tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44072425680187829612024-03-13T03:54:00.531-07:00Strand's Simply TipsJoyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.comBlogger337125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407242568018782961.post-80551414995620099062019-04-17T08:59:00.000-07:002019-04-17T08:59:56.745-07:00WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Mari Reiza, Author<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4NK3bYqEYWg/XLElfOYYSEI/AAAAAAAAFhY/05rrW2Ck92cxebm9d8NXdWeO_orJhT18ACLcBGAs/s1600/marireiza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4NK3bYqEYWg/XLElfOYYSEI/AAAAAAAAFhY/05rrW2Ck92cxebm9d8NXdWeO_orJhT18ACLcBGAs/s1600/marireiza.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mari Reiza <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">against Verona's Romeo and Juliet 's wall.<br />Author: <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Opera-mari-reiza/dp/1999914619/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=mari+reiza&qid=1555435590&s=gateway&sr=8-6" target="_blank">Opera</a></i> and t<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Retreat-mari-reiza/dp/1999914643/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=mari+reiza&qid=1555445811&s=gateway&sr=8-9" target="_blank"><i>he Retreat</i></a></span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Mari Reiza is a romance author who “doesn’t set out to write romance.” Readers enjoy the emotions she brings to her stories. She writes both short stories where you can “live in the moment,” and novels where her characters can be developed and “turn around and surprise you, almost mocking you.” Her most recent novels are </i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Opera-mari-reiza/dp/1999914619/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=mari+reiza&qid=1555435590&s=gateway&sr=8-6" target="_blank">Opera</a><i> described as “A scorching rendition of human resilience” and t</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Retreat-mari-reiza/dp/1999914643/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=mari+reiza&qid=1555445811&s=gateway&sr=8-9" target="_blank">he Retreat</a><i>, "an uncomfortable but fascinating ripening journey."<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Born in Madrid and currently living in the U.K., Mari likes to travel, especially in the mountains which "clear her mind for writing." She enjoys hiking, climbing, and skiing with her daughter when she’s not writing. She plans to spend time in Nevada to write her next novella.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /><br />Q<b>: You’ve written romances set in a variety of times and locations. Readers tout the emotion you bring to your stories. What inspires you? Do you have a favorite romance author?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /><b>Mari Reiza: </b>First of all I don’t set out to write romance. I only see, sense and speak, as a woman. And what I see is that the feeling of excitement and mystery associated with love still remains, at a risk of talking clichés, a prime maker and wrecker of lives. All around me. What more engaging is ever there to speak about than love or death? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br />And romance <i>per se </i>is but the tip of the iceberg, the flame making us blind and fearless which is interesting but almost always transient. Empathize with <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Opera-mari-reiza/dp/1999914619/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=mari+reiza&qid=1555435590&s=gateway&sr=8-6" target="_blank"><i>Opera</i>’s</a> <i></i>Ivanka who can’t stomach grievers orbiting around her, live with her through the agitation and accident of her encounter with Maria (a man, despite the name), followed by a growing love-force determined to push out the most unmovable of deadlines. Or with Carmela’s cousin in <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Caro-M-mari-reiza/dp/0995631794/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=mari+reiza&qid=1555435713&s=gateway&sr=8-5" target="_blank">Caro M</a>, </i>beautiful and innocently in love with him and her wedding dress, ready to embrace marriage like a magic portal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br />But it never lasts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br />And still, there’s nothing more real than the dream of love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br />Although falling out of love can also prove intriguing. <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Physical-catastrophe-desire-mari-reiza/dp/0995631743/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1555445811&sr=8-4" target="_blank">PHYSICAL’s</a> </i>Fátima, for example, drops out of love with herself then with her husband. ‘And thus things were being taken away from me one by one,’ she complains. ‘How was I going to enjoy sex if I was a nobody? Not even earning any money?’ (Is sex a requisite for love? another question altogether.) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br />It can be equally painful when your lover falls out of love with you. What are you supposed to feel then? ‘He asked me for the ketchup, in a whisper, and I gave it to him. Somehow, I felt that it was the least I could do, now that I understood I had been but a vague irritant for the last few months, that I did not arouse him anymore,’ tells us Kiki, Fátima’s friend. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">What I mean is, it’s nice to see people on a high but they are even more arresting when breaking down, forced from hero back into humbled human.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br />In essence, I like romantic books exploring female sexuality and power on the upturn then resourcefulness and resilience on the downfall from love. Deborah Levy’s <i>Hot Milk</i>, Margaret Atwood’s <i>The Robber Bride </i>and Lily King’s <i>Euphoria </i>are amongst my favorites.<br /><br />Q<b>: Your most-recently released novel t<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Retreat-mari-reiza/dp/1999914643/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=mari+reiza&qid=1555445811&s=gateway&sr=8-9" target="_blank"><i>he Retreat</i></a> has been described by a reviewer as “a feminist, coming-of-age novel.” Do you agree? How would you characterize it?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /><b>Mari Reiza: </b>In t<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Retreat-mari-reiza/dp/1999914643/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=mari+reiza&qid=1555445811&s=gateway&sr=8-9" target="_blank"><i>he Retreat</i></a>, something has happened to Marie (a girl, unlike <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Opera-mari-reiza/dp/1999914619/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=mari+reiza&qid=1555435590&s=gateway&sr=8-6" target="_blank"><i>Opera</i>'s</a> Maria) in her youth which she can’t get rid of, something that prevents her from building relationships, understanding her sexuality and the place for God in the world. It is definitely an uncomfortable if fascinating ripening journey and yes, almost everyone that counts in the novel is a female. The only man that could have made a difference is absent and from that you can draw your own conclusions.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br />Q: <b>Several reviewers describe your recent novel <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Opera-mari-reiza/dp/1999914619/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=mari+reiza&qid=1555435590&s=gateway&sr=8-6" target="_blank">Opera</a> </i>as “a Romantic story in the classical sense rather than what a modern romance story would be.” How would you characterize <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Opera-mari-reiza/dp/1999914619/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=mari+reiza&qid=1555445811&s=gateway&sr=8-6" target="_blank">Opera</a></i>? Do you consider it contemporary romance? <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /><b>Mari Reiza: </b>Mmm… when I search contemporary romance it says: ‘Contemporary romance is a subgenre of romance novels, generally set contemporaneously with the time of its writing. ... Heroines in the contemporary romances written prior to 1970 usually quit working when they married or had children, while those novels written after 1970 usually have, and keep, a career.’ Puzzling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Well, Ivanka is a beautiful young woman born in Saint Petersburg, wedded to rich banker Alexey. She definitely lives like an old-fashioned heroine and has indeed quit her Operatic career to follow him to London. In addition, her love with Maria has the chivalric and supernatural feel of a classical tale. So, I can see why they call it a classical romance.<br /><br />Q: <b>You write both short stories and novels. Do you find that each offers you a way to better tell a story or deliver a theme? Do you prefer one over the other?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /><b>Mari Reiza: </b>I love the short stories to live the moment; they can almost be cinematographic. However, the novel allows time for the character to show you her true colors then totally turn around and surprise you, almost mocking you.<br /><br />Q: <b>How do you make your readers care about your characters? Are their issues, problems, and joys relatable to readers?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /><b>Mari Reiza: </b>I should not be saying this perhaps, but I do not worry too much about the reader when I’m writing characters. My assumption is, this is a story that is happening or has happened or if not exactly so, it could have happened or may still happen. It's real despite being fiction. Then I try to focus on the humanity of my heroes and inject as much humor as possible. I hope this will help make the tale entertaining, relatable and readable but perhaps it won’t work for everyone. I’ve learnt, at the end of the day, I have to do what works for me. Writing, like the other arts, should be an expression of what we have inside, even if perhaps it’s not very commercial half the time. But hopefully it may still make a small difference.<br /><br />Q: <b>Why do you write? Do you choose topics that concern you to help reveal them? Or, do you want primarily to tell a story? <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /><b>Mari Reiza: </b>I do not write with a topic in mind, for any audience in particular or with a specific aim. I only relate things I have observed, often mismatching the different bits, throwing them together to play the what if game. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">In <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Physical-catastrophe-desire-mari-reiza/dp/0995631743/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1555445811&sr=8-4" target="_blank">Physical</a></i>: What if we put the anarchic girl with curly black hair and thick-rimmed glasses with the straightforward, rational and practical woman, fair-haired and attractive in a sexy-cute kind of way without being stunning? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">In <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Opera-mari-reiza/dp/1999914619/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=mari+reiza&qid=1555445811&s=gateway&sr=8-6" target="_blank">Opera</a></i>: What if Ivanka’s masseur slim as a river reed and pretty despite his cut-rate-dental teeth, was hired for his osteopathy services but tried to cure her of her fatal illness instead? What if her trusted prince was not to be trusted, but was instead wanted back in Moscow by a hysterically resentful, erotically hyper-charged Cuban (male) ex-lover, and Ivanka's masseur was (again) the only one who could help him?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">What if... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">You get the picture. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br />Q: <b>You were born in Madrid and now live in the U.K. and you write frequently about women’s issues. Do you find that your topics are applicable across broad national boundaries and are as relevant in Europe, Asia, United States etc.? <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /><b>Mari Reiza: </b>We call ourselves a global society but I think there are still tremendous cultural differences between countries, even regions you consider close neighbors. I like the differences to last, but in my books I ensure they co-exist. I often write about London, situations where different people come together. In <i>Room 11, </i>the patient's husband is Italian but the nurse is an African immigrant and the doctor is of Indian origin. In <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Opera-mari-reiza/dp/1999914619/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=mari+reiza&qid=1555445811&s=gateway&sr=8-6" target="_blank">Opera</a></i>, the heroine and her accomplice are Russian but the masseur and the composer are Italian. In <i>Physical</i>, one lady is Brazilian and the other is from Northern Italy… (what's my fixation with Italy you may ask?) It's undoubtedly my background. I left Spain at twelve and have lived since in Brussels, Amsterdam, the US, Milan and the UK (and loved almost exclusively Italian men.)<br /><br />Q: <b>How and why did you make the transition from investment research writer and management consultant to author of contemporary romance novels? <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /><b>Mari Reiza: </b>I’ve always been an avid reader and written on the side, short stories and poems since school, first in Spanish then in English. My jobs took me away from fiction but still involved a lot of writing. Although of course it was a very different kind of writing. I knew I loved the writing and the salary but had not much interest in the subject matter. The opportunity came to step down, perhaps it wasn’t seen as an opportunity at first to be honest but more like forced upon, and I took it. The rest is story.<br /><br />Q: <b>What’s next? </b><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Mari Reiza: </span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I’m off to Nevada this Easter. A writer I like back in my land of origin, the Basque country, Bernardo Atxaga, wrote his days in Nevada some time ago. I love that book. I’m thinking to write my own little Nevada novella perhaps.<br /><br />Q: <b>Tell us something about Mari Reiza. What do you like to do when you’re not writing? <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /><b>Mari Reiza: </b>I have become passionate for the mountains: the Dolomites (Italy again!!!). I enjoy hiking, skiing and climbing with my daughter. We are there whenever we can. The scenery helps the writing too: it clears the mind, for more.<br /><br /><b>About Mari Reiza</b><br /><br />Mari Reiza was born in Madrid in 1973. She has worked as an investment research writer and management consultant for twenty years in London before becoming an indie fiction writer. She studied at Oxford University and lives off Portobello Road. Also by her, <i>Inconceivable Tales, Death in Pisa, Sour Pricks, Pack of Wolves, STUP, Mum, Watch Me Have Fun!, Marmotte’s Journey, West bEgg, PHYSICAL, Room 11, Triple Bagger, Caro M, Opera, the Retreat.</i><br /><br /><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">About Mari Reiza’s Books<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PL-LPRBUQ88/XLEmQCN_IqI/AAAAAAAAFhg/LxXHbDUi2XMLihoJOlAK1mI9G2gAN9j3wCLcBGAs/s1600/theRetreat_Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1036" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PL-LPRBUQ88/XLEmQCN_IqI/AAAAAAAAFhg/LxXHbDUi2XMLihoJOlAK1mI9G2gAN9j3wCLcBGAs/s320/theRetreat_Cover.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /><i>t<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Retreat-mari-reiza/dp/1999914643/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=mari+reiza&qid=1555445811&s=gateway&sr=8-9" target="_blank">he Retreat</a></i>: An uncomfortable but fascinating ripening journey</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br />Ahmed has abandoned her. Nadia is gone the way Isabelle did before, her two fallen warriors. But Marie can still hear His voice clearly. A deep call for justice takes hold in an impressionable teenage girl from a recently broken family during a religious retreat; what happens next will mark her life for years to come. <i>the Retreat </i>is a story of men playing God, of hurt that doesn’t find its way out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Opera-mari-reiza/dp/1999914619/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=mari+reiza&qid=1555435590&s=gateway&sr=8-6" target="_blank">Opera</a></i>: A scorching rendition of human resilience <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ofcy7cA212g/XLEmbmeNjQI/AAAAAAAAFhk/Hal3egsoTxIpUErKLoftoWwBak1Xkb0rQCLcBGAs/s1600/Opera_Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1036" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ofcy7cA212g/XLEmbmeNjQI/AAAAAAAAFhk/Hal3egsoTxIpUErKLoftoWwBak1Xkb0rQCLcBGAs/s320/Opera_Cover.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Suffering Ivanka, once an arts patron in Moscow, receives a wrongly delivered letter at her secret address in Kensington. Her therapist Fer recognizes the intended recipient immediately, leading her into the hands of Maria, a faded Italian pop-idol living a reclusive life only a few houses away. Maria unintentionally wakes Ivanka up to the nature of the spiritual depth she has been craving, convinces her it's the lack of it that has made her sick. Can she, with the help of Igor, her sweetest long-life friend and accomplice, help Maria back into music?<br /><br /><br /><b>Links</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Opera-mari-reiza/dp/1999914619/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=mari+reiza&qid=1555435590&s=gateway&sr=8-6" target="_blank">Amazon Opera</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Retreat-mari-reiza/dp/1999914643/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=mari+reiza&qid=1555445811&s=gateway&sr=8-9" target="_blank">Amazon the Retreat</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=mari+reiza&ref=is_s" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page </a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Twitter and Instagram address @mari_reiza<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://marireizaswords.wixsite.com/author" target="_blank">Wixsite</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span><o:p></o:p></div>
Joyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407242568018782961.post-33015701371242020722019-01-16T01:25:00.000-08:002019-01-16T01:25:46.571-08:00WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Ruchi Singh, Author<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uGvF2slYNDU/XD4UMUuRDsI/AAAAAAAAFdk/qgiNcUZkscMZcabtqkWcnEej5hBLPz_jwCLcBGAs/s1600/12685553-150x150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uGvF2slYNDU/XD4UMUuRDsI/AAAAAAAAFdk/qgiNcUZkscMZcabtqkWcnEej5hBLPz_jwCLcBGAs/s200/12685553-150x150.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruchi Singh, Author<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Guardian-Angel-Undercover-Ruchi-Singh-ebook/dp/B07MDHHP27/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1547572508&sr=8-3&keywords=Ruchi+Singh" target="_blank">GUARDIAN ANGEL</a><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bodyguard-Romantic-Suspense-Novel-ebook/dp/B07BD2D9J3/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1547572508&sr=8-1&keywords=Ruchi+Singh" target="_blank">THE BODYGUARD</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Ruchi Singh brings us <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Guardian-Angel-Undercover-Ruchi-Singh-ebook/dp/B07MDHHP27/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1547572508&sr=8-3&keywords=Ruchi+Singh" target="_blank">GUARDIAN ANGEL</a>, a romantic thriller, which is her favorite genre.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">The book spins off a</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">character from her previous novel, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bodyguard-Romantic-Suspense-Novel-ebook/dp/B07BD2D9J3/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1547572508&sr=8-1&keywords=Ruchi+Singh" target="_blank">THE BODYGUARD</a>, and tells how an “</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">angel</span><i style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">“ </i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">rescues a security expert in mortal danger.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Singh is an award-winning author who writes both romance and romantic thrillers. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading and exploring </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">classical Indian dance forms. She is currently working on an emotional romance novel and is also planning a detective series.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Q: How did you conceive of the plot for <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Guardian-Angel-Undercover-Ruchi-Singh-ebook/dp/B07MDHHP27/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1547572508&sr=8-3&keywords=Ruchi+Singh" target="_blank">GUARDIAN ANGEL</a></span></b><b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">? </span></b></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Ruchi Singh</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">: I had released <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bodyguard-Romantic-Suspense-Novel-ebook/dp/B07BD2D9J3/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1547572508&sr=8-1&keywords=Ruchi+Singh" target="_blank">THE BODYGUARD</a> prior to </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Guardian-Angel-Undercover-Ruchi-Singh-ebook/dp/B07MDHHP27/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1547572508&sr=8-3&keywords=Ruchi+Singh" target="_blank">GUARDIAN ANGEL</a></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">. Nikhil Mahajan, though an important character, played a secondary role in that novel. After the release of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bodyguard-Romantic-Suspense-Novel-ebook/dp/B07BD2D9J3/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1547572508&sr=8-1&keywords=Ruchi+Singh" target="_blank">THE BODYGUARD</a>, I received numerous personal messages and review feedback that people want to hear Nikhil’s story as well. </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Hence <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Guardian-Angel-Undercover-Ruchi-Singh-ebook/dp/B07MDHHP27/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1547572508&sr=8-3&keywords=Ruchi+Singh" target="_blank">GUARDIAN ANGEL</a> came into being. Essentially it is a spin-off from </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bodyguard-Romantic-Suspense-Novel-ebook/dp/B07BD2D9J3/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1547572508&sr=8-1&keywords=Ruchi+Singh" target="_blank">THE BODYGUARD </a></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">and can be read as a standalone book.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Q: Reviewers in a previous book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bodyguard-Romantic-Suspense-Novel-ebook/dp/B07BD2D9J3/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1547572508&sr=8-1&keywords=Ruchi+Singh" target="_blank">THE BODYGUARD</a>, said your characters were “</span></b><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "cambria" , serif;">well fleshed out.” </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">How do you make readers care about your characters? </span></b><b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Ruchi Singh</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">: There are certain expected social, physical, and notional perceptions. If we as an author understand those qualities and perceptions, defining a character’s traits become easy. </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Then throughout the story, those traits have to be released or written depending on the circumstances and situations. I cater to those perceptions and hope that the readers would fall in love with them. They generally do. </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Q: Reviewers also tout the thriller aspect of your books. How do you create suspense while simultaneously producing romance?</span></b><b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Ruchi Singh</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">: In a suspense, the information about the plot has to be revealed in a piece-meal fashion. For romance to simultaneously flourish, both hero and the heroine have to be actively involved in the main plot as well as be thrown together in the scenes. The plotting, characterization and internal conflicts are important here.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Q: Is the concept of villain vs hero relevant to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Guardian-Angel-Undercover-Ruchi-Singh-ebook/dp/B07MDHHP27/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1547572508&sr=8-3&keywords=Ruchi+Singh" target="_blank">GUARDIAN ANGEL</a>? What are the characteristics of an effective villain?</span></b><b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Ruchi Singh</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">: Yes, of course it’s relevant in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Guardian-Angel-Undercover-Ruchi-Singh-ebook/dp/B07MDHHP27/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1547572508&sr=8-3&keywords=Ruchi+Singh" target="_blank">GUARDIAN ANGE</a>L. Every story has to have a villain. Though it’s not necessary that the villain has to be a human being. The inner conflict, weaknesses, and circumstances can also play a part in traumatizing a protagonist and can thereby be termed as a villain. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Guardian-Angel-Undercover-Ruchi-Singh-ebook/dp/B07MDHHP27/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1547572508&sr=8-3&keywords=Ruchi+Singh" target="_blank">GUARDIAN ANGEL</a>, too, has a villain of the human variety. Although the protagonist and the villain do not confront each other face to face, they do go after each other in a more covert manner.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">The characteristics of a villain should be such that readers also share the hero’s revulsion, fear, or distaste. A villain lays down the conflicts in the path of the hero and should be one notch more powerful than the hero. A story, where the hero is able to overpower the villain against all odds, is a real entertainer. </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Q: In <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Guardian-Angel-Undercover-Ruchi-Singh-ebook/dp/B07MDHHP27/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1547572508&sr=8-3&keywords=Ruchi+Singh" target="_blank">GUARDIAN ANGEL</a>, how helpful is back story, especially that of setting?</span></b><b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Ruchi Singh</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Guardian-Angel-Undercover-Ruchi-Singh-ebook/dp/B07MDHHP27/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1547572508&sr=8-3&keywords=Ruchi+Singh" target="_blank">GUARDIAN ANGEL</a> is set in the backdrop of conflict in Kashmir. The backstory and the setting are revealed to the readers at opportune scenes throughout the story. There are certain chunks which are revealed through inner monologues, thoughts, and dialogues. Some aspects are just hinted using a word or two here and there, and let the reader imagine the rest. The backstory and settings help readers to get a reference point for the location, story and the characters’ motivations. If used judiciously it’s a very powerful story element.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Q: Did you write <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Guardian-Angel-Undercover-Ruchi-Singh-ebook/dp/B07MDHHP27/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1547572508&sr=8-3&keywords=Ruchi+Singh" target="_blank">GUARDIAN ANGEL</a> strictly to entertain? Or were you trying to educate or deliver a message? </span></b><b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Ruchi Singh</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">: Every novel I write is to entertain the readers. I consider myself a storyteller and entertainer.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Q: What caused you to pursue a career as an author and away from that of IT career?</span></b><b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Ruchi Singh</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">: It all started in 2012 when I had left my regular job to be a full-time homemaker. After a year my daughter joined the college in a new city. I was feeling a little low due to empty nest syndrome but didn</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">’</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">t want to go back to the corporate rut. That was the time friends and family suggested writing. My family members and friends said when you read so much, you can write as well.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Since I am very fond of novels, I began with a novel. I really enjoyed the first few days of putting my thoughts on paper. The result was the debut novel TAKE 2. But it was only when I had won the Indireads short story competition, in Oct 2014, I knew I will become a fiction writer.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Q: What’s next?</span></b><b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Ruchi Singh</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">: I am writing an emotional romance which is again set in Kasauli, the backdrop of my second novel JUGNU (The Firefly)</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">. I’</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">m also planning and plotting a detective series, which is at a very nascent stage. There are lots of ideas floating in my mind, but very less time.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Q: Tell us about Ruchi Singh. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?</span></b><b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Ruchi Singh</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">: I am generally a happy-go-lucky person. I go with the flow of events happening in and around me. When I am not writing I read a lot, and I also like to spend time and relax with my friends.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">About Ruchi Singh<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Winner of TOI WriteIndia Season 1, Ruchi Singh is a novelist, and writes in two genres: romance and romantic thriller. A voracious reader, she loves everything—from classics to memoirs to editorials to chick-lit, but her favorite genre is ‘romantic thriller’. Besides writing and reading, her other interests include dabbling with Indian classical dance forms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">About<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Guardian-Angel-Undercover-Ruchi-Singh-ebook/dp/B07MDHHP27/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1547572508&sr=8-3&keywords=Ruchi+Singh" target="_blank"> GUARDIAN ANGEL</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mhaq_XGnagE/XD4UibAXfhI/AAAAAAAAFds/VJhC3knG8FAjQdk8r4LGJ2eWbjxlPfebgCLcBGAs/s1600/GuardianAngel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1003" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mhaq_XGnagE/XD4UibAXfhI/AAAAAAAAFds/VJhC3knG8FAjQdk8r4LGJ2eWbjxlPfebgCLcBGAs/s320/GuardianAngel.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">The Man</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Security expert Nikhil Mahajan is in mortal danger. Gravely injured and unable to see, he is in the midst of hostile strangers in an unknown place. Any hope of survival is fast fading away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">The Angel</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Should an innocent man be left to die just because he had been in the wrong place at the wrong time? Someone has to intervene.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Excerpt:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.066667556762695px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">In the bathroom, he stripped off his clothes and looked in the mirror for the first time since the day of the bomb blast in Mumbai. He couldn’t recognize the man staring back at him in the mirror. His hair, matted with dirt, was stuck to his skull. The only things which were clean were his wounds and the skin around it which had been taken care of by the hospital nurse.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.066667556762695px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">He had a full-fledged beard with a patch of bandage where the skin on his face had burned. The scar would definitely leave a reminiscence of…? Of what? What should he call the events of the past weeks? An incident? An episode? A misfortune? He drew a blank. In retrospect, past few weeks seemed like something which could not be explained in words.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.066667556762695px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">Pushing his confused thoughts aside he examined his leg. The burns were deeper on the shin and thigh, the doctor had told him. He looked gaunt, a shadow of his former self. He must have lost at least ten kg, if not more. Sighing audibly, he unwrapped the new toothbrush and remembered his own electrical one in his bathroom back home. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.066667556762695px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">Everything unfamiliar, and every person a stranger. A new name. A new identity. His ordeal was far from over. He picked up the new tube of the toothpaste and felt like a beggar.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.066667556762695px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">Taking the support of the wall, head bent down, he stood under the shower with the water running down his face, and wept. The adrenaline rush of keeping himself alive receded as he emptied the fears, worries, and helplessness of the past month down the drain with the bathwater. The thought of being able to see his parents soon made him more emotional. He sniffed and sniveled, and resolved to take back control of his life. And most of all, he resolved to do something about those monsters back in the Tral forest.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.066667556762695px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.066667556762695px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">Links<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;"><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.in/dp/B07MDHHP27" style="color: #954f72;">Amazon.in</a></span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"> </span></b></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;"><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MDHHP27" style="color: #954f72;">Amazon.com</a></span></b></span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.066667556762695px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;"><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><a href="https://iluvfiction.blogspot.com/" style="color: #954f72;">Blog</a></span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"> | </span></b><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;"><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><a href="http://www.ruchisingh.in/" style="color: #954f72;">Official Website</a></span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"> | </span></b><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;"><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ruchisinghauthor/" style="color: #954f72;">Facebook</a></span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"> | </span></b><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;"><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12685553.Ruchi_Singh" style="color: #954f72;">Goodreads</a></span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"> | </span></b><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;"><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><a href="https://twitter.com/RuchiWriter" style="color: #954f72;">Twitter</a></span></b></span><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;"><b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Giveaway:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">~ 1 winner for 500/- Amazon Gift Card + kindle copy of Guardian Angel<br />~ 1 winner for 250/- Amazon Gift Card + kindle copy of Guardian Angel</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="491d1d8b239" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/491d1d8b239/" id="rcwidget_wqoaozr1" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><!-- start InLinkz script --><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><script type="text/javascript"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">document.write('<scr' + 'ipt type="text/javascript" src="https://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=813001&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"></script><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><!-- end InLinkz script --><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.066667556762695px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M22Mf48GdGs/XD4Upq4VIXI/AAAAAAAAFdw/P0vk24EyzoM55TlD7SFynMsD_cIlVIZ7gCLcBGAs/s1600/Book%2BTour%2BBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="811" height="148" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M22Mf48GdGs/XD4Upq4VIXI/AAAAAAAAFdw/P0vk24EyzoM55TlD7SFynMsD_cIlVIZ7gCLcBGAs/s400/Book%2BTour%2BBanner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Joyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407242568018782961.post-3001458473480495522018-11-17T11:48:00.002-08:002018-11-17T11:53:17.630-08:00CHECK IT OUT: Character Interview by Author Joyce T. Strand<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ccy3Rw49T4g/W_BrKhWri3I/AAAAAAAAFcA/bC0avNC_c_gr-YiZ1G_WHslxhNmySTCLgCLcBGAs/s1600/046erinkatephoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ccy3Rw49T4g/W_BrKhWri3I/AAAAAAAAFcA/bC0avNC_c_gr-YiZ1G_WHslxhNmySTCLgCLcBGAs/s320/046erinkatephoto.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joyce T. Strand, Author<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Delays-Emily-Lazzaro-Mystery-ebook/dp/B07K2JTQNM/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1542481719&sr=8-4" target="_blank">Dangerous Delays</a><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Changes-Emily-Lazzaro-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0776JG86B/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542483830&sr=8-1&keywords=joyce+t+strand" target="_blank">Dangerous Changes</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="color: #222222;">Following is an interview with my newest character sleuth, Emily Lazzaro, who is here to tell us what she’s been doing since her first book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Changes-Emily-Lazzaro-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0776JG86B/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542483830&sr=8-1&keywords=joyce+t+strand" target="_blank">Dangerous Changes,</a> and to give us some hints about her second mystery, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Delays-Emily-Lazzaro-Mystery-ebook/dp/B07K2JTQNM/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1542481719&sr=8-4" target="_blank">Dangerous Delays</a>.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="color: #222222;">Fans of my other books might recall that Emily is the daughter of the winemaker at Brynn Bancroft’s Hilltop Sunset winery. When we encountered her in</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Overcast-Sunset-Brynn-Bancroft-Mystery-ebook/dp/B01M4P4S3Z/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1542483830&sr=8-5&keywords=joyce+t+strand" target="_blank"><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(124, 147, 161);"><span style="color: black;">Overcast Sunset</span></span></a></i><i> <span style="color: #222222;">she had just broken up with her fiancé and is heading back home to Ramona, Calif. where her adventures begin.</span></i><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<i><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b>Q: I understand that in your new mystery there is a body discovered on the first page?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b>Emily Lazzaro: </b>Yes. I was so upset. One of the workmen helping with the renovation uncovered it with the excavator. It was disturbing to see—I have trouble getting it or her out of my mind. And then the Native American artifacts surrounding her – we assumed it was a she because of the skirt. It was all so surreal.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b>Q: I’ve heard about frequent discovery of artifacts in San Diego County but I thought bodies only turned up in burial grounds. Is this site a burial ground?<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b>Emily Lazzaro</b>: We don’t know. Several branches of different law enforcement, including the local Barona Tribal Council and an archeologist are investigating. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b>Q: What can you tell us about why you were even at this site? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b>Emily Lazzaro: </b>I was hired to help manage a new B&B that we’re hoping will become a vital part of our town. I enjoy this job much more than preparing tax returns, by the way. Anyway, the first step in that project is the renovation of this mansion. I’m so excited to be part of it. The wife of the couple who owns it is from Ramona, and wants to create an iconic place that will represent the community.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b>Q: What will make it represent the community?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2LtoH5QJMk/W_BrqbcwojI/AAAAAAAAFcI/g9phXQ44nNYvynD9raTZyjXx1q0ucG94QCLcBGAs/s1600/welcome_to_ramona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="360" height="133" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2LtoH5QJMk/W_BrqbcwojI/AAAAAAAAFcI/g9phXQ44nNYvynD9raTZyjXx1q0ucG94QCLcBGAs/s200/welcome_to_ramona.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b>Emily Lazzaro: </b>Well, there will be horses, riding instruction, and hikes available to those who stay there. As you know, Ramona is an equestrian town. And our menu will reflect local specialties, such as turkey and avocados. And, although we want it to be somewhat upscale, the décor will contain some aspect of Ramona—that is, if we ever get it complete given all the delays.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b>Q: What about your parents we met in the Brynn Bancroft trilogy? How are they doing?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b>Emily Lazzaro: </b>My dad continues as the winemaker of the Hilltop Sunset winery, and my mom loves helping Brynn—the co-owner of the winery—whenever</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
she needs it. They’ve become really good friends. My parents still grieve for my brother who was killed in Afghanistan, but we’re all getting more used to it even though we miss him terribly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b>Q: Has anyone special entered your life? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b>Emily Lazzaro: </b>Not really. I have made great friends with a local chef but we’re just friends. I met him through an incident that occurred with his brother who suffers from brain damage due to an accident. But, so far, we’re just friends.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b>Q: What’s next?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b>Emily Lazzaro: </b>Well, I’m not sure—about that someone special or about the B&B. We’ve had so many delays—the usual kind due to permits, labor shortage, and material problems. But with this new cadaver in our back yard, well, that means more and more delays—dangerous ones, at that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R-UOojvp2jM/W_Br5_eBedI/AAAAAAAAFcQ/O006xwi8YOgQzJkpnUZB7bNSCYHLjnQVwCLcBGAs/s1600/DangerousDelaysFINAL-Amzn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R-UOojvp2jM/W_Br5_eBedI/AAAAAAAAFcQ/O006xwi8YOgQzJkpnUZB7bNSCYHLjnQVwCLcBGAs/s320/DangerousDelaysFINAL-Amzn.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Delays-Emily-Lazzaro-Mystery-ebook/dp/B07K2JTQNM/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1542481719&sr=8-4" target="_blank">Dangerous Delays: An Emily Lazzaro Mystery</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Finding a corpse buried with Native American artifacts wasn’t the first delay of the renovation Emily faced. But she was not prepared for what followed. A murder investigation, excavation to uncover more artifacts, and drug dealers looking for missing product further delay the mansion's restoration into an iconic B&B. While facing these setbacks, Emily is also realizing her growing attraction to a local chef, a man who believes a relationship isn't possible due to his commitment to care for his brain-injured brother.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Reminder: although there will be a total of three Emily Lazzaro mysteries, each is standalone and can be read without knowledge of the previous book.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #222222;">About Joyce T. Strand, Author</span></b><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e;">Joyce T. Strand is the author of who-done-it contemporary and historical mysteries set in California. Actual events and/or real people inspired all of her published novels, although they are definitely fictionalized.</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Delays-Emily-Lazzaro-Mystery-ebook/dp/B07K2JTQNM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1542483830&sr=8-4&keywords=joyce+t+strand" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0e0e0e;"> </span><i><span style="color: #0e0e0e;">Dangerous Delays</span></i></a><span style="color: #0e0e0e;"> </span><span style="color: #0e0e0e;">is her tenth book.</span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e;">Strand headed corporate communications at several biotech and high-tech companies in California's Silicon Valley for more than 25 years. Unlike her protagonist Jillian Hillcrest in her first trilogy, however, she did not encounter murder in her career. She currently lives with her collection of cow statuary in Ramona, California, and enjoys exploring and writing about the growing wine region in the Ramona Valley near San Diego.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e;"><b>Links</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e;"><i><b>Dangerous Delays</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Delays-Emily-Lazzaro-Mystery/dp/0999384813/ref=sr_1_4_twi_pap_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1542481719&sr=8-4&keywords=joyce+t+strand" target="_blank">Paperback</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Delays-Emily-Lazzaro-Mystery-ebook/dp/B07K2JTQNM/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1542481719&sr=8-4" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0e0e0e;"> </span><span style="color: #0e0e0e;">Kindle</span><span style="color: #0e0e0e;"> </span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e;">Barnes and Noble<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dangerous-delays-joyce-t-strand/1129809391?ean=2940161951293" target="_blank">Nook</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e;"><i><b>Dangerous Changes</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Changes-Emily-Lazzaro-Mystery/dp/0996145494/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1542481719&sr=8-1&keywords=joyce+t+strand" target="_blank">Paperback</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Changes-Emily-Lazzaro-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0776JG86B/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1542481719&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Kindle</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e;">Barnes and Noble<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dangerous-changes-joyce-t-strand/1127396920?ean=2940158828362" target="_blank">Nook</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e;"><a href="http://joycestrand.com/" target="_blank">Webpage</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JoyceTStrandAuthor/" target="_blank">Facebook</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e;">Twitter @joycetstrand<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5385246.Joyce_T_Strand" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Joyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407242568018782961.post-45205561323618980862018-04-26T07:42:00.000-07:002018-04-26T07:42:42.008-07:00WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Elise Whyles and Ciara Lake, Authors<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2T8S-9GAR9o/Wt0UFuSKhNI/AAAAAAAAFGA/IH77tDE9sZ8FAVLVaEb0zPE29FNWYiASACEwYBhgL/s1600/Ciara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="573" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2T8S-9GAR9o/Wt0UFuSKhNI/AAAAAAAAFGA/IH77tDE9sZ8FAVLVaEb0zPE29FNWYiASACEwYBhgL/s320/Ciara.jpg" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ciara Lake, Author<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Curse-Dragons-Claim-Forsaken-Book-ebook/dp/B0084KT270/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1524439659&sr=8-7&keywords=Ciara+Lake" target="_blank">CURSE OF A DRAGON'S CLAIM (2)</a><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Forsaken-Norse-Wind-Book-ebook/dp/B00A923TRU/ref=sr_1_6?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1524440140&sr=1-6&keywords=ciara+lake&dpID=511u4MfeQTL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch" target="_blank">FORSAKEN NORSE WIND (4)</a><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Enchanted-Waves-Forsaken-Book-6-ebook/dp/B00G0TI890/ref=sr_1_9?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1524440140&sr=1-9&keywords=ciara+lake" target="_blank">ENCHANTED WAVES (6)</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">Elise Whyles and Ciara Lake teamed up to write T<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Forsaken-7-Book/dp/B016DF7X78/ref=sr_1_13?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1524439809&sr=1-13&keywords=Elise+Whyles" target="_blank">he Forsaken Series</a>, a paranormal series of books about families on the brink of war returning to their homes and love following a king’s banishment. The two authors take turns writing each book. Lake believes that the creative </span></i><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">paranormal is an extension of fantasy and offers a place for romance. Whyles enjoys the freedom and excitement of creating characters in this genre. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Lake, who lives on a farm, likes to travel and embroider when she’s not writing. She plans to continue to write more books for The Forsaken Series and has other projects in mind. Whyles, who lives in Canada, also likes to travel and particularly enjoys the West Coast of British Columbia. She is working on a Romantic Suspense Paranormal as well as the next book in The Forsaken Series.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PSt1k0sLFzI/Wt0UVzcY5TI/AAAAAAAAFGI/kgae2Ilk1T0et_3diqF7808gTvcLk6fwACEwYBhgL/s1600/Elise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PSt1k0sLFzI/Wt0UVzcY5TI/AAAAAAAAFGI/kgae2Ilk1T0et_3diqF7808gTvcLk6fwACEwYBhgL/s320/Elise.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elise Whyles, Author<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Forsaken-Heart-Book-1-ebook/dp/B007U679PQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1524439809&sr=1-3&keywords=Elise+Whyles&dpID=51k8U%252BRAjYL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch" target="_blank">FORSAKEN HEART (1)</a><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Forsaken-Paradise-Book-3-ebook/dp/B009Q6ZILU/ref=sr_1_11?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1524439809&sr=1-11&keywords=Elise+Whyles" target="_blank">FORSAKEN PARADISE (3)</a><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Skarlet-Kiss-Forsaken-Book-5-ebook/dp/B00CUWQDD4/ref=sr_1_9?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1524439809&sr=1-9&keywords=Elise+Whyles" target="_blank">SKARLET KISS (5)</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>Q: </b><b>Elise Whyles – you wrote the first book in the Forsaken Series, FORSAKEN HEART. Did you intend for this to develop into a series? Why did you choose this genre?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>Elise Whyles: </b>Yes, I had the idea for a series and this is such a great topic. I picked the genre simply because I could have a lot of fun with it. I’d started reading some paranormal romances and fell in love with the idea of writing about mythology, and such, and this was the easiest way to do it. It didn’t hurt that my co-author is a huge fan of paranormal romance as well. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>Q: What draws you to write in the paranormal genre? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>Ciara Lake:</b> I like the ability to be inventive and more imaginative in paranormal fantasy type of books. There is no limit to what you can create. I enjoy the freedom it gives the author to create worlds, creatures, people, places, heroes, and villains. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>Elise Whyles</b>: The freedom to create believable characters in unbelievable settings. The only limits are those I put in place. There’s a lot of freedom and excitement to be had creating a world and species as we move along. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>Q: Elise Whyles--You write in multiple genres in addition to paranormal, including </b><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">LGBT and contemporary. Do you have a favorite? Why? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">Elise Whyles: </span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;"></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Hmm, I have to say of all the genres I write in, the one I love the most is paranormal. But combining all three genres is even more fun so when I can write a story which features an LGBT paranormal character in a contemporary setting it’s even more fun.<span style="color: #548dd4;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">Q: Ciara Lake--You also write in multiple genres besides paranormal, including romance, fantasy, and SciFi romance. What made you decide to write paranormal fiction? Do you like to incorporate romance somewhere in your story despite the primary genre? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Ciara Lake: </span></b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">To me paranormal is just an extension of fantasy. And Sci Fi is another genre that is similar allowing for the imagination to be the only limitation. They are very similar genres. Each of them allows for the creative reach I mentioned above. I started out wanting to be a romance writer. The paranormal, sci fi, and or fantasy was created to be the worlds for the lovers to exist in. I like creating fantastic characters who are drawn to true love. I am a romantic who dreams bigger then real life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">Q: How do you create credibility for your paranormal stories or fantasy worlds?</span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">Elise Whyles: </span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;"></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">When I build a world I rely on what I can see. I try to intersperse what we have in our world into their world. If a reader can see the image I’ve tried to describe, that lends itself the credibility. <span style="color: #548dd4;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">Q: What would cause your readers to stop reading? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">Elise Whyles: </span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;"></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Stagnation, is a huge concern when it comes to writing. If you’re working on a major story line, such as Forsaken and you’re retelling the same story over and over in each book, a reader will lose interest and stop reading.<span style="color: #548dd4;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">Q: How did the two of you get together and decide to write a series? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">Elise Whyles: </span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;"></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">We met when we published with another publishing house, which has long since closed. I began helping Ciara with her writing, and when I came up with the tiny idea of a series of paranormal stories I asked her if she’d like to jump on board and develop the plan and get it going. <span style="color: #548dd4;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">Q: Why will readers care about your characters? How will they relate? Do you have villains and heroes? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">Elise Whyles and Ciara Lake: </span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">Our characters are very relatable. Each is flawed in their own way, be it obvious or not. When we began talking with our characters we wanted to ensure they were 3-D. They needed to have a personality – in fact most of the time we were able to create characters who came to life on their own. There are villains, and heroes, and heroes who are villains. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">Q: Elise Whyles and Ciara Lake--What’s next? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Ciara Lake:</span></b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> I’m continuing to write books for the Forsaken series. I also have several other projects in mind such as writing the next in the Triaxen and Xihirah books. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Elise Whyles: </span></b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">I’m currently working on a Romantic Suspense Paranormal as well as the next book in the Forsaken Series. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">Q: Tell us about you. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Ciara Lake: </span></b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">I live on a farm and I enjoy being outside with our animals. I like to travel and drive. I also embroider and other crafts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Elise Whyles: </span></b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> Travel is a big one, my family and I routinely take day trips all over BC and Alberta. We love the coast of BC. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>About </b><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">Elise Whyles<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Born in Northern British Columbia, Elise is a small-town girl. She writes in a variety of genres including paranormal, contemporary suspense, m/m in various lengths. Currently, she lives in British Columbia with her husband and son, one dog, one cat, and a gecko. Elise enjoys reading as much as she does writing, with some of her favorite books being read until they fall apart. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
She is currently working on the next book in the Forsaken Series, Burning Rain. As well she has a new contemporary she’s working on. For more information on Elise, or to check out her books you can find her on Facebook, Twitter, and her website.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">About Ciara Lake<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Welcome to Ciara Lake's World. Meet Gorgeous Werewolves, Vampires, Dragons, Mermaids, Wizards, Witches, Mythological Gods and Goddesses, Mere Mortals and More! Fiction has always been a passion of mine. Creating worlds and developing characters is a great way for me to relieve the stress and strain of my everyday world. In fantasy (paranormal) and sci-fi stories, the author has the unique ability to invent wonderfully exotic places and people. I do that in my books. These fantastic genres provide a limitless ability to be creative and inventive. My stories provide an escape into a special world filled with unique and otherworldly things. And there is always a happy ending.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>About <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Forsaken-7-Book/dp/B016DF7X78/ref=sr_1_13?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1524439809&sr=1-13&keywords=Elise+Whyles" target="_blank">THE FORSAKEN Series</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">Punished for crimes they didn’t commit, entire family lines were banished from their true homes by a grief stricken king. Now, on the cusp of war, they are finally finding love and their way home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KZFeoiEmlRg/Wt0ZcVdar4I/AAAAAAAAFGc/YphRis8i-q8EB1K1NHe8mhhfx3AjIScuACLcBGAs/s1600/Forsaken%2BHeart%2BCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KZFeoiEmlRg/Wt0ZcVdar4I/AAAAAAAAFGc/YphRis8i-q8EB1K1NHe8mhhfx3AjIScuACLcBGAs/s1600/Forsaken%2BHeart%2BCover.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">About <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Forsaken-Heart-Book-1-ebook/dp/B007U679PQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1524439809&sr=1-3&keywords=Elise+Whyles&dpID=51k8U%252BRAjYL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch" target="_blank">FORSAKEN HEART (TFS #1)</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Punished for sins not her own, can a mortal claim her vampire mate?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
The world of immortals must unite to save both themselves and the mortals they co-exist with from an ancient evil.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
For Bede MacTaggert this means trusting in the warrior sent for her sister—a man of mystery, of power, and one who could easily sweep her into a world she's destined to be part of.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
An imperial guard to the king of vampires, Gawain has always tuned out the needs of the flesh. Dedicating himself to the service of the royals, he's lived on the fringes of his people for centuries. Now he's forced from the shadows and into the arms of a woman who will awaken his heart and body to a passion unequaled.<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "georgia";">Content Warning: graphic sex, some violence</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Curse-Dragons-Claim-Forsaken-Book-ebook/dp/B0084KT270/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1524439659&sr=8-7&keywords=Ciara+Lake" target="_blank">About CURSE OF A DRAGON’S CLAIM (TFS #2)</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vy1Ib4BZOSc/Wt0ZJc7DjSI/AAAAAAAAFGU/dYxB6G_dJE8GW0_A5dKHRE8z9cALa1FlACEwYBhgL/s1600/Curse%2Bof%2Ba%2BDragon%2527s%2BClaim%2BCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vy1Ib4BZOSc/Wt0ZJc7DjSI/AAAAAAAAFGU/dYxB6G_dJE8GW0_A5dKHRE8z9cALa1FlACEwYBhgL/s1600/Curse%2Bof%2Ba%2BDragon%2527s%2BClaim%2BCover.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
The flame within a dragon warrior's heart awakens Arianna's passion as she begins a journey in which she will discover she's something more than she ever imagined possible. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
The realm of the dragons is a world of magic, danger, and mystery. For centuries they've been at war with the vampires, but now the two enemies must work together to save all immortals, and the mortals they co-exist with, from an ancient evil. In order to do so, they need the help of the Forsaken, descendants of immortals who were cast out into the human realm, their memories wiped clean of their true heritage.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Clayne MacDagon is a powerful dragon warrior who is sent on a mission to find one of the Forsaken. Although he's told that this woman is his fated mate, he can't believe it could possibly be true. Arianna Mergliano possesses both dragon and vampire blood, and Clayne has an intense hatred for anything even remotely related to vampires, the evil beings who were responsible for his beloved twin's death. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
When Arianna meets Clayne, she's convinced that the man is insane, or maybe he's a warlock or even the devil himself, but whichever it is, she wants nothing to do with him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Clayne knows he can't fail at his mission. And once he meets Arianna he also knows that what he's been told is true—she is, ironically, his intended mate. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Convincing her to accept him is only the beginning. He has to protect her from those who might want her dead. Together, they must face the shadows and evil that have long plagued the immortal realms and find a way to survive the coming war.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "georgia";">Content Warning: graphic sex, some violence</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>Links</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #180b3c;">Book 1 - <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13613296-forsaken-heart" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0950d0;">Forsaken Heart by Elise Whyles</span></a></span></b><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #180b3c;">Book 2 - <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14117516-curse-of-a-dragon-s-claim" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0950d0;">Curse of a Dragon's Claim by Ciara Lake</span></a></span></b><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #180b3c;">Book 3 - <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15827088-forsaken-paradise" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0950d0;">Forsaken Paradise by Elise Whyles</span></a></span></b><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #180b3c;">Book 4 - <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16049254-forsaken-norse-wind" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0950d0;">Forsaken Norse Wind by Ciara Lake</span></a></span></b><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #180b3c;">Book 5 - <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17833995-skarlet-kiss" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0950d0;">Skarlet Kiss by Elise Whyles</span></a></span></b><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #180b3c;">Book 6 - <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18392955-enchanted-waves" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0950d0;">Enchanted Waves by Ciara Lake</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/87939-the-forsaken" target="_blank">Goodreads (series) </a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>Ciari Lake</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.ciaralake.com/" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;"><b><span style="color: windowtext;">Website</span></b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;"><b><span style="color: windowtext;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="https://twitter.com/CiaraLakeWrites" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;"><b><span style="color: windowtext;">Twitter</span></b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4743311.Ciara_Lake" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;"><b><span style="color: windowtext;">Goodreads</span></b></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>Elise Whyles</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://elise-whyles.com/" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Website</b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><b>Facebook</b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="https://twitter.com/Elisewhyles" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Twitter</b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5821873.Elise_Whyles" style="color: purple; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Goodreads</b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">
<br /></div>
Joyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407242568018782961.post-31202906007066130942018-04-05T00:03:00.000-07:002018-04-07T12:19:41.992-07:00WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Jenny Morton Potts, Author<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Km1RcN8cZY/WsPBGCVt7WI/AAAAAAAAFE4/kx31itEjajkA0uiif3qaXmSyzlBnQeDtwCLcBGAs/s1600/Jenny%2BMP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="514" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Km1RcN8cZY/WsPBGCVt7WI/AAAAAAAAFE4/kx31itEjajkA0uiif3qaXmSyzlBnQeDtwCLcBGAs/s320/Jenny%2BMP.jpg" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenny Morton Potts, Author<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hiding-gripping-psychological-thriller-chilling-ebook/dp/B078XK95S1/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1522778593&sr=1-3&keywords=Hiding" target="_blank">HIDING</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Jenny Morton Potts brings us <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hiding-gripping-psychological-thriller-chilling-ebook/dp/B078XK95S1/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1522778593&sr=1-3&keywords=Hiding" target="_blank">HIDING</a>, a psychological thriller that
reviewers say has a “<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">terrific concept, in-depth personalities” whose author has a “gift for creating
terrifying atmospheres” “with twists and turns that border on incredible.” Potts
confirms that the story is about the study of the two main characters, which
might take it out of the crime thriller genre—but she believes it falls within that genre as well. She also allows the story to pull her away from traditional rules, when
she believes the “unusual” is the way to go.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="background: white; color: #111111;">She has recently moved to a new location near London and lives there with
her family. She<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>loves to travel
and would like to do more, enjoys opera, theater, sudoku, and her dog. She is
in the process of finishing a new thriller. </span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: You
describe <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hiding-gripping-psychological-thriller-chilling-ebook/dp/B078XK95S1/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1522778593&sr=1-3&keywords=Hiding" target="_blank">HIDING</a> as a psychological thriller. What makes it so? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Jenny
Morton Potts:</span></b> It’s an incredibly deep psychological study of the two main
characters. Although there is a lot of plot, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hiding-gripping-psychological-thriller-chilling-ebook/dp/B078XK95S1/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1522778593&sr=1-3&keywords=Hiding" target="_blank">HIDING</a> I feel moves out of the
classic crime thriller and into the realms of deep characterization analysis.
That’s why I classified it as a psychological thriller. But it fits well within
crime thriller too!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Many of
your reviewers claimed that <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hiding-gripping-psychological-thriller-chilling-ebook/dp/B078XK95S1/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1522778593&sr=1-3&keywords=Hiding" target="_blank">HIDING</a> is “character driven” “great” …“believable
characters” and “in-depth personalities.” What character traits are important
to develop in a psychological thriller? What will draw readers in and what will
push them away?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Jenny
Morton Potts</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">: I think readers are drawn to the edge, the jeopardy the character
finds themselves in. The trick is to make the reader feel it so closely, that
they question their own responses fully. Then you must allow them to move away
from that, back to safety, as the ‘baddie’ turns so bad that they are lost, and
the reader no longer has to question themselves to the same extent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, congratulations on numerous
thoughtful reviews of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hiding-gripping-psychological-thriller-chilling-ebook/dp/B078XK95S1/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1522778593&sr=1-3&keywords=Hiding" target="_blank">HIDING</a>. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">I was
struck by the mild disagreement by your reviewers regarding the dual storylines
that you use to tell your story. Some unequivocally enjoyed its use; others did
not, but applauded how well executed it was and also suggested it would make a
great movie. Why did you use this approach? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Jenny
Morton Potts:</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> I think what distracted reviewers more was the fact that the duality
lasted so long. I didn’t really intend for that to happen but it did, and it
was strong, and so I rode that wave. I knew it would be controversial but that
is mostly because it is unusual. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">I once wrote a short story in second person and because that was rare,
people fretted over it. However, by the end of the story, they got it, and I
won a prize for it. I don’t mean to give the impression that I do controversy
or gimmicky for the sake of it. It all grows organically. Sometimes I put a
stop to it but then if I halt a process because of concern over feedback, I
can, on occasion, question why am I writing? Who am I writing for? You know?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: One of
your reviewers – who gave <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hiding-gripping-psychological-thriller-chilling-ebook/dp/B078XK95S1/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1522778593&sr=1-3&keywords=Hiding" target="_blank">HIDING</a> a high rating – was disappointed that not all
the loose ends were tied up as normally done in mystery novels. I tend to also
look for resolution when reading mysteries, my favorite genre. Did you
deliberately write your story to leave out tying up loose ends for some reason?
Are you planning a follow-up book?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Jenny
Morton Potts:</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> I could follow up this book but am very satisfied with it as it is.
Most reviewers who remarked on loose ends thought that they were tied up in
HIDING but I remember someone saying what you quote here. That was surprising, since
I only left one end loose. And that was deliberate. It was a minor character
and I just don’t think it is realistic to have total neatness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Q: Were you
able to use elements of the setting to help tell or enrich your story? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Jenny
Morton Potts:</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> Yes, setting was very important. Because I had an unusual story and
an unusual take on spinning it, I wanted to make other elements simple and
fully embraceable. That is why I picked an austere Highlands mansion and used
the classic, American ‘porch.'<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
didn’t want the reader to have any work to do with settings, just to love them!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: In
addition to writing novels, you also have written a screenplay<a href="https://www.amazon.com/PIANO-STOREY-WINDOW-Jenny-Morton-ebook/dp/B00OHML3C6/ref=la_B00OIYYVPY_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1522778773&sr=1-2" target="_blank"> PIANO FROM A 4TH STOREY WINDOW</a>. Do you prefer one over the other? Are you able to borrow
techniques from one to apply to the other?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Jenny
Morton Potts:</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> I think ‘Piano…’ is the best piece of work I have ever done, as a
novel. If I had to choose from plays and books, I think I’d pick novel writing,
because you get to do dialogue and prose. I couldn’t relinquish the prose. I
can’t think of how I appropriate a technique from one to the other, except that
the screenplay is so disciplined for dialogue, it instils great honing for
spoken scenes in a novel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: One of
your reviewers says that <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hiding-gripping-psychological-thriller-chilling-ebook/dp/B078XK95S1/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1522778593&sr=1-3&keywords=Hiding" target="_blank">HIDING</a> is “A wacky thriller that breaks all the rules.”
Do you believe that you broke “the rules?” Why and what rules did you break?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Jenny
Morton Potts:</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> I think that reviewer is absolutely right. I am a wacky writer. But
as I explained above, this isn’t something I focus on or try for. It is just
me. I am also a gentle writer and a funny writer. I am thinking of the reader
all the time and trying to make the experience as good as possible for me and
you, in partnership. There are an amazing amount of rules in writing and whilst
I think they should be read and understood, the best books will often break
rules.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: What techniques
or approaches did you use to create the “thriller” or suspense parts of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hiding-gripping-psychological-thriller-chilling-ebook/dp/B078XK95S1/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1522778593&sr=1-3&keywords=Hiding" target="_blank">HIDING</a>?
<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Jenny
Morton Potts:</span></b> This is an interesting question (well, they all are). As if there was
a little cupboard to go into and choose. What I did was lay clues. Some were
supposed to lead you quickly, some were subliminal. I laid those and also
creepy lines. I often let them hang. Later, I go back and lay more or uproot
and replant them. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hiding-gripping-psychological-thriller-chilling-ebook/dp/B078XK95S1/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1522778593&sr=1-3&keywords=Hiding" target="_blank">HIDING</a> is a puzzle. It was so much fun to make that puzzle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Q:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s next?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Jenny
Morton Potts:</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> I’m just completing a new thriller. This has all my hallmarks but it
has a more regular structure. I take you to places you’ll want to see and
places you’ll dread. Fascinating dilemmas and unique situations. There’s death,
birth, loss, mayhem, sex, heartache. All my staples.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Q:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell us about Jenny Morton Potts. What
do you like to do when you’re not writing?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Jenny
Morton Potts:</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> I like travelling. I’d like to do a lot more, so that I can write
about the far-<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>flung world and its people. Just need to
wait for my son to finish his schooling. I like opera, theatre, super-fiendish
sudoku, my dog. I love tennis but can’t play due to injury. Oh yes, my family,
I love them and doing stuff in our new location near London.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">About </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Jenny
Morton Potts<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Jenny Morton Potts was born in a smart, dull suburb of Glasgow where
the only regular excitement was burglary. Attended a smart, dull school where
the only regular excitement was the strap. Worked in smart, dull sales and
marketing jobs until realizing she was living someone else’s life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Escaped to Gascony to make gîtes. Knee deep in cement and pregnant,
Jenny was happy. Then autism and a distracted spine surgeon who wanted to talk
about The Da Vinci Code, wiped out the order. Returned to wonderful England –
and unlikely ever to leave again – Jenny, with assistance from loyal hound,
walked and swam her way back to manageable health.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Jenny would like to see the Northern Lights but worries that’s the
best bit and should be saved till last. Very happily, and gratefully, partnered
for 28 years, she ought to mention, and living with inspirational child in
Thaxted, Essex.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qD3_Kb6ezh8/WsPBpAzJzMI/AAAAAAAAFFE/lWd7iqOISuwvKmY9bpb-Vdf2Kd0IHEeAQCLcBGAs/s1600/Hidden%2BCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qD3_Kb6ezh8/WsPBpAzJzMI/AAAAAAAAFFE/lWd7iqOISuwvKmY9bpb-Vdf2Kd0IHEeAQCLcBGAs/s320/Hidden%2BCover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hiding-gripping-psychological-thriller-chilling-ebook/dp/B078XK95S1/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1522778593&sr=1-3&keywords=Hiding" target="_blank">HIDING</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Keller Baye and Rebecca Brown live on different sides of the Atlantic.
Until she falls in love with him, Rebecca knows nothing of Keller. But he’s
known about her for a very long time, and now he wants to destroy her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">This is the story of two families. One living under the threat of
execution in North Carolina. The other caught up in a dark mystery in the
Scottish Highlands. The families’ paths are destined to cross. But why? And can
anything save them when that happens?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Links<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hiding-gripping-psychological-thriller-chilling-ebook/dp/B078XK95S1/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Amazon</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9789543.Jenny_Morton_Potts"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Goodreads</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><a href="http://www.jennymortonpotts.com/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Website</span></b></a></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><a href="https://twitter.com/jmortonpotts"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Twitter</span></b></a></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";"><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="491d1d8b233" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/491d1d8b233/" id="rcwidget_ehm6b8ub" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";"><script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4O9MxQqqYAI/WsPDB_GW65I/AAAAAAAAFFQ/tLOy4hF75d8w1hMAh0tDlzsCUN3HvKWegCLcBGAs/s1600/BT%2BBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="800" height="120" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4O9MxQqqYAI/WsPDB_GW65I/AAAAAAAAFFQ/tLOy4hF75d8w1hMAh0tDlzsCUN3HvKWegCLcBGAs/s320/BT%2BBanner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";"><!-- start InLinkz script --><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";"><script type="text/javascript"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal">
<span style="font-family:Cambria">document.write('<scr' + 'ipt
type="text/javascript"
src="https://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=772931&' + new Date().getTime()
+ '"><\/script>');<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal">
<span style="font-family:Cambria"></script><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";"><!-- end InLinkz script --><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Joyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407242568018782961.post-37940047959726496112018-03-29T00:19:00.000-07:002018-03-29T00:19:30.207-07:00WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Antwan Floyd Sr., Author<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lchLbmmpIYg/WrhHoDDt_yI/AAAAAAAAFEM/MgbfhqGCLd8Y6rz41NblkNFO70XXsOQ7gCLcBGAs/s1600/Antwan%2BFloyd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="600" height="239" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lchLbmmpIYg/WrhHoDDt_yI/AAAAAAAAFEM/MgbfhqGCLd8Y6rz41NblkNFO70XXsOQ7gCLcBGAs/s320/Antwan%2BFloyd.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antwan Floyd Sr., Author<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Piece-Keeper-Black-Detective-Story-ebook/dp/B00P0A45KQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522026715&sr=8-1&keywords=Antwan+Floyd+Sr&dpID=41-ZMJ9ulvL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch" target="_blank">PIECE KEEPER</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">Antwan Floyd Sr. brings us a
crime drama, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Piece-Keeper-Black-Detective-Story-ebook/dp/B00P0A45KQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522026715&sr=8-1&keywords=Antwan+Floyd+Sr&dpID=41-ZMJ9ulvL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch" target="_blank">PIECE KEEPER</a>, with unique characters, according to his reviewers,
where “even the good guys are bad.” His reviewers also say that the novel “</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">was on a whole other level.” </span></i><br />
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">Floyd believes that
the “human element”—where readers can relate to emotional aspects of the
characters—is an important element of any genre. He also provides
unpredictability with unexpected twists to engage readers, and uses relatable
humor to enhance his characters. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="background: white; color: #111111; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: #111111; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Floyd
enjoys traveling and also likes to meet other authors and read their books so
he can discuss them. He is currently working on </span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dope Fiction pt. 2 and
also on a spinoff from his Black Love Detective series.</span></i><span style="background: white; color: #111111; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Q: You describe<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Piece-Keeper-Black-Detective-Story-ebook/dp/B00P0A45KQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522026715&sr=8-1&keywords=Antwan+Floyd+Sr&dpID=41-ZMJ9ulvL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch" target="_blank"> PIECE KEEPER</a> as a crime drama, but reviewers have also
applauded the unique characters and plot. Is this “just” a crime drama or is it
also a police exposé or more about uncovering the gritty side of life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Antwan Floyd Sr.:</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Technically it is just a crime drama/mystery novel
but like all great fiction it has elements of real life within the pages. In my
opinion no matter the genre be it mystery, horror, romance or sci-fi it is all
about what I like to call the “human element” and if you can have human
emotional aspects to the story and people relate then it will make for a better
story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Q: One of the reviewers of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Piece-Keeper-Black-Detective-Story-ebook/dp/B00P0A45KQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522026715&sr=8-1&keywords=Antwan+Floyd+Sr&dpID=41-ZMJ9ulvL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch" target="_blank">PIECE KEEPER</a> said, “This is a book where
even the good guys are bad, it's a matter of degree and intent.” Another reviewer
describes them as “think outside the box characters.” By creating more unique
characters, what traits do you provide that will enable readers to engage with
your characters? What will make readers care what happens to them? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Antwan Floyd Sr.:</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> I just think about what my father told me all the
time growing up “it takes all types of people to make up the world.” Now I
don’t know if that is an original quote from him but nevertheless it makes
sense. So I apply that to my story when creating characters, people interact
with a wide array of people sometimes in their inner circle more often than not
outside their inner circle and when the main character comes across another
character that is a complete opposite of their belief system that makes for not
only interesting writing and situations but hopefully interesting reading. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When you give characters a goal
they are trying to accomplish and place obstacles in the way then on top of
that give that character a human flaw be it a drug or alcohol problem, perhaps
they are a chronic procrastinator or a bad guy turned good fighting to earn the
trust and respect of another character to achieve said goal. These are all
things that the average reader has gone through personally or knows someone who
has and that makes it relatable and if well written enjoyable and easily
attachable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Q: “Suspense was awesome.” “Page-turning storyline.” How did you
create suspense? Were mystery, suspense, and surprise twists an important part
of telling your story—maybe even more than character development?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Antwan Floyd Sr.:</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> When I write I don’t specifically think of a way
to add suspense. I suppose it just happens as the story progresses. I just try
to keep the story on track and keep the reader engaged. I suppose an important
aspect for me is to not have it be predictable so I am conscious of adding
unexpected twists.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Q: “The bad guy is really creepy and evil, a great character to hate.”
What character traits do you believe contribute to creating an effective
villain that readers would want to hate?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Antwan Floyd Sr.:</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> In my opinion a great villain is one that is as
equally good as they are evil sometimes in some ways more good or should I say
righteous in their cause or in what they believe to be right but are willing to
cross over to the dark side sort to speak to achieve their goals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Q: How useful was humor to develop your characters or tell the story? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Antwan Floyd Sr.:</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> When it comes to humor I am no comedian by any
stretch of the imagination but I do have a jaded sense of humor and sometimes
like to add it to my stories, perhaps implement them into the character’s lives
to lighten the mood sometimes in the story yet at the same time always make it
relatable, someone out there reading that story has either gone through it or
knows someone that has.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Q: Were you able to exploit the setting to tell your story? How big a
part of your story involves location? Could it have occurred in any city in any
time period?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Antwan Floyd Sr.:</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Not for this particular story, no I’ve never been
to Danville, IL so I relied more on interior locales, things that I could use
my imagination for depending on the character and their lifestyle in the story:
where they lived, bars or restaurants they would frequent, placing them in
places outside of their comfort zone be it beyond their wealth status or
beneath it. All of these aspects of locale and their comfort zone will dictate
how said character will interact with other characters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yes, for this particular story
it could’ve occurred in Any Town, U.S.A.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Q: You’ve also written a second Black Love novel, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cannibal-City-Black-Detective-Story-ebook/dp/B06XZPFZT3/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1522026715&sr=8-2&keywords=Antwan+Floyd+Sr" target="_blank">CANNIBAL IN THE CITY.</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell us about Black Love. Is
he based on anyone? On you? Is he a hero? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Antwan Floyd Sr.:</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> I created Black Love as an ode to strong, book
smart/street smart black men. I suppose he could be classified as a hero but he
is not without flaws. He tries to do what he feels is right but has his own set
of internal code that he lives by and that code is not always on the same side
that the law is on so I suppose he is more anti-hero than hero. And no, he is
not based on anyone in particular.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Q: What’s next?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Antwan Floyd Sr.:</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Next I am working on Dope Fiction pt. 2 “Greed
Between the Lines.” Black is a prominent character in that story and I am also
preparing to write Purple Reign “A Trigger Brown Mystery” a spin-off from The
Black Love Detective series.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Q: Tell us about Antwan Floyd Sr. What do you like to do when you’re
not writing? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Antwan Floyd Sr.:</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> I enjoying traveling and meeting new readers. I
truly love interacting and discussing books, not only mine but others so I do a
fair amount of reading so if a reader I meet talks about a book I can join in
the conversation because I’ve actually read it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>About Antwan Floyd Sr.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1027"/>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/>
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Antwan Floyd Sr. is a Publisher, Author, and Reviewer. He
publishes Crime Fiction novels under his publishing company Maleah Solange
Books. He has released two titles in the Black Love Detective Series: Piece
Keeper & Cannibal in the City. He has also written Dope Fiction and Dope
Fiction pt. 2 "Greed Between the Lines". Originally from Chicago, IL
he currently resides in Indianapolis, IN where he is penning his next novel.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FkTblFEol2E/WrhIAhHptGI/AAAAAAAAFEQ/swZX7XLgjQkdQRGRaA530PXIGkMM4AlQQCLcBGAs/s1600/Piece%2BKeeper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FkTblFEol2E/WrhIAhHptGI/AAAAAAAAFEQ/swZX7XLgjQkdQRGRaA530PXIGkMM4AlQQCLcBGAs/s320/Piece%2BKeeper.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"><b>About<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Piece-Keeper-Black-Detective-Story-ebook/dp/B00P0A45KQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522026715&sr=8-1&keywords=Antwan+Floyd+Sr&dpID=41-ZMJ9ulvL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch" target="_blank"> PIECE KEEPER</a></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment--><!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Teresa Prince, a small-town girl with a big heart, had
dreams of working in law enforcement. Her goals are deterred when she is
violated in the worse way possible. Will she overcome this tragedy and emerge
triumphant with her mind and soul intact? Or will the mental anguish be too
much for her to bear? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
James is a twisted soul with ideals of love and grandeur
with a woman that doesn’t feel the same for him, at least not yet. That will
all change if he has anything to do with it. To complicate matters worse her
old flame has stepped into the picture. Will James be able to win her over and
make her the love of his life before the flame is re-kindled between her and
her ex? Or will he be left in the cold while they live happily ever-after? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Black Love was always more white collar than rider. When an
unfortunate incident occurs in a small town in Illinois he rushes to the side
of his ex-fiancé to attempt to save the day. It doesn’t take long to figure out
that not everyone wants to see justice served. On top of that, his feelings for
his past love may not only cause conflicts in the case but also add a rift to
his new relationship. Will Black put his past behind him and find out who
violated Teresa? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In this fast-paced tale of pain, misguided passion, and lost
love we follow these three souls as they embark on a journey of romance, rape,
and retribution. When there’s no one to count on but yourself will you stand
and deliver? Or bend and break? Each will be faced with that question in the
midst of questioning what they once thought was true. They all find out that
when love turns to war, someone has to be the Piece Keeper!<br />
<br />
<b>Links</b><br />
<b>Purchase Links</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P0A45KQ/">Amazon</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/piece-keeper-antwan-floyd-sr/1120667240">Barnes
& Noble</a></div>
<br />
<b>Author Links</b><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23492227-piece-keeper">Goodreads</a><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.maleahsolange.com/">Website</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorantwan.floyd">Facebook</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment--><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://twitter.com/AntwanFloyd">Twitter</a></span><!--EndFragment--> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/maleahsolangebooks/">Instagram</a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UAalXJ8q8Dw/WrhJ7O_aB4I/AAAAAAAAFEg/lQjMn4kJTmcImtCvTo999rmRkBpC-CGPwCLcBGAs/s1600/BT%2BBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="811" height="119" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UAalXJ8q8Dw/WrhJ7O_aB4I/AAAAAAAAFEg/lQjMn4kJTmcImtCvTo999rmRkBpC-CGPwCLcBGAs/s320/BT%2BBanner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<!-- start InLinkz script --></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<script type="text/javascript"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal">
document.write('<scr' + 'ipt type="text/javascript"
src="https://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=771973&' + new Date().getTime()
+ '"><\/script>');</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal">
</script></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<!-- end InLinkz script --></div>
</div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
Joyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407242568018782961.post-74061358635824916352018-03-22T01:38:00.000-07:002018-03-22T01:41:05.420-07:00WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Dhruba D. Roy, Author<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xkAWiav8AfU/Wq77rYcK3WI/AAAAAAAAFDk/A2vOQxoN6DwQGPj0rEvQ1d40oSvGIStIACLcBGAs/s1600/Author%2BPic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xkAWiav8AfU/Wq77rYcK3WI/AAAAAAAAFDk/A2vOQxoN6DwQGPj0rEvQ1d40oSvGIStIACLcBGAs/s320/Author%2BPic.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dhruba D. Roy, Author<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Breakup-Learning-let-ebook/dp/B07B91XZ8W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521659493&sr=8-1&keywords=dhruba+d+roy&dpID=41kUX1vPaNL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch" target="_blank">MY FIRST BREAKUP</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dhruba D. Roy brings us his novel, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Breakup-Learning-let-ebook/dp/B07B91XZ8W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521659493&sr=8-1&keywords=dhruba+d+roy&dpID=41kUX1vPaNL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch" target="_blank">MY FIRST BREAKUP</a>,
which he wrote to help himself but believes will also help others worldwide,
given that we’ve all faced a breakup at one time. A reviewer says that “<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">It is much more
intimate and relatable” than the usual ‘boy meets girl’ novel with “A different
and fresh approach.”</span><span style="color: #111111;"> </span>He uses
humor to develop his characters but also incorporates a little of himself in
each of them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In addition to being a writer, Roy also is a musician and a
software engineer. He is currently working on<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> two projects: a sequel to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Breakup-Learning-let-ebook/dp/B07B91XZ8W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521659493&sr=8-1&keywords=dhruba+d+roy&dpID=41kUX1vPaNL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch" target="_blank">MY FIRST BREAKUP</a> and a
mythological fiction based on Greek, Christian, and Hindu history.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Tell us about <a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Breakup-Learning-let-ebook/dp/B07B91XZ8W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521659493&sr=8-1&keywords=dhruba+d+roy&dpID=41kUX1vPaNL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch" target="_blank">MY FIRST BREAKUP</a>. Would you consider it a romance or contemporary fiction? What
theme did you want to develop?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dhruba D. Roy:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Breakup-Learning-let-ebook/dp/B07B91XZ8W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521659493&sr=8-1&keywords=dhruba+d+roy&dpID=41kUX1vPaNL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch" target="_blank">MY FIRST BREAKUP</a> is about a character
whose name is Anirudh. </span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The story revolves around </span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">this character who falls head over heels in love
with a girl in his childhood only to be drifted apart from his girl before high
school itself. The protagonist is obsessed with the girl of his dreams and
after being separated makes it the motive of his life to win her back in his
life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The story
then gradually unfolds where </span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">both of them
do meet again</span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">By
this time both of them have entered their adulthood and deeply respect the bond
that they had developed over the period of time. Anirudh discovers that he
loves music equally and also starts performing at many different gigs with his
musical band. But as we all know, nothing lasts the same forever. His world is
turned upside down when he had to abandon his musical band and move out of the
city. </span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The next
sequence of events paves the plot for the climax of the story</span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> which is the most gripping part of the story. Let’s
just keep that a secret for now.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Breakup-Learning-let-ebook/dp/B07B91XZ8W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521659493&sr=8-1&keywords=dhruba+d+roy&dpID=41kUX1vPaNL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch" target="_blank">MY FIRST BREAKUP</a> is a combination of both romance and contemporary fiction. Infact the
book has a musical touch to it and I feel that’s a value addition for the
readers.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: You are an
engineer by training, as well as a musician and a freelance writer. What caused
you to also want to become a novelist?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: black;">Dhruba D. Roy:</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Hahaha…. let me tell you
something about this question of yours. It certainly wasn’t the engineer in me
who made me want to write a novel. Freelance writing was just a way to engage
myself in some activity when I was free. ‘Music’ is perhaps the driving force
behind this. I love music, especially the Rock N’ Roll of late 1970’s-1995’s.
The Beatles, Queen,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pink Floyd,
Led Zeppelin, Eddie Van Halan, Eric Clapton, etc. I loved their music. The
lyrics of their songs were so strong and captivating. It’s sad that I cannot
write lyrics of songs that good. And it was when my music band disbanded after
our graduation that I decided to start writing a book. It was a tedious task
and after many years of struggle, here I am with my debut novel<a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Breakup-Learning-let-ebook/dp/B07B91XZ8W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521659493&sr=8-1&keywords=dhruba+d+roy&dpID=41kUX1vPaNL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch" target="_blank"> MY FIRST BREAKUP.</a></span><b><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Breakup-Learning-let-ebook/dp/B07B91XZ8W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521659493&sr=8-1&keywords=dhruba+d+roy&dpID=41kUX1vPaNL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch" target="_blank">MY FIRST BREAKUP</a>
is set in India. What makes it universal whose characters will relate to
multiple nationalities and countries?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: black;">Dhruba D. Roy:</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Breakup-Learning-let-ebook/dp/B07B91XZ8W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521659493&sr=8-1&keywords=dhruba+d+roy&dpID=41kUX1vPaNL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch" target="_blank"> MY FIRST BREAKUP</a> is based on
three fundamental things: Love, Music, and Friendship. These three factors are
very much universal to me, and the readers of any contries shouldn’t have any
problem connecting to it.</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Another
thing that I feel readers will most certainly feel a strong connection with is
the plot of the novel <a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Breakup-Learning-let-ebook/dp/B07B91XZ8W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521659493&sr=8-1&keywords=dhruba+d+roy&dpID=41kUX1vPaNL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch" target="_blank">MY FIRST BREAKUP</a>. It is very simple and very realistic.
It is very common and it happens to almost all of us. Most of us go through our
First Breakup and it’s very difficult for any one to get break the shackles and
be normal again after such an event . This story is all about that and much
more :)</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there a hero or villain in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Breakup-Learning-let-ebook/dp/B07B91XZ8W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521659493&sr=8-1&keywords=dhruba+d+roy&dpID=41kUX1vPaNL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch" target="_blank">MY FIRST BREAKUP</a>? If so, what are the character traits of a villain? Does a villain need
to be a person? Or can a culture or circumstances substitute for a villainous
person?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: black;">Dhruba D. Roy:</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Yes, I consider that there is
both a hero and a villain in this story. I guess, both the characters of being
a hero and a villain is played by<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>the same factor called ‘Time’. It is ‘Time’ that gives happiness to the
protagonist and it’s ‘Time’ who knocks him down. It is ‘time’ that teaches the
protagonist the most valuable lesson in his first Breakup and that is ‘Learning
to Let Go!!’</span><b><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Did you write <a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Breakup-Learning-let-ebook/dp/B07B91XZ8W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521659493&sr=8-1&keywords=dhruba+d+roy&dpID=41kUX1vPaNL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch" target="_blank">MY FIRST BREAKUP</a> primarily to entertain readers, or did you want to deliver a
message?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: black;">Dhruba D. Roy:</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> I wrote it to help myself. I
wanted to write, and I feel my thoughts might not even be well accepted by my
readers, but to be blatantly honest with you, that’s how I feel and all my
characters are endowed with a bit of my soul in them.</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: How useful is
humor in telling your story or developing your characters?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: black;">Dhruba D. Roy:</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> As a writer, I feel a story
should be a combination of all the flavors that can give satisfaction to its readers
and humor is one of those important ingredients. The story should always have
an element of humor, not necessarily all throughout the story, but in a
calculated fashion. This theory of mine stands true not only for humor but also
for all the other ingredients that are necessary to write a story.</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Did you find that
your experience as a freelance writer helped you to write a fictional novel?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: black;">Dhruba D. Roy</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">: It definitely did. It gave me
the freedom to think and be more imaginative. Not only that, but my days as a
freelance writer also helped to become a better writer when it comes to
structuring the plot.</span><b><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: What’s next? Will
you write more novels?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: black;">Dhruba D. Roy:</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Presently I am working on two
projects. The sequel to My First Breakup and another one is a mythological
fiction which is based on Greek, Christian and Hindu History. So, hopefully
either one or, if God permits, perhaps both of them.</span><b><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Tell us about
Dhruba D. Roy. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing or working?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: black;">Dhruba D. Roy:</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Dhruba D. Roy is a boring
engineer, a creative writer and an exhilarating vocalist.I enjoy playing my
guitar or traveling to new places with my friends when I am not writing or
working. This gives me happiness.</span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">About Dhruba D. Roy<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dhruba Das Roy is a freelance writer, a musician by passion,
and a software engineer by profession. He is from Assam, but born in a small
town of Meghalaya, where he finished his schooling. He then obtained his degree
in engineering from the esteemed college of National Institute of Technology.
He discovered his love for music there and was the lead vocalist of his band,
“The Rozarts”.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He loves rock and roll and is a great fan of the pioneers of
rock and roll-(Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Queen and the list goes
on).Unfortunately, as engineering life came to an end, the band had to split.
Recently, he moved to Kolkata where he is working in one of the leading
software service based companies in India.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not everyone can put thoughts into words. Dhruba had never
tried his hand in writing; but he had an experience, an experience which
changed his life for the better. Being a vocalist, his only way of expression
was through the creative way. He decided to pen down his thoughts, and he
discovered that writing came naturally to him. His thought process in the novel
relates to the general mass in many ways. He decided to stretch his limits and
ended up voicing his thoughts in a different way this time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Breakup-Learning-let-ebook/dp/B07B91XZ8W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521659493&sr=8-1&keywords=dhruba+d+roy&dpID=41kUX1vPaNL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch" target="_blank">MY FIRST BREAKUP</a></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfpZng3B-_o/Wq776cBp76I/AAAAAAAAFDo/cWzaUyaRuP0jFAF8Im8T1ZKQ1eq1p6EmwCLcBGAs/s1600/MFB_Cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfpZng3B-_o/Wq776cBp76I/AAAAAAAAFDo/cWzaUyaRuP0jFAF8Im8T1ZKQ1eq1p6EmwCLcBGAs/s320/MFB_Cover.png" width="199" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Oh God, why me?”<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is perhaps what we think of when we go through a
‘breakup’.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This story is about Anirudh and Anvi.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Both of them have their own thinking which are not alike.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The story begins with Anirudh meeting with an accident. As
he slowly succumbs to the pain, he starts reflecting about his bygone college
days where he found his love for music. He loves Anvi dearly who is a long-lost
friend of Anirudh.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The story reveals how Anirudh struggles as the hands of
reality strikes him down.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Links<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Breakup-Learning-let-ebook/dp/B07B91XZ8W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521416237&sr=81&keywords=Dhruba+D.+Roy&dpID=41kUX1vPaNL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch" target="_blank">Amazon</a></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Breakup-Learning-let-ebook/dp/B07B91XZ8W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521416237&sr=81&keywords=Dhruba+D.+Roy&dpID=41kUX1vPaNL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch" target="_blank"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39168528-my-first-breakup"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Goodreads</b></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://funreadblog.com/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Website</b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/DDR0808/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Facebook</b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://twitter.com/DasDdr"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Twitter</b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EFC1A7IxW6w/Wq78Qx6QJiI/AAAAAAAAFDw/hGggBWEubUMPY83DeWVEOl8a5ItpyXDzwCLcBGAs/s1600/BT%2BBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="800" height="120" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EFC1A7IxW6w/Wq78Qx6QJiI/AAAAAAAAFDw/hGggBWEubUMPY83DeWVEOl8a5ItpyXDzwCLcBGAs/s320/BT%2BBanner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<!-- start InLinkz script --></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<script type="text/javascript"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal">
document.write('<scr' + 'ipt type="text/javascript"
src="https://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=770598&' + new Date().getTime()
+ '"><\/script>');</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal">
</script></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<!-- end InLinkz script --></div>
Joyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407242568018782961.post-55443349464993513962018-03-05T17:58:00.000-08:002018-03-05T17:58:01.185-08:00TIPS FROM THE EDITOR: Remembering How to Write in the Growing World of Social Media<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m3Xql2L3hB4/Wp30bqIKiFI/AAAAAAAAFC8/xxnHr8Ax5oc4c3Ei1lmWm5W2SuQhujr9QCLcBGAs/s1600/046erinkatephoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m3Xql2L3hB4/Wp30bqIKiFI/AAAAAAAAFC8/xxnHr8Ax5oc4c3Ei1lmWm5W2SuQhujr9QCLcBGAs/s320/046erinkatephoto.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Don’t misunderstand – I love Texting, Facebooking, Instagramming, Tweeting....</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I wonder what the impact will be on the current
generation focused on these cryptic forms of communication. Will we forget how
to write a complete sentence? Will the next generation even know about
adjectives and adverbs? Will we be able to write anything without adding the
ubiquitous hashtag?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I suspect my concern might be inflated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, our schools still teach
reading, writing and arithmetic. Well, at least reading and arithmetic. How
much longer will they count writing as a requirement? As we eliminate music,
art, and sports form our schools, can writing be far behind?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
OK, OK. I’m exaggerating again maybe just a little – but I
fear JUST a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, just
in case, I’m thinking that we might want to offer some tips to assure we
continue to think in sentences and paragraphs. And what better place to hone
our writing skills than having fun with our family and simultaneously
increasing quality time together.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">FunFamily Writing
Exercises<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My suggestion is that you schedule time for family
activities and include some writing exercises as one of the “games.” Don’t make
the timing inflexible – after all we’re all very busy being cryptic. And if it
works better for your family just to do it extemporaneously, then so be it. But
make it a priority.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe Sunday evening as part of an informal family dinner
you could do some of the following exercises to involve as many family members
as possible. I suspect if you’re a parent you already know that you’ll have to
work on topics of interest to the age group of your kids, although "superheroes" seems to be a subject for all ages at the moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the way, you might also consider this as a great way to
tell Mom what you think of her for Mother’s Day; or Dad for Father’s Day; or
for any family member birthday. Eventually you might like the exercises so much that
you start to write prose and poetry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Consider using one or more of the following as part of your
routine family gatherings. Once you start, you will most likely think of many other exercises that your family might appreciate.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->A special gift for Mother’s Day or for Mom’s
birthday: each family member choose a topic to build a story about Mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then put it together in one document.
You can print it out or read it to her. Suggested topics:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Her
sense of humor – she always laughs at my jokes</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Her
fantastic appearance</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The
cool way she tells me I’ve made a mistake</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->How
she helps me with my homework</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Her
favorite movies </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Each family member is to write a paragraph that
includes a topic sentence and at least 2 detail sentences and a conclusion
about a favorite super hero without telling anyone who it is. Write a physical
description, special gift that makes your character a super hero, and why you
like him/her. Read your description to your family. The first one to guess gets
to go next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Each family member writes a paragraph describing
the family getting ready for school or work in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a little something extra, include
some dialogue. This should make for some interesting discussion when you read
your paragraph aloud to the rest of the family and then they read their paragraph.
The different perspectives could be very enlightening.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Write a dialogue that occurred between you and
your teacher, friend or even a stranger. Ask the rest of the family to act it
out. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Of course, in today's world of school, earning a living, commuting, baseball games, music lessons, extra-hour work meetings, hobbies, television, movies, and errands--and so many unexpected interruptions, maybe we don't have time to learn to communicate. But surely we can try.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<!--[if !supportLists]--></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment-->Joyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407242568018782961.post-8207825739026299702018-01-28T15:41:00.000-08:002018-01-28T15:45:10.499-08:00TIPS FROM THE EDITOR: Tips on Making Time to Read<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I4WG-Eizf_Y/Wm5fcK2XHsI/AAAAAAAAFBI/e0C1JOCTJfMyHSOOgZNsBe1MEDQPtxFuQCLcBGAs/s1600/046erinkatephoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I4WG-Eizf_Y/Wm5fcK2XHsI/AAAAAAAAFBI/e0C1JOCTJfMyHSOOgZNsBe1MEDQPtxFuQCLcBGAs/s320/046erinkatephoto.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><i>Busy schedules frequently eat away at our reading time, especially as our families grow, jobs become more demanding, and events pull us away. But if we want to continue to read -- fiction, nonfiction, newspapers, magazines -- we can make time. But it won't just happen. We need to plan it.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><i>Following are some tips on how to make time to read. </i></span></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">We’re all busy.
We commute to work where we spend at least eight hours a day. We chauffer our
children to school and their various activities, or we change diapers and
attend to baby’s needs. We prepare our meals and those of our family – even
picking up fast food takes time. We travel for work or pleasure. Then there’s
the cleaning, clothes-washing, food shopping, dry cleaning – whew. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">When do we ever
have time to read?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Well, the answer
lies in making time to read, not finding time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are a few suggestions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Set
a reasonable goal for reading. Plan which book you want to read next and by
when. Don’t make it hard on yourself. Allow plenty of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Schedule
reading time <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Share
some of your TV-watching or other entertaining time. By recording TV shows, you
can schedule when you watch your favorite shows and work reading into that
schedule.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Check
how much time you are spending on housecleaning – could you break up your
dusting into different sections each week—I mean, do we really need to dust the
entire house EVERY week?—and use the extra time for reading a chapter or
two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heartily encourage you not
to take the time from your family. I have always been willing to do less
housecleaning, however!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">What’s
important is that you consciously set aside time to read – even put it on your
calendar. And you’ll need to take it from somewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Alert
your family when you are starting your reading time. Ask them not to disturb
you. Oh, sure, I know that sounds tough, but it might work—especially if you
suggest they join you and read their books at the same time. Arrange for family
reading time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Discuss
your book with your family. That might make them more willing to give you the
time to read, especially if you keep them updated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">If
you have a long commute, you might consider “books on tape”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In today’s digital world, you can
easily download them to your iPhone (or other device) and play them through
your car speaker. Or, you can listen to a book with ear buds while commuting on
a train or subway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Try
an e-reader, e.g., Kindle, Nook, or iPad. You can carry it with you. I keep
mine in my purse, and when I have to wait at the dentist or doctor’s office or
in a long line, I pull it out and read my newspaper or whatever novel I have
underway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Regardless of which means you choose, take some time to
figure out how to make time for reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You will be rewarded with engrossing characters, mysterious
circumstances, and maybe even a little romance.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other articles for additional ideas on making time for
reading:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dave Astor, “Finding Time to Read More Novels,” The
Huffington Post, 4/20/2012</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-astor/reading-time_b_1402627.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-astor/reading-time_b_1402627.html</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Blogher Original Post, “How do You Find time to Read? My top
ten answers,” October 25, 2008</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.blogher.com/how-do-you-find-time-read-my-top-ten-answers?page=0,1">http://www.blogher.com/how-do-you-find-time-read-my-top-ten-answers?page=0,1</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
MichaelHyatt: Intentional Leadership, “5 Ways to Make More
Time to Read,” Guest post by Robert Bruce, </div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://michaelhyatt.com/5-ways-to-make-more-time-to-read.html</div>
Joyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407242568018782961.post-24355402131351664812018-01-21T15:36:00.000-08:002018-01-21T15:36:52.916-08:00TIPS FROM THE EDITOR: Writing about Yourself<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KaO9o89P3s0/WmUjKRc9J0I/AAAAAAAAFAY/r6jgsCTyJUAzSiMt_leJGsLgfkJWk-ragCLcBGAs/s1600/046erinkatephoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KaO9o89P3s0/WmUjKRc9J0I/AAAAAAAAFAY/r6jgsCTyJUAzSiMt_leJGsLgfkJWk-ragCLcBGAs/s320/046erinkatephoto.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Regardless of age,
gender, or status, most of us are confronted with a request to write a few
sentences, paragraph or a biography to sell ourselves. And we hate it.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Following are six tips
on how to write a description of ourselves that I have found useful.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Places of employment ask us for a brief summary of our
background and experience to initiate a job application.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teachers or colleagues in high school
require a few sentences for a newspaper, program, or high school yearbook
–whether for the debate or football team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Non-profit Boards of Directors ask you – a retired executive—for a
paragraph about your qualifications for their organization. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unless we’re surrounded by professional public relations
officials who prepare something for us, we just don’t like to talk about
ourselves. It’s not part of our upbringing. We’re told not to brag about
ourselves. So how do we make it easy and fun to draft those few sentences that
will achieve what we want? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are many ways to write a biography. However, if you
can remember a few key tips, it will be easier and more effective.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-1- Keep in mind what you want to achieve.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What is your goal? Go beyond “because I need to fill out
this form!” Take advantage of the opportunity to make something happen. This
doesn’t have to be a life-changing objective. A simple “I’d like my fellow
students to understand why I enjoy football or the debate team” or “I want the
Board of Directors to know why I can make a difference on their Board.” Or, it
could be “I need to get this job, so I want to impress the recruiter with my
qualifications.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-2- Know what the requestor needs. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Typically when someone asks you for this information, there
is a need to fulfill. Obviously a recruiter is looking for background
information to assess if a job applicant is qualified. Those responsible for
printing yearbooks, programs or school papers require information to interest
their readers in their publication or event. Most likely, non-profit boards
want to assess how your qualifications will assist their organization to
fund-raise, either as an expert to impress contributors or a publicist to make
known their needs and contributions. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-3- Match your goal to the requestor’s needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is the fun part. Matching your goals with the
requestors needs is the magic in writing an effective bio. For example, if a
recruiter is looking for a specific set of qualifications, and your goal is to
fulfill that set of qualifications, well – you’ve got the first step towards
consideration for the position. (Even better if you possess the specific set of
qualifications.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yearbook editors
will welcome an interesting biobraphy that tells why football or debate is of
value to you especially if that is something of interest to their readers. And
there’s no doubt that if you can couple your business qualifications to the
needs of a non-profit, you stand a chance of being asked to join their Board.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-4- Write a first sentence to state this connection between
your goal and their needs. You may decide to change this sentence later, but it
helps to clarify your own thinking. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Jillian Hillcrest is dedicated to using her 10
years of corporate communications experience to achieve your business needs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Joe Quarterback feels a sense of fulfillment
whenever he throws a touchdown pass, which spills over into his everyday life. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Johnny Debater debates to help him appreciate
multiple sides of issues.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Retired Exec wants to apply her business
experience to advance the cause of a non-profit.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-5- Support your claims with sentences that back up your
initial statement.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jillian supports her statement regarding her experience by
describing her successes in getting media coverage to promote products, and
mentions her educational degrees that qualify her. Joe Quarterback adds his
stats. Johnny Debater can talk about the number of topics he’s argued. And
Retired Exec describes successful programs and people he has managed and
revenue he’s generated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-6- Conclude with sentences that tie your statements back to
the needs of the recipient of your bio.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Jillian concludes that with her experience and
education she is positioned to advance the company’s image and brand.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Joe Quarterback might end with his belief that
football has taught him how to be a leader.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Johnny Debater might mention that his ability to
appreciate multiple sides of an issue will help him make better decisions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Retired Exec can conclude that he will make a
financial difference on the non-profit Board.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Again, there are many ways to write the dreaded bio. But by
considering your objective and your recipient’s needs, you have a guide that
will lead you to a more interesting and effective description of yourself. </div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Joyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407242568018782961.post-63520628950890669842017-12-12T00:59:00.000-08:002017-12-14T10:50:27.951-08:00WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Mayra Calvani, Author<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-neR_pooFxCg/Wi9Do_mX85I/AAAAAAAAE-c/vupVCXlzQqkcMcd_tNTh5QmVe7OT0CgzQCLcBGAs/s1600/Mayra%2Band%2BRamses.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-neR_pooFxCg/Wi9Do_mX85I/AAAAAAAAE-c/vupVCXlzQqkcMcd_tNTh5QmVe7OT0CgzQCLcBGAs/s1600/Mayra%2Band%2BRamses.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mayra Calvani with Ramses<br />
Author, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mam%C3%A1-Gracielas-Secret-Mayra-Calvani/dp/1365861538/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1513037946&sr=8-2&keywords=mayra+calvani" target="_blank">MAMA GRACIELA'S SECRET</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Mayra Calvani recently released her latest children’s book
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mam%C3%A1-Gracielas-Secret-Mayra-Calvani/dp/1365861538/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1513037946&sr=8-2&keywords=mayra+calvani" target="_blank">MAMA GRACIELA’S SECRET</a> for three-to-seven year olds about the efforts of Mama
to save her restaurant from being closed by an inspector due to her large
number of cats. Reviewers say it’s
“a picture book with character, voice and story.” Calvani, who also writes award-winning adult fiction and
non-fiction books, enjoys penning all types of books but appreciates the
“quicker gratification” she receives from children stories.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Wishing there were more hours in the day, Calvani is
currently doing final revisions on another picture book manuscript and is also
working on a YA mythological fantasy novel under pen name Zoe Kalo. <span style="background: white; color: #333333;">She lives in Belgium with her husband, two
children, and her three pets.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q You have written a
number of children’s books besides your newest, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mam%C3%A1-Gracielas-Secret-Mayra-Calvani/dp/1365861538/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1513037946&sr=8-2&keywords=mayra+calvani" target="_blank">MAMA GRACIELA’S SECRET</a>. What
started you to write children’s books? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mayra Calvani:</b> First
of all, thank you for having me on your blog, Joyce! I fell in love with
children’s books after I had children. Before then, I was writing only for
adults, but reading picture books to them every night made me fall in love with
the genre. I had many ideas for stories so I thought, why not give it a try? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Your newest book,
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mam%C3%A1-Gracielas-Secret-Mayra-Calvani/dp/1365861538/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1513037946&sr=8-2&keywords=mayra+calvani" target="_blank">MAMA GRACIELA’S SECRET</a>, has a touch of mystery along with its whimsical side
of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“TENDER, CRUNCHY, SPICY
bacalaitos fritos enjoyed by people and cats from all over the island.” Do you
find that a touch of mystery appeals to kids? Or is it all about the magic?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mayra Calvani: </b>You
must be referring to the scene when Mama Graciela gathers all of her cats to
help her find a solution so that her restaurant will not be shut down and all
the cats taken away. You’re right that there’s a touch of mystery there. It’s
kind of a mystical, otherworldly moment because there’s a communication between
Mama Graciela and her cats. Who wouldn’t want to communicate with their pet? I
suppose there’s also magic in that, not in a literal sense but in a figurative
way. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: What kind of
characters do children relate to? Is Mama Graciela someone that a kindergartner
will understand and care about? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mayra Calvani: </b>Children
relate best to children protagonists, but they can also relate to adult
characters who have childlike qualities and who have feelings that kids can
empathize with. Mama Graciela hasn’t just rescued a few cats. She has rescued
one thousand cats! And she will do whatever it takes to protect them. You know
what they say, when you save a life, you’re responsible for that life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: You’ve said that
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mam%C3%A1-Gracielas-Secret-Mayra-Calvani/dp/1365861538/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1513037946&sr=8-2&keywords=mayra+calvani" target="_blank">MAMA GRACIELA’S SECRET</a> is for children ages kindergartner through SIX. Do you
write for different age groups? How do you adapt your story and characters for
different ages?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mayra Calvani: </b>I
write fiction and nonfiction for adults and I also write YA fiction under my
pen name Zoe Kalo (<a href="http://www.zoekalo.com)/">www.ZoeKalo.com)</a>. Language
and content set the difference between the various ages groups. The younger the
audience, the simpler the language. The older the reader, the more complex and
sophisticated the content. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: The illustrations
in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mam%C3%A1-Gracielas-Secret-Mayra-Calvani/dp/1365861538/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1513037946&sr=8-2&keywords=mayra+calvani" target="_blank">MAMA GRACIELA’S SECRET</a> are special and important for children. How did you
meet Sheila Fein? How did you impart to her what you wanted for illustrations?
Or do any of the illustrations come first?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mayra Calvani: </b>It
was my publisher, Tannya Derby from MacLaren-Cochrane Publishing, who provided
the illustrator, so I didn’t know Sheila before then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was wonderful to work with and at all stages of the
illustrating process I was able to provide feedback. We went back and forth on
all the artwork until the completion of the book. At the beginning it took a
couple of tries to get the color palette right, one that would fit with the
tropical island setting. The same happened with Mama Graciela, but once we had those
the rest moved pretty quickly. It was more about the finishing touches than big
modifications. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: You also write
non-fiction and fiction for adults. Do you prefer children’s story over adult
fiction and non-fiction? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mayra Calvani: </b>I
love both! They’re so different from each other! The thing with children’s
stories, though, is that since they’re short you get quicker gratification
because you see the end result--meaning the completed manuscript—sooner. It may
take me a few weeks to write, edit and polish a children’s picture book, but it
may take me up to two years to finish a novel for adults. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Do you include
villains and heroes in your children’s stories? If so, what characteristics do
villains have that you find effective?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mayra Calvani: </b>Yes,
I do. In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mama Graciela’s Secret</i>, Mama
Graciela is the hero because she selflessly sacrifices her secret recipe to
save her cats. The Health Inspector is the villain because he is in the way of
Mama Graciela keeping her cats. He wants to shut the restaurant and take away
her cats. But he is also doing his job and preventing a health hazard. This is
important because successful villains must have a good quality, too. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Do you embed
messages in your children’s stories to help teach values to children? Or are
your stories strictly for entertainment?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mayra Calvani: </b>Never
only for entertaining. My children’s stories always have a message, but I don’t
hit readers over the head with it. Mama Graciela’s story teaches about love for
animals, self-sacrifice, decision-making, and ethnicity. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: What’s next? What
else are you working on?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mayra Calvani: </b>I’m
doing final revisions on another picture book manuscript that I must send to my
agent. I’m also working on a YA mythological fantasy novel under my pen name
Zoe Kalo. I have many ideas for many more books. If only there were more hours
in the day! <span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Tell us about Mayra
Calvani. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mayra Calvani: </b>I
lead a quiet life. I like to think myself as a disciple of writing. But when
I’m not writing or revising, I love reading (duh!), journaling, dining and
going to the cinema with my hubby, and just spending time with my pets and
kids. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About Mayra Calvani<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Mayra Calvani writes
fiction and nonfiction for children and adults and has authored over a dozen
books, some of which have won awards. Her children's picture book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Frederico the Mouse Violinist </i>was a
finalist in the 2011 International Book Awards; her anthology <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Latina Authors and Their Muses</i> was a
First Place winner at the 2016 International Latino Book Awards; her nonfiction
book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing</i>,
was a Foreword Best Book of the Year winner. Her stories, reviews, interviews
and articles have appeared on numerous publications like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Writer, Writer's Journal, Multicultural Review, Bloomsbury Review</i>,
and others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333;">She lives in Belgium
with her husband of 30+ years, two wonderful kids, and her three beloved pets.
When she's not writing, editing, reading or reviewing, she enjoys walking with
her dog, traveling, and spending time with her family. </span><a href="http://www.mayrassecretbookcase.com/"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">www.MayrasSecretBookcase.com</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">About the illustrator</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Born in Queens, New York and living in Los
Angeles since 1987, Sheila Fein has always been </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bX-VI8l7x84/Wi9ECH68ifI/AAAAAAAAE-g/P6KY9WrkZOkeMk1HmEmPKt0eMR9j68pRQCLcBGAs/s1600/Sheila-in-Studio-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="500" height="298" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bX-VI8l7x84/Wi9ECH68ifI/AAAAAAAAE-g/P6KY9WrkZOkeMk1HmEmPKt0eMR9j68pRQCLcBGAs/s320/Sheila-in-Studio-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
inspired by the changing world
around her. Earning her BA in Design from Buffalo State College of New York,
her concentration was on drawing, painting, printmaking, and photography.
Sheila's education as an artist has taken her everywhere from Fleisher Art
Memorial in Philadelphia to Bath University in England. Today, Sheila Fein runs
two figurative workshops, Imaginings Sketch in LA and People Sketchers in
Thousand Oaks. She has been featured in numerous collections, magazines, books,
solo and group exhibitions. Her paintings and drawings reside in public and
private collections. Sheila loves to make the imagination of others a reality
and has done so through her commissioned Fein Fantasy Portraits and Interactive
Paintings. In addition to being a fine artist Sheila works as an illustrator.
She just completed the book "Mama Graciela's Secret" for Maclaren-Cochrane
Publishing.<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e-0uDnv3pdo/Wi9EOlkjRAI/AAAAAAAAE-o/9CSOlTaGoWIA3w2wm82bQvpZUS8-qxwwgCLcBGAs/s1600/25_Mama_G_Reg_Cover_Cube__64118.1497550310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e-0uDnv3pdo/Wi9EOlkjRAI/AAAAAAAAE-o/9CSOlTaGoWIA3w2wm82bQvpZUS8-qxwwgCLcBGAs/s320/25_Mama_G_Reg_Cover_Cube__64118.1497550310.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mam%C3%A1-Gracielas-Secret-Mayra-Calvani/dp/1365861538/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1513037946&sr=8-2&keywords=mayra+calvani" target="_blank">MAMA GRACIELA’S SECRET</a></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mamá
Graciela’s TENDER, CRUNCHY, SPICY bacalaítos fritos are the best in town... </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Local
customers (including stray cats!) come from all over the island to enjoy her
secret recipe. But when the Inspector discovers that Mamá secretly caters to so
many cats and he threatens to close her tiny restaurant, Mamá must come up with
a plan to save it—and all of the animals she loves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Links</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mam%C3%A1-Gracielas-Secret-Mayra-Calvani/dp/1365861538/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1513037946&sr=8-2&keywords=mayra+calvani" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1f242d; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">MacLaren-</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Cochrane Publishing <span style="color: blue;">Orders@maclaren-cochranepublishing.com</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1f242d; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Publishing company Contact Info: MacLaren-Cochrane Publishing
1024 Iron Point Rd 100-1478 Folsom CA 95630</span> <span style="color: #1f242d;">916-897-1670</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tannya@Maclaren-cochranepublishing.com
www.maclaren-cochranepublishing.com </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">MacLaren-Cochrane
Publishing 620 Buchanan Way, Folsom, CA 95630 916-897-1670 </span><a href="http://www.maclaren-cochranepublishing.com/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">www.maclaren-cochranepublishing.com</span></a><span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">**This
book also has version printed in the Dyslexic font, the typeface for people
with dyslexia. Go to <span style="color: blue;">www.dyslexiefont.com </span>to
find out more about the typeface.</span></b></div>
Joyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407242568018782961.post-37612835471791842062017-11-26T18:55:00.000-08:002017-11-26T18:55:04.844-08:00WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Jyoti Arora, Author<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4EsNPJCQVfA/Whrg8WiJffI/AAAAAAAAE9Q/GGpIvRGLuJo1FLCPLjRf4lCji98MdEk9QCLcBGAs/s1600/P_20170304_110153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4EsNPJCQVfA/Whrg8WiJffI/AAAAAAAAE9Q/GGpIvRGLuJo1FLCPLjRf4lCji98MdEk9QCLcBGAs/s320/P_20170304_110153.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jyoti Arora, Author<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Came-Like-Hope-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B077C27R1X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511711158&sr=8-2&keywords=jyoti+arora" target="_blank">YOU CAME LIKE HOPE</a><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lemon-Girl-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B00PESCO8O/ref=la_B00LBP3UIM_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1511711547&sr=1-1" target="_blank">THE LEMON GIRL</a><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Sake-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B0171PJKXY/ref=la_B00LBP3UIM_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1511711547&sr=1-3" target="_blank">DREAM'S SAKE</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Jyoti Arora brings us
her third romance novel, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Came-Like-Hope-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B077C27R1X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511711158&sr=8-2&keywords=jyoti+arora" target="_blank">YOU CAME LIKE HOPE</a>, about Peehu who believes no one
wants her and has assumed a false identity; and Adih, who hates all women. She
writes them as ordinary people who have reached the end of their rope. Although the story is set in
India, the novel offers the universal theme of love and romance.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Her first three novels
are romance with a social theme. Jyoti next wants to write a purely romance
novel without a social theme. Given that she is a patient of Thalassemia Major,
she has a special appreciation for technology and the internet, which have
enabled her to achieve much of her livelihood. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Why/how does your
novel <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Came-Like-Hope-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B077C27R1X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511711158&sr=8-2&keywords=jyoti+arora" target="_blank">YOU CAME LIKE HOPE</a> fit into the genre of contemporary romance? How is
“contemporary” romance different from “traditional” romance?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jyoti Arora:</b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Came-Like-Hope-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B077C27R1X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511711158&sr=8-2&keywords=jyoti+arora" target="_blank"> YOU CAME LIKE HOPE</a> is a romance because its main focus is on the love story.
Although it is a realistic fiction with realistic characters, it has several
romantic elements and scenes. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Contemporary Romance is a sub-genre of Romance and deals
with people and themes that are current and contemporary. So, I labeled <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Came-Like-Hope-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B077C27R1X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511711158&sr=8-2&keywords=jyoti+arora" target="_blank">YOU CAME LIKE HOPE</a> as a Contemporary Romance because the characters and situations
are all based in the current times. The main conflict of the story is also
based on a current social issue. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Q: Tell us a summary of your plot. Who are the main
characters? What happens to them? (Do not divulge the entire story, but just
offer some description of the plot.)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jyoti
Arora:</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
romance in the book revolves around Peehu and Adih. Peehu believes nobody wants
her and has assumed a fake identity. Adih believes he needs nobody and hates
all women as cheaters. Love is their only hope of salva</span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">tion.
But it cannot succeed until</span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> they overcome the blighting shadow of
their past, battle with their fiery emotions, and accept their new realities.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Running parallel to the romance of
Peehu and Adih is the tragic history of Adih’s brother Arunav. It is his story,
told through tiny chapters (50 – 400 words), that raises the issue of fake
cases filed by women. </span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Did you write <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Came-Like-Hope-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B077C27R1X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511711158&sr=8-2&keywords=jyoti+arora" target="_blank">YOU CAME LIKE HOPE</a> to entertain your readers or did you intend to deliver some
messages and influence your readers?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jyoti Arora:</b> I
wrote<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Came-Like-Hope-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B077C27R1X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511711158&sr=8-2&keywords=jyoti+arora" target="_blank">YOU CAME LIKE HOPE</a> to
deliver a message in an entertaining way. That is why it has a social issue
woven in the fabric of a romance.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Do you believe
that <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Came-Like-Hope-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B077C27R1X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511711158&sr=8-2&keywords=jyoti+arora" target="_blank">YOU CAME LIKE HOPE</a> has universal appeal? Will readers world-wide
appreciate and relate to it? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jyoti Arora:</b> Yes,
I believe so. Although the location and characters are Indian, the story is
such that it can happen anywhere. My heroine believes she is an unlucky loser.
My hero hates all women as cheaters. These people can grow up in any country,
and still feel the same. The main conflict of the story is a rising social
issue in India, but it is not restricted to India.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Besides, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Came-Like-Hope-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B077C27R1X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511711158&sr=8-2&keywords=jyoti+arora" target="_blank">YOU CAME LIKE HOPE </a>is a romance. Romances have
universal appeal, I feel. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: How do your
characters engage the reader? Why will readers care what happens to them? Are
they super-heroes or ordinary people in extraordinary situations? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jyoti Arora:</b> My
characters are ordinary people hanging at the end of their rope. My heroine,
Peehu, feels trapped in the web she herself has created under the mistaken
belief of giving happiness to her parents. My hero, Adih, is denying himself
all the pleasures of life and youth to take care of his orphan niece. They are
both good people caught in bad situations. I believe they will tug at readers’
heart and readers will want them to be together and happy. The story shows that
Peehu and Adih need each other. Readers will want them to realize this, stop
running away from love and be happy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Does the concept
of hero vs villain apply to your story? What makes an effective villain?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jyoti Arora:</b> There
is no villain that thwarts the hero or heroine at every step. However, there is
one woman whose treachery causes a lot of pain to the hero and his family. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As for an effective villain, the ones that I like best are
the ones that can chill your heart with one quiet word. A villain that can sway
everyone with his cunning is very effective. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What inspired you to write <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Came-Like-Hope-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B077C27R1X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511711158&sr=8-2&keywords=jyoti+arora" target="_blank">YOU CAME LIKE HOPE</a>? Did you base the characters or events on someone or something in
your own life? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jyoti Arora:</b> I
got the idea of writing <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Came-Like-Hope-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B077C27R1X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511711158&sr=8-2&keywords=jyoti+arora" target="_blank">YOU CAME LIKE HOPE</a> when I got trolled on Twitter one
day! My second novel <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lemon-Girl-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B00PESCO8O/ref=la_B00LBP3UIM_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1511711547&sr=1-1" target="_blank">LEMON GIRL</a> is a Feminist Fiction. One of my tweets about
it got trolled a lot one day. That’s when I realized that there was an opposite
side of the problem I discussed in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lemon-Girl-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B00PESCO8O/ref=la_B00LBP3UIM_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1511711547&sr=1-1" target="_blank">LEMON GIRL</a>. I decided to write a book about
it too and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Came-Like-Hope-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B077C27R1X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511711158&sr=8-2&keywords=jyoti+arora" target="_blank">YOU CAME LIKE HOPE </a>developed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are also intrigued with the world
of technology and have written an award-winning technical blog. Does the world
of technology help you to create your stories? Are romantic fiction and
technology somehow related?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jyoti Arora:</b> I
don’t know where I’d be today had it not been for the advancement of
technology. The magic of internet has done wonders in my life. Due to my
medical problems (Thalassemia Major), I live a very home-bound life. I wouldn’t
have been able to do much had it not been for the support and opportunities
granted by internet. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t think the technology helps me in imagining my
stories. But it helps me in everything else. As for relation between technology
and romance, well, I don’t think there is much relation. Although, I do use
characters inspired by my experience as a tech. blogger. The hero of<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lemon-Girl-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B00PESCO8O/ref=la_B00LBP3UIM_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1511711547&sr=1-1" target="_blank"> LEMON GIRL</a>
is a Technology Blogger. And one of the characters in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Came-Like-Hope-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B077C27R1X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511711158&sr=8-2&keywords=jyoti+arora" target="_blank">YOU CAME LIKE HOPE</a> is
developing a smartphone app. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s next?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jyoti Arora:</b> I
have written three novels so far: DREAM’S SAKE, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lemon-Girl-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B00PESCO8O/ref=la_B00LBP3UIM_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1511711547&sr=1-1" target="_blank">LEMON GIRL</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Came-Like-Hope-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B077C27R1X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511711158&sr=8-2&keywords=jyoti+arora" target="_blank">YOU CAME LIKE HOPE</a>. All three had love stories revolving around a serious social issue. I
want to try my hand at something purely romantic now, for a change.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Tell us something
about yourself. What do you like to do when you’re not writing or blogging?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jyoti Arora:</b> I am
a hopeless bookworm. I fell in love with books ever since I learnt to read.
When I am not writing, I am reading mostly. I also enjoy listening to old
Bollywood songs, watching English TV shows and Hollywood/Bollywood movies. I
used to be good at drawing and handicrafts too, but don’t get the time to
indulge in this hobby now. I’m addicted to technology and love talking about
it. I’m currently living in Ghaziabad with my parents. And through my writing
and the magic on internet, trying very hard to reach the readers worldwide. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk498359517"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">About Jyoti Arora:<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jyoti Arora is a
novelist and blogger from Ghaziabad, India. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Came-Like-Hope-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B077C27R1X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511711158&sr=8-2&keywords=jyoti+arora" target="_blank">YOU CAME LIKE HOPE</a> is her third novel,
coming after <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Sake-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B0171PJKXY/ref=la_B00LBP3UIM_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1511711547&sr=1-3" target="_blank">DREAM’S SAKE</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lemon-Girl-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B00PESCO8O/ref=la_B00LBP3UIM_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1511711547&sr=1-1" target="_blank">LEMON GIRL</a>. She is Post Graduate in English
Literature and Applied Psychology. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498359517;">Jyoti has over five
years of experience working as a freelance writer. This experience includes
abridging over 24 famous English classics like Jane Eyre, Moby Dick etc. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498359517;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498359517;">Jyoti Arora is a
patient of Thalassemia Major. But she does not let this stop or discourage her.
For her determination and achievements, Jyoti has received appreciation from Ms
Sheila Dixit, Ms Maneka Gandhi and the Ghaziabad wing of BJP. Her life story
has been covered in various local and national TV shows, radio programs,
newspapers, magazines and websites like YourStory and Inspire India. She was
also one of the ‘100 Women Achievers of India’ that were invited to witness the
Republic Day parade of India (2016) as special guests.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498359517;">Besides reading and
writing novels, Jyoti also enjoys blogging and has won several blogging
competitions. She loves checking out latest technological innovations, watching
movies, and listening to old Bollywood songs. Reach her at jyotiarora.com.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Came-Like-Hope-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B077C27R1X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511711158&sr=8-2&keywords=jyoti+arora" target="_blank">YOU CAME LIKE HOPE</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m9baUk-U7q0/WhrhYfJVK4I/AAAAAAAAE9U/49zjoK-5vuYPOhtoFRtS8GtX3IZ3TKi_gCLcBGAs/s1600/You%2BCame%2BLike%2BHope%2B-%2BJyoti%2BArora%2B30%2BSept%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1029" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m9baUk-U7q0/WhrhYfJVK4I/AAAAAAAAE9U/49zjoK-5vuYPOhtoFRtS8GtX3IZ3TKi_gCLcBGAs/s320/You%2BCame%2BLike%2BHope%2B-%2BJyoti%2BArora%2B30%2BSept%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Came-Like-Hope-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B077C27R1X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511711158&sr=8-2&keywords=jyoti+arora" target="_blank">YOU CAME LIKE HOPE</a> tells the love story of a girl who
considers herself an unlucky loser and takes up the identity of someone else.
Her love interest is a young man who belongs to a family wrongly accused of
abusing and torturing a woman. He’s scared of love and happiness and has
decided never to trust any woman or think about getting married. Love brings
them together and gives them the strength to overcome their weaknesses and fears.
More than the fate, they have to fight against themselves to win this love and
attain their bliss.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Links<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Purchase Sites <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ebooks <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Came-Like-Hope-Jyoti-Arora-ebook/dp/B077C27R1X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511711158&sr=8-2&keywords=jyoti+arora" target="_blank">Amazon </a></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://amzn.to/2ijl7NU" target="_blank">Amazon India </a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/x/id1312518048" target="_blank">iTunes (iOS)</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://bit.ly/2htmAQL" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble (Nook)</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://bit.ly/2htxqpP" target="_blank">Google Play (Android)</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.kobo.com/in/en/ebook/you-came-like-hope-1" target="_blank">Kobo </a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.books2read.com/youcamelikehope" target="_blank">Other retailers</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Author Sites<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/Jy0tiAr0ra">Jy0tiAr0ra</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://jyotiarora.com/" target="_blank">Website/Blog</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/jy0tiar0ra/" target="_blank">Facebook</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5028317.Jyoti_Arora" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Paperback: Not yet available, but will come soon on Amazon,
Flipkart and PayTM.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P3UC0ovvaeo/Whs0GjDXJoI/AAAAAAAAE9k/G1ltXQI6FjoidkDN9iqVTV2jzk-PNo72gCLcBGAs/s1600/Banner_BT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="811" height="148" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P3UC0ovvaeo/Whs0GjDXJoI/AAAAAAAAE9k/G1ltXQI6FjoidkDN9iqVTV2jzk-PNo72gCLcBGAs/s400/Banner_BT.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!-- start InLinkz script --></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<script type="text/javascript"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
document.write('<scr' + 'ipt
type="text/javascript"
src="https://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=751210&' + new Date().getTime()
+ '"><\/script>');</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
</script></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!-- end InLinkz script --></div>
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Mangal;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Joyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407242568018782961.post-25886898669309816672017-11-09T00:52:00.000-08:002017-11-09T00:52:08.676-08:00WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Sybrina Durant, Author<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XyMsSwwbQqU/Wf-NFP3k0mI/AAAAAAAAE7c/VYZT-uQql1I4NTm-gYtP2OHZ2WoV-angQCLcBGAs/s1600/Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="700" height="218" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XyMsSwwbQqU/Wf-NFP3k0mI/AAAAAAAAE7c/VYZT-uQql1I4NTm-gYtP2OHZ2WoV-angQCLcBGAs/s320/Pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sybrina Durant, Author<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Unicorns-Journey-Illustrated-Book-ebook/dp/B06X416LGX/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">THE BLUE UNICORN'S JOURNEY TO OSM</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sybrina Durant created <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Unicorns-Journey-Illustrated-Book-ebook/dp/B06X416LGX/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">THE BLUE UNICORN’S JOURNEY TO OSM</a>,
targeted at teens, but to be enjoyed by all ages. She thought of the concept almost 40 years ago, and completed
her vision recently with an illustrated book that includes unicorns with “<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">personality
and depth” and a story that is an “action-packed adventure,” </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">according to reviewers. Durant’s unicorns also display humor,
an attribute that Durant believes is critical in our human lives.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">She is currently working
on a full novel of THE BLUE UNICORN’S JOURNEY TO OSM and also plans to publish a glossary about the characters, places, and things she created in the world of her book. She lives in Texas, and
when she’s not writing books, she likes to write songs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Don’t miss an excerpt from the book following the interview. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: What inspired you
to write about a blue unicorn? Why choose a unicorn?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sybrina Durant:</b> Nearly
40 years ago, when I first conceived of the idea for <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Unicorns-Journey-Illustrated-Book-ebook/dp/B06X416LGX/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">THE BLUE UNICORN’S JOURNEY TO OSM</a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had read a lot of fantasy
books which completely mesmerized me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The ones which really stood out to me were books like “Watership Down”
by Richard Adams (which was about a rabbit warren with members who thought and
acted like humans), “Dragonriders of Pern” by Anne McCaffrey (with dragons
which could speak to humans telepathically), “The Oz” books by L. Frank Baum
(with the talking lion, talking monkeys, talking chickens and more), “Alice in
Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll (with the talking white rabbit and the Cheshire
cat) and oh so many others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was fascinated by the idea, throughout all of the
different stories, that animals could be reasoning creatures - that they could
love and war and exist as communities within themselves or with humans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I was especially influenced by the
unicorns from Phaze in Piers Anthony’s “Apprentice Adept Series”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those unicorns ranged in a multitude of
colors and were as intelligent as humans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were musical and magical, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was also enamored with the word play in Piers Anthony’s
writing style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would take
ordinary words and give them completely different but clever meanings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to try my hand at that style
of writing so I set about developing the metal-horned unicorn tribe from
Unimaise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Each would have a different metal horn with coat, mane and
tail colors derived somehow from the properties of the metal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance, since burning copper has
green flames, the copper-horned unicorn is green.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The unicorns would each have a different magic power somehow
associated with the properties of their metal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since copper was once used exclusively for water pipes
because it was thought to keep water flowing through it clean, the
copper-horned unicorn’s magic power is to purify water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s the theme I tried to stick with
in developing all of the characters but I had to use a lot of poetic license at
times. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only one unicorn would be
different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would have no metal
and no magic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story is about
the blue unicorn’s quest to save his tribe despite his overwhelming
“disabilities”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After intense research in dictionaries, encyclopedias and
real library books, I ended up with index cards for each unicorn and all of the
other characters that I wanted to feature in the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wrote a very long outline and summary
and even drew a detailed map of the land of MarBryn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After typing up about 50 pages of the story, I just came to
a screeching halt and didn’t start up again until a couple of years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life just got in the way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div style="line-height: 20.1pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Q: Who are
your target readers for <strong>THE BLUE UNICORN’S JOURNEY TO
OSM?</strong></span></b><strong><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Is this a book for
children, young adults, adults? Reviewers say that, “</b><b><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This book
transcends age groups.” Do you agree?</span></b><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sybrina Durant:</b> <span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Originally, this book was
going to be an adult fantasy but after becoming acquainted with the amazingly
talented Sudipta Dasgupta, I decided I wanted this to be an illustrated book
that could appeal to a younger audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had nearly finished the novel by the time he approached me about doing
the illustrations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to
best present his artwork, I realized that I was going to have to minimize the
amount of pages and enlarge the page sizes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went through
the very tedious process of reducing the story text so that each chapter would
fit into just two pages which would precede a picture spreading across two
pages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best reading experience
is definitely the print version but it is available in all ebook formats also. In
addition to reducing the word count, I also simplified a lot of the text but I
left in many concepts that (in some people’s opinions) placed the book beyond
the middle grade age group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Since
many parents wish to protect their children from subjects like war and death as
long as possible I decided to rate this book for teens and up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have tried to write an appealing
story for all ages to enjoy but I think it is up to each reader, no matter what
their age might be, to decide for themselves about whether it reaches out to
them or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Q: Did you write </span></b><strong><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Unicorns-Journey-Illustrated-Book-ebook/dp/B06X416LGX/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">THE BLUE UNICORN’S JOURNEY TO OSM</a> </span></strong><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">strictly to entertain? Or did you intend, as one reviewer
says, to write a book “with deeper meanings and themes?”<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sybrina Durant:</span></b><span style="background: white; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> I have always been interested in the “science of things”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to bring as much of that into
the story as I could to make it a learning experience which was both magical
and entertaining at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The further I got into writing the story, it began revealing things to
me that I had not anticipated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That long outline I mentioned earlier was thrown out the window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never really referred back to the
summary, either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I redrew a lot of
the map and instead of having only one journey line, there are now two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some characters who were barely even
there before became major players.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They wanted their stories to become prominent and so they are now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am very glad that readers have found
deeper meanings in the book than they thought they might find when they began
reading the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess if the
book has a main theme, it is “You can’t judge a book by its cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must open it to find what’s within.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is true for every person, place or
thing we come across in our lives. If you give a little of your time and
consideration, you will almost always find some reward.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Q: When writing about a
unicorn and magic, how do you create believability or credibility? How relevant
is consistency in your world-building? What will cause a reader to stop
reading?</span></b><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sybrina Durant:</b> <span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This story is a blend of
magic and realism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everybody’s got
to eat and these unicorns especially love eating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily for them, one of the unicorns, Tinam, has the
magical ability to conjure meals from thin air and to even preserve them in tin
cans of every shape and size.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of
course, in real life, no meal will ever be magically plucked out of thin air
but most readers have the ability to suspend disbelief when it comes to magical
creations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some might stop reading
the book the first time they read about Chef Tinam’s magic power but those
readers probably prefer more reality-based books. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
try to be consistent with my world-building by always thinking about the real
science behind what might be happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For instance, the unicorns in my story have split hooves which they use
for picking up things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their knees
(or elbows) bend in the same way that a human arm bends and moves so they can
bring a fork up to their mouth the same way we can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can sit on their rumps on stools around a table
for a meal the same way we can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Real horses could never do such things but these are not horses…they are
unicorns!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These unicorns also
spend a lot of time singing and dancing – even though they are facing complete
extinction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course most humans would
never be able to cast aside their fears to such an extent that they could
immerse themselves in such ridiculous behavior…or could they?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some readers might have to stop at that,
but I hope they don’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Q: How do you create
characters to engage your readers? What makes a reader care about them?</span></b><strong><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Are you able to use the setting to help develop your characters? <o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sybrina
Durant:</span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;"> I’ve tried to give each character a
personality that is uniquely their own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And I’ve tried to show individual concerns, grumpiness, sense of humor, cool
under pressure and so on, so that as you’re reading you can tell who they are
by how they speak and act.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of
the methods I used to give each one a distinctly different personality was to
think of a popular actor or actress of the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These actors were all part of my index card character
development and they were greatly loved by the viewers of the television
programs they starred in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of
those actors and actresses’ names won’t even be recognizable today to your
younger readers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But here are a
few just for fun:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cornum the Brass
Horned Unicorn was based on John Ritter “Jack Tripper on Three’s Company.”
Style the Steel Horned Unicorn was based on Jackee Harry who played “Sandra on
227.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nix the Nickel Horned
Unicorn was Bruce Willis who was starring as “David Addison on Moonlighting.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alumna the Aluminum Horned Unicorn was
Shelly Long who played “Diane on Cheers” at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have the entire list and it is interesting to look at it
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d love to know which
young people might play the unicorn parts today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Q: </b></span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"><b>How relevant is the concept of hero vs villain to tell your story? What
are the characteristics of an effective villain?</b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sybrina
Durant:</span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;"> In my mind, hero vs villain equates to good vs
evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But just because someone has
become a villain, it doesn’t mean that they always were one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think an effective villain is one who
you can almost have a little sympathy for because you know something about how
they were before they became one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That sympathy can almost make you think there’s hope that they might
change back to they way they were but as they do more dastardly things they
make you realize that they are far beyond changing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes, you have to make a conscious choice to turn away.<o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Q:
How helpful is humor to tell your story or develop your characters? <o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sybrina
Durant: </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal;">Have you ever heard the saying, “If I don’t
laugh, I’ll cry.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Humor is the
most important thing we have going for us as human beings. It can help us out
of the most dire situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right
now, as I’m writing this, I am sitting at home surrounded by water on all
sides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily, my neighborhood
seems to be an island in an ocean of water surrounding the entire state of
Texas. Earlier today, my husband posted on Facebook, “I don’t know what we’re
going to do when we run out of paper towels”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, that’s the least of anyone’s worries right now but it
got a lot of laughs out of a lot of seriously stressed out people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the characters in the blue
unicorn’s story can look a little silly at times. . .some of the humor might
even seem a little juvenile but it is always placed there to relieve some
stress.</span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Q: Reviewers also rave about
the illustrations. What can you tell us about them and the artist? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sybrina Durant:</span></b><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> I am so happy that Sudipta
Dasgupta approached me about illustrating this book. He found me in an
illustrator/author group on Facebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think some things are just meant to happen the way they do since, as I
mentioned earlier, I had never intended for this to become an illustrated book
until he came along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took us
over a year to come up with all of the ideas and final illustrations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I almost felt like I was writing a
movie scene for each illustration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>First I would write out the setting of the scene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next, I listed all of the characters in
the scene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, I broke down what
everyone in the scene was doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
would always provide the text of the story for the scene, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent a lot of time gathering photos
of items that I wanted in the scene so that he would have an idea of how to
draw them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes, I actually
changed where I was going with the story because if an illustration I received
back from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really enjoyed
working with Sudipta (or Steve as he’s known to most Americans) as he is
thoughtful, thought-provoking and amazingly creative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">There
are forty-two full-color illustrations in all but we didn’t stop there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It broke my heart to quickly realize
that the cost of the full-color illustrated book was going to be out of the
realm of accessibility for most potential readers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It - is – very - expensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I commissioned Steve to also create all of the pictures
in black and white – in the wood-cut look of old fairy tales -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so that I would have a very inexpensive
version of the book to offer for sale. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, it is just 1/3 the price of the full-color
book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It happily has an added
bonus of being what I’m calling a “Read and Color” book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read a chapter and then color the
following illustration – how fun is that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Steve also did the illustrations for a companion Coloring/Character
Description book and for a set of trading cards featuring all of the unicorn
characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trading cards and
lots of other Unicorn Bling are available at my “Journey To Osm” collection on
zazzle.com. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Side
Note: There’s also an audio version of the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is narrated by Troy Hudson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to leave him out of all of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never imagined that one person would
be able to give voice to so many characters and do it so well<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He really makes the story extra fun. .
.especially if you read along with Whispersync.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Q: What’s next?</span></b><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sybrina Durant:</b> <span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“The Blue Unicorn’s Journey
To Osm NOVEL,” of course!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still
plan to offer readers the original expansive version of this story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a few hundred pages longer than
this illustrated book and is much more in-depth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’ll also be publishing a humongous glossary that I’m calling
“The MarBryn Compendium.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
especially for those people who just can’t get enough information about how the
characters, places and things in the land of MarBryn and the world of Unimaise
were imagined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, there’s the
movie!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OK, so there’s not a movie in
the works yet but wouldn’t it be cool?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Q: Tell us something about </span><strong><span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sybrina Durant. What do you like to do when you’re not writing? </span></strong></b><strong><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sybrina Durant:</b> <strong><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-weight: normal;">I like to write songs as well as books so all
of my stories have accompanying songs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can hear the songs in the book trailers for this book on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLybqF-7D4W3FTbEZF_rZ45b7A1xJdubni." target="_blank">Youtube</a>.</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-weight: normal;">When I’m not
writing, I’m usually marketing and promoting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a self-published author, it is a never ending process but
luckily one that I very much love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This leads me to give very heartfelt thanks to Joyce Strand for sharing
space on her amazing blog with me to discuss “The Blue Unicorn’s Journey To
Osm.” It’s because of people like her that authors like me have the very rare
opportunity to let others know that our books even exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With hundreds of books being offered to
the public for sale each and every day in the US alone, an interview on a blog like
hers means a lot in these times of immense competition for attention in the
book world.</span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sybrina Durant</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sybrina is the author of many different types of books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some are technical and others are
fanciful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Illustrated books are
her favorite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She believes that
you can capture a reader’s attention with a good story but amazing artwork will
reel them in and keep them riveted.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I'm Sybrina. . .. . .Just one of millions of wannabe
author/singer/songwriters out there but I hope, after reading or hearing my
books and songs, you'll think my contributions to the world have as much value
as any other famous artist out there today. <br />
<br />
Fame is all in being in the right place at the right time but at least with the
internet and venues like this, all of us have opportunities to share our
creativity with the world. I'm so happy that I am able to share my works with
you. That is awesome!<br />
<br />
The books I’ve written span a wide range between illustrated picture books,
coloring books and YA novels to technical and how-to books. If you’re so
inclined you can read a little bit about the inspiration for each one below."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Unicorns-Journey-Illustrated-Book-ebook/dp/B06X416LGX/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank"> THE BLUE UNICORN’S VISIT TO OSM</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OQzxGco1Qm4/Wf-Neun4yKI/AAAAAAAAE7g/qwQw1UDzJK0EvVQSTwchd15GyjupiPcEgCLcBGAs/s1600/Book%2BCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="386" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OQzxGco1Qm4/Wf-Neun4yKI/AAAAAAAAE7g/qwQw1UDzJK0EvVQSTwchd15GyjupiPcEgCLcBGAs/s320/Book%2BCover.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #181818;">“The metal horned unicorns are doomed!” That’s what Lauda
Lead Horn wailed when she first saw the tribe’s new savior. OK, so his horn was
not metal. . .and he did not have a magic power. . .and he was really a puny
little runt. But doomed? Were things really that bad? </span><span style="color: #181818; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Well, things were pretty bad in the land of
MarBryn. Magh, an evil sorcerer utilized unicorn horns and hooves to create his
magical potions and spells. Those he used, to increase his power and to conquer
everyone in his path. All of the unicorns from the Tribe of the Metal Horn were
now gone . . . except for twelve survivors. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Before the blue unicorn was born, Numen told
Alumna, the aluminum-horned oracle, that he had a plan to bring the tribe back
home to Unimaise. His prophecy was, “Only the blue unicorn can join with the
Moon-Star. Until then, no new unicorns will be born.” Blue was the last unicorn
born. Twenty years later, his horn was still covered with a plain blue colored
hide. There was not a glint of metal to be seen on it or his hooves. And he
still didn’t have any magic. But he was no longer scrawny and he had his wits.
Though no one else in the tribe thought he had a chance, Blue felt ready to
make Magh pay for his evil deeds. And he went off to do it alone. That was Blue’s
first mistake. If the entire tribe was not standing horn-tip to horn-tip at the
proper time and the exact place to help usher the Moon-Star Spirit into Blue’s
horn, he would die. Then, the rest of the tribe would really be doomed. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Readers will follow along two journey paths in
this book. Blue is joined in his travels by his mentor Gaiso, the Stag and his
friend, Girasol the Firebird as they try to find their way across a
danger-filled MarBryn to Muzika Woods. The rest of Blue’s tribe is forced to
follow another route due to Nix Nickle Horn’s unfortunate incident with a
Manticore. Nix, the great unicorn defender must safely lead the way for Ghel,
the Golden-Horned unicorn; Silubhra Silver Horn; Cornum the Brass-Horned
unicorn; Steel Horned Style; Cuprum the Copper-Horned unicorn; Tin-Horned
Tinam; Dr. Zinko; Iown the Iron-Horned unicorn and the others in an action
packed adventure to their destination in Muzika Woods. Both journey paths
converge there in the Nebulium Circle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Excerpt</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
The firebird hovered at the
entrance of the canyon watching the three of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Blue was crunching on a rock. He
giggled and said something that sounded like “silly bird” to the pendragon and
they all laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
It was ridiculous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Girasol felt completely powerless and
her feelings were hurt, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
had no idea how she could help them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
“How can I make them listen to
me?” she asked the mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
normally bright orange flames had become a faint red glow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
"You can't," a voice
which seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at the same time
answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I have induced
hebephrenia into their feeble minds."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
"Who are you and what is heb-phren-whatever
you called it?" Girasol flared, melting some of the ice from the nearby
rock faces.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
"My, aren't you a
hot-head?" the voice chuckled at her display of anger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I am Yegwa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They call me the spirit of false
springtime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have put your friends
and the pendragon under a spell which makes them think this is a wonderful
place to live."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
“Let them go," the firebird
demanded, blue-white sparks spouting from her feathered crown. She could not
see the spirit and was very frustrated.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
"Let them go?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wouldn't dream of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not often I have this much
fun," Yegwa said in a voice hungry with anticipation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"My magic doesn’t seem to work on
you though,” she said thoughtfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"It must be that hot blood of yours."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
"What kind of spirit are
you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can you enjoy watching
your victims freeze or starve to death?" Girasol asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"You are so wicked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don't know what's worse—you or that
evil sorcerer, Magh," she shouted disgustedly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
"Magh?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorcerer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do tell…he sounds like someone I would like,” Yegwa asked
with interest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Is he single?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Single?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What?”
Girasol blazed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Forget about
Magh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t have time for this
back and forth with you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ooh, well, la-ti-da…aren’t you the peppery dish,” Yegwa
said, letting loose a shrill cackle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“If I had teeth, I’d eat you right up!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
"What about my friends?"
the firebird asked again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
looked around the top of the canyon walls trying to find the owner of the
ghostly voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
"You're welcome to keep
company with them if you wish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
don't keep anyone imprisoned, you know," Yegwa said, trying to sound
sugary sweet. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thanks a lot,” Girasol said sarcastically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She tapped her head with her right
wing, trying to figure out a way to save her friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hot blood. . .hmmm. . .Warmth. . .that’s it,” she
realized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If they’re going to
snap out of this, they need to be warm!” she thought suddenly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
They were going to freeze to death
if she did not help them soon. She remembered seeing Blue pick up some pepo
seeds earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She searched the
bag hung across his shoulder and brought one out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was so far gone, he did not even notice her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One seed would give her enough energy
for five days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“In this cold, I
might need this and more to keep them warm,” she thought, while chewing the
seed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Links<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Purchase Links<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Unicorns-Journey-Plain-Ilustrations-ebook/dp/B06XD8KZVJ" target="_blank">Ebook (plain illustrations)</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Unicorns-Journey-Illustrated-Book-ebook/dp/B06X416LGX" target="_blank">Ebook (Looks like printed book)</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Unicorns-Journey-Osm/dp/B071SDJQNW" target="_blank">Audio book (Listen to free sample)</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Unicorns-Journey-Osm/dp/1942740093" target="_blank">Hardcover </a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Unicorns-Journey-Osm-Illustrated/dp/1535127856" target="_blank">Softcover</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Unicorns-Journey-Black-White/dp/1543073514" target="_blank">Black and White Print Book </a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Unicorns-Journey-Coloring-Book/dp/1537021842" target="_blank">Coloring Book</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Author Links<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B009K3WGMS" target="_blank">Amazon Author Central</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLybqF-7D4W3FTbEZF_rZ45b7A1xJdubni" target="_blank">Youtube (Book Trailers)</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Blue-Unicorns-Journey-To-Osm-794155627353303/" target="_blank">Facebook</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/102965665530138163417" target="_blank">Google+</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/sybrinablueunicorn/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/sybrinad/boards/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.zazzle.com/collections/journey_to_osm-119557554153312638" target="_blank">Zazzle</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.sybrinablueunicornbook.com/" target="_blank">Website 1</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="http://www.sybrinablueunicornbook.com/index_Blue_Unicorn_Book_Reviews.htm" target="_blank">Website 2 Reviews</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6455676.Sybrina_Durant" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Twitter address @<span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://twitter.com/Sybrina_spt">Sybrina_spt</a></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sbmucrV_Mfk/Wf-NmfyCktI/AAAAAAAAE7o/AHe82Tg_nJ85dHtpYagtPYmqPDk9CL52ACLcBGAs/s1600/Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="811" height="147" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sbmucrV_Mfk/Wf-NmfyCktI/AAAAAAAAE7o/AHe82Tg_nJ85dHtpYagtPYmqPDk9CL52ACLcBGAs/s400/Banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<!-- start InLinkz script --></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<script type="text/javascript"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal">
document.write('<scr' + 'ipt type="text/javascript"
src="https://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=741612&' + new Date().getTime()
+ '"><\/script>');</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal">
</script></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<!-- end InLinkz script --></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Joyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407242568018782961.post-86256257183211229752017-11-06T00:06:00.000-08:002017-11-06T00:06:07.158-08:00WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Sandra Nikolai, Mystery Author<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JMfAxFemSFg/Wf9ztLmtopI/AAAAAAAAE7I/SwBZgHxFuRITPI7xjyCSDcE4_LBoMhjOQCLcBGAs/s1600/Sandra%2BNikolai_Joyce_Strand_interview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JMfAxFemSFg/Wf9ztLmtopI/AAAAAAAAE7I/SwBZgHxFuRITPI7xjyCSDcE4_LBoMhjOQCLcBGAs/s320/Sandra%2BNikolai_Joyce_Strand_interview.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandra Nikolai, Author<br />
BROKEN TRUST<br />
Book 5 of Megan Scott/Michael Elliott Series</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">Sandra Nikolai just released BROKEN TRUST, the 5<sup>th</sup> mystery in
her series featuring </span>ghostwriter Megan Scott and investigative reporter
Michael Elliott. Reviewers of previous books claim the series is “<span style="background: white; color: #111111;">well-plotted
and punctuated with shocks” and “impossible to stop reading.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>According to Nikolai, the pairing of protagonists helps
“create tension and move the plot forward.”</i><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><i>By setting this mystery in Ottawa, she takes advantage of
the capital city’s healthcare decision-making, which supports the development of her plot. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Nikolai is currently working on Book 6 of her mystery
series. When she’s not writing, she enjoys baking, especially anything with
chocolate in it as she is a fan of desserts. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">Q: What draws you to
write Mysteries? Who is your favorite mystery author?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">Sandra Nicolai:</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;"> Puzzles have
always intrigued me, and mysteries even more so. The ultimate test arrived the
day I decided to write my first mystery novel. I’ve been published for five
years now, but ensuring that all the pieces in a mystery fall into place is
still quite the challenge. And I love every minute of it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">Some of my favorite mystery authors include Donna Leon, Linwood Barclay,
Kathy Reichs, James Patterson, and Louise Penny. I also enjoy discovering new
authors and regularly add their books to my to-read list. I don’t think I’ll
ever catch up!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">Q:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In your new book, BROKEN TRUST, you’ve
paired Megan Scott and Michael Elliott together again in your new book as
double sleuths to solve the mystery. Does this pairing help to develop the
plot? Romantic interest?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">Sandra Nikolai:</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;"> Yes to both
questions!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">In my latest book, BROKEN TRUST<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">,</i>
as in the other books in the series, Megan and Michael’s characters differ in
ways that help to create conflict in the story and move the plot forward. As an
investigative reporter, Michael meets with seedy informants in dark alleys in
his hunt for murder suspects. He thrives on taking risks. Megan’s participation
in his sleuthing activities provides an exciting break from her “boring”
job—ghostwriter of non-fiction material. Since she tends to be cautious and
worries about Michael’s safety, their covert outings enable her to pull him
back from the brink of death when necessary. Of course, Megan’s curiosity
sometimes gets her in trouble too, so it works both ways.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">The romantic interest between them originated in the first book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">FALSE IMPRESSIONS</i>, and continues to grow
through the series. Is marriage a possibility? Michael might be inclined to the
idea, but Megan’s bad experience with her first marriage planted doubts in her
mind. The topic creates tension between them, which helps to develop the plot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">Q: How do you turn your
ghostwriter into an amateur sleuth? What makes her credible?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">Sandra Nikolai:</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">FALSE IMPRESSIONS</i> launched Megan’s
investigative teamwork with Michael when they became prime suspects in the
death of her husband and a female companion. That’s when Megan got her feet
wet, so to speak. Her interest in Michael’s work prompted him to take her along
on some of his ventures. They share a high standard of ethics that drives them
to seek justice for crimes committed, but they have different approaches to
analyzing the evidence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">When it comes to suspects, Michael is objective and trusts his instincts
to guide him. Megan is an in-depth researcher and often deciphers the tiniest
detail and nuance on the path to solving a crime. She bounces her theories off
Michael and, although he doesn’t always agree with her, he appreciates her
input. In the end, Megan’s contributions play a key role in resolving the
crime.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">Q: How useful is Ottawa
as a setting to help develop your characters or the mystery? Would the story be
different if set elsewhere?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">Sandra Nikolai:</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;"> Ottawa is
Canada’s capital city and the setting for BROKEN TRUST, the fifth book in my mystery series. The city is home to the federal
government where major political decisions affecting national health are made.
My sleuths investigate the fentanyl crisis here. For readers unfamiliar with
fentanyl, it’s a synthetic drug that’s fifty times stronger than heroin and the
cause of thousands of deaths by overdose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">My sleuths are Canadian and have a special interest in how organizations
are handling the drug crisis here. As they investigate the death of a young
woman who supposedly overdosed in their Ottawa hotel room—yes, they walked in
and found her body!—Megan and Michael interview key administrators regarding
the fentanyl problem. A mystery set in a government town might sound dry to
some readers, but I promise you, it’s a thrilling ride!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">Q: Reviewers enjoy the
suspense you’ve created in your previous mysteries. How do you create that
page-turning drive?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">Sandra Nikolai:</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;"> Readers like to
get to the heart of a story, so I keep the narrative as tight as possible. I
cut back on excessive descriptions of people and places and avoid dialogue that
doesn’t move the plot forward. I pepper my stories with clues (including red
herrings), tension, and conflict.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">My chapters are short and end with a cliffhanger. I ensure the momentum
is fast-paced so that the action doesn’t stall. Readers tell me they can’t stop
reading—they have to find out what happens in the next chapter. This tells me
my techniques are working!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">Q:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do you consider to be the key
elements of a satisfying mystery?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">Sandra Nikolai:</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;"> The first pages
should draw in the reader. Without a captivating hook, the reader will move on
to another book. Setting a mysterious mood that foreshadows the journey ahead
is also an important element.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">Suspenseful dialogue between realistic characters is vital to retaining
reader interest. It’s similar to eavesdropping on a heart-pounding conversation
between people you know. My suspects often lie or withhold crucial information,
but I keep readers in the loop so that they come across the clues at the same
time as my sleuths do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">Wrapping up loose ends by the end of the story is another essential
element. Readers need answers to confirm what they already know or didn’t know
about who, why, what, and how. A satisfying resolution to a mystery means a
reader will most likely read another book by the same writer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">Q: Why do readers care
about your characters? How do they relate?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">Sandra Nikolai:</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;"> Like most
people, my main characters have strengths and insecurities. Readers can relate
to Megan’s determination and Michael’s courage as they track down perpetrators.
They admire their mutual loyalty and respect and the way they interact with
each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">Readers root for Michael and understand his anger and frustration when
he lacks the evidence to bring a cold-blooded killer to justice. They empathize
with Megan’s lingering memories about her husband’s infidelity, as well as her
qualms about Michael’s safety and the future of their relationship. They
support Megan as she confronts dangerous situations, despite her fears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">Q: What are the
attributes of an effective villain/criminal?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">Sandra Nikolai:</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;"> A credible
villain is one that has good qualities and bad qualities. The criminals in my
stories often work in typical jobs and have family or friends, yet they manage
to get sidetracked by the darker side of life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">We’ve all seen news reports about police arrests of doctors, lawyers,
and professors. Who would think that people in such respectable positions could
be murderers? How many times do neighbors discover that the “man who lives down
the street” is a killer? Criminals can’t be typecast. The creepiest part is
that they often live among us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">Q: What’s next?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">Sandra Nikolai:</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;"> Book #6 in the
series. My sleuths return home to Montreal where their greatest challenge
awaits them. It will be a roller coaster of a thriller. Oh, I can’t wait to
write this one!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">Q: Tell us about Sandra
Nikolai. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;">Sandra Nikolai:</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; color: #212121;"> I love
desserts, so I’ll bake anything with chocolate in it. No surprise there, right?
I also like to read, shop, watch movies, go for walks, and catch up with
friends over coffee. My routine might sound dull to some people, but the first
half of my life was quite hectic, so I welcome the change. I wouldn’t be able
to write without the peace and quiet I now enjoy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you for inviting me, Joyce!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About Sandra Nicolai<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="xmsonormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author </span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sandra Nikolai weaves
ordinary characters into extraordinary, life-threatening situations, using the
premise that evil often lurks in familiar places.</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She
is the author of a mystery series featuring ghostwriter Megan Scott and investigative
reporter Michael Elliott. </span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">BROKEN</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> TRUST is the fifth book in
this series.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="xmsonormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="xmsonormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sandra
has also </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">published
more than a dozen short stories online and in print, garnering Honorable
Mentions along the way. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She shares her writing experiences on her blog and has been a
frequent guest writer on other blogs. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About BROKEN TRUST<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--QmGQ_B-l7A/Wf90KtIm8MI/AAAAAAAAE7M/jFQakN05X3QhGUsK_jJUSiKEwwcZzAOWQCLcBGAs/s1600/Broken%2BTrust_Interview_Joyce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--QmGQ_B-l7A/Wf90KtIm8MI/AAAAAAAAE7M/jFQakN05X3QhGUsK_jJUSiKEwwcZzAOWQCLcBGAs/s320/Broken%2BTrust_Interview_Joyce.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hotel rooms often come with perks. A corpse isn’t one of
them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ghostwriter Megan Scott and investigative reporter Michael
Elliott discover the body of a young woman in their Ottawa hotel room. Not what
they expected on a business trip to Canada’s capital. She’s wearing a black
lace teddy. A carafe of red wine and two glasses sit on a table. A closer look
inside her purse reveals thousands of dollars, three business cards, and a
supply of pills.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The detective initially writes off Becca Landry’s death as
an open-and-shut case of overdose, but Frank Landry, an ex-military, believes
his wife was murdered. Convinced that autopsy results will prove him right, he
fears the police will soon target him as a prime suspect. He asks Megan and
Michael to investigate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As they dig deeper, they unearth shocking links that expose
the dark underbelly of a city where widespread fraud, illegal drug trafficking,
and a sense of entitlement defy the system. Elusive conspirators up the stakes
and threaten to block their efforts at any cost.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How can Megan and Michael ensure their trust in each other
is enough to save them on a perilous quest for a cold-blooded killer?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Links<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sandra-Nikolai/e/B0087RR4XY/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1" target="_blank">Amazon Author site</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Trust-Michael-Elliott-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0772X1ZHY/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1509913800&sr=8-8&keywords=sandra++nikolai" target="_blank">Amazon Kindle</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Trust-Michael-Elliott-Mystery/dp/1989011012/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1509913800&sr=8-2&keywords=sandra++nikolai" target="_blank">Amazon Paperback</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: right 6.0in; text-autospace: none;">
<a href="https://www.books2read.com/u/mgNJv3" target="_blank">All bookstores</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SandraNikolaiAuthor" target="_blank">Facebook</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<a href="https://www.sandranikolai.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Twitter: @SandraNikolai</div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Joyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407242568018782961.post-20929318630038727242017-10-20T00:32:00.000-07:002017-10-20T00:32:46.556-07:00WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Leonora Meriel, Author<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A_HGNmiAipc/WeZJAeABbHI/AAAAAAAAE6E/LOd2uPpOazMZ3ER6bEgOc0sfcfmp3MzuQCLcBGAs/s1600/Leonora%2BMeriel_Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="199" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A_HGNmiAipc/WeZJAeABbHI/AAAAAAAAE6E/LOd2uPpOazMZ3ER6bEgOc0sfcfmp3MzuQCLcBGAs/s1600/Leonora%2BMeriel_Pic.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leonora Meriel, Author<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Woman-Behind-Waterfall-Leonora-Meriel-ebook/dp/B01M078MOF/ref=sr_1_2_twi_kin_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1508262906&sr=8-2&keywords=leonora+meriel" target="_blank">THE WOMAN BEHIND THE WATERFALL</a><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Unity-Game-Leonora-Meriel-ebook/dp/B072DWZBYC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1508262906&sr=8-1" target="_blank">THE UNITY GAME</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>When Leonora Meriel
starts to write a novel, she is never sure which genre will “rise most strongly
to the surface.” Whether she is bringing us the “magical realism” of her first
novel <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Woman-Behind-Waterfall-Leonora-Meriel-ebook/dp/B01M078MOF/ref=sr_1_2_twi_kin_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1508262906&sr=8-2&keywords=leonora+meriel" target="_blank">THE WOMAN BEHIND THE WATERFALL</a>, or the expanded realm of science fiction
in her most recent novel, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Unity-Game-Leonora-Meriel-ebook/dp/B072DWZBYC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1508262906&sr=8-1" target="_blank">THE UNITY GAME</a>, she writes to the perfection of
literary fiction. She creates characters who have flaws preferring the
grey-tones of real life to the black and white of heroes versus villains. Her
extensive travels have given her insight and the ability to stay open to the
uniqueness offered by other cultures and lifestyles.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Meriel shares her home
between London and Barcelona, and enjoys exploring the worlds offered by travel
as well as the world surrounding her two “interesting” children. She finds that
running helps to clear her mind. She is currently working on a new literary
fiction novel.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Your novels cross
genres. When telling your stories, do you consider what is the most appropriate
genre? Are some themes better told in specific genres? Is science fiction more
supportive of telling some stories and literary fiction others?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Leonora Meriel:</b> When
I set out to write a book, I usually have a myriad of ideas, but I am never
certain which ones are going to develop into the main story line. It takes a
few weeks of following different paths before I understand which central idea
lies the deepest in me and demands to be explored through the 3 – 5 years it
takes to perfect an entire novel. In the same way, those myriad ideas may each
fall into different genres, and so when I start a novel, I never know exactly
which genre will take precedence or which idea will rise most strongly to the
surface. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I enjoy mixing combinations of genres, however I see all of
the genre elements I use as existing beneath the umbrella of literary fiction,
which will always be my primary genre. My understanding of literary fiction is where
the quality and artistic value of the writing comes first, and the plot,
characters and everything else comes second. In pure genre fiction, this is
often the other way round.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Woman-Behind-Waterfall-Leonora-Meriel-ebook/dp/B01M078MOF/ref=sr_1_2_twi_kin_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1508262906&sr=8-2&keywords=leonora+meriel" target="_blank">THE WOMAN BEHIND THE WATERFALL</a> has been described as “magical realism”—an interesting and
appealing concept. How do you define magical realism? And how does THE WOMAN
BEHIND THE WATERFALL meet that definition?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Leonora Meriel:</b> I
define magical realism as a story that is at least 70% set in the accepted
world and society of humankind. The other 30% may be supernatural elements,
usually associated with the spirit world. In magical realism, the magic is not
at the center of the story, but it enhances the story. One could contrast this
with zombie or wizard genre fiction, where the supernatural elements are the
very core of the story. In magical realism, they are a feature that support a
central story told in the real world. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Woman-Behind-Waterfall-Leonora-Meriel-ebook/dp/B01M078MOF/ref=sr_1_2_twi_kin_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1508262906&sr=8-2&keywords=leonora+meriel" target="_blank">THE WOMAN BEHIND THE WATERFALL</a>, the main characters are a
mother and a daughter living in a village in western Ukraine. Their life is
simple and very rooted in everyday domestic tasks – fetching water from the
well, making a cake of honey and walnuts. The mother drinks vodka and struggles
with depression. Around this story, the spirit of the grandmother returns to a
nearby riverbank to help the mother overcome her unhappiness, and the daughter
finds she can merge into the spirit of nature around her. Thus, the central
story is the search for happiness, but the magical realism elements serve to
illustrate and enhance aspects of that journey.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: One reviewer
describes <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Unity-Game-Leonora-Meriel-ebook/dp/B072DWZBYC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1508262906&sr=8-1" target="_blank">THE UNITY GAME</a> as “sci-fi with a bit more of a deeper meaning” and
“deeply philosophical science fiction.” Others applaud “love of characters”
& “creative plot.” How did you conceive of the plot? Are you a SciFi fan?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Leonora Meriel:</b> I
love any writing that is brilliant, irrespective of genre, and some of the best
literature ever written is science fiction. A few of the books that have deeply
influenced me are Stanislaw Lem’s SOLARIS, Ursula Le Guin’s THE LEFT HAND OF
DARKNESS and more recently Ken Liu’s THE PAPER MENAGERIE. These are some of the
finest pieces of fiction ever written and the fact that they take place in
different worlds and dimensions makes them even more powerful and
transformative. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the key elements of great sci-fi is that it is always
deeply philosophical. Life on another planet will always cause us to consider
life on our own planet, and one of the key tasks of sci-fi is to question, to
provoke questions, to envision futures. It is perhaps the most challenging of
all genres, as it demands a relation to the current world and a relation to the
possible, in the way that fantasy (zombies and wizards) does not. When I
started writing <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Unity-Game-Leonora-Meriel-ebook/dp/B072DWZBYC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1508262906&sr=8-1" target="_blank">THE UNITY GAME</a> I had burning questions about the meaning of
everything, and I found that those questions did not fit into an Earth-based
plot. Sci-Fi enabled me to go as wide and deep and philosophical as I desired
in order to explore possible answers to those questions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: You travel
extensively and have lived in multiple countries with different cultures. How
does travel influence your writing, your characters, and your plots?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Leonora Meriel:</b> I
believe that travel is essential for a writer. Ideally, not only visiting, but
living in different cultures, and allowing those cultures to change you and
permanently open something new in your character and your soul. As children, we
are all immersed in the culture and thought-systems that we grow up with, and
the older we get, the harder it becomes to stop imbedded beliefs from
stagnating permanently inside you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that
part of a writer’s job is to battle against residual thought-patterns and to
strive to stay open to other ways of thinking and other cultures and other
perspectives. The writers and artists must be the ones in society who envision
new thought and futures and possibilities and cultures and societies. But this
new thinking will not come from dusty, inherited knowledge. Travel and new
cultures are essential to keeping minds and hearts open and receptive and
curious.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Reviewers claim
that <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Woman-Behind-Waterfall-Leonora-Meriel-ebook/dp/B01M078MOF/ref=sr_1_2_twi_kin_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1508262906&sr=8-2&keywords=leonora+meriel" target="_blank">THE WOMAN BEHIND THE WATERFALL</a> is “thought-provoking.” Did you intend for
the novel to deliver a message and make readers think? Or did you write it
primarily to entertain?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Leonora Meriel:</b> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Woman-Behind-Waterfall-Leonora-Meriel-ebook/dp/B01M078MOF/ref=sr_1_2_twi_kin_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1508262906&sr=8-2&keywords=leonora+meriel" target="_blank">THE WOMAN BEHIND THE WATERFALL</a> was my debut novel and my main goal was to write the
best possible book that I could. I had many ideas I wanted to write about but
there wasn’t a central message that I planned to convey. However I did have one
specific goal within the book, which was to portray the culture and land of
Ukraine, and allow readers in the west to experience a country where I had
lived for many years, and which was wildly beautiful. I am delighted that
reviewers have called it “thought-provoking” as that suggests that some of the
ideas that run through the novel have resonated with readers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: How do your
characters engage the reader? Why will readers care what happens to them? Are
they super-heroes or ordinary people in extraordinary situations? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Leonora Meriel:</b> My
characters are all ordinary people, and they all have a balance of strong
points and flaws. In my debut novel <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Woman-Behind-Waterfall-Leonora-Meriel-ebook/dp/B01M078MOF/ref=sr_1_2_twi_kin_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1508262906&sr=8-2&keywords=leonora+meriel" target="_blank">THE WOMAN BEHIND THE WATERFALL</a>, Lyuda
believes she has got everything in her life wrong and can’t bring herself to
embrace happiness. It is her seven-year old daughter, Angela, who forces her to
confront her issues and make a choice, but not without herself experiencing
some of the pain of the adult world.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In my second novel <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Unity-Game-Leonora-Meriel-ebook/dp/B072DWZBYC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1508262906&sr=8-1" target="_blank">THE UNITY GAME</a>, the hero is a New York
banker who is sucked into the addictive world of money and success and ego, but
finds he is unable to cope. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I try to make the characters I write extremely realistic, so
that even if the readers could not imagine themselves in that position, then
they clearly understand how the characters are in that position and why they
are taking the actions they choose. I truly believe that once we can see
through the eyes of another human being, then we will empathize with them
automatically, and this is one of the great tools open to writers – to draw
readers into worlds that they wouldn’t normally have access to – and to open
their minds and hearts just a little wider.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q:<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Woman-Behind-Waterfall-Leonora-Meriel-ebook/dp/B01M078MOF/ref=sr_1_2_twi_kin_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1508262906&sr=8-2&keywords=leonora+meriel" target="_blank"> THE WOMAN BEHIND THE WATERFALL</a> is set in Ukraine and one reviewer says that the reader will
“experience the authenticity of Ukrainian village life.” In addition, does the
story have a universal theme relevant to a spectrum of readers?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Leonora Meriel:</b> Yes,
it certainly does. The universal theme is – the search for happiness. Lyuda,
the main character, fights against depression every day. She has made mistakes
in her life, and she allows herself to live in the past, as I think many people
in the world do today. Her daughter, Angela, lives very much in the
moment-to-moment joy of everyday life – seeing the changing nature and seasons
around her, and the tiny details of the world as filled with happiness. Slowly,
she teaches her mother to live in the present and leave the dark past behind. In
this strange world we live in, I think that ‘what it means to be happy’ and
‘how to be happy’ are big questions that we all ask ourselves. In <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Woman-Behind-Waterfall-Leonora-Meriel-ebook/dp/B01M078MOF/ref=sr_1_2_twi_kin_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1508262906&sr=8-2&keywords=leonora+meriel" target="_blank">THE WOMAN BEHIND THE WATERFALL</a> I explore this from several points of view and I intended
it to be relevant to a wide spectrum of readers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Does the concept
of “heroes vs villains” apply to your story-telling? If so, can you describe
the characteristics of an effective villain? Can culture, mores, philosophies,
religion, or family traditions be considered villains?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Leonora Meriel:</b> I
don’t use the concept of “heroes” or “villains” in my novels, as this is a
simplistic view of people that fits better with genre fiction or with
children’s books. I am far more interested in shades of good and bad, and how
individuals struggle with the challenges of moving in directions that are more
or less harmful to them. Culture, mores, philosophies, religion, and family
traditions can certainly be used as villains within a story, but in this
“villainous” role they would act simultaneously as catalysts to provoke the
characters to certain actions. For example, in my most recent Sci-Fi novel THE
UNITY GAME, the alien character is emboldened to reject its home planet and its
philosophy once it has realized that there is no true free will there. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: What’s next?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Leonora Meriel:</b> A
new literary fiction novel. My aim is to write a novel without using any other
genres – a straightforward tale with some great quality writing. However,
neither of my novels so far has turned out to be how I envisioned them at the
beginning, so you’ll have to wait and see!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Tell us about
Leonora Meriel. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Leonora Meriel:</b> Exploring
is the main thing I do – which is really research as a writer. I love to
explore countries, cities, ways of life, new people, different personalities,
roles and also new worlds in books. I am the mother of two incredibly
interesting children, and I try to understand their world as it forms around
them. Apart from exploring, I love to run, which clears out all the thoughts
that have entirely filled my head. And visit the city of Barcelona as much as
possible, where there is so much creativity on every street corner, and
sunshine and laughter and sea. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About Leonora Meriel<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Leonora Meriel grew up in London and studied literature at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and Queen's University in Canada. She worked at the United Nations in New York, and then for a multinational law firm.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _GoBack;">In 2003 she moved from
New York to Kyiv, where she founded and managed Ukraine’s largest Internet
company. She studied at Kyiv Mohyla Business School and earned an MBA, which
included a study trip around China and Taiwan, and climbing to the top of
Hoverla, Ukraine’s highest peak and part of the Carpathian Mountains. She also
served as President of the International Women’s Club of Kyiv, a major local
charity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _GoBack;">During her years in
Ukraine, she learned to speak Ukrainian and Russian, witnessed two revolutions
and got to know an extraordinary country at a key period of its development.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In 2008, she decided to
return to her dream of being a writer, and to dedicate her career to
literature. In 2011, she completed <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Woman-Behind-Waterfall-Leonora-Meriel-ebook/dp/B01M078MOF/ref=sr_1_2_twi_kin_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1508262906&sr=8-2&keywords=leonora+meriel" target="_blank">THE WOMAN BEHIND THE WATERFALL</a>, set in a
village in western Ukraine. While her first novel was with a London agent,
Leonora completed her second novel <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Unity-Game-Leonora-Meriel-ebook/dp/B072DWZBYC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1508262906&sr=8-1" target="_blank">THE UNITY GAME</a>, set in New York City and on
a distant planet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _GoBack;">Leonora currently lives
in Barcelona and London and has two children. She is working on her third
novel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2l0l6hj-yos/WeZJTGUd8_I/AAAAAAAAE6I/qi7Rkyfj1a8-7_GZX3uXVax-V2lK_wufACLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BWoman%2BBehind%2BThe%2BWaterfall_Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2l0l6hj-yos/WeZJTGUd8_I/AAAAAAAAE6I/qi7Rkyfj1a8-7_GZX3uXVax-V2lK_wufACLcBGAs/s320/The%2BWoman%2BBehind%2BThe%2BWaterfall_Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Woman-Behind-Waterfall-Leonora-Meriel-ebook/dp/B01M078MOF/ref=sr_1_2_twi_kin_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1508262906&sr=8-2&keywords=leonora+meriel" target="_blank">THE WOMAN BEHIND THE WATERFALL</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _GoBack;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Heartbreak and transformation in the beauty of a Ukrainian village.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _GoBack;">For seven-year old
Angela, happiness is exploring the lush countryside around her home in western
Ukraine. Her wild imagination takes her into birds and flowers, and into the
waters of the river.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _GoBack;">All that changes when,
one morning, she sees her mother crying. As she tries to find out why, she is
drawn on an extraordinary journey into the secrets of her family, and her
mother's fateful choices.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _GoBack;">Can Angela lead her
mother back to happiness before her innocence is destroyed by the shadows of a
dark past?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _GoBack;">Beautiful, poetic and
richly sensory, this is a tale that will haunt and lift its readers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QkLiy-g3ZDc/WeZJcZBNq9I/AAAAAAAAE6M/wXTOwcv04EQXLowpnTcYUt8WAaUp-dysACLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BUnity%2BGame_Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="297" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QkLiy-g3ZDc/WeZJcZBNq9I/AAAAAAAAE6M/wXTOwcv04EQXLowpnTcYUt8WAaUp-dysACLcBGAs/s320/The%2BUnity%2BGame_Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Unity-Game-Leonora-Meriel-ebook/dp/B072DWZBYC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1508262906&sr=8-1" target="_blank">THE UNITY GAME</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What if the earth you
knew was just the beginning?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A New York banker is descending into madness. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A being from an advanced civilization is racing to stay
alive. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A dead man must unlock the secrets of an unknown dimension
to save his loved ones. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From the visions of Socrates in ancient Athens, to the birth
of free will aboard a spaceship headed to Earth, The Unity Game tells a story
of hope and redemption in a universe more ingenious and surprising than you
ever thought possible. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Metaphysical thriller
and interstellar mystery, this is a 'complex, ambitious and thought-provoking
novel' from an exciting and original new voice in fiction.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Links</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Purchase Links</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>THE WOMAN BEHIND THE WATERFALL</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Woman-Behind-Waterfall-Leonora-Meriel-ebook/dp/B01M078MOF/ref=sr_1_2_twi_kin_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1508262906&sr=8-2&keywords=leonora+meriel" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://nook.barnesandnoble.com/products/2940154669884/sample?sourceEan=9781911079231" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>THE UNITY GAME</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Unity-Game-Leonora-Meriel-ebook/dp/B072DWZBYC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1508262906&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-unity-game-leonora-meriel/1126177530?ean=9781911079439" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Author Links</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32172075-the-woman-behind-the-waterfall"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Goodreads</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></b><u><span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.leonorameriel.com/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Website</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/leonoramerielwriter"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Facebook</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://twitter.com/leonora_meriel/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Twitter</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Joyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407242568018782961.post-75130526300191851442017-10-18T00:14:00.000-07:002017-10-18T00:14:30.625-07:00CHECK IT OUT: Character Interview by Joyce T. Strand, Author <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-36bE0bWWuPk/WeVGuA5F1ZI/AAAAAAAAE5s/tvsiF0s0fSsS4XpDrc1nodEXgKyYmY3TwCLcBGAs/s1600/046erinkatephoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-36bE0bWWuPk/WeVGuA5F1ZI/AAAAAAAAE5s/tvsiF0s0fSsS4XpDrc1nodEXgKyYmY3TwCLcBGAs/s320/046erinkatephoto.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joyce T Strand, Author<br />
Dangerous Changes<br />
Coming November 8, 2017</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Following is an
interview with my newest character sleuth, Emily Lazzaro, who is here to
introduce the cover of her first mystery, </i>Dangerous Changes<i>, and let us know that the book will be
released on Wednesday, November 8, 2017.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fans of my other books
might recall that Emily is the daughter of the winemaker at Brynn Bancroft’s
Hilltop Sunset winery. When we last encountered her in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Overcast-Sunset-Brynn-Bancroft-Mystery-ebook/dp/B01M4P4S3Z/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1508256260&sr=8-1&keywords=joyce+t+strand" target="_blank">OVERCAST SUNSET</a>, she had just broken up with her fiancé and is heading back home to Ramona,
Calif. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hey, Emily Lazzaro. What do you think
about being the newest Joyce T. Strand sleuth in your first mystery, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dangerous Changes</i>?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Emily Lazzaro</b>:
I’m not so sure about it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Why? What’s
happening?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Emily Lazzaro:</b>
First, I broke up with my fiancé. Then I had a frightening experience on the
way home one night from a meeting where a pickup truck deliberately tried to
run me off a curvy mountain road. It was quite scary. Then the brother of
the man who tried to run me off the road…but I can’t go into that. Anyway I just
can’t seem to make the changes that will get me to where I want to go. Whenever
I try, something dangerous happens to me—there’s even been a murder. Can you
believe it?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: What changes do you
want to make?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Emily Lazzaro:</b> At
the moment, to make a living, I’m preparing taxes for people to make a living but I’d sure like
to make some changes to do something else. And my ex-finance keeps after
me—like he wants us to get back together. We’re still friends, and I help him
with his new business, but I’d like to look for a different relationship, and I’m not
at all interested in his new business. However, his vineyard that he purchased
just doesn’t provide him with enough money to make ends meet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: So what made you
decide to stay in the same town where your ex-fiancé lives? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Emily Lazzaro:</b> I
really like the rural community of Ramona. That’s another change I’d like to
make. I want to live here permanently. I love the unique rocky terrain and
proximity to the ocean and San Diego, along with the mixture of fine wineries,
artists, and equestrian focus. I want to live here and make my life here. But I
need to find a different career than that of tax preparer. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Thank you so much
for this interview. I can hardly wait for your first book which will be
released Wednesday, November 8, 2017.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4YSk_DneHvE/WeVHF3WIMBI/AAAAAAAAE5w/YF8C6m43hG0qwBba4HNTV4oLj3bDCKCfgCLcBGAs/s1600/DangerousChanges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4YSk_DneHvE/WeVHF3WIMBI/AAAAAAAAE5w/YF8C6m43hG0qwBba4HNTV4oLj3bDCKCfgCLcBGAs/s400/DangerousChanges.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About DANGEROUS
CHANGES<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A series of events rattle Emily Lazzaro: a near-death
encounter with a pickup on a narrow mountain road, the murder of a would-be
client, and an ex-fiancé who won’t let go. Can she survive a police
investigation, pressure from her ex’s company, and the suspicions of a possible
new love-interest—so that she can make the changes to create a meaningful new
life in a special town in southern California? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About Joyce T.
Strand, Author<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Joyce T. Strand is the author of who-done-it contemporary
and historical mysteries set in California. Actual events and/or real people
inspired all of her published novels, although they are definitely
fictionalized. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dangerous Changes</i> is
her ninth book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Strand headed corporate communications at several biotech
and high-tech companies in California's Silicon Valley for more than 25 years.
Unlike her protagonist Jillian Hillcrest, however, she did not encounter murder
in her career. She currently lives with her collection of cow statuary in Ramona, California, and enjoys exploring and writing about the growing wine region in
the Ramona Valley near San Diego.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0e0e0e; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Links<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Joyce-T.-Strand/e/B006GSKEBK/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1508196832&sr=8-2" target="_blank">Amazon author page</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Joyce+t+strand?_requestid=789186" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://joycestrand.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5385246.Joyce_T_Strand" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0e0e0e; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JoyceTStrandAuthor/" target="_blank">Facebook </a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Twitter: @joycetstrand </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Joyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407242568018782961.post-36544348942157253582017-10-13T03:49:00.000-07:002017-10-13T03:49:51.547-07:00CHECK IT OUT: New Release, SECRETS HIDDEN IN THE GLASS by Cate Beauman <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R61srJZ4kss/Wd2q_2jHMhI/AAAAAAAAE44/IZoc6iP_j444bAqoyGNWoQvACMq9p25igCLcBGAs/s1600/05%2BCate%2BProfile%2BPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R61srJZ4kss/Wd2q_2jHMhI/AAAAAAAAE44/IZoc6iP_j444bAqoyGNWoQvACMq9p25igCLcBGAs/s320/05%2BCate%2BProfile%2BPic.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cate Beauman, Author<br />
<a href="http://amzn.to/2gdOR0B" target="_blank">SECRETS HIDDEN IN THE GLASS</a><br />
and<br />
The Bodyguards of L.A. County series</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cate
Beauman just released her twelfth novel, <a href="http://amzn.to/2gdOR0B" target="_blank">SECRETS HIDDEN IN THE GLASS</a>. The
author of the best-selling Bodyguards of L.A. County series is introducing her
first non-Bodyguard<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>romantic
mystery set in Sanderson, Massachusetts, the fictitious, tiny town on the
equally made-up Carter Island. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Her
multi</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">award-winning</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bodyguards of L.A. County</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">series
has over 500,000 copies sold and a 4.4 rating with 8000+ reviews.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></i><i style="text-indent: 0in;">Although she does eventually plan to tell more Carter Island stories, she is currently working on a different project as her next publication.</i><b style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><i style="text-indent: 0in;">Cate lives
in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, and their St. Bernard.</i><br />
<i style="text-indent: 0in;"><br /></i>
<i style="text-indent: 0in;">In the following brief article, she explains the inspiration behind her newest novel.</i><br />
<i style="text-indent: 0in;"><br /></i>
<i style="text-indent: 0in;">Don't miss the excerpt and the opportunity to enter the chance to win one of five $10 Amazon gift cards at the end of the interview.</i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The
Inspiration Behind <a href="http://amzn.to/2gdOR0B" target="_blank">SECRETS HIDDEN IN THE GLASS</a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">By
Cate Beauman<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
I always find the process of writing
fascinating—imagining words and thoughts into subsistence that had once only
existed in my head. Oftentimes, the undertaking is daunting. Months of research,
careful plotting, planning, character development, and revising go into every
page. There are many moments of doubt and worry. On occasion, there’s even a
triumph or two. But finally, you type The End and you realize you’ve created a
miracle of sorts—a story to share with your eager readers who are always
waiting for what’s next. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
I had such fun telling Nate and
Callie’s adventure. There was something extra enjoyable about bringing
Sanderson, Massachusetts to life—the fictitious, tiny town on the equally
made-up Carter Island. Imagine dreaming up a beachy setting that gets to be exactly
what you want it to be. Add a group of intriguing (and on occasion quirky)
characters. Throw plenty of steamy romance and several sprinkles of mystery and
suspense into the mix and you’ve got yourself one heck of a good time. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About
Cate Beauman<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #111111;">International
bestselling author Cate Beauman is known for her full-length, action-packed
romantic suspense series, The Bodyguards of L.A. County. Her novels have been
nominated for the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award, National Indie
Excellence Award, Golden Quill Award, Writers Touch Award, Aspen Gold Award,
Heart of Excellence Award, and have been named Readers Favorite Five Star
books. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #111111;">In 2017
FINDING LYLA was chosen as the Booksellers Best Award Winner, the Maggie Award
For Excellence, and received the Holt Medallion Award. REAGAN'S REDEMPTION and
ANSWERS FOR JULIE were selected as rare co-winners of the Aspen Gold Award in
2016. JUSTICE FOR ABBY received the 2015 Readers' Favorite International Book
Award Gold Medal, while SAVING SOPHIE took the Silver Medal. SAVING SOPHIE was
also selected as the 2015 Readers Crown Award winner for Romantic Suspense and
FALLING FOR SARAH received the silver medal for the 2014 Readers' Favorite
Awards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #111111;">Cate makes
her home in North Carolina with her husband, two boys, and their St. Bernards,
Bear and Jack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #111111;">About <a href="http://amzn.to/2gdOR0B" target="_blank">SECRETS HIDDEN IN THE GLASS</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qswJrahdNuk/Wd2sM8tfiuI/AAAAAAAAE5A/wbT2DhdH8KQNQ-UTvGU0VJuiDutTn3Q1gCLcBGAs/s1600/04%2BSecrets%2BHidden%2Bin%2Bthe%2BGlass%2B-%2BEbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1003" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qswJrahdNuk/Wd2sM8tfiuI/AAAAAAAAE5A/wbT2DhdH8KQNQ-UTvGU0VJuiDutTn3Q1gCLcBGAs/s320/04%2BSecrets%2BHidden%2Bin%2Bthe%2BGlass%2B-%2BEbook.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Stained glass artist Callie Davis is
in desperate need of a vacation. Burnt out and on the edge of a nervous
breakdown, she’s fleeing the pressures of her career and is taking refuge on
Massachusetts’ tiny Carter Island. Callie yearns for long, lazy days and pretty
walks on the beach—blessed solitude and an escape from the complications of her
life. Then she bumps into gorgeous Nate Carter and everything changes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
Sheriff Nathan Carter couldn’t be
happier now that the height of the summer season has finally come and gone.
After four endless months, tourists have packed their bags and headed for the
mainland. The quiet days of autumn are about to befall the town—the way Nate
and his fellow Sandersonians like it best. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
But nothing ends up quite the way
Nate expects when he meets the beautiful blonde with the big blue eyes.
Callie’s pretty smiles hide secrets—deep, dark mysteries that could cost them
both their lives if they continue digging into the past and cross a killer’s
path.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Excerpt
from <a href="http://amzn.to/2gdOR0B" target="_blank">SECRETS HIDDEN IN THE GLASS </a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Callie held her head up to the brisk winds blowing off the
Atlantic as the ferry brought her closer to the island. She breathed in the
salty air, letting the gusty slaps of cold sting her cheeks while the boat cut
through the waters the clouds had cast a dismal gray. At two thirty this
morning she’d dreamt of sunshine and whale sightings on her travels north
toward the Hyannis Port docks, but choppy seas and intermittent raindrops were
better than spending one more minute in New York.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She shuddered as she thought of the city and glanced over
her shoulder, constantly on guard against the sense of unease she hadn’t been
able to shake for months—the need to run. Three weeks away in Europe promoting
her latest work was supposed to have helped. When that didn’t go as planned,
she’d been certain the four-week gallery tour she’d been contracted to attend
would have fixed everything, but nothing seemed to shake the restless, edgy
energy that kept her up most nights.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Facing forward again, she stared down at her white-knuckled
grip on the bold blue railing and commanded herself to relax, even as her
heartbeat began thrumming a frantic rhythm. She clutched the cool metal tighter
and closed her eyes, bracing for anxiety’s cruel surges of adrenaline that
often left her a pathetic, trembling mess. “Everything’s all right,” she
reassured herself, then let her head hang as she heard the lack of conviction
in her own voice, certain she was teetering on the perilous edge of a nervous
breakdown. For surely that’s what this had to be. She was officially
cracking—caving to the never-ending demands of her career and her sudden
inability to create.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Folks, take a moment and look straight ahead,” the boat’s
captain boomed through the speakers, startling Callie out of her thoughts.
“You’ll see Point West Lighthouse coming into view.”<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Callie opened her eyes and blinked, staring at the bright
beam of light far in the gloomy distance. <br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Point West Lighthouse has been a beacon of hope, welcoming
sailors home to Carter Island for nearly four hundred years,” the captain
continued in his strong Massachusetts accent.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Callie wiped her cheeks, finding comfort in the idea as she
studied the black-and-white stripes of the mighty island tower. What must it
have been like to battle raging storms and contend with months of endless seas,
then finally see the light? To have weathered the worst of it all and found
hope waiting on the other side? She longed to have an answer—and perhaps
someday she would. According to Captain Bob, the boat was due to dock in
fifteen minutes and her vacation would officially begin. She needed quiet—a few
weeks to pull herself together. Then maybe she could start to figure out when
it was that her life had started falling apart.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Links<o:p></o:p></b><br />
<b>Purchase Links</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2gdOR0B" target="_blank">Kindle US</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://bit.ly/SecretsInGlassCA" target="_blank">Kindle CA</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://bit.ly/SecretsInGlassUK" target="_blank">Kindle UK</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://bit.ly/SecretsInGlassAU" target="_blank">Kindle AU</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://bit.ly/SecretsInGlassKobo" target="_blank">Kobo</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://bit.ly/SecretsInGlassiBooks" target="_blank">iBooks</a></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://bit.ly/SecretsInGlassNook" target="_blank">Nook</a></span></div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b>Author Links</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cate-Beauman/e/B00A05KHVM/" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cate-beauman" target="_blank">BookBub</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/catebeauman" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://twitter.com/CateBeauman">Twitter: @CateBeauman</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.catebeauman.com/" target="_blank">webpage</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/CateBeauman" target="_blank">Facebook</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.instagram.com/cate_beauman_author" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0735126856/?widget_template=54b45b1362a2259b378f53fb" target="_blank">Rafflecopter Page Link</a> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: small;">Click here to enter </span>chance to win one of five<span style="font-size: small;"> $10 Amazon gift card.</span></span></b></div>
</div>
<script https:="" launch.js="" src="<a href=" widget-prime.rafflecopter.com=""><span style="color:#0950D0">https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js</span></a>"></script>Joyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407242568018782961.post-16153934636184786672017-10-03T00:07:00.000-07:002017-10-03T00:07:46.216-07:00WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Saiswaroopa Iyer, Author<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TsKs6LYAn3g/WdA2EVSKHDI/AAAAAAAAE3w/0rLacTMdfFs7FgZtTeq5yz6LIH6ZAmCwgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG-20161125-WA0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TsKs6LYAn3g/WdA2EVSKHDI/AAAAAAAAE3w/0rLacTMdfFs7FgZtTeq5yz6LIH6ZAmCwgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG-20161125-WA0001.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saiswaroopa Iyer, Author<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Avishi-Vishpala-Rig-Veda-Reimagined-ebook/dp/B074MZV8MZ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506817933&sr=8-1&keywords=avishi" target="_blank">AVISHI</a><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Abhaya-Legend-Diwali-Narakasura-Reimagined-ebook/dp/B018ITMZ3Y/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">ABHAYA</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Saiswaroopa Iyer’s novel, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Avishi-Vishpala-Rig-Veda-Reimagined-ebook/dp/B074MZV8MZ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506817933&sr=8-1&keywords=avishi" target="_blank">AVISHI</a> has been described by
reviewers as “Great fiction set in early days of Indian civilization” and “an
out and out thriller” that is “gripping.” She writes her novels to remind us of
our past and claims that “My characters drive me to write.” Although a novel set in the past, she researched the setting to assure accuracy from a “civilizational
aspect.” She also believes the themes and story are universal even though set
in India.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Formerly an analyst at a venture capital firm, Iyer today
lives in London where she enjoys writing her novels. She enjoys traveling,
especially to locations that are of historical interest. She is currently writing
a sequel to her first novel, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Abhaya-Legend-Diwali-Narakasura-Reimagined-ebook/dp/B018ITMZ3Y/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">ABHAYA</a>. </i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: What inspired you
to write about and re-imagine Vishpala of the Rig Ved in your book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Avishi-Vishpala-Rig-Veda-Reimagined-ebook/dp/B074MZV8MZ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506817933&sr=8-1&keywords=avishi" target="_blank">AVISHI</a>? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Saiswaroopa Iyer</b>:
I stumbled upon Vishpala, mentioned in the Rig Veda when I was searching for
ancient women warriors of India. According to Rig Veda, Vishpala loses her leg
in a nocturnal battle and is granted a metal leg by Ashvinas, the divine
physicians. The hymn mentioning her is also the very first reference to
prosthesis in world literature. A bit more of reading about the Rig Vedic
society revealed a very <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>egalitarian ancient civilization
which I felt should stay fresh in the modern mind trying to find solutions for
the various problems we face today. Avishi is a humble attempt in reimagining
that world with an inspiringly strong woman at the helm.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: How do you make
your characters credible? Why will your readers care about what happens to
them?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Saiswaroopa Iyer</b>:
My characters drive me to write. They are driven by their goals which compels
me to write about them, draw inspiration from them, seek answers from them and
take up the challenges they pose me. I think this is the combination that makes
them stay alive through the writing process and write their own story. I
strongly believe that lively characters have their own way of making the
readers root for them, hate them, love them and form that kinship with them as
they progress through the book.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: How important was
historical accuracy and setting to tell your story?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Saiswaroopa Iyer</b>:
Setting of the story requires a lot of accuracy from civilizational aspect. The
tools, lifestyle, social constructs, etc matter a lot in the process of world
creation. That does not mean that we don’t have creative liberty. But honest
research into facts will also help in channelizing and deploying creative
liberty effectively. For eg, I was able to imagine an ancient society where
marital constructs were not yet defined only after an examination of evolution
of wedlock as an institution. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although your book is set in India, do
you believe that the message and story are universal?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Saiswaroopa Iyer</b>:
Every message of Rig Veda (and the rest of Vedas too) is universal. I love
India. But the very charm of India starting right from the dawn of civilization
has been that the Indic thought keeps universal wellness ahead. While the
civilizational aspects might seem intriguing to a western reader, I believe
there is something for everyone to connect.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Does the concept
of hero versus villain apply to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Avishi-Vishpala-Rig-Veda-Reimagined-ebook/dp/B074MZV8MZ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506817933&sr=8-1&keywords=avishi" target="_blank">AVISHI</a>? What are the characteristics of an
effective villain?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Saiswaroopa Iyer</b>:
An interesting question. I believe any story that seeks to grip the reader
attention needs these two poles. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
makes a hero and what makes a villain (and what makes the rest)? I believe it
is the series of choices one makes through the course of their journey and how
they face conflicts, deal with the intrigues of fate, make tough choices. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Did you write
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Avishi-Vishpala-Rig-Veda-Reimagined-ebook/dp/B074MZV8MZ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506817933&sr=8-1&keywords=avishi" target="_blank">AVISHI </a>strictly to entertain or did you embed some key messages or themes to
deliver to your readers?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Saiswaroopa Iyer</b>:
I wrote Avishi to mainly invoke the civilizational past, which I hope will help
us in remembering the civilizational past and connecting to our strong willed
ancestors. As for delivering messages, I leave it to my characters and my
readers to gather their own meanings <span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: One reviewer calls
your book “gripping.” How do you create suspense to cause your readers to want
to turn the pages?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Saiswaroopa Iyer</b>:
Thank you for going through the reviews! Pace and tautness is something that we
writers learn in our own journey of writing. It comes from practice and
self-critiquing asking ourselves every now and then, “does this
sentence/paragraph/page prod the reader to go to the next?” or “Does this leave
the reader with sufficient intrigue to get back?” I admit it is not easy. But
doable and exciting!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: What caused you to
switch careers from investment analyst to writing?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Saiswaroopa Iyer</b>:
Writing (Storytelling to be specific) was something I always had in mind. For
many years my day job did not leave me enough bandwidth to pursue it full time.
But my move to London a couple of years back made it amenable to me to pursue
writing and also learn about publishing industry.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: What’s next?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Saiswaroopa Iyer</b>:
I am writing the sequel to my first novel <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Abhaya-Legend-Diwali-Narakasura-Reimagined-ebook/dp/B018ITMZ3Y/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">ABHAYA</a>, temporarily titled as Daughter
of Mura. It is the story of a young girl who briefly appears in Abhaya but will
have adventures of her own in the upcoming book. It would be a standalone
novella but set in the ‘Abhaya universe’.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Tell us about Saiswaroopa
Iyer. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Saiswaroopa Iyer</b>:
Read and listen to lecture series on topics of my interest. I love travelling
and visiting places of historical importance. I love to spend quality time with
my family. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">About </span>Saiswaroopa Iyer</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Formerly an analyst with a Venture capital
firm, Saiswaroopa's interests include Startups, Economics, Carnatic Music,
Philosophy, Politics, History and Literature of India. She won a state level
gold medal from TTD in rendering Annamacharya Kritis. She holds an MBA from Indian
Institute of Technology Kharagpur</span>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Avishi-Vishpala-Rig-Veda-Reimagined-ebook/dp/B074MZV8MZ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506817933&sr=8-1&keywords=avishi" target="_blank">AVISHI</a></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Long
before the times of Draupadi and Sita</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">Immortalised in the hymns of Rig Veda</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">But forgotten to the memory of India</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">The Warrior Queen with an iron leg, Vishpala<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Brought up in the pristine forest school of Naimisha,
Avishi reaches the republic of Ashtagani in </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNpFmqbRBvI/WdA2UNSDEII/AAAAAAAAE30/8yBOwirh2JYJxUBjibnAEXztsnLcIYb8gCLcBGAs/s1600/Avishi%2BFinal%2BCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNpFmqbRBvI/WdA2UNSDEII/AAAAAAAAE30/8yBOwirh2JYJxUBjibnAEXztsnLcIYb8gCLcBGAs/s320/Avishi%2BFinal%2BCover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
search of her destiny. When Khela,
the oppressive King of the neighbouring Vrishabhavati begins to overwhelm and
invade Ashtagani, Avishi rises to protect her settlement, but at a high cost.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Separated from her love, her settlement broken, with a
brutal injury needing amputation of her leg, can Avishi overcome Khela?</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">If stories about ancient India, especially those
with strong women characters interest you, then Avishi is a story you must
read!</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Links<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.amazon.in/Avishi-Vishpala-Rig-Veda-Reimagined-ebook/dp/B074MZV8MZ/" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://saiswaroopa.com/" target="_blank">Website </a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSaiswaroopa/" target="_blank">Facebook</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14706559.Saiswaroopa_Iyer" target="_blank">Goodreads </a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://eepurl.com/csOFLL" target="_blank">Newsletter</a></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Twitter address <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- @Sai_swaroopa<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ply6agdTIbo/WdHguawhCXI/AAAAAAAAE4E/HztkH3qGp8ssw541QyJfBlEznxWIcTpawCLcBGAs/s1600/Banner-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="811" height="119" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ply6agdTIbo/WdHguawhCXI/AAAAAAAAE4E/HztkH3qGp8ssw541QyJfBlEznxWIcTpawCLcBGAs/s320/Banner-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<!-- start InLinkz script --></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<script type="text/javascript"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal">
document.write('<scr' + 'ipt type="text/javascript"
src="https://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=739095&' + new Date().getTime()
+ '"><\/script>');</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal">
</script></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<!-- end InLinkz script --></div>
<br /></div>
Joyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407242568018782961.post-41549233377732631792017-09-21T21:25:00.000-07:002017-09-22T07:13:20.068-07:00WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: James P. Wilcox, Author<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7Xq4qoPdww/WcSMVeToytI/AAAAAAAAE3M/2rPCaAwZXYUoNLAWqGWZV1ik9dY0HW_jACLcBGAs/s1600/mug-jw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="334" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7Xq4qoPdww/WcSMVeToytI/AAAAAAAAE3M/2rPCaAwZXYUoNLAWqGWZV1ik9dY0HW_jACLcBGAs/s320/mug-jw.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James P. Wilcox, Author<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fall-Grace-James-P-Wilcox-ebook/dp/B075G13V3D/ref=la_B005IGG5G4_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505845075&sr=1-1" target="_blank">A FALL FROM GRACE</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>James P. Wilcox just
released his thriller <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fall-Grace-James-P-Wilcox-ebook/dp/B075G13V3D/ref=la_B005IGG5G4_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505845075&sr=1-1" target="_blank">A FALL FROM GRACE</a> about a terrorist attack against the
American Catholic Church. In the belief that plausibility is a key attribute of
suspense, he creates characters that are realistic and "well-rounded humans," whether they are heroes or villains. </i><i>He typically first
visualizes a scene before writing it and credits this process to his background
as a photographer and reporter.</i><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--EndFragment--><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small; font-style: italic;">Today Wilcox is a high school
social studies teacher—an activity he says helps him to envision his story in a
way to tell it to his readers similar to how</span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small; font-style: italic;"> he tells his students about events in history. </span><i>He has written two other novels— </i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sex-Lies-Classroom-James-Wilcox-ebook/dp/B003I84MBE/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1506053720&sr=8-5&keywords=james+P+wilcox" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">SEX, LIES, AND THE CLASSROOM </a><i>and</i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/M-16-Agenda-James-P-Wilcox-ebook/dp/B003UV8LZM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1506053720&sr=8-3&keywords=james+P+wilcox" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank"> THE M-16 AGENDA </a><i>in addition to the International
Bestseller </i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Child-James-P-Wilcox-ebook/dp/B00BUHGWOU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1506053720&sr=8-2&keywords=james+P+wilcox" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">MIRACLE CHILD</a><i>. He is currently working on his fourth novel, and lives
in Kansas City with his wife and three children.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: What led you to
think of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fall-Grace-James-P-Wilcox-ebook/dp/B075G13V3D/ref=la_B005IGG5G4_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505845075&sr=1-1" target="_blank">A FALL FROM GRACE</a>? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">James P. Wilcox:</b> I
have been toying around with the idea for <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fall-Grace-James-P-Wilcox-ebook/dp/B075G13V3D/ref=la_B005IGG5G4_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505845075&sr=1-1" target="_blank">A FALL FROM GRACE </a>for several years
now. Honestly, I got the original idea on a Sunday morning, day-dreaming at
church. I was thinking about what would happen if there was a terrorist attack
on my church, during mass. I then started thinking about what kind of person
would stand up to the terrorists. David, the main character of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fall-Grace-James-P-Wilcox-ebook/dp/B075G13V3D/ref=la_B005IGG5G4_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505845075&sr=1-1" target="_blank">A FALL FROM GRACE,</a> was born in my mind that day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Your books cross
genres and include poetry, thrillers, and non-fiction. Do you have a favorite?
Do you believe that different writing approaches can help “tell your story”
more readily? That is, can you express some stories better in poetry and others
with fiction and/or non-fiction?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">James P. Wilcox:</b> I
know I should probably care about genres and what genre my work falls in, but I
really don’t care about genres very much. I just enjoy trying to tell a good
story and I enjoy writing. Although I published a poetry collection, I wrote
most of the poems during high school and college, as that was the writing
format that worked the best for me at the time. I did include some recent
poems, but poetry simply is not my primary writing format anymore. Anyone who
has read any of my novels knows that they are hard to put in any particular
genre. They are all hybrids, which is one of the reasons I like them so much.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Reviewers of a
previous fiction book highlight your “strong characters.” How do you engage
readers to care about your characters? What makes them strong?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">James P. Wilcox:</b> I
try to make my characters as realistic as possible and I try to make them well-rounded
“humans.” I try to show both the good and the not so good qualities of each
character, regardless of whether they are considered the hero or the villain. I
also try to show the motivation of each character. I don’t write a character as
good or as evil simply for the sake of making them good or evil. I try to show
what makes the good or evil and the motivation behind the actions. I spend a
lot of time thinking about and getting to know my characters, which is one of
the reasons it takes me a long time to write each one of my books.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: How supportive is
setting to tell your story <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fall-Grace-James-P-Wilcox-ebook/dp/B075G13V3D/ref=la_B005IGG5G4_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505845075&sr=1-1" target="_blank">A FALL FROM GRACE</a>? Could it be told in any time
period or in any city? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">James P. Wilcox:</b> The
setting certainly frames the story of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fall-Grace-James-P-Wilcox-ebook/dp/B075G13V3D/ref=la_B005IGG5G4_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505845075&sr=1-1" target="_blank">A FALL FROM GRACE</a> and it is clearly set
in our present day world. Ultimately though, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fall-Grace-James-P-Wilcox-ebook/dp/B075G13V3D/ref=la_B005IGG5G4_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505845075&sr=1-1" target="_blank">A FALL FROM GRACE</a> is a timeless
story of good versus evil and the lengths people will go to in order to reach
their goals. The story could hold up, with some adjustment, if it was set in
the past or in the future. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Are you able to
use your background as a reporter, news photographer, or teacher to tell your
stories? Does your background influence your writing?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">James P. Wilcox:</b> I
learned how to write as a newspaper reporter and I learned how to think
visually as a photographer. Both of these skills are critical to the writing
process, at least for me. I usually “see” the scene as a picture in my mind
before I actually start writing. Once I have the picture in my head, it is then
simply a matter of describing, in as much detail as possible, what I already
see. As a History teacher, I am telling stories each and every day, but with
time restrictions. Teaching helps me pick out the important information, and I
get to practice telling the story of American history in language that everyone
can understand. I definitely think my background in teaching and journalism
have made me a better writer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: What do you
believe are the key attributes of a thriller? How do you develop suspense in A
FALL FROM GRACE to keep readers turning the page? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">James P. Wilcox:</b> I
think the key attribute of a thriller is that it needs to be plausible. The readers
have to believe that the story could actually happen in the “real” world and
the characters have to behave like “real” people. If I put my characters in
completely unbelievable situations, or that react in unbelievable ways to the
situations they find themselves in, then I lose the readers. What I strive to
do is create characters the reader can relate to, and hopefully care about,
then put them in realistic situations, and then let the suspense build around
them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does the concept of “hero versus
villain” apply to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fall-Grace-James-P-Wilcox-ebook/dp/B075G13V3D/ref=la_B005IGG5G4_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505845075&sr=1-1" target="_blank">A FALL FROM GRACE</a>? What are the characteristics of an
effective villain?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">James P. Wilcox:</b> There
are certainly characters in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fall-Grace-James-P-Wilcox-ebook/dp/B075G13V3D/ref=la_B005IGG5G4_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505845075&sr=1-1" target="_blank">A FALL FROM GRACE </a>who can be considered heroes and
some who can be considered villains but I try to spend as much time developing
my villains as I do my heroes. I actually want readers to make a connection to
my villain, as well as my heroes. An effective villain is simply a well-written
hero who made some “bad” decisions, although they may think what they are doing
is right. I try to make my heroes and villains a difference in perspective
because real life is rarely black and white. The world is full of shades of
grey and writing about the gray makes both the heroes and villains believable.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Do you write to
deliver a message? Or do you write only to entertain your readers?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">James P. Wilcox:</b> That
really depends on what I am writing. Obviously when I was writing Miracle
Child, which tells the story of what happened when my son Nathaniel was born
sixteen weeks early, I was hoping to convey hope to every parent, to every
family who is faced with a situation similar to ours. I was also hoping to show
the power of faith, of hope, of love, and of family.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I write fiction, my number one goal is to entertain the
readers. Having grown up as an avid reader, I just love reading a good story
and I hope I can provide readers with good stories that reflect the world we
live in today. I am not shy about what I write about though. Whether it be race
relations, terrorism, or politics, I do hope that my stories will make my
readers ask questions about uncomfortable topics and become more informed.
Ultimately, whether I write poetry, fiction, or non-fiction, I hope the readers
enjoy reading my work as much as I enjoy writing them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: I know you’ve just
finished <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fall-Grace-James-P-Wilcox-ebook/dp/B075G13V3D/ref=la_B005IGG5G4_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505845075&sr=1-1" target="_blank">A FALL FROM GRACE,</a> but what’s next?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am already working on a follow-up to my debut novel Sex,
Lies, and the Classroom tentatively titled Sacrificing Tyresha. I have also
started a family drama titled Wrestling Louise Braille. On top of that, I have
an idea for a dystopian novel tentatively titled Saving Christ. Of course, I
really don’t think I am finished with David, Alanna, and O’Malley and hope to
continue their story in a follow up to A FALL FROM GRACE. I don’t have a
working title yet, but hope to have one soon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Tell us about
James P. Wilcox. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not much to tell really. I am a busy husband and dad, who
teaches high school Social Studies during the day and tries to get some writing
done at night between all of the soccer, volleyball, basketball, cross country,
and softball practices, games and meets, Scout meetings, and errand running
that are required each day. In what little free time I have, I enjoy watching
(or listening) to Kansas City Royals baseball, taking pictures, and reading
books.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About James P. Wilcox</b>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
James Wilcox, a former newspaper photographer and writer, is
currently a high school social studies teacher in Kansas City, where he lives
with his wife and three children. James is also the author of novels <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sex-Lies-Classroom-James-Wilcox-ebook/dp/B003I84MBE/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1506053720&sr=8-5&keywords=james+P+wilcox" target="_blank">SEX, LIES, AND THE CLASSROOM </a>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/M-16-Agenda-James-P-Wilcox-ebook/dp/B003UV8LZM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1506053720&sr=8-3&keywords=james+P+wilcox" target="_blank">THE M-16 AGENDA</a></i>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fall-Grace-James-P-Wilcox-ebook/dp/B075G13V3D/ref=la_B005IGG5G4_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505845075&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A FALL FROM GRACE</i>,</a> as well as a work of poetry title <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Musings of a Particular Bear: A Poetry
Collection</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is also the
author of the #1 International Bestseller <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Child-James-P-Wilcox-ebook/dp/B00BUHGWOU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1506053720&sr=8-2&keywords=james+P+wilcox" target="_blank">MIRACLE CHILD</a></i>. James is currently working on his fourth novel.<span style="font-family: "book antiqua"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ABOUT <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fall-Grace-James-P-Wilcox-ebook/dp/B075G13V3D/ref=la_B005IGG5G4_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505845075&sr=1-1" target="_blank">A FALL FROM GRACE</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">David never
intended to become a soldier. He planned on following his faith and become a
Catholic priest. The Church, however, had other ideas for his future.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cEHLG8pbSDE/WcSMl-E7NII/AAAAAAAAE3Q/WTykecBcPJM69npJAmRAVNnbdDNbuDHlACLcBGAs/s1600/fall%2Bfrom%2Bgrace-cover-high%2Bres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cEHLG8pbSDE/WcSMl-E7NII/AAAAAAAAE3Q/WTykecBcPJM69npJAmRAVNnbdDNbuDHlACLcBGAs/s320/fall%2Bfrom%2Bgrace-cover-high%2Bres.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After Father Reed
is found dead in Philadelphia, David is sent by the Vatican to assist Detective
Peter O'Malley in the murder investigation. What they find is a terrorist plot to
unleash a jihad against th<span class="textexposedshow">e Catholic Church in
America.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Racing against time, David and
O’Malley try to prevent a holy war. When his mother and his former girlfriend
become targets, David discovers just how far he will go to protect his loved
ones and his Church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _GoBack;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Excerpt </span></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A dry and blistered hand, with skin browned by near
continual exposure to the sun, reaches out and grasps the scorching metal
barrel of the AK-47 Russian-made machine gun. Giving the barrel a quick tug,
the strap settles more comfortably across his back. Rolling his shoulders
beneath the familiar weight of the weapon, Saladin pulls on the reins and then
reaches into the saddlebag riding along the rich chocolate brown of his
Arabian’s right flank, and pulls out a pair of Bushnell Legend Ultra HD
binoculars. Lifting them to his eyes, he scans the barren valley that stretches
out in front of him, concentrating on the cluster of five mud huts built along
the face of the mountain cliffs, which run along the eastern length of the
valley.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seen from an elevation of eight hundred feet, the village,
if it can be called a village, appears deserted, but Saladin knows what to look
for. After slowly scanning the valley from north to south, Saladin makes a
slight adjustment to the focus and then settles in for a long look at the
largest hut. After ten minutes, his patience is rewarded by a brief glimpse of
the midnight black hair of a horse’s tail swishing past the northeastern corner
of the hut. Pulling the binoculars from his eyes, Saladin tucks them back into
his pack before standing in the stirrups and swinging his left leg over the
beast’s rump, deliberately climbing off his horse’s back. A smile creeps across
his face as he begins leading the animal down the barely discernible track
among the rocks to the valley floor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Quickly dropping down below the
reach of the sun, Saladin shivers against the chill contained within the
valley’s shadow. Dressed in the <i>salwar kameez</i>—traditional Afghan
clothing consisting of baggy white cotton trousers, which stop just above the
ankles, and a loose-fitting forest-green tunic, which ends just above the
knee—and his <i>pakol,</i> the wide wool hat encircled by a thick rolled brim
made famous by the Mujahedeen during their war with the Soviets, he considers
wrapping himself in his <i>patoos</i>, warm wool blanket, before moving deeper
into the valley.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“<i>Allahu Akbar</i>,” he whispers to himself, ignoring the
chill, while quickening his pace toward his destination.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moving among the rocks, Saladin runs his upcoming meeting,
the meeting in which he will change the course of Western history, through his
mind. As the undisputed leader of the <i>Ghazwa</i>, a secretive group of
terrorists and assassins whose name specifically refers to the battles led by
the Prophet Muhammad, Saladin has the power to compel select imam, mullahs and
militia chieftains from across the Middle East to gather in this remote location
in Nangarhar’s rugged Khogyani district. As the planner and financier of most
terrorist activity in the Middle East, he has the right to announce the next
phase of jihad, holy war, against Islam’s Western enemies.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Links<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fall-Grace-James-P-Wilcox-ebook/dp/B075G13V3D/ref=la_B005IGG5G4_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505845075&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/James-P-Wilcox-Author-138615939640998/" target="_blank">Facebook</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jameswilcox33/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://jamespwilcox.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Twitter: @m16agenda</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Joyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407242568018782961.post-91834014088760645702017-09-17T18:43:00.000-07:002017-09-19T16:52:41.387-07:00SPECIAL FEATURE: The Mystery of a Setting<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-db7qI9LE_Vk/Wb8N9fbYDzI/AAAAAAAAE1U/iT3Uk0x5wYIKyB0MoYbIcxFXd-sID_IlQCLcBGAs/s1600/046erinkatephoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-db7qI9LE_Vk/Wb8N9fbYDzI/AAAAAAAAE1U/iT3Uk0x5wYIKyB0MoYbIcxFXd-sID_IlQCLcBGAs/s320/046erinkatephoto.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joyce T. Strand, Author</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">I started to write mystery
novels in 2009. Those of you who follow me know that I selected the genre based
on my love of reading all types of mysteries or suspense thrillers—noir, spy,
cozy, hard-boiled, contemporary, historical. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">In a <a href="http://strandssimplytips.blogspot.com/2017/06/special-feature-mystery-of-sleuth.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>, I divulged that for me the first
step in writing a mystery is to develop the character/sleuth who would drive the
plot.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">The second most important
element is selecting a setting—a place and time in which to place my sleuth.
All eight of my published mysteries have been set in California—San Francisco in
1912, Ventura in 1939 and contemporary Silicon Valley and Sonoma wine country.</span></i><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">My ninth mystery, coming in
November 2017, is set in a small rural town in Southern California near San
Diego—an area that offers a wide spectrum of events and interesting locales. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">The following article explains
how and why I selected this location—aside from the fact that I live there!</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9.0pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Mystery of a Setting<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Setting can drive a
mystery, its sleuth, or its villains—and even become a character itself.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The elements of a mystery plot—sleuth/protagonist, setting,
villain/antagonist, red herrings, crime—blend together to create the puzzle for
readers to put together piece by piece, chapter by chapter. They all
contribute.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I always begin my mysteries with my sleuth. However, I have also discovered
that the time period and location can help drive the plot and develop my characters. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I turned to some of my favorite mysteries, I quickly
learned that many successful authors have done the same—they use setting to develop their characters and the mystery.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An outstanding example is Agatha Christie’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Murder on the Orient Express. </i>The famous
detective Hercule Poirot has to solve a murder and learn about the characters—from
a moving train. Another example is Dick Francis who set his thrillers around horse racing in the UK.
His amateur sleuths—often jockeys—must solve horse-related crimes. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even procedurals are often heavily influenced by their
surroundings – Los Angeles is prevalent in Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch
mysteries. And we usually envisage Mickey Spillane in L.A. Or think about
Sherlock Holmes in foggy London. And it’s likely Quebec comes to mind when we
envision Louise Penny’s Chief Inspector Armand Gamache solving murders. And how
does Nero Wolfe manage to solve all those crimes never leaving his office?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cPOmU9BbdH8/Wb8mPcaUQDI/AAAAAAAAE2Q/FxJSgdjvmC87EMY8HGlxvm8qPV6cMaKHACLcBGAs/s1600/welcome_to_ramona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="360" height="133" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cPOmU9BbdH8/Wb8mPcaUQDI/AAAAAAAAE2Q/FxJSgdjvmC87EMY8HGlxvm8qPV6cMaKHACLcBGAs/s200/welcome_to_ramona.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Therefore when it came time to start a new trilogy with a
new amateur sleuth I considered the setting carefully.<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">My new sleuth, Emily Lazzaro, is the daughter of the Sonoma
winemaker in my earlier Brynn Bancroft mysteries. She grew up in the wine
region of Sonoma learning about winemaking. It turns out that she wants to work in the hospitality industry, in which she has earned a
degree. So when her fiancé invites her to move to an up-and-coming wine region
near San Diego, she readily agreed believing that she could be in charge of
managing a winery.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n84nWnZr81Y/Wb8m09eATfI/AAAAAAAAE2Y/xZsTP6kMJrUYIq6LbV16419vFJxuJgD7wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n84nWnZr81Y/Wb8m09eATfI/AAAAAAAAE2Y/xZsTP6kMJrUYIq6LbV16419vFJxuJgD7wCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_0911.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iPn4Bk_4-iA/Wb8lZlugm9I/AAAAAAAAE2M/Z15RUbIYs_YAgsG5IlwxZ9zIIJIpjQJHgCEwYBhgL/s1600/1239030_10151673076276848_1698719990_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iPn4Bk_4-iA/Wb8lZlugm9I/AAAAAAAAE2M/Z15RUbIYs_YAgsG5IlwxZ9zIIJIpjQJHgCEwYBhgL/s200/1239030_10151673076276848_1698719990_n.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
By placing her in Ramona, Calif., she <span style="text-align: center;">comes to appreciate the </span><span style="text-align: center;">potential of a rural equestrian community with a wine
industry, a hefty artist community, growing restaurants, picturesque rocky
views, fresh produce—all located within forty minutes of downtown San Diego. Given the blending of these features,
she decides she wants to live there. However, when she breaks up with her
fiancé she realizes she needs to make some changes to create a living enabling
her to stay.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">This heightens her hospitality instincts as she searches for
a better paying job, and also enables the introduction of red herrings and plot
complications specific to the region that draw her deeper into the mystery.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She becomes involved in a
murder, a love interest who doesn’t trust her, a new enterprise, and other
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dangerous Changes</i> in her life so that she can live in what has
become to her a special town.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the plot evolves so does Emily—driven by her own
background and characteristics—but also by the setting. Events and happenings in her chosen community mold the changes she needs to make.<br />
<br />
Bottom line: by using an intriguing
locale and time period readers become engaged more with the characters and are drawn deeper into solving the mystery.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Joyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407242568018782961.post-21772966224450082382017-09-01T08:07:00.000-07:002017-09-01T16:24:23.217-07:00CHECK IT OUT: New Release OUTSIDE by Natasha S. Brown<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com/2017/06/book-tour-outsider-time-of-myths.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4211/35316429341_02fa5748f6_o.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Outsider-Time-Myths-Shapeshifter-Sagas-ebook/dp/B0719M79S2" rel="nofollow" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img height="400" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4276/35406420516_8481181e3d_o.jpg" width="266" /></a><b>NEW RELEASE...</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the western highlands of Scotland, a springtime storm pummels the coast while Kristie's brother is out fishing. When he fails to return home, Kristie turns away from her list of chores to search the loch in an effort to ease her pregnant sister-in-law's fears. Instead of finding Domnall, she discovers a naked and battered man washed up on shore and worries he could be a thieving reiver or worse--an Englishman.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When the handsome outsider wakes, he is unable to remember who he is or how he came to be there. Although the feisty and melancholy Kristie isn't keen on him remaining, her young neighbor, Jock, takes to the playful stranger and names Creag after the rocky crags where the loch meets the sea. Not long after the lad speaks of selkies, magical seals who shed their skins to live as humans, Creag dreams he is swimming deep beneath the waves.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kristie is desperate to keep the farm running for her missing brother while Creag's sleep is filled with strange visions--glimpses that may reveal secrets to his past, but he may soon wish they were only a dream.</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-0960c071-3df5-8204-7c45-6b6a4fc12809" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">**CONTENT WARNING: Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+**</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>TIME OF MYTHS </b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Shapeshifter Sagas </i>{Western European Myths from the Middle Ages}</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Widow {13thc. | Black Shuck | England}</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scars {10thc. | Fenrir | Iceland}</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tides {10thc. | Kraken | Great Britain/Ireland}</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Outsider {14thc. | Selkie | Scotland}</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Available to buy from....</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Outsider-Time-Myths-Shapeshifter-Sagas-ebook/dp/B0719M79S2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Amazon.com</span></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Outsider-Time-Myths-Shapeshifter-Sagas-ebook/dp/B0719M79S2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Amazon.co.uk</span></a> </b><b> </b><b><a background-color:="" color:="" ffffff="" font-family:calibri="" font-size:12pt="" font-style:normal="" font-variant:normal="" font-weight:400="" href="http://</span%3E%3Cspan%20style=" text-decoration:none="" vertical-align:baseline="" white-space:pre-wrap="">rebrand.ly/outsider_print</a></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Paperback</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Also Available</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Widow (Time of Myths: Shapeshifter Sagas Book 1)</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Widow-novella-Myths-Shapeshifter-Sagas-ebook/dp/B06X8YH51Q" rel="nofollow" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img height="400" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4197/35316428771_142777da85_o.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lady Rayne has few options as a young widow. Either her father will marry her off to a wealthy nobleman--no matter how old and disagreeable he may be, or she will become a nun like her aunt at Grimsford Abbey. The choice is easy: her interest in writing is not supported in the dark halls of her father's home. Rayne eagerly anticipates becoming a scribe and learning the art of illumination and book making. But first she must travel along the treacherous roads of East Anglia.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Far from the confines of Norwich, Rayne hears fables of an enormous ghostly hound called the Black Shuck. She tries to ignore them until she finds herself staring into its expressive brown eyes. With every heartbeat, her chances of reaching Grimsford Abbey disappear. If only she could live to tell the tale.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">**CONTENT WARNING: Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+**</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Available to buy from....</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Widow-novella-Myths-Shapeshifter-Sagas-ebook/dp/B06X8YH51Q" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Amazon.com</span></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Widow-novella-Myths-Shapeshifter-Sagas-ebook/dp/B06X8YH51Q" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Amazon.co.uk</span></a></b><b> <span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/widow-natasha-brown/1125797677?ean=2940154014486" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Barnes and Noble</span></a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/widow/id1206584737?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">iBooks</span></a> </span></b><b><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Natasha_S_Brown_Widow?id=grcbDgAAQBAJ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">GPlay</span></a> </b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><a href="http://natashasbrown.com/contact/newsletter/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Download the novella, Widow, FREE when you subscribe to the author's newsletter- </span></a></b><a href="http://natashasbrown.com/contact/newsletter/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img height="281" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4214/35316429241_bb96d64b2a_o.jpg" width="570" /></a></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Scars (Time of Myths: Shapeshifter Sagas Book 2)</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Scars-Time-Myths-Shapeshifter-Sagas-ebook/dp/B01N5OPSQ8" rel="nofollow" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img height="400" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4245/35059229780_6d88ce5e5c_o.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Along the breathtaking and unforgiving coast of Snæland, Ásta’s ancestral farm is plagued with bad luck. The kinless maiden’s turf walls continue to be found damaged, and there aren’t enough farmhands to maintain the property. Claw marks in the dirt revive old memories of the wolf attack that left her scarred, and she begins to fear the whispers are true—that Fenrir, son of Loki and king of the wolves, has come to claim her and her land.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Torin often leaves his uncle’s farm in the southern hills to track and ensnare valuable gyrfalcons. His secret ability to turn into the birds he trains means his falconry skills are unparalleled, earning him precious silver and gold. If the ghosts of his past didn’t haunt him daily, pushing him to numb his senses with drink, Torin might have married by now—as his uncle often reminds him. He knows the time has finally come to find a wife and settle down.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">During the Althing, the gathering of the year, Ásta’s ability to maintain her property comes into question while Torin wonders if a woman in jeopardy of losing her farm is really worth the trouble.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">**CONTENT WARNING: Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+**</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Available to buy from....</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Scars-Time-Myths-Shapeshifter-Sagas-ebook/dp/B01N5OPSQ8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Amazon.com</span></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Scars-Time-Myths-Shapeshifter-Sagas-ebook/dp/B01N5OPSQ8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Amazon.co.uk</span></a></b><b> <a href="http://smarturl.it/Scars_pb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Paperback</span></a></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l2k5NXBLYAU" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Tides (Time of Myths: Shapeshifter Sagas Book 3)</b><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tides-Time-Myths-Shapeshifter-Sagas-ebook/dp/B06X9WH13G" rel="nofollow" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img height="400" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4284/35279716252_ec3ee3d750_o.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s Leif’s eighth summer going viking with his father on their ship the Kraken—and he’s had enough. For as long as Leif can remember, his father has claimed to be a descendant of Ægir, god of the sea, and has exploited their shape changing ability—all this to amass enough gold to gain entrance into the ocean god’s halls. Leif hopes that time’s drawing near so he can free himself from Ragna’s domineering shadow.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the green hills of Éire, Eilish is content learning traditional folk cures from her father until a Finn-Gall raid disturbs the peace. Desperate to protect Eilish from harm, her father cuts her hair and disguises her in his old clothing before she’s ripped from the only home she’s ever known. Sold as a thrall in Duiblinn, she must hide out as a young man on a ship full of barbarians.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now Eilish, who fears she’ll become Ægir’s next sacrifice, and Leif, who isn’t prepared to stand up against his father’s powerful wrath, must face the tides of change—no matter how ominous they may seem.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">**CONTENT WARNING: Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+**</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Available to buy from....</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tides-Time-Myths-Shapeshifter-Sagas-ebook/dp/B06X9WH13G" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Amazon.com</span></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tides-Time-Myths-Shapeshifter-Sagas-ebook/dp/B06X9WH13G" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Amazon.co.uk</span></a> </b><b> </b><b> <a href="http://smarturl.it/Tides_Pb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Paperback</span></a></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/no7CsmdX4FI?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>About the author</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://natashasbrown.com/" rel="nofollow" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img height="200" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/404/32419287985_eb4b605b99.jpg" width="148" /></a>Natasha was born in Nevada City, California. Being an only child, she resorted to using her imagination while exploring the forest surrounding her home (a nasty habit she hasn’t been able to break). Her natural interest in fantasy ignited when her parents read The Hobbit to her as a youth, and from then on anything seemed possible. Once awarded with a Hershey’s bar ‘the size of a Buick’ in her high school English class for creative writing, her passion and interest in literature has never dimmed.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She now lives in Littleton, Colorado, with her husband, two children, and two dogs.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: black;">Find the author on the following sites...</span></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://natashasbrown.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Website</span></a> </span> <a href="http://natashasbrown.com/contact/newsletter/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Newsletter</span></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/writersd3sk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Facebook</span></a> <a href="http://twitter.com/writersd3sk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Twitter</span></a> <a href="https://plus.google.com/wm/1/105692600178661591925/posts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Google+</span></a> <a href="https://youtu.be/l2k5NXBLYAU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">YouTube</span></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5577825.Natasha_Brown" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Goodreads</span></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Natasha-Brown/e/B0071FR26M/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Amazon author page</span></a></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://beckvalleybooks.blogspot.com/2017/06/book-tour-outsider-time-of-myths.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4211/35316429341_02fa5748f6_o.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Follow the tour</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><!-- start InLinkz script --></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><script src="https://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=721091" type="text/javascript"></script></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><!-- end InLinkz script --></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.inlinkz.com/new/linkuptool.php?refId=11630&utm_source=user_ref&utm_medium=banner_img&utm_campaign=referral" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="InLinkz"><img border="0" src="https://www.inlinkz.com/new/images/logo.png" style="vertical-align: middle;" /></a></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://beckvalleybooks.blogspot.co.uk/p/book-reviews-and-tours.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="018836-glossy-silver-icon-symbols-shapes-square-2" border="0" height="150" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2911/33529926010_2b427cd144_o.png" width="150" /></a></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I received this book to review through <a href="http://beckvalleybooks.blogspot.co.uk/p/book-reviews-and-tours.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Beck Valley Books Book Tours</a>, I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: #black; font-size: medium;">NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY</span></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4217/35407152366_4026298300_o.png" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: #black;">Win $25 Paypal Cash</span></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: #black;">Open Worldwide</span></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: #black;">Ending on Sunday 10th September at 11.59pm EST</span></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #black;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: #black;">Enter Below and Good Luck !!</span></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="b25fc618347" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b25fc618347/" id="rcwidget_4uwgddhr" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;">Are you a book reviewer or book blogger? Join our book tours reviewers team - </span><a href="http://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ilhL5U6YEnY5HRwnnusvg9kX64JIBs_0DTBo9jfUbic/viewform" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #999999;"><b>Apply Here</b></span></a><span style="color: #666666;"> x</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;">Current book tours open for sign ups </span><a href="http://bit.ly/1sBu6HN" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #999999;"><b>HERE</b></span></a></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://beckvalleybooks.blogspot.co.uk/p/book-reviews-and-tours.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KmDqK6W7tL4/V-5XKKoTXwI/AAAAAAAAsAE/6PPoPJR15xQYf-WjFdNLkam4M7q6EPZ0QCLcB/s400/beck%2Bvalley%2Bbooks%2Bbadge%2Bfull%2Bsize.png" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
Joyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407242568018782961.post-39110088962604782302017-08-30T20:51:00.000-07:002017-08-30T20:51:59.709-07:00WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Chris Kennedy & Mark Wandrey, Science Fiction Authors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_m5o4sa-EW0/WadtShhBsKI/AAAAAAAAExA/Oodg6RkGCAQ3G83fnmifEhtZAWUuue1jACLcBGAs/s1600/Kennedy%2BPhoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="602" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_m5o4sa-EW0/WadtShhBsKI/AAAAAAAAExA/Oodg6RkGCAQ3G83fnmifEhtZAWUuue1jACLcBGAs/s320/Kennedy%2BPhoto.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris Kennedy, Author<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0753JSZ9Z/" target="_blank">THE REVELATIONS CYCLE:</a><br />
Book 2: <b style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N4NOPP2/ref=series_dp_rw_ca_2" target="_blank">ASBARAN SOLUTIONS</a></span></b>Book 4: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074H7DXRB/ref=series_dp_rw_ca_4" target="_blank">THE GOLDEN HORDE</a><br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i>Science Fiction
authors Chris Kennedy and Mark Wandrey teamed up to bring us <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0753JSZ9Z/" target="_blank">THE REVELATIONS CYCLE,</a> a series of military science fiction novels. The two authors write what
they like to read—real-life characters, rather than bigger than life heroes,
and a “<span style="background: white; color: #333333;">fun, imaginative, but
credible read” free of messages. Villains we can relate to, but hate.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Chris Kennedy, </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #111111;">former naval aviator and elementary school
principal, has also written the "Theogony" and "Codex Regius"
science fiction trilogies. In addition, he is a publisher and is currently working on
his next book, </span></i><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">The
Progenitors’ War<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #111111;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #111111;">Mark Wandrey,
whose diverse background he believes contributed to his writing, has also
written the Turning Point series, a zombie apocalypse book with a twist and the
Earth Song series, five space opera books. Next up is </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Four Horsemen – Alpha Contracts.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #111111;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #111111;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Don't miss the two excerpts following the interview.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aBNVSvqmtJ4/Wad2rRfZ_II/AAAAAAAAExw/m6Fv-TNMvPAc4QUJgqAslVZkeCkemURagCLcBGAs/s1600/Mark%2BWandrey%2B-%2Bheadshot%2B2013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aBNVSvqmtJ4/Wad2rRfZ_II/AAAAAAAAExw/m6Fv-TNMvPAc4QUJgqAslVZkeCkemURagCLcBGAs/s320/Mark%2BWandrey%2B-%2Bheadshot%2B2013.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark Wandrey, Author<br />
THE REVELATIONS CYCLE<br />
Book 1: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MRZKM95/ref=series_dp_rw_ca_1" style="background-color: white; text-align: start;" target="_blank">CARTWRIGHT'S CAVALIERS</a><br />
Book 3: <b style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073WPM51K/ref=series_dp_rw_ca_3" target="_blank">WINGED HUSSARS</a></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Q: <span style="background: white; color: #333333;">I’m always fascinated with the origin of
Science Fiction plots, which typically seem so creative.</span><span style="color: #333333;"> </span>Your five-book (so far) series <span style="color: #111111;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0753JSZ9Z/" target="_blank">THE REVELATIONS CYCLE</a> has been described as “</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">military sci-fi, powered armor squaring
off </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">against advanced alien technology, and a little bit of skullduggery and
cloak and dagger…” How do you conceive of these plots? What inspires them? Do
your backgrounds have any influence on plot-creation?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Chris Kennedy:</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"> As a former naval aviator, I would have
to say that my background plays pretty heavily in influencing my stories, and I
am drawn to stories that involve flying, at least a little, whether that is in
atmosphere or in space. Regarding <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0753JSZ9Z/" target="_blank">THE REVELATIONS CYCLE,</a> though, Mark is the
main creator, so I’ll let him take it from here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Mark Wandrey:</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"> I’m inspired greatly by what I consider
the golden age of mil-sf, the 60’s and 70’s. Hammer’s Slammers, Starship
Troopers, Asimov’s Foundation. I wanted to create a universe with some pretty
tight rules, which I believe goes against the current tenants of SF where there
are planet-killing energy weapons, super-powerful inertial compensators, and faster-than-light
communications. If you’ve read any 4HU (Four Horsemen Universe), you know we
have none of those. I believe these tighter rules have actually given us a
deeper playground, instead of shallower. Yes, it makes it a little tougher for
the writers—you can’t use as much handwavium—but the stories are more colorful
and down to earth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333;">That said, the
stories tend to be what I’d like to read, and influenced by what I have read. A
lot of times I’ll just create one from whole cloth, and it works, or it
doesn’t. The main story line for THE REVELATIONS CYCLE (4 books and 2
anthologies so far) is based around a primary plot I came up with, heavily
influenced (and improved) by Chris Kennedy’s input. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Q: I assume that you are both readers of
science fiction. Who are your favorite authors? Why? What other genres do you
read?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Mark Wandrey:</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"> Robert A. Heinlein by a long shot.
Behind him, and equal in many ways would be Gregg Bear, Ben Bova, John Varley,
Alan Dean Foster, Orson Scott Card (influence for my Earth Song universe), and
Larry Correia (for action and fun). I mostly read SF, but I’m also a huge fan
of ZA (zombie apocalypse), which influenced me to create my Turning Point
series, last year’s Dragon Finalist <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A
Time to Die</i>. I’ve just felt ZA books needed a little realism, and tried to
incorporate it into my series. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Chris Kennedy:</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"> My favorite authors are David Weber and
John Ringo. I love Weber’s space opera and Ringo’s gritty combat. They say that
an author is the sum total of every author he/she ever read; if that’s true,
you’ll see an awful lot of Weber and Ringo in my writing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Q: How do you decide who will write
which books? Do you review the plot and characters with each other?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you have any “will not include”
characters or scenes that you’ve agreed never to use?</span> <span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Chris Kennedy:</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"> Mark had almost completed the first
book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cartwright’s Cavaliers,</i> when I agreed
to team up with him, so alternating books was an easy way to start since we
live in different states. As we’ve written them, we’ve developed a number of
support mechanisms, like sharing information on a Google drive and over
Facebook, which will help us as we begin to write the next books together. Our next
book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Four Horsemen – Alpha Contracts,</i>
will see us together for the first time under the same cover (besides the
anthologies), and then the next series, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Omega
Wars,</i> will be completely co-written. After that? We’ll see what fans think.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Q: How do you make the stories credible?
Do you create rules within the worlds that you build? What will cause a reader
to stop reading a science fiction story?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Mark Wandrey:</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"> Credible fiction has always been a must
for me. The best written books that can’t maintain that necessary edge of
believability, and avoid completely shattering your level of disbelief, are not
readable to me. I think that’s a number 2 killer for most readers, right after
horrible editing, and excessive ‘message fiction.’ Chris and I strive to give
our fans a fun, imaginative, but credible read. As credible as giant robots,
kaiju, and fusion powered starships can be, anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Q: Speaking of messages, do you find
that science fiction enables you to deliver a message or do you write strictly
to entertain your readers? What kinds of messages do you want your reader to
walk away with? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Chris Kennedy:</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"> We made a conscious decision early on
that these books would be “message free.” There is too much message fiction and
too much in-fighting in all aspects of society at the moment. We wanted a
universe where readers could get away from all of that and just enjoy the ride.
Based on the series’ reviews, I think we’ve been pretty successful in creating
that environment—Mark may have been too modest to mention it, but <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cartwright’s Cavaliers </i>is a finalist for
the Dragon Award for Military Scifi this year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Q: What makes an effective villain in science
fiction and in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0753JSZ9Z/" target="_blank">THE REVELATIONS CYCLE</a> books specifically? Who is your favorite
villain of all time?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Mark Wandrey:</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"> The best villains are the ones you can
both relate to, and hate at the same time. My favorite is actually two, Darth
Maul from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Phantom Menace</i> because
he was just a glorious pit bull of a bad guy, and the other is Jenner from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Secret of Nimh</i>. He’s a classic ‘my
way is better’ back stage manipulator, but when faced with that grand choice,
doesn’t mind getting his hands bloody. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Chris Kennedy:</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"> With Revelations and into the next
series, we’ve intentionally limited how much the readers know about the
villains, and have introduced them, little by little, lending an aura of
mystery to them. Now that the readers think they know who the villains really
are, they may find out that they don’t know as much as they think they do…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Q: How do you engage your readers to
care about your characters? Do you prefer “comic-book super heroes?” or
everyday people placed in extraordinary circumstances? If the latter, what
gives them the ability to fight off the villains?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Mark Wandrey:</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"> I make my characters as real as
possible. In <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MRZKM95/ref=series_dp_rw_ca_1" target="_blank">CARTWRIGHT'S CAVALIERS</a> the hero is an overweight teenager who inherits a merc company. He’s also into
20<sup>th</sup> century pop culture and is a bit of a brony. I’ve caught heat
for that, but I’ve also had a huge swell of approval for a ‘non standard’ hero.
But you can relate to him, and that makes you care. I don’t like larger than
life heroes, they might well be one of those elements you mentioned earlier
that ruin a story for me. Since it’s the latter, I’d say the good guy’s ability
to win is usually because their cause is just, and they have a firm will and
noble heart. Okay, right, sometimes it’s just luck and picking the right
friends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Chris Kennedy:</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"> I don’t think any of our main
characters have been superheroes—all four have their own failings that they
will have to overcome as the series moves forward. Personally, I think that
makes them more relatable to readers. That said, one of the characters I wrote
has been the least liked of any of the Horsemen, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">because</i> of his imperfections. I tend to look at it from the other
side though—who else has the greatest potential for growth?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Q:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Are you able to use your settings to drive the story or develop your
characters? How valuable is the use of humor to create your characters?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Mark Wandrey:</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"> The settings are just as useful in
character development as situations. I believe that using one and ignoring the
other contributes to a 2-dimensional character. Humor can be quite valuable, if
the story calls for it. I try to interject at least a little into even the most
somber scenes, but sometimes grim is best. So I guess the answer is
‘sometimes.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Chris Kennedy:</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"> You learn a lot more about someone
through adversity than you do when the times are good. So far, there’s been a
lot of adversity for the Horsemen, which has allowed us to develop the
characters and has given readers some good insight into what drives them. As
far as humor goes, most people read because they’re looking for some form of
escapism from their daily problems; if you don’t have some humor in the story,
it won’t be as much “fun” for the readers. I’m a fan of humor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Q: What’s next for both of you?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Mark Wandrey:</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"> Next up is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Four Horsemen – Alpha Contracts</i> in the 4HU. For myself, I’ll be
relaunching my <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Earth Song </i>series with
the release of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Overture</i>, a book I
first wrote nearly 20 years ago. It needed updating. After <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Alpha Contracts </i>comes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Omega
Wars, </i>and several other standalone books in the 4HU as well such as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Peacemaker</i> by Kevin Ikenberry. The skies
are the limit just now, and I love this business.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Chris Kennedy:</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"> In addition to working with Mark on the
4HU, I am also the publisher for a number of other authors, which keeps me
pretty busy<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a> but lets me produce some great scifi and
fantasy. In addition to that, I’m also working on the next book in my own
series, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Progenitors’ War.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Q: What do you both like to do when
you’re not writing?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Mark Wandrey:</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"> Right now I have a day job as a US Customs
Broker. I’m an avid shooter and love to travel. In mid-September, Chris and I
are going to New Zealand for a signing tour. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Chris Kennedy:</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"> In addition to writing and publishing,
I also work as the curriculum manager for enlisted sailors who are learning to
maintain the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 Hornet fighters. Yeah, that’s a lot, but I have
three kids in college, so…I just don’t sleep that much. When I get the time (or
make it, more like), I love to play golf and travel. After the book tour of New
Zealand this year, we’re setting our sights on the UK for next year’s book
tour. I can’t wait! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">About</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chris Kennedy<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #111111;">A bestselling Science Fiction/Fantasy author, speaker, and
publisher, Chris Kennedy is a former naval aviator and elementary school
principal. Chris' stories include the "Theogony" and "Codex
Regius" science fiction trilogies and stories in the "Four
Horsemen" military scifi series. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #111111; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">Chris is the author of the award-winning #1
bestseller, "Self-Publishing for Profit: How to Get Your Book Out of Your
Head and Into the Stores." Called "fantastic" and "a great
speaker," he has coached hundreds of beginning authors and budding
novelists on how to self-publish their stories at a variety of conferences,
conventions, and writing guild presentations, and he has published six authors
under various imprints of his Chris Kennedy Publishing small press.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Chris lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where
he manages the curriculum for sailors learning to maintain the Navy's F-18
Hornet. He is the holder of a doctorate in educational leadership and master's
degrees in both business and public administration.</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">About Mark Wandrey</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #111111;">Located in rural Tennessee, Mark Wandrey has been creating
new worlds since he was old enough to write. After penning countless short
stories, he realized novels were his real calling and hasn't looked back since.
A lifetime of diverse jobs, extensive travels, and living in most areas of the
country have uniquely equipped him with experiences to color his stories in
ways many find engaging and thought provoking.</span><span style="color: #111111;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #111111;">His current work is the Four Horsemen Universe, centering
around the recently released Cartwright's Cavaliers, and coming soon Winged
Hussars. The Four Horsemen Universe, 4HU, is full of aliens, mercenaries, and
adventure. Placed just a hundred years in the future, humanity finds itself
part of a Galactic Union filled with thousands of races, and the only thing we
have of value to trade is our time honed ability to kick butt.</span><span style="color: #111111;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #111111; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">His other series include the Turning Point
series, a zombie apocalypse book with a twist. A Time to Die (2016 DragonCon
Dragon Award finalist) was released in May 2016, and the soon to be released
sequel, A Time to Run. He also has the Earth Song series, five space opera
books placed in a future where an orphaned mankind must fight for its very
existence in a hostile galaxy.</span></span><span style="color: #111111;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #111111;">About <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0753JSZ9Z/" target="_blank">THE REVELATIONS CYCLE</a> Series<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #111111;">Book 1: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MRZKM95/ref=series_dp_rw_ca_1" target="_blank">CARTWRIGHT’S CAVALIERS</a> by Mark Wandrey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r6jjVos6lD0/Wadu9iWjF_I/AAAAAAAAExQ/gcGnyYb7iaoFlDieQAHT9KOGpAryysTpgCLcBGAs/s1600/Cartright%2527s%2BCavaliers%2Bebook%2B080417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r6jjVos6lD0/Wadu9iWjF_I/AAAAAAAAExQ/gcGnyYb7iaoFlDieQAHT9KOGpAryysTpgCLcBGAs/s320/Cartright%2527s%2BCavaliers%2Bebook%2B080417.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #111111;">Heir to one of the leading “Four Horsemen” mercenary
companies, Jim Cartwright is having a bad year. Having failed his high school
VOWS tests, he's just learned his mother bankrupted the family company before
disappearing, robbing him of his Cavalier birthright.</span><span style="color: #111111;"> </span><span style="color: #111111; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.5pt;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">But the Horsemen of eras past were smart—they
left a legacy of equipment Jim can use to complete the next contract and
resurrect the company. It’s up to Jim to find the people he needs to operate
the machinery of war, train them, and lead them to victory. If he’s good
enough, the company can still be salvaged.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Excerpt from “CARTWRIGHT'S CAVALIERS”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The last two operational tanks were trapped on their chosen
path. Faced with destroyed vehicles front and back, they cut sideways to the
edge of the dry river bed they’d been moving along and found several large
boulders to maneuver around that allowed them to present a hull-down defensive
position. Their troopers rallied on that position. It was starting to look like
they’d dig in when Phoenix 1 screamed over and strafed them with dual streams
of railgun rounds. A split second later, Phoenix 2 followed on a parallel path.
Jim was just cheering the air attack when he saw it. The sixth damned tank, and
it was a heavy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I got that last tank,” Jim said over the command net.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Observe and stand by,” Murdock said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“We’ll have these in hand shortly,” Buddha agreed, his
transmission interspersed with the thudding of his CASPer firing its magnet
accelerator. “We can be there in a few minutes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jim examined his battlespace. The tank was massive. It had
to be one of the fusion-powered beasts he’d read about. Which meant shields and
energy weapons. It was heading down the same gap the APC had taken, so it was
heading right towards that APC and Second Squad, and fast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Shit,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Jim,” Hargrave said, “we’re in position. What are you
doing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Leading,” Jim said as he jumped out from the rock wall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #111111;">Book 2: </span></b><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N4NOPP2/ref=series_dp_rw_ca_2" target="_blank">ASBARAN SOLUTIONS</a></span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #111111;"> by Chris Kennedy</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P4nn0tpQZUU/WadvJdFNVtI/AAAAAAAAExU/_11eq7EB_qs9ZmvEnAKI7qYeNnJ1wsRgQCLcBGAs/s1600/Asbaran%2BSolutions%2Bebook%2B012617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="989" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P4nn0tpQZUU/WadvJdFNVtI/AAAAAAAAExU/_11eq7EB_qs9ZmvEnAKI7qYeNnJ1wsRgQCLcBGAs/s320/Asbaran%2BSolutions%2Bebook%2B012617.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.5pt;">Nigel
Shirazi was first in line for the chairmanship of Asbaran Solutions, one of the
prominent “Four Horsemen” mercenary companies. First in line…until his drinking
and temper caused him to fail out of college and get disinherited by the
family.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 7.5pt;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Now he leads the life of a playboy.</span> <span style="background: white;">Nigel will have to learn to control himself if he’s
going to take the reins of the company, figure out who’s behind the vendetta
against Asbaran, and work out a way to stop them. But they’ve taken his sister
hostage, and that makes him a very, very angry man!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc432488770"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc454736479"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc469858380"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc454736479;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc432488770;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Excerpt from
“ASBARAN SOLUTIONS”</span></b></span></span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 2; text-indent: .3in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Planet
Moorhouse, Kepler 62 System<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">“This is bullshit,” Sergeant James Wilson said. The tall, dark-haired
trooper spat, the betel nut chew making his spittle a bright crimson on the
sun-bleached sand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">“What’s bullshit?” Private Dave Daniels asked, his pale brows
knitting. “This is only my second contract, but it seems like pretty good duty
to me. Walk some fence line, guard a mine, and get paid a ton of credits? Seems
pretty soft. No one’s trying to kill me, and I can go down to the bar after my
shift. Sure, the locals look like anteaters, but they pay well enough so I can
afford some of the overpriced beer they’ve imported.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">“Naw, that ain’t what I’m talking about, at all,” the sergeant
replied. He spat again. “Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy not getting shot at as
much as anyone. Having actually been hit a couple of times, I may even enjoy it
more. What I’m saying is that this whole contract’s fucked up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">“Why’s that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">“Do you see the bird on our crest?” Sergeant Wilson asked, pointing to
where the Asbaran Solutions company flag hung limply from the staff in the
humid, breezeless air.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Private Daniels nodded his head, then wiped the sweat from his eyes
the motion caused. “Yeah. There’s a bird with the company’s motto, ‘Kill
Aliens. Get Paid.’”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">“Do you know what kind of bird that is?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">“Nope; it looks like some sort of griffin.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">The sergeant stopped and glared at the junior enlisted. “Do they not
teach unit history at basic any more, or are you just too fucking stupid to
remember? It ain’t no damn griffin, boy; it’s a huma bird.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">“A huma bird?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">“Yeah. It’s a type of bird that never lands; it lives its entire life
flying above the clouds where you can never see it.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">“Wow, that’s pretty cool. I’ve never heard of a bird like that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">“That’s because it doesn’t exist, you dumbass,” the sergeant said,
cuffing the private in the back of the head. “It’s myth-o-logical. The point
I’m trying to get through your stupid fucking head is that us Asbaran ain’t for
sitting around guarding shit. We’re mobile; we strike from above and crush our
enemies. We don’t hang around waiting for them to hit us while we’re sitting on
the damned toilet in a guardhouse on some godforsaken planet at the ass-end of
the galaxy.” He spat; another red stain marked his passage. “If the Founder
could see us now…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">“What? What would he do?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">“If the Founder could see us now, he’d probably come back and kill
every single mother fucker in management. This ain’t how we’re supposed to be
used. It don’t play to our strengths…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and
it just ain’t right!</i>” He sighed. “It ain’t what I signed up for anyway.” He
spat again, hitting his first mark dead center. “I signed up to be up there,”
he continued, pointing up to the sky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Daniels looked up to where the sergeant pointed and squinted. “Hey,
what’s that?” he asked. “There’s something up there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Sergeant Wilson looked up. A miniature boomerang shape could just be
seen, silhouetted against the clear green sky. “Fuck!” he grunted as he broke
into a run back toward the shelter. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Incoming!</i>
Get under cover <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">now!</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">He had only covered half the distance to the bunker when he heard the
tell-tale shriek of the banshee bombs, and he knew they weren’t going to make
it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rCtK84pR8v8/WadvXz6ZYpI/AAAAAAAAExY/_xpM01XEQUQwtM7az2TaZTlWyqX-DHUIgCLcBGAs/s1600/Hussars%2BSmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="728" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rCtK84pR8v8/WadvXz6ZYpI/AAAAAAAAExY/_xpM01XEQUQwtM7az2TaZTlWyqX-DHUIgCLcBGAs/s320/Hussars%2BSmall.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.5pt;">Book 3:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073WPM51K/ref=series_dp_rw_ca_3" target="_blank">WINGED HUSSARS</a> by Mark Wandrey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.5pt;">For
more than a century, Winged Hussars has been the richest of Earth's mercenary
companies, as well as the only one to specialize in space warfare. Led by
Alexis Cromwell, they have carved out a reputation in the galaxy for being
dependable, unflappable, and lethally efficient. Until people began shooting at
them everywhere they went.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 7.5pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.5pt;">The
Four Horsemen are being hunted, and the Hussar’s future is dark. But there’s
one thing Alexis’ enemies didn’t count on—Alexis Cromwell is nobody’s prey.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Book 4: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074H7DXRB/ref=series_dp_rw_ca_4" target="_blank">THE GOLDEN HORDE</a> by Chris Kennedy<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.5pt;">The
slaughter is on! Across the galaxy, Human mercenaries are being ambushed, and
an ever-increasing number of companies aren’t returning from their contracts.
Someone even appears to be plotting the demise of the premier Four Horsemen
companies, and disaster for the other three companies has only been averted by
the narrowest of margins.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 7.5pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T2iCymiDkpA/Wadvhuj32TI/AAAAAAAAExc/KAlM2cfO92YopkttYiP7Te1qONICc7ZvACLcBGAs/s1600/Horde%2BCover%2BSmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="408" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T2iCymiDkpA/Wadvhuj32TI/AAAAAAAAExc/KAlM2cfO92YopkttYiP7Te1qONICc7ZvACLcBGAs/s320/Horde%2BCover%2BSmall.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.5pt;">The
fourth horseman is in play, and time is running out to save the Earth and
everyone on it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.5pt;">Book
5:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A FISTFUL OF CREDITS –
Anthology edited by Chris Kennedy and Mark Wandrey<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.5pt;">Fourteen
outstanding authors. Fourteen extraordinary stories. One bestselling universe.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 7.5pt;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">It’s the Twenty-Second Century. The galaxy has
opened up to humanity as a hyperactive beehive of stargates and new
technologies, and we suddenly find ourselves in a vast playground of different
races, environments, and cultures. There’s just one catch: we are pretty much
at the bottom of the food chain.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Enter the Four Horsemen universe, where only a
willingness to fight and die for money separates Humans from the majority of
the other races. Enter a galaxy not only of mercenaries, but also of
Peacemakers, bounty hunters, and even a strung out junkie in the </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RzAU5yKlgxM/Wadvv07f4KI/AAAAAAAAExg/l7CLF6F6LesNui7NMPQnj7wb-Dpi4lEXACLcBGAs/s1600/AFoC%2BSmall%2BCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="728" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RzAU5yKlgxM/Wadvv07f4KI/AAAAAAAAExg/l7CLF6F6LesNui7NMPQnj7wb-Dpi4lEXACLcBGAs/s320/AFoC%2BSmall%2BCover.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
way of a hired
assassin.<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>Links</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0753JSZ9Z/" target="_blank">THE REVELATIONS CYCLE </a>(Four
Horsemen) Series Page </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #111111;">Mark Wandrey<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="http://www.worldmaker.us/news-flash-sign-up-page/" target="_blank">Website</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007479075705" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mark-Wandrey/e/B00914T11A" target="_blank">Amazon Author</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Chris Kennedy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="http://www.chriskennedypublishing.com/" target="_blank">Website </a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/chriskennedypublishing.biz" target="_blank">Facebook</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Chris-Kennedy/e/B00E4MIJA8" target="_blank">Amazon Author</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Twitter: @ChrisKennedy110</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Joyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407242568018782961.post-84231084485348154422017-08-22T23:31:00.000-07:002017-08-22T23:31:08.747-07:00WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Carl R. Brush, Author<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oga40XTEHnA/WZyusc3apSI/AAAAAAAAEwA/-qQ7IBmQotgnUgde09v8lue_WM4CedUpACLcBGAs/s1600/CARLWEB2%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="393" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oga40XTEHnA/WZyusc3apSI/AAAAAAAAEwA/-qQ7IBmQotgnUgde09v8lue_WM4CedUpACLcBGAs/s320/CARLWEB2%2Bcopy.jpg" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carl R. Brush, Author<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Second-Vendetta-Carl-R-Brush-ebook/dp/B0094NRU7A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1503441053&sr=8-3&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">THE SECOND VENDETTA</a><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Maxwell-Vendetta-Carl-R-Brush-ebook/dp/B00CWMC9ZS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503441053&sr=8-1&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">THE MAXWELL VENDETTA</a><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bonita-Carl-R-Brush-ebook/dp/B0182KLURQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1503439550&sr=8-5&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">BONITA</a><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Rose-Novel-Texas-Revolution-ebook/dp/B019CWLBQI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1503439550&sr=8-2&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">THE YELLOW ROSE</a> - co-author </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i>Carl R. Brush writes historical thrillers. His villains are
real villains and they are quite scary. Reviewers say, "Great characters, suspense, and thrilling action-packed scenes." He sets his stories in the past because
he feels a need to detach his “writing self” from “contemporary turmoil.” But he believes his themes of racism, political corruption, and oppression can be applied to
the contemporary world.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Three of his novels—<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bonita-Carl-R-Brush-ebook/dp/B0182KLURQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1503439550&sr=8-5&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">BONITA</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Maxwell-Vendetta-Carl-R-Brush-ebook/dp/B00CWMC9ZS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503441053&sr=8-1&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">THE MAXWELL VENDETTA</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Second-Vendetta-Carl-R-Brush-ebook/dp/B0094NRU7A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1503441053&sr=8-3&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">THESECOND VENDETTA</a>—track a fictional family from the mid-1800s to the early
1900s in the San Francisco area. His fourth novel, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Rose-Novel-Texas-Revolution-ebook/dp/B019CWLBQI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1503439550&sr=8-2&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">THE YELLOW ROSE</a>, which he co-wrote with Bob
Stewart, is set in Texas during the 1836 Texas Revolution.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Brush lives in Oakland, California with his wife. They love
to travel and enjoy their grandchildren. When he’s not traveling, playing with
the grandkids, or writing, Brush plays the saxophone with an amateur jazz band.
His sequel to BONITA is awaiting publication; and he is working on the sequel
to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Second-Vendetta-Carl-R-Brush-ebook/dp/B0094NRU7A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1503441053&sr=8-3&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">THE SECOND VENDETTA</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Why do you write
historical, as opposed to contemporary, thrillers?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Carl R. Brush:</b> How
did you know to ask me the same question I’ve asked myself many times? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I answer me that matters of murder and justice are just as
“thrilling” in nineteenth and early twentieth century America as they are
today. But that’s a justification not an explanation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I live and
breathe and function just fine in the twenty-first century, so, why don’t I
feel so comfortable about writing there as well? I believe my writing self
needs a detachment from contemporary turmoil. It’s more fun for me, for
example, to write about people experiencing automobiles as a rather scary
novelty than to create a modern car chase. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Furthermore, though I’m in a different time zone, I do
explore contemporary issues in my tales. Such “modern” subjects as racism, political
corruption, and oppression, fit just fine into a setting a hundred years or
more in the past. Amazingly, every “modern” conflict you can name was alive and
kicking “back then” as well as today. And it thrills me somehow to write about
the folks who lived amidst those conflicts that were long ago and far away,
but, paradoxically, are just as alive here and now. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Long answer to a short question, Joyce, I hope your readers
stuck with me all the way. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: You write
historical thrillers with scary villains and brave heroes and also characters
based on real people. How do you mix “real” people with “fictional” characters?
<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Carl R. Brush:</b> Cf.
my answer to the first question. Although it’s important to stick to basic
biographical facts about a historical character, you start with the notion that
he or she was human with all the impulses and fears and hopes that drive anyone
alive today. Then you examine the actions they took in their historical
situation and ask what that reveals about their character. Hundreds of clues that
there await. For example, what sort of person would issue an emancipation
proclamation, but wait so long before doing so? What sort of person would spend
his whole life promoting and supporting Jim Crow, then turn around and champion
the most comprehensive civil rights legislation in history? Neat questions,
huh? What better writing prompts?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: The three books,
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bonita-Carl-R-Brush-ebook/dp/B0182KLURQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1503439550&sr=8-5&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">BONITA</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Maxwell-Vendetta-Carl-R-Brush-ebook/dp/B00CWMC9ZS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503441053&sr=8-1&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">THE MAXWELL VENDETTA</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Second-Vendetta-Carl-R-Brush-ebook/dp/B0094NRU7A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1503441053&sr=8-3&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">THE SECOND VENDETTA </a>are part of a series that
tracks a family from the mid 1800s to 1910. Is the story based on a real family?
If so, how did you first discover them? If not, how did you create them? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Carl R. Brush:</b> The
Maxwell family is essentially my own creation, though they contain elements of
my own family’s history. My great-grand parents came across the plains on a
wagon train in 1864 just as Andy Maxwells grandparents did. They settled in
northern California, though nowhere near the Maxwells’ Circle M. I attended
college at Berkeley, just as Andy did. I have a familiarity and affection for
both San Francisco and the Sierra Nevada, so setting my story there was a
natural inclination. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The similarities, however, pretty much end there. My
ancestors were small time farmers rather than big time ranchers, and they had
neither great wealth nor political prominence. I wanted a larger canvas than my
rather pedestrian family background provided, so I made my protagonist’s father
a cattle baron with political influence and ambitions. Thus, it became natural
for the story to move back and forth between the Sierra and the city, between
the rural and the urban. Plus, for the back story, I could step into history
and the founding and formation of California and the American west and all the
attendant glory and agony. Lots of fun. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Q: BONITA has been described as a book “for
those who love history from a woman’s perspective.” Why did you decide to write
a story about a woman in the 1800s? How were you able to develop her
character—was there much research already done, or did you have to piece
together your character and her actions? Was she unusual for her time?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Carl R. Brush:</b> Ooh,
so many wonderful questions do you ask. I could spend days and days and pages
and pages. But relax, I’ll keep it short. Or shortish. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a woman?
Well, I like women, especially strong women. I married one, as a matter of
fact. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bonita’s character was in my head before I even began
writing. American frontier women don’t get enough attention in either fiction
or history even though their role was as influential as that of men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A quick Google will reveal I’m right
about that. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Only someone with Bonita’s impetuous, headstrong personality
could conquer the obstacles she faced on her way to becoming an independent female
in the mid-nineteenth century. The novel enters her life when she is twelve,
when she finds a way to accompany the Rancho Sausalito vaqueros on a night time
mission to rope grizzly bears. I didn’t find it difficult to discover where her
character gave her both victories and troubles as I developed the story. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Her story did, however, require substantial research because
she was born in 1830, when California was a sparsely-settled frontier. The
population of San Francisco, née Yerba Buena, was only a couple of hundred in
1842 when the novel’s action begins. The state’s “European” inhabitants were
primarily Mexican ranchers and Spanish missionary priests. Bonita’s story,
though, follows her through the Mexican-American war, the gold rush, and into
the era of California statehood, when the population exploded. I found ways to
include her in such prominent bay area families as that of Captain William
Richardson and Mariano Vallejo and into contact with a number of other
historical figures like John Frémont. Thank the heavens for Google or I’d still
be researching rather than writing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Was she unusual for her time? Yes, but she was not alone.
From former slave, civil rights activist, and entrepreneur “Mammy” Pleasant to
Lawyer Clara Foltz to architect Julia Morgan, the women who played lead roles
in California history is long and amazing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could go on, but . . .</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Reviewers praise
the mixture of adventure in the past with your ability to </b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.5pt;">“explore racial tensions, discrimination, corruption, and
exploitation.</span>” Did you intend to reveal the issues of a particular time
period in order to instruct contemporary readers about such issues or did you
include them to draw a faithful and complete picture of the time period?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Carl R. Brush:</b> I
did not intend to offer 19<sup>th</sup> century incidents to illuminate modern
issues. Not exactly. The issues are right there staring at me. I’ve had a
lifelong interest in history, and when historical events merge in theme with
modern ones, well it all just happens naturally. <span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: You co-authored
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Rose-Novel-Texas-Revolution-ebook/dp/B019CWLBQI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1503439550&sr=8-2&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">THE YELLOW ROSE</a> with Bob Stewart changing your choice of setting from
California to Texas. What made you decide to travel to the Lone Star State? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Carl R. Brush:</b> Bob
invited me. I resisted. I knew nothing about Texas history beyond “Remember the
Alamo!” He was a Texas native who had lived in San Antonio his whole life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What could I offer to such a project? However,
he insisted, and I’m very glad I relented. It was a fresh and exciting world,
those few months of the 1836 Texas Revolution. How many of us know that Texas
was the only state that was a nation before it was a state? Not to mention the
joy of discovering the woman behind the song, “The Yellow Rose of Texas.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks, Bob, for inviting helping me aboard the train. It
was quite a journey, and I miss you. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: The use of
everyday items and events from the era as back story can help support a story.
Do you integrate some of these items to develop a more intriguing plot? How do
you choose what to include?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Carl R. Brush:</b> I
mentioned above showing peoples’ reaction to the novelty of the automobile.
That was a natural item to include because transportation is a crucial matter
in every era, and a major change in modes thereof makes for big changes in
peoples’ lives. It also helps create plot complications. The horse can do
things the auto can’t, and vice versa, so who has one versus who has the other
can be pretty entertaining.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dress is another natural, useful item both for plot and
character. For example, Dressing up a “tomboy” like Bonita in an elegant gown
with appropriate hairstyle gave her some fits—that damn corset!—but was
necessary to advance her transformation into a successful career woman, which
was the whole point of the plot at that point. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: How useful is
humor to create your characters or develop your story?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Carl R. Brush:</b> I’m
not a leave-‘em-laughing kind of writer. One-liners elude me. However, I think
I create some humor that warms up the story and creates smiles. One such
involves that automobile again. The Maxwells faithful and ever-present servant
is a Chinese fellow named Ling Chu. He’s traditional in all things, being, for
example, an avid practitioner of acupuncture. But guess who introduces the Maxwell
family to the automobile despite their resistance. Who lobbies to use it for
every trip from the ranch into town? Who takes care of it as if it were a baby?
Who becomes the official Circle M chauffeur? Yep. So, doing triple duty, the
Model T serves as a character variation for Ling Chu, gives the reader a
chuckle, and creates some plot variations.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: What’s next and
when?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Carl R. Brush:</b> I
just completed a sequel to Bonita that takes her to New Orleans to uncover her
parents’ background and solidify her claim to her daughter. That’s awaiting
publication. I’m now working on a sequel to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Second-Vendetta-Carl-R-Brush-ebook/dp/B0094NRU7A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1503441053&sr=8-3&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">THE SECOND VENDETTA</a>, so I’m re-immersed
in the world of Andy, Many Clouds, and their two “adopted” children.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Q: Tell us about Carl
R. Brush. What do you like to do when you’re not writing? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Carl R. Brush:</b> My
world’s a busy and pretty happy place these days. I have six grandkids, four of
whom live within a mile. Actually, three of them live within a mile, since one
is about to leave for Wesleyan in Connecticut and who knows after that? We see
the other two from time to time. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We travel a lot. I have a niece who works for USAID, and we
like to follow her to her various international postings. The last one was
Jakarta a few months back. What a revelation that was. In addition, we
generally go abroad each year to check some country or city off our list.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My wife is from
Louisville, so we visit there a couple of times a year. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I play sax in a little amateur jazz combo.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I read. I walk. I give thanks for my (so far) good
health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">About Carl R. Brush by Carl R. Bush<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve been writing since I could write, which is quite a long
time now. I grew up and live in Northern California, close to the roots of the
people and action of three of my historical thrillers, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Maxwell-Vendetta-Carl-R-Brush-ebook/dp/B00CWMC9ZS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503441053&sr=8-1&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">MAXWELL VENDETTA</a>, </i>and its sequel, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Second-Vendetta-Carl-R-Brush-ebook/dp/B0094NRU7A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1503441053&sr=8-3&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">THE SECOND VENDETTA</a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, </i>which take place in 1908-10 San
Francisco and the high Sierra. The third of the trilogy<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bonita-Carl-R-Brush-ebook/dp/B0182KLURQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1503439550&sr=8-5&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">BONITA</a>, </i>is set in pre-gold-rush San Francisco. A fourth and fifth
in the series are on their way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For yet another historical tale,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Rose-Novel-Texas-Revolution-ebook/dp/B019CWLBQI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1503439550&sr=8-2&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">THE YELLOW ROSE</a>,</i> I made a literary jump from California to Texas,
where my co-author, the late Bob Stewart, dwelled. It’s a tale of the Texas
revolution and an imagined affair between Sam Houston and a legendary mulatto
woman, Emily West, who is best remembered as The Yellow Rose of Texas.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I live with my wife in Oakland, California, where I enjoy
the blessings of nearby children and grandchildren.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria";">About <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Second-Vendetta-Carl-R-Brush-ebook/dp/B0094NRU7A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1503441053&sr=8-3&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">THE SECOND VENDETTA</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W2B2Cxhw5KE/WZyvu8T6sbI/AAAAAAAAEwI/l02CI9QcSoQycSV_kHlmJyqAREEZ9xMCACLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BSecond%2BVendetta%2BRemake%2Bcopy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W2B2Cxhw5KE/WZyvu8T6sbI/AAAAAAAAEwI/l02CI9QcSoQycSV_kHlmJyqAREEZ9xMCACLcBGAs/s320/The%2BSecond%2BVendetta%2BRemake%2Bcopy.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s taken Andy Maxwell two years—1908-1910—to help his family recover from the vendetta that nearly killed his mother, burned their Sierra Nevada ranch house, and exhumed some long-buried family secrets—including the fact that his father was black. At last, Andy thinks, he can return to University of California and pursue his history doctorate in peace.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not so.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First of all, it turns out they don’t want a miscegenated mongrel in the Ph.D. program. Just when he’s enlisted the eminent San Francisco journalist, Ambrose Bierce, to help him attack that problem, it turns out that marauder who started all the trouble in the first place didn’t stay Shanghaied. Michael Yellow Squirrel is back for another try at eliminating every last Maxwell on earth. So much for school.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then there’s the election.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reform gubernatorial candidate Hiram Johnson wants him to run for the California legislature and help foil the railroad barons.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then there are the women.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The debutante beauty and the Arapaho princess.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, how is Andy Maxwell, going to deal with all these quandaries? <i>The Second Vendetta</i> answers that question and many more with a tale-telling style that pulls readers into the book and doesn’t let them go till they’ve turned the last page, wishing there were more yet to turn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Maxwell-Vendetta-Carl-R-Brush-ebook/dp/B00CWMC9ZS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503441053&sr=8-1&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">THE MAXWELL VENDETTA</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QDxShC-ikj0/WZyv7LBSXoI/AAAAAAAAEwM/4hKF7r7430ADw4Xn0SosD3HFpYaGyXZ4QCLcBGAs/s1600/latest5%253A13%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QDxShC-ikj0/WZyv7LBSXoI/AAAAAAAAEwM/4hKF7r7430ADw4Xn0SosD3HFpYaGyXZ4QCLcBGAs/s320/latest5%253A13%2Bcopy.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Early California, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1908</b>.
Andy Maxwell sets out to solve the mystery surrounding the stabbing death <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">of his younger brother</b> outside a San
Francisco bar. He’s certain the murder is part of a vendetta
against his family, but frustration and suspense mount as he fails to convince
authorities that the killing is anything more than the sad consequence of a
brawl between a pair of drunks. The police, the U.S. Army, even his mother
refuse to entertain the possibility that the killer, Michael Yellow Squirrel,
is one of a clan who intends to wipe out the Maxwells and their California
Sierra Nevada ranch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Andy’s quest for the motives and perpetrators behind the scheme
carries him from California to Wyoming and deep into his family’s pioneer past
and psyche, where he unearths disturbing secrets about, among other matters,
his own racial heritage. It also plunges him into a romantic dilemma involving
a blonde debutante and an Arapaho princess. Although Andy’s initial purpose is
to foil a conspiracy against his family, his journey eventually leads him to
question not only his own values, but also those of the frontier that spawned
and nourished them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This historical thriller, the<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">
</b>prequel to another gripping historical novel, THE SECOND VENDETTA<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">,</i> is set nearly one hundred years in the
past, yet THE MAXWELL VENDETTA embodies themes as contemporary as racism,
political corruption, and sexual exploitation. In short, contemporary America
mirrored in a novel of early California. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bonita-Carl-R-Brush-ebook/dp/B0182KLURQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1503439550&sr=8-5&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">BONITA</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Meet Bonita. Often reckless, often victimized, a
deeply spiritual person who transforms herself from </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nDvgIPQP-XE/WZywEUc0i-I/AAAAAAAAEwQ/EB-njwtSzywUybdkEqy_KcStzNKXL8-JgCLcBGAs/s1600/Bonital.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="244" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nDvgIPQP-XE/WZywEUc0i-I/AAAAAAAAEwQ/EB-njwtSzywUybdkEqy_KcStzNKXL8-JgCLcBGAs/s1600/Bonital.jpg" /></a></div>
a rebellious adolescent
into a prominent entrepreneur.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white;">When we meet her as a twelve-year-old in 1843,
her future looks idyllic—a privileged life on a hacienda overlooking San
Francisco Bay. But her penchant for eavesdropping and her feisty willfulness
wreck everything. She learns that she’s not who she’s been told she was. True
to her rebellious nature, revealed in the beginning when she sneaks out on a
nocturnal adventure to learn how to rope a grizzly bear, Bonita strikes out on
her own to discover the truth about her heritage. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Along the way, she becomes immersed in the swirl of
historic events that surrounds her—the Mexican-American war, the gold rush,
California’s drive for statehood. An intense romance both complicates and
enhances the quest. </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Her search and its discoveries create fresh
challenges, challenges she meets with the originality and boldness that by that
point we’ve come to expect of this extraordinary woman named Bonita.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Check out the extraordinary trailer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktS6Ols1kaA<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">About <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Rose-Novel-Texas-Revolution-ebook/dp/B019CWLBQI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1503439550&sr=8-2&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">THE YELLOW ROSE</a> - Co-author with Bob Stewart<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_c2OYu0q7_s/WZywNBSu8TI/AAAAAAAAEwU/CqPqNksFFE8sePtYN6sJ-rXiF3t4xbdcgCLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BYellow%2BRose%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1009" data-original-width="769" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_c2OYu0q7_s/WZywNBSu8TI/AAAAAAAAEwU/CqPqNksFFE8sePtYN6sJ-rXiF3t4xbdcgCLcBGAs/s320/The%2BYellow%2BRose%2B2.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Historically, “yellow rose” was a term for a pretty
mulatto woman. Also historically, the original Yellow Rose of Texas was one
Emily West, and her story is intertwined in song and legend with the Texas
Revolution of 1836. That series of battles, led by Sam Houston, made Texas a
republic, its own country, a historical event unique among our fifty states. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Rose-Novel-Texas-Revolution-ebook/dp/B019CWLBQI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1503439550&sr=8-2&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">THE YELLOW ROSE</a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
</i>is set during the revolution and supposes that Emily and Sam not only
collaborated in certain incidents that gave the Texans victory, but became
romantically involved in the process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">The novel mixes legend with fact. No one knows for
sure if our Emily met Sam Houston or if she participated in the revolution at
all. On the other hand, no one has proved the contrary. So, THE YELLOW ROSE
asks the question: what if. . . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Here’s a link to a trailer:</span> <a href="https://youtu.be/MfW8qLOxgow"><span style="color: windowtext;">https://youtu.be/MfW8qLOxgow</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Links<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria";">Book
Links<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a;">THE SECOND VENDETTA <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://bit.ly/P31bYQ"><span style="color: #218f92; text-decoration: none;">Solstice Publishing</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Second-Vendetta-Carl-R-Brush-ebook/dp/B0094NRU7A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1503441053&sr=8-3&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria";">THE MAXWELL VENDETTA – a prequel to THE SECOND
VENDETTA</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="http://solsticepublishing.com/the-maxwell-vendetta/" target="_blank">Solstice Publishing</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Maxwell-Vendetta-Carl-R-Brush-ebook/dp/B00CWMC9ZS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503441053&sr=8-1&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">BONITA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="http://solsticepublishing.com/search.php?search_query=bonita&x=0&y=0" target="_blank">Solstice Publishing</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bonita-Carl-R-Brush-ebook/dp/B0182KLURQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1503439550&sr=8-5&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">THE YELLOW ROSE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="http://solsticepublishing.com/the-yellow-rose-a-novel-of-the-texas-revolution/%20Amazon" target="_blank">Solstice Publishing</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Rose-Novel-Texas-Revolution-ebook/dp/B019CWLBQI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1503441053&sr=8-2&keywords=Carl+R+Brush" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><b>Author Links</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="http://www.writerworking.net/"><span style="color: #218f92; text-decoration: none;">Website</span></a></span><span style="color: #1b3e12; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="http://www.writerworking.net/writerworking.net/BLOG-REVIEWS_INTERVIEWS_ARTICLES/BLOG-REVIEWS_INTERVIEWS_ARTICLES.html"><span style="color: #218f92; text-decoration: none;"> Blog</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/CarlrBrush"><span style="color: #218f92; text-decoration: none;">Facebook</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16041040-the-second-vendetta"><span style="color: #218f92; text-decoration: none;">Goodreads</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "cambria"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Twitter: Carl R Brush @carlrbrush</span><span style="font-family: "cambria";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Joyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407242568018782961.post-61923955101601411972017-08-15T18:25:00.000-07:002017-08-15T19:54:56.083-07:00WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Christine Simolke, Author<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xPwYJE40yj8/WZM_M2Nxa-I/AAAAAAAAEvk/6TULfdtuFic-bKwyFqIeivNase66_1LJwCLcBGAs/s1600/cs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="766" height="259" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xPwYJE40yj8/WZM_M2Nxa-I/AAAAAAAAEvk/6TULfdtuFic-bKwyFqIeivNase66_1LJwCLcBGAs/s320/cs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christine Simolke, Author<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Children-Italy-Christine-Simolke/dp/0996214518/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502822361&sr=8-1&keywords=Christine+Simolke" target="_blank">CHILDREN OF ITALY</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="Body">
<i><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">Christine Simolke joins us again to tell
us more about her novel, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Children-Italy-Christine-Simolke/dp/0996214518/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502822361&sr=8-1&keywords=Christine+Simolke" target="_blank">CHILDREN OF ITALY</a>, based on her family’s immigration
to the United States in the early 20</span><sup style="font-family: Cambria;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"> century. In addition to entertaining readers, Simolke believes
that historical fiction is a way to help them understand what it was like to
live in the past. When writing, she starts with her characters. The plot and
setting evolve from what they want. </span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">She is working on the sequel to </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Children-Italy-Christine-Simolke/dp/0996214518/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502822361&sr=8-1&keywords=Christine+Simolke" style="font-family: cambria; font-size: 12pt;" target="_blank">CHILDREN OF ITALY</a><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">, which starts in 1939 and follows the family's story for several years. </span></i></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"><i>Simolke is a retired teacher, active in non-profit work in her community, and an
avid traveler who lives in North Carolina with her husband.</i></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Q: Your historical fiction novel, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Children-Italy-Christine-Simolke/dp/0996214518/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502822361&sr=8-1&keywords=Christine+Simolke" target="_blank">CHILDREN OF ITALY,</a> is based on your
family</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">’</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">s
immigration to the United States. Reviewers say, it has a "Love story, secrets, and even a bit of suspense!"</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> and
that it</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">’</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">s “</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DA" style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">a page turner.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">” Do you believe that historical fiction
is an effective way to teach about the past, and in your case, about
immigration? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Christine Simolke:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For those who enjoy fiction, in my opinion, it’s a
great way to learn about and understand the people/society/political climate of
a past time period. Good writers of historical fiction do a great deal of
research to embed their readers in surroundings that reflect the past to help
them understand what it was like to live in those times. When writing <span class="None"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Children-Italy-Christine-Simolke/dp/0996214518/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502822361&sr=8-1&keywords=Christine+Simolke" target="_blank">CHILDREN OF ITALY,</a></i></span> I wanted my readers to be immersed
in the culture and feelings of an immigrant in America in the 1920’s.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Q: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I
confess that although I am an avid mystery reader and author, my favorite novel
is James Clavell</b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">’</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">s
historical novel <span class="None"><i>Shogun</i></span>. It was highly
entertaining, and I felt like I was in medieval Japan when I read it. What is
your favorite historical novel? Or who is your favorite author?</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Christine Simolke:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">My favorite recently
written historical novel is <i>The Light Between Oceans.</i> My favorite
authors of historical fiction are John Steinbeck, the Bronte sisters, and Willa
Cather. I agree, <i>Shogun </i>is great!</span></span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Q: Reviewers of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Children-Italy-Christine-Simolke/dp/0996214518/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502822361&sr=8-1&keywords=Christine+Simolke" target="_blank">CHILDREN OF ITALY</a> are eagerly waiting for a follow-on
story. Will it bring the reader into today</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">’</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">s world
of immigration? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Christine Simolke:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thanks for including that! The continuation of <span class="None"><i>CHILDREN OF ITALY</i></span> picks up in 1939 when WWII begins
with Nazi Germany’s attack on Poland and the US is still two years away from
entering the fighting. It will not venture into today’s world of immigration as
it will only cover the course of several years.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Q:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A recent reviewer
writes that <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Children-Italy-Christine-Simolke/dp/0996214518/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502822361&sr=8-1&keywords=Christine+Simolke" target="_blank">CHILDREN OF ITALY</a> is “relatable to today</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">’s immigration crisis.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">” Do you agree? How might an historical
fiction book such as yours contribute to understand or help the “</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">immigration crisis?</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Christine Simolke:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I think the immigration issues of the past are much
the same as during the mass migration of European immigrants in the early 20th
century. Though we are a country full of immigrants and their descendants,
those entering our country from other lands face discrimination still today. I
think if readers of historical fiction can be reminded of the fact that we are
all descended from immigrants, they might better understand recent immigrants and
be more likely to treat them with respect instead of viewing them as outsiders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Q: You have traveled extensively. Does travel help you envision
stories? When I travelled, it surprised me to learn more about what it meant to
be an American.<span class="None"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span></b><span class="None"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Christine Simolke:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yes, I think that meeting other people and
appreciating other cultures is a great inspiration for writing; and I agree
with you, it has also shown me that our country, with all of its struggles, is,
in my opinion, the greatest place to live. I’m very proud and thankful to be an
American.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Q: When you write your stories, what comes first: plot, character, or
setting? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Christine Simolke:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Character is my top consideration. I think about
what I want my characters to think/feel/dream. The plot and setting evolve from
their desires.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Q:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reviewers tout your characters: </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“these
characters had me hooked from the very beginning” and are “richly developed
characters.” Would they have behaved differently in a different setting, i.e.,
if they had immigrated to Russia, for example? How influential was the setting
to the actions of your characters?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Christine Simolke:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The setting of early 20th century America and
Italian culture are very central to the story in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Children-Italy-Christine-Simolke/dp/0996214518/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502822361&sr=8-1&keywords=Christine+Simolke" target="_blank">CHILDREN OF ITALY.</a> The
characters are very influenced by the expectations of their families and their
place in society. But that being said, I think being an immigrant to any
country would have many of the same inherent challenges. I think readers of any
nationality could relate to the plight of these immigrants as their feelings of
isolation and discrimination are something we’ve all felt in one form or
another.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Q: You</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">’</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">ve also
written an historical middle grade novel. What can you tell us about it?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Christine Simolke:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">My middle grade novel has not been published yet,
but it is also about an Italian-American family. It takes place in 1970 and is
about the terrorization of one immigrant family by the KKK in a small southern
town.<b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Q: What will be your next
publication? Do you plan to write any contemporary fiction?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Christine Simolke</span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope to finish my novel that
continues the story of the Falconi family of <span class="None"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Children-Italy-Christine-Simolke/dp/0996214518/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502822361&sr=8-1&keywords=Christine+Simolke" target="_blank">CHILDREN OF ITALY</a>.</i></span> Whether it will be published or not, I can only hope. I love
writing historical fiction and don’t see myself writing contemporary fiction
anytime soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Q: Tell us about Christine Simolke. What do you like to do when you</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">’</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">re not writing? Have you travelled somewhere
exciting recently?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Christine Simolke:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I am a retired teacher. I’m active in non-profit work
in our community, and I love to read, cook, and exercise at our YMCA. My
husband and I haven’t traveled recently, other than to NYC and the North
Carolina coast to visit our sons. I am really having fun doing author visits
with book clubs who have read <span class="None"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Children-Italy-Christine-Simolke/dp/0996214518/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502822361&sr=8-1&keywords=Christine+Simolke" target="_blank">CHILDREN OF ITALY.</a> </i></span>If
any of your readers would like to have me do an author visit with their book
club, they can contact me at </span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="mailto:csimolke@charter.net"><span class="Hyperlink1"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;">csimolke@charter.net</span></span></a></span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">. I will be glad to
Skype if they aren’t within driving distance. I really enjoy connecting with
readers and other writers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thank you so
much for the interview!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">About Christine Simolke<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #2f2f2f; font-family: "cambria"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Christine Simolke is the granddaughter of Italian immigrants.
She was inspired by her <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>grandmother’s
life story to write a novel of the immigrant experience. She has traveled
to countries all over the world and is thankful that her ancestors chose to
settle in the United States. She is a former language arts teacher and
currently resides in North Carolina with her husband. They are the parents of
two wonderful young men. When she is not writing, she's active in non-profit
work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #2f2f2f; font-family: "cambria"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The idea for her book, <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">CHILDREN OF ITALY </span>was formed many
years ago when she wrote a research paper in graduate school based on an
interview with her grandmother, Giovanna and stories her great aunt, Evelina
told her. Her grandmother and her family immigrated from Italy to America in
the 1920's, and Christine and her family were always fascinated by the stories
of their voyage to America and their early life in the United States.
Their tale of hope, struggle, perseverance and love of family has been an
inspiration to all of the generations after them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #2f2f2f; font-family: "cambria"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">About
CHILDREN OF ITALY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Against the backdrop of the early 20th century, as millions of
immigrants pour through the </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OW9koDpAZNQ/WZM_cRnLfiI/AAAAAAAAEvo/Omoh53CTjcQbRKW92px8tBnA5OLyE_KGwCLcBGAs/s1600/RGB%2BCover%2B2016%2BCOI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1022" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OW9koDpAZNQ/WZM_cRnLfiI/AAAAAAAAEvo/Omoh53CTjcQbRKW92px8tBnA5OLyE_KGwCLcBGAs/s320/RGB%2BCover%2B2016%2BCOI.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
doors of Ellis Island in search of the American
Dream, Italian immigrant, Luigi Falconi, works as a coal miner to carve out
what he hopes will be a better life for his family, who remain in Italy. Soon
he will be with them again, but a dark cloud threatens to ruin all he has
struggled to accomplish. After twelve years apart, his wife, and three
daughters leave Italy to join him in America. Luigi looks forward to their
arrival with anticipation, but first he must end his affair with the troubled Isolde,
who cannot accept that he has never loved her. Luigi is all she has, and she
plots to keep him.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">While
on board the SS Roma as it sails to Ellis Island, Luigi’s eldest daughter,
Giovanna, begins a romance with Alessandro, a dashing member of the crew. When
he immigrates to America a short time after their voyage, intent on reuniting
with her, she and her family have vanished. As the Falconi family struggles to
assimilate in America, Alessandro perseveres in his hunt for Giovanna. His
search intersects with the bitter Isolde’s efforts to win Luigi back, with
heartbreaking and surprising consequences for all of them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #2f2f2f; font-family: "cambria"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Links<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Purchase Sites</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Children-Italy-Christine-Simolke/dp/0996214518/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502851792&sr=8-1&keywords=christine+simolke" target="_blank">amazon</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color: #386eff;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/children-of-italy-christine-simolke/1123777103?ean=9780996214513" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria";"><a href="http://hawkinspublishinggroup.com/"><span style="color: #386eff; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">hawkinspublishinggroup.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria";"><a href="http://malaprops.com/"><span style="color: #386eff; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">malaprops.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> (Asheville, NC
bookstore)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Author Sites</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Book Trailer: <a href="https://vimeo.com/166875669"><span style="color: #386eff;">https://vimeo.com/166875669</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> Goodreads: </span><span style="font-family: "cambria";"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/"><span style="color: #386eff; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">www.goodreads.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Facebook:
</span><span style="font-family: "cambria";"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/christine.simolke.1"><span style="color: #386eff; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">www.facebook.com/christine.simolke.1</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Twitter address: </span><span style="font-family: "cambria";"><a href="http://twitter.com/csimolke1"><span style="color: #386eff; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">twitter.com/csimolke1</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Helvetica;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Helvetica;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
Joyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407242568018782961.post-70020901496983991972017-07-10T20:30:00.000-07:002017-07-10T20:30:46.669-07:00CHECK IT OUT: Love, Murder & Mayhem<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9bcu8wGrsZU/WWJ5ZlC9Z9I/AAAAAAAAErk/w5Smo3-6iq46U0M5uW8Nc2XpkD2qd5LBgCLcBGAs/s1600/LMM_book-cover_final%2BKindle%2B-%2Bsmaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1001" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9bcu8wGrsZU/WWJ5ZlC9Z9I/AAAAAAAAErk/w5Smo3-6iq46U0M5uW8Nc2XpkD2qd5LBgCLcBGAs/s400/LMM_book-cover_final%2BKindle%2B-%2Bsmaller.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
AVAILABLE NOW!<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #202020; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">About <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Love-Murder-Mayhem-Cosmic-Deadly-ebook/dp/B072W6GYDL/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1499626770&sr=8-2&keywords=russ+colchamiro" target="_blank">LOVE, MURDER & MAYHEM</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #202020; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #202020; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Love science fiction stories
that all include elements of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Love-Murder-Mayhem-Cosmic-Deadly-ebook/dp/B072W6GYDL/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1499626770&sr=8-2&keywords=russ+colchamiro" target="_blank">LOVE, MURDER & MAYHEM</a>? </span><span style="color: #202020; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
<span style="background: white;"> </span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Then welcome to the latest anthology from Crazy
8 Press! This amazing collection from 15 all-star authors will delight you with
superheroes and super villains. AIso, off-worlders and space cruisers. We’ve
also got private eyes, sleep surrogates, time travelers, aliens and
monsters—and one DuckBob!</span><br />
<span style="background: white;"> </span><br />
<span style="background: white;">With tales ranging from wild and wacky to dark
and gritty to heartbreaking and fun, take the deadly leap with authors Meriah
Crawford, Paige Daniels, Peter David, Mary Fan, Michael Jan Friedman, Robert
Greenberger, Glenn Hauman Paul Kupperberg, Karissa Laurel, Kelly Meding, Aaron
Rosenberg, Hildy Silverman, Lois Spangler, Patrick Thomas, and editor Russ
Colchamiro.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;"> </span><br />
<span style="background: white;">You’ll never look at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Love-Murder-Mayhem-Cosmic-Deadly-ebook/dp/B072W6GYDL/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1499626770&sr=8-2&keywords=russ+colchamiro" target="_blank">LOVE, MURDER & MAYHEM</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the same way again—and that’s just the
way we like it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #202020; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #202020; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">About Russ Colchamiro, Editor and Author<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #202020; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Russ Colchamiro is the
author of the rollicking space adventure, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Crossline-Russ-Colchamiro-ebook/dp/B00BSIPRJM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1499627425&sr=8-4&keywords=Russ+Colchamiro" target="_blank">CROSSLINE</a>, the hilarious sci-fi <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_OFLQ1bbMY8/WWJ-RptTqVI/AAAAAAAAEro/7FGBDkH-i08i1lZ8xQi-9SoxMpznEq-owCLcBGAs/s1600/Russ%2BColchamiro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_OFLQ1bbMY8/WWJ-RptTqVI/AAAAAAAAEro/7FGBDkH-i08i1lZ8xQi-9SoxMpznEq-owCLcBGAs/s320/Russ%2BColchamiro.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Russ Colchamiro, Editor & Author<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Love-Murder-Mayhem-Cosmic-Deadly-ebook/dp/B072W6GYDL/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1499626770&sr=8-2&keywords=russ+colchamiro" target="_blank">LOVE, MURDER & MAYHEM</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
backpacking
comedy series, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Finders-Keepers-Russ-Colchamiro-ebook/dp/B00E8IO4WA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499627425&sr=8-1&keywords=Russ+Colchamiro" target="_blank">FINDERS KEEPERS</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Genius-Milo-Finders-Keepers-Book-ebook/dp/B00U9PGZV4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1499627425&sr=8-3&keywords=Russ+Colchamiro" target="_blank">GENIUS DE MILO</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Astropalooza-Finders-Keepers-Book-3-ebook/dp/B06XBT4DSW/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1499627425&sr=8-5&keywords=Russ+Colchamiro" target="_blank">ASTROPALLOZA</a>, and is editor
of the new anthology, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Love-Murder-Mayhem-Cosmic-Deadly-ebook/dp/B072W6GYDL/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1499627425&sr=8-2&keywords=Russ+Colchamiro" target="_blank">LOVE, MURDER & MAYHEM</a>, all with Crazy 8 Press.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Russ lives in New
Jersey with his wife, two children, and crazy dog, Simon, who may in fact be an
alien himself. Russ has also contributed to several other anthologies,
including Tales of the Crimson Keep, Pangaea, and Altered States of the Union,
and TV Gods 2. He is now at work on a top-secret project, and a Finders Keepers
spin-off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As a matter of full
disclosure, readers should not be surprised if Russ spontaneously teleports in
a blast of white light followed by screaming fluorescent color and the feeling
of being sucked through a tornado. It’s just how he gets around — windier than
the bus, for sure, but much quicker.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Links</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Love-Murder-Mayhem-Cosmic-Deadly-ebook/dp/B072W6GYDL/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1499626770&sr=8-2&keywords=russ+colchamiro" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35500173-love-murder-mayhem" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://russcolchamiro.com/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Website</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RussColchamiroAuthor"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Facebook</span></b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; text-decoration: none;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/AuthorDudeRuss"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Twitter</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://www.instagram.com/AuthorDudeRuss">Instagram</a></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YyfaBTbdtvs/WWKAfrx532I/AAAAAAAAErs/MRRZrdeAHnQjBCxSxJnCfBOdnK3YyBOowCLcBGAs/s1600/Tour%2BBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="800" height="120" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YyfaBTbdtvs/WWKAfrx532I/AAAAAAAAErs/MRRZrdeAHnQjBCxSxJnCfBOdnK3YyBOowCLcBGAs/s320/Tour%2BBanner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026"/>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/>
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<!-- start InLinkz script --></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<script type="text/javascript"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal">
document.write('<scr' + 'ipt type="text/javascript"
src="https://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=726071&' + new Date().getTime()
+ '"><\/script>');</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal">
</script></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<!-- end InLinkz script --></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Joyce Strandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01550719217973431722noreply@blogger.com1