Buffy fans. Who are lovers of Spike versus Angel. </div>
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And did I mention it was free? :D</div>
Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051848062156974901.post-1202935836369980392013-06-17T13:03:00.000-04:002013-06-22T13:31:03.745-04:00The Faerie Guardian: Volume One by Rachel Morgan<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Faerie-Guardian-Creepy-Hollow-ebook/dp/B009S9DV9G/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1371486764&sr=8-1"><img height="400" src="http://cache.smashwire.com/bookCovers/625281efa00a80ae6a5bc9bc17c4cd25186ea782" width="270" /></a></div>
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<i>Protecting humans from dangerous magical creatures is all in a day's work for a faerie training to be a guardian. Seventeen-year-old Violet Fairdale knows this better than anyone--she's about to become the best guardian the Guild has seen in years. That is, until a cute human boy who can somehow see through her faerie glamour follows her into the fae realm. Now she's broken Guild Law, a crime that could lead to her expulsion. The last thing Vi wants to do is spend any more time with the boy who got her into this mess, but the Guild requires that she return Nate to his home and make him forget everything he's discovered of the fae realm. Easy, right? Not when you factor in evil faeries, long-lost family members, and inconvenient feelings of the romantic kind. Vi is about to find herself tangled up in a dangerous plot--and it'll take all her training to get out alive.</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay, let me come clean: I read the first part of this book for free on Amazon (but I learned afterwards that it is free on Smashwords too). And from then on, I was hooked. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">If I could summarize this book into two words it would be: Refreshingly original. I love the world that Rachel Morgan created. I love the fact that I could identify with each character in their different stages of life. I love the romantic tension building between the two main characters Violet and Nate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">What didn't I like about the novel . . . That it was so short! Okay, another confession: The book wasn't that short, I just read it in a day. It got me so hooked that i was reading it at the table with my family surrounding me talking about stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Yep, I'm addicted to the series! Completely and whole-heartedly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Now onto the dissection!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Characters: I love all the different characters, especially Violet. She is the strong female protagonist with a history that it slowly unfolds itself. I just love all of the layers this protagonist have and how she carefully unveils it throughout the book. It's kinda like what Shrek said about the onions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I also like Nate and Ryn. They are both loveable in their own way. Even though Violet has her reasons to hate both of them, I like them equally.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The only thing that I didn't like was that there seemed to be too many side characters. I kept confusing like Scarlett and some of the other characters. I know what the author was trying to do (give everybody their own identity and purpose) but it got a bit confusing near the end to remember all of those names.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Additionally, I love the bonus material that gave us readers a chance to see what really happened from Nate and Ryn's point of view. It also verified what I thought what happened with Nate. So yeah. Liked that little treat she gave us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Dialogue: Realistic and funny to watch the culture references Violet didn't get but I did (I'll let the author explain it in her novel what I meant). I kept laughing at her awkwardness with Nate and her lack of American culture. It was great and witty at times too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall, I enjoyed it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Plot: Okay, I have another confession: I kinda knew what was going to happen with Nate and Violet. The author gave me a helpful foreshadow with them, and I knew what was going to happen. I won't let y'all know and ruin it but to me, it was a bit obvious after the conversation they had, what Nate was going to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">You'll have to read the book to see what I'm talking about. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Other then that, I was hanging on the edge of my seat to find out what was going on with the characters.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Setting: I love the fae setting, I think it's called Creepy Hollow. I like how she built her fae world and her human world. Actually, I'm a bit jealous of how well developed it is since I'm currently building my own world. She makes it look so easy and effortlessly, when I know the opposite is true.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Definitely believe I'm taking notes on how thoroughly she built her world, and what I need to think about in developing my own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ending: It was bittersweet. I loved how she resolved all the character conflicts except one which I think will be resolved in the next book. I just wish there was more of it. And I wish a certain romantic conflict would be resolved before the next book, but overall, no lose ends to be wary of. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">She tied the major plot conflicts with a nice bow, and left some undone for the next novel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall: I would recommend the first part of the book (which is 100 hundred percent FREE) to anyone who wants to read an adventurous paranormal romance/paranormal fantasy. I'll leave the link on the bottom along with the cover (which I think outshines the original cover by a long shot). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I bought the full book after reading the first part, and probably tomorrow, I'll buy and read the second book. I look forward to it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, I would definitely recommend this book to family and friends who love the fae world and couldn't get enough of it from Aprilynne Pike!</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Faerie-Guardian-Part-Creepy-ebook/dp/B007FRJGXI/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1371488391&sr=1-3"><img height="400" src="http://cache.smashwire.com/bookCovers/0cba2bc8dad84d0a53d20c28711038aa42881398" width="270" /></a></div>
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<span itemprop="description" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>[This is Part I of THE FAERIE GUARDIAN] </i></span></div>
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<span itemprop="description" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<i><span itemprop="description" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;">Protecting humans from dangerous magical creatures is all in a day’s work for a faerie training to be a guardian. Seventeen-year-old Violet Fairdale knows this better than anyone—she’s about to become the best guardian the Guild has seen in years. That is, until a cute human boy who can see through her faerie glamour shows up and ruins it all...</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;"> </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Isn't this cover gorgeous!? I literally couldn't help myself from clicking the HECK YES button, a.k.a. get it and read it button.</span></div>
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Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051848062156974901.post-53542817092254755662013-05-06T06:00:00.000-04:002013-05-06T06:00:11.521-04:00Guest Post by J.K. Hogan<br />
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Please welcome to Feed My Need, paranormal romance author, J. K. Hogan!</div>
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<br />J.K. Hogan has been telling stories for as long as she can remember, beginning with writing cast lists and storylines for her toys growing up. When she finally decided to put pen to paper, magic happened. She is greatly inspired by all kinds of music and often creates a “soundtrack” for her stories as she writes them.<br /><br />J.K. resides in North Carolina, where she was born and raised. A true southern girl at heart, she lives on a farm with her husband and young son, a cat, and two champion agility dogs. If she isn’t on the agility field, J.K. can often be found chasing waterfalls in the mountains with her husband, or down in front at a blues concert.<br /><br />In addition to writing, she enjoys training and competing in dog sports, spending time with her large southern family, camping, boating and, of course, reading! For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.jkhogan.com/">www.jkhogan.com</a>.<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
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<b>5 things you didn’t know about
J.K. Hogan and her books</b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoBookTitle"><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoBookTitle">Mountain
Laurel Falls, the waterfall from <i>Blood in
the Valley</i> was actually based on Hickory Nut Falls in Chimney Rock, NC.
This waterfall was used to film the waterfall scene in <i>Last of the Mohicans</i>. It is one of my favorite NC waterfalls to
visit, because the pool at the bottom is perfect for wading. I have a really
high tolerance for swimming in cold water, so unless it’s basically snowing,
I’ll be wading in that pool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoBookTitle"><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoBookTitle">Which
leads me to the second thing… I’m not particularly daring when it comes to
man-made things like bridges, platforms, or planes you jump out of. But when it
comes to naturally occurring structures like rocks, waterfalls and ledges, I’m
pretty much going to be all over it. Whenever my husband James and I go hiking,
we always try and take each other’s picture in the most precarious position
(like on the edge of afore mentioned waterfall) to scare his mother.
*cough*sorry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoBookTitle"><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoBookTitle">My
son shares a name with one of the characters from <i>Fire on the Island</i>. Mhairi MacKay was the heroine’s grandmother,
and MacKay is one of my husband’s family’s clans. We used the Gaelic spelling
for our son, so his name is Rowan MacAoidh. Try learning to spell that one in
elementary school!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoBookTitle"><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoBookTitle">I
have a real addiction to animated gifs and memes. I don’t always do book
reviews, but when I do, I usually use more gifs than words. Wow, that was a
total Dos Equis moment. Happy accident! Believe it or not, it actually helps me
with characterization because I’m studying how expressions can convey
reactions. Anyway, I’ve been known to even tweet gifs to folks when I have a
reaction that just needs to be seen. Consider yourself special if you get one
from me. I just coined the term ‘gifmaster’, patent pending of course.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoBookTitle"><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoBookTitle">I’ve
changed careers more than anyone I’ve ever met, I think, considering my age.
I’m thirty-one and I’ve been an office manager, a bank teller, a horseback
riding trail guide, a stable manager at two different stables, a vet tech and
then a surgery vet tech, a graphic designer, and now I am a writer/stay at home
mom. That made me tired just typing it. Believe it or not, I was actually at
most of those jobs for at least 2 years…I just started to work at a young age
and took a while to ‘find myself.’ But now <a href="" name="_GoBack"></a>here I am!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="MsoBookTitle">I
hope you enjoyed your trip onto the
mother ship with me, and I wish you a safe journey back home. Don’t forget to
pick </span>up your copy of <i>Blood in the Valley</i>,
available now!</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Valley-Vigilati-Series-ebook/dp/B00CLENQO0/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1367716084&sr=1-5"><img src="http://jkhogan.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/BloodintheValley_300.jpg" /></a></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Blood in the Valley (Vigilati, Book 2)</strong></div>
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<i>The daughter of a Las Vegas hustler, Raven Sabatier grew up trusting nothing and no one—she doesn’t even trust herself to stay in one place for longer than a minute. When her quest to find out the secrets of her past leads her to the mountains of North Carolina, she’s set on a collision course with the one man she thought she’d never see again.</i></div>
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<i>In Appalachia consulting on an archeological dig, Anthropologist Dr. Drew Deveraux comes face to face with the indomitable beauty who broke into his apartment a year ago, tilting his carefully cultivated world on its axis.</i></div>
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<i>Engaged in a fight with their demons, both imagined and real, the last thing either of them expected to find was love. Together, they must unravel the mystery of Raven’s past and her connection with an ancient race of witches, in order to save their future—and all of the souls hanging in the balance.</i></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fire-Island-Vigilati-Series-ebook/dp/B008RO8BZM/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1367716823&sr=1-2"><img src="http://jkhogan.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/554449_405260952847420_371801582860024_1194360_1182423249_n-200x300.jpg" /></a></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;">Fire On The Island (Vigilati, Book 1)</strong></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“She who wields the mark is the barrier between man and monster. She is the daughter of gods, the mother of man, protector of all. Vigilati Usque Ad Mortem”</em></span></strong></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>All Isla Macallen wanted was a simple existence on her little Scottish island, free from her mother’s insanity and the prying eyes of neighbors. What she got was embroiled in a war for the souls of mankind. A war of good versus evil, of witches versus demons, and Isla learns that she alone can end it.</i></span></strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Dr. Jeremiah Rousseau was a self-proclaimed nomad, traveling the world researching paranormal phenomena. He doesn’t expect his research to lead him to Scotland, and to the woman who will turn his world upside down.</i></span></strong></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Together with a facetious shapeshifting animal spirit guide, Jeremiah and Isla discover that she is part of an ancient bloodline bred to protect the gateways between the human world and the spirit world, to keep evil demons from destroying them. They must find the key to defeating Alastore, the demon king, and closing the gate before Samhain, when the veil between the worlds is lifted. As the war for their souls wages around them, Isla and Jeremiah will risk it all for love—a love neither had ever thought possible.</i></span></strong></div>
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Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051848062156974901.post-50529158977278293732013-04-22T17:57:00.002-04:002013-04-22T17:57:43.392-04:00Heroess and Hearts Excerpt<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heroes-Hearts-Crystal-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00C58QS60/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1366667504&sr=1-1&keywords=noemi+Betancourt"><img src="http://gallery.mailchimp.com/475a14a8e9106992e3fe62d2a/images/Heroes_and_Hearts_Final_Cover_Art.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Isabel Kendra prides herself on being a strong independent woman. She doesn’t fawn over men, doesn’t swoon and would rather take care of things herself than ask for help. She has no use for heroes. So when a dark stranger tells her of a kidnapped child who needs her help she approaches the situation in her usual practical manner. Of course, with coming across her long lost father and gods and sorceresses who are constantly trying to kill her, Isabel soon realizes she’s out of her element. Enter the dashing Prince Alaric for whom rescuing the damsel in distress is second nature, only this time the damsel doesn’t want to be rescued!</i></div>
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<i>Together the two must thwart the evil forces that threaten their lives and their worlds while struggling against their own blistering attraction for each other. Can Isabel balance her aversion to the prince’s habit of coming to her rescue with the realization that sometimes it is all right to accept help from a man? Can Alaric handle himself around a woman capable of rescuing herself and learn to be simply the man who loves her?</i></div>
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<br /><br />On the way to her room, she knocked softly on Alaric’s door and opened it a crack to peek in and check on him. He lay on his back snoring softly, but his twisted covers told Isabel he hadn’t been sleeping well. He was bare-chested, save for the bandage that had been wrapped around his midriff, and the hairy leg that hung beside the bed made Isabel suddenly aware that the man was completely naked. She knew it probably wasn’t the thing to do, but the air below decks was chillier than above and she didn’t want him to catch a cold on top of being injured. She quickly slipped into the room and drew the covers up to his throat. God, the man was beautiful! His dark hair lightly brushed his forehead and his features looked as if they had been chiseled in stone. She lightly touched his damp forehead to find it was a bit too warm. She sat on the edge of the bed beside him and wrung out the washcloth that lay in a clay bowl filled with cool water. She placed the cloth upon his head and noticed he had opened his eyes and was watching her. <br /><br />“I’m sorry, I’ll go,” she gasped. She rose to leave, but he grabbed her arms and pulled her to him. <br /><br />“Isabel,” he murmured, placing a hand in her hair as he continued to pull her down on him, and suddenly she found he was kissing her. <br /><br />His lips were unbelievably warm and soft, and she felt herself melting as his tongue probed the inside of her mouth. Just as suddenly as it had started, Isabel felt Alaric’s grip loosen. When she pushed herself up she found he was asleep again. Her body trembled as her heart thrummed beneath her breast. She hurried from the room and entered her own, flopping down on her bed to calm herself. She had kissed guys before and she was definitely no virgin, yet no man had ever caused such a strong reaction within her and she was terrified.Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051848062156974901.post-71653332886059261592013-04-22T06:00:00.000-04:002013-04-22T06:00:00.975-04:00The Space Between Excerpt <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>When Life Falls to Pieces, Answers Lie in the Space Between</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>After a month-long dance tour through Italy, 20-year-old Leni Drago returns to</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Georgia to care for her great-uncle, only to find him gone, the home they shared</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>empty and any evidence he ever existed wiped out. All that’s left is a journal she</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>can’t open.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Jeric Winters has been searching for a piece of his past for over a year, only to</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>reach a dead-end in Georgia. When an urgent and magnetic pull draws him out</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>of his hotel room, he comes face-to-face with the beautiful dancer who’s been</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>haunting his dreams day and night.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Jeric’s one to stay away from—a bad-boy, hit-it-and-quit-it type—but Leni can’t</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>escape the fervent feelings between them. As their own existences begin to</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>crumble around them and shadowy forms that are more monsters than men</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>attack, they realize there’s more to the connection between them than physical</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>fascination.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>To solve the riddle their lives have become, they must embark on a journey that</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>requires them to face their pasts and release their true souls. And they must</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>do it fast—dark ones from another world are closing in, intent on killing them.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Permanently.</i></span></div>
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The Space Between </div>
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Kristie Cook </div>
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Releasing April 5, 2013 </div>
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An Excerpt </div>
<br /> <br /><br />LENI – The overhead lights fell dark for the last time as I opened the dressing room door. The back exit stood open at the end of the hall, allowing in enough light from the streetlamp outside to show my way. I inhaled slowly, cherishing the musty smell of an old theater mixed with the odor of dancers’ sweat and the fragrance of white roses. I silently said my goodbyes as my feet carried me outside. <br /><br />“Thank you, Uncle Theo,” I whispered as I left the theater for the last time. Only because of him did I even have this opportunity. I couldn’t wait to tell him all about it. <br /><br />A large, muscular body flew at me, swept me into his arms and twirled me around as though we were still on stage. Laughter bubbled out of my chest. <br /><br />“You ready to celebrate, cara mia?” Alberto asked as he set me down. <br /><br />“Celebrate that you’re finally getting rid of me?” I teased. <br /><br />He clapped his hand over his heart, and his face fell into an exaggerated expression of pain. “Oh, Leni, you do not know how I will miss you and your mane.” <br /><br />He swatted playfully at the bottom of my curls. He had no idea how I would miss the way he said my name, drawing out both syllables, “laaaay-kneee,” like only an Italian could do. <br /><br />“But you won’t miss my heels on your toes or my arm in your face?” I said in mock disbelief. <br /><br />He took my hand and danced me down the cobbled street toward the plaza at the center of town. “You are a stunning dancer, cara mia. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.” He spun me under his arm, my duffle bag banging me in the butt the whole time. “Of course, you have become much better since becoming my partner. But everyone does.” <br /><br />He winked at me before dropping me into a dip. My bag slid off my shoulder and a hand darted beneath me to catch it. Alberto swung me up and around so that I came face-to-face with the most unbelievably stunning vision I’d seen my whole time in Italy. Which was saying a lot. His eyes—blue, I thought, though the light from the corner post wasn’t enough to be sure—enraptured me. He held my bag out with a small smile that hinted at dimples. <br /><br />“Grazie,” I said breathlessly as I wrapped my hand around the strap of my bag. He gave me a nod almost deep enough to be a bow, his shaggy blond hair falling in his face. Then, without a word, he turned and walked away. My mouth fell open. “How rude.” <br /><br />“Must be American,” Alberto said. I punched him in the arm. <br /><br />“Who goes out of their way to catch a falling object and then can’t even say ‘you’re welcome’?” I asked absent-mindedly as I stared after the retreating body that rivaled Alberto’s. No, scratch that. It totally beat out Alberto’s even on his best day. <br /><br />“What an ass,” Alberto muttered. <br /><br />“Rude, yes, but I don’t know if I’d go that far.” <br /><br />“No, I mean what an ass that man has.” He let out a low whistle. <br /><br />I laughed and admired the view as well. “I can agree with that.” <br /><br />“He’s going to Alonzo’s. Lucky us.” <br /><br />~ ~ ~ <br /><br />JERIC – I flipped to the picture I’d drawn a couple of weeks ago during my search in Italy. I’d woken from a dream, one I’d been having for years, and as I had previously, I’d felt the need to sketch the girl who had me waking with a painful boner. Now that I’d met her in real life, I couldn’t deny the girl in my sketches was Leni—curly hair, exotic green eyes, full lips and breasts, her skin … as if the absolute best features of both African and European blood had been blended together and given to her. The Leni I’d just met would probably never wear the leather bra, miniskirt, and knee-high boots I’d drawn her in, but damn if she wouldn’t look hot in them. The vision came to me clearly. Too clearly. I had to place the book over my lap to hide the full-blown wood pressing against my jeans. <br /><br />I needed a distraction. I needed to get her out of my head. I bought several little airline bottles of rum and dumped them in my Coke, but they weren’t enough to blur the image of Leni’s face in my mind. When the smoking hot flight attendant ran her finger over my arm then dropped a napkin with a message on my tray (“Meet me upstairs?”), I couldn’t resist. I snuck up the spiral staircase to the empty upper level and found her in the bathroom wearing nothing but heels and thigh-high stockings, tendrils of bottle-bleached hair barely hiding her fake tits. Flight attendants like this had made me a lifetime member of the mile-high club—they wanted nothing more than something to make the transatlantic flight more interesting. My perfect kind of girl. <br /><br />Unfortunately, my eyes only saw Leni’s body under my hands. <br /><br /> <div>
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Kristie Cook</div>
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<a href="https://sites.google.com/a/myaddictionisreading.com/2013-promo-s/_/rsrc/1361545901668/kristie-cook/kristie_cook.jpg?height=320&width=277" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://sites.google.com/a/myaddictionisreading.com/2013-promo-s/_/rsrc/1361545901668/kristie-cook/kristie_cook.jpg?height=320&width=277" /></a></div>
<br />Kristie Cook is a lifelong, award-winning writer in various genres, from marketing communications to fantasy fiction. She continues to write the Soul Savers Series, a New Adult paranormal romance/contemporary fantasy, with the first four books, Promise, Purpose, Devotion and Power available now and the next book coming in June 2013. She’s also written a companion novella, Genesis: A Soul Savers Novella, currently available. Over 160,000 Soul Savers books have been sold, with Promise peaking at #54 on the Amazon Top 100 Paid list and at #1 in the Amazon Fantasy category.<br /><br />The Space Between, which releases April 2013, kicks off her second New Adult paranormal series, The Book of Phoenix. <br /><br /><br />Besides writing, Kristie enjoys reading, cooking, traveling and riding on the back of a motorcycle. She has lived in ten states, but currently calls Southwest Florida home with her husband, three teenage sons, a beagle and a puggle. She can be found at:<div>
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Author's Website & Blog: <a href="http://www.kristiecook.com/">http://www.KristieCook.com</a><br />Soul Savers Series Website: <a href="http://www.soulsaversseries.com/">http://www.SoulSaversSeries.com</a><br />Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/AuthorKristieCook">http://www.facebook.com/AuthorKristieCook</a><br />Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/kristiecookauth">http://twitter.com/#!/kristiecookauth</a><div>
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Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051848062156974901.post-45144559421102159442013-04-02T06:00:00.000-04:002013-04-02T18:40:46.075-04:00Book Spotlight: Fate War: Alliance<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fate-War-Alliance-ebook/dp/B00BKQ5UVC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361809152&sr=8-1&keywords=fate+war+havens" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fate War: Alliance" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1361814037l/17415906.jpg" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Prince Cole meets Samantha when she walks down the aisle. Though she seems like the polished women he is familiar with, there is something different. She is complicated and full of mystery. Her dowry comes with a promise of air ships and mech capable of defense against their common enemy and for his country to survive, he must unravel her secrets. It is only when each accepts their destinies can they save their people from the plans of the Fate Sovereign.</i></span></span></h1>
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Family Breakfast <br />
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“King Arnold, a pleasure.” <br />
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Samantha curtsied low, holding the layers of her blue, lace trimmed dress up from the floor. The handmaid had done a tremendous job of tightening her corset. Multi-colored stars popped before her eyes with the movement. <br />
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“None of that now. We’re family.” The King’s kind voice and hand guiding her back up put her at ease. He stood in the doorway of her and Cole’s bedchambers. Images of him in red coattails flashed into her mind, and she pushed them back. Today, he wore a grey morning coat, complete with a red striped waistcoat and ascot. The ruby eyes and toothy grin of a gold dragon head peaked at her from the crook of his arm where his cane rested. <br />
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He took her hand, kissing the gloved fingers, then wrapped them around his elbow to lead her to the balcony. “And how are you this morning daughter-in-law?” <br />
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“I’m well. Thank you for asking, King Arnold. And you?” <br />
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“Doing well, my dear.” He patted her hand as they reached the balcony where Cole stood, fidgeting with his tawny waistcoat. Under her fingers, Samantha felt the King tense. He and Cole nodded to each other, but no words were exchanged in salutation. Cole pulled out her chair, and both men helped her settle for their family breakfast. As the men took their seats, they continually eyed each other, like one expecting a tame tiger to turn man eater at any moment. <br />
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Thankfully, the servants began uncovering today’s dishes, and the men were distracted by bacon.<br />
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Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/Fate-War-Alliance-ebook/dp/B00BKQ5UVC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361809152&sr=8-1&keywords=fate+war+havens</div>
Larissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02739647250724315874noreply@blogger.com1