tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56396752124088462172024-03-17T01:53:38.604-04:00Shooting Stars MagShooting Stars Maghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.comBlogger2299125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639675212408846217.post-8064013934671613662017-08-12T09:00:00.000-04:002017-08-12T09:00:32.584-04:00The Forbidden by Jodi Ellen Malpas Blog Tour <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hey everyone, Alicia here with a new post (finally!) My laptop broke and I haven't had a chance to replace it so, blogging is currently nonexistent. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm currently in the middle of this book, and really enjoying it--which is shocking because the reason he is "Forbidden", is a HUGE NO-NO! in my book. But this book has definitely got me thinking about my preconceived notions on this "issue." And that's all I say until I finish the book and am able to get a review up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyways, enjoy this post!</span><br />
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1502421307893_2690"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">THE FORBIDDEN by Jodi Ellen Malpas (August 8, 2017; Forever trade paperback original; $15.99)</span></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1502421307893_2695"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1502421307893_2694">A new story of dangerous temptations from the #1 </span></strong><em><b>New York Times</b></em><strong id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1502421307893_2137"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1502421307893_2136"> bestselling author of the This Man trilogy. </span></strong></span><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1502421307893_2139"><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Annie has never experienced the 'spark' with a guy - the kind of instant chemistry that steals your breath and blindsides you completely. Until a night out with friends brings her face to face with the wickedly sexy and mysterious Jack. It's not just a spark that ignites between them. It's an explosion. Jack promises to consume Annie, and he fully delivers on that promise.<br /><br /> Overwhelmed by the intensity of their one night together, Annie slips out of their hotel room. She is certain that a man who's had such a powerful impact on her and who could bend her to his will so easily, must be dangerous. But she's already in too deep. And Jack isn't only dangerous. He is forbidden.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Every kiss, every sexy scene, every word between this pair owned a piece of my soul. I could read this book a hundred times and still react as if it was the first time. <i>The Protector</i> is a top 2016 fave for me.” –Audrey Carlan, #1 bestselling author of The Calendar Girl series</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My Q & A with Jodi:</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Top 5 favorite traits in a hero</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1)<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1502421307893_3563"> </span>Looks</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) Good style</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) Cocky</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4) Cheeky (sometimes)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5) Height (always tall!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">Excerpt</span></u>: </span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Thank you for your help,”
I say quietly, studying him, definitely detecting that he’s deep in thought. Don’t ask,
don’t ask, don’t ask. I need to get back into my apartment
without engaging with him, which could prove
tricky when he’s blocking the doorway and looking like he has no intention of shifting to let
me in.
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Annie,” he breathes.
“I’m struggling so badly.”
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I’m not doing this.”
I swallow, pushing my way past him. He grabs me by the top of my arm and holds me in place.
“Let me go, Jack.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I’ve already told you I
can’t do that. Annie, I’m drowning here. I’m going out of my mind, and the more time I
spend with you the fucking worse it’s getting. Listening to you,
talking to you, sharing a passion with you that goes way beyond the
amazing time we had in bed together.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“You have to forget!” I
yell, knowing anger is the only way forward. Be angry with him. Let it dominate me and rule
me, because the alternative scares me to fucking death.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He pushes me into the hall
and slams the door behind us, forcing me to back up. “No,” he says, straight and even.
“No,” he repeats, moving one more step forward, except this time
I don’t retreat. Because I can’t. Because he has me locked in
place with those grey eyes, and now they’re back to their full
glory. Sparkling, even if it’s with anger. He reaches for his shirt
and starts unbuttoning it before
shrugging it off and throwing it to the floor, revealing the chest
that’s haunting me.
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I quickly look down at the
pile of material, my mind reeling. His chest. His perfect damn chest. "What are you
doing?”
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I have no fucking idea.”
He reaches for me and slides a hand around my neck, pulling me to him. Our chests meet,
and my determination to repel him vanishes under our connection. Wrongs turn into rights.
Conflict turns into craving.
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I can’t get you out of
my head, Annie.” His forehead meets mine, his palm massaging away the tightness in my
neck muscles, softening me up until I relax in his hold. “I want
you all over again, and I can’t
even find the will to worry about how much more that’ll make me
want you.” He breathes down on
me. “I’ve played that night on repeat. I’ve dreamed of holding
you in my arms again. I’ve craved the sound of your voice, the feel
of your touch, the softness of your lips on mine. I know I shouldn’t
want you. But I do. Nothing has ever made me feel this insane with
need. Nothing has taken up so much space in my head. I can’t
fucking help it, Annie.” His grey gaze sinks into me, my heart
steadying to an even thrum. His head starts to shake mildly, his
splayed hand moving up to the back of my head and fisting my hair. “I
don’t want to help it,” he growls. “I want you. I don’t care
how wrong it is.” His clenched fist tightens, gripping my hair
harshly. “I know I’ve been on your mind since I fucked you every
which way in that hotel room. Stop denying it. Don’t insult me and
tell me you don’t crave that amazing feeling all over again. I can
see it in your eyes every damn time I look into them. You. Want. Me.”
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s me who moves in
first. All me. I lunge forward and smash my lips to his, the magnetic force winning. His
words winning. Jack winning. My heart winning. I coax his mouth open with hard, hungry
kisses. I’ve lost my mind to a craving too powerful to fight off.
And, like Jack, I don’t care how wrong it is. </span></div>
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Lost.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yet as he walks me backward
until my back slams into the wall, I feel found again. </span></div>
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I cry out, and Jack moans.
We’re clumsy and desperate. He’s pushing me up the wall with the force of his kiss, then
he’s rolling away, taking me with him until it’s his back
slamming into the wall. It’s the
elevator all over again. The atmosphere is sizzling. I’m on fire.
He scoops me up, pinning me to him, and
carries me into my bedroom. I focus on him. Only him and the return of feelings that I’ve
fantasized about since that unforgettable night. All the guilt is
abandoning me, and I let it, unprepared
to let anything stop me from taking the forbidden.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VoRvnbGO-LOHj7ppfcgNgIzSA1u274u8eo_4hmojN02dXy7xeQy0M7W0reBFEDdasZ4xOg4R9CzKxf_Ko3UdGCXTES2WWUU4W_070Hj7BpQBp7ynkMD5HGZqIhiYlw4hUgzcPKPukv6n/s1600/author.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VoRvnbGO-LOHj7ppfcgNgIzSA1u274u8eo_4hmojN02dXy7xeQy0M7W0reBFEDdasZ4xOg4R9CzKxf_Ko3UdGCXTES2WWUU4W_070Hj7BpQBp7ynkMD5HGZqIhiYlw4hUgzcPKPukv6n/s320/author.jpg" width="247" /></span></a><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">About the Author</span></u></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1502421307893_2372"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jodi Ellen Malpas was born and raised in the Midlands’ town of Northampton, England, where she lives with her two boys. Working for her father’s construction business full-time, she tried to ignore the lingering idea of writing until it became impossible. She wrote in secret for a long time before finally finding the courage to unleash her creative streak, and in October 2012 she released <i>This Man</i>. She took a chance on a story with some intense characters and sparked incredible reactions from women all over the world. Writing powerful love stories and creating addictive characters have become her passion, a passion she now shares with her devoted readers.</span></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Social Media Links</span></u></div>
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<a href="http://www.jodiellenmalpas.com.uk/" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1502421307893_2686" rel="nofollow" style="color: purple;" target="_blank"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1502421307893_2685"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.jodiellenmalpas.com.uk</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Add <i>The Forbidden</i> to your shelf on Goodreads: </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2kclflm" rel="nofollow" style="color: purple;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://bit.ly/2kclflm</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Follow Jodi Ellen Malpas on BookBub: </span><a href="http://bit.ly/2qXejZ7" rel="nofollow" style="color: purple;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://bit.ly/2qXejZ7</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Follow Jodi Ellen Malpas on Amazon: <span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1502421307893_2375"><a href="http://amzn.to/2qXqwwZ" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1502421307893_2374" rel="nofollow" style="color: purple;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/2qXqwwZ</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1502421307893_2379"><a href="http://bit.ly/2qXSfOk" target="_blank">Enter to win 1 of 10 copies of <i id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1502421307893_2378">The Forbidden</i></a>! </span></span></div>
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Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258988867833053406noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639675212408846217.post-85751633925007954562017-05-04T00:00:00.000-04:002017-05-04T00:00:22.491-04:00People I Want to Punch in the Throat by Jen Mann<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><b>People I Want to Punch in the Throat: Competitive Crafters, Drop-Off Despots, and Other Suburban Scourges by Jen Mann</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Review by Lauren</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">source: library e-copy; all opinions are my own</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Official Summary</span></b>: <i>Jen<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;"> Mann doesn’t have a filter, which sometimes gets her in trouble with her neighbors, her fellow PTA moms, and that one woman who tried to sell her sex toys at a home shopping party. Known for her hilariously acerbic observations on her blog, People I Want to Punch in the Throat, Mann now brings her sharp wit to bear on suburban life, marriage, and motherhood in this laugh-out-loud collection of essays. From the politics of joining a play group, to the thrill of mothers’ night out at the gun range, to the rewards of your most meaningful relationship (the one you have with your cleaning lady), nothing is sacred or off-limits. So the next time you find yourself wearing fuzzy bunny pajamas in the school carpool line or accidentally stuck at a co-worker’s swingers party, just think, What would Jen Mann do? Or better yet, buy her book.</span></i></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Review</span></b>: <span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I actually read Mann's holiday edition of essays and thought they were quite amusing, so when I saw this collection on my library's e-site, I decided to finally check it out. Since it is a collection of essays, the book is a quick and enjoyable read. While I don't agree with everything Mann makes fun of, I do appreciate the humor, and really, if you don't have a good sense of humor, this is not the book for you!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What's fun about this book is that it's basically a memoir of sorts, detailing various moments in Mann's life, but it infuses all the stories with enjoyable and funny moments. I love a writer that can make me laugh, because it's not easy to do, and Mann does make me laugh! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mann is enjoyable to read about because she obviously doesn't have much of a filter in her real life. She's okay with stating her opinion and speaking up when others won't. She's a mom and wife, but she's not trying to be the #1 mom and wife, and I commend that. There is no such thing as perfect, so embrace the chaos! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Definitely a fun read! </span></div>
Shooting Stars Maghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639675212408846217.post-34669179692078670632017-04-26T00:00:00.000-04:002017-04-26T00:00:18.590-04:00Discussion: Do You Comment Jump?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's about time that I start doing more discussion posts on the blog, so today I'm talking about Comment Jumping! Please use the below image to pin this post! </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the things that I always do is visit a blog if they comment on mine. I know not everyone who comments has a blog, but the majority do, so I find this to be a good way to say "thanks" and to hopefully make some new bloggy friends. Therefore, you comment on one of my posts, and I visit your blog and read/comment on one of your posts. This tends to turn into a back and forth type of thing, and I love it. I get to know new bloggers, and I know that if they don't comment for a bit it's because they are busy. This doesn't stop me from reading and commenting on their blog. Anyway - back to the topic at hand! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">While visiting these blogs - and other blogs that I happen to come across - I often check out who else is commenting on their post. Sometimes I read what people are saying, but other times I just click their name and check out their blog (if they have one). This can be random, or maybe I liked their blog name or I saw their comment and thought it was nice. At any rate, I am now on their blog and checking out their posts. Sometimes I don't find much that interests me, but a lot of times I'll discover a really cool blog and I'll try and leave at least one comment for them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This act of finding a blog via someone else's blog comments (or even through their blog roll) is what I call Comment Jumping. It's a great way to discover new blogs/bloggers! This is just one of the reasons I have a blog roll on the side of my blog. I want people to discover these blogs too! Sometimes I'll be commenting on a blog I regularly follow and I'll see someone who comments on my blog and I'll wonder "I don't remember seeing them here before...did they discover this blog from mine?" If you did, then I'm here to tell you that you're comment jumping, and it's one type of jumping I can totally get behind! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So tell me - do you comment jump? If you miraculously remember, which blogs have you discovered from my blog roll/comment section? I'm sure we'd both love to know! It's just another good reason to get out there and comment on people's posts! It helps them - plus it's nice - AND it can help you! </span></div>
Shooting Stars Maghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639675212408846217.post-68147176529380961622017-04-25T00:00:00.000-04:002017-04-25T00:00:00.186-04:00<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Your novel focuses on post-partum depression, and you’ve spoken about the topic in fiction in the past. What led you to this particular subject? </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #14171a;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span></span><span style="color: #14171a; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">My stories always start with a character. I did not intend to write about postpartum depression or any of the other perinatal mood disorders that often accompany pregnancy and birth just as I didn’t intend on writing about infertility. Lara James was a character in crisis; that’s how I first knew her on the page. I had to pull the threads of her story to find out what brought her there and how she would change as a result. That said, I firmly believe we need to discuss postpartum depression louder and far more often than we do. I have learned so much in the course of writing this book. Perinatal mood disorders, including postpartum depression and anxiety, affect one in five women who give birth. And while these are treatable conditions, if left undiagnosed and untreated postpartum depression and the other associated mood disorders can take a catastrophic toll on mother and child. We need to break the taboo. </span><span style="color: #14171a; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="color: #14171a; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Where did the title The Unprotected come from? Did you have other ideas first? </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #14171a; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Unprotected was my editor at Skyhorse’s brain child. As soon as I read it I got goosebumps. Its resonance with every character and all of the themes just hums. I struggle with titles, so yes, there were several other working titles. The title brainstorm with my agent and editor didn’t last long: as soon as Chelsey proposed The Unprotected, we knew it was the one.</span><span style="color: #14171a; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="color: #14171a; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Have you gotten feedback from people who have experience post-partum depression? If so, what did they have to say? </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #14171a; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have heard a lot of feedback. I have been approached by strangers and friends alike who have said, “I thought I was the only mother to ever have thoughts like that.” One woman was someone I’d known for years. Our children are friends. We spend a lot of time together; but her postpartum experience was something she guarded from everyone, including her friends and her husband. Like Lara, and like thousands of other mothers, she was afraid that if she were honest about what it was like to mother a newborn, she would be labeled a bad mother. Or worse.</span><span style="color: #14171a; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="color: #14171a; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Did you have any say as to the book’s cover? What are your thoughts? </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #14171a; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was lucky enough to be involved with every iteration of the book’s cover and I’m thankful to Skyhorse for that. While I will cherish my galley copy with its radically different cover, I love the final look. Like the title, the cover design offers a glimpse of what lies inside on the pages. To me it looks like torn away wallpaper, edges burnt, attempts at perfection stripped away. </span><span style="color: #14171a; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="color: #14171a; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-9840c712-78bc-0f98-4277-b20e2b1d6e92"><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Do you see yourself writing more fiction in the future? Will you stay in the women’s fiction genre? </b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #14171a; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Absolutely! I’m well into a draft of another novel and am enjoying the discovery of new characters and new secrets and new obsessions. </span></span></div>
Shooting Stars Maghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639675212408846217.post-63293880556465972762017-04-24T00:00:00.000-04:002017-04-24T00:00:11.250-04:00The Stranger by Harlan Coben<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: blue;">The Stranger by Harlan Coben</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Review by Lauren</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">source: library e-copy; all opinions are my own</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Official Summary</span></b>: <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><i>The Stranger appears out of nowhere, perhaps in a bar, or a parking lot, or at the grocery store. His identity is unknown. His motives are unclear. His information is undeniable. Then he whispers a few words in your ear and disappears, leaving you picking up the pieces of your shattered world.</i></span><br />
<i><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Adam Price has a lot to lose: a comfortable marriage to a beautiful woman, two wonderful sons, and all the trappings of the American Dream: a big house, a good job, a seemingly perfect life.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Then he runs into the Stranger. When he learns a devastating secret about his wife, Corinne, he confronts her, and the mirage of perfection disappears as if it never existed at all. Soon Adam finds himself tangled in something far darker than even Corinne’s deception, and realizes that if he doesn’t make exactly the right moves, the conspiracy he’s stumbled into will not only ruin lives—it will end them.</span></i><br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Review</span></b>: <span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Stranger is a guy whose name very few people know. He shows up, tells a secret, and then leaves without seeing how the damage will affect that person. This is what happens when Adam Price, husband and father of two boys, meets the Stranger one night. He is told something he never knew about his wife Corinne and it's this moment that starts a chain of events that irrevocably changes Adam Price's life forever. This might sound a touch over dramatic, but I'm being completely serious. The whole idea behind the Stranger is what enticed me to check out this book, my first by Harlan Coben, but it was the twists and turns of the story that definitely kept me reading. While the book is mostly in Price's point of view, there are moments throughout the book that follow other characters that are important to the overall story.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Stranger is an intriguing character - one that does not have another name for much of the book - and whose idea of right and wrong is actually a bit noble. He's not someone that you can easily love or hate. There is a lot of black and white in the world, and while the Stranger seems to want those lines to be clearer, he actually exists in quite a gray area. As for Adam, it's definitely easy to feel bad for him and his circumstances when the secret is revealed. His whole world is tilted and he becomes caught up in something more dangerous than he first realizes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a book that begs not to be spoiled in any way, so it's best not to give too many details. It's definitely a quick, suspenseful read. I would certainly recommend!</span></div>
Shooting Stars Maghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639675212408846217.post-23313021764136940792017-04-21T00:00:00.000-04:002017-04-21T00:00:06.257-04:00Top 5 Friday Favorites: Favorite Things Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Isn't it lovely when a Friday rolls around? Today I'm going to share five things from the previous week or so that I am loving or excited about. I hope that you'll read and share your own Friday Faves in the comments. If you did your own Friday post, please leave a link and I'll come visit!<br />
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My parents, sister, and I all went and saw Going in Style on Easter. It wasn't as funny as I thought it might be, but that didn't stop me from enjoying it. I love all these actors and I thought they did a great job. It's nice to see older actors making films that revolve around their age and circumstances. I'm still in my 20's, but I could still feel for these guys who have lost their pensions and aren't sure how they are going to take care of themselves and/or their families without it. Definitely a good one! </div>
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2. I'm working on building up my social media follows, but I'm definitely focused on Twitter at the moment because I'm so close to 3 thousand followers. I'd love to reach at least 5k by the end of the year, so help me out by following <a href="https://twitter.com/ShootingStarMag" target="_blank">here</a>! I'm going to do a giveaway once I reach 3k so please follow!</div>
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3. I went to Old Navy last weekend because they were having some good deals. I've been getting new clothes when I can because I'm doing well with my weight loss, and it feels nice to get more of the things that I like. My trip to Old Navy was in order to get some pants/bottoms because most of my new items had been tops. I ended up getting a pair of pants, two shorts, and a dress. Not bad, I don't think! As for my weight loss - I'm a few ounces away from a 30 pound weight loss, and I'm so excited! I'm thinking of ideas for blog posts, so expect something soon. Any questions you have that I can answer? I'm doing a hospital-led weight loss program - I introduced it <a href="http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2017/03/weight-loss-with-lauren-introduction.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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4. </div>
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For those that aren't aware, I'm a new consultant for <a href="https://c6871.myubam.com/" target="_blank">Usborne Books and More</a>. If you are on Instagram, then you have probably seen Rep Searches for various businesses. They tend to relate to books - a bookish Etsy company or a book subscription box. The idea is that people "apply" to be a rep by posting on their Insta why they want to be a rep for such and such company. Then a certain number of people are chosen and they are given products every month for about 3 months to help spread the word.</div>
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Well, I thought it would be fun to do something similar for the Usborne books. I'm going to be posting this on Instagram too, but for now, here are some basics in case you want to "apply":</div>
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1. You must have an Instagram account. If you want to blog about the products, that's great, but you have to post on Insta too.</div>
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2. I'm seeking <b>up </b>to 3 representatives, so we'll see who applies! You have to be in the U.S. though because the books from my shop only ship within the U.S.</div>
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3. This will last for three months - I'm hoping May-July but it might change a bit depending on how long things take!</div>
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4. Every month, I will send the Reps ONE book from Usborne (my choice - but you can let me know age ranges, etc.) and you have to post about it on at least Insta. In the end, each Rep will get three books from Usborne! </div>
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5. The main goal is to entice people to have online parties with me! This is how I get most of my sales. If you are a Rep, you can do a party too, but it's not required. When people sign up for a party - they will mention the Rep they heard about it from. By the end of the three months, if you got me the MOST parties, I'll send you a $20 gift card of YOUR CHOICE! </div>
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Sound like something you're interested in? Let me know! You can browse my shop <a href="https://c6871.myubam.com/" target="_blank">here</a>! </div>
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I'm setting up a <a href="http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2017/04/my-favorite-things-giveaway-hop-sign-up.html" target="_blank">Giveaway Hop</a> where you give away at least ONE item that would be considered "your favorite thing." You can sign up <a href="http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2017/04/my-favorite-things-giveaway-hop-sign-up.html" target="_blank">here </a>but the actual giveaway hop will be in the beginning of June. It doesn't matter what country you're in or what you want to give away - you can still join!</div>
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The prize, who the giveaway is open to, the requirements for entry - these are all things that you get to choose! The only thing I ask is that your giveaway takes place during the hop period (details on <a href="http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2017/04/my-favorite-things-giveaway-hop-sign-up.html" target="_blank">post</a>) and that the item is a favorite of yours. You can give one item or a mix of items! Again, it's your choice!</div>
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Please sign up and/or spread the word! </div>
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Happy Friday- and Have a Great Weekend. I'm linking up here:</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Friday Favorites- </span><a href="http://meetat-thebarre.com/" style="color: #a892ce; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">http://meetat-thebarre.com/</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">High Five for Friday- </span><a href="http://www.ktcupoftea.com/" style="color: #a892ce; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">http://www.ktcupoftea.com/</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Friday Favorites- </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><a href="http://tabanderika.blogspot.com/" style="color: #a892ce; text-decoration-line: none;">http://tabanderika.blogspot.com/</a></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cardo"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh Hey, Friday- <a href="http://www.farmerswifeamy.com/" style="color: #a892ce; text-decoration-line: none;">http://www.farmerswifeamy.com/</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cardo"; font-size: 15.4px;">Five on Friday- </span><a href="http://www.northcarolinacharm.com/" style="color: #a892ce; font-family: Cardo; font-size: 15.4px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">http://www.northcarolinacharm.com/</a>Shooting Stars Maghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639675212408846217.post-41248676115699923942017-04-20T00:00:00.000-04:002017-04-20T00:00:25.444-04:00Home Fires by Kate Sherwood + Wake Up Call by JL Merrow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: #274e13;">Home Fires by Kate Sherwood</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #274e13;">Review by Lauren</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #274e13;">source: copy from Netgalley; all opinions are my own</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #274e13;">Official Summary: </span></b><i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Trouble comes to Mosely, Montana, from the outside world. When the residents of Mosely are left on their own, they can make things work. Sure, there’s always been a militia operating up in the hills, but they were small-scale—just survivalists doing their thing—until organizers came in from out of state. Now Jericho Crewe and the rest of the sheriff’s department are facing down a heavily armed band of fanatics, and the feds are busy elsewhere.</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;">The odds are hopeless, but Jericho swore an oath to serve and protect the citizens of Mosely. He won’t walk away from that, even if Wade Granger’s begging him to run away somewhere and finally be together the way they always should have been.</span></i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><i>But this time, it’s Jericho who refuses to leave Mosely, even if staying kills him.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Review</span></b><span style="color: #181818;">: This is the fourth, and I believe final, book in the Common Law series. I never want to say too much about a book - especially one taking place later in a series - because I don't want to ruin anything for prospective readers. Therefore, I will simply state that I loved this book and I am a huge fan of the series in general. None of the books are terribly long, though each has its own set conflict or story arch, so it works well! You could definitely binge all these books in a quick amount of time!<i></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;">I love the characters of Jericho and Wade - how they are seemingly on opposite ends of the wall, but they are still drawn to each other. We also get a different side of Wade in this one which I appreciated it. All these characters have layers, and each book just seems to peel back more and more about them. I appreciate well-written characters and Sherwood definitely delivers that! I highly recommend the Common Law series. While I think this might be the last in the series, there is something about the end that makes me think we could get a new sort of series and I really hope that's true! I'd grab it in a heartbeat. </span></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Wake Up Call by J.L. Merrow</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Review by Lauren</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">source: copy from netgalley; all opinions are my own</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Official Summary:</span></b> <i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;">South London mechanic Devan Thompson has gone to Porthkennack to track down someone he’s been waiting all his life to know. But Dev’s distracted from his quest by Kyle, a broodingly handsome local of only a few months, who’s already got a reputation as an alcoholic because of his strange behaviour—including a habit of collapsing in the street.</span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Kyle Anthony fled to Porthkennack to escape from the ruins of his life. Still raging against his diagnosis of narcolepsy—a condition that’s cost him his job as a barrister, his lover, and all chance of normality—the last thing he wants is another relationship that’s doomed to fail. But Dev’s easy-going acceptance and adaptability, not to mention his good looks, have Kyle breaking all his self-imposed rules.</span></i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><i>When disaster strikes Dev’s adored little sister, Kyle steps up to the plate, and Dev sees a side of his lover he wasn’t prepared for: competent, professional—and way out of Dev’s league. With one man determined that they don’t have a future, and the other fearing it, life after Porthkennack is starting to look bleak for both of them.</i></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Review</span></b>: As I went on Goodreads to grab the official summary, I realized that this is the first book in the Porthkennack series (which is the name of the town). However, each book is written by a different author. I thought that was kind of cool, so I figured I'd mention it! Anyway, back to Wake Up Call. I thought this was a really interesting story. I appreciated that the secondary characters had their own story lines. It created a community for Devan and Kyle, and it wasn't just about their burgeoning relationship. There is Ceri, a local waitress, who Dev befriends. There is also Dev's mate who comes in later in the story, as well as Dev's foster sister. Kyle didn't have as many characters around him, but readers do get to know a bit about his colleagues and his own family. At any rate, Kyle is supposed to be more closed off. He was a barrister (aka lawyer) before quitting and renting a cottage in Porthkennack because of a medical diagnosis of narcolepsy and cataplexy. In really simple terms, he can often - and quite suddenly - fall asleep. This scares Kyle, understandably, and he feels like everything he worked for is going to disappear. He's not in a great place when he meets Dev.</div>
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One thing that really made the book feel authentic to me is the dialect. Merrow doesn't shy away from showing readers how Dev speaks, including various slang, etc. This book is set in Europe, so there could be words or phrases the average American won't recognize, but I didn't think it was too difficult. Context usually helps. Regardless, I thought this was done well by the author and it helped show how different Dev and Kyle are, in terms of the "social ladder" so to speak. Dev is a mechanic and Kyle is a lawyer. They had very different upbringings. All these differences are issues they must face, but it wasn't done for unneeded drama. All in all, I thought the book was done well, and I'd be curious to see how the other authors handle the town of Porthkennack. </div>
Shooting Stars Maghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639675212408846217.post-89234762452564082232017-04-19T00:00:00.000-04:002017-04-19T00:00:11.503-04:00A Murder in Time by Julie McElwain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: #274e13;">A Murder in Time by Julie McElwain</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #274e13;">Review by Lauren</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #274e13;">source: library e-copy; all opinions are my own</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #274e13;">Official Summary: </span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><i>Beautiful and brilliant, Kendra Donovan is a rising star at the FBI. Yet her path to professional success hits a speed bump during a disastrous raid where half her team is murdered, a mole in the FBI is uncovered and she herself is severely wounded. As soon as she recovers, she goes rogue and travels to England to assassinate the man responsible for the deaths of her teammates.</i></span><br />
<i><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;">While fleeing from an unexpected assassin herself, Kendra escapes into a stairwell that promises sanctuary but when she stumbles out again, she is in the same place - Aldrich Castle - but in a different time: 1815, to be exact.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Mistaken for a lady's maid hired to help with weekend guests, Kendra is forced to quickly adapt to the time period until she can figure out how she got there; and, more importantly, how to get back home. However, after the body of a girl is found on the extensive grounds of the county estate, she starts to feel there's some purpose to her bizarre circumstances. Stripped of her twenty-first century tools, Kendra must use her wits alone in order to unmask a cunning madman.</span></i><br />
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<b><span style="color: #274e13;">Review:</span></b> <span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A Murder in Time is a book that I just recently started seeing around. I actually thought the sequel, A Twist in Time, was already out when I read this, but it just recently released earlier in the month (so it's out now!) You better believe I need my copy of it ASAP. Its predecessor, A Murder in Time, was a fantastic read. While it's quite lengthy, it kept me reading, desperate to know more. Definitely a favorite of the year - and just a favorite in general -and it's one I'd highly suggest you read if you're at all interested. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The basic of the story is FBI agent Kendra Donovan is involved in an operation that goes badly wrong and she sets out for England in an act of justice, or even revenge. This self-appointed mission takes her to England's Aldrich Castle. When she tries to hide in a stairwell, she ends up coming out in 1815. Yes, there has been some case of time travel. What I loved about Kendra and the whole idea of time travel in this book is that Kendra is exceptionally smart - having been the youngest to join the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit- so while she cannot figure out how she came to be in 1815, she does ponder time travel research and the ability for seconds-long time travel. I thought this an added touch that brought scientific theories and ideas for what could have possibly occurred.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Being in 1815 though proves to be a challenge for Kendra, as she ends up as a lady's maid in Aldrich Castle. This particular job doesn't last long and by the end of the book, Kendra's held a few positions in the castle. Regardless, the biggest job that Kendra ends up with is helping the Duke and his nephew, Alec, figure out who is murdering in their area. While attending to the people dining at an outdoor luncheon not long after Kendra ended up in 1815, a body of a young woman washes up on shore and the FBI in Kendra immediately kicks into gear. Before she can think about her station in this time period, she's examining the body and ordering directions. Despite her servant status and the fact that she is a woman - the Duke seems to trust Kendra's ability to deduce information from the body about the nature of the crime. She warns them that this person will kill again, that they have a serial killer on hand. The Duke's nephew, Alec, isn't so sure about Kendra, but he knows he can't refuse his uncle's wishes, so he allows Kendra to help them create a profile of the killer, as well as try to find out who this young woman was when alive. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I thought the blending of 1815 culture and tradition with Kendra's abilities and knowledge from the 21st century was done extremely well. Because of the Duke's fondness for Kendra, and his understanding that what Kendra says is true, gives Kendra more leeway to help with the investigation. Kendra is a strong person who has been through a lot in her short life, but when it comes to hunting serial killers, she knows what she's doing. She's smart and capable and even Alec starts to warm up to the surprising servant who stumbled into Aldrich Castle. There are a variety of interesting and important secondary characters in the book. Kendra ultimately comes up with a few suspects and since each one could seemingly be the killer, it's not an easy feat to guess who it could actually be, and I know I didn't! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It should be noted that this an adult title in terms of the violence and murder that is described in the book. This killer is vicious and brutal and he's torturing these women before killing them. There is very little in the killer's point of view, so most of these details come from Kendra or the surgeon, but nevertheless, it's something to note if these descriptions agitate you. Personally, I welcome the details as long as they are not gratuitous because they add an authenticity to the murders, as well as the time period since autopsies are done in a much different fashion without the tools we have today. A Murder in Time is a smart mystery, full of period details that just bring the setting even more to life, and it's one that I will surely read again in the future. Now I just need to find my own copy of the book and get my hands on the sequel too! </span></div>
Shooting Stars Maghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639675212408846217.post-8289697710404544522017-04-18T00:00:00.000-04:002017-04-18T00:00:03.845-04:00My Favorite Things Giveaway Hop - Sign Up Here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hey everyone! I'm here to talk about a Giveaway Hop that I'm planning. It will run from Friday, June 2 to Saturday, June 17 (about two weeks in all).<br />
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Here are the details if you would like to sign up-<br />
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1. This is a Favorite Things giveaway hop, so figure out what you want to giveaway that fits under that - aka "your favorite things." It can be one bigger item, or it can be a collection of things!<br />
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2. There is no money limit; spend as much or as little as you want or can!<br />
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3. Each individual blog can set who the giveaway is open to - basically, if you want yours to be International then okay, but you can make it U.S. only or U.K. only. Whatever fits your budget! Just make sure you clearly state this when your giveaway goes live!<br />
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4. Your giveaway must go from June 2 to June 17 so everyone has an equal amount of time to enter.<br />
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5. I'm going to include a link up below. This is just for your basic blog link to go showing me that you want to take part in the giveaway hop! PLEASE COMMENT THOUGH: In your comment, include your email. I need this for step 6.<br />
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6. I'm going to set up another link close to the start of the giveaway hop where you put the permalink to your giveaway post. This way people can easily find all the giveaways. This link up will be shared to everyone (hence why I need your email) so you can add it to the end of your giveaway post. Doing this means everyone's blog/giveaway will be featured on all the blogs in the hop - getting more promotion for everyone!<br />
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If you have any questions at all, please don't be afraid to reach out! As for ideas for your favorite things: think color, books, food/snacks, beauty supplies, music, planner/paper supplies, whatever you personally LOVE! Feel free to use the image above if you want to share this giveaway hop anywhere! Just link back here!<br />
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->Shooting Stars Maghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639675212408846217.post-78618376357331853612017-04-17T00:00:00.000-04:002017-04-17T00:00:23.133-04:00At Attention by Annabeth Albert + Necessary Medicine by M.K. York<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: inherit;"><b>At Attention by Annabeth Albert</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: inherit;"><b>Review by Lauren</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: inherit;"><b>source: copy from Netgalley; all opinions are my own</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #7f6000;">Official Summary</span></b>: It's a bit long, so check it out on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33280694-at-attention" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #7f6000;">Review</span></b>: At Attention is the second in the Out of Uniform series and just as good as the first. In this book we have Apollo who lost his husband a couple years ago and is now raising their twin daughters on his own. He never saw himself as the settling down type until he met his husband, so he's not exactly looking for someone else to fill the role of companion or lover. However, when his best friend pushes his younger brother, Dylan, on him for the summer, things begin to change. Dylan is in town to help Apollo with the girls and to work at a summer camp. While Dylan has always had a crush on Apollo, he tries to get a handle on his feelings and just be the helpful person that Apollo obviously needs. Of course...this doesn't last that long.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Eventually, the two do start up a relationship of sorts, though it's not really defined as such and kept a secret from anyone. Dylan is only here for the summer, so Apollo can rationalize getting involved when he knows it's just physical and there's an end date. This is before feelings enter the equation and they definitely do! For one thing, Dylan has feelings from the start, even if he tells himself he's okay with just the summer. As for Apollo, he starts to realize how much he truly likes Dylan and it's obvious that Dylan fits well in the family, since the girls also adore him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is another great read by Annabeth Albert, and I highly recommend the whole series. The characters were realistic and well done, and I thought the evolving relationship between Apollo and Dylan was done very well. I can't wait for the third book, whose main characters appear in At Attention! Get to know them now! </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b>Necessary Medicine by M.K. York </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b>Review by Lauren</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b>source: copy from Netgalley; all opinions are my own</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Official Summary</span></b>:<i> </i></span><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">In the high-intensity world of hospital residency programs, there's no room for romance. So it's a good thing for first-year surgical resident Neil Carmona that his crush on the gorgeous cardiologist Eli Newcombe is sheer fantasy. Not only is the sexy doctor Neil's superior, he's also recently divorced.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"> </span></i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">As Neil's skill as a surgeon grows, so does his friendship with Eli, and his silent, hopeless longing for more. It isn't until Neil's final year that Eli at last admits his own deepest desires. But Neil's joy is short-lived: Eli has no intention of pursuing a relationship. Their positions in the hospital would make it unethical, even if he was emotionally ready for someone new. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">Wounded and furious, Neil is determined to forget about Eli once and for all. But when a near-tragedy strikes, a new question arises: Is a life without love—without Neil—a greater risk than laying his heart on the line?</span></span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Review</span></b>: When the book starts, Neil is a medical student and then he's an intern, and then a fellow. The book moves through the years a bit, but I found it easy enough to follow so I was never confused as to where Neil was in his journey to becoming an attending doctor. As for Eli, he's a cardiologist who Neil first sees in medical school, when Eli is there to give a speech. Once Neil is working at the hospital, he's path crosses with Eli more and more often. While Neil has been harboring a crush on Eli for years, he doesn't think the feeling is at mutual since Eli has an ex wife and has never once mentioned being bisexual. As such, Neil tries to enjoy their budding friendship without getting too attached, and it works for awhile. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Obviously Eli has feelings for Neil too. I don't think that's a spoiler as it's in the summary, and that's just how these stories go, right? At the same time, Eli isn't willing to risk either of their jobs or reputations by acting on those feelings and it definitely upsets Neil. This makes sense though; Neil has had these feelings for years and when he finally realizes that they are reciprocated, he's pushed away. Despite this, things do end up okay for the two, but I don't want to go into too many details and spoil the whole story. The details are the story after all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One thing that I will note though is that the book felt a bit too long, as the author focuses a lot on the medical aspect of the story. While I understood most of the details, it did feel like a bit much in parts. Granted, the author is a medical student so it does make sense. While some of the descriptions could have been left out, having some does make the hospital and its inhabitants feel that much more realistic. What tends to suffer from these details is that the actual romance doesn't really appear until maybe halfway through the book. I was never bored reading the book, but I was definitely more interested in the relationship aspect of the book. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Necessary Medicine is York's debut, but hopefully she'll write more! </span></div>
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Shooting Stars Maghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639675212408846217.post-17713716902347207672017-04-14T08:00:00.000-04:002017-04-14T08:00:22.720-04:00Tortured by Nicole Williams Blog Tour<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Alicia here</b>, with my review for <i>Tortured</i>, which I loved.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">When he left for a twelve-month deployment, she knew it would feel like forever before they saw each other again. She didn’t realize how right she was.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> When Lance Corporal Brecken Connolly gets taken as a POW, Camryn hopes for the best but steels herself for the worst. In the end, steel was what she needed to survive when he didn’t. She moves on the only way she knows how—gilding herself in more steel.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Years go by.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">She builds a new life.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">She leaves the old one behind.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Until one day, she sees the face of a ghost on the news. Brecken seems to have risen from the dead, but she knows she can’t perform the same miracle for herself. While Brecken was held in a torture camp for the past five years, she’s been trapped in her own kind of prison. One she can’t be freed from. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> The man she mourned comes back to join the living, but the girl he wanted to spend his life with isn’t the same woman he comes back for. Brecken isn’t the same person either. The past five years have changed them both. While he’s determined to put the pieces back together, she’s resolved to let hers rot where they shattered. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Broken or not, Brecken wants her back. He’ll do anything to achieve that. Even if it means going against the warden of Camryn’s personal prison—her husband.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“It’s been six years. Everything’s changed. I have. You have.” My eyes lifted. “Why? Why are you trying to win me back?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">He exhaled, his lips parting. “I’m going to win you back.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">When his hand slid around the bend of my waist, winding behind my back, I jerked. His touch was different tonight, hungry, determined. My head clouded, blocking out reason or letting it surface to the top, one or the other.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“I married him,” I whispered even as my hand found his chest.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“But you belong to me.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My eyes closed as he bowed me against him. I wasn’t sure how two bodies that had been as broken as ours could be so strong when joined. “How do you know?”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“I can see it in your eyes. Every time you look at me.” His other hand lifted to my chin, tipping it until our eyes connected. His brow rose slowly, like I was proving his point right that very moment.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“That’s a confident statement.” My voice shook, but my body felt steady. Unwavering.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“It’s the truth.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My chest was moving so hard, it brushed his with every breath. What was I doing? Where had I found myself? The man holding me had died only to be resurrected six years later. It was too late, but it wasn’t over.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">No matter what, Brecken Connolly and I would never be over.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Twenty-six days,” I said slowly. “That’s all I have to give you. That’s all I have to give. Four weeks. Once he’s back, you know the way it has to be.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">His face broke, but his hold didn’t budge. “It’s not enough.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My fingers curled into his shirt, looking for some way to hold on to him. “I know.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">His other arm suddenly looped around me and he lifted me off the ground, his grip going around my backside when my legs tied around him. “But a fucking eternity wouldn’t be enough either, so it’ll just have to do.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">He carried me through the sand and up the stairs of the cabin, then he propped me against the wall so he could open the screen door. Something slipped out of my mouth when he flexed his hips into mine.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Told you it wasn’t a morning issue,” he whispered in my ear, but I could hear the smile in his voice. “Just a Camryn one.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">He made the same motion with his hips, applying a little more friction this time, causing a louder sound to echo from my lungs.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Opening the screen door as silently as he could, he carried me inside.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“You can set me down, you know?” I whispered.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“I know,” he said, his arms tying tighter. Once all of the lights were off, the cabin closed up for the night, he padded down the hall.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“You know where you’re going?”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">His head nodded beside mine. “I’ve always known.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My hands went behind his neck. His skin was warm and familiar. “And where’s that?”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">He exhaled against my skin as he closed the bedroom door. “Toward you.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">He set me down once he’d untied my legs from around his waist, and he took a few steps back. He stared at me for a moment then reached for the lamp on the dresser.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“What are you doing?” I asked.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Turning on the lights.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I watched him flip on another. “Why?”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Because I want to see you. Because I want to watch your face as I move inside you. Because I want to see your skin flush when I make you come.” He flipped on one more light, then all of his attention turned to me. “Because I want to see everything.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My heart took off as I imagined being intimate with him with every light in the room on. My body wasn’t the same one he’d left. It had carried a burden; it bore the scars of a shattered soul and a broken body. “I don’t want you to see me. Not like that. In the dark, you can imagine the way I was before.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">When I reached for the closest lamp to switch it off, he stopped me. “I don’t want to imagine.” His hand curled around mine, guiding it away from the lamp. “I want the real thing. I want the real you.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“You’ve seen my body. You know what I look like beneath all of this.” I motioned at the fresh clothes hanging off of me, covering me from my wrists to my ankles to my neck.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“When I look at you, I see beauty and strength, and the one person in the world who gives me a reason to live and a reason to die.” He drew me to him, his face creased in lines of concentration. “That’s what I see when I look at you.”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>My Review:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(((will be posted here later!!!)))</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://hyperurl.co/81w8eh" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Amazon</span></a><span style="color: black; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://hyperurl.co/buhp0z" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">iBooks</span></a><span style="color: black; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bit.ly/2ogtz3D" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Nook</span></a><span style="color: black; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bit.ly/2piNYD5" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Kobo</span></a><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34451499-tortured?from_search=true" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="goodreads-badge.png" height="41" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/LJyrfNL5SY-q0TQjbWpO6-NiEpMDc_3DvDKMBiN2Bv6BDnrBxEmxg-11g3hp9ETPCEP43Ha4oD6CKoZ_3qcskR9Z0yFlMrrXARiusSAqWdm6NETCYQ-EW4DpjkD4s07NqoiSNQ8G" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="130" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="AP new -about the author.jpg" height="125" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/1D3GpwBVzEvFf3exKw3GX_DzyEGfx2CniASGz2vdcJHJtNTQUJZU7BEwApIjFmwViWKUE5_1pB3L6ByzD6f8GYAjWfwMr8rNunjyCY8zAg61fZhlIq4VH2Ppok9yb-wWPwqlwZcl" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Nicole Williams is the New York Times and USATODAY bestselling author of contemporary and young adult romance, including the Crash and Lost & Found series. Her books have been published by HarperTeen and Simon & Schuster in both domestic and foreign markets, while she continues to self-publish additional titles. She is working on a new YA series with Crown Books (a division of Random House) as well. She loves romance, from the sweet to the steamy, and writes stories about characters in search of their happily even after. She grew up surrounded by books and plans on writing until the day she dies, even if it’s just for her own personal enjoyment. She still buys paperbacks because she’s all nostalgic like that, but her kindle never goes neglected for too long. When not writing, she spends her time with her husband and daughter, and whatever time’s left over she’s forced to fit too many hobbies into too little time.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Nicole is represented by Jane Dystel, of Dystel and Goderich Literary Agency.</span></div>
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<a href="http://nicoleawilliams.blogspot.ca/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Website</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Nicole-Williams-215156715173890/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"> Facebook</span></a><a href="https://twitter.com/nwilliamsbooks?lang=en" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Twitter</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Blog</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><a href="http://instagram.com/author_nicole_williams" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0563c1; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Instagram</span></a></div>
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Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258988867833053406noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639675212408846217.post-45759736254331624062017-04-13T19:20:00.000-04:002017-04-13T19:20:18.432-04:005 Ways To Make Exercise More Fun!<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<i>*This post is sponsored by Fabletics; but all opinions are my own*</i></div>
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Do you like to exercise? I'm going to go out on a limb and say <i>most </i>of you probably don't really like it. I'd be one of those people. However, I think there are ways that can help you get up and get moving more, and I thought I'd share some of those today! Feel free to leave any other ways to make exercise more fun in the comments below, and any social media shares would be great! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIGGne5VQ9XLstsczYWIDkFcsYPbA5m8KV6Jd1nmeDeIOlowMPD9bK0SLqdk-ImmhDGfcMxkJqC55mc9kaOxHfk_PuwDg6lCZUqEi4L9bC6b8v7sxGi8EWBj9peBAwt1C4hdmyaE-yb_d/s1600/Make+Exercise+Fun.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIGGne5VQ9XLstsczYWIDkFcsYPbA5m8KV6Jd1nmeDeIOlowMPD9bK0SLqdk-ImmhDGfcMxkJqC55mc9kaOxHfk_PuwDg6lCZUqEi4L9bC6b8v7sxGi8EWBj9peBAwt1C4hdmyaE-yb_d/s320/Make+Exercise+Fun.png" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><b>1. Fashionable and Functional Exercise Clothes</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is one tip that I need to utilize myself, and I do plan on gathering some fun <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fabletics/?hl=en" target="_blank">athletic wear</a> here and there. I think it's obvious that when you feel good about how you look, you feel more confident in general. This should relate to working out too. Get some items that make you feel good - that fit and are cute too! There are places that sell some great <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fabletics/?hl=en" target="_blank">athletic wear</a> like Fabletics, as it's full of variety and sizes! Not every person is petite, but everyone needs to get up and moving, so it's important that there are fashionable and functional exercise clothes for all! </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><b>2. Enlist a Buddy</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Everything is more fun with a friend, right? When I did go to a gym, I usually only went when a friend of mine could go. We helped motivate each other to actually leave the house and go, especially for her since she was often my ride there. I don't go to the gym anymore because of costs, but I still agree that enlisting a buddy is a good way to make exercise more fun. If you don't go to the gym, take a class together or just get out and take a walk. I went to the park one day with a friend and since she had her mom's dog, we took a walk through the park's trails. It was a bit tiring, but being out there with her made it much more pleasant. Now I <i>want </i>to go to the park and take walks! </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><b>3. Audiobooks/Music/Podcasts</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've tried audiobooks a couple times but they never really held my attention. However, I do want to give them a chance in the future. I think if I'm taking a walk by myself, I would focus a lot better. After all, I can listen to podcasts and those hold my interest. The one podcast I'm currently listening to is My Favorite Murder. It might sound a bit gruesome, but it's not all that bad. Yes, the two hosts do talk about various murders each episode but it's also infused with a lot of humor and lightheartedness so nothing gets too dark. As for just music in general, I listened to artists sometimes when I was at the gym and it can help pass the time. All of these are just ways to allow your mind to focus on something other than having to work out. Granted, they work best if you are on the treadmill or walking outside because you don't have to think too much. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><b>4. Reward Yourself</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're anything like me, rewarding yourself usually brings something edible to mind. That's not the type of reward I mean. You don't want to waste a good workout by then going and eating ice cream or a candy bar. Even though it often sounds really good. Instead, find some other ways that you can reward yourself. Maybe it's something you buy - say you exercise so much in a week and you get to buy some new songs for your iPod, or you exercise so many days in a month and you get to buy a new book. If you don't want the rewards to be monetary, maybe use something you already have to reward yourself - like a nice bubble bath, binge watching a favorite or even new-to-you show, having a friend come over to hang out, or even taking a long nap when you usually do something else! </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><b>5. Try Something New! </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I find that one thing that makes exercise a chore is that it can often be boring. You're doing the same thing all the time and if you don't notice results right away, you can start to shut down a bit. A good way to keep exercising fun is to try new things here and there. If you like walking or running, go to the park and use a trail. If you normally do this, find a new trail! If you can afford it, try an exercise class or even some other type of class/group that gets you up and moving. A few years ago I joined a dance class for the first time. I'd never taken them as a child but I always liked the idea of dance, so I signed up. That first class was tap and jazz and it didn't take long for me to fall in love, especially with tap! There's just something about hearing the sound of those tap shoes! If you already belong to a gym, look into group classes there. Or maybe you just need to find a gym - be around other people and find new equipment to work out with. It's cheaper to use gym equipment than to buy your own! </span></div>
Shooting Stars Maghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639675212408846217.post-28318240975042186282017-04-11T00:00:00.000-04:002017-04-11T00:00:33.541-04:00Show Us Your Books: Earn Free Books + More!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMIq5bPBRwbGA8WUC6Sar7io912GQRHr6Zn7zzgLBj8UIoMp2WF-twnpv_NnK18F0buhZ6t-W7Y3gbjhnY05RXp_pL2RaYV7I_GDX8vEb39ncR3CeFI1vQENaJSDU8isD063yoNJag6cg/s1600/show+us+your+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMIq5bPBRwbGA8WUC6Sar7io912GQRHr6Zn7zzgLBj8UIoMp2WF-twnpv_NnK18F0buhZ6t-W7Y3gbjhnY05RXp_pL2RaYV7I_GDX8vEb39ncR3CeFI1vQENaJSDU8isD063yoNJag6cg/s1600/show+us+your+books.jpg" /></a></div>
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Welcome back to another Show Us Your Books. I'm going to share links to all my book reviews from the last time I did this feature - I've read more than this, but I don't want to share until reviews are actually written!<br />
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A couple things first though...<br />
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I'm now a consultant for Usborne Books and More. We have a variety of books for newborns to tweens/teens so definitely check out my shop <a href="http://c6871.myubam.com/NoEvent" target="_blank">here</a>. We have plushes, activity books, books for homeschooling, books for speech therapy, and more! Fun and educational for sure. I'm currently looking for FB party hosts! If you aren't on FB but want to do something, we can set up a link for you and you can post on your blog or email to friends/family so they can buy books that way. You earn free books by hosting a party that reaches a certain amount of sales, and if you get to $250 in sales, your free book rewards double! Book now though - this offer is only for new consultants and it will end in another month or so! You can read another post I did about Usborne <a href="http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2017/03/a-bit-more-about-usborne-books-and-more.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Finally, myself and some other bloggers are putting money toward a fun Hunger Games giveaway. I'm not going to state the prize here, because I want it to stay a surprise until it goes live. However, we are looking for more people to help out and put money towards the prize. The more bloggers, the less money we all have to put toward it. What you get for helping? The giveaway entries will all be follows for the bloggers taking part - so you can have people follow your blog, twitter, instagram, etc. If you don't have a blog but still want to take part, you can get social media only entries! Please get in touch if you want to know more about the giveaway - I'll let you know the prize if you are thinking about joining in! Email me: lauren51990 AT aol DOT com<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">Now --- the books I reviewed in the past month!</span></b><br />
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<a href="http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2017/03/two-reviews-embers-and-darkness-by-kate.html" target="_blank">Embers by Kate Sherwood</a> (Very good, m/m mystery)<br />
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<a href="http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2017/03/two-reviews-embers-and-darkness-by-kate.html" target="_blank">Darkness by Kate Sherwood</a> (Very good, m/m mystery)<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2017/03/california-dreamin-cass-elliot-before.html" target="_blank">California Dreamin': Cass Elliot Before the Mamas and the Papas by Penelope Bagieu </a> (Interesting enough - graphic biography)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2017/03/fair-chance-by-josh-lanyon-otto-digmore.html" target="_blank">Fair Chance by Josh Lanyon </a> (Very good, m/m mystery)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2017/03/fair-chance-by-josh-lanyon-otto-digmore.html" target="_blank">The Otto Digmore Difference by Brent Hartinger</a> (Good start to a new series, m/m)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2017/03/bake-sale-murder-easter-bunny-murder-by.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2017/03/bake-sale-murder-easter-bunny-murder-by.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2017/03/bake-sale-murder-easter-bunny-murder-by.html" target="_blank">Bake Sale Murder by Leslie Meier</a> (fun cozy mystery)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2017/03/bake-sale-murder-easter-bunny-murder-by.html" target="_blank">Easter Bunny Murder by Leslie Meier</a> (fun cozy mystery)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2017/03/an-easter-surprise-personalized-book.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2017/03/an-easter-surprise-personalized-book.html" target="_blank">An Easter Surprise Personalized Picture Book</a> (cute story - fun ways to personalize)</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2017/04/three-quick-lgbt-reviews-insight-danced.html" target="_blank">Insight by Santino Hassell </a>(very good, can't wait for sequel, m/m romance/mystery and includes psychics)<br />
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<a href="http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2017/04/three-quick-lgbt-reviews-insight-danced.html" target="_blank">Danced Close by Annabeth Albert </a> (another fun edition to the series, m/m romance)<br />
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<a href="https://riptidepublishing.com/sites/default/files/2dcovers/GrowingPains_600x900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://riptidepublishing.com/sites/default/files/2dcovers/GrowingPains_600x900.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2017/04/three-quick-lgbt-reviews-insight-danced.html" target="_blank">Growing Pains by Cass Lennox</a> (favorite of the series so far, m/m romance)<br />
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<a href="http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2017/04/blog-tour-review-jake-fake-keeps-it-real.html" target="_blank">Jake the Fake Keeps It Real by Craig Robinson, Adam Mansbach and Illustrated by Keith Knight </a> (fun and humorous book in a new MG series by comedian Robinson and Mansbach who wrote Go the F*** to Sleep)<br />
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<a href="http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2017/04/blog-tour-book-reviewgiveaway-dont-feed.html" target="_blank">Don't Feed the Trolls by Erica Kudisch </a> (Great book - even if you aren't a gamer, geeky, LGBT+)<br />
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<a href="http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-dead-inside-by-cyndy-etler-giveaway.html" target="_blank">The Dead Inside by Cyndy Etler (link includes a Big Giveaway)</a> (YA memoir, not my most favorite but still interesting enough).<br />
<br />Shooting Stars Maghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639675212408846217.post-89632006105228259622017-04-10T00:00:00.000-04:002017-04-10T00:00:09.091-04:00The Dead Inside by Cyndy Etler (+ Giveaway)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51LSl1pJuRL._SX329_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51LSl1pJuRL._SX329_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;">The Dead Inside by Cyndy Etler</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;">Review by Lauren</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;">source: copy from Netgalley; all opinions are my own</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;">Official Summary</span></b>: <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><i>I never was a badass. Or a slut, a junkie, a stoner, like they told me I was. I was just a kid looking for something good, something that felt like love. I was a wannabe in a Levi's jean jacket. Anybody could see that. Except my mother. And the professionals at Straight.</i></span><br />
<i><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;">From the outside, Straight Inc. was a drug rehab. But on the inside it was...well, it was something else.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;">All Cyndy wanted was to be loved and accepted. By age fourteen, she had escaped from her violent home, only to be reported as a runaway and sent to a "drug rehabilitation" facility that changed her world.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;">To the public, Straight Inc. was a place of recovery. But behind closed doors, the program used bizarre and intimidating methods to "treat" its patients. In her raw and fearless memoir, Cyndy Etler recounts her sixteen months in the living nightmare that Straight Inc. considered "healing."</span></i><br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;">Review</span></b>: This is a true story and because of that, it makes it even more horrifying. I wasn't shocked by Straight Inc and how they aren't really a drug rehab for teens - unless you think a drug rehab is needed for kids that haven't even done drugs, or barely touched them. While I wasn't surprised that a place like this existed - and even still exists in other capacities and under other names - that doesn't mean it's not scary to think about. What Cyndy and others endured is horrible; the fact that so many of them had to lie and start to believe what they were told just to get by. In a note at the end of the book, Cyndy calls it Stockholm Syndrome and that's definitely what it seemed like.<br />
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While this is an intriguing and eye-opening memoir, I can't say it was my favorite book to read. The writing style was a bit off-putting at first. It took me awhile to get into the book, and to be honest, I probably would have stopped reading if it wasn't a review book. However, I pushed through and it did get better. I found myself more invested in the story and what I would learn. Despite this, I still feel like the book was a bit too much "tell" and not enough "show." Part of that is probably because it's a memoir, but it does take you out of the overall story a bit.<br />
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All in all, I'd give it about 3 stars!<br />
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The publisher is sponsoring a fun giveaway if you're interested in entering!<br />
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="54ca7af7501" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/54ca7af7501/" id="rcwidget_9zwzjzao" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Shooting Stars Maghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639675212408846217.post-64520516238397549842017-04-09T08:00:00.000-04:002017-04-09T08:00:11.495-04:00Tortured by Nicole Williams Release Day BlitzHey everyone, <b>Alicia here</b>. It's been awhile, but here's a new post for you all.<br />
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Enjoy this new release!<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">When he left for a twelve-month deployment, she knew it would feel like forever before they saw each other again. She didn’t realize how right she was.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> When Lance Corporal Brecken Connolly gets taken as a POW, Camryn hopes for the best but steels herself for the worst. In the end, steel was what she needed to survive when he didn’t. She moves on the only way she knows how—gilding herself in more steel.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Years go by.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">She builds a new life.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">She leaves the old one behind.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Until one day, she sees the face of a ghost on the news. Brecken seems to have risen from the dead, but she knows she can’t perform the same miracle for herself. While Brecken was held in a torture camp for the past five years, she’s been trapped in her own kind of prison. One she can’t be freed from. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> The man she mourned comes back to join the living, but the girl he wanted to spend his life with isn’t the same woman he comes back for. Brecken isn’t the same person either. The past five years have changed them both. While he’s determined to put the pieces back together, she’s resolved to let hers rot where they shattered. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Broken or not, Brecken wants her back. He’ll do anything to achieve that. Even if it means going against the warden of Camryn’s personal prison—her husband.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img height="125" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/gHjRRnyygf42DvpajwhlZbI7swaw4cBbXrJ08cpoEv_sbRCNJKousrKixF7Au0quRJIeznj2XuDtYLncURv9xnhRQd1uprPz2t0088uoQja1v36Cv7P-f0aNeNdXVYjhOIZp6NUJ" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My head lifted. “There is an explanation.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“You don’t owe me one.” His head barely shook. “And it doesn’t change the outcome.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“What outcome?”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Brecken did half a turn, motioning at the house behind me before indicating at me. “You belong to someone else now.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I couldn’t deny it.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Yet I couldn’t confirm it either.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“It’s okay,” he continued, his throat moving. “I’m happy to have you in my life. In whatever capacity I can. Even if it’s saving my ass every once in a while when I flambé my scrambled eggs.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I stood from my seat and moved beside him. Regardless of everything else, he was alive. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m happy to have you in my life in whatever way too. Even if it’s saving my ass from something else.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">His shoulder touched mine. “I’ll save your ass from whatever you need saving from.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Hero complex?” My eyebrow lifted at him.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Far less noble,” he replied, his eyes dropping behind me. His mouth stretched into a grin. “You’ve got a nice ass. Totally worth saving.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Elbowing him, I feigned appall, but he saw through the act.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“I better get going. I don’t want to overstay my welcome.” He moved down the steps, holding the handrail as he took them backward. “Let me know what you decide to tell Crew. If you decide to tell him anything.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My arms folded as I moved to the edge of the porch, watching him lower himself one step at a time. “Things between Crew and I are—”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Complicated. Yeah. I was listening. I know that.” Brecken stopped when he stepped onto the pathway. “I don’t want to make things more complicated for you, so just let me know how I can do that. Unless you want me to complicate things for you, then by all means, let me know how I can do that as well.” He was joking, the glint in his eyes told that, but he wasn’t entirely. His face told me that.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">When I went to reply, all that came out was a sigh.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Listen, you’re with him. I know you’re his wife.” He was staring at me, still holding onto the handrail. Not able to let go. “If he wants to hear me say that to his face to make him feel better, I will.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“You know what question Crew will follow up with.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">He nodded once. “If I’ll respect the fact that you’re his wife.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My silence was a confirmation.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Well, that’s simple,” he said, his voice sounding like the one I remembered. It didn’t waver. It didn’t rasp. Brecken’s eyes didn’t leave mine as he backed away. “I’d tell him that I have every intention of showing him the same amount of respect he showed me when he moved in on my girl weeks after my fake execution.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Nicole Williams is the New York Times and USATODAY bestselling author of contemporary and young adult romance, including the Crash and Lost & Found series. Her books have been published by HarperTeen and Simon & Schuster in both domestic and foreign markets, while she continues to self-publish additional titles. She is working on a new YA series with Crown Books (a division of Random House) as well. She loves romance, from the sweet to the steamy, and writes stories about characters in search of their happily even after. She grew up surrounded by books and plans on writing until the day she dies, even if it’s just for her own personal enjoyment. She still buys paperbacks because she’s all nostalgic like that, but her kindle never goes neglected for too long. When not writing, she spends her time with her husband and daughter, and whatever time’s left over she’s forced to fit too many hobbies into too little time.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Nicole is represented by Jane Dystel, of Dystel and Goderich Literary Agency.</span></div>
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Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16258988867833053406noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639675212408846217.post-68489482139560614882017-04-07T00:00:00.000-04:002017-04-07T00:00:23.092-04:00Glossies Made Me Do It: Essie Gel Couture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMYVoWNtubIlViT8nKEbOlXKU6V-vTeYLdXr5AykCh7qOkDNbv0gjVuuLFibnvbXWSvBcoJwZSTx6hu2451sj0qTUqMO2MJDtNMA1aIBK1nhojO72ljI3G2P_7eSCf9pzT2_5b9GFt2Ce/s1600/glossies+made+me+do+it.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMYVoWNtubIlViT8nKEbOlXKU6V-vTeYLdXr5AykCh7qOkDNbv0gjVuuLFibnvbXWSvBcoJwZSTx6hu2451sj0qTUqMO2MJDtNMA1aIBK1nhojO72ljI3G2P_7eSCf9pzT2_5b9GFt2Ce/s320/glossies+made+me+do+it.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Welcome back to Glossies Made Me Do It with me, <a href="http://happyprettysweet.com/" target="_blank">Ashley</a>, and <a href="http://www.cateyesandskinnyjeans.com/" target="_blank">Erika</a>! Remember: this is a link-up now so please take part with us. The idea is that you find something - anything at all - in a magazine that you want to share with us. A new recipe, a book to read, a makeup product to try, etc. The link up this month is open until <b>April 15th</b>! For the future, please note that these go live the first Friday of every month!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVL3F0fjRq59ScXYUixb9O9rFmIrbM8sPEAt432P_n8cY9pX_JN9gAgIriz4O5IdRrwCQX3P2KDaGIKPoZLLkmZJr93_t1paR08HUXVPfMaXDilrgLdA7GFfI-fnT69CvVRKfeeSKeoSf_/s1600/essie+magazine+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVL3F0fjRq59ScXYUixb9O9rFmIrbM8sPEAt432P_n8cY9pX_JN9gAgIriz4O5IdRrwCQX3P2KDaGIKPoZLLkmZJr93_t1paR08HUXVPfMaXDilrgLdA7GFfI-fnT69CvVRKfeeSKeoSf_/s320/essie+magazine+cover.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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This month I went with the April 2017 issue of Glamour Magazine (it has Chrissy Teigen on the cover). I added the Essie nail polish that I will be featuring on top of the magazine. In general, this was a great issue and I would recommend if you're looking for lots of beauty items to try!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvL9nzbo44OkaH4vKwamYVNM3x9xtLq4XULdrZIZXOhHWYHuGNkIAhHTIo16fkCM18bfjG68lx-1IRwaK-Y9xJPIiolsGJ9Z9JW-bef3F6ZUjwwQkeFToLVCnij14AuwY6tWgRMHOKextA/s1600/essie+magazine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvL9nzbo44OkaH4vKwamYVNM3x9xtLq4XULdrZIZXOhHWYHuGNkIAhHTIo16fkCM18bfjG68lx-1IRwaK-Y9xJPIiolsGJ9Z9JW-bef3F6ZUjwwQkeFToLVCnij14AuwY6tWgRMHOKextA/s320/essie+magazine.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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This issue includes a whole section showcasing the 2017 Beauty Awards and this nail polish from Essie was included. It's called Essie Gel Couture and when using this polish with the top coat, you get a really nice gel coat without having to use a special light. I've only been wearing it for a few days but so far, so good! It looks great!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ucNkkAQFX_ZJLJsbsbmX-HfUcneQacQDCtL2tiuxF6mwozXj6BDvQBeCUh9M606c1Lryn0JhG4bvBNuo-VjMzg2AQwBsFXTjooJwQDTRui-oo63nXazAydA-kbSKD7v-iAiJf5Cgngvp/s1600/essie+box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ucNkkAQFX_ZJLJsbsbmX-HfUcneQacQDCtL2tiuxF6mwozXj6BDvQBeCUh9M606c1Lryn0JhG4bvBNuo-VjMzg2AQwBsFXTjooJwQDTRui-oo63nXazAydA-kbSKD7v-iAiJf5Cgngvp/s320/essie+box.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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To save a little money, I got this box from Target that included a really cute Essie polish color PLUS the top coat. Now that I have the top coat, I can go and buy more individual colors, which I definitely will! I love this color because it's bright and fun - perfect for the warmer months. I'd love some other options too though. I don't do my nails all the time, but I might start doing it more often. While it's only been a few days, my nails look exactly the same. It's supposed to last up to 14 days so I'll have to do an update next month.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLNzgnKq2Nt0VVOSACO1Tv79SnckiQkxPxNYhM_FYroLUyeb7oC7c0YzDDNWwhIEmTyNyki4j_sPFcY7OM6yrjoQcgGcVFy9n78nTWCPHBQ1L1j91yfmFiO6MQB6WcgIg-4Y3Qf2qcIVI/s1600/essie+with+nails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLNzgnKq2Nt0VVOSACO1Tv79SnckiQkxPxNYhM_FYroLUyeb7oC7c0YzDDNWwhIEmTyNyki4j_sPFcY7OM6yrjoQcgGcVFy9n78nTWCPHBQ1L1j91yfmFiO6MQB6WcgIg-4Y3Qf2qcIVI/s320/essie+with+nails.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here's a final look! Don't my nails look awesome? The picture is a little dark, but it's pretty accurate on what the color looks like! It's bright, smooth, and feels and looks great. This is a polish I've heard of for awhile and been meaning to try - I love the regular Essie polish -but when I saw it featured in the Beauty Awards in Glamour, I knew this link-up would be a great time to finally try it out! I'm so glad I did.<br />
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What do you think? Are you going to try Essie Gel Couture?<br />
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Think about linking up with us this month or next!<br />
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->Shooting Stars Maghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639675212408846217.post-65412985935925612462017-04-06T00:00:00.000-04:002017-04-06T00:00:07.194-04:00Blog Tour Book Review/Giveaway: Don't Feed the Trolls by Erica Kudisch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.rtbookreviews.com/sites/www.rtbookreviews.com/files/upload/dontfeedthetrolls_500x750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://www.rtbookreviews.com/sites/www.rtbookreviews.com/files/upload/dontfeedthetrolls_500x750.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Don't Feed the Trolls by Erica Kudisch</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Review by Lauren</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #b45f06;">source: copy from publisher (buy the book <a href="http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/dont-feed-the-trolls" target="_blank">here</a>); all opinions are my own</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Official Summary</span></b>: <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><i>Gaming while female is enough to incur the wrath of the dude-bros, and they’ve come for me. Instead of fighting back, I’ve created an alternate account. Male name, male pronouns. And I’ve met this girl. I’ve always liked girls, and Laura’s adorable and smart and never gives up, and she likes me back. Or rather, she likes the man I’m pretending to be. But I can’t tell her I’m a woman without the mob coming after her too.</i></span><br />
<i><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;">And besides: I might not be a woman, not really.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;">The truth is, I don’t know what I am anymore. I’ve spent my whole life being told how I’m supposed to act and what I’m supposed to be, but none of it feels right. And my lie is starting to feel truer than anything I’ve ever been.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;">There’s a convention coming up, but the closer it gets, the more I have to choose: lie or fight. But if I don’t stand my ground as a girl, am I letting the haters win?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Then again, those aren’t the only two ways to live.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></i>
<b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Review</span></b>: I was invited to take part in the blog tour for Don't Feed the Trolls and I was very much excited. First off, how fun/awesome is that cover? Right? Right! Now, to the story! To be honest, I've never been a gamer. Despite this, I definitely heard a lot about #gamergate and how people were basically harassing female players...for being female. It was crazy and seriously messed up and I like the author's take on something similar happening to her MC. What adds a bit of a twist is that Daphne - or as she eventually goes by Daphnis - isn't even sure if she completely identifies as a woman. There is some mention of other people being transgender, but Daphnis isn't given a label for how she feels and eventually expresses herself. I liked this though! Not everyone wants or even feels comfortable with labels.<br />
<br />
As for the gaming aspect of the book, there were definitely some parts that I wasn't 100% sure on - usually when characters are discussing games/gaming- but besides that, it really wasn't that confusing. Maybe that doesn't make a lot of sense, but basically, even with the things I didn't really know, the author kept me from getting lost, and that's obviously something I appreciated a lot.<br />
<br />
This book is great for people that are gamers, but it's also nice for anyone that feels "different" or loves geeky culture. After all, a big part of the book takes place at a convention! There are characters of all sorts of backgrounds in this book, so it's full of diversity! Whether it's gender, sexuality, or race - a lot of people will find themselves represented in this book.<br />
<br />
A lot of people reading this review probably engage in some sort of online culture, whether that's gaming or not, so I think this book is important for all of you. Trolls exist everywhere online and when it comes down to it...don't feed them. They aren't worth it. This book <i>is </i>worth it though!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTsrpE25_60koSHAg4wY6Ed5ji11Zvw_0jqyARR4qsHYpGh4UloYILr6TTxZvxQINTtG7EJH0jUkRN8AZJBBe-x-oDYdXJS4CH43OsTI2jTJnEJoRuyFvxGypgFmmpDewjOiPXzMjMczK/s1600/DontFeedTheTrolls_TourBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="61" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTsrpE25_60koSHAg4wY6Ed5ji11Zvw_0jqyARR4qsHYpGh4UloYILr6TTxZvxQINTtG7EJH0jUkRN8AZJBBe-x-oDYdXJS4CH43OsTI2jTJnEJoRuyFvxGypgFmmpDewjOiPXzMjMczK/s320/DontFeedTheTrolls_TourBanner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #b45f06;">And Now a Word from the Author--</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hey
nerds! Erica Kudisch here promoting my novel DON'T FEED THE TROLLS, a
genderqueer romp through internet drama. And if you keep up with the blog tour
and its bonus DLC, there's a $50 prize package achievement for you to unlock.
Have fun!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>DON’T FEED THE TROLLS: GET ‘EM DRUNK!<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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In
what is fast becoming a tradition, I’m happy to provide drinks inspired by the
Musketqueers, the main characters of DON’T FEED THE TROLLS. While Daphnis,
Alain, and Jackie are much more likely to drink somewhat pretentious IPAs,
these cocktails are meant to represent their characters if they had a taste.
Or, taste, in general. That’s debatable.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Daphnis’ Downward Spiral</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Have
a double-shot latte ready for adulteration. Either have the barista leave room
in the cup, or transfer it to a larger one. Very carefully, pour in two shots
of fireball whiskey. Add a pinch of cinnamon and the sweetener of your choice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Excellent
to mainline for all-night raids.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Naked Jackie’s Soju Spritzer<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Into
a pitcher filled with ice, pour out one bottle of Soju. Stir in a cup of
apricot nectar, a pinch of diced ginger root, and three tablespoons of sugar,
and top the pitcher off with seltzer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Serves
four, or Daphnis.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Alain’s Pissed in your Beer<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Fill
a pint 3/4s of the way with the stout of your choice. Top off with a long spray
of sour mix, a splash of light rum, and a pinch of salt. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Unless
you’ve been throwing shade. Then he’ll just be literal about it. Drink at your
own risk.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Giveaway! </span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
To
celebrate the release of <i>Don’t Feed the Trolls</i>, one lucky winner
will receive a <b><span style="background: white;">$30 Riptide credit and a $20 Steam gift card!</span> </b>Leave
a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at
midnight, Eastern time, on April 8, 2017. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S.
entries. Thanks for <b>following </b><a href="http://www.riptidepublishing.com/events/tours/dont-feed-trolls-blog-tour-erica-kudisch"><b>the tour</b></a><b>,
and don’t forget to leave your contact info</b><b>!</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Connect With Erica:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Erica-Kudisch/497785360383751" target="_blank">Erica Kudisch</a><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Instagram: hardhandmaiden<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Tumblr:
<a href="http://shitmywriterwifesays.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">shitmywriterwifesays.tumblr.com</a><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/EricaKudisch" target="_blank">@EricaKudisch</a><o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
Shooting Stars Maghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639675212408846217.post-75049483965940287712017-04-05T00:00:00.000-04:002017-04-05T00:00:09.494-04:00Blog Tour Review: Jake the Fake Keeps It Real<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://images.penguinrandomhouse.com/cover/9780553523515" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.penguinrandomhouse.com/cover/9780553523515" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">Jake the Fake Keeps It Real by Craig Robinson and Adam Mansbach, art by Keith Knight</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">Review by Lauren</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">source: copy from publisher; all opinions are my own</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">Official Summary</span></b>: <i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Jake can barely play an instrument, not even a kazoo. And his art? It's better suited for Pictionary than Picasso. Which is a real problem because Jake just faked his way into the Music and Art Academy for the gifted and talented (and Jake is pretty sure he is neither). More jokester than composer, Jake will have to think of something quick before the last laugh is on him.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span></i><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><i>Featuring more than 160 illustrations, Jake the Fake is sure to bring the laughs with his hilarious high jinks!</i></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Review</span></b>: I'm so glad the publisher allowed me to read and review this one for the blog tour! I was too old to really get into the Diary of a Wimpy Kid craze, but I've read the first one and still really enjoyed it. Despite that, I was really excited to check out Jake the Fake Keeps It Real because I DO love humorous books with illustrations. This book was created by some amazing guys that you may know - Actor/Comedian/Musician Craig Robinson, Author of Go the F*** to Sleep Adam Mansbach, and awesome illustrator Keith Knight. Bring them all together and you get a sixth-grader named Jake who found himself accepted to the Music and Art Academy without much talent...or so he thinks.<br />
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The characters are all pretty quirky and interesting, but I loved them! It was great getting to know them, and this includes our MC Jake who is easily likeable. He doesn't think he really has any talent and feels like a fake at his new school. This book is an introduction to him, his family and friends, and his first semester at the Academy as he struggles to find what makes him stand apart.<br />
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I thought the book was fun and relatable, but it also has plenty of humor that I just adored! The book also includes some great illustrations by Keith Knight that just adds to the funny moments. Definitely a good buy for any kids in your life - and even for yourself!Shooting Stars Maghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639675212408846217.post-69800008082954797562017-04-04T00:00:00.000-04:002017-04-04T07:50:27.828-04:00Currently: April 2017<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wmuxADUk62Zr5fE3T7pZaKvybAqS68wM8AVvOsymXOhpj3eXsVbPb9McKcIaHhG0NCU1FbjiXwf9G845NcOKv5VEr486UPFKMlqV1hBbcoO-MNrEdRp1Nc6z-dbw2CdwBRvewbjPHr1T/s1600/Currently.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wmuxADUk62Zr5fE3T7pZaKvybAqS68wM8AVvOsymXOhpj3eXsVbPb9McKcIaHhG0NCU1FbjiXwf9G845NcOKv5VEr486UPFKMlqV1hBbcoO-MNrEdRp1Nc6z-dbw2CdwBRvewbjPHr1T/s320/Currently.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm linking up with Anne at <a href="http://www.anneinresidence.com/" target="_blank">In Residence</a> and <a href="http://www.sweetlittleonesblog.com/" target="_blank">Sweet Little Ones</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b><span style="color: purple;">Accomplishing</span></b>: My weight loss program. I'm down 20 pounds and noticing it a lot in the clothes I'm wearing. I weigh in tomorrow, so we'll see then if I've lost anymore, but for now, I'm really excited. I'll be doing more posts specifically about this but I have one up already that introduces you all to what this program is all about! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b><span style="color: purple;">Feeling</span></b>: Excited about the direction my blog is going in. I've been mostly entertainment - with a large focus on books - for such a long time. But I love reading lifestyle posts and so I want to bring more of that into Shooting Stars Mag. If you regularly read my blog, then you've probably noticed the mix. Hopefully you are enjoying it overall! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b><span style="color: purple;">Needing</span></b>: More LulaRoe leggings and Irma Tunics. I wear these all the time, and they are so cute and comfortable. Plus, with me losing weight, these pieces of clothing still fit okay so it means I can keep wearing them throughout the program. I'm slowly getting new clothes for the warmer months, but I like when I can get something and KNOW I can keep wearing it for awhile. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b><span style="color: purple;">Practicing</span></b>: I'd like to say I'm involved in something really fun that involves practice, but alas, I am not. I AM however trying to find someplace close by that is doing dance classes during the summer. I miss it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b><span style="color: purple;">Pinning</span></b>: Lots and lots of Easter things. I wish my nieces and nephew were in town because I'd love to do so many of these crafts with them. Regardless, I'm pinning them for other people to find and to hopefully put to use in the future. I'm really trying to use <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/shootingstarmag/" target="_blank">Pinterest </a>more, so if you want to follow me <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/shootingstarmag/" target="_blank">there</a>, that would be awesome! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>What are you currently up to?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">(Also, if you're new, I'm an Usborne Consultant (books for many ages- not just kids) and I'm looking for people to set up Facebook parties this month! I'm donating $5 to Autism Speaks for every party that is at least booked this month so get in touch. My shop is <a href="https://c6871.myubam.com/" target="_blank">here </a>if you want to browse)</span></span></div>
Shooting Stars Maghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639675212408846217.post-87389390625622420102017-04-03T00:00:00.000-04:002017-04-03T00:00:09.810-04:00Three Quick LGBT Reviews: Insight, Danced Close, and Growing Pains<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://images.gr-assets.com/books/1484935939l/30364791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.gr-assets.com/books/1484935939l/30364791.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Insight by Santino Hassell</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Review by Lauren</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">source: copy from Netgalley; all opinions are my own</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Official Summary</span></b>: <i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Growing up the outcast in an infamous family of psychics, Nate Black never learned how to control his empath abilities. Then after five years without contact, his estranged twin turns up dead in New York City. The claim of suicide doesn’t ring true, especially when a mysterious vision tells Nate it was murder. Now his long-hated gift is his only tool to investigate.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span></i><br />
<i><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Hitching from his tiny Texas town, Nate is picked up by Trent, a gorgeous engineer who thrives on sarcasm and skepticism. The heat that sparks between them is instant and intense, and Nate ends up trusting Trent with his secrets—something he’s never done before. But once they arrive in the city, the secrets multiply when Nate discovers an underground supernatural community, more missing psychics, and frightening information about his own talent.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Nate is left questioning his connection with Trent. Are their feelings real, or are they being propelled by abilities Nate didn’t realize he had? His fear of his power grows, but Nate must overcome it to find his brother’s killer and trust himself with Trent’s heart.</span></i><br />
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Review</span></b>: I've read a book by Santino Hassell and Megan Erickson, but this is the first book I've read by Santino on his own. Granted, he has a lot of other books - and I need to read them pronto because I really loved Insight. I'm so glad it's only the first in a series. At any rate, Insight is a great book - while there is an M/M romance, that's not the only focus. It's also about psychics and there is mystery and suspense! I loved it all and I was so fascinated by this Community. I definitely didn't trust them, but I wasn't sure how they were involved in the murder of Nate's twin brother.<br />
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While there is a second book, Insight works pretty well as a standalone. There are things you'll want to learn and it makes you excited for the sequel, but all in all, it wraps up a lot so you aren't left with a huge cliffhanger. As for the romance, I loved that too! Nate never really felt worthy of someone's attention and it was difficult to get close to someone as an empath, where he could feel everyone's emotions. Things are different with Trent though and they make it work, despite the crazy that unfolds around them. I definitely rooted for these two!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #741b47;">Danced Close by Annabeth Albert</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #741b47;">Review by Lauren</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #741b47;">source: copy from Netgalley; all opinions are my own</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #741b47;">Official Summary</span></b>: <i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Newly clean and sober, Todd's taken a shine to his job at Portland's most talked about bakery. It's not just the delicious desserts they sell, but the tasty treats who keep walking through the door. That certainly includes Kendall Rose, a wedding planner with eyes the color of brown sugar and skin to match. Todd doesn't try to hide his attraction to Kendall's elegant confidence and unique style, even as he worries about exposing the secrets of his past.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span></i><br />
<i><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;">For Kendall, the attention is just part of the anything-goes Portland he's grown to love. But he's still looking for that special someone who will embrace all of him—including his gender fluidity. So he takes a chance and asks Todd to be his partner in a dance class leading to a fundraiser. When the music starts and he takes Todd in his arms, Kendall is shocked at how good it feels. Turns out taking the lead for once isn't a mistake. In fact, it might be time to take the next step and follow his heart ...</span></i><br />
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<b><span style="color: #741b47;">Review</span></b>: Danced Close is just the latest in the Portland Heat series, though you don't have to read them in order. I've missed the first few - though I do want to read them at some point - but the latest additions have all been great. While a fairly quick read, I still really enjoyed Danced Close and felt like I got to know the main characters, Todd and Kendall, well. That's always the biggest thing for me!<br />
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As for the story, I really liked how different the two guys were. Todd is a recovering addict, but he's getting his life together and doing well at the bakery. As for Kendall, he's a wedding planner that is genderfluid. His pronouns are "he" but that doesn't mean he won't dress in feminine clothes or wear makeup. Todd is <i>more </i>than okay with that - so it works pretty well from the start. The two really get to know each other while taking dance lessons for an event Kendall has coming up. His ex will be there and he wants to show off, and with Todd as his dance partner, the ex is sure to be jealous. This was a fun read - with some more important/serious topics touched on!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">Growing Pains by Cass Lennox</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">Review by Lauren</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">source: copy from Netgalley; all opinions are my own</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">Official Summary</span></b>: <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><i>Gigi Rosenberg is living his best life: performances in the big city, side gigs at a dance company, a successful drag act, and the boy of his childhood dreams who now adores him. Even if the boyfriend part isn’t the sparkly ride of passion he expected it to be, life is sweet. So when his sister’s wedding calls him back to his hometown, he sees an opportunity to show the hicks from his past how wrong they were about him. Only, his boyfriend isn’t quite on board.</i></span><br />
<i><span id="freeText7162896691489753371" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />Brock Stubbs left their hometown and his parents behind for a reason, and the prospect of facing them again is terrifying. He swore he’d never go back, but Gigi has made it clear refusal isn’t an option, and Brock will do nearly anything for him. There’s just one deal-breaker of a problem: Brock promised Gigi he was out to everyone, including his parents. He lied.<br /><br />It’s magical to run into the sunset together, but staying the course takes work. For Gigi and Brock, going home feels like the finale of a long, disappointing year. Sometimes love isn’t all you need.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span></i><br />
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">Review</span></b>: Growing Pains is the third in the Toronto Connections series and I absolutely loved it. I really liked the first two, but this is probably my favorite of the bunch. Gigi and Brock have a pretty big role in the second book - Finding Your Feet - but this book is all about them. The two have been dating for awhile now, after a high school history that left Gigi heartbroken, and things seem to be going well. That is until the two are supposed to go back to their hometown for the wedding of Gigi's sister. Brock is pretty adamant that he doesn't want to be there.<br />
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The thing with Brock and Gigi that might bother some is that they don't always communicate. However, there are reasons for this and they work for me, so hopefully you won't be agitated by that. The two fight a lot over the weekend, but truths are slowly revealed and hurts are addressed. While they might not be getting along all the time in the present, there are chapters that show their love story coming together in the past - and moments in the present that remind them and the readers that they are meant to be. There is drama - and some of it is quite serious (though that's not between our two main characters) and it definitely broke my heart a little. I loved these two together, and I thought their journey was written well!Shooting Stars Maghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639675212408846217.post-78741227229528360772017-04-02T00:00:00.000-04:002017-04-02T00:00:09.452-04:00Early Movie Review- Smurfs: The Lost Village<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4TyTzjm5Oyrd9X0iu4jeWEh5ow-qBV_6EOccfnzXrZkGo04x0p2n8gM-iAOoVvndcS7rXUfuVW6YgTFQL4tiIyFgLlrDYtqoZpqP5dPaW4sJ5mZiweifMORlW2NUXpt-l5IStA3NVXnE/s1600/smurfs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4TyTzjm5Oyrd9X0iu4jeWEh5ow-qBV_6EOccfnzXrZkGo04x0p2n8gM-iAOoVvndcS7rXUfuVW6YgTFQL4tiIyFgLlrDYtqoZpqP5dPaW4sJ5mZiweifMORlW2NUXpt-l5IStA3NVXnE/s320/smurfs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Smurfs: The Lost Village </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">Movie Review by Lauren</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<i><b><span style="color: blue;">free entry for the movie; all opinions are still my own</span></b></i><br />
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I was given the opportunity to see <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2398241/" target="_blank">Smurfs: The Lost Village</a> for free yesterday morning and I have to say, it was a really cute film! I went with my sister and while we were probably the only people there who did not have a child with them, that did not deter us from having a good time!<br />
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To be honest, I've never seen any of the Smurfs movies. However, I've been seeing commercials for this new one and I thought it looked like a lot of fun. I love animated films and I think this one works well for children and adults! When it comes to the adult viewers, I think most people would get a kick out of recognizing the various voices. For example, Smurfette is voiced by Demi Lovato and one of her friends, Clumsy, is voiced by the ever awesome Jack McBrayer! Others include Julia Roberts, Mandy Patinkin, Joe Manganiello, and Rainn Wilson.<br />
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The basic idea of Smurfs: The Lost Village is that Smurfette discovers that other smurfs exist - and while she's curious about them, she doesn't venture to find this lost village until she knows the evil wizard Gargamel is after them. Believing this is her fault, she sets out to warn them...except her friends Hefty, Brainy, and Clumsy won't let her go alone! While definitely a bad guy, Gargamel adds a lot of the humor to the film. There is a scene in the river that is particularly hilarious - keep an eye (and an ear) out for it! Clumsy is also a really funny character. I love that Jack McBrayer voiced him because he has a very distinct voice and it just adds to the overall humor and loveability! By the end, Smurfette realized that she's not the <i>only </i>girl smurf out there...and that she really does belong.<br />
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There are definitely some good messages/themes throughout the film - being kind, sticking by your friends, and sacrifice. Despite this, I didn't think anything was too heavy-handed or annoying. This movie is also full of really fun music, including Meghan Trainor's song for the film - "I'm a Lady." You're sure to leave the theater with this one stuck in your head, but you shouldn't be complaining!<br />
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Overall, both my sister and I thought this was a well done movie. It's fun and imaginative, full of great and even humorous characters, and the music is perfectly placed!<br />
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Will you be seeing Smurfs: The Lost Village? It comes out Friday, April 7th!<br />
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Learn more about the film, find fun activities, and more on the <a href="http://www.smurfsmovie.com/" target="_blank">Smurfs Movie Website</a>.<br />
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Shooting Stars Maghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639675212408846217.post-5598860258367313442017-03-30T21:11:00.002-04:002017-03-30T21:11:24.081-04:00Monthly Wrap-Up: Top Five March Favorites<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQaq-XjZRQ2iqWuCFjY4X3jYbfgfnln52PJ2WqIVtZxwe_HSI_r1fgrCm-fW_RlYhbewflrRBePgJMqFRgc5jvLX1Ysfy1CHsfzE-Nqs29VAh0c169H13_uIgIoGvk2FXMGQQC_LEquK3/s1600/Friday+post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQaq-XjZRQ2iqWuCFjY4X3jYbfgfnln52PJ2WqIVtZxwe_HSI_r1fgrCm-fW_RlYhbewflrRBePgJMqFRgc5jvLX1Ysfy1CHsfzE-Nqs29VAh0c169H13_uIgIoGvk2FXMGQQC_LEquK3/s320/Friday+post.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's Friday and that means it's time to share my Top Friday Favorites! I decided to make this a look back on the month of March too, so My Top Five March Favorites!!<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BRd5YV4F55M/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Courtesy of @bookcaseclub, I got my March #subscriptionbox in the mail! Both of these mysteries sound great! The Perfect Witness by #irisjohansen and As Night Falls by #jennymilchman! #bccunboxing #booksubscriptionbox #subscriptionaddiction #subscriptions #books #mysterybooks #happymail #booklover</a></div>
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A post shared by Lauren Becker (@laurenashleybecker) on <time datetime="2017-03-10T18:09:19+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 10, 2017 at 10:09am PST</time></div>
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I got a free box from<a href="http://www.bookcase.club/" target="_blank"> BookCase.Club</a> and once again, it's two interesting mystery/thriller novels. I haven't read either of these, so hopefully I can check them out soon. Have you read either one?<br />
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The price is really great and there are SO many boxes you can subscribe too - Young Adult, picture books, cookbooks, and more! Definitely think about checking it out.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "cardo"; font-size: 15.4px;"><b>Use code Star15 to get 15% off your first month's subscription!!</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BSBlsVolXz0/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Awkward photo but I got a pedicure on Tuesday and I had to show off the cute color!! #pedi #pedicure #nails #nailpolish #spaday</a></div>
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A post shared by Lauren Becker (@laurenashleybecker) on <time datetime="2017-03-24T14:49:57+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 24, 2017 at 7:49am PDT</time></div>
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My mom went to Florida for a weekend to see her mom and she really wanted to get a pedicure. I went with her and she immediately talked me into getting one too. I had reached a 20 pound weight loss, so it was a nice little treat to myself. I really like the color and it was really nice to relax and get pampered for a bit.<br />
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3. No picture for this one but I got some really cute shirts at Kohl's last weekend. I've been randomly getting some new clothes since I've lost some weight and it will be nice to have things to wear when the weather gets a bit warmer. I'm really excited that I can actually wear more things now!<br />
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4. Beauty and the Beast! Umm...this was a fantastic movie. I seriously loved it and it's seriously one I'd go and see again. If you didn't see my <a href="http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2017/03/a-film-review-beauty-and-beast.html" target="_blank">movie review</a>, please do check it out!<br />
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5.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BRylkRUFQ5V/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">I'm now selling Usborne books and I'm so excited for this new endeavor! Usborne has books for newborns through middle school! Would you be interested in hosting a Facebook party? You invite the guests, I do most of the work, and you earn free books!! The book I'm showing here is a shine a light book where you put the pages up to light and see the hidden creatures in the sea! We have a variety of them with different topics! Please get in touch if you want to host or just want to browse my store! #usbornebooks #usbornebooksandmore #consultant #books #picturebook #shinealight #secretsoftheseashore #booklover #reading #literacy</a></div>
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A post shared by Lauren Becker (@laurenashleybecker) on <time datetime="2017-03-18T19:00:14+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 18, 2017 at 12:00pm PDT</time></div>
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Finally, I'm selling Usborne Books. I'm really excited and I think these books are awesome. There are items for newborns through high school. Stand-alone items and series books! If you want ideas, let me know! My shop is <a href="http://c6871.myubam.com/" target="_blank">here </a>if you're interested in purchasing anything!<br />
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April is actually Austim Awareness Month and a friend of mine has a little girl on the spectrum, so I definitely think there needs to be more awareness and research. As such, if you host a Facebook Party for Usborne Books during the month of April (you can either host it or schedule during the month), then I will donate $5 to Autism Speaks. I wish I could do more, but this is PER party, so I'm hoping that the final amount will be good! Thanks so much for supporting me and all of my endeavors. If you're interested, please email me: Lauren51990 AT aol DOT com<br />
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<b>Linking Up:</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Friday Favorites- </span><a href="http://meetat-thebarre.com/"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">http://meetat-thebarre.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">High Five for Friday- </span><a href="http://www.ktcupoftea.com/"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">http://www.ktcupoftea.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Friday Favorites- </span><a href="http://tabanderika.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">http://tabanderika.blogspot.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Oh Hey, Friday- </span><a href="http://www.farmerswifeamy.com/"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">http://www.farmerswifeamy.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Five on Friday- </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://www.northcarolinacharm.com/">http://www.northcarolinacharm.com/</a></span><br />
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What's New With You? with <a href="http://www.gretchruns.com/"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">http://www.gretchruns.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> and
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://www.seeyouinaporridge.com/">http://www.seeyouinaporridge.com</a></span></div>
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March Wrap-Up Round-Up with <a href="https://feedyourfictionaddiction.com/2017/03/march-wrap-round-link-2.html" target="_blank">Feed Your Fiction Addiction</a></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>Shooting Stars Maghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639675212408846217.post-91597319645774013592017-03-28T00:00:00.000-04:002017-03-28T00:00:19.359-04:00An Easter Surprise: Personalized Book Review + Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigxCe2pRFAIaF4CpRWnbQ2uWEFLM_Z9a5kobgu9aCtr8fDnF3vmpVVkxWTGCnJlUABPLMvU-e0H-trW68QXBDoSTUKjD_yFA20B0Db46LHekXN2IgtqWjZYaEVN0kyay9-XIjRNyfH191k/s1600/bunny+book+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigxCe2pRFAIaF4CpRWnbQ2uWEFLM_Z9a5kobgu9aCtr8fDnF3vmpVVkxWTGCnJlUABPLMvU-e0H-trW68QXBDoSTUKjD_yFA20B0Db46LHekXN2IgtqWjZYaEVN0kyay9-XIjRNyfH191k/s320/bunny+book+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple;">An Easter Surprise - personalized book from Put Me in the Story</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;">Review by Lauren</span></b><br />
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I was given the opportunity to personalize and review one of the <a href="http://www.putmeinthestory.com/personalized-gift-occasions/easter" target="_blank">Easter books</a> from <a href="http://www.putmeinthestory.com/" target="_blank">Put Me in the Story.</a> Despite this, all opinions are still my own. I actually decided to let a friend of mine from work choose the book she wanted and since she has two young boys, we finally figured that we'd put "Andrew 'n Adam" as the name. I've done this in the past with my two nieces, but with this new book, we needed one more character to be able to put "and" in the middle and obviously we didn't have that. Hence, the "n" in the middle instead of an "and." Regardless, I think it works okay and it's kind of a cute way to put the two boy's names together!<br />
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Now, part of this is my fault because they allow you to read some of the story before you order, but I didn't realize that the name was going to be associated with the Easter Bunny. Basically, whatever name you choose to have this book personalized with- that's the Easter Bunny's name. So basically, I've given him the name Andrew 'n Adam. I think it's still kind of cute, and a bit unique. Plus, with the 'n instead of the and, the names run a bit smoother when reading aloud so it almost seems like one full name.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk15GdoD3kf5Y1moKpER7AEn3XW4jxzSHGDapTdwLyW0pQzlO3el9qTd1t6w7gMjYmqUExQEmdWS8ABa2VD_Ao0Fvol48u_0grlsVYupeHhATlUbWpCSJPd4zZY3qo0VbYToVCucrMWrkY/s1600/bunny+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk15GdoD3kf5Y1moKpER7AEn3XW4jxzSHGDapTdwLyW0pQzlO3el9qTd1t6w7gMjYmqUExQEmdWS8ABa2VD_Ao0Fvol48u_0grlsVYupeHhATlUbWpCSJPd4zZY3qo0VbYToVCucrMWrkY/s320/bunny+book.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The actual story is really cute though. It's all about this little bunny who is actually the Easter Bunny and it takes you on his journey as he delivers all the eggs on Easter-eve. The illustrations are bright and fun! You even get to pick the city, so that's shown a couple time in the book too, which is fun, especially if your child is old enough to know what city they live in. There are a variety of numbered eggs throughout the book that your child can find, which is a really fun activity! Don't worry if they can't find them all...the answers (with photos) are in the back!<br />
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As with all <a href="http://www.putmeinthestory.com/" target="_blank">Put Me in the Story</a> books, you get to choose a photo for the inside of the book and you can even have a little message. As you can see from the front, the name's of the kid(s) is on the front, as well as whoever the book is from. I don't have a picture - but the kid's photos as well as their mom and dad's personal message is at the beginning of the book. I ordered the hardback, but there are paperbacks available too!<br />
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Put Me in the Story also has other <a href="http://www.putmeinthestory.com/personalized-gift-occasions/easter" target="_blank">Easter books</a>, plus animals that got with the books (you can get this book with the bunny plush if you want!), and even some fun Easter baskets. Don't delay though - shipping for Easter ends Friday, March 31st! Want to know something even BETTER? You can get $10 off all hardcover Easter books by using the code SUNNY<br />
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If you want to try your hand at winning <a href="http://www.putmeinthestory.com/personalized-gifts-for-kids/an-easter-surprise-and-plush-gift-set.html" target="_blank">An Easter Surprise Book and Plush Set</a>, then enter the following giveaway by the end of the day, Thursday, March 30th! If you don't win, you still have a day left to order.<br />
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="54ca7af7490" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/54ca7af7490/" id="rcwidget_8i332xjp" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
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<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script><b><i>
Terms and Conditions</i></b>
OPEN TO U.S. ONLY
No purchase necessary to enter or win. A purchase does not improve your chances of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
Open to legal residents of USA who are 18 years or older. Giveaway begins 2/27/2017 at 12:00am EST and ends at 3/30/2017 at 11:59pm EST (“Promotion Period”). Enter the Giveaway during the Promotion Period online by submitting the entry form. The entry form can be found on the following website at http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/54ca7af7490/. Winner will be selected by Random.org and be notified by email. Winner has 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected. One (1) winner will receive one (1) personalized gift set "An Easter Surprise and Plush Gift Set" (approximate retail value or "ARV": $44.99). By providing your information in this form, you are providing your information to Put Me In The Story. Put Me In The Story does not share or sell information and will use any information only for the purpose of this giveaway. (Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads) are in no way associated with this giveaway.
Shooting Stars Maghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639675212408846217.post-56708957136913439322017-03-27T00:00:00.000-04:002017-03-27T00:00:05.067-04:00Bake Sale Murder + Easter Bunny Murder by Leslie Meier<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/512%2Bo5M4SYL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/512%2Bo5M4SYL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="202" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit;"><b>Bake Sale Murder by Leslie Meier </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit;"><b>Review by Lauren</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: inherit;"><b>source: e-copy from library; all opinions are my own</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">Official Summary:</span></b> <i><span style="color: #181818;">Ever since local developer Fred Stanton and his wife, Mimi, built five modular homes next door to Lucy Stone’s farmhouse, life just hasn’t been the same. With Mimi complaining about everything from the state of Lucy’s lawn to another neighbor’s lovable dog, quaint Tinker’s Cove, Maine, is now entangled in cul-de-sac politics and backstabbing. And when Mimi doesn’t show up for her shift at The Hat and Mitten Fund bake sale, the scent of burnt sugar leads Lucy to a shocking discovery: Mimi, face down on her kitchen floor—with a knife in her back.</span><br style="color: #181818;" /><br style="color: #181818;" /><span style="color: #181818;">While the police start their investigation, Lucy gets busy writing up the murder for the local Pennysaver—and following a few leads of her own. Lucy knows the women in her neighborhood didn’t like Mimi, but they certainly didn’t want her dead…right?</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #4c1130;">Review</span></b><span style="color: #181818;">: This is the second book in the cozy mystery series following Lucy Stone that I've read. Technically, it's the 13th in the series though. While cozy mysteries are nice to read in order because you get the everyday life progression of the main character, it's not entirely necessary. This book did a great job showing you who Lucy was, as well as her family and neighbors. Each book also contains a separate mystery, so if you want something quick, then grab a cozy. I do recommend the Lucy Stone books as it's nice to place yourself in Lucy's shoes for a bit. While Lucy is not involved in law enforcement, she is a part-time reporter for her local newspaper. This job certainly helps her use her more curious side, so when there is an obvious murder in her own, Lucy is dead set on investigating. There were times where I thought Lucy should have been more careful, but all in all, she's not terribly reckless. Some of her digging in Bake Sale Murder contained her own daughter, after all, so it makes sense that a parent would go searching for information.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I thought Bake Sale Murder was a great look at neighborhoods and how you don't necessarily know someone just because they live next door. Readers get to know a lot about Mimi in her family but also the other neighbors nearby. A lot of people have possible motives, so it's not easy to guess the culprit. As the book nears the end, most of the mystery begins to become clear. This doesn't ruin the big surprise though. Instead, I think it makes a reader feel like Lucy. All the facts and information have been laid out and the culprit(s) suddenly come to light! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A fun read! Oh, and in case you're wondering, the first Lucy Stone book I read was actually the first book in the series! Now check out my next review, which is another Lucy Stone novel! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Interested in reading? I'm an amazon affiliate- I get a small percent of any sale. Check out the <a href="http://amzn.to/2ms3T1n" target="_blank">print copy</a> of Bake Sale Murder or the <a href="http://amzn.to/2m8RTjM" target="_blank">e-book copy</a>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><b>Easter Bunny Murder by Leslie Meier</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><b>Review by Lauren</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><b>source: e-copy from library; all opinions are my own</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Official Summary: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"><i>Spring has sprung in Tinker's Cove, and Lucy Stone has a mile-long to-do list. From painting eggs with her grandson, to preparing the perfect Easter feast, to reviving her garden after a long, cold winter, she hardly has time to hunt for a killer with a deadly case of spring fever... Lucy has always loved covering the annual Easter egg hunt for the Pennysaver. Hosted by elderly socialite Vivian Van Vorst at Pine Point, her luxurious oceanfront estate, it's a swanky event where the grown-ups sip cocktails while their children search for eggs that are as likely to contain savings bonds as they are jelly beans. But when Lucy arrives with her three-year-old grandson, VV's normally welcoming gates are locked, and a man dressed as the Easter Bunny emerges only to drop dead moments later… Lucy discovers that the victim is Van Vorst Duff, VV's grandson, and soon learns that not all is as it seems at idyllic Pine Point, where the champagne and caviar seem to be running dry. Always a social butterfly, VV has been skipping lunch dates with friends, and her much-needed donations to local charities have stopped with no explanation. Maybe she's going senile, or maybe her heirs are getting a little too anxious to take over her estate… As Lucy gathers a basketful of suspects, she's convinced someone's been hunting for a lot more than eggs, and she'll have to chase the truth down a rabbit hole before the killer claims another victim…</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Review</span></b><span style="color: #181818;">: This is the 19th book in the Lucy Stone cozy mystery series, and it's now the third book I've read featured the protagonist. This is obviously a suitable novel for the time of the year, which is a big reason I decided to read it. It's fun to read the holiday themed cozies around that actual holiday. Easter Bunny Murder was one that had a lot of possible suspects and honestly, I had no idea who it would be until right before the reveal. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This book is definitely full of suspense and dealt with a lot of different issues and mysteries. First you have VV who is possibly a victim of elder abuse. Then you have the death of her grandson, which is how the alleged abuse ends up getting out. What makes this a more thrilling read - and not in a gory, really scary way - is that Van isn't the only victim in this book. Instead of just one murder to puzzle out, Lucy has well...I'm not going to say. You'll just have to read it to find out! I liked how concerned Lucy was about VV, even though it's noted that some people might find her too rich and stingy to really care about. Lucy understands that VV wasn't the best person, but that doesn't mean she deserves to be treated harshly in her old age - especially not by relatives! It's definitely not always to be rich. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Another aspect of Easter Bunny Murder that I enjoyed is that it features a bit of a court case in the book. From the two previous Lucy Stone novels I've read the book always tends to wrap up soon after the culprit is revealed. This was a nice addition! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Between the two, I liked Easter Bunny Murder better than Bake Sale Murder, but I recommend these books regardless. They are quick, fun reads with a nice mystery! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818;">Interested in reading? I'm an amazon affiliate- I get a small percent of any sale. Check out the<a href="http://amzn.to/2m8Viix" target="_blank"> print copy</a> of Easter Bunny Murder or the <a href="http://amzn.to/2netPOc" target="_blank">e-book copy</a>. </span></div>
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Shooting Stars Maghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5639675212408846217.post-68649687360646581942017-03-25T00:00:00.000-04:002017-03-25T00:00:22.636-04:00A Bit More About Usborne Books and More<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I mentioned this last week, but I thought it deserved it's very own post. A friend of mine inspired me to ALSO start selling for Usborne Books and More. I've always seen people becoming a consultant for a variety of companies, and while I sometimes liked the products, I never really thought I'd be one of them. However, I LOVE these books. We all know that I'm a big book person in general, but I'm a strong proponent of literacy and getting kids reading young. I'm always giving my nieces and nephew books for their birthdays and Christmas. They love them, and that makes me really happy! In fact, I bought a book from this company for my niece's upcoming birthday. I think she'll love it.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Anyway, if you're curious about the books, please feel free to use my shop <a href="https://c6871.myubam.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span> If you want to buy something, that would be amazing. I can also make a wish list for you if you are looking for certain types of books - I'd just need the age/gender and any preferences and the wish list will help narrow things down for you! These wish lists are actually attached to the store, so when I send you the link, it will allow you to click on the titles and learn more and even buy right there if you want!<br />
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Beyond that, since I'm just starting out, I'm really looking for people to do a Facebook party with me! You don't have to do too much work beyond inviting people. Plus, if enough sales are generated during your party, you can win lots of free and awesome books! Definitely think about hosting! I'll had to add you on Facebook for party purposes, but you're welcome to de-friend me after the party is over if you don't like adding people from the internet! I won't be offended; I know everyone uses social media different! There isn't really a precedent for Twitter parties, but I'm willing to do one if you think that would be better for you!<br />
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Since Easter is fast approaching, I'll just leave you with this graphic of some great Easter book suggestions. Books make the best gifts! I'm also planning on reviewing some of the books I buy from the company too to help give you a better look at the titles, so look out for those!<br />
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Shooting Stars Maghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.com23