tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9807990888739512882024-03-19T04:20:47.573-04:00Nitty Gritty YA WritingsReal teen adult issued stories. Dark edgy paranormal stories. Renee Pace likes to make people talk about teen issues.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980799088873951288.post-18251204378174191132013-10-09T10:53:00.001-04:002013-10-09T10:53:30.276-04:00Mega Atlantic Canadian E-book sale<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial Black","sans-serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Mega
Atlantic Canadian E-book sale - for a limited time grab these award winning
& Indie ebooks for </span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: red; font-family: "Arial Black","sans-serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">99¢</span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black', sans-serif; font-size: 22pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5M-gNitJu-DN323BRjA-ocgfj-2aoI9WWCoT1ZnvVtNSDvmNSc_xtlEEt1XyoeKG8KUjjG1H2W3euRccEzPIYGzFvVLXir5JhX_N2GuzSm1ZQNeyfFwI6vQnnXtj3BrmewAQp65iNGbJ/s1600/atlanticsale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5M-gNitJu-DN323BRjA-ocgfj-2aoI9WWCoT1ZnvVtNSDvmNSc_xtlEEt1XyoeKG8KUjjG1H2W3euRccEzPIYGzFvVLXir5JhX_N2GuzSm1ZQNeyfFwI6vQnnXtj3BrmewAQp65iNGbJ/s400/atlanticsale.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><br /></b><b>Enter the<a href="http://storyfinds.com/contest/5502/canadian-thanksgiving-mega-99-sale"> StoryFinds contest </a>to win two prizes: </b><b>Grand prize - $50 Amazon gift card and 2nd prize $25 Kobo gift certificate.</b></h3>
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</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://feedjit.com/serve/?vv=955&tft=3&dd=0&wid=888d0b226ec9274e&pid=0&proid=0&bc=FFFFFF&tc=000000&brd1=012B6B&lnk=135D9E&hc=FFFFFF&hfc=2853A8&btn=C99700&ww=200&wne=10&wh=Live+Traffic+Feed&hl=0&hlnks=0&hfce=0&srefs=1&hbars=0"></script><noscript><a href="http://feedjit.com/">Feedjit Live Blog Stats</a></noscript></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980799088873951288.post-32426125531015118482013-05-01T01:00:00.000-04:002013-05-01T11:51:05.095-04:00Mega Book Lover's 99¢ Book Sale & Lots of Prizes up for Grabs<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kQnUu8Y1JfLPQ5QLZxZ4rRoduIDWhEV7qD-kL1-_vWa4MtKJlvnJ-FWPJp4HppVUm1A3_bGOX1aM-_1AMr0cLKawOoX8lvn81q7ob_45Eh8KUPWO8PiWRYDXiw5TWhQajCgoveevfSZ8/s1600/book.99cent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kQnUu8Y1JfLPQ5QLZxZ4rRoduIDWhEV7qD-kL1-_vWa4MtKJlvnJ-FWPJp4HppVUm1A3_bGOX1aM-_1AMr0cLKawOoX8lvn81q7ob_45Eh8KUPWO8PiWRYDXiw5TWhQajCgoveevfSZ8/s320/book.99cent.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;">Hi everyone - I'm participating in the Mega .99cent book sale and we're giving away prizes and books! Check us out.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Introducing the <a href="http://www.bookloversbuffet.net/">Book Lovers’ Buffet</a>. Load up, you
won’t gain a pound!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Check out our <a href="http://www.youtube.com/embed/82_xSQO-7jU">video</a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The Buffet’s “Bouquet of Books” sale will
be open May 1-3. More than 175 ebooks, all reduced in price to just 99 cents.
Save in categories such as Young Adult, Contemporary, Paranormal, Suspense,
Erotic Romance, and more!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">PLUS, visit the <a href="http://www.bookloversbuffet.net/">website</a> to win gift cards to your
choice of online retailers. $400 in gift cards up for grabs!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Titles from popular authors such as:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Gemma Halliday<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Angie Fox<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Jenna Bennett<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Amanda Brice<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Jennette Marie Powell<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Clover Autrey<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Carly Carson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">E. Ayers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Genevieve Jourdin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">CJ Lyons<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Renee Pace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Sophia Knightley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Tori Scott<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Meredith Bond<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Emily Ryan-Davis<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Anthea Lawson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Diana Layne<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Lindsey Brookes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Gina Robinson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">McKenna Chase<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">And many, many more!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Hosted by Indie Romance Ink.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://feedjit.com/serve/?vv=955&tft=3&dd=0&wid=888d0b226ec9274e&pid=0&proid=0&bc=FFFFFF&tc=000000&brd1=012B6B&lnk=135D9E&hc=FFFFFF&hfc=2853A8&btn=C99700&ww=200&wne=10&wh=Live+Traffic+Feed&hl=0&hlnks=0&hfce=0&srefs=1&hbars=0"></script><noscript><a href="http://feedjit.com/">Feedjit Live Blog Stats</a></noscript></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980799088873951288.post-16413169498602119062013-03-09T11:16:00.001-05:002013-03-09T11:16:59.148-05:00YA Contest - Last Day to Win $20 Amazon Gift Card<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Last day to enter to win a great YA contest - <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">I'm also giving away a </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">$20 Amazon gift card along with Off Stroke and Off Balance as ebooks. Just leave me a comment. One winner will be picked today.</span></b></span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></b>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Enjoy an excerpt from my nitty gritty young adult short story - Off Balance.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb31MgR7zBJIr7fq8v8DnAdSPYprLRbMk5bf9ymhQSar9HRQmIP7zN5PfcyhS8J47D464dZJ7Z9I_SgpEF2cXVOzjZvaQodcScAIrcTVrYC5yWwcPRel0B-iEl5-mWAMLV6GPneWCXAYBP/s1600/OffBalance72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb31MgR7zBJIr7fq8v8DnAdSPYprLRbMk5bf9ymhQSar9HRQmIP7zN5PfcyhS8J47D464dZJ7Z9I_SgpEF2cXVOzjZvaQodcScAIrcTVrYC5yWwcPRel0B-iEl5-mWAMLV6GPneWCXAYBP/s320/OffBalance72.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Chapter
One<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">What the hell?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
Is that Jen pushing a stroller? Shit, after all the frigging time I spent writing
her those stupid letters, after she dropped me like a used cigarette, I can’t
believe she’s the first person I see on my leave. That’s the type of karma I’m
having these days. First I find out that Eje’s going to be late returning to
Halifax and now this. I glance around and wonder for a second if I can walk
past her like she doesn’t exist. That’s probably what she’ll do. I never
thought of her as being that cold, but not once did she respond to my letters.
All I wanted to know was why? Why was it over? I get that a long distance
relationship is hard but it’s not like I was going to be away for <i>freaking</i> forever. Maybe she’s seeing
someone else. Christ, the thought of that makes me want to puke up the donair I
wolfed down faster than a souped-up car.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">With
my palms sweaty I feel more nervous walking toward her than my first day at
boot camp, which sucked. For once the movies got something right. Boot camp is
downright ugly. It was all running, learning how to function on little sleep, and
forcing yourself to eat crappy sludge military food. That was the first week.
Then it became more running, which alternated between pushing your sorry legs
through large mother-fucking knee-deep water the Sergeant called puddles—I
swear to god if he said that one more time I was going to drown him in one of
those so-called puddles—and lots of time spent cleaning weapons. After fourteen
weeks of the same routine with the only deviation being getting woken up
earlier and earlier and learning to heave your tired beyond-achy body past the
breaking point it was hit the books study time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Wow,
guess who I get the pleasure of running into.” I hate when I look at Jen, my
heart drops to my feet. She’s changed but the same. She’s skinner than I
remember and there’s a wary deer-in-the-headlights look in her eyes that makes
me want to check over my shoulder. I resist that urge and hope to god I’m not
drooling. Her chestnut colored hair is pulled back in a ponytail, but wisps of
it frame her pixie-like face. Her cheeks look flushed and she smells like fresh
clean air. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Nice
to see you Charlie.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Nice to freaking see
me.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> It’s on the tip of my tongue to shout at
her, but one thing the military ingrained in me was it’s always best to keep my
big mouth shut. The few times I did speak up, I paid for it with sweat and
there’s nothing fun about working out when everyone else has gone to barracks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Yeah,
great to see you too, Jen.” I’m so lame. Small talk was never my strong suit. I
find myself shuffling my feet and I don’t want to keep walking. What I want
more than anything is to sweep Jen into my arms and kiss her like I fantasized
about night after night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“So
how is the military?” she asks, making sure to keep the stroller moving. She
must have taken a nanny job. Funny, I never thought of her as suited to clean poopy
diapers and all. I’m glad the kid’s asleep and oblivious to us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Great.”
The kid, a baby I realize, starts to squirm around in the stroller. I attempt
to peek in but Jen moves the stroller forward so I can’t see the baby. <i>Fine. Whatever.</i> With expertise Jen pops
the soother back in the baby’s mouth and then turns to face me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“So
you really like the Army?” she asks, again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I
nod. “It’s hard though. Lots of physical work and the school stuff is a lot
harder than the stuff taught in high school, but yeah, guess I really do like
it.” I know now I’m rambling but hell she was the one who asked. “So what have
you been up to?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">For
a weird second her eyes dart back to the stroller and then she looks up at me.
“Not much. Stuff,” she says, which is so unlike Jen I think I must be making
her uncomfortable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Well,
I was supposed to meet Eje tonight but since he’s not in town yet are you
interested in getting together…you know like old times. I’d really like to see
the gang.” Sweet Jesus I must be nuts. Why not put a bullet through my heart while
I stand. I honestly can’t believe I blurted all that out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Jen
looks down at her sneakers and for a second I let myself hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“I
can’t tonight. Sorry, Charlie.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Oh,
okay, that’s fine. Listen I’ve got to go but it was really great seeing you
again, Jen.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">She
nods but doesn’t say anything. I force myself to walk away from her and feel
more than ever I should run back and kidnap her. What we had felt special.
Where did I go wrong? What did I do to make her hate me so much?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Oh
my god I think I’m going to be sick. Of all the people to run into, Charlie.
God he looked so good he made me want to cry. Instead I acted like a fool and
said nothing. I can’t help glance over my shoulder to see if he’s still there
but he’s gone. Out of my life for good and he doesn’t know. Maybe I should have
told him. Would it have made a difference? Who knows. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Danny
starts to cry and for once I like the distraction. I turn the corner, put the
stroller in park and pick him up, holding him tight. At six months now he’s
looking more and more like his father. The man I let walk out of my life for
good. I cuddle Danny close, amazed at how bright his wonderful big brown eyes are.
He’s got light cinnamon colored skin, thick dark curly hair and eyes so alert and
intelligent he makes my heart soar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“You
my little man must be getting hungry.” I watch his mouth suckle hard on his
soother. It will take me three more blocks until I get to my sister’s place. Tucking
him back into his stroller, I make sure the baby blankets keep the chilly
September day from his body.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Shame you didn’t do one
of your famous cries for your Daddy.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
The mere thought of Charlie holding Danny unlocks something I’ve tried hard to
keep closed for months. I fight the tears wanting to fall. Months ago I willed
the emotional side of me to shut off. The words my father screamed at me still
haunt me. I made my bed and now I’ve got to lie in it. A giggle escapes me. At
least I get to hold Danny in that bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I
haul the stroller up the two flights of stairs and open the door. Ella, my big
sister is there holding the door open for me. I don’t know what I’d do without
her. Unlike my father she’s been my rock. When Dad found out I was pregnant he
hit the wall, literally. Things got worse from there so a few weeks before I
delivered Danny I took up my big sister’s offer and moved in with her. She
hasn’t asked me for rent yet and when I offered to pay what I could she told me
not to worry about it. Thank god she’s got a big paying job at the bank because
the truth of the matter is I don’t have much money saved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Did
the walk calm him down?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Yeah,
the minute we hit the street he conked out as usual,” I say, moving the
stroller into the living room. No way am I taking him out of that until he
wakes up screaming for his food. His last feeding frenzy meant three nights of
no sleep and my breasts are still sensitive. Maybe I should start him on a
bottle soon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Your
friend Shannon just called. You really should go out with her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I
look at Danny and give a silent chuckle. “Can’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Well,
when you’re ready I’ve got formula and bottles for you and maybe when he wakes
he’ll be so hungry he won’t miss you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Why
do I get the impression it’s you who wants him to take the bottle more than me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Ella
walks over to the stroller and adjusts one of his blankets. At the age of twenty-six
she’s still single and I have no idea why. She’s dated lots of men but
according to her none have met her criteria. I should have drawn up a list of
must haves too. Maybe that would have helped me resist Charlie. I feel heat
creep up my flushed cheeks and hope my sister doesn’t notice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“I
just love him so much, Jen. He’s so adorable. I’d like to try the bottle with
him to see if he’d take it. I won’t push you. I know it’s totally up to you,
but he’s just so cuddly.” I’m sure Ella’s coworkers would kill to hear how she
speaks when she talks to Danny. Normally, my sister is all business, but not
when it comes to her nephew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I
look at Danny sleeping peacefully still in his stroller and nod. “Okay, you
win. I’ll give Shannon a call and maybe if you’re lucky I’ll meet her for a
coffee.” I head down the hall to my bedroom. I swear to god my sister almost
jumped for joy. Obviously we both need to get out more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I
give Shannon a hug the minute I see her. She squeezes me back and then punches
my arm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Why’d
you do that?” I slide my butt onto the worn leather seat. We’re at a greasy
spoon and so I wouldn’t be out long in case Danny doesn’t take to kindly to the
bottle my sister has eagerly gotten ready.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“You
didn’t tell him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Tell
who what?” I ask, pleading ignorance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Don’t
play that game with me. Charlie’s in town. He just called me to say he ran into
you. He didn’t mention anything else. So, I’m guessing you didn’t tell him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Shit.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
I knew I shouldn’t have said anything to her. She’s never been good at keeping
secrets. I stare hard at her. “Listen, how was I to know I’d run into him. He’s
busy. I told you this was my burden.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Shannon
looks at me like I’m nuts and maybe I am, but it’s my call. She doesn’t know
Charlie like I do. If Charlie knew I had been pregnant he’d never have gone
into the Army. He’d never get that opportunity to do what he wanted with his
life. No way was I going to be the anchor around his neck. Especially after he
told me straight up how his childhood was growing up in the projects. What’s
that expression? If you love something enough set it free. Well, hell that’s
exactly what I promised myself I’d do for Charlie. My love for him gave him his
independence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“That’s
not right, Jen and you know it. Charlie deserves to know about Danny. That’s
not a secret you hide from his father.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I’m
tempted to stand up and leave. I don’t want to have this conversation. Especially
since I’m feeling vulnerable. Seeing Charlie today knocked that barrier I’ve
built up down a bit, so I spent the rest of the day reminding myself why I did
what I did. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I
lean across the table so I can stress my point. “Shannon this hasn’t been easy
on me but you’ve got to trust me, the decision I made is the best thing for
Charlie.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">She
sits back and studies me. God, I hate when she does that. Shannon’s been my
good friend all my life and the one thing she knows is when I lie my eyes
twitch. I feel overly conscious of my facial movements.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“You’re
full of shit. You still have feelings for him. Jen, tell him. What if someone
else does?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“What?
Did you tell Eje?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">She
shakes her head. “No. I promised you I wouldn’t but I hate that. Eje and I
don’t have secrets between us. We promised each other we wouldn’t after all
that happened and honestly this…this is killing me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Don’t
you dare tell him, Shannon.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Then
you tell Charlie. He deserves to know. Trust me, you’ll hate yourself if you
don’t. Listen, Eje’s going to be in town tomorrow night so I’m giving you
twenty-four hours before I spill my guts to Eje and you know how tight Eje and
Charlie are.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This
is blackmail. I can’t believe Shannon is doing this to me. After everything
I’ve endured, she’s going to ruin it. I’m so mad at her it takes me a full
minute to realize I’ve got tears in my eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Shannon
takes my hand in hers and gives it a squeeze. “This isn’t fair to you.
Charlie’s done his basic training. Didn’t he tell you he’s been stationed here,
in Halifax? Tell him. He might surprise you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I
wipe the tears from my cheek and remove my hand. “The only surprise is how much
he’ll hate me. I can’t tell him, Shannon. It’s too late. Just leave it alone.
Please stay out of it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“I
can’t, Jen. Either you tell him or Eje will. I think news like this should come
from you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .05pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Her
words haunt me all through the stupid meaningless meal we have. I practically
race back to the apartment needing more than ever the feel of Danny. Telling
Charlie might be the right thing but deep down I know it’s going to be more
painful than childbirth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://feedjit.com/serve/?vv=955&tft=3&dd=0&wid=888d0b226ec9274e&pid=0&proid=0&bc=FFFFFF&tc=000000&brd1=012B6B&lnk=135D9E&hc=FFFFFF&hfc=2853A8&btn=C99700&ww=200&wne=10&wh=Live+Traffic+Feed&hl=0&hlnks=0&hfce=0&srefs=1&hbars=0"></script><noscript><a href="http://feedjit.com/">Feedjit Live Blog Stats</a></noscript></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980799088873951288.post-9321313045488758272013-03-06T07:27:00.000-05:002013-03-06T07:27:24.865-05:00Realistic Teen Novels - Why They Are Needed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CWOxTUN36B5wXeOeTLXmESy2sUIP12Z_jxLSzaqbLnBbjHKbQqkssH3wdtazx2EDZ8CU38bilPP64JyyQiYK9DgRMXH775LifXWJvhV4SdanHSmqPDFapjcZafS7Mwe8frLoSbrK008S/s1600/OffStroke72LG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CWOxTUN36B5wXeOeTLXmESy2sUIP12Z_jxLSzaqbLnBbjHKbQqkssH3wdtazx2EDZ8CU38bilPP64JyyQiYK9DgRMXH775LifXWJvhV4SdanHSmqPDFapjcZafS7Mwe8frLoSbrK008S/s320/OffStroke72LG.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<b>To celebrate the release of my third nitty gritty novel - Off Stroke and my short story Off Balance I'm highlighting why I write realistic teen novels. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<span style="color: red;"><b>I'm also giving away a </b><b>$20 Amazon gift card along with Off Stroke and Off Balance as ebooks to one lucky person. All you need to do is leave a comment and you could win. I'll be picking the winner on Saturday, March 9.</b></span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Why I write hard hitting realistic teen novels?</b><br />
Off Stroke is my third nitty gritty realistic young adult novel. I write realistic teen novels because I personally feel there's a gap in the market and authors aren't providing enough reads like this. Life might not be great for many teens but what has always inspired me is their determination. It's okay to not have a hollywood ending. My own teen life certainly wasn't great and I understand the word 'struggle'.<br />
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<b>Why did you pick the sport paddling?</b><br />
That's easy. For the past three summers I've worked as the club manager for my local paddling aquatic club and I have to say it was the best job ever. I learned a ton about paddling and watching such wonderful coaches work with young adult teens, trying to push them to do better, was extremely rewarding. I love everything there is about the sport of kayaking and I hope that comes through in this novel.<br />
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<b>Why did you decide to write from an immigrants perspective?</b><br />
Who better defines the word 'struggle' than a teen immigrant trying to find out where they belong? Eje developed in my head totally on his own and I think I really wanted to highlight a part of my city that's come under hard times but that's also trying to make a change - Halifax's north end. I tried at first to write this story with Eje being a girl and that really didn't work. I loved how Eje was the 'man of the house' and how he felt all this responsibility to help his family while at times hating his family - isn't that how most teens feel?<br />
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<b>Why did you want to highlight gambling?</b><br />
When I started to write this story I wanted to highlight something that was addictive. That's exactly what gambling is. Gambling can and does destroy people and families and that's exactly what I'm hoping comes across in this nitty gritty novel.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjmxktdVYT0jC6auyrREDM-PaKFgQSqZo8yQfTxdIZyAxW041NCCFyM03r_YNFpW9PpezPr5YAuTm3h84rSU_yvagGt8t30-yo4lj6NnHRpjQ9vUUA_H8FFJJ2syPdF-3ANchS12LAAqV/s1600/OffBalance72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjmxktdVYT0jC6auyrREDM-PaKFgQSqZo8yQfTxdIZyAxW041NCCFyM03r_YNFpW9PpezPr5YAuTm3h84rSU_yvagGt8t30-yo4lj6NnHRpjQ9vUUA_H8FFJJ2syPdF-3ANchS12LAAqV/s1600/OffBalance72.jpg" /></a><b>I noticed you are also debuting Charlie's story in a nitty gritty short story, why?</b><br />
I love Charlie and Jen. When I finished writing Off Stroke I truly felt like they needed their own story and while I didn't want to write an entire novel, I thought a short story would work best for them. It's hard hitting but it also takes up a year later after Eje's story ends.<br />
<br />
<b>What's next for you?</b><br />
A biggie. I'm working on a new nitty gritty novel - The Dressing Room and it's got everything but the main theme is bullying, hockey and dare I say it - cross dressing! I'm having lots of fun writing this story but like most of my nitty gritty stories it's a hard hitting one.<br />
<br />
Discover more of what Renee writes at www.reneepace.com<br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://feedjit.com/serve/?vv=955&tft=3&dd=0&wid=888d0b226ec9274e&pid=0&proid=0&bc=FFFFFF&tc=000000&brd1=012B6B&lnk=135D9E&hc=FFFFFF&hfc=2853A8&btn=C99700&ww=200&wne=10&wh=Live+Traffic+Feed&hl=0&hlnks=0&hfce=0&srefs=1&hbars=0"></script><noscript><a href="http://feedjit.com/">Feedjit Live Blog Stats</a></noscript></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980799088873951288.post-43156111008565485392013-03-01T11:22:00.000-05:002013-03-01T11:22:34.351-05:00Edgy Young Adult - The Forsaken by Renee Pace debuts today<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYBAdRwQ33tOSLVZkgeRyEmwqC4AHwnb6-A1t2RtfC8CcgWOuxW17gcwf5pdPToj3XF8_EhvqbGVJ4G9ZKizZUAtUfsPr4Hd5xEIDHKAOzSRLuv_dQAppLnDlnoclxgmd_emdoCk0wLV3/s1600/TheForsaken-ByReneePace-133x200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYBAdRwQ33tOSLVZkgeRyEmwqC4AHwnb6-A1t2RtfC8CcgWOuxW17gcwf5pdPToj3XF8_EhvqbGVJ4G9ZKizZUAtUfsPr4Hd5xEIDHKAOzSRLuv_dQAppLnDlnoclxgmd_emdoCk0wLV3/s320/TheForsaken-ByReneePace-133x200.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">To celebrate the release of my new edgy upper young adult novel I'm giving away a $10 Amazon gift card and an ecopy of The Forsaken to one lucky person today. It's easy - drop me a note and you could win!</span></span><br />
<div style="font-size: small;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Fighting for freedom means falling from grace.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">After taking up arms in a heavenly war, teen angel Isabella is banished to Earth. Her penance: to live as an immortal teenager. Her objective: to create a safe haven for her fellow exiled angels who believe in her mantra of independence. Faced with life on the mortal plane, she and her girls form a rock band as a means to literally sing for their supper. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">But when Isabella saves a fallen male angel, things fall apart. If she thought her penance was hard before, she’s got an even harder path to follow now that she realizes Nathan is her soul mate—and that he holds the key to returning her to the heavenly realm. But she has no intention of going anywhere if it means leaving her sisters alone in exile. Until she discovers a hellish plan to amass a human-turned-demon army. Now she must convince the very angels who cast her out that war can no longer be avoided—if they want to survive…</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Purchase link - Kindle - </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://amzn.com/B00BMZDRWK</span></span></h4>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check out the book on Etopia Press - </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://etopiapressblog.wordpress.com/</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://feedjit.com/serve/?vv=955&tft=3&dd=0&wid=888d0b226ec9274e&pid=0&proid=0&bc=FFFFFF&tc=000000&brd1=012B6B&lnk=135D9E&hc=FFFFFF&hfc=2853A8&btn=C99700&ww=200&wne=10&wh=Live+Traffic+Feed&hl=0&hlnks=0&hfce=0&srefs=1&hbars=0"></script><noscript><a href="http://feedjit.com/">Feedjit Live Blog Stats</a></noscript></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980799088873951288.post-25092334073141782562012-12-12T12:44:00.001-05:002012-12-12T12:44:56.454-05:00Mega Ebook 99¢ SALE<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsQ8Bq8jBcDAEXpYKQ-A3KjATUZNXdqhCBPqI2Hk5kzjnySk0p5rqV_PdA5FFiziyJlIGfqz3D7Rb2nBPdWp1uwxbzwYnCNw7Cyc-XCvTD85PcTNtUNtBQ4WRoAL1om1qYSEgRlpNbKoD/s1600/ebooksale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsQ8Bq8jBcDAEXpYKQ-A3KjATUZNXdqhCBPqI2Hk5kzjnySk0p5rqV_PdA5FFiziyJlIGfqz3D7Rb2nBPdWp1uwxbzwYnCNw7Cyc-XCvTD85PcTNtUNtBQ4WRoAL1om1qYSEgRlpNbKoD/s200/ebooksale.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<strong><span lang="EN-CA">Middle Grade<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Vickie Johnstone - <em>Kiwi in Cat City</em> - magical cat series (6 books) - US link: <a href="http://amzn.to/QNcIzL">http://amzn.to/QNcIzL</a> UK Link: <a href="http://amzn.to/127JJsY">http://amzn.to/127JJsY</a><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMLB32TDMfleVJEg_BLcyPIQ3Jx1KjkW8puMyln6dPB_3Phpqd-NSVGJi2xFOPwEylW9z94uHgmuT2W2Pgj1Ep5f8Kgv4a51oooAolsXwL-8laRadQ9ygWgwbjU9IyBImIjKlx0QKuv5r/s1600/OffLeash72small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMLB32TDMfleVJEg_BLcyPIQ3Jx1KjkW8puMyln6dPB_3Phpqd-NSVGJi2xFOPwEylW9z94uHgmuT2W2Pgj1Ep5f8Kgv4a51oooAolsXwL-8laRadQ9ygWgwbjU9IyBImIjKlx0QKuv5r/s1600/OffLeash72small.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<strong><span lang="EN-CA">Young Adult Contemporary<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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Renee Pace - <em>Off Leash </em>- US link: <a href="http://amzn.com/B005S34JO2">http://amzn.com/B005S34JO2</a> UK link: <a href="http://amzn.to/125BYEM">http://amzn.to/125BYEM</a></div>
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<strong><span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span lang="EN-CA">Urban
Fantasy<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-CA">Bruce Blake - O<em>n Unfaithful Wings (An Icarus Fell Novel
#1) </em>- US link: <a href="http://amzn.to/XnhRkN">http://amzn.to/XnhRkN</a>
UK link: <a href="http://amzn.to/Qkf0BP">http://amzn.to/Qkf0BP</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-CA">Bruce Blake - <em>All Who Wander Are Lost (An Icarus Fell Novel #2)</em> - US
link: <a href="http://amzn.to/SxWtWE">http://amzn.to/SxWtWE</a> UK link: <a href="http://amzn.to/11Tx9OH">http://amzn.to/11Tx9OH</a><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<strong><span lang="EN-CA">Dark
Fantasy/Sci-Fi<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Steven Montano - <em>Blood Skies (Book 1)</em> - US link:
<a href="http://amzn.to/YKjqez">http://amzn.to/YKjqez</a> UK link: <a href="http://amzn.to/VCrmfW">http://amzn.to/VCrmfW</a><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<strong><span lang="EN-CA">Epic
Fantasy<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Autumn M. Birt - <em>Born of Water</em> - US link <a href="http://amzn.to/VsyVzF">http://amzn.to/VsyVzF</a> UK Link: <a href="http://amzn.to/VopRvW">http://amzn.to/VopRvW</a> Smashwords: <a href="http://bit.ly/Xz9ZNk">http://bit.ly/Xz9ZNk</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Bruce Blake - <em>Blood of the King (Khirro's Journey Book 1)</em> - US link: <a href="http://amzn.to/Rp5CPJ">http://amzn.to/Rp5CPJ</a> UK link: <a href="http://amzn.to/VPxg9T">http://amzn.to/VPxg9T</a> Kobo: <a href="http://bit.ly/Y3iBf4">http://bit.ly/Y3iBf4</a> Smashwords: <a href="http://bit.ly/QvyYOq">http://bit.ly/QvyYOq</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-CA">Scott Bury - <em>The Bones of the Earth</em> - US link: <a href="http://amzn.to/YRAHlO">http://amzn.to/YRAHlO</a> UK link: <a href="http://amzn.to/RjK2Qj">http://amzn.to/RjK2Qj</a><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<strong><span lang="EN-CA">Paranormal
Fantasy<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-CA">Gary Henry - <em>American Goddesses</em> - Smashwords: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/168834">https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/168834</a><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<strong><span lang="EN-CA">Short
Stories - Literary Fiction<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Beverly Ackerman - <em>The Meaning of Children </em>- US
link: <a href="http://amzn.to/SOs6KD">http://amzn.to/SOs6KD</a> UK link: <a href="http://amzn.to/U3mR99">http://amzn.to/MysteryU3mR99</a><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<strong><span lang="EN-CA">Short
Stories - Mystery/Adventure/Fantasy<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-CA">Gary Henry - <em>What Happened to Jory and Other Dark Departures</em> -
Smashwords: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/107606">https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/107606</a><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<strong><span lang="EN-CA">Children's<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Cinta Garcia de la Rosa - <em>The Funny Adventures of Little Nani</em>
- US link: <a href="http://amzn.to/US3Itz">http://amzn.to/US3Itz</a> UK link: <a href="http://amzn.to/STqyQW">http://amzn.to/STqyQW</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<strong><span lang="EN-CA">Mystery<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-CA">Adam Gaffen - <em>Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Viscount's Butler</em> - US
link: <a href="http://amzn.to/UvVPrh">http://amzn.to/UvVPrh</a> UK link: <a href="http://amzn.to/12fTbuj">http://amzn.to/12fTbuj</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-CA">Adam Gaffen - <em>Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Missing Date</em> - US link:
<a href="http://amzn.to/TNTtXi">http://amzn.to/TNTtXi</a> UK link: <a href="http://amzn.to/SYHOCR">http://amzn.to/SYHOCR</a><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<strong><span lang="EN-CA">Cozy
Mystery<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-CA">Brad Fleming - <em>Inky Black - The Case of the Missing Moggy</em>
- US link: <a href="http://amzn.to/TKJpgT">http://amzn.to/TKJpgT</a> UK Link: <a href="http://amzn.to/SC2xwl">http://amzn.to/SC2xwl</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-CA">Brad Fleming - <em>An Inky Black Story - A Hard Day at the
Office</em> - US link: <a href="http://amzn.to/WMXR6o">http://amzn.to/WMXR6o</a>
UK Link: <a href="http://amzn.to/UhTdel">http://amzn.to/UhTdel</a><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<strong><span lang="EN-CA">Science
Fiction<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-CA">Adam Gaffen - <em>A Deadly Quest (The Cassidy Chronicles)</em> - US link: <a href="http://amzn.to/RjLHp4">http://amzn.to/RjLHp4</a> UK link: <a href="http://amzn.to/UvW1qB">http://amzn.to/UvW1qB</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-CA">Adam Gaffen - <em>Run Like Hell (The Cassidy Chronicles)</em> - US link: <a href="http://amzn.to/RjLQJ8">http://amzn.to/RjLQJ8</a> UK link: <a href="http://amzn.to/VIPgX4">http://amzn.to/VIPgX4</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Adam Gaffen - <em>Refuge</em> - US link: <a href="http://amzn.to/SQ4A17">http://amzn.to/SQ4A17</a>
UK link: <a href="http://amzn.to/Vxqd3c">http://amzn.to/Vxqd3c</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-CA">Adam Gaffen - <em>The Longest Night</em> - US link: <a href="http://amzn.to/QRESti">http://amzn.to/QRESti</a>
UK link: <a href="http://amzn.to/WVT3LT">http://amzn.to/WVT3LT</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-CA">Adam Gaffen - <em>Who Watches the Watchers?</em> - US link :<a href="http://amzn.to/TNUjDB">http://amzn.to/TNUjDB</a> UK link: <a href="http://amzn.to/VxqN12">http://amzn.to/VxqN12</a><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<strong><span lang="EN-CA">Romance<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-CA">Blaithin O'Reilly Murphy - <em>The Meaning of Purple Tulips </em>-
US link: <a href="http://amzn.to/S4H6XN">http://amzn.to/S4H6XN </a>UK link: <a href="http://amzn.to/UzGu99">http://amzn.to/UzGu99</a><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<strong><span lang="EN-CA">Regency
Romance<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-CA">Kymber Lee - <em>Lord Tristan's True Love</em> - U.S link: <a href="http://amzn.to/VM9Zpg">http://amzn.to/VM9Zpg</a> UK Link: <a href="http://amzn.to/TIrA2N">http://amzn.to/TIrA2N</a><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<strong><span lang="EN-CA">Romantic
Comedy<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span lang="EN-CA">Vickie Johnstone - <em>3 Heads & a Tail</em> - US link:
<a href="http://amzn.to/Vop0LX">http://amzn.to/Vop0LX</a> UK link: <a href="http://amzn.to/SSQYAL">http://amzn.to/SSQYAL</a><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<strong><span lang="EN-CA">Erotic
Dark Fantasy<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">M. Peters - <em>Undisclosed</em> Desire - US link: <a href="http://amzn.to/SOMThc">http://amzn.to/SOMThc</a> UK link: <a href="http://amzn.to/X6TtPF">http://amzn.to/X6TtPF</a><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<strong><span lang="EN-CA">Erotic
Paranormal<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Renee Field -<em> A Siren's Wish</em> - US link: <a href="http://amzn.com/B006PU6CD8">http://amzn.com/B006PU6CD8</a> UK link: <a href="http://amzn.to/YX4WrC">http://amzn.to/YX4WrC</a><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<strong><span lang="EN-CA">Thriller<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Joe McCoubrey - <em>Death by Licence</em> - US link: <a href="http://amzn.to/TG2gqP">http://amzn.to/TG2gqP</a> UK link: <a href="http://amzn.to/UhRyp6">http://amzn.to/UhRyp6</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Brad Fleming - <em>Role of Dishonour </em>- US link: <a href="http://amzn.to/123Yey3">http://amzn.to/123Yey3</a> UK link: <a href="http://amzn.to/UhSfyX">http://amzn.to/UhSfyX</a><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<strong><span lang="EN-CA">Christian
Inspiration<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">DeEtte Beckstead - <em>The Christmas Visitors -</em> US
Link: <a href="http://amzn.to/VABvK5">http://amzn.to/VABvK5</a> UK Link: <a href="http://amzn.to/YTsKeO">http://amzn.to/YTsKeO</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Allison Bruning - <em>Reflections: Poems and Essays </em>-
US Link: <a href="http://amzn.to/YHca2S">http://amzn.to/YHca2S</a> UK Link: <a href="http://amzn.to/TNyaBZ">http://amzn.to/TNyaBZ</a><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<strong><span lang="EN-CA">Poetry<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Vickie Johnstone - <em>Life's Rhythms - 316 Haiku</em> - US
link: <a href="http://amzn.to/TLSw0F">http://amzn.to/TLSw0F</a> UK link: <a href="http://amzn.to/RHurtL">http://amzn.to/RHurtL</a><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<strong><span lang="EN-CA">Non-Fiction:
Adventure Travel<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Autumn M. Birt & Adam P. Paul - <em>Danger Peligros</em> - US Link: <a href="http://amzn.to/Xz9R0d">http://amzn.to/Xz9R0d</a> UK Link: <a href="http://amzn.to/TZkK5i">http://amzn.to/TZkK5i</a> Smashwords: <a href="http://bit.ly/SSSLpn">http://bit.ly/SSSLpn</a><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<strong><span lang="EN-CA">Non-Fiction:
Memoir<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Alycia Neighbours - <em>Deciding to Dance </em>- US link: <a href="http://amzn.to/12fRk8Y">http://amzn.to/12fRk8Y</a> UK link: <a href="http://amzn.to/TLkEi9">http://amzn.to/TLkEi9</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Alycia Neighbours - <em>Wake Up In the Mourning </em>- US
link: <a href="http://amzn.to/Z2l1uW">http://amzn.to/Z2l1uW</a> UK link: <a href="http://amzn.to/SQ2xdB">http://amzn.to/SQ2xdB</a><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<strong><span lang="EN-CA">Non-Fiction:
Self Help<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Jamesina Greene - <em>Help! I Don't Like Myself</em> - US
link :<a href="http://amzn.to/1218mIw">http://amzn.to/1218mIw</a> UK link: <a href="http://amzn.to/1218rw7">http://amzn.to/1218rw7</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://feedjit.com/serve/?vv=955&tft=3&dd=0&wid=888d0b226ec9274e&pid=0&proid=0&bc=FFFFFF&tc=000000&brd1=012B6B&lnk=135D9E&hc=FFFFFF&hfc=2853A8&btn=C99700&ww=200&wne=10&wh=Live+Traffic+Feed&hl=0&hlnks=0&hfce=0&srefs=1&hbars=0"></script><noscript><a href="http://feedjit.com/">Feedjit Live Blog Stats</a></noscript></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980799088873951288.post-41413966790674000302012-05-16T19:41:00.000-04:002012-05-16T19:41:56.834-04:00Eternal Spring - a YA Anthology where authors worked together<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51Cvw9SQjxOXwr0EUXUQyGJYrcaMjv-PzlVDXVXI6SqggR2-tNusl0lTxTLcWlYQslE9xndDvtD9Q1cwB5SAM3ECbYgWyf7cOBqGOsdK4IwhpljrcaAX05Hbho0POamAfzcnMWJV0YMU4/s1600/Eternal+Spring_300dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51Cvw9SQjxOXwr0EUXUQyGJYrcaMjv-PzlVDXVXI6SqggR2-tNusl0lTxTLcWlYQslE9xndDvtD9Q1cwB5SAM3ECbYgWyf7cOBqGOsdK4IwhpljrcaAX05Hbho0POamAfzcnMWJV0YMU4/s320/Eternal+Spring_300dpi.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I think it was in February when the ask on
one of my on-line loops went out for YA short stories to be included in a
special YA anthology. I thought about it and then thought what the heck. I had
just finished writing Off Stroke and really wanted to do a short story to
feature Charlie, Eje’s friend. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">But let me tell you what I’ve learned.
Writing a short story is hard. I thought it would be easy but when your word
count is limited to less than 12,000 wow. Starting a story, adding depth to the
characters and providing conflict than having everything wrap up was extremely
hard. I wanted to make Charlie authentic but keep true to his character in Off
Stroke, which will hit Amazon in June 2012, it was one of the most difficult
writing jobs I’ve tackled. Am I glad I did it? You bet. I always like to challenge
myself and this was a lot of fun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">What makes this even more fun, is that I’m
my story, Off Balance, is featured with all these other amazing stories. I feel
like this collective of stories brought us all together and it did. I feel like
shouting out a huge thanks to the coordinators of this wonderful project –
Amanda Brice and Tawny Stokes and a host of other talented writers, who put on
their business heads to make this project a professional success. Thank you.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Book Blurb:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Flowers, vacation, baseball, prom…what does
spring mean to you? From unicorn hunters and teenage exorcists to Egyptian
princesses and aspiring ballerinas, this collection of thirteen stories by some
of the most exciting authors in Young Adult fiction explores young love and new
beginnings during the most beautiful time of the year.<br />
<br />
“Camp Cauldron” by Juli Alexander<br />
Forced to spend Spring Break as a counselor at a camp for troublesome young
witches instead of drooling over hotties at the beach, Emma relinquishes her
hopes for romance. Could the perfect guy be waiting in the midst of poison ivy,
s'mores, elephant trunks, and kangaroo feet?<br />
<br />
“Barre Hopping at Midnight” by Amanda Brice<br />
How can aspiring ballerina Dani Spevak concentrate on performing at a spring
arts festival when her not-quite-boyfriend is in town filming the lead in a hot
new vampire movie and he was seen kissing his costar? <br />
<br />
“The Vanishing Spring” by Carey Corp<br />
More than a century earlier, Eleanor Quimby tumbled into the water to escape an
arranged marriage and disappeared. But was that the tragic end or a brave new
beginning?<br />
<br />
“The Princess of Egypt Must Die” by Stephanie Dray<br />
A lonely Princess of Egypt is tempted by a forbidden love and forced to make a
heartbreaking choice that will upend a kingdom and change her forever.<br />
<br />
“Spring Perfection” by Leslie DuBois <br />
Star athlete Scott Kincaid is about to make history and pitch a perfect game.
But when he realizes that true perfection lies in the relationship he has with
his best friend, Reyna, will he risk everything in order to keep a promise to
her?<br />
<br />
“Picture Not Perfect” by Lois Lavrisa<br />
Seventeen-year old Tim wants to go to senior prom. Why doesn't his girlfriend
Gabrielle want to go with him? Is she not who she says she is?<br />
<br />
“Potionate Love” by P.R. Mason<br />
Math geek, Tina, has found a way to get the popular jock, Ronny, to fall for
her: a love potion. It'll work unless her best friend Nathan gets in the way.<br />
<br />
“1:30, Tour Eiffel” by Jennifer McAndrews<br />
A kiss in the dark will ruin Spring Break and lifelong friendships unless
Rachel Healey can prove she is a pawn in someone else's game.<br />
<br />
“Off Balance” by Renee Pace<br />
Jennifer’s secret is big, but she loves Charlie enough to know ending their
teenage relationship will set him free and enable him to join the Army. When
Charlie discovers the truth, it’s up to him to convince Jen their young love
was meant to be.<br />
<br />
“On a Field, Sable” by Diana Peterfreund <br />
After the shocking events of Ascendant, what awaits the unicorn hunter
Melissende Holtz on the mountaintop where she watched her comrades fall?<br />
<br />
“The Language of Flowers” by Rhonda Stapleton<br />
Chrissy, a clerk at her aunt's flower shop, starts getting her own romantic
surprises -- flowers with a special secret meaning. Can she bury her
longstanding unrequited crush on her best friend’s brother to take a chance on
mysterious love?<br />
<br />
“Dating After Dark (With Clowns)” by Tawny Stokes<br />
All teenage exorcist Caden Butcher wants is a demon-free night to take his new
girl to the spring fair. Is that too much to ask for?<br />
<br />
“Sometime” by Alicia Street<br />
Sixteen-year-old mythology buff Terry Conn finally gets the after-school museum
job she wanted so badly, but who knew those ancient dragon figures would dredge
up images of a past she only half-remembered? Or that drool-worthy Jerrod
Pierce would be part of it?<br />
<br />
Collectively, the thirteen authors in Eternal Spring have published over 90
books, and have received or have been nominated for several prestigious awards,
including the RITA, the Golden Heart, the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence
in Mystery and Suspense, the Jasmine, the Maggie, PASIC’s Book of Your Heart
contest, the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, the Cybil Award for Best Young
Adult Fiction, the EPIC e-book Award, the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice
Award, and the New York Public Library’s Books for the Teen Age list.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Purchase Link Eternal Spring -
http://amzn.com/B0081FPKME</span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://feedjit.com/serve/?vv=955&tft=3&dd=0&wid=888d0b226ec9274e&pid=0&proid=0&bc=FFFFFF&tc=000000&brd1=012B6B&lnk=135D9E&hc=FFFFFF&hfc=2853A8&btn=C99700&ww=200&wne=10&wh=Live+Traffic+Feed&hl=0&hlnks=0&hfce=0&srefs=1&hbars=0"></script><noscript><a href="http://feedjit.com/">Feedjit Live Blog Stats</a></noscript></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980799088873951288.post-83955948904296117782012-05-06T21:27:00.001-04:002012-05-06T21:27:19.393-04:00Book Reviews / Favorite Books I've Read: Off Limits by Renee Pace<a href="http://tana-someofmyfavoritebooks.blogspot.com/2012/05/off-limits-by-renee-pace.html?spref=bl">Book Reviews / Favorite Books I've Read: Off Limits by Renee Pace</a>: OFF LIMITS BY RENEE PACE Lindsay looks and acts like the perfect fifteen year-old, but she’s hiding a dirty little secret that no amount ...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://feedjit.com/serve/?vv=955&tft=3&dd=0&wid=888d0b226ec9274e&pid=0&proid=0&bc=FFFFFF&tc=000000&brd1=012B6B&lnk=135D9E&hc=FFFFFF&hfc=2853A8&btn=C99700&ww=200&wne=10&wh=Live+Traffic+Feed&hl=0&hlnks=0&hfce=0&srefs=1&hbars=0"></script><noscript><a href="http://feedjit.com/">Feedjit Live Blog Stats</a></noscript></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980799088873951288.post-79611775678597863532012-04-27T17:21:00.000-04:002012-04-27T17:21:04.450-04:00How music as a teen meant so much<br />
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">I'm on a guest blog tour and this blog was recently on </span> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">Fang-tastic Books</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com/" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">www.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As a teen my music defined me. I listened to Tracy
Chapman, Enya and Lady Blacksmith Mombasa. Songs filled with longing, freedom
and tales of woe that echoed my teen life resonated with me. When I heard those
songs I poured my feelings into poetry. I wrote and wrote lines of words that
connected me to something. Always when I felt down I poured those feeling into
poetry. Some teens turn to painting, writing music or playing music to let out
their emotions. Teens, like adults, need outlets. I’m a writer. Without writing
I’m sure I’d be locked up in the nut house. Like many adult I juggle lots—children,
working and writing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When I write the demons go away. When I write the
pain fades and I become engrossed with the lives of my characters. Sometimes
writing can be a chore but once I start I lose track of time. Yes, writing is
work and writing a realistic contemporary teen book when you’re an adult can be
daunting but isn’t that life—daunting. One day at time. That was my motto as a
teen. I used that to get through the lonely days and then I plotted away out. I
set a goal, much like I do with writing. As for finding that teen voice. I
delved deep. Sure I used some modern slang to make it real but for most of it I
tried to keep the first person POV of my two girls in Off Limits just like how
two normal teens talk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Today when I write I listen to CBC radio. Why? It’s
like white noise in the background and I can tune into the news when I want to.
My taste in music has changed but those Tracy Chapman songs still pull at me.
What do you listen to when you read? If you’re a writer is there a specific
music you listen to?</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://feedjit.com/serve/?vv=955&tft=3&dd=0&wid=888d0b226ec9274e&pid=0&proid=0&bc=FFFFFF&tc=000000&brd1=012B6B&lnk=135D9E&hc=FFFFFF&hfc=2853A8&btn=C99700&ww=200&wne=10&wh=Live+Traffic+Feed&hl=0&hlnks=0&hfce=0&srefs=1&hbars=0"></script><noscript><a href="http://feedjit.com/">Feedjit Live Blog Stats</a></noscript></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980799088873951288.post-48548984378804219912012-04-19T16:51:00.001-04:002012-04-19T16:51:39.045-04:00Mila Ramos - Jademystique Blog: Off Limits by Renee Pace<a href="http://jademystique.blogspot.com/2012/04/off-limits-by-renee-pace.html?spref=bl">Mila Ramos - Jademystique Blog: Off Limits by Renee Pace</a>: Please welcome Renee Pace as she brings us her book Off Limits . An ebook copy of Off Limits will be given away to one lucky read...<br />
<br />
Today I'm on Mila Ramos's for the start of my YA blog tour. Hope you'll join me. It's going to be lots of fun and of course prizes as always.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://feedjit.com/serve/?vv=955&tft=3&dd=0&wid=888d0b226ec9274e&pid=0&proid=0&bc=FFFFFF&tc=000000&brd1=012B6B&lnk=135D9E&hc=FFFFFF&hfc=2853A8&btn=C99700&ww=200&wne=10&wh=Live+Traffic+Feed&hl=0&hlnks=0&hfce=0&srefs=1&hbars=0"></script><noscript><a href="http://feedjit.com/">Feedjit Live Blog Stats</a></noscript></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980799088873951288.post-61032280009373456342012-04-09T10:47:00.006-04:002012-04-09T11:57:18.391-04:00Authors in Bloom Blog Hop - Kindle or Nook up for grabs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdroodOFU3eBgVPaoj8MPJ0BOlcQGF3mn5qRw9X9CC0oDea2CXLJDg4l8e3a5mTpY2soUhABA4R9sEF2rneZRK2lsppp4vZyn28EcH7BkJQ0PfOFSQ0xFS2-mWA5Z6lzNQL8HUuF1HoVHC/s1600/AIB-BlogTourButton-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdroodOFU3eBgVPaoj8MPJ0BOlcQGF3mn5qRw9X9CC0oDea2CXLJDg4l8e3a5mTpY2soUhABA4R9sEF2rneZRK2lsppp4vZyn28EcH7BkJQ0PfOFSQ0xFS2-mWA5Z6lzNQL8HUuF1HoVHC/s1600/AIB-BlogTourButton-001.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.acozyreaderscorner.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.acozyreaderscorner.com</span></a></span><br />
<br />
Also for complete instructions on how to enter - check out - <a href="http://diannevenetta.com/events/authors-in-bloom-blog-hop/#">http://diannevenetta.com/events/authors-in-bloom-blog-hop/#</a> - up for grabs a Nook or Kindle as the mega prize<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span>Line 22: You’ve been chosen as the most beautiful bloom<br />
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Line 23: a stand out among the crowd.<br />
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My prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card and e-copy of Off Limits will be awarded to one lucky person at the end of the hop who leaves a comment on my blog.<br />
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<br />
Hi everyone: Today with it being Easter weekend I thought I'd post a delicious lamb stew recipe. We always have a leg of lamb for Easter dinner but honestly the stew I make up the next day is my fav!<br />
<br />
Irish-Style Lamb Stew<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Ingredients<br />
<br />
• 1 pound cubed lamb meat<br />
<br />
• 1 large onion, halved and sliced<br />
<br />
• 1 pound baking potatoes, peeled and sliced<br />
<br />
• 1 carrot, peeled and sliced<br />
<br />
• 1 large stalk celery, sliced<br />
<br />
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley<br />
<br />
• salt and pepper to taste<br />
<br />
• 2 cups beef stock<br />
<br />
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish<br />
<br />
Directions<br />
<br />
1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). <br />
<br />
2. Layer the lamb meat, onion, potatoes, carrot and celery in an oven proof pot or casserole dish. Season each layer with parsley, salt and pepper as you go. Pour in the beef stock and cover tightly. <br />
<br />
3. Bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours in the preheated oven, until vegetables and meat are very tender. Divide into bowls and garnish with additional parsley.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://feedjit.com/serve/?vv=955&tft=3&dd=0&wid=888d0b226ec9274e&pid=0&proid=0&bc=FFFFFF&tc=000000&brd1=012B6B&lnk=135D9E&hc=FFFFFF&hfc=2853A8&btn=C99700&ww=200&wne=10&wh=Live+Traffic+Feed&hl=0&hlnks=0&hfce=0&srefs=1&hbars=0"></script><noscript><a href="http://feedjit.com/">Feedjit Live Blog Stats</a></noscript></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980799088873951288.post-80573099359848551292012-01-20T08:49:00.000-05:002012-01-20T08:49:07.219-05:00Saying Goodbye to my 100 year-old grandmother <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBOEn4RV_4uT8zVUwRP2SeTaz7yO5KZcJUJD3E3EqZ6mtUTZScnyNP4gzDwnn41ObLGRC1VHwosTrxtO1RxJXOynsoXfVBXoY2Doz1b7Cm2edV1lkGAGbB_xog9zM7nVCiNOeMlxoP7Mr/s1600/PICT3171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBOEn4RV_4uT8zVUwRP2SeTaz7yO5KZcJUJD3E3EqZ6mtUTZScnyNP4gzDwnn41ObLGRC1VHwosTrxtO1RxJXOynsoXfVBXoY2Doz1b7Cm2edV1lkGAGbB_xog9zM7nVCiNOeMlxoP7Mr/s320/PICT3171.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A picture of me with my grandmother, Susan Thelma (MacKenzie) Pace at her 99th b-day last year. <br />
She turned 100 in Nov 2011. She passed away last night at 11:30pm.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Last night my grandmother, Susan Thelma Pace passed away at the age of 100. Until a few days ago she was perfectly healthy but she fell and shattered her hip and things quickly deteriorated. She was rushed to the Dartmouth General Hospital and because they were so full she stayed in the emergency ward until the last few hours of her life.<br />
<br />
<br />
I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all the wonderful emergency nurses who tried their best to comfort her and respect her wishes. At about 4pm yesterday staff found the family a small private room so we and the hospital minister could say our final farewells because they thought her death would be fairly immediate after taking her off the oxygen. My grandmother loved to have all her children and extended family around her and that’s what we did last night. Well, for those that know my grandmother you know she’s a fighter. Her pulse steadied out and after two hours staff reported to us that they had secured a semi-private room for her upstairs because they weren’t sure how long the process would take. <br />
<br />
I had always told my grandmother I would stay with her until her last breath but I will admit I was getting very tired and once she was moved upstairs her breathing steadied and her son, my uncle Danny and I thought she might make it through until the morning. I told her I can only stay until 11:30pm tonight Gram and she’d have to hang on until I came back around 8am. I honestly think she heard me. At 11pm her breathing slowed and then at 11:25pm she took one big breath and it was over a minute before she took another. We checked her pulse and Danny went to the get the nurse and then she took one last breath. Danny walked in, looked at the clock and said, “Renee it’s 11:30pm she heard you.” Her death was very peaceful and it went the way she wanted – in her sleep.<br />
<br />
The family had their chance to say good bye and I told her she taught me everything good in my life. Her optimism, her faith and belief that people are born good became integral parts to my core beliefs. My grandmother represented a generation gone bye. She didn’t need a lot to make her happy – her loving family was enough. I will never forget you, Gram.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://feedjit.com/serve/?vv=955&tft=3&dd=0&wid=888d0b226ec9274e&pid=0&proid=0&bc=FFFFFF&tc=000000&brd1=012B6B&lnk=135D9E&hc=FFFFFF&hfc=2853A8&btn=C99700&ww=200&wne=10&wh=Live+Traffic+Feed&hl=0&hlnks=0&hfce=0&srefs=1&hbars=0"></script><noscript><a href="http://feedjit.com/">Feedjit Live Blog Stats</a></noscript></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980799088873951288.post-48041113696631902462011-12-31T14:01:00.000-05:002011-12-31T14:01:09.174-05:00My 2012 year resolutions1. Write more – goal is 1,000 words a day – not blogs/stories<br />
<br />
2. Finish edits on the four novels I sitting on my computer and Indie pub<br />
<br />
3. Love more – that means tell my children and hubby every day how much I love them<br />
<br />
4. Visit my 100 year-old grandmother more and listen to her stories – they are awesome<br />
<br />
5. Try something new – like yoga/meditation<br />
<br />
6. Make more date nights with hubby – no children and lots of adult time<br />
<br />
7. Make a point of spending more quality time with my girlfriends<br />
<br />
8. Plot out and write synopsis for 2nd YA Sci-fi novel and 2nd Titan series (romance)<br />
<br />
9. Support more Indie authors – buy books/write reviews<br />
<br />
10. Ditch the clutter in my house<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://feedjit.com/serve/?vv=955&tft=3&dd=0&wid=888d0b226ec9274e&pid=0&proid=0&bc=FFFFFF&tc=000000&brd1=012B6B&lnk=135D9E&hc=FFFFFF&hfc=2853A8&btn=C99700&ww=200&wne=10&wh=Live+Traffic+Feed&hl=0&hlnks=0&hfce=0&srefs=1&hbars=0"></script><noscript><a href="http://feedjit.com/">Feedjit Live Blog Stats</a></noscript></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980799088873951288.post-51960199268695981672011-12-10T16:23:00.000-05:002011-12-10T16:23:23.435-05:00Why are your friendships in high school so powerful?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsZfMcvz3JJ7oINNbg-PRKSg1m4xG2EqzWdoheO2LCvPZqQkPesV_xFWNTNRSY3fIN_jWSSONyfI8YSJttXRg_dT_07nKP5KQ20BRW5n5K3GCi1_Se89uOM3SfXCMdib8V_-J9c5tI-t6/s1600/OffLimits72small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsZfMcvz3JJ7oINNbg-PRKSg1m4xG2EqzWdoheO2LCvPZqQkPesV_xFWNTNRSY3fIN_jWSSONyfI8YSJttXRg_dT_07nKP5KQ20BRW5n5K3GCi1_Se89uOM3SfXCMdib8V_-J9c5tI-t6/s1600/OffLimits72small.jpg" /></a></div>When I wrote <strong><em>Off Limits</em></strong> which is a story about a friendship that develops and grows between two very different girls it brought back what the word friendship meant to me in school. I had one best friend, a city girl who moved to the country and in grade five we became BFFs. Everything about her sparkled. She was like so cool because she used to live in the big city while I grew up in the country. <br />
<br />
There was always this ‘other’ friend who hung around with us but I knew she was at the edge of our friendship because of her life and yes, I will say it, her looks. My best friend in high school was the cheerleader type – and yes we did that too in high school – think blonde, blue eyed and a figure I always envied. I was too skinny (wouldn’t I die to reclaim that now), flat chested and had (still have) frizzy hair. By the time we were in high school the friend on the edge was slightly overweight, wasn’t in our academic classes and never tried out for anything. Looking back I know why but it took me spending the night at her house to understand the depths of her life. I suspected she was being sexually abused by her step-father and while she hinted at things that couldn’t be said, I never came out and asked. But what could a 15 year-old kid do? She escaped her home life by getting married to an older man and didn’t finish high school. I totally lost contact, but never forgot her. I often wished I spoken more to her but people didn’t talk about things like that in my community and honestly, I’m fairly certain they still don’t.<br />
<br />
And my best friend, I wish I could say the ordeals of high school didn’t rip us apart but they did. At 15 my best friend got pregnant. Her very Catholic mother, who at that time was going through a terrible divorce – they went from riches to rags overnight because of her father – helped her get an abortion – at the time her mom had five young children to deal with and no support. A year later my friend got pregnant again and not wanting to disappoint her mother, she and her boyfriend and my cousin at the time drove to Quebec so she could have an apportion without her mom finding out. I spent the weekend covering for her. I tried to put myself in her shoes and I couldn’t. While I had a boyfriend and yes, I was sexually active at the age of 16, I also went on the pill because I never wanted children (insert laugh here as I know have 4). <br />
<br />
I wanted more than anything to escape my small fishing community and I knew going to university, continuing my education was key. Those two abortions deeply affected my BFF for life. I found out years later she was in counseling for her decisions. After high school, I went on to university and she went on to work full-time. Years later I married, she never did (even though I know that was her high school dream) and once I was settled in my life I had many children (she has had none).<br />
<br />
I have often wished we could get together to chat about those days but I realize we will never be able to recapture what we had. I truly loved her. She was the girl I shared everything with. I told all about the feel of my first kiss what I aspired to be when I grew up. She was the girl whose house I’d go to when getting ready for a dance and we’d spend hours trying on clothing and doing make-up. She was the girl who showed me how to navigate the city on the weekends showing me it wasn’t all that scary. She was so smart and had such potential that I envisioned us both going to university, rooming together but that never happened. <br />
<br />
Since those high school years I have had many other good friends but never have I had a friendship like I did with my BFF in high school. Why is that? Does it have to do with the changes going on in our lives? Does it have to do with all those ‘first’ memories we shared together? I’d like to know what you think. Drop me a comment and you could win a copy of <strong><em>Off Limits.</em></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://feedjit.com/serve/?vv=955&tft=3&dd=0&wid=888d0b226ec9274e&pid=0&proid=0&bc=FFFFFF&tc=000000&brd1=012B6B&lnk=135D9E&hc=FFFFFF&hfc=2853A8&btn=C99700&ww=200&wne=10&wh=Live+Traffic+Feed&hl=0&hlnks=0&hfce=0&srefs=1&hbars=0"></script><noscript><a href="http://feedjit.com/">Feedjit Live Blog Stats</a></noscript></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980799088873951288.post-11136668634141381372011-12-09T07:13:00.000-05:002011-12-09T07:13:48.268-05:00Off Limits by Renee Pace Debuts Today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8V0FUqcXcYM4DOA7z0nUZ0piGZncMqiv4b08jpzUPoe3Nwf2iWabXQZrdGh0FZtOUcSVk7WL-05JZdHvsf4j4RxDxQWW3F3hy76DamrLxiE7HJ3vvo5c_HyDdVxgy1my1EvIN2Ux1oEVD/s1600/OffLimits72med.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8V0FUqcXcYM4DOA7z0nUZ0piGZncMqiv4b08jpzUPoe3Nwf2iWabXQZrdGh0FZtOUcSVk7WL-05JZdHvsf4j4RxDxQWW3F3hy76DamrLxiE7HJ3vvo5c_HyDdVxgy1my1EvIN2Ux1oEVD/s1600/OffLimits72med.jpg" /></a></div>Hi everyone:<br />
I'm very excited that Off Limits debuts today on Amazon. This is book two in my nitty gritty series and let me just say it was very hard to write. I wish I could say I grew up in a high school where things like suicide, young girls getting pregnant, drug overdoses and mean girls didn't exist. Sad, because all of that went on and much more. When I wrote Off Limits I wanted to focus on two girls -give them each a unique voice with their own set of problems. What I also wanted to highlight was the force of a real friendship - you know the type. The type of friend you worry about, the type of friend you try to help out when they're down and the type of friend you tell the truth to even if that means it might kill the friendship.<br />
<br />
To celebrate my launch - I'm giving away a copy of Off Limits to read. Leave a comment and one lucky person will receive an e-copy of Off Limits.<br />
<br />
Off Limits<br />
<br />
By Renee Pace<br />
Chapter One<br />
<br />
Lindsay<br />
<br />
“You coming over tonight, Rebecca?”<br />
<br />
I make the question casual, like it’s no sweat off my back if my best friend can’t come over tonight. Inside my gut twists and rolls with the thought of being alone. She plays with her dyed blonde ponytail, pulling the strands tight to her head to fluff it up higher. She’s not paying attention to me. Rebecca’s one focus is Blair. Blair’s main focus is Rebecca. They make me sick.<br />
<br />
“Can’t Linds. I’ve got plans.”<br />
<br />
I hate that nickname and no matter how many times I ask her not to call me that she doesn’t listen. She dismisses me with a swish of her ponytail and walks over to plant one on Blair’s lips. I cringe with disgust. For the life of me I can’t understand what she sees in him, besides his muscular body. Muscle or not, he’s not something I’m into.<br />
<br />
I re-read the text from my mother and resist the urge to type a pleading note back to her not to spend another night away. Mom’s been at a conference all weekend. I had Friday, Saturday and even Sunday night covered. It’s Monday. She was supposed to come home tonight. Now I’m left scrambling for an excuse to spend the night somewhere else or begging a friend to come to my house for a sleepover. Worse, I have to make my impromptu sleepover sound casual, like it’s an afterthought that me, the so-called perfect girl in this Prep school, wants a friend or better yet friends to spend Monday night at her house. No one has sleepovers on Monday. Even I know that. Thing is, I’m all into bucking the trend. Especially when a friend will keep me safe and they won’t even know it.<br />
<br />
Taking the time to look at my reflection staring back at me thanks to my handy-dandy locker mirror I reapply my pink lipstick, add a bit more black eyeliner around my bottom lids and flick my long blonde hair off my shoulders. I look cool and sophisticated thanks to Mother’s recent shopping spree and my practiced ‘I’m fine’ look. I’m totally decked out in designer duds, from my shoes to my new hot purple matching bra and underwear, although no one’s going to see that. It’s the top of the line on this bod. But just once I wish I didn’t feel like trash. They say clothes make the woman. My clothes, like the makeup I carefully apply, are my body armor. They protect me and conceal me. Even my scars—carefully hidden thanks to my long-sleeved sweater. They are my shame. My dirty little secret I can’t tell anyone.<br />
<br />
Armed with my new Coach purse, another gift from Mother-dearest, I saunter to class. It would not be cool for me to be late so I never am. Appearances must be maintained and just like my good grades, which are totally expected, I play my part to a T.<br />
<br />
The class is totally boring and I can’t absorb one freaking word the teacher is droning on about. Something to do with DNA, mitochondria and cellular fusion. I hate biology. You of course would never know that. My last test was a ninety-eight percent and I participate in class even though inside it kills me.<br />
<br />
“Mr. Turner, I didn’t catch the last part of what you were saying, do you mind repeating it?” I make sure to bat my eyelashes at him and throw in a flirty smile. Sometimes using the way I look makes me sick. Not today.<br />
<br />
“Sure Lindsay, as I was saying…”<br />
<br />
This time I take notes. It helps me concentrate on his class, forcing my mind not to wander into that dark place. An itch starts on both of my wrists but I don’t scratch. Scratching would ruin the plastic surgeon’s work and piss my mother off to no end. My mother and I don’t talk about the “incident”. That’s her word, not mine. I have another word I like to use, but uttering that makes her angry. Trust me, that’s not pretty.<br />
<br />
We went from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Mexico, just the two of us, but not once did we talk about anything important. The five and a half hour flight might have never happened. But it did. The “incident” happened and now…now, I am supposedly all better. As if! And like all mistakes, we wiped all memories of it clean from our lives. Well, that’s how Mother viewed it. Me, I’m not so sure.<br />
<br />
Now we live in Toronto. To say I hate this place would be an understatement. Gone is my tree. The one tree that grew up with me. Mother planted it in our backyard, blubbering away about “us” making our own memories when my father walked out on us. She never once looked back at that relationship, except to look at me. I should have been the wise one. Make one stupid mistake Lindsay and voilà, you’ll get taken away from all you know, including the stupid silly things that shouldn’t matter, but do. Like that tree, which had been on a piece of property in my mother’s family for close to two hundred years. She sold off the acreage to some developer, but not before we trekked an hour back into the bug-infested woods for that damn shrub. Cedar. That’s it. We didn’t think it would survive but that tree did. It grew and grew, so much so, that it became my own special tree. Now, that’s gone. After all the shit that’s happened in my life, I honestly can’t believe I miss that stupid tree.<br />
<br />
My mother couldn’t live with the shame of my so-called accident. The reality is she couldn’t live with the gossip and still to this day, a full six months later, she is not interested in learning the truth. I tried to tell her it wasn’t an accident. That didn’t go so well.<br />
<br />
“What did he say?”<br />
<br />
Without turning my head I answer Megan. She’s sitting next to me, only because she got assigned that seat. Megan, with her mousy-brown hair, is about as boring as you can get. The cosmetic ladies would have a field day with her face. I bet she doesn’t even own lip gloss. I look at her for a good twenty seconds.<br />
<br />
Beggars can’t be choosers.<br />
<br />
“You doing anything tonight?” I turn my head slightly, giving her a bit of my attention but not all of it. Inside my head I am still going through all my friends, trying to figure out who might say yes to coming to my house tonight. Most of my friends have cheerleading practice on Monday night. Since I couldn’t even try out for the team because of my “weak” wrists lie, I’m not on it. Neither is Megan.<br />
<br />
She hasn’t answered me, so I’m forced to look at her. “Megan, you busy tonight?”<br />
<br />
She gives me a puzzled expression. “No. Why?”<br />
<br />
“Want to come over?”<br />
<br />
“Over. Like, as in to your house to do homework or something?” I can’t help notice how her uni-brow furrows in frustration and she’s got a pack of whiteheads on her nose that could seriously use some medication. What she really needs is a good makeover. Oh. My. God. I am a genius.<br />
<br />
I move my chair slightly closer to her. “Look, come to my house tonight and we’ll give each other makeovers.”<br />
<br />
Her eyes widened and honestly the biggest smile on the planet lights up her face. I feel like a heel. What the hell am I thinking? Oh, I know; I’m not thinking. I’m desperate. I can’t believe Megan is my last hope.<br />
<br />
“Sure. That would be great. I can come over for a bit.”<br />
<br />
A bit. I need her to commit for the night. “I was thinking…you know, there’s nothing going on…why don’t you spend the night?” I gulp. It’s too late to swallow back the words but I know I have just committed social suicide. For a second I wonder which is worse—home alone or having Megan over.<br />
<br />
“A sleepover?”<br />
<br />
Thank god she asks the question in her whisper-like voice. “Yeah,” I nod. “A sleepover, that’s a great idea.” I am so royally screwed. I made her think sleeping over at my house was her idea. It’s not, but if it will get her to commit, I don’t care what she thinks.<br />
<br />
“You sure?” she asks.<br />
<br />
Not really, but I don’t have anyone else to ask and you’re my last hope. I nod, making sure my smile is bright and full, stretched taut across my face. I notice she’s still taking notes. How the hell can she concentrate on this boring stuff when my guts feel like they are being twisted into pretzel shapes?<br />
<br />
“Just you and me, tonight at my house for a makeover. Come around six and we’ll have time for a movie later.”<br />
<br />
“You sure your parents won’t mind? It being Monday night and all.”<br />
<br />
“My mother’s away at some stupid work conference. And my stepfather doesn’t care what I do.” And that’s the truth. He only cares about one thing but that’s not going to happen—if she comes over, that is.<br />
<br />
“You are so lucky. By the way, I don’t have any makeup to bring.”<br />
<br />
“Don’t you worry. I have enough stuff to outfit my own store. When I’m done with you tonight you can take whatever you want home with you.”<br />
<br />
“I wish I had your life.”<br />
<br />
I gulp. A flash of terror slides through my skin at her words. If she knew my real life, if she knew what went on in the dark, when Mother’s not home, she most certainly would not want my life. I can’t say anything for a full minute. Instead, I start to take notes again. My heart’s hammering away and sweat glides down my new shirt. I’m glad now I put on my sweater.<br />
<br />
“You okay?” she asks.<br />
<br />
“You bet. Just plotting out in my head what we’re going to do tonight.”<br />
<br />
The bell rings. Class is over. I gently close my laptop. No one carries scribblers or school books at this school. It’s high-tech all the way. The sickening part is that with it being mid-morning, religious class is next. I am not one bit Catholic, even though my mother said we were. I fake my way through religious class much like how I pretend being happy. Guess I learned how to lie from a pro. The worse part about my next class is with it being Monday it’s mandatory confessional. Honestly, some of my best lies take place in the privacy of a wooden closet. Just me and the priest, separated by a silly wooden barrier. I should journal some of the “indecent” things I confess. They sound exciting even to me so, I can just imagine the hard-on they give that fat, disgusting priest. If there’s one thing I have learned in the past year it’s how to spot a pervert. Trust me, he’s just like Greg, my stepfather, who ever since I turned fourteen has snuck into my room to show me his idea of loving. The concept of that type of love is not something I want. If that’s loving, I will take hate any day.<br />
<br />
I know something the priest and most of my fellow students don’t know. There is no hell in the afterlife. I’ve been there. Died for a good three minutes. I didn’t feel a thing. Only this life is living hell.<br />
<br />
“See you at six,” I remind Megan, as we casually join the mass exit from class.<br />
<br />
“Can’t wait,” she says.<br />
<br />
I can’t help noticing the bounce in her step. It should make me happy. It doesn’t. I don’t even like Megan. She’s a pathetic excuse for protection but she will have to do.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://feedjit.com/serve/?vv=955&tft=3&dd=0&wid=888d0b226ec9274e&pid=0&proid=0&bc=FFFFFF&tc=000000&brd1=012B6B&lnk=135D9E&hc=FFFFFF&hfc=2853A8&btn=C99700&ww=200&wne=10&wh=Live+Traffic+Feed&hl=0&hlnks=0&hfce=0&srefs=1&hbars=0"></script><noscript><a href="http://feedjit.com/">Feedjit Live Blog Stats</a></noscript></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980799088873951288.post-7190929494374911602011-12-02T17:12:00.000-05:002011-12-02T17:12:18.997-05:00Freaks of Greenfield High - If you liked Terminator you will love this YA book<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_CUaMJuF5OjBZbu1iNCVk7rqlxe4uKAue7Z-54PE_WzHKBjEF-kjkkpcW2o_JVCeUf35kO1n4sfj_3njHrzpSR4jZHkgUmg8WEwatWVKz67ek4y3xCBIOF-_4Fm5BXdS6cPxnJg96HYQ/s1600/freaksofgreenfieldhigh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="200px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_CUaMJuF5OjBZbu1iNCVk7rqlxe4uKAue7Z-54PE_WzHKBjEF-kjkkpcW2o_JVCeUf35kO1n4sfj_3njHrzpSR4jZHkgUmg8WEwatWVKz67ek4y3xCBIOF-_4Fm5BXdS6cPxnJg96HYQ/s200/freaksofgreenfieldhigh.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div><strong><em>Freaks of Greenfield High</em></strong> by Maree Anderson is a great YA cross between the Terminator movies and the Sarah Connor TV show. I devoured this book in two nights. It totally played out like a movie in my head. Anderson’s descriptions of cyborg Jay were amazing. I especially loved that Jay was a girl, trying to learn how to cope with new situations while learning more about humanity. I loved how Anderson added human angst to Jay who was trying to cope with blending in while playing being human. And Tyler and his twin sister had their own problems but friendships are the underlying theme in this book. It was fast paced, riveting, real teen language that I loved and I didn’t want it to end. I seriously hope Anderson will write a sequel featuring more cyborgs. I don’t have a rating system but this YA book is a must read.<br />
<br />
<br />
Check out <strong><em>Freaks of Greenfield High</em></strong> at http://amzn.com/B005M9TC3K. This book is a .99 cent read. Read other books by Anderson at http://www.mareeanderson.com<br />
<br />
Book Blurb:<br />
<br />
When a teenage cyborg is forced to hide out at a small-town high school, the unthinkable happens: she falls in love.<br />
<br />
Jay’s a cyborg who looks just like normal teenage girl. She’s super-strong, super-smart, and she can even appear to grow and age like a human. When a covert organization intent on using Jay as a weapon comes after her, she needs to find a place where she can blend in. Greenfield High seems perfect… except that the boys all think she’s totally hot and keep hitting on her, and she has no clue how to handle the attention. Who knew high school could be so perilous?<br />
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To add to her confusion she’s evolving - experiencing human emotions for the first time. And when she encounters ex-jock-turned-outcast Tyler, he sends her logical brain into a spin. She’s just starting to get the hang of this girlfriend/boyfriend thing when her pursuers track her down. Now’s sooo not the time for a cyborg to fall in love and get all emotional!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://feedjit.com/serve/?vv=955&tft=3&dd=0&wid=888d0b226ec9274e&pid=0&proid=0&bc=FFFFFF&tc=000000&brd1=012B6B&lnk=135D9E&hc=FFFFFF&hfc=2853A8&btn=C99700&ww=200&wne=10&wh=Live+Traffic+Feed&hl=0&hlnks=0&hfce=0&srefs=1&hbars=0"></script><noscript><a href="http://feedjit.com/">Feedjit Live Blog Stats</a></noscript></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980799088873951288.post-84500574378514777932011-11-30T15:50:00.000-05:002011-11-30T15:50:31.204-05:00Joined 4 other talented writers to form YA Beyond: Breaking Boundaries<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZlIx-etGxK6rPw-RJbX8puX3S834mkFFIyFqeu2693mf0emH7c0S__kuUOzvOSa6KXYy1rkNHTBa0GH7JdXvk_0NTU27TBWRhFaJfWcmXDZjPfpT1Avq11gXtv6zXdIWcw2qIBnhHvtP/s1600/static-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="200px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZlIx-etGxK6rPw-RJbX8puX3S834mkFFIyFqeu2693mf0emH7c0S__kuUOzvOSa6KXYy1rkNHTBa0GH7JdXvk_0NTU27TBWRhFaJfWcmXDZjPfpT1Avq11gXtv6zXdIWcw2qIBnhHvtP/s200/static-cover.jpg" width="142px" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVCBijYK9yHIgYA25rJzR66WCr4w686X9baQZrWgE1z_iqqDygY9CCDogf0uBp87QyGWnwv9X4tv-B42i2_6FhhtAW4Y-315hyphenhyphenq32b5KXWtG_ZieYGLntHeswyTwyOWOG8dUgzKz1xqfE/s1600/heavenisforheroes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="200px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVCBijYK9yHIgYA25rJzR66WCr4w686X9baQZrWgE1z_iqqDygY9CCDogf0uBp87QyGWnwv9X4tv-B42i2_6FhhtAW4Y-315hyphenhyphenq32b5KXWtG_ZieYGLntHeswyTwyOWOG8dUgzKz1xqfE/s200/heavenisforheroes.jpg" width="129px" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdANJYpv6HV7Js8aw8UM7hkh1N9fJ2u3sSstEHMV3dqkf6HWKgaS1-AYy6tJQLfMrW5IsIV7AD_usI_fTXKxXOtSh3p_LMJKDeQh4pR7BTIW8JjHr8pxBObLUrJ_kWeZNM3qK-D2POIxeI/s1600/OffLeash72small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="200px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdANJYpv6HV7Js8aw8UM7hkh1N9fJ2u3sSstEHMV3dqkf6HWKgaS1-AYy6tJQLfMrW5IsIV7AD_usI_fTXKxXOtSh3p_LMJKDeQh4pR7BTIW8JjHr8pxBObLUrJ_kWeZNM3qK-D2POIxeI/s200/OffLeash72small.jpg" width="133px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I am very excited that I’ve joined with four other talented multi-published authors to form YA Beyond: Breaking Boundaries (www.yabeyond.com). This site will highlight everything teen related. We are a diverse group and our writing styles vary as much as our experience in the writing field. Like many young adult writers we’re all using pseunonyms. For me, Renee Pace, is a reclaiming of my maiden name and I couldn’t be happier writing YA under my birth name. I’m a mother of four children, three boys and then our girl and I’ll soon gab about how that little girl came to be but the journey to writing for all us began first with our love of reading.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLFLls650uKtL4ol2YuGTvTbRH406kwXxdfAN74Meo4qkCgVMxERyDvKg1Oewv76of0Mi_lZHmu-KXYzBX1wIquQQ6bvrzDcH9fTYyUCVyZixXhN46_SqkzphRKz9p2D8HePRh0Uz-H7y/s1600/PridesRun-194x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="200px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLFLls650uKtL4ol2YuGTvTbRH406kwXxdfAN74Meo4qkCgVMxERyDvKg1Oewv76of0Mi_lZHmu-KXYzBX1wIquQQ6bvrzDcH9fTYyUCVyZixXhN46_SqkzphRKz9p2D8HePRh0Uz-H7y/s200/PridesRun-194x300.jpg" width="129px" /></a>I read a ton of books. I usually read at least three books a week. Books are everywhere in my house. Picture my night table by my bed piled high with books and that’s me. Magazines also fill my bathroom but books line my bath tub – nothing makes me happier than a long hot soak, glass of wine and a good book. This habit is something two of my boys have developed – minus the wine so far but I encourage reading at a young age and so what if I had to fork out $30 for the last book my 10 year-old dropped in the tub – he was in there for an hour reading – such a wonderful gift we can pass to our children. If I’m falling in love with a book I’ve been known to sit on the sofa all evening reading, somehow the children’s homework gets done and usually I’m oblivious that the TV was left on. </div><br />
This brings me back to yabeyond. We’re going to be frank and honest and talk about teen issues, the joy of writing teen stories, how we do research, books we love, how to encourage healthy teen living, talking about those hard topics like sex and drugs with your teen, how writers get pulled in many directions but must learn to manage time and much more. I can’t wait to showcase some new and exciting YA Indie authors I’m discovering. I’m hoping we can get them to do guest blogs later on. And most importantly we’re trying to reach out to teens. The biggest question YA authors have is how do we get our books in teen hands? It’s not a simple question but I’m a firm believer in engaging teens in reading and the creative process. <br />
<br />
My 13 year-old son is reading my first YA novel Off Leash and besides being a bit shocked at how much he’s liking it (again he’s my teen) one of his nicest comments was how my writing reminds him of Eric Walters – that would be his fav author and one I’m sure I’ve helped finance a trip somewhere considering I always go out and buy all his books asap for my teen. So saying that I realized I had never read an Eric Walters book. Since he has an entire bookshelf of his books I’m about to fix that.<br />
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So let me say a huge shout out to fellow www.yabeyond.com bloggers: <br />
<br />
Cat Kalen author of Pride’s Run and debuting soon Pride Unleashed, an edgy paranormal<br />
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Tawny Stokes, author of Static, and Demon Whisperer, dark paranormal YA stories that will leave you breathless<br />
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PJ Sharon author of Heaven is for Heroes (so loved this book), On Thin Ice and debuting in 2012 Savage Cinderella<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Anne Rose, who is a multi-published author under a name and the best writing coach ever – she recently launched TheRedPenCoach and Anne is working on her first sci-fi YA – which I have to say is great!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">December 1 is out debut day on www.yabeyond.com. We’re also on twitter@yabeyond. We’re hoping to hear from many of you.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://feedjit.com/serve/?vv=955&tft=3&dd=0&wid=888d0b226ec9274e&pid=0&proid=0&bc=FFFFFF&tc=000000&brd1=012B6B&lnk=135D9E&hc=FFFFFF&hfc=2853A8&btn=C99700&ww=200&wne=10&wh=Live+Traffic+Feed&hl=0&hlnks=0&hfce=0&srefs=1&hbars=0"></script><noscript><a href="http://feedjit.com/">Feedjit Live Blog Stats</a></noscript></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980799088873951288.post-48886748998589824912011-11-24T12:07:00.000-05:002011-11-24T12:07:48.967-05:00Day 24 and Nano Panic Has Set In<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Day 24 of Nano and yes the panic has set in. I’ve got 33,000 words written in my third nitty gritty novel, Off Stroke and I’ve hit the part where I’d like to rest and go back and edit. Yeah, you read that right, edit. But alas if I go back I won’t finish. And now I’m calling it that <em>damn book</em>, that’s what happens when the pressure is on. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will confess I’m writing this book by the seat of my pants. I’m not a plotter but I usually know the beginning and ending of the books I’m writing. Off Stroke is going to surprise me. I can feel it building. My characters have done their intros and we’ve passed that first kiss scene, which is a first for me in my YA writing journey and we have moved into the nitty gritty reality of life. When I left my characters this morning Eje, my main guy, had just had the crap beaten out of him. Finally. I could sense it coming but wasn’t sure how or the circumstances to they why. But I had faith in my voice and the creative process. And now I’m excited. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The tension is building between Eje and Shannon, the lines are being drawn in the sand to speak but will their friendship survive all the obstacles I’m going to throw their way (insert evil laugh here). This is where the pace is going to pick up. Tomorrow another 2,000 words to plug out so I’ve got six more days to reach 50,000. Okay, yeah I’m totally worried, but this book will be done by the first week of December, and hopefully by then I’ll have nailed down the ending.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And the good news is my cast comes off Dec. 1st - so excited! I'm seriously hoping they'll put me either in a boot cast or let me attempt to walk on two legs. This will be my best Christmas present.</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://feedjit.com/serve/?vv=955&tft=3&dd=0&wid=888d0b226ec9274e&pid=0&proid=0&bc=FFFFFF&tc=000000&brd1=012B6B&lnk=135D9E&hc=FFFFFF&hfc=2853A8&btn=C99700&ww=200&wne=10&wh=Live+Traffic+Feed&hl=0&hlnks=0&hfce=0&srefs=1&hbars=0"></script><noscript><a href="http://feedjit.com/">Feedjit Live Blog Stats</a></noscript></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980799088873951288.post-40659454131373800332011-11-19T12:07:00.000-05:002011-11-19T12:07:58.803-05:00Marketing Update for Off Leash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4wiBePDgSf7LFmenB6qjgF1nUsGMehEox0NCNn-e6SWh7KiBv2FTZI5ywFU8KAl10A9SGTVl5NkwjJgq8BmY_pZI9no3U2TLxnpwnoSARXHtYLFxoP5IWOfyJTEY5076by4qwmHzvTkt/s1600/OffLeash72med.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="200px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4wiBePDgSf7LFmenB6qjgF1nUsGMehEox0NCNn-e6SWh7KiBv2FTZI5ywFU8KAl10A9SGTVl5NkwjJgq8BmY_pZI9no3U2TLxnpwnoSARXHtYLFxoP5IWOfyJTEY5076by4qwmHzvTkt/s200/OffLeash72med.jpg" width="133px" /></a></div>On October 8 I launched Off Leash as two books. I sold 4 copies in total at $2.99 with 70% royalty rate. I also quickly realized this angle was not going to work. Offering the book with two endings selling it as two different books was saturating my market and sales. So a few days later I reworked both books into one book –Off Leash: Bonus Content and tagged the nitty gritty ending on as the 2nd ending all in one book. My stats at this point remained about 80,000. I also changed the price to .99 cent which meant a drop in royalty to 35%.<br />
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Marketing: Fired off queries to about 10 YA blog sites asking if they’d read an e-Arc of Off Leash.<br />
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Three YA blog sites responded. Again good exposure but no increase in sales.<br />
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Blog: I attempt to be more active with blogging and reading more YA books.<br />
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Twitter: I made it a point to really up my tweets and start following more YA authors/bloggers. Not sure if this increased sales but this is something I enjoy and again it’s tied into exposure. I also make it a point to always respond to 4-6 people when I log in. Whenever someone starts to follow me I also send them a note of thanks. <br />
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Goodreads: I joined and added a number of YA/Indie groups. I confess here I find it hard to utilize this site for promotion so would welcome any helpful hints. Even getting my book listed on Goodreads was hard.<br />
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Digital Book Today – On November 7 Off Leash was posted. In order to get posted you need at least 5 reviews (this can be very hard to get for an Indie author), but once I got them I fired off a note and they agreed to feature it. This was free.<br />
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The Frugal E-Reader – Launched Off Leash on Nov. 6th – the double exposure really helped to move Off Leash up to the Top 100 Amazon Kindle list. In terms of sales all together that day 6 books were sold.<br />
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The Kindle Daily Deal – This was my first paid ad at $59 (US). It was worth it. I sold 23 books and moved as high as #13 on the Top Amazon Kindle List for Best Children’s Books for Boys and Men. Four days later I was still ranked in the Top 100. This was great for exposure. A lot of new people on twitter started to follow me also.<br />
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Total sales todate: 38 books<br />
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<strong>What’s next?</strong><br />
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I booked a Pixel of Ink ad for Off Leash which is about $119 (US) and I’m slated for Dec.10, 2011 – this is perfect timing. My second book, Off Limits I hope to have live on Dec 5th and I’ll be keeping that priced at $2.99 with 70% royalty in the hopes of making more sales.<br />
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Goodreads – goal is to better utilize this site<br />
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Facebook – attempt to get more exposure about the series through my Renee Pace site<br />
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Twitter – continue doing what I’m doing<br />
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YA reviews sites – research more and attempt to get more reviews – nice to have 20 reviews so I can approach other Kindle Nation sites that require this.<br />
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Locally – Mail my print copy of Off Leash to local Teen Magazine so they can have one of their teen reviewers read and post a review – aim is January. <br />
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Emailed my local library asking them to purchase a copy for their collection. Also emailed library to see if they’d be willing to host a local YA Indie group workshop – still waiting for reply.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://feedjit.com/serve/?vv=955&tft=3&dd=0&wid=888d0b226ec9274e&pid=0&proid=0&bc=FFFFFF&tc=000000&brd1=012B6B&lnk=135D9E&hc=FFFFFF&hfc=2853A8&btn=C99700&ww=200&wne=10&wh=Live+Traffic+Feed&hl=0&hlnks=0&hfce=0&srefs=1&hbars=0"></script><noscript><a href="http://feedjit.com/">Feedjit Live Blog Stats</a></noscript></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980799088873951288.post-86273567037113153172011-11-13T13:03:00.000-05:002011-11-13T13:03:49.636-05:00RWA Takes the Spotlight off First time Author SalesIt’s Sunday morning and when my children were younger Sunday wasn’t so crazy. Now it’s filled with the race to make it to Church on time, soccer practice and usually a basketball game. I still crave my early morning reading time so this morning I picked up the latest November RWA magazine and sat down to read it. I always read the “Sold” section because I’m applauding all those wonderful authors who got their first sale. But then I turned the page and read the article called, “What Constitutes a Sale?”. I read the article a few times because honestly it wasn’t clear to me. <br />
The article goes on to cite the definition of sale and then states how historically authors were paid an advance on signing which earned them the right to be listed in the First Sales column, and wear a ribbon recognizing their efforts at conferences. It further states, “It is a big step to move from the ranks of unpublished to published.” Yeah, you heard it but there’s a huge but coming up. The gist of it is that based on 778 first sales published in the RWR since 2007 only 65% of sales – meaning authors here – did not make $1,000 to qualify for PAN membership.<br />
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But at the end of this article I was left scratching my head. “…RWA is changing its recognition of a member’s first sale.” Really, how? The article left me hanging, so I guess I’ll have to wait until December to find out how they’re going to showcase first sales.<br />
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Here’s the thing that bugs me. If RWA doesn’t like the terminology of the words First Sales – how about Recognition of Authors Hard at Work? Okay, maybe that title sucks but surely some marketing RWA guru can come up with something jazzy that can truly shout out to me, the RWA reader, look what your fellow writers have accomplished this month. And, isn’t that the purpose of RWA? To support authors, encourage writers to keep on writing, showcase marketing trends, and talk about the changes in the publishing industry.<br />
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I think many RWA authors if you asked them started the journey of writing books firstly for the love of writing. Sure making money is great but tying a specific amount to what qualifies you as a writer, to honor your first book deal, is honestly none of RWA’s business. What RWA should be doing is what I did this morning—applauding all those writers who wrote a book and sold it. That’s a lot of hard work and worth a lot more than the $1,000 profit you are supposed to make. <br />
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I would like to see RWA stop nickelling and diming writer’s accomplishments and get with the program. I think RWA should read the article a little later on called, “Keeping Readers for Life” and think how they can best work on keeping members for life.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://feedjit.com/serve/?vv=955&tft=3&dd=0&wid=888d0b226ec9274e&pid=0&proid=0&bc=FFFFFF&tc=000000&brd1=012B6B&lnk=135D9E&hc=FFFFFF&hfc=2853A8&btn=C99700&ww=200&wne=10&wh=Live+Traffic+Feed&hl=0&hlnks=0&hfce=0&srefs=1&hbars=0"></script><noscript><a href="http://feedjit.com/">Feedjit Live Blog Stats</a></noscript></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980799088873951288.post-31212161029140195002011-11-11T14:19:00.001-05:002011-11-11T14:40:35.186-05:00Heaven is for Heroes by PJ Sharon - Great YA Read for Remembrance Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsM33i9IUT79NNdOUppDiLw2-_cavYQXpCsMhu5sQaqcvbTYEt3gaH-S8eURo3II7LYam-zW857NBHlb1kuaqck_nw5ua4ojldUJ1slo1zWTAvfM5SyLXiif-XJjtZerMXxosVozCHwLcn/s1600/heaven-is-for-heroes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsM33i9IUT79NNdOUppDiLw2-_cavYQXpCsMhu5sQaqcvbTYEt3gaH-S8eURo3II7LYam-zW857NBHlb1kuaqck_nw5ua4ojldUJ1slo1zWTAvfM5SyLXiif-XJjtZerMXxosVozCHwLcn/s200/heaven-is-for-heroes.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div>I have tears in my eyes again. I just finished P.J. Sharon’s amazing YA book <strong><em>Heaven is for Heroes</em></strong> and I think it’s only fitting that on Remembrance Day I highlight it. <strong><em>Heaven is for Heroes</em></strong> starts off with a funeral but quickly becomes a journey for both Alex (aka Coop) and Jordan who both have to learn to get over the loss of Lee, brother to Jordan and friend and marine buddy to Coop. <br />
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<br />
I loved how the book took me inside Jordan’s head, from her trying to be normal, wishing to uncover the truth about her brother’s death to her growing feelings for Coop and her struggling sense of what the future holds for her. There’s such struggle between Coop and Jordan that I was rooting for them from the get go to get together, but I’m not going to tell you how this ends because it’s worth reading every page of this book. <br />
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I loved how Sharon was descriptive with her prose, so much so, I could picture Coop trying to learn how to cope with one leg, how often he cursed at the nurses and at himself. Guilt is a huge layer in this book but it doesn’t take away from the fact that Jordan and Coop are teenagers wanting to explore each other like any normal teens. Those awkward ‘almost’ moments were precious. <br />
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For anyone who has family in the military this book is a great teen read, and for those that don’t it certainly will give you a true appreciation of how the effects of war reach well beyond the people who fight in them. For a person who has never read a YA book about an injured marine, I highly recommend this book. <br />
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For more information on PJ Sharon and her books check out <a href="http://circlepad.com/pjsharon/Books">http://circlepad.com/pjsharon/Books</a><br />
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Purchase link - <br />
<table class="bodyText" style="table-layout: fixed;"><tbody>
<tr><td width="90"></td><td valign="top"><span class="productTitle"><span class="productTitle">Heaven Is For Heroes</span> <span class="byLine">by PJ Sharon</span></span> <br />
<div class="permalink" style="width: 350px !important; word-wrap: break-word;"><strong>Permalink:</strong> http://amzn.com/B005NWRLCU</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://feedjit.com/serve/?vv=955&tft=3&dd=0&wid=888d0b226ec9274e&pid=0&proid=0&bc=FFFFFF&tc=000000&brd1=012B6B&lnk=135D9E&hc=FFFFFF&hfc=2853A8&btn=C99700&ww=200&wne=10&wh=Live+Traffic+Feed&hl=0&hlnks=0&hfce=0&srefs=1&hbars=0"></script><noscript><a href="http://feedjit.com/">Feedjit Live Blog Stats</a></noscript></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980799088873951288.post-27272476402244289392011-11-10T07:38:00.000-05:002011-11-10T07:38:13.530-05:00Pride's Run Review- YA Psychological Thriller of a Read<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6iQer7csgrHEmfo9nMOPtirl2-yJCrq1WOiSL1BpE2CyLvx55lQAfK9Wdo4HeDQILwQxYmSTTatv-RfT6oIYht-zVaskCFQP4oQDHWQnp8Iiwgd-PYD6bIhbMqQB2JaQRI-oAxdwTbda/s1600/PridesRun-194x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6iQer7csgrHEmfo9nMOPtirl2-yJCrq1WOiSL1BpE2CyLvx55lQAfK9Wdo4HeDQILwQxYmSTTatv-RfT6oIYht-zVaskCFQP4oQDHWQnp8Iiwgd-PYD6bIhbMqQB2JaQRI-oAxdwTbda/s200/PridesRun-194x300.jpg" width="129px" /></a></div>Cat Kalen’s debut YA book <strong><em>Pride’s Run</em></strong> is a wild rollercoaster, paranormal psychological thriller. The minute I started reading I fell in love with Pride—a strong, wounded teen wolf who craves freedom more than anything. But freedom at the cost of her fellow friends who are still trapped in a crazy man’s state-of-the-art military styled prison won’t cut it for her. <br />
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Pride might have been born as the runt of the litter in the puppy-mill prison but she’s anything but weak. She’s pride of heart and mind and her journey from the compound, through the wilds of a National park and her exploration of discovering “herself” were honest, heart-wrenching and powerful. <br />
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Kalen did an amazing job drawing me in to Pride’s wolfish nature and her attention to detail blew my mind. I don’t want to spoil things for other readers but I loved Logan, the alpha male teen who encourages her to embrace both the female side of her and her wolf side. I equally loved bad wolf teen, Stone. Reading <strong><em>Pride’s Run</em></strong> felt like watching a great paranormal teen movie and I want more. Can’t wait for the sequel, <strong><em>Pride Unleashed</em></strong>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://feedjit.com/serve/?vv=955&tft=3&dd=0&wid=888d0b226ec9274e&pid=0&proid=0&bc=FFFFFF&tc=000000&brd1=012B6B&lnk=135D9E&hc=FFFFFF&hfc=2853A8&btn=C99700&ww=200&wne=10&wh=Live+Traffic+Feed&hl=0&hlnks=0&hfce=0&srefs=1&hbars=0"></script><noscript><a href="http://feedjit.com/">Feedjit Live Blog Stats</a></noscript></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980799088873951288.post-77812988664676569142011-11-09T11:33:00.000-05:002011-11-09T11:33:01.670-05:00Accomplishments: Defining them in the grand scheme <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWF1g8K8Zes44grVMcsXh7UFGmBjX933nZik7qqBdpFABIRQJ3pY2DTEgFzRPZ77lHg3d0WLTrDT7fNCwvqEJ3_FtR0fipFn1WixUsxWPieKmRyddRUoUdrhV7jfN4widHv3BIeYMLGRdQ/s1600/Florida+Trip+2011+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWF1g8K8Zes44grVMcsXh7UFGmBjX933nZik7qqBdpFABIRQJ3pY2DTEgFzRPZ77lHg3d0WLTrDT7fNCwvqEJ3_FtR0fipFn1WixUsxWPieKmRyddRUoUdrhV7jfN4widHv3BIeYMLGRdQ/s200/Florida+Trip+2011+046.JPG" width="200px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All 4 of my accomplishments on our Disney trip last year. <br />
Notice teens grimacing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I got thinking this morning about what I could write as my blog this week and then it hit me how much I didn’t get accomplished. I must have said this out loud because hubby promptly told me to get real. He cited I can’t move but still seem to manage the household of four kids and himself (insert here he’s going out of his mind) and <strong><em>Off Leash</em></strong> made it on an Amazon Top 100 list on Monday.<br />
<br />
<div> </div>Yes, topping that list thrilled me. Was it my accomplishment? You bet. I realize trying to keep up on all the marketing opportunities for Indie authors is hard work. But in the grand scheme of my life that ranking doesn’t top this list.<br />
<br />
<div> </div><ul><li>Getting accepted to Dalhousie University - leaving home and not going back</li>
<li>Securing my first job which enabled me to rent a room in a house -granting me independence</li>
<li>Getting accepted to Ryerson University's Journalism program - omg moment for me!</li>
<li>Finding true love – lots of little loves along the way but they don’t compare</li>
<li>Saving money for first starter house down payment – not dream home but it was mine</li>
<li>Giving birth to four healthy children – I have endometriosis so I had to have surgery before conceiving and viola</li>
<li>Trip to Europe with little money and one child in tow</li>
<li>Deciding to become a stay-at-home mom (really no choice with 4 couldn’t afford cost of daycare)</li>
<li>Sticking with hubby when I’d like to pull a Thelma and Louise because true love is powerful even when teen issues kill</li>
<li>Writing first book and securing an e-publisher</li>
<li>Securing a job I love now after 10 years out of the market </li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Writing more books after that first one</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Writing Off Leash – facing my demons and starting something new!</li>
</ul><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> What do you consider your accomplishments? I’d love to hear them.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://feedjit.com/serve/?vv=955&tft=3&dd=0&wid=888d0b226ec9274e&pid=0&proid=0&bc=FFFFFF&tc=000000&brd1=012B6B&lnk=135D9E&hc=FFFFFF&hfc=2853A8&btn=C99700&ww=200&wne=10&wh=Live+Traffic+Feed&hl=0&hlnks=0&hfce=0&srefs=1&hbars=0"></script><noscript><a href="http://feedjit.com/">Feedjit Live Blog Stats</a></noscript></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980799088873951288.post-30837345730766156102011-11-07T07:15:00.000-05:002011-11-07T07:15:21.541-05:00Nitty Gritty YA Writings: Off Leash - Top 100 list on Amazon<a href="http://reneepace.blogspot.com/2011/11/off-leash-top-100-list-on-amazon.html">Nitty Gritty YA Writings: Off Leash - Top 100 list on Amazon</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://feedjit.com/serve/?vv=955&tft=3&dd=0&wid=888d0b226ec9274e&pid=0&proid=0&bc=FFFFFF&tc=000000&brd1=012B6B&lnk=135D9E&hc=FFFFFF&hfc=2853A8&btn=C99700&ww=200&wne=10&wh=Live+Traffic+Feed&hl=0&hlnks=0&hfce=0&srefs=1&hbars=0"></script><noscript><a href="http://feedjit.com/">Feedjit Live Blog Stats</a></noscript></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-980799088873951288.post-22296841995824300562011-11-07T07:14:00.000-05:002011-11-07T07:14:43.106-05:00Off Leash - Top 100 list on Amazon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqlYksh-wjoNwhy409YqEwoUzVWPZpR-FESOEw8u5Xq2kTzJyU0D6R2mk418mZ6ylUbQ8T4Udp4eXDnjO9Q5BBNucdzZ9mLQX5Axg4ftas7NgDE49hczLksOBjxnaJh0Swya7tSWrMcHE/s1600/OffLeashBC300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqlYksh-wjoNwhy409YqEwoUzVWPZpR-FESOEw8u5Xq2kTzJyU0D6R2mk418mZ6ylUbQ8T4Udp4eXDnjO9Q5BBNucdzZ9mLQX5Axg4ftas7NgDE49hczLksOBjxnaJh0Swya7tSWrMcHE/s200/OffLeashBC300.jpg" width="133px" /></a></div>Talk about waking up to a great Monday morning. First I get an email that Off Leash is featured on Emlyn Chand's Books You'll Adore Section - very exciting.<br />
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And, then I get an email that Off Leash just made Amazon's Top 100 list for Best Children Boys & Men's Books. To say I'm over the moon would be an understatement!<br />
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This totally makes up for my major nightmare last night and lack of sleep. This still means thought I've got to pound out 2,000 words this morning for the third book in my nitty gritty series, Off Stroke.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://feedjit.com/serve/?vv=955&tft=3&dd=0&wid=888d0b226ec9274e&pid=0&proid=0&bc=FFFFFF&tc=000000&brd1=012B6B&lnk=135D9E&hc=FFFFFF&hfc=2853A8&btn=C99700&ww=200&wne=10&wh=Live+Traffic+Feed&hl=0&hlnks=0&hfce=0&srefs=1&hbars=0"></script><noscript><a href="http://feedjit.com/">Feedjit Live Blog Stats</a></noscript></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2