tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39750514739379958682024-03-05T06:17:37.016-08:00THE READER'S AND AUTHOR'S BOOK NOOKEnjoy news, interviews, personal commentaries, publishing buzz from a fresh perspective, chat about the real writing life, events and more. This entertaining space is dedicated to lovers of wordsmiths, regardless if your favorite genre is something mild or a little wild. Information about Grove Street Ezine, our digital publication that is available via
http://issuu.com/bloggertime and http://alexhaley.com/grove_street.htm
can be found here, too. You never know who may stop by. Ciao!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.comBlogger123125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975051473937995868.post-54509201946484704512016-10-31T10:28:00.001-07:002016-10-31T10:28:20.948-07:00Award-winning author comes to Prince George's County on Nov. 6, 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello Readers,<br />
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An exciting event will be held on Nov. 6 in Prince George's County, Maryland.<br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;">Meet Ella Curry and Eartha S. Dunston at Bus Boys & Poets in Hyattsville, MD. Book giveaway. Gift Basket. Author's Marketing Plan brochure!</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;">Book Signing for Author Eartha S. Dunston </span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;">Sun, Nov 6, 2016 at: 5:00pm - 6:30pm </span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;">Busboys and Poets Hyattsville Location</span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;">5331 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, MD 20781</span><br />
<span style="line-height: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: normal;">Live lecture on writing, publishing and marketing children's books. Ella Curry of EDC Creations conducting a Marketing Resource segment for authors and small business owners.</span><br />
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The Nook<br />
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Updates will be posted about this blog. Thank you for your interest.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975051473937995868.post-32736933288784426542015-08-13T05:48:00.000-07:002015-08-13T05:54:22.651-07:00Patricia Johnson-Harris presents the 6th Annual African American Authors Expo in Timonium, MD on Aug. 15. Please read her guest blog post.<em><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Are you a book lover? The 6<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> Annual African American Authors Expo will be held at the</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Radisson North Baltimore Hotel this weekend. The address of the venue is </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2004 Greenspring Drive in </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Timonium, MD. Patricia Johnson-Harris stopped by the blog to explain what she does and why. I hope that you enjoy her five minute interview at The Nook. </span></em><br />
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Behind the scenes with Patricia Johnson-Harris</h3>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: red;">RAABN: What you do? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: red;"></span>PJH: I am the founder and
visionary for the African American Authors Expo and Multi-Cultural Book
Festival.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: red;">RAABN: What is your mission? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">PJH: Our
mission is to create a platform that exposes local<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and independent authors of all nationalities
to the general public, and have dedicate ourselves to helping authors connect
with national and local book clubs, organizations and readers abroad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: red;">RAABN: How did you get started with the
African American Authors Expo? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: red;"></span>PJH: I was working with my husband, Roger
Harris, producing jazz concerts<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and my first
contacts with independent authors were as vendors at the various jazz
events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s where my vision through
pray came to fruition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: red;">RAABN: Why did you do it and when? </span></span></div>
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PJH: I began to talk with the authors when they would vend at our events. I
discovered the struggles they faced in publishing, editing, printing, and
getting recognition. It heavied my heart and something needed to be done to help
these authors, but I had no experience with authors or publishing, so I did
the one thing I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>knew at the time, to do
and that was pray. I prayed for months and was finally given an answer to have
an event that highlight and showcase local authors. Why do we have to always
pick up a book by a national author, when we have so many talented authors right
here In our own back yard? This platform to support authors at the time was for
our local authors, but it has grown so much for authors all over. My very first
expo was in August of 2009 in Columbia, Maryland. Today, we are still going strong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: red;">RAABN: Do you have a favorite book genre?</span></span></div>
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PJH: I do. Romance. It's nothing like reading a good love story because you also get
a little bit of suspense in romance novels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: red;">RAABN: How many authors will be at the
expo? Are they all local? Are they traditionally and self published?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">PJH: At the 6<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> Annual African
American Authors Expo, we will have about 50 exhibiting authors from all over
the states like New Jersey, New York, Cleveland Ohio, North Carolina, Atlanta
and Pennsylvania. Yes, we will have just as many authors who were published
through a traditional publishing company as self-published authors<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>at this year’s expo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: red;">RAABN: Tell me a little about the event and
activities that will be held.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: red;"></span>PJH: The
event is a great networking opportunity for authors, aspiring authors and
entrepreneurs. We are hosting 7 workshops for the author and business-minded
individual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can attend a workshop on
how to start your writing project, to branding your book or business, so there is
a workshop<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>designed for almost everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have author speaking panel, a book club
panel for anyone wanting to learn how to have a successful book club, and a
publishing panel. We also host the Youth Writers challenge. We support our
youth who have a desire to write. All of the participants get school supplies to
prepare them for the upcoming year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are games and actives for children. The expo is a free, family fun
event.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;">RAABN: Why should book clubs and readers attend this?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">PJH: I encourage
books clubs to attend the expo so that they get the opportunity to meet our
independent authors, and the authors get to connect with clubs who enjoy
reading. This is the place where we bring the clubs and authors face-to-face
and make connections.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: red;">RAABN: What is one thing people don't know
about you?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: red;"></span>PJH: Let’s see. One, I love roller skating. I get on the floor and
just skate away. It’s a great way to exercise, but it also allows me to leave
everything at the door and just have fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I also love to sit at home with a bowl of popcorn in the middle of me
and my husband, Roger and watch Law & Order SVU. I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>love that show.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Please visit <a href="http://www.aaaexpo.net/">www.aaaexpo.net<o:p></o:p></a> for more information. Grab your bookish friends in the DMV and attend this event! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have you read my recent interview with Victoria Christopher Murray? She will be there, too. <a href="http://baltimoretimes-online.com/news/2015/aug/07/victoria-christopher-murray-returns-baltimore-disc/?page=2">Click here.</a></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975051473937995868.post-56629610432187497452015-02-17T05:28:00.000-08:002015-02-17T06:10:43.116-08:00Local authors showcase in celebration of black history month in Prince George's County, MD to be held Feb. 21 <br />
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Sharon Lucas</div>
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<o:p><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sharon Lucas, a literary advocate, avid reader and book club president of The Reading Divas, stopped by The Readers and Author's Nook. She offered thoughtful words about the value of African American literature, along with information about an upcoming literary event in Maryland.</span></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #500050; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">"One cannot celebrate Black History Month
without celebrating the rich history of literature in the Black
community. From the African American literary societies of the 1800's, to
the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920's, to Terry McMillan and Oprah in the 1990's
- we have read! So it is with great pleasure that we present - in celebration
of Black History Month - twenty talented, local authors who represent many
genres at the first Local Author's Showcase to be held at the Prince George's
Sports & Learning Center on</span> </span>February 21. Please
come out in support of Black History Month and literacy in our county!" Lucas said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cabin Normal 400";"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Date:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saurday, February 21, 2015</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cabin Normal 400";"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cabin Normal 400";"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cabin Normal 400";"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Place:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cabin Normal 400";"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The Prince George's
County Sports & Learning Complex</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Cabin Normal 400";"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8001 Sheriff Road, Landover, MD</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cabin Normal 400";"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Cabin Normal 400";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Please consider attending and spreading the word about this first event that will be held this weekend.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>For more information about Sharon and her event picks, please visit </em></span><a href="http://www.realdivasread.com/144064639"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>http://www.realdivasread.com/144064639</em></span></a>.<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>The Prince George's Arts & Humanities Council ( </em><a href="http://princegeorgesartshumanitiescouncil.com/"><em>PGAHC</em></a><em> ) is a partner for Saturday's event. </em><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975051473937995868.post-61813884850655060902014-09-18T20:01:00.000-07:002014-09-18T20:01:54.939-07:00Book festival in Memphis Sept. 19-20. Listen to the interview. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://m.mywdia.com/onair/bev-johnson-2788/literacy-rocks-12774584/">http://m.mywdia.com/onair/bev-johnson-2788/literacy-rocks-12774584/</a><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975051473937995868.post-87951700408491221212014-05-26T01:53:00.001-07:002014-05-26T01:56:20.718-07:00Talk A Good Game by Angie Daniels.<p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span class="bumpedFont15">Talk </span></span><span class="s3" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span class="bumpedFont15">A</span></span><span class="s3" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span class="bumpedFont15"> Good Game</span></span></span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span class="bumpedFont15"><br></span></span></span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">By </span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-weight: bold; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Author Angie Daniels</span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="x-apple-ql-id://AB9768FD-DF40-4376-88FE-5148E50BA17F/x-apple-ql-magic/563F1DAB-225D-4221-AD49-32B700317FD9.jpg" class="s6" style="width: 147px; height: 147px;"></span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="x-apple-ql-id://9026D88F-06A1-4D10-BA6C-0BD4908F94FD/x-apple-ql-magic/0DF85FD0-BBD0-417F-ADD0-2CD558D43686.jpg" class="s7" style="width: 314px; height: 225px;"></span></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s9" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s9" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s9" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s9" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s9" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s9" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bio</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s10"><span class="bumpedFont15">Angie Daniels has released over two dozen novels. She has won or been nominated for four RT Book Reviews</span></span><span class="s11" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="bumpedFont15">Reviewers’ Choice</span></span><span class="s10"><span class="bumpedFont15"> Award and numerous Emma Awards. She began her road to publication in 2001 with Genesis Press. In 2002, she signed with BET/ Arabesque which was purchased by Harlequin/Kimani Romance in 2005. Angie joined Kensington Publishing in 2003. In 2010 she unleashed her alter ego,</span></span><span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont15"> Sasha Campbell</span></span><span class="s10"><span class="bumpedFont15">, </span></span><span class="s12"><span class="bumpedFont15">a free spirit who isn’t afraid to say what’s on her mind or even better, write about it. Since strutting onto the literary scene in five-inch heels, she’s been capturing her audience’s attention with her wild imagination and style for keeping it real. This vivacious woman knows exactly what her readers want and is always ready to deliver. The two have</span></span><span class="s10"><span class="bumpedFont15"> a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She is also honored to be the Romance Slam Jam 2014 Keynote Speaker.</span></span></span></p><p class="s9" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s9" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Blurb</span></span></p><p class="s9" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s10"><span class="bumpedFont15">After years of failed relationships, two sexy single best friends decide to take their chances at on-line dating. At first the experiences </span></span><a name="_GoBack"></a><span class="s10"><span class="bumpedFont15">are interesting and exciting, but it isn’t long before the women discover things aren’t always as they seem…</span></span></span></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span class="s10"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Air Force officer Nyree Dawson meets Howard Sinclair online, and as far as she’s concerned, he’s everything she’s ever wanted in a man. He’s spiritual, educated, and a beast in the bedroom. She thinks the ex-wife is a fool for divorcing such an amazing man, and before long they start planning a future together. It isn’t until after the couple is married that the lies begin to surface, and the relationship goes from “I do” to what in the world has she done?</span></span></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span class="s10"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Restaurant owner, Janelle Fox has always had a spare boo in her back pocket, but when she meets Kaleb Kerrington on a dating site, the rules suddenly change. He’s gorgeous and wealthy and she can’t believe her luck. Only Kaleb has been burned so many times he doesn’t trust his woman any further than he can see her. At first Janelle finds the jealousy cute and she’s determined to be the one to teach him how to trust. However, after a while the accusations get to be too much and she realizes the confident man she craved is insecure and unforgiving.</span></span></p><p class="s8" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span class="s10"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And that’s only the beginning…</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Getting To Know Author Angie Daniels</span></span></p><p class="s15" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s13" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont15"> </span></span><span class="s14" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont15">Can you tell us about your upcoming project(s)?</span></span></span></p><p class="s16" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s15" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span class="s17"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sasha Campbell and Angie Daniels are busy planning for the future! I am planning an exciting year starting with Talk a Good Game, a Sasha Campbell/Angie Daniels collaboration; the next volumes of The Decadent Delight and The Sexy Simmons Series that readers have been asking for; and possibly one more special surprise.</span></span></p><p class="s18" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Contact</span></span></p><p class="s4" style="text-align: start; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><a href="x-apple-ql-id://20E4953A-20A6-4321-89F4-C5F1C06C3F67/l%20_top" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><span class="s19" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont15">angiedaniels</span></span><span class="s20"><span class="bumpedFont15">.com</span></span></font></a></p><p class="s21" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 3px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="x-apple-ql-id://20E4953A-20A6-4321-89F4-C5F1C06C3F67/l%20_top"><span class="s22"><span class="bumpedFont15">https://www.</span></span><span class="s23" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont15">facebook</span></span><span class="s22"><span class="bumpedFont15">.com/Author</span></span><span class="s23" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont15">AngieDaniels</span></span></a><span class="s24"><span class="bumpedFont15"></span></span></span></font></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><a href="x-apple-ql-id://20E4953A-20A6-4321-89F4-C5F1C06C3F67/l%20_top"><span class="s22"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">@AuthorAngieD</font></span></span></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><a href="x-apple-ql-id://20E4953A-20A6-4321-89F4-C5F1C06C3F67/l%20_top"><span class="s19" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/376036.Angie_Daniels</font></span></span></a></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont15"> </span></span><span class="s5" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="bumpedFont15">links</span></span></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="x-apple-ql-id://20E4953A-20A6-4321-89F4-C5F1C06C3F67/l%20_top"><span class="s25">www.amazon.com/</span><span class="s26" style="font-weight: bold;">Angie</span><span class="s25">-</span><span class="s26" style="font-weight: bold;">Daniels</span><span class="s25">/e/B001IU51B4</span></a><span class="s27"></span></span></font></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><a href="x-apple-ql-id://20E4953A-20A6-4321-89F4-C5F1C06C3F67/l%20_top"><span class="s25" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/angie-daniels</font></span></a></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975051473937995868.post-35496018216766700882014-05-14T03:59:00.002-07:002014-05-14T04:18:11.080-07:00Georgia Le Carre releases Besotted today! (Erotic romance for mature readers.)<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b>Besotted</b></div>
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(The Billionaire Banker Series - Book 3)</div>
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AN EROTIC ROMANCE</div>
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(18+ due to mature themes and sexual content)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bRfHeawwJ-s-KovOqBV9hJvJczsv_MjG89HK8bFFIU3hox4B0P60vi2zLITCiJpYTocCK0eWO8RLRYWph5VWBGOssigTYtKq9x36v3ykl_T_-aAvmsctPeHfi_Vz4ghEw5LjFlRO2Bk/s1600/updated+besotted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bRfHeawwJ-s-KovOqBV9hJvJczsv_MjG89HK8bFFIU3hox4B0P60vi2zLITCiJpYTocCK0eWO8RLRYWph5VWBGOssigTYtKq9x36v3ykl_T_-aAvmsctPeHfi_Vz4ghEw5LjFlRO2Bk/s1600/updated+besotted.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<b>Blurb/Synopsis</b>:<br />
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In Forty 2 Days we cheered as we learned of Lana's opportunity for a second chance to put things right with our wounded hero, Blake. We read with joy at the news of baby Sorab's birth, and with tension in our bodies as the spirited Lana fought and finally overcame the might of Blake's powerful family to win the heart of the man she adored.<br />
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But Lana still needs answers to many burning questions?<br />
The secrets are many and tangled? Will she get the answers she seeks?<br />
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Blake finally lays it on the line to Victoria, and declares his true love for Lana, but will that be the end of the matter?<br />
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Then there is the re-appearance of Marcus.<br />
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Can Lana keep her resolve and overcome all obstacles to claim her man forever?<br />
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<b>Besotted excerpt</b>:<br />
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The knock on the Lanesborough Suite's door is firm and unhesitant. I glance at my watch. Very punctual. I like that. I open the door and… My, my, she is a beauty: waist-length, straight blonde hair, gorgeous big eyes. And scarlet lips. Lana almost never colors her lips so red. She is wearing a long, white coat belted at the waist and really, really high heels. They remind me of the shoes Lana wore the first night I met her.<br />
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She is chewing gum, though. I hate that. She must watch too many movies about big-hearted hookers. I put my hand out, palm outstretched. For a moment she looks at me, clueless. I raise my eyebrows and she hurriedly takes the gum out of her mouth and puts it into my hand. Then she raises her own eyebrows and cheekily stretches her hand out.<br />
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‘Don't you want to come in first?' I ask, amused but not showing it.<br />
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‘Of course,' she says and walks past me. Her accent is odd. She must be making it up as she goes along.<br />
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I close the door and watch her walk ahead of me. She has a good walk. I like a woman who can walk with grace. She stops in front of the low table where there is a platter of fresh fruit and a bottle of champagne cooling in an ice bucket, then turns around to face me. For a moment I am distracted by the picture she makes standing in the agreeably English decor of traditional prints and chintzes teamed with bold choices of acid greens and Schiaparelli pinks.<br />
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‘I'm sorry, what's your name?'<br />
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‘Rumor.'<br />
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I smile. The name suits her. She looks like a rumor. Couldn't possibly be true.<br />
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‘Would you like a glass of champagne?'<br />
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She lifts one foot and lets it swing back. It is impossibly erotic. ‘I'd like to be paid first.'<br />
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I don't react to the provocation. ‘The money is by the lamp.'<br />
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She glances at the neat pile of money as she works the two buttons on her coat. The coat lands on the sofa behind her. She is wearing a very short white dress. Wordlessly, she turns away from me and bends from the waist, so her ass is pushed out and her skirt rides up to where her smooth thighs indent and I glimpse the other thing I had specified-a freshly waxed pussy. The lips are already swollen and reddened, and as I watch moisture starts to gather.<br />
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Immediately I am hard as hell.<br />
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Slowly, holding that position, she counts the money. The desire to ram her while she is counting her money is strong, but I resist. She puts the last note on top of the pile she has counted, and turns to face me.<br />
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‘All there?'<br />
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‘Yeah,' she says slowly, her acquired accent undergoing another change. ‘All there.'<br />
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I move towards her and put my hand between her legs. Obligingly, she parts them and my fingers start to play with the soaking flesh.<br />
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‘So Rumor, what shall we do with you?'<br />
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‘Mr. Barrington-'<br />
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‘Blake,' I say persuasively, as I continue to explore the silky, wet folds.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSI1707nrIfuelCPA0Z6DWH5dJEEwMAhpvTycVGT7Rpcc-8QzZpWwuWv8Jn7GgyT4gt4aOsR4evjBIlS_ytX0XWNm4_wD6DcrFpNEcLDWqlB_QIEhqsrvFVPXek1K1pTfSh48tSqkdes4/s1600/1400065820152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSI1707nrIfuelCPA0Z6DWH5dJEEwMAhpvTycVGT7Rpcc-8QzZpWwuWv8Jn7GgyT4gt4aOsR4evjBIlS_ytX0XWNm4_wD6DcrFpNEcLDWqlB_QIEhqsrvFVPXek1K1pTfSh48tSqkdes4/s1600/1400065820152.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Author Bio</b></div>
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Georgia Le Carre lives in England, in an old 19th century romantic cottage surrounded by a magical garden filled with fruit and walnut trees. <br />
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When she is not feeding words into her laptop, she is either curled up in bed with a box of chocolates and a good read, or lost in a long walk in the woods. Especially on moonlit nights. And often with the man of her dreams.<br />
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<b>Links</b><br />
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Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/georgia.lecarre">https://www.facebook.com/georgia.lecarre</a><br />
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Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/GeorgiaLeCarre">https://twitter.com/GeorgiaLeCarre</a><br />
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Goodreads - <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20641211-besotted">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20641211-besotted</a><br />
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Email: georgialecarre@gmail.com<br />
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Amazon links:<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Besotted-Billionaire-Banker-Georgia-Carre-ebook/dp/B00KBI0P06">http://www.amazon.com/Besotted-Billionaire-Banker-Georgia-Carre-ebook/dp/B00KBI0P06</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00KBI0P06">http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00KBI0P06</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00KBI0P06">http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00KBI0P06</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00KBI0P06">https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00KBI0P06</a><br />
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The ISBN number for Besotted is 978-0-9928249-4-5.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975051473937995868.post-18567385299791194902014-05-01T06:05:00.000-07:002014-05-01T06:15:14.941-07:00HOW TO MAKE IT IN HOLLYWOOD: The Inside Story by Rick Friedberg. A book review.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A Realistic Career Story</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBUNnStV8qaoxxYj-hzqfQBldrV0jBlLEOFBb4WXx2V4IA-GF7M-_6KRkC_3qOb8yd2kg-KDaECnklsWHKLq1Ic8HG_0X91tRQ-Gs7n_gfAxSfRw9i6uzz0eUVSzlls8sLvQVpm8CUns/s1600/6922cvr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBUNnStV8qaoxxYj-hzqfQBldrV0jBlLEOFBb4WXx2V4IA-GF7M-_6KRkC_3qOb8yd2kg-KDaECnklsWHKLq1Ic8HG_0X91tRQ-Gs7n_gfAxSfRw9i6uzz0eUVSzlls8sLvQVpm8CUns/s1600/6922cvr.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rick-Friedberg/e/B00C8D95F8">http://www.amazon.com/Rick-Friedberg/e/B00C8D95F8</a><br />
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It's not every day that an award-winning writer/director of movies, documentaries, reality TV, music videos and commercials will reveal what really goes on in Hollywood, from a business and creative perspective. However, Rick Friedberg's 'How to Make it in Hollywood: The Inside Story' is a five star read. In today's instant gratification culture, this book provides realistic tidbits, a dose of sobering reality, and a lesson in persistence regarding what it takes to make it in the Hollywood film business. Friedberg comes across down to earth, tells it like it is, chronicling his own professional ups and downs, while citing his body of work to demonstrate his expertise.<br />
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By rule 32, it's easy to respect the author's rocky journey. The chapters are well organized and full of tips for readers who would like a taste of Film Business 101. Any writer who has ever dreamed of bringing a book to the big screen, a recent film screen graduate, an individual considering making the big move to Hollywood, indie film makers, movie buffs and others would likely embrace the contents of the author's account. If you think you've done adequate research about film, Friedberg lends plenty of vicarious lessons to readers with a dash of humor, while proving that experience is the best teacher. For example, Friedberg wrote "Just last week I committed a maverick sin. I didn’t follow Rule # 9: Never Get Your Hopes Up Higher than the Lowest Drawer in Your Desk. Once again, I did." The author follows up with a supporting story, appropriately demonstrating the rule. As a result, it's easy to regard him as an expert looking back over his victories and missteps. In that way, the title of the book may mislead some who may not expect Friedberg's method of showing what it takes to make it in Hollywood. He also uses some industry jargon, and references snippets of film scenes.<br />
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Overall, I enjoyed reading this insider's story. It delivered enough of what it should've. If a realistic account of making it is what you're seeking to read, you will find it between these pages.<br />
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5 stars<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975051473937995868.post-17821700139184096232014-04-25T18:10:00.001-07:002014-04-25T18:10:44.138-07:00Author Victoria Warren Jackson stops by to discuss 'Untraditional Love In The Dark' and more.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpveikldv9QfgpH-iUKhRSXNfpkBmQP8TyxFv7D4Pw_9WBgK3uwQiBWVH3okhvDk5OEg8Q65QbCgnths14VEWnXf4jwLKYlP3gzbhfGxlSfAWOLpCqXXyPLuqaLjCzl7FFer7kbaCuVsE/s1600/authorBlack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpveikldv9QfgpH-iUKhRSXNfpkBmQP8TyxFv7D4Pw_9WBgK3uwQiBWVH3okhvDk5OEg8Q65QbCgnths14VEWnXf4jwLKYlP3gzbhfGxlSfAWOLpCqXXyPLuqaLjCzl7FFer7kbaCuVsE/s1600/authorBlack.jpg" height="400" width="171" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8Of4MmcKeoIREkX8IOlC1mcT1LPqTPNSmjh6H_o0VKRBE9QjitlnvwdMHPT5paJf5PEqCg_gOvc0NMiCGhB_DGjupqb-hgyn3cdBjACRD1djJapL5N4OBGMLbm_krjjUhx3olBcuc1o/s1600/9780970742643_p0_v2_s260x420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8Of4MmcKeoIREkX8IOlC1mcT1LPqTPNSmjh6H_o0VKRBE9QjitlnvwdMHPT5paJf5PEqCg_gOvc0NMiCGhB_DGjupqb-hgyn3cdBjACRD1djJapL5N4OBGMLbm_krjjUhx3olBcuc1o/s1600/9780970742643_p0_v2_s260x420.jpg" height="400" width="262" /></a></div>
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Andrea: Do you have a favorite book that you've written? If so, why?<br />
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Victoria: My favorite book that I have written is Untraditional Love In The Dark because women have to accept the fact many of us are now married to or have dated a gay or bisexual man. We have to learn to discuss this taboo.<br />
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Andrea: Has your work as an educator influenced your writing style or writing goals in any way?<br />
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Victoria: Yes, most definitely. I started out teaching Reading at Miami-Dade College. I learned a great deal about grammar and writing. I then used this knowledge to interact with more people because I offered personal tutoring services. It never failed, many of the adults wanted to talk about their personal lives after they became comfortable with me. I have written several children's book, which are not published. I plan to publish them in the future. My interaction with my students influenced me to write those books.<br />
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Andrea: Since you mentioned that writing is therapy, and you continue to write daily, how do you find time to write? Do you keep a journal?<br />
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Victoria: I wake-up earlier on some days to write before going to work. While I am on the expressway heading to work, I think about new ideas. While I am heading home from work, I think about new ideas while I am stuck in rush hour traffic. When I get home, I write down my thoughts in a Composition Book or on College-Rule Paper.<br />
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Andrea: Do your students know that you write books? What strategies have you used to get youth to read more?<br />
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Victoria: I work with high school students, so I have not told them about my writing career. I wouldn't want them to read some of the material in my books, and start asking me personal questions. Some of the teachers know that I am an author. They give me lots of support. I am a Reading Teacher who works with students who have failed the Standardized State Test. Most of the difficulties these students experience is related to comprehension and understanding text. I teach my students how to analyze, evaluate, and gather information from text. I teach my students how to question the text by answering the six reporter's questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How? My students are taught to make predictions based on the title, images, search bold words, and use context clues. The best strategy to get youth to read is allowing them independent reading time. Students can still learn when they are allowed to select reading material of their choice. As the teacher, I provide a variety of grade level material the students can choose from such as: novels, magazines, and newspapers.<br />
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Andrea: What writing tip would you offer an aspiring young author?<br />
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Victoria: Have thick skin. This is not an easy journey, but it is well worth the rewards as you go through the process.<br />
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Andrea: What's next for you?<br />
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Victoria: I am in the process of editing my fourth book. I plan to get this book published. I am searching for an agent. I am going to put more dollars into advertising and marketing my books. I am going to enter more writing contests. I have plans to do several open mic appearances in the very near future. I am going to expand my activity on social media. I am definitely looking into hiring a publicist. I have an upcoming Virtual Book Tour and several interviews.<br />
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Andrea: In two lines or less, please pitch one of your books.<br />
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Victoria: There is nothing wrong with having the best of both worlds when all parties involved are aware of the true situation. Loving on the down-low is Untraditional Love In The Dark.<br />
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My website address is: <a href="http://www.victoriawarrenjackson.com/">http://www.victoriawarrenjackson.com</a><br />
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My book availability sites are:<br />
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Untraditional Love In The Dark<br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/untraditional-love-in-the-dark-victoria-warren-jackson/1027809995?ean=9780970742643">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/untraditional-love-in-the-dark-victoria-warren-jackson/1027809995?ean=9780970742643</a><br />
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Not Just Us<br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/not-just-us-victoria-warren-jackson/1027804690?ean=9780970742650">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/not-just-us-victoria-warren-jackson/1027804690?ean=9780970742650</a><br />
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Can You Feel Me? Intimate Poetry<br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/can-you-feel-me-victoria-warren-jackson/1114532054?ean=9780970742636">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/can-you-feel-me-victoria-warren-jackson/1114532054?ean=9780970742636</a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975051473937995868.post-3044950970185584172014-04-22T08:47:00.001-07:002014-04-22T19:40:25.647-07:00Pub day. New release by “Good Morning America” anchor, Robin Roberts. 'Everybody's Got Something.'<br />
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Do you read memoirs? The links below provide a synopsis and excerpt of 'Everybody's Got Something' by Robin Roberts.<br />
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Information from the publisher:<br />
<a href="http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/robin-roberts/everybodys-got-something/9781455578450/#desc">http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/robin-roberts/everybodys-got-something/9781455578450/#desc</a><br />
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An excerpt:<br />
<a href="http://gma.yahoo.com/robin-roberts-everybodys-got-something-read-excerpt-112053641.html?vp=1">http://gma.yahoo.com/robin-roberts-everybodys-got-something-read-excerpt-112053641.html?vp=1 </a><br />
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Purchase it from Hue-Man Bookstore:<br />
<a href="http://www.huemanbookstore.com/book/9781455578450">http://www.huemanbookstore.com/book/9781455578450</a><br />
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In depth author interviews are available via our ezine <a href="http://www.issuu.com/bloggertime">www.issuu.com/bloggertime</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975051473937995868.post-60079510523198655802014-04-19T03:37:00.002-07:002014-04-19T03:37:35.650-07:00 Julia Park Tracey stops by for a Saturday coffee chat about publishing her aunt's journals (The Doris Diaries). Bonus: A book review of the award-winning book, 'Reaching For The Moon.'<br />
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<i>Julia Park Tracey recently won awards for The Doris Diaries. In my eyes, editing and publishing diaries that belonged to her aunt is a fabulous example of preserving history. I hope that you enjoy learning about this inspiring, unique project.</i><br />
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The Nook: What updates do you have about your award?<br />
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Julia: I recently was flown to Los Angeles to receive awards from the Great Northwestern Book Festival and Los Angeles Book Festival for the second volume of the Doris Diaries. I won the grand prize at the GNWBF and best regional book at the LABF.<br />
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The Nook: What's next for The Doris Diaries?<br />
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Julia: Volume 3 is set for fall release. The Great Depression has begun and Doris is no longer in school. She gets a job selling real estate -- or trying. And she's still looking for true love. And there is no money to be had!<br />
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The Nook: Please tell me why you decided to create this project, after inheriting the journals.<br />
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Julia: I felt that Doris's young voice was so refreshing and unique that I wanted to share her. I started by sharing snips on my own Facebook feed but it became so popular that I created her own FB and Twitter pages. We've all heard Anne Franks' voice but a girl from the 1920s was unique.<br />
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The Nook: What's next for The Doris Diaries?<br />
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Julia: Volume 3 is set for fall release. The Great Depression has begun and Doris is no longer in school. She gets a job selling real estate -- or trying. And she's still looking for true love. And there is no money to be had!<br />
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The Nook: Do you feel your aunt would've minded having her diary published?<br />
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Julia: She says that she's reticent in her diaries, at the time. But knowing her later, I think she would be pleased, and would very much appreciate the attention she's gotten from publication. Doris is loved, and she would enjoy that.<br />
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<b>A Book Nook Review </b></div>
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A Charming Celebration of Freedom</div>
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In 'Reaching For The Moon', Doris Bailey Murphy's grand-niece provides a glimpse of life in the 20's. Julia Park Tracey chronicles adventures of a teen girl, continuing events of The Doris Diaries, from 1927-1929.<br />
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In volume 2, Doris Bailey is a teen struggling with scarlet fever. This serves as a backdrop for a young spirit still interested in matters that are present in most teen and young adult minds--boys, friends and socializing. Some diary entries are a few lines long. Others give more insight into Bailey's opinions, spunk and personality. They prove to be more entertaining. Embracing freedom, despite challenges in life, dominates the tone of the majority of Doris's diary entries.<br />
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Doris is a likable subject, despite illness. 'Reaching For The Moon' may be best experienced as a collective work for those who are interested in history or intriquied by journals. The longer entries accompanied by photos offer the most insight. Ms. Tracey's inclusion of footnotes, and her introduction, strengthens credibility as a researcher and curator.<br />
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In futue volumes, longterm value of the project could be maximized by integration of more photos, inclusion of historical captions that may tie highlights of Doris Bailey Murphy's experiences together, and/or alternate considerations of including every entry. 'Reaching For The Moon' is comprehensive, original and insightful. It also possesses potential to be utilized as an entertaining teaching tool.<br />
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Reviewed by Andrea Blackstone<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1475939841?pc_redir=1397387197&robot_redir=1">Purchase the first installment on Amazon.</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1475998953/ref=pd_aw_sims_1?pi=SL500_SY115">Reaching For The Moon</a><br />
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Connect with <a href="https://m.facebook.com/thedorisdiaries?id=236346166411979&_rdr">The Doris Diaries on Facebook. Click here.</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.juliaparktracey.com/">http://www.juliaparktracey.com/</a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975051473937995868.post-47613928426867435702014-04-16T16:37:00.000-07:002014-04-16T16:44:10.582-07:00Book review of Forty 2 Days (Book 2 of the Billionaire Banker series) by Georgia LeCarre. Hot! <br />
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<b>Villain Meets Victim</b></div>
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If you like a steamy plot, this sequel to the 'Billionare Banker' featuring<br />
Blake Barrington and Lana Bloom brings plenty of heat. Since I'm a book reviewer who was asked to read this title, I didn't read the first one. Nevertheless, I could still salvage general understanding of the setup. Kudos to Georgia LeCarre for accomplishing this.<br />
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Lana needs to repay a 42 day debt with her body, if she wants help during a personal jam. While she's in need of a businesses loan, Blake's demands set her up for an entertaining yet smutty roller coaster ride. Although Lana needed money, raw chemistry was mutual and obvious. Blake is dirty rich, cocky, mysterious, and oficially belongs to someone else. Despite Blake's demands, Lana seems humiliated in one sense, but an emotionally willing victim in another. LeCarre crafts her voice realistically. Lana sounds authentic enough to be a real woman sharing an experience from her perspective.<br />
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On the other hand, the twist at the end makes the page turner feel like it's not an erotic romance story. A happy ending wasn't a requirement for me. The central thematic challenge was the way the story was resolved. The last portion of this book blended oddly with the previous content, considering that the author's writing style demonstrates her talent as a storyteller.<br />
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The overall delivery of 'Forty 2 Days' overcame his hurdle. It had enough potential to make me curious about what happened in the first book. Also, I felt interested in the characters enough to want to finish their future journey.<br />
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More story development with Sorab, Blake or Lana's emotional turmoil, and/or more care being taken in the end would possibly be beneficial. The series has 5 star potential and is a worthwhile read. In some ways the plot had a 'Fifty Shades of Grey' feel. However, it still felt authentic enough. Georgia LeCarre offers a fresh voice. I would recommend the book to erotica lovers in particular. Rated H for Hot!<br />
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Click below to find it on Amazon.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HWKW7K2?pc_redir=1397334640&robot_redir=1">http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HWKW7K2?pc_redir=1397334640&robot_redir=1 4 stars</a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975051473937995868.post-29849556377004899332014-04-15T05:18:00.000-07:002014-04-15T05:22:24.351-07:00Surrounded By Madness: A Memoir of Mental Illness and Family Secrets by Rachel Pruchno, Ph.D. An author interview about her memoir.<div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Rachel Pruchno, Ph.D. is located in New Jersey. Surrounded By Madness: A Memoir of Mental Illness and Family Secrets was released on March 24, 2014. Dr. Pruchno is a psychologist , presently Endowed Chair, and Professor of Medicine at Rowan University. More information about the author will follow the interview. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Andrea: Can you briefly share what 'Surrounded By Madness' is about?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />Dr. Pruchno: <em>Surrounded By Madness</em> chronicles the experiences I've had as the daughter of a mother and mother of a daughter with severe mental illness. As a child and as a mother, I hid the mental illnesses from which my loved ones suffered. As a psychologist, I understood how important it is to break the silence. If we don’t talk about mental illness, we will never make progress in terms of diagnosis and treatment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Andrea: How difficult was writing this memoir? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dr. Pruchno: Writing the first draft was therapeutic. I cried a lot and so did my husband. After that, I enjoyed learning to write memoir. Because I knew I wanted people to understand, I worked hard to make the book as engaging as possible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Andrea: Did you ever feel reluctant to publicly share details about what happened in your family?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong></strong>Dr. Pruchno: For more than 40 years, I didn’t tell people about my experiences. Even once I started writing, I told people it was a book about being the mother of a child with mental illness. Once I came to terms with my daughter’s mental illness, I tackled my mother’s illness. I think it’s safe to say my “coming out” was a process. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Andrea: Your mother struggled with manic depression, and ultimately committed suicide at 51. Did you worry about your own mental health?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dr. Pruchno: Yes, I most definitely did. Because my mother and I were alike in so many ways – our looks, our personalities, our sense of organization, our intelligence – I was sure that mental illness would be my destiny. As I experienced each age – the age at which she first showed signs of illness, the age at which she killed herself – I was sure that I would follow in her footsteps. Happily, I didn’t.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Andrea: Does the book focus on your adopted daughter? Please share a little about how she ties into your story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dr. Pruchno: My husband and I adopted Sophie and took her home from the hospital when she was 3 days old. We cherished her. The book shows how Sophie’s mental illness developed and how my husband and I worked to help her. It shows the inadequacies of the medical system as we experienced them and the flaws of our legal system. It shows how mental illness pervades families and devastates them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Andrea: After three years of writing this memoir, did the process resolve any unanswered questions that you may have had about how chronic mental illness?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dr. Pruchno: I learned that, no matter what resources a family may have and how hard a family may try to deal with the issues and help the person who suffers from mental illness, mental illness has the potential to destroy all in its path. I learned that while we can protect our children when they are young, once they turn 18, parents are virtually powerless to help them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Andrea: You are married with children. How did your immediate family feel about your decision to write a memoir? Were they involved in deciding how you would tell the story?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dr. Pruchno: My husband and my brothers were very supportive of my writing the memoir. My husband listened to me read each chapter as I wrote it. He corrected my grammar and punctuation. He helped me remember many of the details. My brothers filled in gaps as I struggled to understand our mother’s experiences. My son was 14 when I started writing. One of the first things I had to do was tell him that my mother had committed suicide. He read an earlier version of the book and corrected some of my writing errors. While the men in my life have been supportive, however, they were not involved in deciding how I would tell the story. I worked with a writing coach who helped me understand narrative arc and an editor who helped me polish the writing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Andrea: What would you say to families who are currently struggling with mental illness?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dr. Pruchno: One simple message: don’t hide. Tell your friends. Tell your neighbors. Tell the schools. Don’t be ashamed. You need all the support you can get.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Andrea: Could reading this book offer solutions or coping mechanisms to anyone touched by mental illness? If so, how?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dr. Pruchno: I hope so. I hope <em>Surrounded By Madness</em> helps others touched by mental illness understand that they are not alone. I hope it helps people know that telling people about their experiences is critical and that it helps them ask others for help.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Andrea: Who is your target audience?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dr. Pruchno: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> 1. Families of people with mental illness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> 2. Students and faculty in psychology, medicine, and social work</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> 3. Memoir readers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Andrea: What kind of feedback have you received thus far?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dr. Pruchno: People tell me the book is gripping – that they can’t put it down and that they’re amazed at what I’ve lived through.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Purchase links: </strong>The book is available through most online booksellers. Amazon.com seems to be one of the few websites offering a pretty good discount: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/k5xvmsz" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/k5xvmsz</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Social media/contact information: </strong>The book trailer is on YouTube.com: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CypGRs0HjvU" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?<wbr></wbr>v=CypGRs0HjvU</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Author website: <a href="http://www.rachelpruchno.net/" target="_blank">www.RachelPruchno.net</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Book website: <a href="http://www.surroundedbymadness.net/" target="_blank">www.SurroundedByMadness.net</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/surroundedbymadness" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/<wbr></wbr>surroundedbymadness</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Author’s <em>Psychology Today</em> blog: <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/all-in-the-famly" target="_blank">www.psychologytoday.com/blog/<wbr></wbr>all-in-the-famly</a></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">About the Author</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rachel Pruchno is Director of Research at the New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging (<a href="http://www.rowan.edu/som/njisa/">http://www.rowan.edu/som/njisa/</a>) and Endowed Chair, Professor of Medicine at Rowan University’s School of Osteopathic Medicine. She earned her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State University.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dr. Pruchno has been the Principal Investigator on numerous research grants funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Aging, the National Institute of Nursing Research, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the Retirement Research Foundation, and the Cleveland Foundation. She has published more than 70 peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals, 10 invited book chapters, and co-edited Challenges of an Aging Society: Ethical Dilemmas, Political Issues. She has served as Editor-in-Chief of The Gerontologist (<a href="http://gerontologist.oxfordjournals.org/">http://gerontologist.oxfordjournals.org/</a>), a leading scientific journal, since 2011.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As a weekly blogger, since January 2014, Dr. Pruchno has been contributing to PsychologyToday.com, the website of the magazine Psychology Today. The blog, “All in the Family: Mental Illness and Caregiving Across the Generations,” may be viewed at <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/All-in-the-Family">www.PsychologyToday.com/blog/All-in-the-Family</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">She is married with four children, two of whom are dogs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you would like more information about Dr. Pruchno’s academic work, including her CV and publications, please visit her personal website at <a href="http://www.rachelpruchno.net/">www.RachelPruchno.net</a>.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975051473937995868.post-3150621208685617022014-04-13T05:30:00.000-07:002014-04-13T11:34:16.664-07:00A recent Morgan State graduate released Mr. Illustrious. Meet Christian Smooth.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKut7slyDUU_Ld0_5IY9bDnBjcgG2sCShhkGrzzCkWJeM3vCuOJb7MCj1CAccbtWVJv38f0TDs3NGngD6hi-r4PaIfdJ1eoG5ee2AzygJYHZ08mtdcdHm6ImSnlo8DdhrWqfKyAheLeXA/s1600/20140330_184014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKut7slyDUU_Ld0_5IY9bDnBjcgG2sCShhkGrzzCkWJeM3vCuOJb7MCj1CAccbtWVJv38f0TDs3NGngD6hi-r4PaIfdJ1eoG5ee2AzygJYHZ08mtdcdHm6ImSnlo8DdhrWqfKyAheLeXA/s1600/20140330_184014.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
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<i>2013 Morgan State graduate, Christian Smooth, volunteered at the Annapolis Film Festival. His book, Mr. Illustrious, was released February 20, 2014. He is the Executive Producer of two web-series. The Student Body is described as a semi-anthology web series that parodies life at HBCUs. He also produces Speaks. Christian Smooth was born and raised in Annapolis, MD.</i><br />
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GS: Today we’re speaking with Christian Smooth about his new release, Mr. Illustrious. Where did you get the idea for the book?<br />
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CS: The story came about when I was going to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. A girl asked me to write a sexy story, and I started writing Mr. Illustrious.<br />
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GS: So it was because someone asked you to write a short story?<br />
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CS: Yes. It was like a commission, pretty much.<br />
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GS: After that, what made you feel like you wanted to write the whole book? Can you give a synopsis of what Mr. Illustrious is about?<br />
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CS: I liked the character so much, I wanted to write some more stories about a college freshman who loses his college scholarship and becomes a man whore in order to pay for his college tuition.<br />
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GS: That sounds spicy. You told me you that you attended Morgan State University. Tell me more about your background.<br />
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CS: My background is in film and television writing. I went to Morgan. I was the only Screen Writing and Animation major to graduate. I also ran cross-country. I created a web series called ‘The Student Body’ about a HBCU. Since I’m back in Annapolis (not for long I hope), I decided to create a new web series called ‘Speaks.’ I interview people around the city and have them talk to me about whatever they would like. I believe that everyone is interesting to some type of degree, and I want the world to know what these everyday people are doing. I also hope to get a few narrative projects off of the ground. I have so many ideas, it’s not even funny.<br />
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GS: In two lines or less, how would you describe your book?<br />
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CS: Fun and whimsical.<br />
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GS: Great answer. Where is the book available?<br />
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CS: It’s available on Amazon, Kindle, and on my website, <a href="http://www.thesmoothhouse.com/">www.thesmoothhouse.com</a>. <br />
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GS: What is your contact information?<br />
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CS: You can find me on Twitter @SIR_ILLUSTRIOUS. You can type in Christian Smooth on Facebook. I’ll pop right up. You can also find Mr. Illustrious on Instagram @smoozus.<br />
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Episodes of the Student Body are available on YouTube. You can find various productions at <a href="http://www.thesmoothhouse.com/">www.thesmoothhouse.com</a>. Christian Smooth will also be working on a semi sequel to Mr. Illustrious, which he hopes to release next fall.<br />
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This excerpt was provided as a complimentary preview of our publication, <a href="http://issuu.com/bloggertime/docs/grovestreet_spring2014s">Grove Street</a>. More entertainment news is waiting for you there. You may also visit us via <a href="http://alexhaley.com/grove_street.htm">http://alexhaley.com/grove_street.htm</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975051473937995868.post-27248827162024137562014-04-07T06:47:00.000-07:002014-04-07T06:54:24.532-07:00Monday Book Club Spotlight shines on The DC Ladies & their online book club. Would you like to join them for a bookish discussion?Melissa Foster's <i>Have No Shame</i> is the April selection of TDCL (The DC Ladies) Book Club. The DC Ladies is a fab collaboration that is led by a mother and daughter. Why did they start their community? <a href="http://www.thedcladies.com/about-the-dc-ladies/">http://www.thedcladies.com/about-the-dc-ladies/</a> Their book club is a recent addition to their website.<br />
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The link below provides more information, if you would like to get acquainted with their book club schedule.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thedcladies.com/2014/04/07/tdcl-book-club-shame-2/">http://www.thedcladies.com/2014/04/07/tdcl-book-club-shame-2/</a><br />
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Have a great day!<br />
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--The Nook<br />
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Are you a new visitor here? Please also stop by <a href="http://issuu.com/bloggertime">issuu.com/bloggertime</a> to read in depth author interviews and news.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975051473937995868.post-63945695527565926082014-04-05T19:27:00.001-07:002014-04-05T19:37:04.040-07:00101 Vagina by Phillip Werner was inspired by the Vagina Monologues. The LA launch of his book is tonight. (Mature discussion.)<br />
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Andrea: What is 101 Vagina about? Please share why the Vagina Monologues inspired your book enough to author this book.<br />
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Phillip: Basically 101 Vagina is simply about breaking down the taboo around vaginas. But it goes further than that to make people feel more comfortable with their bodies and themselves generally.<br />
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When I read the Vagina Monologues I was struck by how debilitating this taboo can be on a personal and societal level. Generally taboos point to some sort of shame. So many people hold shame or discomfort around their bodies and also their genitals. It leads to all sorts of anxiety and had sparked a huge increase in the number of women, and even teenage girls seeking out labiaplasty, even though they have perfectly normal labia.<br />
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Andrea: Is it accurate that you raised $20,000 for this project through crowd funding? If so, why do you think so many people were willing to support the project?<br />
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Phillip: Yes, I did this through the Pozible crowdfunding platform. What I found is that the project really struck a chord with people. It seems that this taboo was/is really ripe for the breaking and people want to support that mission. There was a real enthusiasm among so many different people, they saw it as a good idea and wanted to support the project.<br />
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Andrea: Is labiaplasty common? In your opinion, how does this tie into female body image?<br />
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Phillip: I would not go so far as to say it's common, but it is getting much more common. What seems to have happened in recent years is that a notion has spread that "normal" vaginas don't have inner labia protruding, that "innies" are more common, and more attractive, than "outies" where the inner labia protrude. But actually the opposite is true, and so from this point of view it's all about body image. That people have a distorted images of what's normal or attractive.<br />
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Andrea: How have women reacted to a man photographing a woman's intimate parts?<br />
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Phillip: Most people are fine with it, but there are also some who are quick to judge. "Man taking photos of vaginas" is a very easy target for quick assumptions and judgements. Yes, there are some people who are upset about my gender, but so far I've found that this kind of opposition only comes from people who have actually not engaged with the project at all. On the other hand there have also been many women who are particularly pleased that a man is doing this work, that a man is taking interest in women's issues. So it's a mixed bag, but overwhelmingly people are fine with it.<br />
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Andrea: What is your goal with the book?<br />
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Phillip: My goal is to open people's hearts and minds. It's really that simple. In this case I'm trying to break down the vagina taboo and get people comfortable with it, open them up to being more comfortable with themselves and with bodies in general.<br />
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Andrea: As a German/Australian photographer, have you noticed that some people are more or less capable of looking at the project from an educational point of view, based on the place where they are from? Does anyone mistake it as erotic content instead?<br />
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Phillip: Again, people only mistake it as erotic if they have not taken the time to actually look. Sure, I think some cultures are more open about bodies and sexuality than other, but you can really never tell. A person might be from a very repressive culture but they themselves are very open. Someone else might be from a very open culture but they are very closed. So it's best to try and not make any assumptions about people based on their background. Many of my acquaintances have expresses surprise at their own reaction, expecting themselves to be more open than they actually found themselves to be.<br />
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Andrea: Who is your target audience?<br />
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Phillip: I want this book to reach out to the masses, to change as many minds as possible, even if just a little. I'm not that interested in preaching to the converted, and neither am I out to shock people. The taboos around our bodies and sexuality are changing rapidly, and so I just want to give people another reason to be more accepting of themselves and others. So really, this book is for anyone who's open to it.<br />
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Andrea: Please tell us about how you intend to also support charities through the book.<br />
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Phillip: Because the Vagina Monologues was my initial inspiration, and Eve Ensler started the VDay foundation to work against violence towards women, I also wanted to give back. I have already donated funds from the sale of the book to my friend Atira Tan's charity, The Art 2 Healing Project, which helps victims of sex trafficking in Asia. She does really amazing work and did a TEDx talk recently, very inspiring.<br />
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Andrea: How has the book been received during your first tour stop in LA? Have you received reviews or media coverage?<br />
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Phillip: The opening night is today !!! So we will see :) There will be some media there, but not sure how much or what will come of it. <br />
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Purchase link/website:<br />
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<a href="http://101vagina.com/">http://101vagina.com</a><br />
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Social media information:<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/101vag">https://www.facebook.com/101vag</a><br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/101vagina">https://twitter.com/101vagina</a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975051473937995868.post-85263251735623170952014-04-04T08:22:00.000-07:002014-04-04T08:22:02.059-07:00Gerald Freeman's Kill Daddy book interview. Today is international Friday!<br />
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<i>Gerald Freeman writes memoirs and adventure books. He is English, living in Portugal. Enjoy his interview about Kill Daddy.</i></div>
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Andrea: What inspired the book's plot and title?<br />
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Gerry: After living and travelling in Kenya and Uganda, I returned to Portugal, intent on helping all the people I had just spent the last two years of my life with. There were so many things I wanted to do, but as time went on, I realized I was accomplishing very little. People would ask me all the time what Africa was like, and unless they had a few hours to spare, I was only capable of giving inadequIate responses, which I felt did a disservice to the people I had met. I became ill with Hepatitis C, which I was fortunately cured of. However, I spent a year not leaving the house, and it was during this time, I decided to write my story about Africa. Halfway through the book, I realized I was being too selective with the storyline, and that some things didn’t make sense unless I was completely honest, and wrote about why I had disappeared to East Africa in the first place: To escape memories from the past that had reared their ugly heads again, in attempt not to let them break me down. The title came to me and fitted. It is not meant to express an evil intention, it’s jaunty and symbolic.<br />
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Andrea: Have readers been surprised by the setting, since the title is <i>Kill Daddy</i>?<br />
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Gerry: A few have said they were pleasantly surprised to end up in Africa, and quite a few have mentioned in their reviews that they feel like they really experience Africa, and feel as if they are there: this has made me most proud.<br />
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Andrea: Can you give us a brief overview of the book? What's it about?<br />
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Gerry: It’s about a young man who flees his home when demons from an abusive childhood come to haunt him again. Rather than succumb to them, he decides to run away to Africa in search of adventure and a way to put the past behind him forever. He finds more love and friendship in some of the poorest parts of the world, than he ever experienced back home, and his priorities change. He is no longer running to save himself, but instead walking headlong into an adventure that will change his outlook on life and human beings forever. Will Africa be enough to save him from his past, or will his demons devour him?<br />
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Andrea: Who is your target audience? What would you hope that readers take away from it?<br />
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Gerry: I believe my story is for a wide range of readers because it is about something we all have in common: Life. Ideally, I would like to think that my story will be able to inspire other people suffering from the effects of child abuse and domestic violence, to go out and fight for a life they deserve, instead of accepting the one they feel they are doomed to. The story can also be informative to others and help create a better understanding of what abuse can do to a person, and how the healing process is dealt with in different ways, and comes in many forms. For many of us, our past is something we live with, and unfortunately not something we forget and move on from.<br />
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Andrea: Has writing this book taught you anything about yourself?<br />
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Gerry: I have realized the value of all of our life stories. Sharing our experiences with each other promotes understanding and empathy, we can all learn from each other’s experiences. I have realized that although things don’t always get done in the time you want them to, they do eventually get done.<br />
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Andrea: What's next for you as an author? Is there a sequel planned?<br />
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Gerry: Yes, of course. I am not stopping there. My next book is almost finished and due to come out at the end of this year. It is called <i>I Don’t Believe God Wrote The Bible</i>, and is the prequel to <i>Kill Daddy,</i> or at least it is about a journey I made before Africa. I left England at the age of twenty, also running from my past, and went hitching around Europe with a girlfriend. We experienced wild and crazy adventures and learned valuable life lessons about people, which were extremely important in making me the kind of man I am today. It is a story of growing up and realizing that much of what you search for is already there. It’s a crazy read, full of wacky situations and people.<br />
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Andrea: How can readers connect with you online?<br />
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Gerry: I have an official <i>Kill Daddy</i> Facebook page, a blog and a website, and I love to hear from readers and other people with similar ideas and interests. Thanks for having me, and I hope people enjoy my stories.<br />
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Andrea: You're welcome. It was a pleasure learning about your book.<br />
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Gerry's contact links:<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kill-Daddy/443631555746921">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kill-Daddy/443631555746921</a><br />
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<a href="http://geraldfreeman.blogspot.pt/">http://geraldfreeman.blogspot.pt/</a><br />
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<a href="http://gerryaldridgedesign.dinstudio.se/">http://gerryaldridgedesign.dinstudio.se/</a><br />
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Purchase links:<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1920082264">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQQBV2O/</a><br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1920082264"><br /></a>
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kill-daddy-gerald-freeman/1118325855?ean=2940045590365">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kill-daddy-gerald-freeman/1118325855?ean=2940045590365</a><br />
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<a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Gerald_Freeman_Kill_Daddy?id=nrQfAwAAQBAJ">https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Gerald_Freeman_Kill_Daddy?id=nrQfAwAAQBAJ</a><br />
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/kill-daddy/id805914726?mt=11">https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/kill-daddy/id805914726?mt=11</a><br />
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<i>Kill Daddy</i> is also available via Kobo and many other retailers.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975051473937995868.post-38210789997091016762014-04-02T04:45:00.001-07:002014-04-02T04:49:56.255-07:00Today's surprise Twitter spotlight is 'A Daughter's Hero' (A Tribute to a Veteran of Vietnam) by Julie Weber-Torres. This book sheds light on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>I applaud Julie K. Weber-Torres for taking a step to help others understand PTSD, and how war impacts families, so I decided to share information about this book with you today. Our parents who served often endured all sorts of life changing experiences. </i></blockquote>
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<i> Enjoy, bookworms.</i></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHWL4gKQut4XMxX5ZVtHziphFc0dDMVkCOvk6CKVhocMypPF76YijJVdbk9NIIa1m0U6YNW05CGn6k1sXWdP9ZngfgnBqs6fVtQWB3v4nzXouCxHW-qJso7YTQFUSWykro3A-7yuRfQg/s1600/71YDEeIsZJL._SY600_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHWL4gKQut4XMxX5ZVtHziphFc0dDMVkCOvk6CKVhocMypPF76YijJVdbk9NIIa1m0U6YNW05CGn6k1sXWdP9ZngfgnBqs6fVtQWB3v4nzXouCxHW-qJso7YTQFUSWykro3A-7yuRfQg/s1600/71YDEeIsZJL._SY600_.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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Amazon Description:<br />
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"A Daughter's Hero is a tribute to a veteran of the Vietnam War. The veteran in the story is about the authors father- Julius “Jerry” D. Weber - her hero. Following his untimely death, she was inspired to research his Vietnam War experience to create understanding about his life and struggles with PTSD, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and alcoholism. He completed two tours in Vietnam with the U.S. Army from 1968 – 1970 as a Light Equipment Engineer with the 557th Engineer Company. His two year involvement would forever change his life. After a few years of researching his daughter was able to put many pieces of his life together to create a genuine story that shares her father’s selfless dedication to our country and about his struggle transitioning back into civilian life, while fighting the demons that assailed him returning home. The war would take thirty-five years to end his life, but his daughter is not willing to forget his sacrifice. She is committed to raising awareness about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder by sharing the challenges her father faced when he returned home from war. She provides intimate heartbreaking details about the devastating effects of war and the negative impact it had on her family. The book was written with love and honor and shares the unconditional love and compassion between a daughter and her father. She never gave up trying to save her father from the inevitable. She tells this story in hopes to aid others dealing with similar issues and to create understanding about those suffering with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder."<br />
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Follow @jkaytorres on Twitter.<br />
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Website:<br />
<a href="http://www.adaughtershero.com/">http://www.adaughtershero.com/</a><br />
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Amazon purchase link:<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/1490514996/s=sd/ref=mw_dp_cr">http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/1490514996/s=sd/ref=mw_dp_cr</a><br />
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Connect with me on Twitter, too. @AndreaBlackstonAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975051473937995868.post-39964340022985333622014-03-29T10:00:00.000-07:002014-03-30T08:27:51.082-07:00Today's suspense spotlight shines on John R. Dizon. An author interview about Tiara.<a href="http://%20http//www.facebook.com/johnreinharddizonUSA"></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/johnreinharddizonUSA"></a><b></b><b></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hELQMBvFMOKrBEOSaTgOsX8uyHHzyTXj_UKjaFtk5ClNAClto-uyhOHJrGm1vGi_TSB-QKrXe7mxzzyl-UtLR5eIEn6eocyDTA6T88ZMU-zXMWkBV4bl8vPGNJaOSuQfMtoIZW-2SX0/s1600/l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hELQMBvFMOKrBEOSaTgOsX8uyHHzyTXj_UKjaFtk5ClNAClto-uyhOHJrGm1vGi_TSB-QKrXe7mxzzyl-UtLR5eIEn6eocyDTA6T88ZMU-zXMWkBV4bl8vPGNJaOSuQfMtoIZW-2SX0/s320/l.jpg" /></a></div>
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John Reinhard Dizon<br />
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Andrea: I read that you have been writing suspense and thriller works for over twenty-five years. Why did a sixth grader in Brooklyn, NY decide to write his first novel?<br />
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John: I was absolutely fascinated by Ian Fleming's James Bond, as was the rest of the world back in the day. Enemy Ace was a Bond knockoff, but the protagonist, Fritz Hammer, is featured in Tiara and my work-in-progress, Rituals. Some ideas never die.<br />
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Andrea: How many books have you published? Are they all in the same genre?<br />
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John: Actually I enjoy the challenge of expanding into new genres just because I can. My novel Stxeamtown is the best example. I knew nothing about steampunk, but decided I'd give it a shot. It's been getting five-star reviews on Amazon thus far.<br />
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Andrea: What tip would you give an aspiring author about overcoming the fear to start and finish a first novel?<br />
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John: Writing a book should be like a virus. The only way to overcome it is to get it out of their system. If they don't have that bug that they can't shake, then they don't have the necessary drive and should just set the work aside until that overwhelming urge sets in. There's too much half-hearted effort out there these days. An aspiring writer shouldn't quench his spirit by contributing to it.<br />
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Andrea: What makes your writing style unique?<br />
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John: Imposing backdrop, dynamic characters, snappy dialogue and a powerful climax. Without these four elements there is no JRD novel. I can't get started without it.<br />
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Andrea: Could you please give a brief description of Tiara?<br />
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John: It's about Princess Jennifer of Edinburgh, a beautiful widow dedicating her life to humanitarian causes. In pursuing peace in Northern Ireland in 1998, she runs afoul of Loyalist militants who fear it will lead to Ulster seceding from the UK. She is kidnapped and the blame is placed on Republican militants, who accept an offer from the World's Most Wanted Man to rescue her. Berlin Mansfield has a fixation on her, and when he finally meets her it's like Beauty and the Beast. It ends as a touching love story against impossible odds.<br />
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Andrea: What research, if any, did you conduct to write this book?<br />
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John:I started this a quarter-century ago, and it culminated after years of study on a previous IRA novel, Bloody Sunday (which is still in the attic). There are so many activist groups in Ulster that the challenge was in making them distinguishable from one another lest the reader drowns in alphabet soup (IRA, UDA, SAS, RUC, UDR, et cetera).<br />
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Andrea: In three lines or less, please tell readers why you regard Tiara as a page-turner.<br />
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John: First and foremost, the love affair between Jennifer and Berlin is one for the ages. Second, the Princess Search is an action-packed hit-and-run affair pitting the SAS vs. the Mansfield Gang and the IRA vs. the UDA. Third, the cast of characters is an array of dauntless heroes, dastardly villains and charming maidens that you'll never forget.<br />
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Andrea: What's next for John Reinhard Dizon ?<br />
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John: Transplant , a horror/suspense thriller, is being released by Assent Publishing in May, and my publisher Les Denton has been so supportive that I've got a feeling this may be the breakout novel. I've also got Both Sides Now, a romantic comedy about pro wrestling with ETreasures Publishing, and Generations, a family saga with Solstice Publishing. As always, I've got a little something for everybody!<br />
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Andrea: How can readers keep up with you online?<br />
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John: I spend most of my time at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/johnreinharddizonUSA">http://www.facebook.com/johnreinharddizonUSA</a><br />
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Visit <a href="http://www.amazon.com/John-ReinhardDizon/e/B00DU9JNUQ/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1%C2%A0"><span id="goog_688312805"></span>http://www.amazon.com/John-ReinhardDizon/e/B00DU9JNUQ/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1 <span id="goog_688312806"></span></a>to purchase Tiara.<br />
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<b>About the Author</b><br />
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John Reinhard Dizon was born and raised in the Cobble Hill section of Brooklyn, NY. He participated in local and high school sports at Bishop Loughlin MHS, and was a key figure on the Brooklyn rock scene during the Punk Revolution of the 70's. Relocating to San Antonio TX in the 80's, he moonlighted as a pro wrestler before pursuing a BA at UTSA and degrees in Korean martial arts during the 90's. He currently lives in KC MO where he is studying for his MA in English at UMKC. Mr. Dizon has been studying and writing about American and European society and culture for over twenty-five years.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975051473937995868.post-56828325619284350442014-03-28T03:22:00.001-07:002014-03-28T06:58:31.279-07:00Author Merry Farmer stopped by with a message & a contest to enter. Romance is in the air! Springtime of Love
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It's spring! At last! After the worse winter in my area that I can remember in my entire lifetime! At last the weather is warming up, the birds are singing, and the world is turning green again. I can't wait to see the flowers bloom again and bugs start buzzing around. Okay, maybe I can wait for that. I also can't wait to see the blossoming of love that always seems to happen in the spring. I have a feeling it will be epic this year.
Have you ever noticed how so many more people seem to fall in love in the spring than during any other season? I think it must have something to do with people as well as plants feeling the return of the sun and the flow of life through them again. It makes perfect sense to me, considering how in ancient times spring was for celebrating fertility and reproduction. It wasn't just the fields that were being plowed and sewn with seeds in the spring. In fact, in a lot of ancient cultures, couples would go out into the fields after the seeds were sewn to both bless the potential crops and, of course, themselves by making love. Now why is it that we've abandoned that practice?
Actually, I don't think it's been abandoned at all. In fact, the coming of spring has always reminded me of young couples trying to get away with a little something-something by the light of the balmy moon.
Growing up, we lived across the street from a small public park and around the corner from a high school. That high school was also a boarding school, and even though the boys and girls lived in separate dorms on opposite sides of the campus, they were allowed to go out for walks with each other. Three guesses where they used to go. The park across the street was the perfect destination for high school kids who wanted to be alone.
Granted, this was a different time and the kids that I knew back then were a lot more innocent than kids seem to be these days. So before you start assuming that I heard all sorts of things I shouldn't through the open window of my bedroom (which faced the park), think again. What I heard the most of was earnest teenage boys with guitars singing badly, and some not so badly, to the object of their desire. It didn't matter how out of tune the guitar was or how few chords the boy in question knew how to play, I always wished that I was whatever girl was down there being serenaded.
Yep, springtime reminds me of young love and bad singing. There's something about feeling those first warm evenings that makes any heart, even the heart of a grubby teenage boy, burst with song. You can't keep the love inside when spring comes calling. I was never very good in the real world of romance, but when the weather turned warmer, that's when I would scour the used book store for romance novels. Then I would sit on my bed with the windows open, breathing in that fresh, clean spring air and listening to the sweet sounds of innocent love…while reading decidedly less innocent books.
But that's what spring is all about. It's about awakening. It's about loosening from the coldness of winter and embracing the new warmth. I loved reading those romance novels as much as I loved listening to young couples singing in the park. I think that's why I write romance now and why I find myself humming silly little love songs as the weather gets warmer.<br />
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Merry
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<em>In Your Arms </em>is the third full-length novel in Merry Farmer's sweeping, engaging, and extremely historically accurate <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Merry-Farmer/e/B006RATLFC/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" target="_blank">Montana Romance</a> series. Never one to shy away from difficult or controversial topics while still imbuing her tales with more than a dash of romance and steam, Merry depicts a tale of love, trust, and stubborness against the backdrop of the turn-of-the-century American frontier.
<em>"[In Your Arms is] a book that intelligently tackles racial tensions of post-Civil War era...a highly engaging romance between two fiery-spirited individuals...I highly recommend this book to all fans of historical romance."</em> <strong><em>--Mary Chen, Amazon reviewer</em></strong>
<strong>Get <em>In Your Arms</em> on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GP1A24C" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00GP1A24C" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a>, <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/371399" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-your-arms-merry-farmer/1117299005?ean=2940149082186" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, and <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/in-your-arms/id735503166?mt=11" target="_blank">iBooks</a>.</strong>
<strong><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18809702-in-your-arms" target="_blank">Add <em>In Your Arms</em> to your Goodreads to-read shelf</a>!</strong>
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<h1>
About <em>In Your Arms</em></h1>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18809702-in-your-arms"><img alt="In Your Arms Merry Farmer" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-612" src="http://badassmktg.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/in-your-arms-e-book-draft-b.jpg?w=225" height="300" width="225" /></a>Lily Singer has never belonged. Taken from her tribe as a child and raised in a white man’s school, she no longer has a place in either world. Teaching has become her life. When that life is threatened by rumors and prejudice after a string of robberies, she must turn for help to the one man who spells disaster for her carefully ordered existence. Will he save her or steal her heart?
Christian Avery, Justice of the Peace, is used to having things his way. Cold Springs is his responsibility, and when its citizens blame the local Indian population for the mysterious robberies, it’s up to him to restore order and maintain calm. The one person who refuses to follow his lead is the beautiful, native-born Lily. Her defiance turns his life upside down.
But when town gossip shifts from robberies to romance after a foolish indiscretion, Lily’s job and reputation are on the line. She must choose between the only life she has ever known and the only place she has ever felt at home, in Christian’s arms.
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<h1>
About Merry Farmer</h1>
<a href="http://www.merryfarmer.net/"><img alt="Merry Farmer" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-613" src="http://badassmktg.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/best-headshot.jpg?w=300" height="198" width="300" /></a>
Merry Farmer lives in suburban Philadelphia with her two cats, Butterfly and Torpedo. She has been writing since she was ten years old and realized one day that she didn't have to wait for the teacher to assign a creative writing project to write something. It was the best day of her life. She then went on to earn not one but two degrees in History so that she would always having something to write about. Today she walks along the cutting edge of Indie Publishing, writing Historical Romance and Women's Sci-Fi. She is also passionate about blogging, knitting, and cricket and is working towards becoming an internationally certified cricket scorer.
<strong style="font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.714285714;">Find Merry Farmer on her <a href="http://merryfarmer.net/" target="_blank">website</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/merryfarmerauthor" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/merryfarmer20" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Merry-Farmer/e/B006RATLFC/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1366067537&sr=8-2-ent" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a>.</strong>
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<h1>
Get the book!</h1>
<i>In Your Arms </i>is available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GP1A24C" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00GP1A24C" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a>, <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/371399" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-your-arms-merry-farmer/1117299005?ean=2940149082186" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, and <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/in-your-arms/id735503166?mt=11" target="_blank">iBooks</a>.
Don't forget to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18809702-in-your-arms" target="_blank">add <em>In Your Arms</em></a><em> </em>to your to-read shelf on Goodreads.
Connect with Merry Farmer on her <a href="http://merryfarmer.net/" target="_blank">website</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/merryfarmerauthor" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/merryfarmer20" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Merry-Farmer/e/B006RATLFC/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1366067537&sr=8-2-ent" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a>.
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975051473937995868.post-13261733380283189322014-03-19T03:22:00.002-07:002014-03-20T12:55:45.867-07:00Book review of Universe 101: Learn Grow Evolve by Monica Ortiz.<br />
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<i>Universe 101: Learn Grow Evolve</i> challenges each reader to learn through brief stories that the author recounts. Monica Ortiz cites numerous examples of how she utilizes her spirtiual expertise through encountering other individuals. Lessons can be easily garnered through analyzing how others dealt with their human frailties, unhappiness, confusion or relationships. The manner in which Ms. Ortiz exposes her past wounds to evolve herself adds depth to the teaching element of this book. The teacher is willing to learn. Thus, the author's refreshing honesty strengthens the power of her words. This prevents a boring or preachy feel, which can be evident in some self-help books.<br />
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Each chapter is digestible and poses relevant questions that can serve as a foundation of a private assessment. I highly recommend this quick read for those who seek to understand their place in the world, how they can pay homage their role in it, and/or how to determine which areas need improvement. My primary caution is that some concepts in the book will resonate most with readers who do not have rigid religious beliefs. With that said, this book would make an excellent series, which is most likely in the works.<br />
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I enjoyed Ortiz's first book and look forward to more to come. After tweaking a few writing elements, Monica Ortiz's work as a self help leader could shine more brightly. I predict that her literary career will blossom as she helps others along the way. Well done. <br />
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Note: Click <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1478717076">here</a> to find this book on Amazon.<br />
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About the Author</div>
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"Monica Ortiz is author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1478717076/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?pc_redir=1395253303">Universe 101: Learn Grow Evolve</a>. She founded <a href="http://www.theuniverseseries.com/">The Universe Series</a> has given lectures and assisted thousands of people with their healing path, speaking at venues such as Stanford University and CenterSF in San Francisco, California. From healing the body, spirit, and mind, she has helped many people turn their lives around or help them move forward for better health, advancement in their careers, forming successful relationships, and myriad of other matters.<br />
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Monica is dedicated to helping people achieve better things in all facets of their lives, ranging from career to relationships to health. Through the work she has been doing, Monica created the <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/universe202">Universe 101: Learn Grow Evolve path</a> and has guided people plagued with multiple problems down their healing path. The Learn, Grow, Evolve path enables people to learn from their past, grow from their life lessons into a more realized individual and evolve into the happiest, healthiest, most successful life meant for them.<br />
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Monica is currently working on <a href="http://www.gofundme.com/universe202">Universe 202: The Process - Mind Body Spirit </a>which she hopes will revolutionize the self-help industry and teach people how to address their issues and work past them in a successful and healthy manner."<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975051473937995868.post-40445898668192959812014-03-13T09:08:00.001-07:002014-03-13T09:39:42.229-07:00Victoria Christopher Murray and ReShonda Tate Billingsley's tour stop in Bowie, Maryland. News about Fortune & Fame.<br />
On Tuesday, March 4, 2014, Victoria Christopher Murray and ReShonda Tate Billingsley discussed their writing careers with fans of their bestselling novels. The collaborative authors also read excerpts from <i>Fortune & Fame</i>, and signed copies. Their latest work was published by Touchstone, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. The novel reunites two fan-favorite heroines as drama unfolds on reality TV. Jasmine Cox Larson Bush and Rachael Jackson Adams are described as characters who are opposites. Ironically, the bestselling novelists are in some ways, too. Billingsley and Murray often share their humorous take on life from a country girl and city girl's perspective.<br />
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Friends and bestselling novelists, </div>
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Reshonda Tate Billingsley and Victoria Christopher Murray</div>
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Billingsley worked as a reporter for The National Enquirer and as an anchor. During her library visit, she discussed her previous employment with The Enquirer. Despite making a hefty salary at the age of 21, she concluded, "I got to a point where I knew I had a calling."<br />
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The successful author remarked that she self-published "My Brother's Keeper" and built a buzz. In 1999, she "couldn't get a book deal for anything."<br />
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After landing an agent, her work was rereleased. Today, Billingsley has 31 books to her credit.<br />
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Murray, who also creates identifiable characters, shared that she has been friends with Billingsley for a very long time. Both authors inspired chuckles, comments and questions from attendees, after reading snippets of antics that unfold in <i>Fortune & Fame.</i><br />
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"Combining two of our best characters was really a natural fit. If ever there was a writing soul mate, she would be mine."<br />
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Victoria Christopher Murray's <i>Ex Files</i> has been optioned by Malik Yoba. Reshonda Tate Billingsley's novel, <i>Let The Church Say Amen</i>, has already been filmed. Regina King made her directorial debut through the project.<br />
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Purchase <i>Fortune & Fame </i>at your local book store or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1476747172">click here.</a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975051473937995868.post-52498446606128343472014-02-07T12:25:00.000-08:002014-02-07T13:24:59.234-08:00Ebony Canion was left for dead. Her new book offers hope to overcome adversity. Read her interview.<i> Ebony Canion's book, Left For Dead, is a new book release. The Ohio based author stopped by the Nook to share a behind the scenes look about her true story of survival. </i><br />
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Andrea: Welcome, Ebony. Can you please share a little bit of background about your story, and why you shared it publicly online?<br />
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Ebony: I am a 36 year old widow from Cleveland, Ohio and mother of four beautiful children with quite a story to tell! I'm a Survivor of many things such as rape, molestation, domestic violence, losing my husband at a young age, and most recently my "Survival Story." On June 30th 2012, I was with family enjoying my birthday weekend, only to return my sister's home and find trouble waiting on us. Once arriving there around 2 A.M. we noticed a car with 5 females in my sister's driveway. They were asked to leave but they refused to leave the driveway. This resulted in an altercation that I was trying to prevent by being the peace maker, but during this attempt I was struck by one of the females, which resulted in me defending myself and my family helping. There were 4 of us and 5 females. After the altercation was broken up, these 5 females got into their car, which they finally removed out of the driveway before the altercation, only to back into a driveway across the street. The driver hit me head on, dragging my body that was folded in half up under their car for almost 200 feet, as my family chased the barely moving car. They fled the scene after my body was released. The only reason my lifeless body was released from up under the car is because they turned a corner!<br />
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I was in the hospital for 4 months, spending 2 of them in an induced coma. I suffered multiple injuries including a broken leg and pelvis, dislocated spine (which all have rods and screws in them) a fractured shoulder and jaw, 7 broken ribs, a collapsed lung, my entire back had road burn and needed a skin graph, missing teeth, I nearly bit my tongue off, and the lower left side of my face was peeled up and of course both had to be sewn back on. I also had a small amount of blood on my brain, a hole on my right side that my doctor described as "the size of a shark bite," and scars from head to toe.<br />
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I wasn't expected to live and if I did I was expected to possibly be a vegetable, or maybe even paralyzed. But it's now almost 2 years later and I'm here today by the Grace of God to tell my story! I had to learn to do everything again. I am still learning to walk again, but I will be walking real soon trust me! LOL! I still can't feel my feet fully but feeling is coming back slowly but surely. I'm walking with the assistance of a cane, but that will soon be going in the trash. I know this because I have faith in a God that has the final say so on everything! That is the reason I decided to share my story. I wanted the world to see what God had done in my life, and I knew that doing that would help so many people who had lost hope in all types of situations. Therefore, I created my social media pages, never expecting it to reach as many people as it has, but I'm grateful that it has touched so many people.<br />
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Andrea: What sparked the idea to write a book?<br />
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Ebony: I've always been the type of person to help other people. I knew that my story could help somebody, simply because I've been through so many things and I'm still standing. I decided that writing a book would be the perfect way to help people. I could tell my story and inspire and uplift people all at the same time...and that works for me!<br />
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Andrea: Having 30,000 Instagram followers tells us that you're connecting with people authentically. You created<br />
<a href="http://thesurvivalstory.org/">http://thesurvivalstory.org</a> and started your t-shirt line, too. What would you tell anyone about starting over in life after experiencing great difficulty?<br />
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Ebony: Well I actually started my page to first give God the Glory and honor he deserves for giving me a second chance at life, and I knew that all else would follow after that. When I speak of all else I'm referring to him sending someone my way who may have needed to read my post that particular day. Some of those people have had to start over after experiencing great difficulties in life. I would tell those people to trust in God in all that he takes from your life and all that he replaces in your life. Every single thing happens for a reason and you have to take from those situations and get strength from them, not let them weaken you! And you absolutely can't give up no matter what!<br />
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Andrea: You were a widow raising 4 children at the time of your attack. Do you have any thoughts about violence in our society, and what may need to happen as we continue to address it?<br />
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Ebony: The violence in our society has been a problem and will continue to be a problem, until we unite and take a stand against it! There has to be stiffer punishments. If criminals continue to get a smack on the wrist for the crimes they commit, then they won't be afraid to be a repeat offender. People tend to do things not thinking of the consequences of their actions nor the affect they're going to have on the lives of other people. And I believe if stiffer punishments are handed down this will give people a reason to think before they act.<br />
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Andrea: In addition to surviving a brutal attack, you earned your GED in your 20's and became a college student in your 30's. How will you book speak to dealing with hardship and adversity? Would you consider it to be motivational or autobiographical?<br />
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Ebony: Because I've been through so many different situations and I've overcome so much adversity and hardship, I speak on dealing with it throughout the book. We can't control what happens to us, but we can control how we deal with it. I'm a firm believer in that, and I show that in my book as well as speak on it, which is why I would have to say that my book is actually a combination of both. It's a motivational autobiography. LOL!<br />
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Andrea: Please share two missions of your nonprofit?<br />
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Ebony: The mission of my nonprofit organization is to share our stories in hopes to empower and uplift not only Survivors but regular people who may want to give up! Because I have survived so many different ordeals, there are so many different types of people that I can help. I would like to open centers around the country that gives Survivors a place to go and just vent and have support from others who have been through similar situations. Also, when I came home from the hospital, there was no help for me financially. Therefore, I would like to be that help that survivors need after coming home to a life altering situation.<br />
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Andrea: When and where can your book be purchased?<br />
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Ebony: My book "Left For Dead" is now available on Kindle, Nook & Amazon and will be available on iBook and in all major bookstores the week of Feb. 10th, 2014.<br />
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Andrea: Please share the best way to keep up with you online.<br />
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Ebony:<br />
Instagram/Twitter: @survival_story<br />
Facebook Fan Page: Survival Story<br />
Survival Story Tees: <a href="http://www.survivalstorytees.bigcartel.com/">www.survivalstorytees.bigcartel.com</a><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975051473937995868.post-38159203280837266782014-02-04T06:30:00.002-08:002014-02-04T07:00:48.196-08:00Brown Girls Publishing launched by veteran authors, Victoria Christopher Murray & Reshonda-Tate Billingsley<br />
<i>Good morning. Today's coffee talk will be of interest to readers and writers. Enjoy.</i><br />
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A highly successful writing duo--Victoria Christopher Murray and Reshonda Tate-Billingsley--recently announced the launch of <a href="http://browngirlspublishing.com/">http://browngirlspublishing.com</a>. The new publishing company will offer digital content and POD books. A selection of reads from their online catolog were also listed as 'Coming Soon.' Don't fret. Plenty of literary eye candy is currently available for fans of African-American literature. Published reads are already climbing toward the top of Amazon lists. A few screenshots of titles are below.<br />
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Brown Girls Publishing (BGP) is willing to give unagented writers a chance, so give them an extra hand clap for that. Other veteran authors and newcomers are already in the mix. Both Murray and Billingsley have large followings on social media and in-person. The website states that selected titles will be edited by the duo. I predict that their fan base will enjoy this new twist of flavor, and they will gain new followers, too. Additionally, these businesswomen were wise enough to join forces with other talented people, building a winning team of established literary professionals. I also expect Brown Girls Publishing to become a game changer, as claimed.<br />
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If you would like to submit your finished manuscript to BGP, review submission guidelines that are listed on the website. BGP will not be accepting poetry or erotica. However, an array of other considered genres are mentioned. Before trying your luck, please keep BGP's message in mind:<br />
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"Focusing on quality, not quantity, BGP is committed to publishing only the best. Presented under the Victoria Christopher Murray and ReShonda Tate Billingsley banner, each title is hand-selected by a manuscript selection committee, including industry professionals like Carol Mackey, then edited by Victoria or ReShonda. Readers of a BGP title will know they’re getting a quality story."<br />
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If you have somehow not crossed paths with Rashonda or Victoria, here are some snippets about the founders. <a href="http://browngirlspublishing.com/about-us/">Click here.</a><br />
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The last time I saw Victoria, I caught her off guard while promoting <i>Never Say Never</i>. She was also interviewed in our ezine and offered excellent writing advice last August. If you want to read it, find issue 11 via <a href="http://www.issuu.com/bloggertime">Grove Street.</a> Connect with Brown Girls Publishing on Facebook <a href="http://m.facebook.com/BrownGirlsPublishing?id=657867920921386&_rdr">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/BG_Publishing">Twitter.</a> Congratulations, BGP!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975051473937995868.post-23160272633445361642014-01-24T05:53:00.000-08:002014-01-24T05:53:58.525-08:00Adam Henig announces the release of 'Alex Haley's Roots: An Author's Odyssey.'<br />
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AUTHOR NAME: Adam Henig</div>
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TITLE: Alex Haley's Roots: An Author's Odyssey</div>
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RELEASE DATE: Tuesday, January 14, 2014</div>
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IS THIS YOUR FIRST PUBLISHED WORK? : Yes</div>
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BACKGROUND: Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Adam Henig attended California State University, Chico, majoring in political science with an emphasis in cultural and international studies. After graduation, he pursued his interest in African American history and literature. In addition to his upcoming publication, Alex Haley's Roots: An Author's Odyssey, a book reviewer, Adam's writings have appeared in theSan Francisco Book Review, Tulsa Book Review and Blogcritics.<br />
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SYNOPSIS: In 1977, when the New York Times declared that the television mini-series Roots was the “most significant civil rights event since the Selma-to-Montgomery march of 1965,” its author, Alex Haley, became America’s newest “folk hero. ” His book was on the Times' Best Seller's list for months, and won the Pulitzer Prize. His story had captivated a nation and then the world. From Idaho to Israel, it seemed everyone was caught-up in “Rootsmania.” Alex Haley was on his way to becoming the most successful author in the history of publishing. That's when his troubles began.<br />
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Within a decade and a half following the publication of Roots, Haley managed to alienate most of his fellow writers and at the same time squander most of his wealth. When he died at the age of 70, his estate was auctioned off and his iconic book went out of print. What happened? Based on interviews of Haley's contemporaries, personal correspondence, legal documents, newspaper accounts, Adam Henig investigates the unraveling of one of America’s most successful yet enigmatic authors.<br />
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The Nook: What inspired you to write a book about this particular person?<br />
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Adam: My interest in Haley begun when I watched a few clips of Roots in my eighth grade history class. The mini-series, like for so many others, was my introduction to the cruelty of slavery and its inhumane treatment. Roots also sparked a lifelong interest in African American history and culture. <br />
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About five years ago, I was watching Roots on television and ended up sitting through the entire twelve-hour series, from start to finish. Afterwards, I wanted to know what had happened to Haley. So, I did what most do and turned to Google and Wikipedia.<br />
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I was astonished to discover that there had not ever been a biography published about the well-known author. In our celebrity obsessed society, I had assumed that everyone who had ever made an appearance on television, let alone write a mega best seller, had a biography. Apparently, that was not the case with Haley.<br />
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Having always wanted to be a writer, but not having found a subject that I wanted to spend time on, I began digging and never stopped.<br />
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The Nook: From what I read about you and your project, the eBook length is 52 pages and 15,000 words. I also read that you are pro micro-publishing. Please explain what this is and how it may be different from digital or self-publishing eBooks.<br />
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Adam: As reading devices have evolved, from the bound book to the eReader and tablets, so have our reading styles.<br />
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Digital publishers such as Amazon and Byliner have taken the lead in recognizing that readers are still interested in reading books, but, in many cases, prefer doing so in shorter spurts of time. Instead of reading an 800-page biography about someone's entire life, for example, you can now read about a specific event in that individual's life in a much shorter timespan. Hence, the creation of Amazon's Kindle Singles/Apple's Quick Reads, which is a collection of shortened ebooks (priced between $.99 and $4.99) that range in length from 5,000-30,000 words or 30-80 pages.<br />
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And since the manuscript is shorter, micropublishing allows writers over time to publish more eBooks on a variety of subjects--as opposed to spending years on a single subject. Also, micropublishing is almost always digitally-based, but can be published by either the author or a publisher.<br />
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The Nook: Since you explored this subject in 15,000 words, could you share how long your writing and publishing process took? Does your book focus on a particular book or period of time in Alex Haley's writing career?<br />
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Adam: Once I completed the research, which took about three and half years, I spent the next two years writing the manuscript and preparing it for publication. Having not published a book, I greatly underestimated how long the process would take. The writing involved many, many rewrites. When I was comfortable with the finished product, then the real work began--how do I publish it?<br />
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In the digital age, thanks largely to Amazon, the traditional methods of finding agents and publishers, in hopes of having a book on the shelves of bookstores across the country, is no longer a necessity. Even the vanity houses have lost their relevancy.<br />
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Regardless, self publishing remains a daunting task. My biggest fear was that I'd spend an enormous amount of time and money only to have no one read or buy a copy of my book!<br />
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Ever the researcher, from books and articles to blogs and Twitter feeds, I spent time sifting through as much material as I could, figuring out what worked best for me, especially since most self publishers write fiction. The majority that write nonfiction are in different genres such as "How-to," cookbooks, "Self-help," business, or memoir. This made it even harder since there was not much of a precedent. <br />
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In the end, I created a marketing plan that was continuously (and to this day) being revised. I rejoined social media (twitter.com/adamhenig), created a website (www.adamhenig.com), and reached out to as many reviewers and news outlets as possible.<br />
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As for the focus of my eBook, since it is only 15,500 words, it was impossible to capture Haley's entire life. Thus, I wanted to focus on the initial question when I began this endeavor--what happened to Alex Haley after Roots? He went from being the most popular writer on the planet to literal obscurity over the course of a few years.<br />
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The Nook: You describe your work as "not the traditional life and times hard copy biography." Please explain why you described it this way, and if you learned anything particular about writing in this genre.<br />
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Adam: Orginally, I was planning to write a full-length biography, which usually ranges from 350 to 800 pages. Due to time constraints and a limited budget, it was unrealistic. Typically, a biography covers the "cradle to the grave" story. In Alex Haley's Roots, my focus is a particular time period, from the moment the Roots mini-series aired on television in 1977 to his death fifteen years later and the demise of his legacy.<br />
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Writing, like anything else, takes patience. Writing biography also requires lots and lots of research, so be prepared that it's going to take longer than you think.<br />
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The Nook: The synopsis of the book partially states that Alex Haley squandered his wealth and alienated his fellow writers. What surprising facts do you feel that you learned about the publishing business and Alex Haley as a person?<br />
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Adam: Truthfully, the publishing business operates like any other business and maybe that was the surprise. Their focus is to make money. With that in mind, once a publishing house gets behind a product (i.e. Roots), the company will push it until it runs out of steam and then move onto something else.<br />
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As for Haley, I was disappointed how ill-equipped he was to handle his newfound fortune (he was 55 years-old when Roots was published), his self-imposed alienation from his family and his inability to bounce back after Roots. He seemed to have given up and rode out his fame to the very end as opposed to taking on (and completing) a new project. He left so many stories unfinished when he died.<br />
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I do admire the adversity Haley overcame as an African American magazine writer working in a white-dominated industry. In the 1950s and early 1960s, there were few non-whites in the business. Before Roots, Haley had written for Reader's Digest, Cosmopolitan, Coronet, Boys Life, and was the inaugural correspondent for Playboy magazine's "Interview" section. Unbeknownst to him, he was a trailblazer.<br />
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WEBSITE/BLOG: <a href="http://www.adamhenig.com/">www.adamhenig.com</a><br />
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Social Media: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/adamhenig">www.twitter.com/adamhenig</a><br />
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Amazon:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Alex-Haleys-Roots-Authors-Odyssey-ebook/dp/B00HRN891A/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1390537707&sr=1-4&keywords=alex+haley">http://www.amazon.com/Alex-Haleys-Roots-Authors-Odyssey-ebook/dp/B00HRN891A/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1390537707&sr=1-4&keywords=alex+haley</a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975051473937995868.post-38744542676376374152014-01-09T06:41:00.001-08:002014-01-09T18:20:47.503-08:00Mother and daughter release a new book. Bully Me No More! An interview with the Daniels duo.<br />
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<i>Bully Me No More was recently released in late December, and was authored by a daughter and mother duo. Please enjoy this fabulous joint interview with Damona and Allison!</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZVNTwRo9JVOQuQdhf_CB0QVJSBHcTfNmRjhjMjMTcRMBQ-typjFW3T4hEqrd1m7N8RP4Qeg-uRPMM2LqDEphWozF1H4SQYlg0LNdUm3kEzujWNhpfamyep3AWiIxDte4tkHgwrwC0tU/s1600/10.27.2013+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZVNTwRo9JVOQuQdhf_CB0QVJSBHcTfNmRjhjMjMTcRMBQ-typjFW3T4hEqrd1m7N8RP4Qeg-uRPMM2LqDEphWozF1H4SQYlg0LNdUm3kEzujWNhpfamyep3AWiIxDte4tkHgwrwC0tU/s320/10.27.2013+022.JPG" height="320" width="209" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMRBWdcifyODrn-9bclFdMdPLqj9b9INIk9DzssP9HBskw8CK0FXper6lFmMPbeQ7ImjUULeAfC8AMuc4OPE0kCvixfkbTeuHzq9Zs8SCX7kFcu0pRM6uAml2QzyIWcdCwOmeAoEIAhE/s1600/748-07-12-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMRBWdcifyODrn-9bclFdMdPLqj9b9INIk9DzssP9HBskw8CK0FXper6lFmMPbeQ7ImjUULeAfC8AMuc4OPE0kCvixfkbTeuHzq9Zs8SCX7kFcu0pRM6uAml2QzyIWcdCwOmeAoEIAhE/s320/748-07-12-2.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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<b>ABOUT THE AUTHORS</b></div>
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<i>Damona Daniels is a nine-year-old author. She attends Rosaryville Elementary School. Bully Me No More is her first book. She is a member of Cornerstone Peaceful Bible Baptist Church, led by Pastors Daniel and Sabrina Mangrum. She is a member of Fruit of the Spirit dance ministry and loves her church family. </i><br />
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<i>Allison G. Daniels, co-author of Bully Me No More, is President and CEO of ADG Enterprises, LLC. She conducts workshops and seminars that have been presented through the United States and abroad. The workshops and seminars conducted by the institute consist of topics such as Women in Management, Women as Leaders, The Superwoman Syndrome, Leadership Skills, The Assertive Woman, Diversity and Emotional Wellness for Women. Mrs. Daniels has been certified by The Professional Women Network as a Professional Coach and Diversity Consultant.</i><br />
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Andrea: Why did you publish your first book?<br />
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Damona: The reason why I wanted to write this book was to help empower and motivate other kids to know that bullying is wrong. It was written to help to bring awareness to bullying and help assist others in how they communicate with each another. It teaches children how to stand their ground and speak up because bullying is wrong.<br />
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Andrea: What are your books about?<br />
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Allison: Life Goes On How To Maintain Your Faith Through Adversity is a dynamic, step-by-step guide offering powerful tips, strategies, and tools for overcoming your past hurts, surviving motional setbacks, and handling your emotions. Take back your life, and learn to live again.<br />
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However, this book is an interactive book about bullying. This book will teach you how to handle bullying, facing the bully with confidence, build your confidence to stand your ground and help others.<br />
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Andrea: Has bullying ever been a problem? If so, how did either of you handle it?<br />
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Allison: Yes, I experience bullying growing up but it was a boy who kept trying to bully me because he liked me. But when I stood up to him, I never had a problem again. He kept his distance, although he still had a crush on me, and followed me home and to school everyday.<br />
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Damona: Yes. One day I decided to stand up for myself and faced my bully and just said 'bully me no more, I'm not afraid.'<br />
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Andrea: Whose idea was it to publish 'Bully Me No More?' How long is the book? What ages is it for? Did you help your daughter to write it?<br />
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Allison: This book is 80 pages long. It is aimed at ages 8 and up. I helped her (Damona) with very little, because this book is written from her heart. It was something that she wanted to share with other kids because it happened to her and she didn't want to see it happen to someone else.<br />
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Andrea: Where can 'Bully Me No More' be purchased?<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1492832480/ref=redir_mdp_mobile">Click this Amazon link,</a> on Kindle and my website at <a href="http://www.allisondaniels.org/">www.AllisonDaniels.org</a>.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10127480757363491719noreply@blogger.com0