tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83116710536765517982024-02-18T23:54:56.014-06:00The Blog World of Kat YaresRamblings and Rumblings from an Indie AuthorAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13723876435090409807noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8311671053676551798.post-23717782060791012372014-12-31T08:23:00.000-06:002014-12-31T08:23:31.996-06:00Being a Writer: A Guest Post from Steven Lloyd<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51meqFpg1lL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-v3-big,TopRight,0,-55_SX278_SY278_PIkin4,BottomRight,1,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51meqFpg1lL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-v3-big,TopRight,0,-55_SX278_SY278_PIkin4,BottomRight,1,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /></a></div>
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I’m going to make this as brief and as painless as possible.
Can you tell I’m nervous? Good. I don’t hide it well. My name is Steven Lloyd.
I don’t have a huge readership or a large body of work. I’ve been writing short
stories for twenty-five years. The first fifteen years of my life were dismal.
I wanted acceptance from my peers and by my early teens I was experimenting
with Cocaine and Heroin. My fear of needles and constant nose bleeds kept me
from shooting or snorting. Instead I
ingested it by mixing it with food or drinks. When I hit fifteen, teachers told
my parents I was unreachable and I would either be dead or in prison by my
twentieth birthday. Still, my parents
believed in me. I owned my place and cleaned up not too long before the writing
bug bit me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="EN">I wrote a horror story for an English class assignment—thank God it was
Halloween, and I had to read it in front of the class. The writing assignments
kept coming, I think because my teacher saw my ability as a future writer. From
that day on, students paid me a dollar or two to write their stories for class.
For the first time in my life I found something so overwhelmingly powerful that
I kept going with my new talent. I left the drugs and alcohol behind about a
year later and found my purpose in life: I wanted to write stories. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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In 2001, I was searching for myself. I hadn't written
anything in ten years and one day my <i>then</i> girlfriend bought me a
computer. Voices, once silent, now began to talk. It wasn't long before I
hammered the keys. My first acceptance came in 2005 when Naked Snake Press
released my short story “When Darkness Falls” as a standalone chapbook. The
next year Ellen Datlow mentioned the story in her summation “The Year’s Best
Fantasy and Horror” 2006. For me it was just as good as having my story
published in the book. The book sits on my shelf today.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In 2013 I started collecting some of my favorite stories.
Forty-three was knocking on the door and I wanted to leave something behind for
readers and loved ones. At the same time an idea for a novel surfaced. I was on
fire. A brief description of the novel is below:<o:p></o:p></div>
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When fifteen-year-old Hector McGee skipped the last day of school to go fishing
with his best friend Vernon, he didn’t expect to hear a woman’s screams coming
from inside the Buckmyer house. He heard a familiar voice, one he knew all too
well—the raspy voice of his drunken father—dishing out brutal punishments that
only he could give. <br />
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It's the 1940’s and Hector McGee is on the run from the Buckmyer brothers
seeking revenge after the disappearance of his father. Hector enlists the help
of his best friend and several others as they plunge deep into the Dogwood
Bottoms seeking the mythical voodoo doctor Pepper Jones. They will have to go
through hell to find him and the trip may very well kill them all.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Most of the tales in my short story collection “Strange
Roads” deal with real life horror. I wrote a short titled “The Wooden Box” that
put me on the map a couple years ago. I knew then I was on the right track.
Readers loved it. My most acclaimed stories are in this one collection: <i>The Wooden Box</i>, <i>When Darkness Falls</i>, <i>Brothers</i>,
<i>Where There Be Dragons</i>, <i>The Wallet,</i> <i>The Fight of the Centur</i>y and an excerpt from my forthcoming novel <i>Dogwood Summer</i>. Also includes an
introduction by John Paul Allen and various interviews with me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The writing game is a hurry up and wait business. Nothing
moves fast. It’s best to get that out of the way now. Things take time. <i>Strange Roads</i> took over a year to
prepare before its release in October. Cover art, interior layout, editing; all
this takes time, and I found myself rewriting most of the stories. During all
this I wrote two new pieces and slipped them in. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This is not a hobby. Writing is a second full-time job for
the serious writer, published or not and I found reading outside my chosen
genre helped me grow as writer. Since then I’ve written crime, fantasy, horror
and mainstream literary works. Don’t hold yourself to one genre. Move around
and draw other things into your reading. Most importantly--have fun. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Not too painful, was it? Good. Now go out and buy the print
edition or download a copy of <i>Strange
Roads</i> off of Amazon. You’ll be better for it. I promise. Best to all and
happy writing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">You can download or buy the print edition of
Strange Roads here: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Strange-Roads-Steven-Lloyd-ebook/dp/B00PIYDLDG/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1417050745">http://www.amazon.com/Strange-Roads-Steven-Lloyd-ebook/dp/B00PIYDLDG/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1417050745</a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/strange-roads-steven-lloyd/1120614511?ean=9781502378415">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/strange-roads-steven-lloyd/1120614511?ean=9781502378415</a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13723876435090409807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8311671053676551798.post-20823983696938081902014-03-17T00:15:00.000-06:002014-03-18T05:48:35.338-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNPVuDAlSwiJ66hr24AKeAVwwcZglqlmdaL9qnJVD7jDp4jHfNh-ZqckoW_xIRikcn13cCla-rEv44CePc9WpFekQa15qp_G4Ij3Y_BsSptvlqx0RPVEwZyjCD3mBm8xEfLEdNsa3xHqX/s1600/LCCA_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNPVuDAlSwiJ66hr24AKeAVwwcZglqlmdaL9qnJVD7jDp4jHfNh-ZqckoW_xIRikcn13cCla-rEv44CePc9WpFekQa15qp_G4Ij3Y_BsSptvlqx0RPVEwZyjCD3mBm8xEfLEdNsa3xHqX/s1600/LCCA_front.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>You’re never too old to have one more adventure</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Brought to life by Steve Ferchaud’s vibrant drawings, this story for all ages by Dan O’Brien lets us know that it is never too late to have one more adventure. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">An Excerpt:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingQermjHafUp75xlSd_5zhytdkNGEE0OJGqUALVgH1ELmyEJOp2pDsh3JOc7IxkQxbPoNvwmMZ0xn8NYDj40EWJCIpLcTLwLXa4emeoMH3afS6WAMwZsaQIlVNvgcJjvNCm25R0-u3XvG/s1600/illo01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingQermjHafUp75xlSd_5zhytdkNGEE0OJGqUALVgH1ELmyEJOp2pDsh3JOc7IxkQxbPoNvwmMZ0xn8NYDj40EWJCIpLcTLwLXa4emeoMH3afS6WAMwZsaQIlVNvgcJjvNCm25R0-u3XvG/s1600/illo01.jpg" height="400" width="270" /></a></div>
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Robert Pendleton opened one eye as the light of a passing car flashed over the window, shattering the darkness into prisms. He rolled onto his back on the beat-up couch and yawned as he reached his hands up and rubbed his eyes unceremoniously. </div>
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He looked out over the darkness at the digital clock. The red digits spelled out a quarter ‘til midnight––nearly fourteen hours of sleep. He smiled and grabbed one of the cushions of the couch, burying his head in it. Just enough sleep, he reminded himself. Robert felt that anything less than twelve hours of sleep was very nearly too little. </div>
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He grasped blindly for the TV remote. </div>
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Groaning as he lifted his head, he looked at the empty table––his eyes drawn by another flash of a passing car. He couldn’t see clearly, but he knew that the remote had been there before he had fallen asleep nearly half a day ago. </div>
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“Could have sworn….” he mumbled as he pushed himself up and brushed his hand around the top of the table, finding nothing. “Where did….”</div>
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Another groan escaped his lips as he lifted his body to a sitting position and threw aside the cluster of pillows that he had gathered around himself. He reached out for the lamp, but instead knocked it to the floor with a resounding thud. </div>
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Robert muttered as he stood up from the couch, and then sank to his knees to search around in the darkness for the fallen lamp. Reaching around on the shadowed floor, shards of the broken lamp scattered like pieces of light. </div>
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He turned his head, peering beneath the large space underneath the couch and saw the reflection of the buttons on the remote. The off-gray piece of machinery was underneath the couch––only darkness lingered beyond it. He reached out as he spoke again. </div>
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“How did it get all the way down there?” </div>
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Robert flexed his hand and strained as he twisted his back to reach farther; yet, the remote remained just out of reach. He pulled his arm away with a huff and craned his neck to the side, staring underneath into the darkness below the couch. </div>
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His eyes widened as he saw the impossible: there was something beyond the remote. He shook his head and closed his eyes, whispering to himself that he didn’t see what he thought he had.</div>
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“I saw a little man,” he whispered to himself as he opened his eyes once more and nearly gasped as he did so. </div>
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The figure was closer now and he could make out the outline clearly. A tiny man rested just beyond the remote. </div>
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“What in the name of…?”</div>
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“Not here in the name of nobody, laddie. I be a friend though,” crooned the miniscule figure as he interrupted Robert and stepped forward, placing a hand on the darkened and slick surface of the remote. </div>
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A tam-o’-shanter crested his bright red hair, the shaggy mane blending perfectly into his equally crimson, neatly trimmed, beard. </div>
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A billow of whitish smoke drifted from the long-stemmed pipe that he held clenched between his lips. </div>
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Robert fell back and knocked aside the adjacent table. Rubbing his eyes, he spoke a single word: “Leprechaun.”</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeDAg6Wrvj5nn5xkM3rb6E_F5PY3em3-PaYM11yQtxgx9bxzDTdJ1APs4aVXwo8CRlKak2_ty8O0B_ABfj9aH-sU2Qce_Sw4X5v4dJakl631CLujbuGArXUIotkuiZ8TqNHDoDOUpoemL/s1600/illo02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeDAg6Wrvj5nn5xkM3rb6E_F5PY3em3-PaYM11yQtxgx9bxzDTdJ1APs4aVXwo8CRlKak2_ty8O0B_ABfj9aH-sU2Qce_Sw4X5v4dJakl631CLujbuGArXUIotkuiZ8TqNHDoDOUpoemL/s1600/illo02.jpg" height="400" width="283" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">About the Author:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2N41RnDQ6MRwrK7cy8vchIIEA8xjoODxz8sH9w92XvXBt5LdcT34sVxt5PHQRe3eqIJiXypb4DapolXbw_SVAnlA2n2swX-3XAhKFNXTWqvoDrjD9lcCpZURJctLjZp5LBx8UhlPTuyT/s1600/Rustic+Author+Dan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2N41RnDQ6MRwrK7cy8vchIIEA8xjoODxz8sH9w92XvXBt5LdcT34sVxt5PHQRe3eqIJiXypb4DapolXbw_SVAnlA2n2swX-3XAhKFNXTWqvoDrjD9lcCpZURJctLjZp5LBx8UhlPTuyT/s1600/Rustic+Author+Dan.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dan O’Brien, founder and editor-in-chief of <i>The Northern California Perspective</i>, has written over 20 books––including the bestselling <i>Bitten</i>, which was featured on Conversations Book Club’s Top 100 novels of 2012. Before starting Amalgam, he was the senior editor and marketing director for an international magazine. In addition, he has spent over a decade in the publishing industry as a freelance editor. You can learn more about his literary and publishing consulting business by visiting his website at: <a href="http://www.amalgamconsulting.com/">www.amalgamconsulting.com</a>. Contact him today to order copies of the book or have them stocked at your local bookstore. He can he reached by email at <a href="mailto:amalgamconsulting@gmail.com">amalgamconsulting@gmail.com</a>. </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EBUYRZY" target="_blank">Grab the book on Amazon</a> (US)<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00EBUYRZY" target="_blank">Grab the book on Amazon</a> (UK)<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/AuthorDanOBrien" target="_blank">Follow the Author on Twitter</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/authordanobrien" target="_blank">Like the Author on Facebook</a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Would you like to win a remarked copy of <i>Conspirators of the Lost Sock Army and Loose Change Collection Agency</i> signed by the author and illustrator?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Simply follow the author <a href="https://www.facebook.com/authordanobrien" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://thedanobrienproject.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here </a>and a few winners will be randomly selected on March 20th!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13723876435090409807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8311671053676551798.post-46077476524345215482014-03-12T07:13:00.000-06:002014-03-14T06:46:24.444-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3HC2Ew1mzbnFjp69G5PRPXH9VakQ9eF_q4wipv3akW0kvOhZiCNahe8N5NJEm0VNZSAMJIGJzGqXid0Z98KEnAQmvOoK5SLqEGPnuASApGNaXcMVe33IXwN4YwWeO12iEbH5s0yqSNoS/s1600/Elaine+Graphic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3HC2Ew1mzbnFjp69G5PRPXH9VakQ9eF_q4wipv3akW0kvOhZiCNahe8N5NJEm0VNZSAMJIGJzGqXid0Z98KEnAQmvOoK5SLqEGPnuASApGNaXcMVe33IXwN4YwWeO12iEbH5s0yqSNoS/s1600/Elaine+Graphic.png" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Today, I<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span> am happy to share my blog space with Elaine Burroughs (writing under the name of Elaine Calloway), author of Earthbound - Book Three of her The Elemental Clans series.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbRxhU-F20iwVnG1_onyS8Jp9eT-qbY9B8vNBNGJ-rrHjiDCRXc7-vSGffuhfvXOe8cQJBL93F3M1JxjQ0iYWwhO143Bu94tUQ-DQRCpvQyoFwIWLo9gYhNy4ZMgcReHDwfPa9LUBOyf6/s1600/cover_high_rez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbRxhU-F20iwVnG1_onyS8Jp9eT-qbY9B8vNBNGJ-rrHjiDCRXc7-vSGffuhfvXOe8cQJBL93F3M1JxjQ0iYWwhO143Bu94tUQ-DQRCpvQyoFwIWLo9gYhNy4ZMgcReHDwfPa9LUBOyf6/s1600/cover_high_rez.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
So without further ado...<br />
I'll turn this blog over to Elaine!<br />
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<b>Don’t Forget the Details in Your Setting</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>By Elaine Burroughs</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOhqnbdKOnw8aHXTHFPDrW2yXZ2PumheyyiAkI09Rx-ExmPVOFui-8xmOuevOhrHooLpFRrNcSt7961-Ybzejn6Ugkl-vnMzUZh6in-YQuUP1Kt_AmOAEsFIi3f9LV5x5f3CjpgACmCux/s1600/elaine_bio_photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOhqnbdKOnw8aHXTHFPDrW2yXZ2PumheyyiAkI09Rx-ExmPVOFui-8xmOuevOhrHooLpFRrNcSt7961-Ybzejn6Ugkl-vnMzUZh6in-YQuUP1Kt_AmOAEsFIi3f9LV5x5f3CjpgACmCux/s1600/elaine_bio_photo.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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There are various quotes about details that have been
modified over the years, but I think James McBride said it best: “As a
journalist, the details always tell the story.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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How true. Details matter, whether you’re a writer trying to
incorporate senses (sight, smell, touch, sound) into your manuscript, or
whether you’re trying to tell a friend about a movie they should see. The
details are what make the subject come alive.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In many ways, details are the difference between telling and
showing. Consider the following examples and which ones offer more information
for your audience.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Telling: She was tired.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Showing: Kayla let out a long yawn before turning off the
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Don’t you “see” more in the showing sentence above?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Let’s try another one, just to get your taste buds going!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Telling: Lunch looks good.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Showing: Alex folded the rice into the mound of crawfish
etouffee on his plate, and the sizzling spices teased his nostrils. <o:p></o:p></div>
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With showing (or giving details) the reader can picture the
scene easier. It lets each person envision something specific, versus saying
“she was tired” which doesn’t offer much visual, audible, or sensory detail.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So remember that as you’re writing that manuscript or
describing a TV show, book, or movie to a friend…details count, so be sure to
use them!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>More about the book and Elaine herself.</b></div>
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BLURB:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Some say history repeats itself, but for Terran, an Earth
Elemental, history has returned and slapped him in the face. Along the
Willamette River in Portland, Oregon, the Acobi Fallen Angels have decided to
go underground–literally. They are resurrecting an old legend, shanghaiing
innocent people into slavery. Underage girls are trapped and kept in holding
cells, ready to be sold into the sex trade. Terran must stop the Acobi and keep
the public away from the Shanghai tunnels, all while keeping his supernatural
powers hidden.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Kelly Habersham, overachieving real estate developer, has
finally convinced her father and brothers to give her the Portland condo
project, which would require extensive construction near the tunnels.
Determined to impress her father and make a name for herself in the family
business, she is not about to let a Save-the-Earth guy get in her way.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Terran and Kelly must work together and come to a truce–or
they may be the next shanghai victims.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elaine Calloway<o:p></o:p></div>
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Crafting Stories of the Living, the Dead, and the Eerie In
Between.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elaine Calloway grew up in New Orleans with a love of cemeteries, gothic architecture, and
all things</div>
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paranormal. She is currently writing The Elemental Clan
Series, a good vs. evil<o:p></o:p></div>
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set of tales involving Elementals and Fallen Angels. </div>
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For
more information and<o:p></o:p></div>
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to connect with Elaine online, visit her website
at <a href="http://www.elainecalloway.com/">http://www.elainecalloway.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
Follow Her!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Twitter – <a href="http://twitter.com/writerscanvas">http://twitter.com/writerscanvas</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Facebook –<a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorelainecalloway">https://www.facebook.com/authorelainecalloway</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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My Pinterest Page –<a href="http://pinterest.com/elainecalloway/">http://pinterest.com/elainecalloway/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Goodreads
–<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13256243-elaine-calloway">http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13256243-elaine-calloway</a><o:p></o:p><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13723876435090409807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8311671053676551798.post-41013523516788540452013-12-26T14:40:00.001-06:002013-12-26T14:40:00.071-06:00Showcase with William Cook: Five Mistakes KILLING Self-Published Authors<a href="http://williamcookshowcase.blogspot.com/2013/12/five-mistakes-killing-self-published.html?spref=bl">Showcase with William Cook: Five Mistakes KILLING Self-Published Authors</a>: Reblogged from Kristen Lamb's Blog When I began writing I was SO SURE agents would be fighting over my manuscript. Yeah. But af...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13723876435090409807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8311671053676551798.post-67404613009478704272013-12-18T07:40:00.001-06:002013-12-18T07:40:16.744-06:00An Interview with Joe Mynhardt about Crystal Lake Publishing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.crystallakepub.com/">Crystal Lake Publishing</a></div>
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Today, I am talking with Joe Mynhardt, owner of Crystal Lake Publishing, Crystal Lake is a small press operating in South Africa and specializes in horror and dark short fiction and anthologies. And now, on with the questions.<br />
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<b>Do you think books encompassing different genres have helped or hindered the industry?</b><br />
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That’s a catch 22 situation.<br />
On one hand, anything that gets more people writing and reading is great. With so many online outlets (Amazon, Createspace, Smashwords etc.), writers don’t have to worry so much about where their book should be on a bookstore shelf. Bookstores invented names for the genres, not writers. We write stories, and sometimes those stories want to go wherever they need to go. I can’t tell my imagination, “Sorry, but we’re not allowed to go in that direction.”<br />
But then you have to keep marketing in mind when you write a book. You need to know who your target readers are. So sometimes you have to pull your characters back a bit and keep the ending as well as the genre in mind. When a reader looks at a cover, they should know immediately what waits for them inside.<br />
I’d say stick to one genre in general, because you will let your readers down if you don’t, but nothing stops you from adding romantic subplots, fantasy worlds or a funny character. Your horror book will be so much better for it if you do.<br />
Otherwise, write different genres under a pseudonym. I write and read horror and thriller stories, or just plain weird and dark, but there’s always room a bit of romance, comedy and so on. I’m actually working with an author on an erotic horror novella for 2014, with a lot of twisted humor in there for extra fun.<br />
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<b>Do you prefer writing and publishing short stories, novellas or novels?</b><br />
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For now I prefer short stories and novellas. I’m not able to fully represent a novel yet. I can’t offer authors an advance or the massive advertising budget a novel requires. This company is still young, so I’m sure we’ll get there some day.<br />
I also read more short stories as well, since they’re just what someone with a little bit of time in need of entertainment looks for.<br />
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<b>To be a writer you need to be a reader. Do you agree?</b><br />
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Definitely. There’s no way around this. Unless of course you’re writing screenplays, but even then it’s always wise to know what’s being written and read throughout the world. <br />
I always find it funny when someone says they want to be a writer, but they don’t like reading. If you love something, you’d better love all of it.<br />
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<b>What made you decide to get involved with this side of the business?</b><br />
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I just love working with other writers. It’s one of the best perks of being more than just a writer.<br />
Also, sport injuries hinder me from sitting hours and hours behind a computer, so it’s pretty cool that I can now work according to my own schedule; although it’s still pretty hectic.<br />
Plus, my main goal in life is to create, whether it’s a book written solely by me, or an idea that becomes a great book, like the two anthologies I’ve published this year.<br />
I can’t begin to describe the amazing stories I’ve read and edited so far. It’s pretty awesome to be able to read top notch stories months before the world gets to see it – to be part of such an amazing process with other writers. Writing tends to get lonely, but compiling an anthology or working with an author and the cover artists is pretty damn cool.<br />
I just love being involved and helping authors along their career paths. If I can help an author reach more readers or even just make them a bit more money, I’m a happy man.<br />
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<b>You are a writer, publisher and editor, three very different hats. Which one fits you best?</b><br />
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I’d have to say publisher. I’ll never stop writing my own stories, but there’s just no greater reward than working with others. I’m a pretty good editor. I still have lot to learn and experience to gain, but I have a very sharp eye when it comes to mistakes.<br />
With the publishing, I’m a lot more driven and fulfilled. I do my best to promote their work, or push them to become better writers by teaming them up with other writers.<br />
The authors tend to push themselves when they share a TOC such other big-name authors, focusing on their strengths and improving their weaknesses. That’s another reason why I love anthologies so much, it introduces readers to other writers they might enjoy.<br />
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<b>Why do you think what you do matters?</b><br />
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Well, stories are a written history of the times the writer lived in. And if we can entertain, scare or help a reader forget about the daily grind for a while, then we’re all psyched.<br />
It matters because it fulfills our lives like nothing else can.<br />
Don’t tell anyone, but I think I was quite unhappy before becoming a writer, and I’m even happier now that I run Crystal Lake Publishing.<br />
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<b>Crystal Lake Publishing started in August 2012, and has gone on to launch quite a few books since then. Was the response to Crystal Lake just positive straight from the start?</b><br />
<br />
Definitely. I think it was a combination of timing and knowing the right people. I published my own book (Lost in the Dark) first, just as a tester to sort out any kinks before taking on other authors. I’d rather screw up my own book, and then learn from my mistakes. It was quite the learning curve.<br />
I chatted with Ben Baldwin about doing a cover, who I met through a project with my friends over at Dark Minds Press. I commissioned Ben to make the cover of my book and the next book, which would be an anthology.<br />
I played it smart, and only started filling the TOC once I could show the authors the cover. Authors love nice covers. I then posted the cover on Facebook and continued to invite authors, adding them onto the ever-growing TOC, right there on Facebook where everyone could see it. I quickly received messages from authors I actually wanted to invite anyway, asking if I’d consider their work. I couldn’t stop smiling.<br />
After For the Night is Dark, I contacted Daniel I. Russell about doing a collection of his own. And things just picked up from there. I knew that, although it came down to quality, I had to put in the hours and really push to get a few titles out within the first year or so. Nobody takes a publisher with only two titles very serious.<br />
So I spent a lot of time studying the market and learning more and more about publishing and marketing (still busy), but it’s a combination of a lot of strategies, contacts and effort that helped launch this company.<br />
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<b>Why should people read Crystal Lake’s work?</b><br />
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Straight answer, because I enjoy reading every story I’ve published. I’m a horror fan, but mostly a fan of stories. Whether the story comes in the form of a book, comic, movie, series, play or even a song doesn’t matter. So I write and therefor publish what I would like to read. I’m not naïve enough to believe there are no people out there like me. Lots of people enjoy the same stories I do, and the better I become at the craft of writing and editing, the better I can bring all these stories to life.<br />
I’m actually just happy just to see people reading more. I don’t shy away from promoting other indie publishers or great authors, no matter where they’re published. A lot of my best friends are publishers.<br />
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<b>Any advice for budding horror and dark fiction writers?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
There are so many things to say, but I’ll give you a quick run-through:<br />
-Write<br />
-Read.<br />
-Join and participate on a forum.<br />
-Read non-fiction horror books, especially about marketing. You’ll need it eventually.<br />
-Always be open and ready for opportunities.<br />
-Have confidence in yourself. Every small step becomes part of the bigger journey.<br />
-Have a story or two on standby at all times.<br />
-Write every day, even if it’s only 10 minutes.<br />
-Learn how to edit your own work.<br />
-Be as visible as possible on the internet.<br />
-Be professional in everything you say and do. Growing a tough skin goes a long way in not <br />
acting like an emotional rollercoaster on social media.<br />
-Help others as much as you can, even if you just share or retweet their stuff. Celebrate <br />
their successes with them, and don’t be jealous.<br />
-Eat, breathe and sleep stories, but take time to rest. Writer’s fatigue is no joke.<br />
-Take some time to just sit and think about creative things to do, whether they’re story or <br />
promotion ideas.<br />
-Don’t listen to negative thoughts. You’ll have off days where you’ll just have to ignore <br />
yourself.<br />
-Take care of your body, especially your back and wrists. Being an author is not a race, but <br />
a marathon that never ends.<br />
<br />
<b>Do you think it’s fair that some publishers are selling collections and anthologies, but aren’t offering writers any advances or royalties?</b><br />
<br />
It’s definitely not fair for one person to make money off a book that many worked on. When I started writing, I submitted to a lot of for-the-love anthologies, which is fine for a beginning writer, since you won’t be up against the established writers. I mean, you have to start somewhere to build up a CV and learn about the industry.<br />
But the authors I work with, the ones that do this for a living or are attempting to write full time, they need to balance their time with possible income – time is indeed money in this industry. And I don’t even pay nearly enough when it comes to anthologies, but I’m working towards it.<br />
I give 45% royalties to short story collections and novella authors, which is a lot more than they’d get from other publishers. And I pay it with a smile. Seeing them make money and advance in their careers is more rewarding than making money for myself. In any case, all the money I make go right back into the company. For me it’s all about building the company, which will in the end be very beneficial to the authors and horror lovers across the globe.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13723876435090409807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8311671053676551798.post-41412867499316161342013-12-12T09:21:00.001-06:002013-12-12T09:21:26.939-06:00Criminal Minds: Blinders On!<a href="http://7criminalminds.blogspot.com/2013/12/blinders-on.html?spref=bl">Criminal Minds: Blinders On!</a>: by Alan Last week, I finished the first draft of a new novel. It’s a slightly different genre than most of my books, and I had a fun time w...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13723876435090409807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8311671053676551798.post-21993671801088589002013-10-10T00:01:00.000-05:002013-10-10T06:26:37.518-05:00Guest Post - Robin Burks, author of Zeus, Inc<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome, Robin to the Blog World of Kat Yares. I'm sure I'm not the only person who is absolutely going to love what you have written here. Personally, I love mythology.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmE33R_XmtpEhuYrjhNptz2dGkcIaaMQo6PLRrNQVVrNRd9e1U4NxELYHDLQkxLFPb95OdkU0IkYf9m0MgX6opZgElAOGkIDfupZbPRX36zNAZnI_3JypBQuWr2SyfssTq_uXeAWhFzt9M/s1600/Zeus+Inc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmE33R_XmtpEhuYrjhNptz2dGkcIaaMQo6PLRrNQVVrNRd9e1U4NxELYHDLQkxLFPb95OdkU0IkYf9m0MgX6opZgElAOGkIDfupZbPRX36zNAZnI_3JypBQuWr2SyfssTq_uXeAWhFzt9M/s1600/Zeus+Inc.jpg" /></a></div>
Using Mythology in Fiction<br />
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I am certainly not the first author, nor will I be the last, to use mythology in fiction. Mythology has long inspired novelists, and its usage includes such works as Neil Gaiman’s <em>American Gods</em> and Rick Riordan’s <em>Percy Jackson</em> series, just to name a few. But what is it about mythological gods, goddesses and creatures that inspires us?<br />
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Mythology is the truest form of the fantasy genre. Thanks to wonderful tales given to us by the Greeks, the Norse, the Celts and other ancient civilizations, the stories are already there. However, those of us who wish to retell them need to take what we know and build upon that. It gives us a way to re-invent old stories and make them new again. The inspiration that these stories give to an author is invaluable.<br />
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Mythology also gives us characters that are fascinating. Mythology gave us our first superheroes: beings that were far more than their mortal counterparts. Whether they be humans with extraordinary powers or gods and goddesses, these beings are able to do things that mere humans cannot. That in and of itself makes them interesting characters. But even better? These characters aren’t perfect. In fact, they often succumb to very human weaknesses: anger, jealousy and love. They might be infallible, but they are also flawed. And most authors understand that a flawed character is more interesting to read about than a perfect one.<br />
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Mythology also gives us fantastic monsters. Think of something like Cyclops: a giant with one eye. He is absolutely terrifying! An author can imagine how a modern-day character would react upon meeting such a beast. These ancient monsters offer a great horror element to storytelling that many authors have embraced.<br />
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I embraced mythology in writing <em>Zeus, Inc.</em>, for all these reasons. I have always been intrigued with the Greek gods and goddesses and when it came time to write a story about them (after an interesting dream about a world where they existed), I could not stop myself. They served as my inspiration and became characters in a world that I created. I cannot imagine my made-up universe without them.<br />
<br />
Don't miss the <em>Zeus, Inc.</em> Blog Tour giveaway. You could win ebook copies of <em> Zeus Inc. </em>, along with a $25 Amazon gift card. Even better? Winning is easy: see details on how to enter below.<br />
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<strong>To be entered to win:</strong><br />
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<br />
<li>Pick up a copy of Zeus, Inc. for $2.99 at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DONI6LA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00DONI6LA&linkCode=as2&tag=fangirlconf-20">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/zeus-inc-robin-burks/1112304593?ean=2940016510439">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/330555">Smashwords</a>, <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/zeus-inc">Kobo</a> or anywhere else ebooks are sold.</li>
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<li>Enter the Rafflecopter contest below.</li>
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<strong>About Zeus, Inc. </strong><br />
<em>(Biting Dog Publications) - </em>50 years ago, mysterious Zeus, Inc. CEO Joseph Brentwood saved the world from a major energy crisis by discovering a new unlimited energy resource. Now, in 2069, Mr. Brentwood has gone missing and private eye Alex Grosjean has been hired to find him. Alex’s search leads her through her own murky past and into the fantastical depths of Hell itself, where she discovers that no one is who or what they seem to be.<br />
<strong>Robin Burks</strong> is not only a journalist for <a href="http://www.dvice.com/author/robin-burks">DVICE.com</a> and <a href="http://www.rebelgaming.com/">RebelGaming.com</a>, but also for her own site <a href="http://www.fangirlconfessions.com/">FanGirlConfessions.com</a>. Robin has just published her first novel: <em>Zeus, Inc. </em>with Biting Dog Publications and is working on its sequel<em> The Curse of Hekate. </em>A science fiction trilogy,<em> The Book of Revelations, </em>is also currently in the works. An internet addict, she can often be found on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. She also loves to read , act, sing, play video games and travel. Robin currently lives in Missouri with her four cats. She also occasionally speaks French and loves <em>Doctor Who</em>. <strong>Visit Robin</strong> on her <a href="http://www.robin-burks.com/">website</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/sunriserobin">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Robin-Burks/208964945892113">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://plus.google.com/104187496644597505395/posts">Google+</a> or <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6427462.Robin_Burks">GoodReads</a>.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13723876435090409807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8311671053676551798.post-76835147139516624632013-10-02T11:37:00.002-05:002013-10-02T11:37:41.861-05:00Quit Spamming my EmailYes, I'm aware lots of folks know that I review books and products for Amazon, Hellnotes and other outlets. That's cool. But what isn't cool, it opening my email in the mornings and finding 20 to 30 requests for reviews that aren't anything similar to what I normally read or test. Today's fun things were bath salts and artworks. I've never reviewed either before so why should I start now? Neither interests me.<br />
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Yes, I know a number of websites collect Amazon top reviewers emails and sells them to new authors. Yes, I know how important reviews are for books (after all, I'm an author myself), but I guarantee that if you send me an email (often in a very bullying tone) wanting a review of your book - I will delete that email with the rest of the spam I get daily.<br />
<br />
Bottom line, I review only in certain genres and certain gadgets. If your stuff doesn't fall within those limitations, you're wasting your time (and mine). Your best chance of getting a review out of me (especially for books) is friending me on Facebook, building a relationship and then pitching. If I'm interested, I'll request your book (or product) for review. Something else to keep in mind, especially for product reviews, is I will not pay for the product in any way and that includes shipping charges.<br />
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And for the publishers that I've requested books from - thank you for sending them. But, please, don't send an extra book that I haven't requested. Chances are that extra book will never get reviewed.<br />
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If this sounds a bit whiney, it probably is. My time is just as valuable as the next person's and I hate having it wasted by those who refuse to take the time to understand how and why I do what I do.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13723876435090409807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8311671053676551798.post-18446864856254126532013-09-06T09:02:00.001-05:002013-09-06T09:02:50.797-05:00Whirlwind of an Exciting WeekWe've had a lot of good news this week with the first being that our short movie <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2185852/">The Truth of Becoming</a> has been accepted into the <a href="http://www.hotspringshorrorfilmfestival.com/wp/?page_id=80">Hot Springs Horror Film Festival</a>. For two years, this is the festival we wanted to be a part of and we are very thrilled and humbled by the acceptance. The festival runs September 26 thru the 29th, although we don't officially have the date or time for the screening. I'll update the moment we find out.<br />
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For those that might want to read the story that the movie is based on it is available on Amazon for a mere 99 cents. You can find it <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Truth-of-Becoming-ebook/dp/B00945G4E8/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378474810&sr=1-7">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVVuePcR5P_mqTuN1nHo2rKTXp-66VxnuDyEzongy-dy5GZDxBUdcsQFbE02ViFhuvkUsvCk3WtIGhnSE3bt54cZL5BwPpThzuCG1rgyAZxnXqaG-lCfgXaz2VCt6AjKJNdUjNONd9p12/s1600/Truth+of+Becoming+Poster+5b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVVuePcR5P_mqTuN1nHo2rKTXp-66VxnuDyEzongy-dy5GZDxBUdcsQFbE02ViFhuvkUsvCk3WtIGhnSE3bt54cZL5BwPpThzuCG1rgyAZxnXqaG-lCfgXaz2VCt6AjKJNdUjNONd9p12/s320/Truth+of+Becoming+Poster+5b.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
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In other news, Amazon has all of my print books on sale. And while I'd love for you to rush out and buy them, you might want to wait until next month. Amazon is rolling out a program called Matchbook and if you wait, not only can you purchase the print book - you will also get the eBook version for your Kindle for free. Pretty good deal, huh? I think so! But, if you really can't wait, you can find the whole list of my books <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kat-Yares/e/B002O6QCGE/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1">here</a>. </div>
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And finally, although we've known for a while, Kevin ('that' man) and I are going to become grandparents for the fourth time come February. We are so very excited for our son, Justin and his beautiful, lovely wife, Christie. I'm really looking forward to holding and loving on a baby again. :)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13723876435090409807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8311671053676551798.post-68058564285399420792013-08-03T15:13:00.000-05:002013-08-03T15:13:13.865-05:00Back Side of FiftySometimes, you just step back and wonder - where did the years go. My birthday is next week, and it takes me past the point where I can no longer reverse the numbers and jokingly say I'm younger. Ah well.<br />
<br />
So, in honor of that upcoming birthday, I've dropped the prices of all my books by a buck. Well, all of them except the short stories. Why would I do that? Perhaps to entice new people to try out my books. Also, a few extra sales might help fund some Jamison Irish Whiskey for my backside of fifty party next weekend. Okay, so not really a party, just a few of our kids coming up to hang with us for the evening.<br />
<br />
In order to make it easier I you - I've collected all the links right here on this post (even though, you can get to all the retailers by clicking the titles above).<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kat-Yares/e/B002O6QCGE/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1">Amazon</a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kat-Yares/e/B002O6QCGE/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1">Amazon UK</a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/kat-yares?store=allproducts&keyword=kat+yares">B&N Nook</a><br />
<a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=kat+yares">Kobo</a><br />
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/kat-yares/id365798957?mt=11">Apple iBooks</a><br />
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As hard as I tried, I couldn't get the prices changed at Sony, Smashwords or Diesel. And I apologize for that. For some reason Smashwords kept crashing my browser when I tried to fill out the appropriate information. :(<br />
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Also, in case you missed it - an interview with my little self was featured on the wonderful Aaron Speca's blog yesterday. Check it out here: http://aaronspeca.blogspot.com/Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13723876435090409807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8311671053676551798.post-91694185014375118202013-07-11T17:37:00.001-05:002013-07-11T17:37:52.754-05:00A New Interview ad a New StoryI was lucky enough to be a part of an in-depth interview with Tim Flanagan on his blog "The Writing Life of a Simple Storyteller". It was a fun interview, because he made me think. Very few of the usual questions - more thought provoking ones and I think I took several days to fill it out completely.<br />
<br />
You can find Part One (about being a writer) <a href="http://timflanaganauthor.wordpress.com/2013/07/09/author-interview-kat-yares-part-1/">here</a><br />
<br />
Part Two (focusing more on the publishing aspect) <a href="http://timflanaganauthor.wordpress.com/2013/07/10/author-interview-kat-yares-part-2/">here</a><br />
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By tomorrow, my latest story, a 10,000 word novelette, should be available on Amazon for the Kindle. Titled "The Well" it combines myth and old style horror in a simple tale of a single mother and the need to have fresh water available for her family. It's a fun story and one of my daughters favorites (or at least that is what she told me years ago).<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13723876435090409807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8311671053676551798.post-4580373655822269132013-06-19T06:00:00.000-05:002013-06-19T06:15:22.415-05:00A Double Spotlight on Cassandra Dean<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJummTOXtPC8Bz2sTbJi1_7fd7uEqCu3CqvtduJIv_pQletuXIwe_Q41ILLPS4iBTD3wIxrRBh5Jo0zzvKrq0b1V0XIYPGwWmCOjJp16wMc9YnUVvyZi1uIHcwylSzMXpeCENJ4V3qvCt/s1600/RoughDiamondBT.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJummTOXtPC8Bz2sTbJi1_7fd7uEqCu3CqvtduJIv_pQletuXIwe_Q41ILLPS4iBTD3wIxrRBh5Jo0zzvKrq0b1V0XIYPGwWmCOjJp16wMc9YnUVvyZi1uIHcwylSzMXpeCENJ4V3qvCt/s320/RoughDiamondBT.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">THE DIAMOND SERIES,
BOOK 1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Owner of the
Diamond Saloon and Theater, Alice Reynolds is astounded when a fancy Englishman
offers to buy her saloon. She won’t be selling her saloon to anyone, let alone
a man with a pretty, empty-headed grin…but then, she reckons that grin just
might be a lie, and a man of intelligence and cunning resides beneath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rupert Llewellyn
has another purpose for offering to buy the pretty widow’s saloon—the coal
buried deep in land she owns. However, he never banked on her knowing eyes
making him weak at the knees, or how his deception would burn upon his soul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Each determined to
outwit the other, they tantalize and tease until passion explodes. But can
their desire bridge the lies told and trust broken?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 5.0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">THE DIAMOND SERIES,
BOOK 2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Christmas in
Freewill<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Christmas Eve, the
Diamond Saloon is empty of its people, and Pearl la Monte has a hankering to
retire early. A pounding at the Diamond’s door rids her of such a fool notion.
Her irritation rises when she sees the prissy, polite-like Garrett standing
outside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ethan Garrett has a
powerful need to gain succor. When the saloon’s voluptuous redheaded singer
scowls at him from the threshold of the Diamond, he doesn’t stop to think on
how his ire at her has disappeared. Or how he just wants to spend some time in
her company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When a blizzard
storms in, trapping them, will they spend their time arguing or find their
irritation for each other disguises something more?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Authors Bio:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cassandra Dean</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cassandra grew up
daydreaming, inventing fantastical worlds and marvelous adventures. Once she
learned to read (First phrase – To the Beach. True story), she was never
without a book, reading of other people’s fantastical worlds and marvelous
adventures.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fairy
tales, Famous Fives, fantasies and fancies; horror stories, gumshoe detectives,
science fiction; Cassandra read it all. Then she discovered Romance and a true
passion was born.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So, once
upon a time, after making a slight detour into the world of finance, Cassandra
tried her hand at writing. After a brief foray into horror, she couldn’t
discount her true passion. She started to write Romance and fell head over
heels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The love
affair exists to this very day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cassandra
lives in Adelaide, South Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Her website - http://cassandradean.com</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Links for Cassandra<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCassandraDean"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCassandraDean</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://twitter.com/#!/authorCassDean"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">http://twitter.com/#!/authorCassDean</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5016740.Cassandra_Dean"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5016740.Cassandra_Dean</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://cassandra-dean.tumblr.com/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">http://cassandra-dean.tumblr.com/</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/cassandradean/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">http://pinterest.com/cassandradean/</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://instagram.com/authorcassdean?ref=badge"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">http://instagram.com/authorcassdean?ref=badge</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://cassandraandlucy.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">http://cassandraandlucy.wordpress.com/</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Buy links:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ROUGH DIAMOND</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">FOOL’S GOLD</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">FOOL’S GOLD</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A giveaway will be
done for the tours! How many copies throughout the tour?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes. Four US$5
Amazon.com Gift Cards + four ebook copies of any Decadent Publishing book from
my backlist (not including Rough Diamond & Fool’s Gold) Check the bottom of this post to enter.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Excerpt:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ROUGH DIAMOND</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lifting the glass,
Alice studied its contents. “There is nothing quite like the enjoyment you get
from a good whiskey. There’s the look and color of it, and the way it burns in
the light.”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s the
same color as your eyes,” Llewellyn breathed, his own wide and empty of
thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A smile
tugged at the corner of her mouth. That’s right. Fool me into thinking there’s
not an ounce of calculation to your words. “Is it? Mighty kind of you to
notice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A happy
grin was her response.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Well now,
she was surely going to enjoy this. Setting her own half-smile, she tilted her
glass, watching as the whiskey caught the light of the candle. “Have you ever
noticed the feel of glass? It’s smooth against your fingers, and though the
whiskey burns you, the glass is cool. It seems strange, doesn’t it? That such
fire could come from something so cool.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Intensely
aware of his gaze upon her, she brought the glass to rest on her bottom lip. “You
lift the glass to your lips, and all that coolness rests upon your flesh. The
scent of the whiskey hits you, sweet and fiery. Your mouth waters, and you
can’t wait to have it inside you. Slowly, so slowly, you tip the glass, teasing
yourself as long moments in want of its taste stretch unbearably.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He no
longer wore a smile. Dark eyes watched her as strong fingers dug into the glass
before him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A prickle
washed over her skin, her heart a steady beat in her chest. With hushed voice,
she continued. “Liquid slides down your throat. The flavor explodes inside you,
a glorious rush of sensation that overwhelms and consumes. You curl your
tongue, enjoying the lingering sensation in every part of your mouth. Then, you
look at the bottle.” Finally, she met his gaze direct. No subterfuge. No tease.
“And you know you can do it again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">FOOL’S GOLD</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQzxqspHKEt9uYfHFo43bnd5pwqHudn-L5b-jw4ktIC467SGUKVeiqP6R6wMyP83voE62z-K6tlIycopx8ojKRmqivLmS-QQPWp2j7tVWJzBYzZPUDJoo0ZJp3LvdhaN17df8yrOpZmVY/s1600/FoolsGold_450x300%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQzxqspHKEt9uYfHFo43bnd5pwqHudn-L5b-jw4ktIC467SGUKVeiqP6R6wMyP83voE62z-K6tlIycopx8ojKRmqivLmS-QQPWp2j7tVWJzBYzZPUDJoo0ZJp3LvdhaN17df8yrOpZmVY/s320/FoolsGold_450x300%255B1%255D.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Turning on her
heel, Pearl marched off toward the stairs.</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A weird
kind of panic jolted through Ethan, one he’d never felt before in all his days.
It was…he didn’t…. She couldn’t leave him. “Where are you going?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She
whirled to face him, her irritation plain. “I was seeking my bed before your
arrival, and now I’m seeking it again. Help yourself to whiskey this one time.
I got better things to do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shoving to
his feet, he strode to her. “Don’t just walk away when we’re discussing
things.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We ain’t
discussing nothing. You’ll be down here, waiting out the blizzard. I’ll be in
my bed, doing what I was gonna before you arrived. That’s the end of it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Taking a
step, she made to leave him. Again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He grabbed
her arm. “Don’t leave me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Don’t
tell me what to do.” Glaring at him, she stood before the bar, her magnificent
hair slipping from its pins, her breasts rising and falling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Abruptly,
his mouth went dry. Clearing his throat some, he said, “You’re supposed to
offer succor to those in need.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“We’re
closed, remember?” Paint-less lips pressed tight together, she glared up at
him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They were
so close he could see the faint marks of freckles on her skin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pearl La
Monte had freckles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A kind of
haze came over him, tightening his skin and bringing with it something
all-fired powerful and completely unstoppable. All the years he’d known her
crashed through him, all the times she’d flirted with him and meant something
else, all the times he’d seen her perform on stage and wished he could have
held such fire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Grabbing
her upper arms, he hauled her against him and, ignoring her shocked gasp, he
covered her mouth with his.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a id="rc-b562e85" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b562e85/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13723876435090409807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8311671053676551798.post-102865789482337652013-05-04T06:00:00.000-05:002013-05-04T06:00:11.743-05:00NEW RELEASE BOOK BLITZ: JUMPER (Time Travelers) by Jeff LaFerney<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8x4QCA4Q3z2nbwss0MDa-VKnWLj3AH2cJL7RWBt-yOBVT-_jxGQ7sDXZUYGJtoepPD2qHPcOLNnbSqQYulEhjS5L3nqs-tpWy_1Bi1IHeR6L69Al_idySX6C1JaU4kOolJKmlF2kcMEdW/s1600/Cover_Jumper_-(New)(VersionB).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8x4QCA4Q3z2nbwss0MDa-VKnWLj3AH2cJL7RWBt-yOBVT-_jxGQ7sDXZUYGJtoepPD2qHPcOLNnbSqQYulEhjS5L3nqs-tpWy_1Bi1IHeR6L69Al_idySX6C1JaU4kOolJKmlF2kcMEdW/s320/Cover_Jumper_-(New)(VersionB).jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Title: <span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: text2;">Jumper</span> (<span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: text2;">Time Travelers</span>)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Author: <span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: text2;">Jeff LaFerney</span> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Publisher: <span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: text2;">Tower Publications</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Publication Date: <span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: text2;">April 30</span>, <span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: text2;">2013</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Genres: <span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: text2;">NA</span>, <span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: text2;">Action</span>/<span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: text2;">Adventure</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2;">SUMMARY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After spending three years in jail and others completely alone, twenty-four-year-old Cole Flint discovers an amazing ability—he can time-travel and teleport. He’s a jumper. So what should the motorcycle-riding, cage-fighting tough guy do? He should protect an innocent eighteen-year-old girl who happens to be in possession of the Staff of Moses. Following the direction of a trio of angels who are determined to shake things up in the Middle East, Cole pairs up with Hannah Carpenter and her pet grizzly while he also tries to change his past and learn the mystery of his birth. Curiously, the King of Jordan knows all about Hannah, and he’s determined to gain possession of the staff. He’ll do anything to possess its power, but is it possible that he’s no more than a pawn, manipulated in time along with Cole and Hannah? Jumper is a mysterious roller coaster of action and a time-traveling adventure that will keep readers guessing right to the very last page.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17855971-jumper"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftDIZTEY7KQ_SKP9F4623tBYb15rhYoUzpEhF9Q52hWwlWv0rRtKPpwpdawpb5KkvqdJcPK7fh5WC4pqFv1vV95bPi0YbPPv2FIKdj4dfRz8aIDL6FL2sACP1wW7D24-jKtUZHmtfF30S/s1600/add-to-goodreads-button3.png" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2;">PURCHASE LINKS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jumper-Time-Travelers-ebook/dp/B00CKMKIE4/ref=sr_1_6_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367333865&sr=1-6&keywords=jeff+laferney">Amazon</a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> * <b><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Jeff-LaFerney?keyword=Jeff+LaFerney&store=book">Barnes & Noble</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2;">ABOUT</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <i>the</i> <b><span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: text2;">AUTHOR</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKaVjlCHGNoV879pqpMjpOrGMCdwIrh-z7UzyFtt0IhCdwd8P45mgUykKw_sZUanXg09VMJOtHVOQvNO6Ih5I4rav0FBI6KdIowqrIo1ZXqrV4n1IVNqw6QaaOITa0716Q-Rgz0vci7RU/s1600/book+signing+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKaVjlCHGNoV879pqpMjpOrGMCdwIrh-z7UzyFtt0IhCdwd8P45mgUykKw_sZUanXg09VMJOtHVOQvNO6Ih5I4rav0FBI6KdIowqrIo1ZXqrV4n1IVNqw6QaaOITa0716Q-Rgz0vci7RU/s200/book+signing+4.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jeff is currently an 8th grade English teacher for Davison Community Schools. He coached for 25 years. In the past three years, he stopped coaching and has published three mystery/suspense novels. </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Loving the Rain</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">, </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Skeleton Key</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">, and </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bulletproof</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> are three stand-alone novels featuring Clay and Tanner Thomas. A fourth novel, a time-traveler action/adventure called </span><i style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jumper</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> was published on April 30, 2013. Jeff loves sports, reading, writing, and spending time with his awesome family.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-ZA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text2;">AUTHOR LINKS</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.jefflaferney.blogspot.com/">Blog</a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> * <b><a href="http://www.jefflaferney.com/">Website</a></b> * <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorJeffLaFerney">Facebook</a></b> * <b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4121665.Jeff_LaFerney">Goodreads</a></b> * <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jeff-LaFerney/e/B008WB47BM/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1367333865&sr=1-2-ent">Amazon</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13723876435090409807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8311671053676551798.post-40230920672689314362013-05-01T05:23:00.000-05:002013-05-01T05:23:30.155-05:00The Wednesday Horror Writer Blog Hop<br />
Yep, it's another one of those self-interviews, but I was asked by <a href="http://mandydegeit.wordpress.com/2013/04/24/the-wednesday-horror-writer-blog-hop/" target="_blank">Mandy DeGeit</a> to do this, so here I am. Was also supposed to get three other people to sign on for next week, but, alas, two more was the best I could do. So without further ado - here's my latest rumblings and mumblings.<br />
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What are you working on right now? <br />
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A dystopian novel set in the near future. It is tentatively titled Party Lines and uses the locations and some of the people established in my novella Vengeance Is Mine.<br />
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How does it differ from other works in its genre?<br />
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Unlike many dystopian novels I've read - the story line of Party Lines is not very far-fetched considering today's political climate.<br />
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What experiences have influenced you?<br />
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Everything I've done, everything that has been done to me tend to show up in my stories. What I write allows me to confront the demons or the demonized and work it through in my own brain.<br />
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Why do you write what you do?<br />
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I try to write the story I want to read. For me, it's a way of figuring out what is happening in the world around me - whether that be a real or imagined thing.<br />
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How does your writing process work?<br />
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Idea, notes, research, plot, plan, write. Basically in that order. Then comes revise, rewrite, edit, rinse and repeat several time. Pass the story on to my beta reader and then to my editor. Rewrite and revise after each until it is the best story I am capable of writing.<br />
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What is the hardest part about writing?<br />
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I think if you ask any Indie Author - the writing is the easy part. Editing is a booger for many, but I think the hardest part is the promotion. Trying to get your work in the hands of those readers who will enjoy it the most. That's the hardest part.<br />
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What would you like to try as a writer that you haven't yet?<br />
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I think I've tried writing in most genres already (except romance). Some I've done well at (horror and thriller) other's like sci-fi, I've completely failed at writing anything coherent. But everything I've tried has helped me grow as a writer - even if much of it will never see the light of day.<br />
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Who are the authors you most admire?<br />
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In the traditional world, there is of course Steven King, Robert McCammon, the late Michael McDowell, Margaret Atwood and Anne Rice to name a few.<br />
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In the Indie world, the first person to come to mind is <a href="http://facebook.com/billie.s.mosiman" target="_blank">Billie Sue Mosiman</a>. Not only can she tell one hell of a story, she's also prolific and helpful to those of us that are new to this whole publishing world. She my hero and my friend.<br />
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Who are new authors to watch out for?<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/suzi.m.author" target="_blank">SuziM</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jaime.johnesee" target="_blank">Jaime Johnesse</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/stacey.turner.3388?fref=ts" target="_blank">Stacey Turner</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/williamcookauthor?fref=ts" target="_blank">William Cook</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/absoluteallen?fref=ts" target="_blank">John Paul Allen</a>. All write incredible horror.<br />
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What scares you?<br />
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Snakes in the physical world (even in the nightmare world) - can't look at them on TV, in Books and will almost throw the laptop across the room when someone I'm friends with on Facebook posts a picture of one and it appears in my feed.<br />
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In the mental world - Alzheimer's - to lose my sense of self, I think would be the worst horror that could happen to me (or anyone else).<br />
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Look next Wednesday for posts from these fellow horror authors.<br />
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<a href="http://www.kevinsaito.com/the-honor-roll.html" target="_blank">Kevin Saito</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.kristenduvall.com/" target="_blank">Kristen Duvall</a><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13723876435090409807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8311671053676551798.post-50460220094065224492013-03-26T05:54:00.000-06:002013-03-26T05:54:17.413-06:00John Paul Allen Visits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today, I have a very special guest on my blog. The wonderfully talented, phenomenal story teller John Paul Allen. This man writes horror that will stay with you long after you finish the last pages of one of his tales. I have read everything this man has written and published and I consider him a friend (although I may simply be a stalker or groupie) and I recommend his work to everyone I talk to and every chance I get. So without further ado....here's John, in his own words.<br /><br /><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I Want You to Like Me<o:p></o:p></div>
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John Paul Allen<o:p></o:p></div>
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I wrote a book. That’s what my being here is all about, the
reason Free Book Dude was nice enough to ask if I was interested in doing a
book tour. This is actually my second tour. For those who might remember, I
spent a week promoting the Fresh Blood, Old Bones anthology back in December. I
had a choice and instead of plugging something solely mine I decided to hype
something I was a part of – not completely - just to see how it went. It must
have turned out fine, because I’m back. <o:p></o:p></div>
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How this whole thing works: I write a clever blog, you read
it, it makes you click the link where you check out my book, you buy it, I
become rich, and I quit my day job. I’m here to promote a product … actually
two products: my book and also me. You’re not going to read what I wrote unless
you like me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So in my quest to be liked, let’s go back to the steps of
the plan where it reads that you make me rich. That’s humor, possibly bad humor
- total nonsense for your entertainment none the less. If every person reading
this, every person who reads the other three blogs I write this week, every
person facebook friend (4,000 plus), and
all those following me on Twitter bought my book it wouldn’t make me rich. It
would of course allow me to eat better, but that’s not financial security. The
point I’m getting at is that I do not write blogs, post on facebook, tweet, or
go to mega social media websites because of money. If that were the case, there
would be thousands of less offering by almost as many writers and you’d be
content with those names you already know. Oh and you’d probably be paying a
hell of a lot more for your reading material.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Still I need you to like me enough to learn more about my
writing and if not for the money – why? Because it’s what I do best – least
that’s what I’ve been told, and I want to share it with others. That’s why most
of us do it, and those who are fed by dreams of riches are new to the business.
Nine years ago, in the midst of a happy existence, I fell into writing. Unlike
many who say they dreamed of this all of their lives, I didn’t. Hell, I didn’t
even read horror and now I’ve got several frightening tales available with
every major ebook supplier in the world. In 2002 I wrote a story for a college
class and people liked it enough for me to reconsider my life purpose. A year
later my first novel, Gifted Trust, was released and I was hooked to this
genre.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Not convinced yet? Understandable – so let’s go slow (baby
steps): <o:p></o:p></div>
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First read my free short story, House Guest, <span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">at </span><a href="http://tinyurl.com/cq779wa"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">http://tinyurl.com/cq779wa</span></a><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;"> and get a feel of my style. You’ll see from the reviews that it’s loved
and hated by many and my work might not be for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;">Second, if you want to read more, look at Gifted
Trust-Revised Edition, </span><a href="http://tinyurl.com/a8bw9bm"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">http://tinyurl.com/a8bw9bm</span></a><b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;">and click on the cover (left side
of page). You can read most of the first five chapters. Warning: My work is not
for everyone. GT is pretty violent and there is sexual content, but if what you
read interests you then I’m asking that you consider reading the entire book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;">That’s it – like me yet? If not then check out my
facebook page, </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/absoluteallen"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">www.facebook.com/absoluteallen</span></a><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;"> and become a friend. Reading me is not a requirement – many of my
friends don’t, but if you do I promise you won’t forget it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;">Thanks for reading this far. I’d also like to thank
the folks with Free Book Dude for the many things they’ve done for me and other
writers. Check them out at: </span><a href="http://www.freebookdude.com/"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">http://www.freebookdude.com</span></a><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;"> and also Dave Dinsmore and Biting Dog Publications who has supported me
and other writers over the last decade. Their link is
http://www.bitingdogpress.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Cambria, serif;">More about John Paul Allen:<br /></span></div>
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John Paul Allen refers to himself as a
Semi-Complete Unknown. That said, his popularity seems to be growing.
"It's all material." Allen says when asked where his ideas come from.
"Life is the best source, and nothing is off limits."<o:p></o:p></div>
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What He Writes: Stories without borders. John Paul
Allen is known for crossing lines and warns readers, "Nothing is off
limits, if it edifies a story. If you want safe, there's a lot of that being
offered. I expect my readers to go beyond the content, in order to enjoy the
story."<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1y8Horz-3tmwDcxLVPMhWgnmfcw7ZDTrYutlPkGf85ot9tYjdGE8eMr3itepR3c0v6GNYsuC69QRkq_UPNf6BUG85EMjDguaZ9hjDol3eWP9dFk7KXf5HfmMjhApQ4L01zD3RH5wZTPy/s1600/Gifted+Trust+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1y8Horz-3tmwDcxLVPMhWgnmfcw7ZDTrYutlPkGf85ot9tYjdGE8eMr3itepR3c0v6GNYsuC69QRkq_UPNf6BUG85EMjDguaZ9hjDol3eWP9dFk7KXf5HfmMjhApQ4L01zD3RH5wZTPy/s1600/Gifted+Trust+Cover.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Gifted Trust</i> Book Blurb<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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In 1930 Max Belote, a Dallas literary agent, heard
the voice of Virago. “Tell her, just be good,” it whispered and he’d repeat
before mutilating or killing his victim. Wanting to stop the evil entity inside
him, Max ended his life. In 1970 convicted serial murderer Jeffrey Michael
Roberts also heard the words, and until his execution he fulfilled its desires.
In 2003 Virago spoke to Edward Paine, a high school teacher, who sought help to
destroy the creature within. One soul, three lives, and the evil entity that
commands them. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Death is not the end... It’s a brief interruption.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Join indie author John Paul Allen as he follows
the voices in his head around the internet. They will talk about his book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gifted-Trust-Revised-Edition-ebook/dp/B009ADAWJ2/?tag=fkd-20"><b><i>Gifted
Trust</i></b></a>, share some insights into the workings of a twisted mind and
hold an awesome book giveaway.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Gifted
Trust Tour Stop List<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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March 25 – <a href="http://www.earthsbooknook.blogspot.com/">Earth's Book Nook</a> – Guest
Post from John Paul Allen<o:p></o:p></div>
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March 26 – <a href="http://www.katyares.com/">The
Blog World of Kat Yares</a> – Guest Post from John Paul Allen<o:p></o:p></div>
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March 27 – <a href="http://www.thedeadcentre.com/">The Dead Centre</a> – Guest Post
from John Paul Allen<o:p></o:p></div>
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March 28 – <a href="http://coziecorner.blogspot.com/">My Cozie Corner</a> – Review
of Gifted Trust<o:p></o:p></div>
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March 29 – <a href="http://hdthomas.wordpress.com/">Huw Thomas</a> – Guest Post
from John Paul Allen<o:p></o:p></div>
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March 29 – <a href="http://timothydeanblog.com/">Timothy Dean's Pirate Radio</a> – LIVE
Interview with John Paul Allen<o:p></o:p></div>
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March 30 – <a href="http://theflipsideofjulianne.wordpress.com/">The FlipSide of Julianne</a> –
Excerpt from Gifted Trust<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13723876435090409807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8311671053676551798.post-88267194758257305822013-03-18T05:53:00.001-06:002013-03-18T05:53:36.937-06:00Cursed Casino - The return of Sara Brooke <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcTL1hnf7v-yMoa3TwrHINZOteMwcRuJSFJ0TxpJi077EV3D6sQiezxWuHiS0s-4hoB-2o-1QZMFmVIeR80oTBgRZTTCzRMzSSiw5amZc0r0rqTsIufm_xVZWRseDZJN70KePleI8irIO/s1600/Cursed+Casino+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcTL1hnf7v-yMoa3TwrHINZOteMwcRuJSFJ0TxpJi077EV3D6sQiezxWuHiS0s-4hoB-2o-1QZMFmVIeR80oTBgRZTTCzRMzSSiw5amZc0r0rqTsIufm_xVZWRseDZJN70KePleI8irIO/s320/Cursed+Casino+Banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cursed-Casino-ebook/dp/B00B42K4WC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1363605752&sr=1-1&keywords=cursed+casino" target="_blank">Cursed Casino by Sara Brooke</a></div>
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Once again, I am very happy to host the lovely, talented Sara Brooke on my blog. Her latest book, Cursed Casino is a fabulous read and I hope many of my readers will go and check her and her book out. So, without further ado - here's a wonderful excerpt from Cursed Casino.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhMmMaC3sxu8OfihI-gxi83aUhFG6yGJkwwSqe4INrRVOf_s_-Y67NAisuVek3QF6KOksqi2i47xLxypAaZsl10njdF-ntcQOXKYhdgHkFcnp5-S4AS9simC2OTRzxXvsgAy_nuwsRHD6/s1600/sara+brooke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhMmMaC3sxu8OfihI-gxi83aUhFG6yGJkwwSqe4INrRVOf_s_-Y67NAisuVek3QF6KOksqi2i47xLxypAaZsl10njdF-ntcQOXKYhdgHkFcnp5-S4AS9simC2OTRzxXvsgAy_nuwsRHD6/s1600/sara+brooke.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>August 21 – 5:00pm</b></div>
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He wasn’t going to do it.</div>
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He didn’t care what the news was reporting. He wasn’t going to do it. Hell, they always tried to panic people anyway. Twenty four hours of nonstop reporting on the skies or the puff of wind that happened to blow through. </div>
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It was ridiculous.</div>
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Despite the storm, the Van Vincent Hotel was at half capacity. Numerous flights out of Biloxi and New Orleans had been canceled due to the hurricane and many people were stranded. </div>
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It all happened so quickly.</div>
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Hurricane Jill had come out of nowhere. Several days prior it had been a simple storm system churning out in the Atlantic Ocean. But a sudden change in the water temperature and wind direction baffled the National Hurricane Center and created a strengthening storm that was heading straight for the Gulf Coast.</div>
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Many people evacuated, but others like the tourists, were hesitant to leave. The projected storm track had been so unpredictable that people were questioning the validity of the reports. They’d spent so much money to stay at one of the luxury hotels along the Biloxi coastline that the idea of leaving was unappealing. They wanted their dream vacation.</div>
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So, when the corporate office called him, Richard Windler, the general manager of the Van Vincent Hotel, decided that he was going to recommend they keep the hotel open and allow stranded tourists to find refuge from the storm. </div>
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And gamble while waiting it out.</div>
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The Van Vincent was known for its lavish and sprawling casino. A floating barge of nearly 100,000 square feet, it was connected to the primary hotel structure and constituted a vast array of twinkling lights, music, and luxury mahogany tables surrounded by gamblers of every type. Thousands of people tread through the brightly carpeted floors and tried their hands at lady luck. </div>
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Richard looked out of his office window at the gray skies overhead. </div>
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It doesn’t even look that bad outside, he thought. </div>
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Sighing, he picked up the phone and contacted his primary night manager to inform him that the hotel would remain open throughout the storm.</div>
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***</div>
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Sandra Sheehan was running low. She had agreed with her husband that she would only spend $200 on the slot machines while he tried his luck at the $20 blackjack table, but the machine she was on hadn’t been good to her. Once in a while, she would hit, but instead of stopping, she would continue gambling and lose all of her winnings.</div>
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Come on, come on, she thought.</div>
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Watching the dials on the screen spin in an almost hypnotic fashion, Sandra became aware of a sound in the distance. It sounded like the white noise made by a TV that had lost its signal. The storm outside had begun.</div>
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Glad I’m in here, she thought.</div>
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Sandra and Jake Sheehan lived in Lake Worth, Florida and were not accustomed to vacations. With a combined household income of $60,000 and a few children to take care of, they spent most of their time working and taking brief excursions to the movie theater or the nearby water park. But they rarely traveled anywhere farther than the state line.</div>
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So, they were extremely excited when a friend recommended the Van Vincent Hotel. Due to the recent recession, the hotel was offering numerous specials for Florida residents. The one Sandra and Jake took advantage of was offering a 3-night stay at $100 a night. That included coupons for the buffet and a reduced rate to take a day-trip to New Orleans. </div>
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But soon after they arrived in Biloxi, the news started talking about the Hurricane and how the trek of the storm might take it straight up through either New Orleans or the nearby cities. </div>
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Instead of trying to find a flight home, the Sheehans decided to take their chances and thankfully, the Van Vincent wasn’t kicking them out.</div>
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On the other side of the casino, Jake wasn’t doing much better than his wife. After winning several hands initially, the house changed dealers and now he had a woman who clearly wasn’t interested in giving him some extra cash. She stared straight ahead, unsmiling and proceeded to take his money over and over again.</div>
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Finally, Jake sighed and decided to grab his chips and cash out. They still needed spending money after all, and the trip to New Orleans promised to be a fun day of drinking and general debauchery.</div>
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If the fucking storm doesn’t hit first, he thought grumpily.</div>
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Stepping away from the table, Jake slowly made his way across the casino towards his wife. He’d been drinking for several hours, so figured that the ground underneath his feet wasn’t shaking, it was just the alcohol.</div>
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But when the shaking started to get really bad, he realized that it wasn’t his alcohol consumption. The barge was vibrating. </div>
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Some of the gamblers on the slot machines didn’t pay attention. They simply held on to their machines to steady themselves and continued pressing the “SPIN” button over and over again. What finally caught their attention was the loud roar that suddenly filled the casino.</div>
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Jake felt it almost immediately. He was several feet away from his wife when he felt an invisible force suddenly suck him backwards. He barely had time to scream, when his body was suddenly pulled through the air and yanked into a hole that was now growing in the middle of the casino’s back wall.</div>
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Sandra screamed and shouted for her husband, but the sound of her shrieking disappeared into the howling winds. Chaos erupted around her as air rushed out and water rushed in. </div>
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People charged in a mad stampede towards the casino exit, but were caught by the rushing of water as waves tore through the barge and began filling any available space. Some were killed instantly as they were pushed down and trampled, their heads caught underneath the salty torrents of water. </div>
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The hole quickly began to enlarge from the force of the waves, while the freestanding tables and chairs floated in the water for an instant and were then sucked back by the wind, piling up against each other as they flew backwards in a tumbling motion of mahogany, water, and screaming people.</div>
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Sandra held on to the slot machine that had taken all of her money, no longer caring that it had cheated her. It was the only thing left between life and death. And as her hands began to slip and she felt her body being pulled backward as the barge disconnected itself from the hotel, she thought about her relatives safe and sound in Florida.</div>
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We should have gone to Disneyworld…</div>
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1</div>
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Two years later</div>
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The landscape flew by in a quick, shimmering flash as the SUV sped across the highway, just slightly above the speed limit. Darla Carlson rested her head against the window, watching the view and thinking about all of the faces she would come in contact with. The idea wasn’t entirely appealing, given how difficult high school had been.</div>
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And the people who made it difficult, she thought.</div>
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Venturing to Biloxi, Mississippi for her 20th high school reunion had been Jackson’s idea. Her former teenage sweetheart, turned husband was pretty adamant that they attend and see all of their former friends and teachers. He had been popular in high school; a star athlete on the football team, entirely too good-looking, and sporting a confident personality that made most girls swoon within minutes of a ‘hello’.</div>
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Darla wasn’t sure how she’d snagged him but somehow Jackson had been taken in by her calm, quiet manner. They’d also dated throughout college and tied the knot shortly after graduation. Things were good, despite her fears that she wasn’t good enough for him. It was insecurity that haunted her regularly, but one she tried to isolate and minimize. Her handsome husband never really noticed this tendency, and she wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing. His inability to understand her deepest weaknesses worried her and she wondered if perhaps he was a bit shallow.</div>
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There was no question in her mind that the people they were meeting up with were definitely shallow. At Jackson’s insistence, she had agreed to come to the reunion a few days early to meet up with his high school friends Ryan, Anthony, and Anthony’s wife Sherry. Darla could recall being dragged to numerous parties where she had to listen to Ryan and Anthony talk about the women they’d slept with, telling fart jokes, and laughing together as if the punch line was the funniest thing they’d ever heard.</div>
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She was pleased that over the years, Jackson’s friendships had changed to people who were more mature and settled. They knew numerous couples who they could spend time with and who were a bit…classier….more her type of people.</div>
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But now, they were heading towards a weekend filled with fart jokes, loud people…fake people. And Darla just wasn’t sure how she would handle all of it.</div>
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I’ll just get really drunk and make sure we win lots of money, she smiled.</div>
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The only positive aspect about the upcoming reunion week and the planned activities was that Ryan had somehow secured a gig as the General Manager of the upscale Van Vincent Hotel. Darla was familiar with the hotel, as were many others, thanks in large part to the evening news that had conducted significant coverage about Hurricane Jill and her attack. Hundreds of people perished in the storm, as the surge from the hurricane tore the casino to shreds, destroying millions of dollars worth of property. Lawsuits and bad press had nearly bankrupt the Van Vincent, but a handful of investors had come forward and funded a historic two-year renovation that had been meticulously detailed on all of the local Louisiana news channels. </div>
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Darla wasn’t sure how he had pulled it off but somehow, Ryan had been hired to lead the re-opening of the hotel as well as oversee all daily operations.</div>
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As a gift to his closest friends, he was inviting a handful of them to stay at the Van Vincent a few days before the grand opening, granting them the opportunity to test out all of the hotel amenities, including the casino. Darla had to admit that even though the idea of spending time with Ryan and the others was less than appealing, she was definitely looking forward to living like royalty for a week. </div>
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Suddenly, Jackson whistled as they pulled up to the front of the hotel.</div>
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“Good lord, would you look at that. This place looks even better than it did before! They must have just finished an amazing renovation.” </div>
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The Van Vincent was as regal as its name. A large flowing fountain greeted their arrival as they pulled around to the front glass doors backlit against the grand entranceway. The sprawling hotel was in the center of a vast compound that included an emerald golf course, gardens, and private cottages nestled deep within the surrounding woods. The vast Gulf of Mexico cradled the back half of the hotel, offering picture-perfect oceanic views. The Van Vincent was also home to numerous shops and amenities that were encapsulated deep within the building and served as an indoor shopping mall. Indoor theaters offered off-Broadway plays and comedic acts, while themed restaurants tempted the taste buds with everything from Asian-Fusion to basic roadside grill fare.</div>
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Darla and Jackson stared wide-eyed as they walked into the luxurious lobby. The renovation was truly remarkable, with every small detail…from the bright marble floors….to the golden crown molding…meticulously applied and arranged. They waited together for Ryan to come greet them and relaxed as the silence was calming and strange.</div>
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“Well, hello there!” bellowed Ryan as he swept into the room. </div>
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Ryan Bard was a handsome, careless spirit. Standing 6’4, he smiled regularly and had a mischievous glint to his eye that usually meant he’d done something troublesome. In high school and college, he’d been relentlessly pursued by a bevy of attractive women, but never settled on one specific catch. Instead, he would spend short periods of time with one female, and after he had his fill, would move on to the next victim. Still, despite his careless attitude and lack of concern for the emotions he was playing with, the women he left were never really mad at him. All it took was a grin and a selfless shrug and he was excused as being ‘one of those guys who never gets serious’.</div>
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Despite his easy manner, Ryan was sharp. His intellect extended far beyond what his friends realized so when graduation approached, it wasn’t difficult for him to land one good job after another. And when the owners of the Van Vincent had contacted him about what they called “the opportunity of a lifetime”, he knew that it was something he simply couldn’t pass up.</div>
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The reopening had been stressful. Ryan spent many months overseeing the different aspects of the architectural and design stages of the renovation. Carpeting, color matching, materials selection...it had been overwhelming – but with the help of several qualified consultants, the finished product had finally been approved by corporate. </div>
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And now, it was time to share the new hotel with the world.</div>
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“So, did you find it ok?” Ryan asked as he led Darla and Jackson through the lobby into the myriad of shops and restaurants that lined the large snakelike pathways.</div>
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“Yeah,” Jackson said eyeing the shops. “It was an easy route. This stuff looks expensive. You probably get some rich tourists staying here.”</div>
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Ryan chuckled. “Yes, the Van Vincent caters to all types but the upper echelon definitely has stayed here in the past.” Then, his countenance changed and grew serious. “That is, before the storm rolled through. We aren’t sure how it’s going to go now. The media was crawling all over this place after the storm and the images weren’t pretty.”</div>
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Darla nodded and recalled what she’d seen on the news. The body count had been so high that some of the stations had broadcast video of rubble washing up on shore with shoes and purses still lodged within the stones – reminders of the gamblers who’d been caught up in the storm. She shivered as a chill traveled through her bones. </div>
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What an awful way to die, she thought.</div>
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The trio passed by another cluster of shops and entered a large atrium filled with plants and waterfalls. A large outdoor restaurant sat in the center, with silver chairs and tables surrounding it, offering a way to relax and watch the flow of people.</div>
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Just beyond the restaurant, a large expansive set of floor-to-ceiling French doors drew their attention. </div>
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Ryan smiled. </div>
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“That…is the casino. Want to take a look?”</div>
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The answer was obvious and they made their way across the brightly lit atrium and stood in front of the doors. On the wall, a magnetic black rectangle was affixed near the hinges.</div>
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Ryan paused and pointed to the sensor. “Since the storm, we decided that instead of allowing people to pass through in and out, we’re going to monitor our capacity. It’s one of the ways we can keep track of who is leaving the structure and moving into the barge. Most people don’t realize that they’re not actually on solid ground when they walk into the casino, but we’re always keeping track.”</div>
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He slid a card out of his pocket and placed it in front of the device. A short “beep” emitted, followed by the sound of metal gears shifting into place. Ryan waited for a telltale clicking sound and pushed the large center doors open. </div>
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***</div>
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“This is amazing!” exclaimed Jackson. </div>
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Darla had to agree. Despite her initial reservations about the trip, she was beginning to warm up to the idea of spending the next week at the hotel. The accommodations were definitely high end, but the casino made it even more appealing.</div>
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It was vast, spreading out in many different directions. In the center, rows of mahogany gaming tables waited for cards and gamblers. Lights flashed from every direction as virtually thousands of slot machines sang and glittered. On the outer edges of the casino, restaurants and buffets stations sat and waited for the throngs of hungry to arrive.</div>
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Standing amidst all of the glitter and blatant gauche décor, Darla suddenly felt a bit strange. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but she felt like there was something phony and even…dangerous in the air. The space was large and animated, but it also felt desolate. </div>
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“Hey Darla, wake up,” Ryan joked as he led them around, providing descriptions of each nook and cranny. </div>
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“So, is the bar stocked? I mean, are you gonna make sure we’re well fed?” Jackson joked.</div>
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Ryan grinned and walked over to a nearby bar. He motioned for Darla and Jackson to come over just in time to see him flip on a light that illuminated rows of liquor. Then, he motioned to several stainless steel refrigerators that were hidden underneath the countertops. “Check it out. You’re going to eat and drink more this weekend than ever before. We’ve got each bar stocked and there’s a ton of food in the kitchen. After some of the overnight chefs cook and serve dinner, we’re on our own as I’ve given the staff the rest of the night off. But tomorrow you’ll be treated like rock stars.” He laughed and grabbed a beer out of one of the refrigerators and looked at his watch.</div>
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“It’s getting close to dinner. Why don’t we go back so you can unpack in your room and then we’ll meet down here for some grub? Sound good?”</div>
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Jackson and Darla agreed. As the three made their way out of the casino, Darla felt the need to use the bathroom. </div>
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“Ryan, do you mind if I use the ladies room before we leave?”</div>
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“No problem.” He motioned in the opposite direction. “The bathrooms are in the back, to the right. We’ll wait here for you.”</div>
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Darla nodded and quickly walked past rows of singing slot machines. In honor of their arrival, Ryan had turned on all of the power in the casino and she could imagine how each machine waited anxiously to spin its wheels and gobble up a gambler’s livelihood. Still, the pull to play and potentially win was undeniable.</div>
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This was going to be fun. But, there were other things to take care of first.</div>
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Finding the bathroom, she pushed open the silver door and gasped as soon as it swung open.</div>
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It was pitch black inside.</div>
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Flustered and a bit frightened, Darla felt along the wall for the light switch. Her fingertips passed over smooth tiles that lined the walls, until she finally felt the telltale ridge of the plate. Just as her fingers connected with the switch, she felt something soft gently rub against her arm. </div>
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Shrieking, she jumped back and rushed out. The door swung shut and she stood in the hallway for a moment. Backing up, she felt herself bump into someone and screamed just as Jackson put his arms around her.</div>
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“Hey, are you ok? I figured I’d use the men’s room before we head back out.”</div>
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Darla tried to calm her frayed nerves and smiled. “Yes, I’m fine. I was just looking for my cell phone.”</div>
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Jackson gave her a weird look and then headed to the door marked “Men”. She watched as he pushed the door open, expecting to see it dark inside, but the men’s room was brightly lit from a set of mini chandeliers that hung overhead.</div>
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As he disappeared within the bathroom, she decided to try again. Pushing open the door slightly, she was prepared to quickly flip on the switch and run in.</div>
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The light inside was on.</div>
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How is that possible? She thought. It was just dark a second ago. Maybe I hit the switch after all.</div>
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Moving quickly to an empty stall, she finished up and washed her hands, glancing nervously at her reflection in the mirror. Silence surrounded her, but she felt the little hairs on the back of her neck shivering as if someone was watching her.</div>
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Feeling a bit braver, she threw open each bathroom stall door and looked inside. Convinced she was alone, she headed outside to meet Jackson.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU50WiV23UIO7uKm-WARbKMM4fQBaHzdmAWlvgNi4aakM8NlLBzB8G-eLKZgtkdsaqTvn4gIScgJZz8P6MsQRHTxLU0VSmy8JG_m6DVPvNYqT_jt8FE_lWD48XP_tnXcuTQZB3QJw5wioQ/s1600/Cursed+Casino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU50WiV23UIO7uKm-WARbKMM4fQBaHzdmAWlvgNi4aakM8NlLBzB8G-eLKZgtkdsaqTvn4gIScgJZz8P6MsQRHTxLU0VSmy8JG_m6DVPvNYqT_jt8FE_lWD48XP_tnXcuTQZB3QJw5wioQ/s320/Cursed+Casino.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cursed-Casino-ebook/dp/B00B42K4WC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1363605752&sr=1-1&keywords=cursed+casino" target="_blank">Cursed Casino</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13723876435090409807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8311671053676551798.post-87569898824887826502013-03-05T06:56:00.001-06:002013-03-05T06:56:12.751-06:00Prepping on a Budget - Just in Case<div>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.freebookdude.com/2013/02/zombie-response-team-preppers-tour.html%22%3E%3Cimg%20border=%220%22%20%20src=%22https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaY9NN6wTrT6Fd9DIp_BUJhz4Nr1PnnANbcqLalTzbfwwZs7hArRyh0fEoa9qcjMppjWNBol5NbaCbLzn0WMBlQ4Z7ZIA1Zz622sK72z8WvFp6XckEMCCuCZ_heppfexQ7nif7T547Wk/s320/ZRT+Tour+Banner.jpg%22%20width=%22275%22%20/%3E%3C/a%3E" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.freebookdude.com/2013/02/zombie-response-team-preppers-tour.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaY9NN6wTrT6Fd9DIp_BUJhz4Nr1PnnANbcqLalTzbfwwZs7hArRyh0fEoa9qcjMppjWNBol5NbaCbLzn0WMBlQ4Z7ZIA1Zz622sK72z8WvFp6XckEMCCuCZ_heppfexQ7nif7T547Wk/s320/ZRT+Tour+Banner.jpg" width="275" /></a></a></div>
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Today, as part of a blog tour arranged by The Free Book Dude, I've agreed to review a small book called Prepping on a Budget.<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtZkCNUm09K6tcMiNnw3Fwhi4gAGdaktfdLjB7czKmSm0culMSp_T7qQcJ6gnuiewexkuxJElKAJzBGEIgkXpQQXnBXMy6yDeHonURisztWTWKxUV0Drp-ABgI1gabTl_mkFStjHQKf0Q/s1600/preppingonbudget_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtZkCNUm09K6tcMiNnw3Fwhi4gAGdaktfdLjB7czKmSm0culMSp_T7qQcJ6gnuiewexkuxJElKAJzBGEIgkXpQQXnBXMy6yDeHonURisztWTWKxUV0Drp-ABgI1gabTl_mkFStjHQKf0Q/s320/preppingonbudget_cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>Book Blurb:<br />
</b>Many Zombie Response Team members don't have a whole lot of disposable
income, which is what inspired ZRT to release this free eBook for every prepper
out there who feels out of the loop or uncertain about their gear or education
because they can't afford "the best". This eBook goes into detail
about where you can find cheap, yet reliable, gear. It also goes over how to
find FREE education. You don't need to have thousands of dollars to be a
prepper, you just need what's going to work for YOU, including what will work
for your budget. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>About Zombie Response
Team:<br />
</b>Morgan is the co-founder of Zombie Response Team where they prepare
everyday people for disaster and emergency situations; including the
zombie apocalypse. The mission statement of the Zombie Response team
is simple: To protect and serve.<o:p></o:p></div>
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How do we accomplish this?<o:p></o:p></div>
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By banning together to create the biggest enterprise of
individuals ready to fight against the undead, as well as help to educate
others. We didn't create this community just for the fun of it. We created it because we truly believe in the
power of many. When the zombie apocalypse hits, we're going to need to have
allies across the world in order to survive. And before the zombie apocalypse,
we'll need to ban together to educate those around us about how to be prepared
for the impending apocalypse.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We can't do this alone. We hope <a href="http://zombieresponseteam.net/join-zrt/" target="_blank">you'll join us</a> in
this mission to assist others in the preparation of the zombie apocalypse.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_7PBjuY43GJYsjRjKOCxxscpWMyJBT0EXWNLYdqZdFt2BOLWKC16RH-hyUCO7CroyIcACYxSYKSLlio4CQWfrprLyd7QBAKYkEmrXq7dP0eppcyA5iN6cPMIZpowth8gPjGpUBJ0Xycv/s1600/zrt+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_7PBjuY43GJYsjRjKOCxxscpWMyJBT0EXWNLYdqZdFt2BOLWKC16RH-hyUCO7CroyIcACYxSYKSLlio4CQWfrprLyd7QBAKYkEmrXq7dP0eppcyA5iN6cPMIZpowth8gPjGpUBJ0Xycv/s1600/zrt+logo.jpg" /></a></div>
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And now, for my review:<br /></div>
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Okay, so I'm really not into the whole Zombie Apocalypse but I found the title of this little gem by Morgan Barnhart of the Zombie Response Team to be quite intriguing After all, if the Zombies do come after me - I want to be prepared.</div>
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This is a short booklet, full of cheap and easy ways you can fill up your bug out bag, get a hold of weapons and otherwise simply be prepared for the worst. Good tips to have in any chaotic situation or even, my gosh, a natural disaster.</div>
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The advice given is told with humor, but it is still valid and useful. Would I recommend this to my friends, well yes, because you just never know. I've printed it out - just in case the Zombies do come. Overall, I give this a 4 out of 5 stars, only because I wish it had been longer with more details.<br /><br />Oh, and I do have to admit I was given this booklet free in exchange for an honest review - which is what I have tried to do here.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13723876435090409807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8311671053676551798.post-46430277665785762122013-03-02T08:52:00.003-06:002013-03-02T08:52:54.214-06:00Fiction Becoming a Reality<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCoaSTTMZjYohPobVHzCFnzlJFGQ7kP_ltUSbb3mJTewj8VMMzBviuOrAz6_5LGUDeCLuy5zo3ZRjgasEfnozdKAVpeSQM7kCqisk4Ysmp4tGHWxPQJs9D-x572mcIUs-BrDJainvLl2z/s1600/V+cover+D0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCoaSTTMZjYohPobVHzCFnzlJFGQ7kP_ltUSbb3mJTewj8VMMzBviuOrAz6_5LGUDeCLuy5zo3ZRjgasEfnozdKAVpeSQM7kCqisk4Ysmp4tGHWxPQJs9D-x572mcIUs-BrDJainvLl2z/s320/V+cover+D0001.JPG" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
When I first began writing my novella, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vengeance-Mine-Kat-Yares/dp/1470118149/ref=la_B002O6QCGE_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1362235622&sr=1-3" target="_blank">Vengeance Is Mine</a>, I tried to put my female characters into the worst possible situation I could think of. And the situation was bad, women trapped into a Christian cult where the men ruled with iron fists. They had no rights, no hopes, no dreams of ever escaping the men that ruled over them. I never dreamed of a world as bad as the world I had created. At least not until lately.<br />
<br />
What I've seen since before last November's elections is a group of angry (mostly white and rich) men declare War on Women. I am so ashamed of the legislature of my home state of Arkansas passing laws that are not only unconstitutional, but making women once again chattel subservient to their demands.<br />
<br />
I see a Federal Congress where the Republican majority thinks it's just fine to hit a woman - all because the Violence Against Women Act included Native American Women as well as Gay, Lesbian and Transgendered people. 138 Republicans, including all from my home state, voted against this - effectively saying, Beat Your Women - It's okay by us.<br />
<br />
While I have tried to stay out of Politics, I feel I can no longer do so. Any form of Rape is a REAL RAPE. Abortion is a constitutional right and women should not feel like second class citizens - EVER. Let's be real folks, abortions are going to happen, no matter how much you try to legislate them away. Let's not send women back to the dark ages of back alley abortions - where safe and sanitary were not usually the norm. We have the right to live our lives, safely and peacefully, just like any man.<br />
<br />
If we continue on this path that these so-called "Christian" lawmakers are laying out - I can see the situation in Vengeance Is Mine becoming a reality for many women. What I don't get, and just can't understand, is how there are so many "Christians" who do not follow the words of Christ. If they did, none of this would be happening.<br />
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We would have no poverty, no homelessness, no hunger. We wouldn't have returning service men and women living without treatment and losing their homes. We wouldn't have an elderly population terrified that their benefits (NOT entitlements, since most of have paid into Social Security and Medicare since the day they began working) are going to be lessened or taken away. No child in this country would go to bed hungry at night or be alone while Mom works two jobs to try and make ends meet. And if she needed food stamps or other help to make ends meet, we wouldn't classify her a low-life living on the public dole.<br />
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What we would have is a country where everyone (including corporations, since they want to be classified as 'people') paid their fair share in taxes . No one would get 'rich' by being a politician and playing class-warfare games against women or any one else the Right-Wing Christian politicians feel are beneath them.<br />
<br />
I'm all for making the United States of America a better place for all of us. But what is happening is we are allowing a few to dictate to the rest what is good. And they are wrong.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vengeance-Mine-Kat-Yares/dp/1470118149/ref=la_B002O6QCGE_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1362235622&sr=1-3" target="_blank">Vengeance Is Mine</a> is quickly becoming a reality. And I'm scared.<br />
<br />
And before you ask, NO, I've never had an abortion. I would have never chosen that option for myself no matter how hard things got. That thought never played in my psyche - ever. But, that said, it's not my place to decide for other women what is right for them in their situation. Never. But, I'm old enough to remember when they were illegal and that didn't help anyone.<br />
<br />
And just a mild reality check, in 2012 a report was released by the Children's Defense Fund that showed of over 3400 children in the Arkansas Foster system, only 595 were adopted in 2011. So don't give me the line about parents waiting to adopt. Yes, they are out there, but they only want healthy, pretty, little, white infants. The rest they could not care less about.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.childrensdefense.org/child-research-data-publications/data/state-data-repository/cits/2012/2012-arkansas-children-in-the-states.pdf">http://www.childrensdefense.org/child-research-data-publications/data/state-data-repository/cits/2012/2012-arkansas-children-in-the-states.pdf</a><br />
<br />
Vengeance is Mine is available in paperback from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Also available in eBook form where ever eBooks are sold. Click the Vengeance Is Mine link at the top of the page for buying options. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13723876435090409807noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8311671053676551798.post-60360202293406666982013-02-25T09:45:00.001-06:002013-02-25T09:45:29.080-06:00THE ELDON BLOG: 2013 Wicked Women Writers Challenge– How Will You ...I would so do this, but I hate the sound of my own voice. That means less competition for other Women Writers of Horror - go for it!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://dale-eldon.blogspot.com/2013/02/2013-wicked-women-writers-challenge-how.html?spref=bl">THE ELDON BLOG: 2013 Wicked Women Writers Challenge– How Will You ...</a>: 2013 Wicked Women Writers Challenge – How Will You Survive? Welcome to the 5 th annual Wicked Women Writers Challenge – hosted ...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13723876435090409807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8311671053676551798.post-26070902755476350122013-01-30T07:44:00.001-06:002013-01-30T07:44:37.440-06:00Self-Interview - The Next Big Thing - One More Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_X84LKnaK9CuMA82zNsQUKfaFTzV2KD64f30yZT-4vxcz-udiiwkwgh6BEv9bjf_GZNE3E1v-xJeyBPRArm8yxIwSNBCCyKIDQsiFhyqKJo3MWFnTuJOYMyS7ZsXGkY4QARUO2urc8tM/s1600/TheXIII_frontcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_X84LKnaK9CuMA82zNsQUKfaFTzV2KD64f30yZT-4vxcz-udiiwkwgh6BEv9bjf_GZNE3E1v-xJeyBPRArm8yxIwSNBCCyKIDQsiFhyqKJo3MWFnTuJOYMyS7ZsXGkY4QARUO2urc8tM/s320/TheXIII_frontcover.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
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<b>Self-Interview - The Next Big Thing - One More Time</b></div>
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I was asked by J.P. Smith (author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Airtight-J-P-Smith/dp/1612185665/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1359552849&sr=8-2&keywords=airtight" target="_blank">Airtight</a>) if I wanted to participate in one of these self interviews. I agreed, not knowing it was another version of the Next Big Thing blog hops. So here I am, doing the NBT for a second time, this time using my latest release <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-XIII-Kat-Yares/dp/0615732593/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1" target="_blank">The XIII</a> to answer the questions.</div>
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<b>What is the working title of your current/next book?</b></div>
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<div>
Since I did my upcoming book (The Profiler) in my last Next Big Thing participation, I’m using this space to talk about my last book, The XIII.</div>
<div>
Published, November 2012, in both eBook and paperback, The XIII is available where ever books are sold (at least online)</div>
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<b>Where did the idea come from?</b></div>
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<div>
Actually, Kevin (my better half) and I were watching CBS Sunday Morning back in the early 2000s where they did a segment on genetically modified foods and their consequences. Once the show was over, we started discussing just how far this concept of consequences could go and the general idea of plot began to fall into place.</div>
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Over the next week, we talked more, recording everything until I had a very basic, rudimentary outline of The XIII in place.</div>
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<b>What genre does your book fall under?</b></div>
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For the most part it is a thriller - with the usual trapping of sub plots and love story thrown in for good measure.</div>
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<b>What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?</b></div>
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Actually, I haven’t even thought about that. Should I ever write the screenplay version, then I might.</div>
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<b>What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?</b></div>
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The Da Vinci Code meets the Illuminati.</div>
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<b>Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?</b></div>
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Self published.</div>
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<b>How long did it take you to write the first draft?</b></div>
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Approximately 60 days to write a complete first draft, another year to edit and revise - although there were several years between the two.</div>
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<b>What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?</b></div>
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First one that comes to mind is , indeed, The Da Vinci Code. Any thriller dealing with The Illuminati would also work. Since the story is built upon a powerful, world controlling secret society.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Who or what inspired you to write this book?</b></div>
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My stories are always inspired by the “what if” of a situation. Having just completed Beneath the Tor when we saw that CBS Sunday Morning piece - the what if in this case came very easy.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Who I’ve tagged to be next:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://12novels12months.tumblr.com/post/41862540343/self-interview-for-slow-no-wake" target="_blank">Karen Mueller Bryson</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://armandrosamilia.com/" target="_blank">Armand Rosamilia</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/robert.james.58511" target="_blank">Robert James</a></div>
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<div>
Look for their posts asking the same questions either on their blog, website or their Facebook page sometime this week. </div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13723876435090409807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8311671053676551798.post-66218925278185212142013-01-14T06:01:00.000-06:002013-01-14T06:01:03.655-06:00Presenting Armand Rosamilia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Ffh3aS25-k2QIaXcM4bzwH9-E8YaJRgpG7HGzHGxUql8EFUwGfWK00rw2q9t9yZ3teJvFt7_jKqb8IQMXn0jvLmK3GZfrzhKMZN2iXXDFHUO-ABEjh9bfVdOePFi6zUYZMVsOkmne6WE/s1600/Armand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Ffh3aS25-k2QIaXcM4bzwH9-E8YaJRgpG7HGzHGxUql8EFUwGfWK00rw2q9t9yZ3teJvFt7_jKqb8IQMXn0jvLmK3GZfrzhKMZN2iXXDFHUO-ABEjh9bfVdOePFi6zUYZMVsOkmne6WE/s320/Armand.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Today, I'm proud to introduce my readers to my friend, the awesome author Armand Rosamilia. His new book, Miami Spy Games, is out and ready to read in its entirety. Originally written as a serial, it is now available in a single volume for your reading pleasure.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Miami Spy Games</b></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIt5viyzx1e7WBkEmz-n7UMiv8Kwe7ALb_y006kb6CrFX0rIWnOYYc0Tu8g2rLQIp2VNwStMgqH-8txxhHB9ifSSRNXgtLtF1CTKOm8RnLwED1H16n4mO7BSAQ7oHaycvEgYgKbZGNdgH/s1600/MSG+Cover.jpg" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Miami-Spy-Games-Russian-ebook/dp/B00ATCH11U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358000900&sr=8-1&keywords=Miami+Armand" target="_blank">Miami Spy Games</a></div>
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<b>Cliffhanger Endings</b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Armand Rosamilia</b></div>
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<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>As a kid, I used to love watching the campy Batman TV series. I loved how episodes ended with our Caped Crusader hog-tied and literally over the barrel, with a vat of boiling lava beneath his feet. What will happen to our hero and his spandex sidekick? Stay tuned next week!<br />
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>When I got the call to write Miami Spy Games, the Powers That Be (OK, Hobbes End Publishing) wanted me to imagine writing 12 TV episodes instead of a book, with plenty of action and dialogue, but still have character development like a novel. The best of both worlds, I suppose.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>When I wrote the first story, I had no idea if they would love it or hate it, but I had one goal in mind: write it with a cliffhanger ending so they'd have no choice but to want to read more. And so that, if it did get published, anyone who read it would need to find out what happens in the second story. I knew it was an angle I wanted to explore, but I also did it for selfish reasons: I wanted to write a second one.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Powers That Be loved it. Hands down. They asked for more, and I hope I delivered. Each part has some peaks and valleys, and when I finally sat down and read it all in one shot (all 90,000 words) I smiled. It flows, with so many twists and turns. It is a thriller, and runs like a rollercoaster. I hope you agree!<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I've had readers tell me they couldn't put it down at the end of an episode because they wanted to see where it was going. To be, that is the greatest thing anyone could say to a writer.<br />
<br />
If you have any questions about the Miami Spy Games series, I'd love to hear them: armandrosamilia@gmail.com<br />
<br />
Armand Rosamilia<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIt5viyzx1e7WBkEmz-n7UMiv8Kwe7ALb_y006kb6CrFX0rIWnOYYc0Tu8g2rLQIp2VNwStMgqH-8txxhHB9ifSSRNXgtLtF1CTKOm8RnLwED1H16n4mO7BSAQ7oHaycvEgYgKbZGNdgH/s1600/MSG+Cover.jpg" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Miami-Spy-Games-Russian-ebook/dp/B00ATCH11U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358000900&sr=8-1&keywords=Miami+Armand" target="_blank">Miami Spy Games</a></div>
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<br />
Miami Spy Games on Amazon Kindle only $3.99!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Miami-Spy-Games-Russian-ebook/dp/B00ATCH11U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358000900&sr=8-1&keywords=Miami+Armand" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Miami-Spy-Games-Russian-ebook/dp/B00ATCH11U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358000900&sr=8-1&keywords=Miami+Armand </a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13723876435090409807noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8311671053676551798.post-77740224367234217092013-01-02T08:23:00.000-06:002013-01-02T08:23:41.481-06:00Looking Back and Looking Forward<br />
Okay, so yes, I'm late with a year in review post. Even late with a New Year goals post. But I have been thinking about both and will share my thoughts both backward and forward.<br />
<br />
2012<br />
<br />
Actually, I achieved everything I set out to do this past year - at least, author wise. My goal was to get my three favorite books (that I had written in the past and were just sitting on my hard drive) polished up and published. I did that.<br />
<br />
Vengeance Is Mine was published in February on the Kindle and went into all eBook markets in May.<br />
<br />
Beneath the Tor was Kindle published in September and went to all markets in December.<br />
<br />
The XIII went to all markets, including the Kindle, in November.<br />
<br />
I also published a number of Kindle only short stories throughout the year.<br />
<br />
While sales have yet to make me rich, the reviews are good on all of them and I'm extremely pleased.<br />
<br />
My other goal was to set up a writing laptop. One with no distractions to get in my way. I achieved this during the last week of the year. Pulling out my old workhorse, the IBM ThinkPad 600, I installed DOS and two writing programs - Word 5.5 and WordPerfect 5.1. Added a second hard drive to the machine for transferring the documents and now I'm ready for my 2013 goals.<br />
<br />
2013<br />
<br />
My first goal for 2013 is to unhook the harness of social media. In my new schedule, I've only allowed myself around 2 hours a day to be online. I think that will be a good thing.<br />
<br />
Begin doing Yoga again. I practiced yoga religiously when I was in my twenties and early thirties - somewhere along the line it went by the wayside. So, I've ordered some new 'beginner' DVDs (I am so out of shape) and will begin practice when they arrive later this week.<br />
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Carved out a 4 1/2 hour writing slot in my day, where I intend to write at least 1500 words daily. Good, bad or indifferent - the words will get on the page. Sort of my own little NaNo project. While it's fairly easy for me to put 50,000 words on the page in a month - it will take me at least 6 months to properly edit those words.<br />
<br />
Read more - given myself at least an hour of guilt free reading during the day. Had reached the point where I felt that reading was a luxury and not a necessity. That will change.<br />
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As far as books coming out this year - The Profiler: Dark Fantasy will be completed during the first half of this spring and should be available by early summer.<br />
<br />
The second book of the series - The Profiler: Masks will be written and should be available in the late fall and most definitely before the Christmas season.<br />
<br />
I may try my hand at some new short stories also - but I'm not making any commitment there.<br />
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Evenings and weekends, as always will be spent with 'That' man and other family. I truly feel you need a balance in all things and they always help keep me centered in reality.<br />
<br />
Other things I'm contemplating.<br />
<br />
Free books - yes, I know a lot of readers like them and expect them. I've received a number of emails and PMs asking when my books are going to be free. The answer is they are not. After a lot of soul searching, I've decided that 'free' books do not do anyone any good. Especially the author. If you want to read my words, sorry you're going to have to buy my books - just as you would with any other published author. But wait, you say, it's a way to get 'your' name out there. I disagree, people will download the freebies and promptly forget them as they download more the next day. I may not be the world's greatest author, but...the work that I've put many hours into should be worth more than nothing.<br />
<br />
With that said, you'll see me pushing less and less of the free books on social media. Unless I know the author, unless I know they can write well - I am not going to waste either my newsfeed space or my credibility pushing free stuff that hasn't even be edited. Harsh, I know - but I see more and more of it daily.<br />
<br />
Beyond all this - I know I have all I need and all I want in life. Anything else good that comes my way is purely icing on the cake. Any bad can be dealt with; hopefully without drama.<br />
<br />
So there you have it - Looking Backward and Looking Forward. I know I can do this.<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13723876435090409807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8311671053676551798.post-2436968465996468422012-12-27T06:45:00.000-06:002012-12-27T06:48:34.830-06:00Meet the Awesome Author - Sara Brooke<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ob-mqDOktuxVEgqzH6DkqijfJ336Nr-Sd5fjUuOgNEUSDUzU9jTLZCudqTYpIAyZXRFKE6TC27NyZwexdX1EHwZb6eyRAnCYjhbUnxWOBo_39yIZ1OI67MAViHrExU5iTqjaPnBESJlh/s1600/Sara+Brooke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ob-mqDOktuxVEgqzH6DkqijfJ336Nr-Sd5fjUuOgNEUSDUzU9jTLZCudqTYpIAyZXRFKE6TC27NyZwexdX1EHwZb6eyRAnCYjhbUnxWOBo_39yIZ1OI67MAViHrExU5iTqjaPnBESJlh/s320/Sara+Brooke.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Today, I'm very happy to host an amazing new voice in horror. Author Sara Brooke is taking the world by storm and is giving horror readers a fresh, unique perspective into the genre.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqBXFKWAv-HpiufYArpwfNDURq1EM4pjHl7-TYwaGVb1ovCbRAby-nuJwKoMsui4GwRdLs7J_Km1W-CIRkHLacrI5YfxaCa0k-2sEry4_Iu3a69iD-VS-mMdOM7uW24qLiOHHguYw6lga/s1600/The+Zyne+Project.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqBXFKWAv-HpiufYArpwfNDURq1EM4pjHl7-TYwaGVb1ovCbRAby-nuJwKoMsui4GwRdLs7J_Km1W-CIRkHLacrI5YfxaCa0k-2sEry4_Iu3a69iD-VS-mMdOM7uW24qLiOHHguYw6lga/s1600/The+Zyne+Project.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I'm very excited to share with
you that my new horror novel, <b mce_style="margin-top:0">The Zyne Project</b>,
is now available at <b mce_style="margin-top:0"><a href="http://amzn.to/SRoaIZ" mce_href="http://amzn.to/SRoaIZ" mce_style="color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Amazon</a></b> and <b mce_style="margin-top:0"><a href="http://bit.ly/SRq2S9" mce_href="http://bit.ly/SRq2S9" mce_style="color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a></b> in
eversion. Bram Stoker Award-Winner Joe Mckinney calls it "A Zombie
outbreak like no other...Medical Research hasn't been this frightening since
Michael Crichton!" I hope you get a chance to check it out and appreciate
your support.<br />
</span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">- Sara<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Travel around the internet with
Sara Brooke as she hangs out with some cool bloggers. Stops include reviews,
guest posts, special excerpts and giveaways of Sara Brooke’s complete library.
To stalk Sara and find out where she will be next, head over to<b mce_style="margin-top:0"><a href="http://www.freebookdude.com/2012/12/anything-goes-for-sara-brooke-tour.html" mce_href="http://www.freebookdude.com/2012/12/anything-goes-for-sara-brooke-tour.html" mce_style="color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">FreeBookDude.com for a
complete listing</a></b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<b mce_style="margin-top:0"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The Zyne Project Synopsis:</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
Six people agree to participate in a first-of-its-kind clinical trial. They’re
ready to change the face of science, but they’re the ones who start changing.
As each subject succumbs to the horror of the trial, they begin to turn against
each other…and discover the nightmare within. What was supposed to be a medical
breakthrough is turning regular people into something unimaginable. And there
may be a deeper truth even more frightening than the beastly evolution occurring...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And now, a few words from Sara:</span></span><br /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>What scares me – Author, Sara Brooke</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">A reader recently told me that she had to read my novels with the lights on in her bedroom, and that each night she suffered from insomnia because she kept on thinking about all of the scary stuff she’d ingested. </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">She then looked at me with tired eyes and asked, “So, what scares you?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Now, she isn’t the first person to ask me this question. Being a horror novelist, people expect you to be immune to fear and revel in the unknown.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">I’ll agree that my preferences are scary movies and books, but that doesn’t mean I don’t get scared. Quite the contrary. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Many things frighten me. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Zombies, for some reason, frighten me. I think their untamed nature to sneak up on you when you least expect it, the fact that they’re dead and decaying, and their ability to convert you into a mindless, drooling creature – still scares me. Shows like “The Walking Dead” and others are interesting reminders of how fragile our society is. If part of our carefully crafted world moves out of place, then what we know as normalcy disappears.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Supernatural horror frightens me as well. I’ve had many occurrences throughout my lifetime that lead me to believe that there is more out there than meets the eye. In my mind, it is foolhardy to think that life is as simple as it appears through a 2D or 3D lens. Enough eyewitness documentation exists to suggest that we are not alone, and that the dead sometimes do watch over us.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Sometimes, fear is akin to being a believer in the things we can’t quite understand or describe fully (without feeling a little silly). People who are not afraid of ghosts, demons, or the possibility of something from another dimension, often don’t believe in those things either. So, it is easy to be fearless, when there’s no chance of anything happening.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Again, I’ve had these phenomena happen to me, so I do believe. And I use my nightmares and experiences to help craft different novels.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">What doesn’t scare me?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">I’ve never been frightened by slasher movies. First of all, they’re always the same. You start out with a group of people and slowly, but surely, one person wanders off (usually to take a piss) and is killed. Then the next person is killed, and the next. Honestly, I can’t understand why these films are so popular. They’re downright boring and use the same formula every time.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">So, no…I am not afraid of Friday the 13th or Halloween movies. Well, maybe when I was 11 or 12 years old, but definitely not now.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">One crazy thing that haunts me (and maybe I have a disorder of some type) is leaving the console light on in my car and draining the battery.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">You may think I’m nuts, but that’s happened to me before and it sucks. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">At the time, I had to find someone to jump the car, and then take it to the shop and that is a nightmare in itself. So, every time I park my car somewhere, I’m always double-checking to make sure the lights inside aren’t on. Sometimes, I’ll even walk away and then come back to the car to check.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Is anyone else afraid of this? I certainly hope so…otherwise I’ll have myself committed.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">What scares you?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">If you are terrified of zombies, medical contagion, and a chaotic nightmare that unravels quickly – give The Zyne Project a read…I think you’ll find what you’re looking for.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Thank you for the post, Sara!<br /><br />If you want to follow Sara on the remainder of her blog tour - the dates and websites are listed below.<br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Friday, December 28 - <a href="http://coziecorner.blogspot.com/" mce_href="http://coziecorner.blogspot.com/" mce_style="color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">My Cozie Corner</a><br />
Review of 'The Zyne Project'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Tuesday, January 1 - <a href="http://zombieacres.com/" mce_href="http://zombieacres.com/" mce_style="color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Zombie A.C.R.E.S.</a><br />
Interview with Sara Brooke<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13723876435090409807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8311671053676551798.post-57970366678725117112012-12-17T09:08:00.000-06:002012-12-17T10:18:05.418-06:00My Thoughts on the Newtown MassacreI get asked often why I write horror and the answer is really quite simple - to face the demons inside my own head. What kind of demons, you may well ask. Those demons that come with being a human being. They are the things I fear, the things I'd rather sweep under the rug and never confront. Horror allows me to do that in a safe way, it allows me to write those fears in a way that I can deal with them and not hurt anyone in the process.<br />
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With that said - No monster, no horror that I can conceive of can compete with the evil monsters that walk daily among us. As this latest shooting has once again proved, monsters exist in the real world and they may live next door to us, down the street or be a part of the groups we hang out with. We just don't know - until their evil is revealed.<br />
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My heart breaks for the families of the 27 dead in Newtown - I have cried nearly as many tears over this tragedy as I did after 9/11. I, like I'm sure many others, found myself glued to the television screen watching the events as they unfolded that afternoon. Then I couldn't take it anymore. I shut off the TV and bawled like a baby.<br />
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So I turned to Facebook to see if my friends were feeling the same grief that I was. Many were, but many were not. Some were angry - which is fine, I was angry also. But some made me disappointed to know them. Status updates were flying - pushing this social agenda or this religions hate-mongering. Pointing fingers at this 'right' or that one. I had to turn that off also. It was just too much for my already bleeding heart.<br />
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I don't know what the solution is to this kind of problem we have with people with guns deliberately going out to kill everyone who crosses their path. Something is lacking in the moral fiber of these people. And I'm not talking God, religion or any type of faith. I'm talking about being human - with compassion, empathy, respect and humanity to one another. That is basic to being human, or least I've always thought so.<br />
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I do know that the only 'person' to blame is that young man who picked up those guns. Mentally ill or not - he was the responsible one. You can blame the guns if you want, you can blame the 'lack' of God or the 'will' of God if you so choose. You can choose to blame the media, television & movie violence, what ever - bottom line - he picked up the guns. I choose to believe in personal responsibility.<br />
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Comparing this mass shooting to others only takes away from this one. Our focus should be on these families right now that are facing a Christmas without their loved ones and whose future Christmas' will never be as happy as they should be.<br />
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It's time to tone it down. Hug your kids, grandkids, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. Evil exists and no matter what laws are passed - it always will. Use your words for the benefit and uplifting of others - quit trying to turn everything into a us versus them mentality. This is a tragedy beyond believe, let's quit treating it like many treated the election cycle this year. We don't need more hate in the world.<br />
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But for me, thinking I'm going to stay off my newsfeed on Facebook - seeing people act like rabid dogs only serves to break my heart more. Instead, I think I'll wrap gifts for my grandkids and bask in the love I feel for them and my children. And maybe write a bit.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13723876435090409807noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8311671053676551798.post-57492452900580481622012-12-12T06:01:00.002-06:002012-12-12T06:01:46.438-06:00The Next Big Thing<br />
Recently, author Matthew Darst (author of "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Things-Matt-Darst/dp/1937727157/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354156716&sr=8-1&keywords=dead+things" target="_blank">Dead Thing</a>" available on Amazon) asked me if I'd like to participate in The Next Big Thing. What is The Next Big Thing? It's a ten question author interview. When this blog roll began, the idea was to tag five other others to do the same next week. Well, being the rebel that I am (and since most authors I know have already done this), instead I am going to give links to the authors I've read and loved their work. Hope you don't mind :)<br />
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THE NEXT BIG THING!<br />
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<b><i>What is the working title of your next book?</i></b><br />
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The Profiler - at least at this point. May change as I go along.<br />
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<b><i>Where did the idea come from for the book?</i></b><br />
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From the Bob Berdella case in Kansas City, Mo in the 80s. It was the first time I had actually met a serial killer, although at the time I didn't know that.<br />
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<b><i>What genre does your book fall under?</i></b><br />
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Serial killer fiction/horror/thriller - any of those will do.<br />
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<b><i>What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?</i></b><br />
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I rarely think about that. The only time I did was for my novella Vengeance Is Mine and that was only because I did adapt it to a screenplay.<br />
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<b><i>What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?</i></b><br />
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Ordinary people are rarely ordinary.<br />
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<b><i>Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?</i></b><br />
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Self. I like being in control.<br />
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<b><i>How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?</i></b><br />
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It's a long way from finished, only about 20,000 words in at the moment. Hoping to have it complete by the early summer.<br />
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<b><i>What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?</i></b><br />
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William Cook's "Blood Related" and many other serial killer books.<br />
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<b><i>Who or what inspired you to write this book?</i></b><br />
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Curiosity inspired me to write this as I was intrigued by what went on in a serial killers mind. But without my wonderfully supportive husband, Kevin, I wouldn't have had the nerve to write or publish anything.<br />
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<b><i>What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?</i></b><br />
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Lots of research into serial killers. Although Bob Berdella first captured my attention, I've now read hundreds of different bios and the reader will be able to identify the elements of many of them into my killers.<br />
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The following authors, in no particular order) are my favorites and I will read just about anything they write:<br />
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<a href="http://www.peculiarwriter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Billie Sue Mosiman</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.bryanhallfiction.com/blog.html" target="_blank">Bryan Hall</a><br />
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<a href="http://semicompleteunknown.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">John Paul Allen</a><br />
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<a href="http://jeffreykosh.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jeffrey Kosh</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.jaimejohnesee.com/Home_Page.html" target="_blank">Jaime Johnsee</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.bloodrelated.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">William Cook</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.pauldmarks.com/" target="_blank">Paul D. Marks</a><br />
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<a href="http://armandrosamilia.com/2012/12/05/my-next-big-thing/" target="_blank">Armand Rosamilia</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.cwlasart.com/?p=1512" target="_blank">CW LaSart</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.rjparker.net/" target="_blank">RJ Parker</a><br />
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<a href="http://rschiver.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Richard Schiver</a><br />
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