tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53988246910510688282024-02-21T00:57:12.358-08:00Writer's BlogIf you're a writer or a reader, this is the place for you. This blog will feature author interviews, book reviews, and basic information about this ever changing industry. Judy Serrano, author of The Easters Lilly Series, and The Linked Series.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00866646237838005571noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398824691051068828.post-32124121199457802962023-11-25T14:39:00.000-08:002023-11-25T14:39:30.829-08:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsy4zQfzM-8dy3vpyDrjBDLQvV-wTYbm6-uXtu84w9YlbqHw6ykoGZAydvXgqn8XmaCkwHhs54lHPLpmqfmQs1nd1lm56xfwp1zP0cq7IrtYYc7UI4xtLCieVuzP98-F5a8r8p9nVNqh3MwV8bVNA5yXvWJM3rFYWWhFEHXc0PuFiYxteQMeLXjN3R3-o" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsy4zQfzM-8dy3vpyDrjBDLQvV-wTYbm6-uXtu84w9YlbqHw6ykoGZAydvXgqn8XmaCkwHhs54lHPLpmqfmQs1nd1lm56xfwp1zP0cq7IrtYYc7UI4xtLCieVuzP98-F5a8r8p9nVNqh3MwV8bVNA5yXvWJM3rFYWWhFEHXc0PuFiYxteQMeLXjN3R3-o=w261-h293" width="261" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">The Family Table<br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Farmersville, Texas</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Everyone is Welcome at Their Table</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We walked into The Family Table, and a welcoming hostess with a bright smile greeted us. Everyone there was cheerful and friendly. I was happy to be there just because of the atmosphere. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The restaurant has a unique concept. There are many large tables, as well as a few private ones. If you see some friends enjoying their meals, there is an opportunity to join the party. It is also a great way to make new friends and socialize. In our case, we sat at the end of the table, and another couple sat at the other end. That also worked. The atmosphere was still great. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Jarod was our server. He was so personable and expressive. He was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. He even brewed a fresh pot of coffee for us. Everything on the menu is homemade. I ordered a Croque Madame with an egg on top. It came with a salad. The salad had homemade ranch dressing and homemade croutons. It was simply delicious. When the meal came out, I thought, "I can never eat all of this..." but I did. It was amazing. Even though the drive was a bit much for us, we will certainly be back. I have nothing negative to say about this place. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone and everyone who loves homemade food. Did I mention that even the coffee was outstanding? The restaurant is right outside Farmersville High School. So, make some time to take some time at The Family Table. You'll be glad you did. </span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Judy Serrano, author of The Easters Lilly Series, and The Linked Series.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00866646237838005571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398824691051068828.post-91989927513857305292023-11-25T13:51:00.000-08:002023-11-25T13:51:32.084-08:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgziXSrtmJel72IO513ymm4bHXSAXge39TPZ5zoQn8AUWNSCITpONptRNOfLYgvG2ORCCEAebQ9YY6CpXG8fHJsb_d-X4c6GyB6jOjTnpKNLF9F40iA5e6PxyZ720V2o1tPe_W-SKoJFHcANgFXZZUJBRT8Bo9mlVlQXj6KDtIqJhD9-5VOcEHWjh9VntU" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="600" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgziXSrtmJel72IO513ymm4bHXSAXge39TPZ5zoQn8AUWNSCITpONptRNOfLYgvG2ORCCEAebQ9YY6CpXG8fHJsb_d-X4c6GyB6jOjTnpKNLF9F40iA5e6PxyZ720V2o1tPe_W-SKoJFHcANgFXZZUJBRT8Bo9mlVlQXj6KDtIqJhD9-5VOcEHWjh9VntU=w245-h290" width="245" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Rosini Vineyards</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Rockwall, Texas</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Everyone likes a good vineyard. I heard about a place called Rosini Vineyards in Rockwall, Texas. I heard they had live music, and I thought it would make a great date night. I made reservations, and they saved a table for us by the music. We couldn't wait to go.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">When we pulled up, the property was eye-catching. Beautiful grounds, the building was pleasing, and the parking was effortless.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">What I liked: The live music was actually a man playing his guitar. I was hoping for a band, but in their defense, I didn't ask. The music was traditional country music, which I personally enjoy. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">What I didn't like: When we got there, we sat at the table for quite a while before we realized we had to go to the bar to order. There is a sign over the bar, but we didn't notice it right away. We finally ordered a wine sampling. We get one glass at a time, so we had to consistently get up, and walk to the bar. They did not rinse the glass if it was the same color. I didn't like that either. I realize that I am a bit of a snob when it comes to wine and food, but not rinsing the glasses is just lazy. We ordered the chicken tortilla soup. It was good at first, but there was way too much chicken in it. I know that sounds ridiculous, but it was shredded and there was very little broth. It gave us both heartburn. I didn't finish mine. I would have loved some recommendations. We noticed a smores set later on, but we were not told about it before we ordered. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I didn't care for the wine. I am a dry wine person, and the wine was a dark yellow. I didn't remember it being so yellow the first time I tried it, but it must have been mixed with whatever the previous wine was.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I do not recommend this place. We are planning on looking for a different winery to try next time. It looked like a <i>Cheers</i>, where everybody knows your name, just with wine. </span></p>Judy Serrano, author of The Easters Lilly Series, and The Linked Series.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00866646237838005571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398824691051068828.post-14216303771431971762023-10-21T18:03:00.001-07:002023-10-21T18:07:17.210-07:00Hair... It's your crown<p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> </li></ul><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-A2R9_OBVnZzr2_ZqNeyVJMTxHGfZQuRvw5ki-MOoNC5EY1kpRPVviPOtksVlg7YvAMaW42Y823u7oRgOD8-FVKAXKgZt2PW-16eeiwzyQX0hXNkA1cMTXmuQ0CuU5VGWbnWAxdINgbbng0d-vvdM9meG1YYJ-HrHVeVrCa-4RjJltps8mJhCWXfj1mQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="1075" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-A2R9_OBVnZzr2_ZqNeyVJMTxHGfZQuRvw5ki-MOoNC5EY1kpRPVviPOtksVlg7YvAMaW42Y823u7oRgOD8-FVKAXKgZt2PW-16eeiwzyQX0hXNkA1cMTXmuQ0CuU5VGWbnWAxdINgbbng0d-vvdM9meG1YYJ-HrHVeVrCa-4RjJltps8mJhCWXfj1mQ" width="246" /></a></div><ul class="undefined list__09f24__ynIEd" style="border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li class="css-1q2nwpv" style="border: 0px rgb(235, 235, 235); font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 40px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="css-1qn0b6x" style="border: 0px rgb(235, 235, 235); font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="css-9ul5p9" style="border: 0px rgb(235, 235, 235); font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 16px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 16px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="comment__09f24__D0cxf css-qgunke" style="border: 0px; color: #2d2e2f; font-family: "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; max-width: 655px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word;"><span class="raw__09f24__T4Ezm" lang="en" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Do. Not. Go. To. This. Place! It is in Quinlan, Texas. I requested Kendall. She has a reputation for doing a great job with color. My son's wedding was a week away, and Kendall was highly recommended. I honestly don't know what happened. Kendall did my hair for 15 minutes and disappeared. She had another client who was apparently more important than I was. The owner came and took over. Keep in mind that I spoke with Kendall about my expectations, not the owner. She had no idea what I wanted. I told Kendall I needed to leave there as a blond, but I left there as a dark brunette with the back of my hair almost black. I expressed my concerns twice during the whole event, but the owner insisted that she knew what she was doing. She trained Kendall, after all. Her hands were super shaky, and at one point she told me she wasn't sure she could finish my hair because of her hands. When she was done, three hours later, my hair was brown. Brown. Then she threatened to call the police if I didn't pay her ... wait for it ... $150. I refused. I did pay $75, although I have no idea why. I am going to have to pay someone, probably $200 to fix this mess. She told me that she was planning on doing my hair from the beginning because Kendall was booked. I had an appointment. I spoke with Kendall two weeks prior, and it was clear that a substitution was not an option. The owner was rude, and unreasonable, and she stole my money. She did offer to put highlights in my hair, but there was no way. She did such a terrible job, and was so rude, why would I trust her? Anyway, she asked me not to review her, but I asked her if she could make me blond, so turnabout is fair play. If she didn't charge me, this review would never have been written. She said she was sure I was going to give her a ... we'll say bad review, so she wanted her money. If there was a lower star than one star, she would get it.</span></p></div><div class="arrange__09f24__LDfbs vertical-align-middle__09f24__zU9sE css-1qn0b6x" style="border: 0px rgb(235, 235, 235); display: table; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; min-width: 100%; padding: 0px; table-layout: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="arrange-unit__09f24__rqHTg arrange-unit-fill__09f24__CUubG css-1qn0b6x" style="border: 0px rgb(235, 235, 235); box-sizing: border-box; display: table-cell; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; 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font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="css-mk53o5" style="-webkit-box-align: center; -webkit-box-pack: center; align-items: center; background-color: white; border-color: rgb(200, 201, 202) !important; border-image: initial; border-radius: 100%; border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; border: 0px solid rgb(200, 201, 202); display: flex; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 40px; justify-content: center; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 40px;"><img alt="" src="https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/assets/public/24x24_helpful_bulb_gray_v2.yji-c5b79b11113be37f51e2.svg" style="border: 0px; 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line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="css-h3yaac" face=""Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; color: #6e7072; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh no </span><span aria-label="(0 reactions)" class="css-1x3zmhx" face=""Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; color: #6e7072; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">0</span></div><div aria-hidden="true" class="css-1uwlr9f" style="border: 0px rgb(235, 235, 235); 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font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></li><li class="css-1q2nwpv" style="border: 0px rgb(235, 235, 235); font: inherit; margin-bottom: 40px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="css-1qn0b6x" style="border: 0px rgb(235, 235, 235); font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="css-174a15u" style="border: 0px rgb(235, 235, 235); font: inherit; margin-bottom: 24px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="css-1w3ky6t" style="align-items: normal; border: 0px rgb(235, 235, 235); box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-flow: row; font: inherit; gap: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; place-content: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="css-1u1p5a2" style="-webkit-box-flex: 1; border: 0px rgb(235, 235, 235); box-sizing: border-box; flex-grow: 1; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div aria-label="Sandra L." class="css-1qn0b6x" role="region" style="border: 0px rgb(235, 235, 235); font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="arrange__09f24__LDfbs gutter-1-5__09f24__vMtpw vertical-align-middle__09f24__zU9sE css-1qn0b6x" style="border-collapse: initial; border-spacing: 12px 0px; border: 0px rgb(235, 235, 235); display: table; font: inherit; margin: 0px -12px; min-width: 100%; padding: 0px; table-layout: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="arrange-unit__09f24__rqHTg css-1qn0b6x" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px rgb(235, 235, 235); box-sizing: border-box; display: table-cell; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 6px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><div class="css-eqfjza" style="border: 0px rgb(235, 235, 235); font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 64px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></li></ul><p></p>Judy Serrano, author of The Easters Lilly Series, and The Linked Series.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00866646237838005571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398824691051068828.post-3121424291192217162021-01-05T08:50:00.001-08:002021-01-05T08:50:49.323-08:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_lKPeJRXnIcWRFN05_D2UFTrhdVsT8XRW-M7SPQnQy_wANSt0XxM_XUh5NtO_YvpHrp9ygApbEK6uKddv1OEh_lKVOLaes9G5_oUxrbOptTUGVn7I9ymXlEQeznydKmT91z3YuH89Kw/s1400/EveryPlate+pic.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_lKPeJRXnIcWRFN05_D2UFTrhdVsT8XRW-M7SPQnQy_wANSt0XxM_XUh5NtO_YvpHrp9ygApbEK6uKddv1OEh_lKVOLaes9G5_oUxrbOptTUGVn7I9ymXlEQeznydKmT91z3YuH89Kw/s320/EveryPlate+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div><span style="font-size: large;">Review: EveryPlate Meal Kits</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Trying new things during crazy times might just add a little spark to an otherwise darkening sunrise. During these "times of uncertainty," we are all staying home a lot more and trying to find dinner solutions that suit our needs. Some of the grocery stores still have empty shelves, and there is no telling when things will actually get "back to normal." With jobs and hours both changing, shopping can be inconvenient, to say the least. I did a lot of research on meal kits, and I read a lot of reviews trying to find the perfect fit. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For me personally, my hours at work got longer. Twice a week, I have to wake up at 4:15 just to get to work on time. By the time I get home at 5:30, the last thing I want to do is go grocery shopping. My husband and I are empty-nesters, so with our children out of the roost, I figured that this might be a good time to try something new. If you're like me, and most of you probably are, you may have assumed that meal kits are more expensive than they're worth. This is actually not the case. My husband and I settled on EveryPlate, and we stuck with it for a few months. Here are my pros and cons to help you make a better decision. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Things I liked: </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">EveryPlate is very affordable. We spend $58 to $68 dollars a week for five complete meals. This was a pretty good deal since the meals arrived at my doorstep, and there were no leftovers to spoil over time. Most of the other meal kits were at least double the price.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Next, the meals were really good quality. They tasted good, they were different than what we were used to, and we enjoyed the variety. My husband and I enjoyed cooking together, and at first, we really looked forward to it. If you and your husband are finally alone, or you just have someone you enjoy spending time with, this could be a new and exciting thing to do together on the daily.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Things I didn't like:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There is a lot of cooking involved. Some of the meals took 40 minutes to prepare, and after a long stressful day, this became tiresome. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The next challenge we encountered was adding our son to our plan. He just graduated from college and moved back home. We loved our new routine and didn't want to end it, so we tried to add him to our account. Here's the kicker ... you cannot add one person to an account. You have to add two people or no people. This addition would have completely defeated our main reason for doing this to begin with. It would have doubled our bill.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Finally, I recommended two people to jump on board with us and order EveryPlate. We were promised a $20 credit for each person, and we never got it. I made continued phone calls for money owed and was promised I would see it soon. Never happened. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Recommendations:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If you use a meal kit, five days a week is probably too many days. If we were tired and wanted to skip a day, our food would spoil. The delivery days were inconvenient (there were no Monday or even Tuesday deliveries) so the food sat around a lot if you were not planning on using them over the weekend. Personally, if I were to do it again, I would order it for two or three nights a week. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I would also suggest that you keep an eye on the money. Besides the referral issue that I mentioned, sometimes we were missing the meat to our recipe, and we never saw the credit. I would have to call and remind them to credit me, which shouldn't happen. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">All and all, EveryPlate was a good experience. If you are looking for a meal kit, EveryPlate is your best "bang for your buck" as far as comparative pricing goes. Choosing from the menu, trying new meals, and spending quality time with your partner are all perks of this wonderful opportunity. If you love to cook and have the time to devote to it, EveryPlate is the way to go. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Judy Serrano, author of The Easters Lilly Series, and The Linked Series.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00866646237838005571noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398824691051068828.post-48096246095799926312020-04-30T15:54:00.001-07:002021-01-05T06:38:43.676-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMd-fjDb7Qb9KuzrTzLVKuDqz3m5Kyz_oiSyt-KgDeZNGClKNg8oi7tkAAJjzj54ym97KLGArTAbjiuYBXw2ruTajwyjUj3h3Md_2oe6loE4zmtQ53paK6pfcBJZWEWr987YWR5CipPmQ/s1600/Planet+Fitness.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMd-fjDb7Qb9KuzrTzLVKuDqz3m5Kyz_oiSyt-KgDeZNGClKNg8oi7tkAAJjzj54ym97KLGArTAbjiuYBXw2ruTajwyjUj3h3Md_2oe6loE4zmtQ53paK6pfcBJZWEWr987YWR5CipPmQ/s320/Planet+Fitness.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;">The New Normal</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Social distancing appears to be our new normal. As a result, our gyms are closed. As Texas is opening back up, gyms and hair salons are on the bottom of the list of importance. For me, this has been tough. Although I can live without getting my hair done for a while, I am a slave to routine. I used to wake up early, go to work, and stop at the gym on my way home. I lost 30 pounds, was feeling great, and was loving my schedule.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I worked out at Planet Fitness. We had the nicest staff. They greeted me by name every day and congratulated me when they noticed I was working harder or looking thinner. The positive vibe when I walked in the door motivated me to get my workouts done. Now, it is up to me to become intrinsically motivated. This could be a problem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I started running outside. Fortunately, I had weights and a sit-up bench at the house from when I was a stay at home mom and writer and was unable to get to a gym. Now, I get my work done, (I am a teacher), write in my book, and head outside to run. Sometimes this means I get a little wet, and sometimes it means I have to wear a sweatshirt. I get it done, but it is certainly harder on my body.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If this is you, I have some advice. If you can’t run, or just don’t feel up to it, walk every day. Find a place where there aren’t a lot of people and make it a routine. It is important to keep our minds and bodies healthy as we try to discover our new normal. If you find that you cannot get yourself to exercise, find a buddy. Call a friend and ask them to keep you accountable. For me, it is my sons. They push me out the door when I don’t feel like moving, and they are role models for me on the daily. You can use cans of food for weights, or even watch a video. My gym sends me workout videos once a week. They are certainly more popular than ever, so they should be fairly easy to find.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Remember that we are all in this together and to be friendly to people we may see when we are out and about. Let’s not radiate fear because most people are already afraid. Let us exude love, hope, and follow the rules of social distancing. Let us embrace our new normal and continue to be grateful for our blessings.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Judy Serrano, author of The Easters Lilly Series, and The Linked Series.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00866646237838005571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398824691051068828.post-42618296397225609202020-03-24T09:01:00.000-07:002020-03-24T09:17:11.962-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3NN4n_UkrqrBj1KvSSjJ22Ier9CvCWH667wS0y-UoTBwKiZylD2kAUOJi88hyI5kcUBw9Pf-XCIxcbxtK8Qy5O6Op0YngLc1qAX4NE1nV71z3usWUlrMpz3VXnJJ36Ag7cDkJ-rFwlc/s1600/Walmart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3NN4n_UkrqrBj1KvSSjJ22Ier9CvCWH667wS0y-UoTBwKiZylD2kAUOJi88hyI5kcUBw9Pf-XCIxcbxtK8Qy5O6Op0YngLc1qAX4NE1nV71z3usWUlrMpz3VXnJJ36Ag7cDkJ-rFwlc/s320/Walmart.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hoarders Stay Home</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The reality is that there is no food, no paper products, and there are only a few people wearing masks. It is hard to remain strong in times like these, especially if you still have a face-to-face job. I can teach from home, but I still must go to the school for people who need extra help. I am not going to lie; it scares me a little.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are four of us in my household; so far. Two of us have jobs. My boys are desperately trying to finish college, and with everything now online, the curriculum is more difficult than before. I don't want them to work. I want them to finish school because we all know that things are going to become more difficult quickly. We have to feed everyone, try to keep the panic to a minimum and remind ourselves of our daily blessings. Although spending time with our family has been such a huge blessing to me, I worry that when we do run out of supplies, we won’t have many options. So, what do we do?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let us encourage those around us to have faith. There are no atheists in fox holes, someone once told me, and I believe we are all sitting in a fox hole right now. Be the light in our dark times. Remind people that they don’t need a garage full of toilet paper because God will provide. He always does. Sing in times of discouragement, and make sure that the people around you are really doing okay. Sometimes, the strong ones on the outside are actually the ones holding it together for everyone else. Let us lead guide and direct those with little faith, and remember that God is in control.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge to Him, and He will direct your path.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Judy Serrano, author of The Easters Lilly Series, and The Linked Series.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00866646237838005571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398824691051068828.post-38533923345324777892020-03-21T18:58:00.000-07:002020-03-21T18:58:12.454-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4L8JAqsFiG9YYeK8LhoIZRRXeccICC6jhI31txVN8oW1dzfQp2N0NdDW8tuqWBR4oxCTmiKgvZAPiGlWlr28LmduRHT81SxllXFEiCn5QR6HoUBXWkcuGg21FjRPrPayRqBoDw8e4OmI/s1600/Costco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4L8JAqsFiG9YYeK8LhoIZRRXeccICC6jhI31txVN8oW1dzfQp2N0NdDW8tuqWBR4oxCTmiKgvZAPiGlWlr28LmduRHT81SxllXFEiCn5QR6HoUBXWkcuGg21FjRPrPayRqBoDw8e4OmI/s320/Costco.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Pandemic Panic</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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While I am walking through the grocery store with a mask secured around my face and tears filling my eyes, the reality of the empty shelves fills my soul with trepidation. Suddenly, things that used to be important to me mean almost nothing as the world reevaluates truth versus denial. Losing an extra five pounds, worrying about the well-earned lines on my face, the makeup that I wear that is probably too expensive for me to afford, and the cream in my hair that isn’t working anymore are all things that I used to manage with way too much significance. Now, with half the world under some kind of quarantine, two of my boys, my husband and I are “trapped” inside our house until we need to venture out to look for toilet paper, which doesn’t seem to exist anymore. Playing board games is a new normal for us, and we play them almost every night, having fun, laughing, and of course one of my sons is taking videos of me going crazy over a Friends’ trivia question that I should have known the answer to without a thought.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As I drive up to Costco and see all the people standing outside, not practicing social distancing, by the way, the reality of our situation suddenly resonates within me. This could get a lot worse before it gets better if we all don’t take social distancing seriously. My family appears to be the only people with masks on our faces, and although masks may be hard to find right now, anything over the face would probably be helpful. I see on my social media that some of my former students are out on road trips instead of staying home. All we need to do is look at the statistics in other countries to know how serious this situation is. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In closing, I would like to suggest that we make good use of the opportunity we now have with our families while we are cooped up together. Watch movies, pop some popcorn, play games together, and slow down. Reacquaint yourself with your family, find out how everyone is feeling, and try not to get involved in risky behavior that could put you and everyone around you in danger. So, look for the good, look for the joy, and trust that spending a little extra time with family may be something to take advantage of while you are asked to stay at home as much as possible. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Romans 12:2 </span></b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Judy Serrano, author of The Easters Lilly Series, and The Linked Series.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00866646237838005571noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398824691051068828.post-8416693648522718892019-05-01T10:49:00.003-07:002019-05-01T12:18:08.340-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1GwHr46M6IOo96JhjVHlvakhvSEXmg5p6rui_d2kQPqDtE9HD5ngfj3Kdq6gtc5_m7Z85oyYYtIo7WIoORPPe9bzt1qFCiiF8VOweRMAFNV6CkBnZTN_RB8iYwW1qgNgSTe6kzoJm2g/s1600/easters+lilly+banner+%25281%2529+copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="851" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1GwHr46M6IOo96JhjVHlvakhvSEXmg5p6rui_d2kQPqDtE9HD5ngfj3Kdq6gtc5_m7Z85oyYYtIo7WIoORPPe9bzt1qFCiiF8VOweRMAFNV6CkBnZTN_RB8iYwW1qgNgSTe6kzoJm2g/s400/easters+lilly+banner+%25281%2529+copy.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Easter's Lilly Series Book Tour</span></div>
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Recently, I was contacted by Silver Dagger Book Tours asking me if I was interested in touring my whole series. I have never been asked that before, so I was intrigued. <i>After the Fall, </i>the final book of the Easter's Lilly Series, has recently been released. Please feel free to visit the tour at any time. Here is the link of the first stop:<br />
<a href="https://www.silverdaggertours.com/sdsxx-tours/easters-lilly-series-book-tour-and-giveaway#comments">https://www.silverdaggertours.com/sdsxx-tours/easters-lilly-series-book-tour-and-giveaway#comments</a><br />
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Silver Dagger Book Tours has been extremely easy to work with, and so far, I have been very pleased. I will let you know how it went after the tour is complete.<br />
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Here is the schedule.<br />
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<b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Easter’s Lilly Series Book Tour Schedule!<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">May 1<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">kickoff at</span><a href="https://www.silverdaggertours.com/sdsxx-tours/easters-lilly-series-book-tour-and-giveaway"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"> Silver Dagger Book Tours</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://dragonofbooks.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">The Book Dragon</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">May 2<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<a href="http://romancenovelgiveaways.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Romance
Novel Giveaways</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://midnight-book-reader.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Midnight Book Reader</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">May 3<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<a href="http://lockthatdoor.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Lock That Door</span></a><span style="font-family: "roboto, robotodraft, helvetica,"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://bedazzledbybooks.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Bedazzled By Books </span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://nanasbookreviews.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">nanasbookreviews</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://readeropolis.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Readeropolis </span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">– GUEST POST<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">May 6<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<a href="https://apinchofbookdust.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">A Pinch of Bookdust</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.educatedbookfreak.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Educated Book Freak</span></a><span style="font-family: "roboto, robotodraft, helvetica,"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">May 7<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.amamascorneroftheworld.com/"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">A Mama's Corner of the
World</span></a><a href="http://www.amamascorneroftheworld.com/"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; text-decoration: none;"> </span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">b for bookreview </span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">– GUEST POST</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">May 8<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/2chicksandabook"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">2 chicks and a book</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "roboto, robotodraft, helvetica,"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://cravinglovelybooks.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Craving Lovely Books </span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://almsbblog.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Always Love Me Some Books Blog </span></b></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://nyxblogs.wordpress.com/"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Reviews and Promos by Nyx</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">May 10<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<a href="http://tometender.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Tome Tender </span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Booksallthingsparanormalandromance/"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Books all things paranormal and romance </span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">May 11<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><o:p> I hope to see you all there!</o:p></span></div>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
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Judy Serrano, author of The Easters Lilly Series, and The Linked Series.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00866646237838005571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398824691051068828.post-14906729870525878852019-01-02T12:36:00.002-08:002019-01-02T12:37:55.088-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">How to Tell Your Story</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxNNxnvNWMvWBicEyR3B4nWA5m9XTe9h_6edeLRH2NNPekfSMZnAO3EO-r5A1rx3y0WvsSVpeYVrn3hPJPAilk4pENeX8fyg60sVyeWaRAPmJzBgbK9GZWVbIz9PD5wQ8pjrVVphQN0s/s1600/Ivy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxNNxnvNWMvWBicEyR3B4nWA5m9XTe9h_6edeLRH2NNPekfSMZnAO3EO-r5A1rx3y0WvsSVpeYVrn3hPJPAilk4pENeX8fyg60sVyeWaRAPmJzBgbK9GZWVbIz9PD5wQ8pjrVVphQN0s/s320/Ivy.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">There are so many options these days on how to tell your story. The newest form of first-person writing is writing in the present tense. At first, I found it difficult to identify with, yet after I got used to it, I think I actually enjoy it now. The present tense has a tendency to put the reader directly into the action without looking back. I have quite a few books under my belt, and they are all written in the past tense. If you read novels by such quality authors as Stephen King, Nora Roberts, or JK Rowling, you will see that they all write in the past tense, and that is where most of us get our cue. I have to wonder who started the present tense writing in the first place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I remember when my novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ivy Vines, Visions</i> was still in the “on the shelf” phase. An agent asked me to rewrite it in the present tense. I couldn’t imagine the work doing something like that might entail and the inconsistencies that might arise from trying to change the point of view throughout the entire novel. Although that agent is no longer working in our exciting industry, I see now why she proposed such an idea. It is becoming more popular among independent authors, and she thought it might behoove me to jump on board. I have two novels in the making as we speak, and although both of them are in the first-person, only one is in the present tense.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I would love to hear your thoughts on the challenges of how to tell your story. What tense do you prefer and why? Personally, it gives me great pleasure to read books from all different points of view. If we all wrote in the same manner, reading wouldn’t be nearly as much fun. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Judy Serrano, author of The Easters Lilly Series, and The Linked Series.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00866646237838005571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398824691051068828.post-72020438883082812072018-12-26T13:43:00.001-08:002018-12-26T13:43:05.615-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Reading: Music to the Eyes</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUpu5lmtnFYOYHP42ZXgC9veZz47mhl5d8D46s0Nqo2-z-NgcfMoz_edLUVs_CkO8AhlDB9_ExcMF_RnrZhnZpViZkXMEPks24ImGnTJqQCQaT-EQ2kd6OppiwoUIyyFGNfXjcJlR5r4/s1600/IMG_4068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUpu5lmtnFYOYHP42ZXgC9veZz47mhl5d8D46s0Nqo2-z-NgcfMoz_edLUVs_CkO8AhlDB9_ExcMF_RnrZhnZpViZkXMEPks24ImGnTJqQCQaT-EQ2kd6OppiwoUIyyFGNfXjcJlR5r4/s320/IMG_4068.JPG" width="180" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> Although I will admit to knowing writers who do not read, I do not recommend it in practice. If you are a musician, you must practice your instrument, if you are a runner, you must exercise your body, and if you are a writer, you must read. It seems like a no-brainer that if you want to be an exceptional wordsmith, you must know what that means. You must see success in order to know what works and to learn proper skills, you must learn from the professionals. I have noticed that quite a few of the writers I know are teachers. One thing about teachers that you may not know is that we have no time for ourselves. When we are "off," we are planning, writing lesson plans, creating syllabi, and making copies. Educators, as a profession, have very little personal time. When do we have time to read, you may wonder? Well, that is a very good question. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> One thing that I am very diligent about is my workout routine. While I was finishing my master's degree, I was still working full-time teaching high school, English. I stopped working out completely, and I gained a lot of weight. After I graduated, I began to take my personal health more seriously and lost 30 pounds. Exercise takes up a lot of time, so I got a little advice on what to do to be able to utilize my time wisely. I saw a friend of mine's post on Facebook about the new books she has read. I asked her where she finds the time. She told me that she reads while she is on her treadmill. <i>Interesting...</i> I thought to myself. I downloaded a new book onto my Kindle and took it to the gym. I discovered that I can put my Kindle or even my phone on my cardio machine of choice and run, run, run! I have finally become a Kindle Unlimited subscriber because I knock out so many books in a month. It really helps me with the cost. I love to read, and I love to write, and I am grateful for the writers out there who spend quality time on their craft. I highly recommend that if you are a writer, you find a way to fit reading into your schedule. Don't be that bird who doesn't sing in the trees. Play music with your fingertips, and write quality material so that others can be blessed by your songs. </span></div>
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Judy Serrano, author of The Easters Lilly Series, and The Linked Series.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00866646237838005571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398824691051068828.post-17875764861238171322018-06-16T13:33:00.005-07:002018-06-16T13:33:59.403-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Free Download!</span></div>
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Easter's Lilly is FREE while supplies last. When you download Lilly, type in "DONE!" in the comments, and you will be entered into a drawing to receive a signed copy of "After the Fall." There will be five winners. After you have been selected, you will need to show me proof that the book has been downloaded. Here is the link. Good luck!<span> </span><a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FEasters-Lilly-Book-ebook%2Fdp%2FB01F4RQG7O%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1%3Fs%3Ddigital-text%26ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1529180813%26sr%3D1-1%26keywords%3DEaster%2527s%2BLilly&h=AT1MEncK4fSxfQTQTBY5EiqyNTs_nTFqJJJljnxClHJDN725pHAf2RlMzangYnkOD65esvZNzlC6E574NH7JA7O2Agld8KLkTk6DnhlDHyPBn5sZgorJPBa_Xp-VDiYcIDR1Z_i-bm4HPZk" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/Easters-Lilly-Book-ebo…/…/ref=sr_1_1…</a></div>
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Judy Serrano, author of The Easters Lilly Series, and The Linked Series.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00866646237838005571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398824691051068828.post-90516396906275445382018-05-02T08:42:00.007-07:002018-05-02T08:42:55.202-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Escape<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAM-VSebrSo60rSjG7-zNZFu0mKP72Yduq-CNOSMdl1HCHQQ750ZxzqrkTQCSf52GyTSSkzfxGewJF7xjUYC8eCDZfbQ2OVT1RSrd07VG4W8inxbPpzdiuWsvZH29FsRPrCxwNp-6mr-w/s1600/IMG_3058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAM-VSebrSo60rSjG7-zNZFu0mKP72Yduq-CNOSMdl1HCHQQ750ZxzqrkTQCSf52GyTSSkzfxGewJF7xjUYC8eCDZfbQ2OVT1RSrd07VG4W8inxbPpzdiuWsvZH29FsRPrCxwNp-6mr-w/s320/IMG_3058.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, I’m standing in front of my sweet little students … okay, so maybe they are not little, and not always sweet, but they are mine just the same. I am talking about Macbeth, as I normally do this time of year, and one of my sweet little babies, remember what I said about them - yawns. Yes, I said it. She yawned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I teach 12<sup>th</sup> graders. Although you would think that all of my 35 students may be sitting there before me, waiting with baited breath for my next words, that is not the case. Truth be told, only five make it on time in the mornings, and only three of them really like me. One by one, the class arrives, late, later, and latest, and the last one carries in on her back an ENORMOUS attitude. Like, it’s my fault she is so late.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Now, I’m sure that you are wondering why I write what I write. I mean, my life is so fulfilling, what more could I want? The answer is simple. I travel in my books. I live in exotic mansions with beautiful men feeding me on a daily basis. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They cook, housekeepers clean, and I have a </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chauffeur </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">most of the time. I am tall and thin with radiant hair and eyes, and my life is full of drama as the men continuously fight over my virtue. Writing is my escape from the life I live to a life of wealth and fortitude. And if I don’t have time to write, my soul gets squishy, and I feel stifled. As a teacher, I often don’t have time to write, and as a result, my sunny disposition may possibly suffer a bit. Perhaps I might not get <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">as</i> upset if the whole class is late as I did today, or maybe I might have a little more tolerance as “senioritis” kicks in. Even so, my adorable little chitlins are counting on me to make a difference in their lives, and that is what I plan to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I joke about my students from time to time, but I really do adore them all. Well, most of them. But my lesson learned is to always find your joy. Do not deprive yourself of gladness because you become too busy, and remember that when you are unhappy it spreads like a disease to those around you. So write the right story for you, and you will be surprised at how many people want to take the journey along with you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Judy Serrano, author of The Easters Lilly Series, and The Linked Series.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00866646237838005571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398824691051068828.post-19811108946570567252016-06-25T12:22:00.003-07:002016-06-25T12:22:49.389-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Writer’s Group: To Join or Not To Join? That Is The
Question</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6kKkG3JruzSRLzSXD638wqJ06SAPDpRihwppVyhNPPgTEca1ECD6W50TLXmKB06eaNiNIGNe7OIss8rnAjh1AnpTtFvKr0oOo91p9nh6JWuOnTThjVzQmFdhomjV0yI5RtZopYEHD18/s1600/books.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6kKkG3JruzSRLzSXD638wqJ06SAPDpRihwppVyhNPPgTEca1ECD6W50TLXmKB06eaNiNIGNe7OIss8rnAjh1AnpTtFvKr0oOo91p9nh6JWuOnTThjVzQmFdhomjV0yI5RtZopYEHD18/s320/books.jpeg" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
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I have many friends who are involved in writers’ groups that
they love. I have not had a similar experience. I have heard that you learn so
much from the feedback you get, and it makes you a better writer. Well, what am
I doing wrong?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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I started with a nationally known writers’ group. It was too
far away for starters, and the members were of the elite. By elite I mean that
they were not very welcoming to strangers, and I lived too far to get more
involved with the group and their activities. I live in a small town, which I
realize is part of the challenge. Next, I joined another group, but it was
still far from home, and I found the content to be a bit dull. So, I stopped
attending that one as well. Finally, I found a Christian group somewhere near
by, but I don’t write “Christian” books, per say. They said that they are a
group of Christians who write, so I thought, “Sounds great!” Before I actually
found my way out there, they disbanded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, what is a lonely writer to do? Being educated,
ambitious, and usually a pretty smart cookie, I decided to start my own. I can
hear you all laughing as soon as I said that. Yes, I decided to get a group of
people together and form a group. Well, I had a friend (notice the word “had”)
who I used to have lunch with once a month. We will call her Angel. (Because
she is really very sweet). Angel had a book idea, and she and I decided to
start the group. We started it twice, because the first time it was a huge mess.
We had two members who really wanted it to be an online thing, which no one
else wanted, and one guy who spent every day with a pen in hand tearing our
manuscripts apart. Group two consisted of Angel, her best friend, her best
friend’s boyfriend, me and my good friend from college. I know, sounds like a
great idea, right? So, this is what I learned about what NOT to do when forming
your own writers’ group.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Make sure you are a committed group of writers.
Make sure everyone is there for the right reason, and they are motivated
achievers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Have the meetings in a neutral location. Make
sure you don’t, for example, have it in a restaurant. What “could happen” is
the members may be more interested in eating, and socializing, than actually
talking about task at hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Have some rules and stick to them. At first, I
had rules and had everyone sign them, but I let it go after a while. There
should be a rule about people who show up without reading the material, and a
rule about not giving any feedback. Every member should participate or there
should be consequences. Now, this is if you have a small group, mind you. In a
large group, everyone can’t participate due to a time limit. Also, in a small
group, attendance should be important.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Finally, Genre may be something to consider.
When I joined the national group, they all had one genre, and that is what made
it fun for them. In our small group, the young people were writing young adult
fantasy, while my friend and I were writing more adult novels. I think part of
our problem was that we weren’t all interested in the material. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So, like I said, I think writers’ groups can be very
beneficial for those who find the right fit. For me, I think the best idea is
to write with simply my Mac and me. So far, we’ve been doing pretty well
together. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Judy Serrano, author of The Easters Lilly Series, and The Linked Series.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00866646237838005571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398824691051068828.post-83736929016268793222016-03-15T09:07:00.002-07:002016-03-16T21:11:43.438-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwbr8mE4jURqKWrrzXwSmzGQyX03P96oMgNXKfNFSUSKhXSZyuUydlHVhutpI3ECLM-PN1Cd2jjKub3onMYHXpe2FwDkALot5-f0Fh9BB_MdtH9pYXl3DNcGzgtIrXL2DcNxu13HF8j8/s1600/533659_4227401518205_239000479_n.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/AVvXsEhRwbr8mE4jURqKWrrzXwSmzGQyX03P96oMgNXKfNFSUSKhXSZyuUydlHVhutpI3ECLM-PN1Cd2jjKub3onMYHXpe2FwDkALot5-f0Fh9BB_MdtH9pYXl3DNcGzgtIrXL2DcNxu13HF8j8/s320/533659_4227401518205_239000479_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Writing Mom</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
There should be a special award for the writing mom. As we strive to use our craft to take our readers on journeys far, far away, reality sometimes gets in the way. Often balancing the daily routine with getting something out of our heads and onto the blank page can be a bit of a conundrum. If you are like me, you have perfected the act of carrying on a conversation with your children and typing without missing a beat. However, sometimes a little peace and quiet would be most helpful.<br />
<br />
If you're a writing mom there is also a chance that you work outside of the home. Notice that I said "work outside of the home" and not simply "work." Being a stay at home mom is one of the most difficult yet rewarding job anyone can ever do. I loved my time as a "working inside the home" mom and wife, and if I am honest with myself, will admit to missing those times with great sincerity. So, what do you do if you have a job, kids, and other commitments, but the voices inside your brain are beating their angry fists on the inside of your head, begging to get out? It's time to make time. Here are a few suggestions for the writing mom.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Have a family meeting. Communicate with your family about what is going on with you. Communication is the key to any successful relationship. Explain that you are going to need some time alone. It doesn't have to be a lot of time, but mommy usually takes care of mommy last. Make sure they understand that this is just something that you need to do to be happy. And we all know that if mommy isn't happy, no one is happy.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Create a feasible routine. Find a time in the day where you will have time to yourself and write a little bit every day. Start with fifteen minutes if you have to, but don't just not write. Make sure that this time of day is when your children are either asleep, not at home, or know to leave you alone until you have completed your task.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Ask for a little help. If your children are old enough, ask them to help around the house a little so that you can get some work done. Reward them with ice cream, or some special mommy time, but let them do a little bit of the heavy lifting for you. Sit them down and explain how important it is for you to have a little bit of time each day to write, and you might be surprised at how accommodating they will be.</li>
</ul>
<div>
If any of you have any other tips or tidbits to share, please feel free to post in the comments. This works for me, but I will admit to getting off track from time to time. So, here's to you, writing moms out there. I can't wait to sit down and read some of the wonderful things that are waiting in the wings to be published.</div>
</div>
Judy Serrano, author of The Easters Lilly Series, and The Linked Series.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00866646237838005571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398824691051068828.post-17046705125261903822015-12-26T20:41:00.003-08:002015-12-27T08:58:48.969-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jaafq-K87lCkCTb3I1YUHhW8b57RGw05Jdkq4nsua7CHGizqzX4kbmjXhY1nFRMO4LLN3hHPuq23NMCYrTKZxkOJvOBImGT7ew8E-TsBWmgpBTjVMhcSxbTGass2OA2z4XuNQvP37bI/s1600/TheTwelveCoinsFrontCover.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/AVvXsEh6jaafq-K87lCkCTb3I1YUHhW8b57RGw05Jdkq4nsua7CHGizqzX4kbmjXhY1nFRMO4LLN3hHPuq23NMCYrTKZxkOJvOBImGT7ew8E-TsBWmgpBTjVMhcSxbTGass2OA2z4XuNQvP37bI/s320/TheTwelveCoinsFrontCover.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Trevor Brunsink, author of The Twelve Coins says, "Don't limit yourself!"</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tell us a little about your new book. What was
your inspiration? </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white;">The Twelve
Coins</span></i><span style="background: white;"> is a coming-of-age story about
a young prince who was raised by one of two opposing kings on an island. In
need of redemption, the young prince embarks on a journey to seek out twelve
gold coins that will actually find him when he has shown love to others out of
a pure motive. He must gather these twelve coins before he can face his
destiny. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Per my inspiration, I found a disconnect between
what the Bible teaches about how Jesus' disciples will be known by their love
(see John 13:35) and what I saw in the lives of other so-called Christians,
including my own. I wondered what it would be like to go on an adventure in
which one’s very survival is dependent upon one’s will to love others
authentically. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Twelve Coins</i> is my
answer to this question. The twelve lessons in love come from 1 Corinthians
13. </span><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white;">Is there
a book 2 on the way? </span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">No other story involving these characters is
planned. However, if <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Twelve Coins</i>
sells well, then I will admit that I do have the beginnings of a second book in
mind. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white;">Are you a
plotter or a pantser? </span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">I think I’m a bit of both. Per writing contests,
I’ve done better writing as a pantser. However, I wrote <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Twelve Coins</i> more as a plotter, and I’m very happy with the
result, as are many others. If I’m not mistaken, J.R.R. Tolkien was writing as
a pantser when he wrote “The Hobbit,” which has become one of the most beloved
books of all time. So, no matter your style, you may just be doing it right,
for you ... just don’t limit yourself, and try writing in both styles. You may
just surprise yourself. </span><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white;">Do you
have any writing rituals? </span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">I’ll try to wake up with the first thing I do
being saying a prayer and reading something from the Bible, hoping to seek
God’s writing-favor by putting Him first for the day. I then eat breakfast and
take time to both breathe and slowly stretch, releasing any distractions that
might hinder my writing process. I then get cozy in front of my laptop and
start writing. I need a very quiet space to write, although music can be
playing in the background so long as it doesn’t have lyrics. I prefer to write
in the morning, since evening-writing keeps my mind too busy to sleep. Short
breaks, whenever I feel one coming on, are important. I’m satisfied to consider
a total of four hours of writing a full day’s work, as a writer needs time and
space to continue to live, through which comes inspiration. </span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">Tell us something about yourself that most
people don't know. </span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">I try to always have a bag with me to collect
any cans or bottles that need recycling, as in California we can make .05 cents
off each of them. My first goal was to collect enough within one calendar year
to buy an ounce of pure 24 karat gold, turning it into a sort of family
heirloom, which I accomplished. I now put the income towards other goals, some
practical and some just playful. Within the last two years, I’ve probably
recycled around 50,000 cans and bottles. </span><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white;">When you
are not writing what are you doing? </span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">I came out to Hollywood from Ohio in 2006 to
pursue acting and writing. I had a small speaking role in the Season 2
Halloween episode of the hit show “Community,” opposite Chevy Chase, and I’ve
had three other speaking roles on major Hollywood productions, which sadly,
were cut from the final releases. When not auditioning, I’m happy to stand-in
for principal actors (including Alexander Skarsgard, Armie Hammer, Paul
Bettany, Joel McHale, etc) and body-double for some of them. I’ve also silently
acted in the background of many other major Hollywood productions. I've
co-written a short-film as well. When not working, I enjoy exercising at the
gym, watching movies with my island-raised girlfriend (from Hawai'i), and
catching up with old buddies over a blended mint mocha. And, if there's ever a
convenient opportunity to travel internationally, I'm there. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Please tell my readers how they can get more
information about you and your books. </span><br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white;">The Twelve
Coins</span></i><span style="background: white;"> has a fan Facebook page which
can be found at... </span><br />
<br />
</span><u><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://m.facebook.com/thetwelvecoins/?ref=bookmarks">Facebook</a></span></u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Twelve Coins</i> can be purchased at...</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
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Judy Serrano, author of The Easters Lilly Series, and The Linked Series.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00866646237838005571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398824691051068828.post-66972985891614686582015-11-20T17:20:00.000-08:002015-11-20T17:20:16.578-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Roboto Slab', Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 24px;">Futures and Frosting by Tara Sivec takes the sweet out of sweets</span><br />
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Book Description:</div>
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Carter, Claire and their son Gavin are finally a family. They are still not traditional, no wedding ring just yet, but the love in the air is certainly intoxicating.</div>
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With Claire’s best friends getting married, the pressure is on. Is this group of friends beginning to grow up and become adults, or is the jury still out?</div>
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With all the complications that arise, the question of whether or not Claire and Carter will ever tie the knot is the sinking and on-going question. With friends making things worse, and time no longer on their side, Claire begins to doubt that the ties that bind them may not be enough to keep them together forever.</div>
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My Review:</div>
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Futures and Frosting by <a href="http://tarasivec.com/" rel="nofollow" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4489e3; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Tara Sivec</a> is book 2 of the Chocolate Lovers series. Book 1 was hilarious and will have you laughing with every page turned. As you move on to book 2, you will expect the same, but … Sivec simply does not deliver.</div>
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There is an explicit warning on this book that there is foul language, explicit sex, and that if you do not have a sense of humor, you should not read it. As true as that may be, there is no conflict in this book. I didn’t find myself turning pages anxiously. Instead, I found myself skipping pages just so I could get to the end and find out how the happily ever after was going to happen, since it was clear that it was going to happen if the two main characters could simply stay sober enough to get their act together. Without conflict, there is no suspense. Where there is no suspense, it is difficult to find focus. I give this book a 2 out of 5 stars. Like I said, book 1 was hilarious, but book 2 was simply a lot of language, sloppy sex, and drunken nights. I am not even going to open book 3.</div>
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Judy Serrano, author of The Easters Lilly Series, and The Linked Series.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00866646237838005571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398824691051068828.post-3532689510912312542015-08-02T16:29:00.003-07:002015-08-02T16:31:02.760-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Roboto Slab', Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: normal;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Darkest Hour by Maya Banks has a fighting chance for first</span></div>
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<span class="media__title" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; margin-right: 4px; vertical-align: 3px;">Rating: 4 out of 5 stars</span><span class="star-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block;"></span><br />
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Book Description:</div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Darkest-Hour-KGI-Novel/dp/0425227944/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1438550144&sr=8-2&keywords=The+Darkest+Hour" rel="nofollow" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4489e3; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Darkest Hour</a> </em>is the first of the KGI series written by Maya Banks. The KGI series is written about the Kelly family and their black ops organization known as Kelly Group International. Book one is about Ethan Kelly, who is a former Navy Seal, and his wife Rachel, who has been missing and presumed dead for over a year.</div>
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With the Kelly brothers acting as a team to discover if Rachel is actually alive or not, the novel holds your attention with unmitigated suspense. Does Ethan reunite with the love of his life, or is he on the road to self-destruction? Only time will tell.</div>
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My Review:</div>
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Although these books do stand alone quite well, reading them in order is still the best way to go. If these books are read out of order, you will know the outcome of some of the storylines, which can make the book drag a bit.</div>
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<a href="http://mayabanks.com/" rel="nofollow" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4489e3; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Maya Banks</a> is a wordsmith, and this series is one of the best you will ever read if you enjoy romantic suspense and black ops novels. The men are rugged and sexy, and the women who catch their attention are more than happy to take care of themselves. Banks is an expert at keeping the energy going all through her novels, and her steamy romance scenes are incomparable to anything else. However, after reading the other novels, and hitting this one last, I found it to drag in some parts, and I skipped quite a bit because I knew what the outcome was going to be. Also, I found that the main female character in this particular novel was unrealistically strong. It hit me as being farfetched and just too hard to believe.</div>
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When I started the series with <em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="http://mayabanks.com/books/noplace/" rel="nofollow" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4489e3; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">No Place To Run</a>,</em> it was not clear that it was not the first book. It was after I looked it up, that I realized I was reading the novels out of order. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars, only because I didn’t love it as much as I loved the others. I do think that if I read it first, I may have felt differently about it, but it is hard to say. I do highly recommend it. This series will get you hooked, and you will wonder how you ever got along without the Kelly boys in your life.</div>
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Judy Serrano, author of The Easters Lilly Series, and The Linked Series.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00866646237838005571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398824691051068828.post-67942971914902764162015-03-01T19:37:00.002-08:002015-03-01T19:37:27.669-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Echoes at Dawn by Maya Banks, a Nonstop Page Turner</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
Book Summary:<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Grace Peterson is cursed with paranormal abilities. She and her sister share psychic abilities, but Grace is special. Grace has the ability to heal. The only setback is that when she heals, she takes on the ailment or injury of the affected party. Grace has escaped from her captors and is in hiding from a black ops group, looking to take her for her healing powers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In walks Rio, a member of the KGI. After discussing her predicament with the Kelly brothers, the men who run the KGI, he decides that he needs to be the one to bring Grace home. He feels drawn to her somehow. Once he meets Grace, he is unprepared for the gravity of his feelings for her, and when things get out of hand, he can’t see past getting her back by whatever means necessary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">My Review:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It goes without saying that the Kelly brothers and their friends are the definition of the Alpha male. In <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Echoes-at-Dawn-KGI-Novel-ebook/dp/B006CUFWAK/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1421718287&sr=1-1&keywords=echoes+at+dawn+maya+banks">Echoes at Dawn</a>, Rio goes after Grace with a vengeance, crazy with rage, testosterone just dripping from his pores. Rio comes across Grace as she is in the process of escaping from her captors and saves her life. At that point in Grace’s life, she is weak, and her desire to live is diminishing. Rio puts everything on the line to bring Grace back safely, but things don’t go exactly as planned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This book was earth shattering. Although it is certainly a romantic suspense by genre, it has the delightful elements of the paranormal. The love story between Grace and Rio is heartwarming and will leave you teary eyed at the end. No matter how busy your schedule may be, this book will take over your will and demand that you finish it. I highly recommend this book for both paranormal romance readers, and romance readers alike. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. Miss <a href="http://mayabanks.com/">Maya Banks</a> you have done it again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Judy Serrano, author of The Easters Lilly Series, and The Linked Series.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00866646237838005571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398824691051068828.post-84135267648258440712015-01-03T11:51:00.000-08:002015-01-03T11:51:05.920-08:00Megan Linski says, "Word of mouth is the only thing that works in this industry."<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSgPQHNTIEY0x_n5r5axMO8lbAkQcWNOlxg06GPdm7JS2r_zzfyBi-h-6Vvpu6XEEUkCts7RHJF0Gym9NJaswIzO39TkxwyJfCFWm3E-kolBhqCVeQhrtdzVm8ezySdGRp1PrQoD02jU/s1600/Magan.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/AVvXsEgVSgPQHNTIEY0x_n5r5axMO8lbAkQcWNOlxg06GPdm7JS2r_zzfyBi-h-6Vvpu6XEEUkCts7RHJF0Gym9NJaswIzO39TkxwyJfCFWm3E-kolBhqCVeQhrtdzVm8ezySdGRp1PrQoD02jU/s1600/Magan.jpg" height="295" width="320" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">How many books have
you written and which is your latest release?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">I
have written almost twenty books, but I've only published two as of recently,
Alora under my name and Kiatana's Journey by Natalie Erin, which I co-wrote
with Krisen Lison. Both were released on November 1st, 2014. Even though I have
a lot of books I won't release them until each one is absolutely the best I can
make it. I'm a perfectionist that way.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial;">Wow, it sounds like
you’ve been busy. What is your background? Were you a good English student as a
kid?</span></b><span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">English
is all I ever knew, really. None of the other classes in school ever mattered
to me much, unless they had something to do with animals. History was another
one of my good subjects because I see History as a story, just like books. But
it was rare for me to get anything less than an A on an English project.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQS7J4y9bXEGQObWxfxT5s5LinTv8jaQ30v2AiLsuezDJaOucj0VAC_aYQWrk5E-5oh2heRfJhETmGR3-dBYf_wR3hlHQSZQNWegcpzB9vLgfMN6AjQvoQrIba8oF2pECU2O0GWnFKX4/s1600/Megan's%2Bbook.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/AVvXsEjoQS7J4y9bXEGQObWxfxT5s5LinTv8jaQ30v2AiLsuezDJaOucj0VAC_aYQWrk5E-5oh2heRfJhETmGR3-dBYf_wR3hlHQSZQNWegcpzB9vLgfMN6AjQvoQrIba8oF2pECU2O0GWnFKX4/s1600/Megan's%2Bbook.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, that explains a
lot. What is your favorite genre to read? Do you read what you write?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">I
write my favorite genres, which are Fantasy, Romance, and Contemporary/Issue
novels. I started writing for teens so I usually work in that age group, but
I'm also getting into more New Adult as well. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">I too write what I
read. I suspect that it is a pretty common practice. We tend to put out what we
take in. What is your muse? Is there something special that inspires you?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">I
think what helps most with my writing is nature. If I'm outside walking alone
and enjoying myself, the ideas just seem to come with me. I love being active
and getting out of the house whenever I can, and when that happens I usually
become flooded with tons of ideas. The more beautiful the scenery, the
better.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial;">I can’t wait to read
some of your stories. It sounds like you have a lot of wonderful ideas swimming
around in your head. Do you have any writing rituals?</span></b><span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">I
just sit down and write. There's nothing really I do that gets me in the mood.
I either want to write or not, and since this is all I've ever really wanted to
do, I usually want to.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial;">I tend to sit down and
write as well. I let my characters take me for a ride as opposed to the other
way around. Are you a plotter or a pantser?</span></b><span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">It
varies. Some of my more recent books I've plotted ridiculously, down to the
last word, but I've found that my best work comes from when I just spit it out
and then go back and rewrite it later, because then I've got more bones to work
with. I originally wrote a 90,000 word story that I cut the ending out of and
edited down to 70,000 words, and I'm a lot happier with it now. I'm more of an
editor than a plotter or pantser, I believe. The first draft is only the first
draft. You can do anything after that step.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial;">After all the hard
work is done, the hardest part is getting word out about your latest project. What
is your favorite way to advertise your book?</span></b><span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh
my, I hate advertising, haha. I would think most authors do. But I think that
out of everything I've tried the best thing that really, truly works is to talk
to people about it. Word of mouth is the only thing that works in this
industry. It's slow but I've gained more readers just by talking to them like a
normal human being over any advertising gimmick I've ever done.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial;">Do you expect to try
for a traditional publisher at some point or do you like being independent?</span></b><span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ehhhhhhh
come back to me in a few years and ask me that, haha. There are so many pros
and cons to the indie industry, but from what I've heard about the traditional
route it isn't much better. Unless a publisher comes to me with a large advance
and a killer contract, I think I'll stay where I am. But that could change. It
all depends on the book too. I have novels that I know no traditional publisher
would consider in their wildest dreams, plus I like being in control of where
my book goes. I would like my company, Gryfyn Publishing, to become successful
enough one day where it's my main source of income, but that won't happen if I
take a contract from another publisher. I don't know what that would say about
having faith in my own company.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial;">Thank you so much,
Megan for taking the time to talk with us today. Please leave some links where
my readers can learn more about you and your books.</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Amazon
Page: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Megan-Linski/e/B008REY2E6"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://www.amazon.com/Megan-Linski/e/B008REY2E6</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Facebook
Pages: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/gryfynpublishing"><span style="color: #1155cc;">https://www.facebook.com/gryfynpublishing</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Megan-Linski/803537256358930"><span style="color: #1155cc;">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Megan-Linski/803537256358930</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/creaturesofthelands"><span style="color: #1155cc;">https://www.facebook.com/creaturesofthelands</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Goodreads: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6869349.Megan_Linski"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6869349.Megan_Linski</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Alora
on Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Alora-Megan-Linski/dp/069230987X/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1420307503&sr=1-1"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://www.amazon.com/Alora-Megan-Linski/dp/069230987X/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1420307503&sr=1-1</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kiatana's
Journey on Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kiatanas-Journey-Creatures-Lands-Volume/dp/0692309926/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0SEAYFBYBHB1RYCTN55P"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://www.amazon.com/Kiatanas-Journey-Creatures-Lands-Volume/dp/0692309926/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0SEAYFBYBHB1RYCTN55P</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Twitter:@GryfynPub<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Blog: <a href="http://gryfynsbookblog.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">gryfynsbookblog.blogspot.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Judy Serrano, author of The Easters Lilly Series, and The Linked Series.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00866646237838005571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398824691051068828.post-60407377047726339152014-12-10T11:04:00.004-08:002014-12-10T11:04:54.184-08:00NOW AVAILABE "Linked ~First Blood" (Book2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3DEgdvVWlmnJ1Hi0g7UF4-3TUThfuRlKh7kM8p2xa7dlvfIeNU17xK0LPB7Ppo5QoJLkhAAAePs_Q_U5a0iA5fk_AhALKEKdtpRija38Zs5f3ghha3JYk1W07fWgBzV3BSsxAyV2QQBb/s1600/fristbloodlmed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3DEgdvVWlmnJ1Hi0g7UF4-3TUThfuRlKh7kM8p2xa7dlvfIeNU17xK0LPB7Ppo5QoJLkhAAAePs_Q_U5a0iA5fk_AhALKEKdtpRija38Zs5f3ghha3JYk1W07fWgBzV3BSsxAyV2QQBb/s1600/fristbloodlmed.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<strong>FIrst Blood has been released today! It is book 2 in the Linked Series.
Find out what happened to Daphne, and what will happen to her daughters. Are
they vampires like their father, or did they remain human? Who will "link?" When
a vampire links with a human, they share a soul, causing the vampire to
"humanize." And what does the mob have to do with it? Here's the blurb...</strong></div>
<br />
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;">Diamond
never asked to be a vampire. Unfortunately for her, her transition requires her
to have her first blood given to her by a full-blooded, male vampire. Her father
takes her to Dante, the kingpin of the vampire mafia, who is a close and old
friend of the family, to do the job. After much resistance, Dante accepts and
their worlds are turned upside down. Dante unexpectedly links to Diamond,
causing a connection that appears to be unbreakable. The only known cure for
vampirism is when a vampire links to the soul of a human: the soul that once
belonged to them. Diamond is discovered to have a special and unique bloodline,
which makes her extremely valuable to the vampire species. As more and more
vampires become aware of her gift, the race is on to see who can gain control of
her first. With her first blood gone, her new love hovering, and a rival gang
hanging in the midst, it is all Diamond can do to stay safe. Will her link to
Dante save her, or put her in more danger than she can handle. Sometimes true
love is worth the risk.</span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/First-Blood-Linked-Judy-Serrano/dp/1505302668/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1418180812&sr=1-4&keywords=Judy+Serrano" target="_blank">NOW AVAILABLE AT AMAZON</a></span>Way2Kool Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186324871289894146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398824691051068828.post-78364934419379532662014-09-21T14:01:00.000-07:002014-09-21T14:12:00.884-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
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Rating and reviewing a novel</h1>
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There are many things that need to be considered when rating and reviewing a book. The first and most important point is that the person who wrote the book you are about to dissect is a real person. This may be a person that you might meet someday, so choosing your words carefully might be in your best interest. Also, you have to remember that these authors put their hearts and souls into their work, so finding something positive to say is simply common courtesy. Here are a few tips when reviewing someone’s novel.</div>
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· Start with something positive- It is always best to start with something optimistic, so that the author isn’t caught off guard. Even if the book is terrible, there is always something kind you can find to say.</div>
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· The critique should be in the middle- Much like a sandwich, the critique is the meat of the review. Here is where you write what your true feelings are. Of course, it is always best to be polite, but even if you are not feeling especially courteous, this is where the criticism goes.</div>
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· End with something encouraging. Try to end with something constructive. If you don’t recommend the book, it goes at the end, but there is always a way to leave the subject on a positive note.</div>
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Now it is time to talk about the rating system. Everyone knows that there are star ratings on blogs, Goodreads, Google <a class="inline_link omniture-click-processed" href="http://www.examiner.com/books" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0088cc; text-decoration: none;">Books</a>, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other such places. It is important to be consistent with your stars. Here are a few suggestions:</div>
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1. Not recommended- One star should be for books you really did not like. This is a terrible read, one that you would not recommend to anyone.</div>
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2. Poor- Two stars are for books that did not catch the attention of the reader. The author of this book may not be skilled or perhaps the content just did not reach the reviewer.</div>
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3. Good- Three stars mean the book was good. The reviewer enjoyed it but there are still portions of the book that need improvement. This book may catch the attention of other readers even if it did not stimulate the reviewer.</div>
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4. Very good- Four stars mean that this was a very good book. This was a great read and satisfied the reviewer’s thirst. There is something in a four star that kept the reader from thinking this book was outstanding, but four stars is an awesome read.</div>
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5. Outstanding!- Five stars means that this was a page turner. Not only will you recommend this book to everyone you talk to, but you loved it! Some reviewers are very stingy with their five stars and some give them away like candy. It is important, however, that the reviewer exercises consistency.</div>
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So, take some advice from an author who is also a reviewer, and use caution when reviewing someone’s work. Always remember that behind the pen is a person.</div>
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Judy Serrano, author of The Easters Lilly Series, and The Linked Series.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00866646237838005571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398824691051068828.post-9830528277841484092014-08-22T13:14:00.001-07:002014-08-22T13:16:05.132-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="product-name" property="v:itemreviewed" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: large;">'Unveiled' by R.S. Broadhead unveils new young adult perspective</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Museo Slab 300 Regular;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">3 out of 5 stars</span></span></div>
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<div class="date date--created" content="August 22, 2014" datatype="xsd:dateTime" property="dc:date dc:created" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; display: inline-block; font-size: 0.875rem; line-height: 1.25rem; vertical-align: top;">
August 22, 2014</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OUDGCDy1yh53qfYs2w7eSC4jOup5zl0nSC__WUyJ7DRyBawwKGH7yTFmo7yAVV-ts7gDhsKvyyNkNMR30zelNcEG5o9GnPZ4CT-204_ebOhMcRXNtfw6bw5hFNSzYs6IjZ9xQbXCyZE/s1600/Unveiled+resized.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/AVvXsEh5OUDGCDy1yh53qfYs2w7eSC4jOup5zl0nSC__WUyJ7DRyBawwKGH7yTFmo7yAVV-ts7gDhsKvyyNkNMR30zelNcEG5o9GnPZ4CT-204_ebOhMcRXNtfw6bw5hFNSzYs6IjZ9xQbXCyZE/s1600/Unveiled+resized.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a><br />
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Book description:</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unveiled-Realms-Darkness-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00K7UHK9W/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0088cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">'Unveiled'</a> by R.S. Broadhead is a <a class="inline_link omniture-click-processed" href="http://www.examiner.com/topic/paranormal-romance" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0088cc; text-decoration: none;">paranormal romance</a> about a group of girls who run into a paranormal nightmare. Reese Salt is the main character and she has two close girlfriends who take this journey with her. She appears to be living a normal life when she is picked up by some guy who runs a tactical group of fighters of the paranormal.</div>
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This world of monsters that Reese and her friends are recruited into defending takes them into a world that was not known to them before. They become warriors and join the men who were already being trained to overcome the monsters that be.</div>
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My review:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUS3XN37Xld3QoGXRfIy8JuWJQeVVKI8Pahiq3yhgga8wELNnrcT_LaVFURqRreFpmHppztW_NudpHs8FlTyVygOmnpfN7goPqGmlawmYWl9ALzH_oyPEqLpPmu0EfurJWu0FHDjImN0/s1600/Broadhead.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/AVvXsEhFUS3XN37Xld3QoGXRfIy8JuWJQeVVKI8Pahiq3yhgga8wELNnrcT_LaVFURqRreFpmHppztW_NudpHs8FlTyVygOmnpfN7goPqGmlawmYWl9ALzH_oyPEqLpPmu0EfurJWu0FHDjImN0/s1600/Broadhead.jpg" /></a>There are times in this novel where you will be engrossed in the activity. Some of the action is very stimulating, while other relational moments between the characters tend to go very slow. The sexual tension between the main character and one of the warriors will keep you glued to the page. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RSBroadhead" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0088cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">R.S. Broadhead</a> is certainly creative with her creatures of the night, and you will be continuously surprised by her things that go bump in the night.</div>
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That being said, the book felt like it was written by a very young writer. Although the main character was 21 and the story was told from her perspective, it may be difficult to identify with her if you are not a teenager. Some of the words used were juvenile choices, and may be a bit of a turn-off for the mature reader. If you are familiar with books like ‘Hunger Games’ and ‘Divergent,’ you will recognize the training parts of the novel. That part was not new and can become a bit tedious if you are looking for something fresh.</div>
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I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars, but don’t let that discourage you. I can see how younger readers might really enjoy this book and find the party girls and the sexy alpha males quite appealing.</div>
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Judy Serrano, author of The Easters Lilly Series, and The Linked Series.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00866646237838005571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398824691051068828.post-3550276186398994112014-07-27T22:09:00.000-07:002014-07-27T22:09:11.402-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Author Karli Rush says, “Write your story, your way…”</h1>
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<span class="caption__credit" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic; padding: 0px;">Photo supplied by Karli Rush</span></div>
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<div class="date date--created" content="July 22, 2014" datatype="xsd:dateTime" property="dc:date dc:created" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; display: inline-block; font-size: 0.875rem; line-height: 1.25rem; vertical-align: top;">
July 22, 2014</div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a class="inline_link omniture-click-processed" href="http://www.examiner.com/topic/indie-author" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0088cc; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Indie Author</a> Karli Rush was kind enough to take the time to speak with us today about her career as a writer.</strong></div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Thanks so much for being here today, Karli. How long did it take you to publish your first novel?</strong></div>
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Once I got to the point in my life where I said, “Okay, I'm going to truly write,” it was more of a challenge to find out when. You see, I have a son with autism. He’s a beautiful, vibrant, and very energetic eleven year old. I do therapy with him during the day, and my husband works nights, so the only time I found free was after the house quieted down and everyone went to sleep. Then, and only then could I find my writer’s voice. I became a nocturnal creature and found a secret lover in coffee. Shhh, don’t tell my husband. He thinks coffee is just a friend. A twelve month love affair later, and I had my first novel. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crescent-Bound-Karli-Rush-ebook/dp/B007E5OD2U/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406081565&sr=8-1&keywords=Karli+Rush" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0088cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">'Crescent Bound'</a> was complete, but I knew the story wasn’t done. It was only the tip of my iceberg. Since that start I have conceived five other novels and two novellas into my collection and there’s still a lot more to come.</div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">We are glad to hear that you found the time to write. What is your latest project?</strong></div>
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I love Marc from ‘Crescent Bound’ and I had received numerous emails regarding Marcus. Who was he before the witch world collided with his own? How did he know the things that he seemingly and instinctively knew? So, I wanted the readers/fans to see his point of view from ‘Crescent Bound.’ And once I announced the book was in the works everyone, including myself, has anticipated the release. So, that's my current project. Marc's story, Ice Bound. Here is the blurb for the book due out later this year.</div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Ice Bound - Marcus Colten is living the perfect life, high school football star and dating the head cheerleader. He is popular, skilled in athletics and from a wealthy family. The football team he quarterbacks for just won their first district championship.</em></div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Marc doesn't show it, but he is being haunted. Orphaned at the early age of two, he has ghostly memories of a past that makes his flawless model life feel out of place. And then there are the illusive dreams. Visions of someone that relentlessly possess his nights. What does it all mean? Where will it all lead? This time, he’s not the one that is at the top of the game.</em></div>
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In this final installment of ‘The Crescent Bound Series,’ you will find new things which directly tie into ‘Crescent Bound’ in a way that enhances the story even more. I also introduce a side character that <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">may </em>be spun off into an anthology. If things go as planned, that story will be coming out around November of this year.</div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">That sounds like an exciting story. Have you ever thought about using a traditional publisher?</strong></div>
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I would love for one to ring me and offer a big juicy signing bonus, but then don’t we all. I’m really considering it in a trial basis, but I sure enjoy being the boss. To create the words to a story and to design the covers is one of my absolute favorite things to do. Just ask my husband. I guess that’s why I love self-publishing so much.</div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">I see that you really love self-publishing because it gives you so much freedom. What do you think about self-publishing in today’s market?</strong></div>
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Well, first off, I think it’s absolutely fantastic. It offers so many opportunities to writers like myself. I have also seen some very successful New York Times Best Sellers diving into the self-publishing world too. I think it even gives traditional publishers great access to great writers; let them do some courting for a change. Yes, I’m a definite fan and I think it’s here to stay.</div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">I can see that the future of publishing is certainly changing especially with all the technology available today. How does social networking benefit your career?</strong></div>
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Tremendously, being able to have any reader look me up and send me a message puts me on the front lines like never before. Full access to an author through social media is the best invention since the cell phone. In fact, reach out to me anytime and here’s how.</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/karli.rush1" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0088cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/karli.rush1</a></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/KarliRush" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0088cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/KarliRush</a></div>
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<a href="http://crescentbound.wix.com/karli-rush" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0088cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://crescentbound.wix.com/karli-rush</a></div>
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<a href="http://rushboundblog.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0088cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://rushboundblog.wordpress.com/</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/rushbound/" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0088cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.pinterest.com/rushbound/</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Karli-Rush/e/B007DJNOMW" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0088cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Karli-Rush/e/B007DJNOMW</a></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/KarliRush" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0088cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/KarliRush</a></span></div>
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And that’s not all but I had to stop. It’s a cyber jungle out there.</div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Wow! That is a lot of sites. Social networking can certainly put an author on the map. What would you say is your best form or advertising?</strong></div>
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Word of mouth. I just love hearing someone say they told a friend about one of my books. Word of mouth is free and the absolute best form of advertising ever! So, how about telling a friend?</div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">I understand that there is a story behind ‘The Crescent Bound Series.’ Can you tell us a little something about your experiences that lead you to this storyline?</strong></div>
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Yes, the feel of ‘Crescent Bound’ began taking shape when a friend and I visited a haunted hotel, called the Crescent Hotel. It’s located in a very small town called Eureka Springs, Arkansas. While touring this hotel, I actually saw an apparition. It was my first touch with the paranormal first hand. I became interested and more aware of my world around me. The town took a hold of me. Everything in this small, quaint little town is quite unique and diverse and filled with mysticism. Like the narrow obscure alleyways with only a sign hanging overhead, words scrawled out, Tarot Card Readings <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">inside</em>. Every nook and cranny has something to offer, whether it be handcrafted jewelry, natural crystal shops, or homemade soaps. And just like in ‘Crescent Bound,’ there is an existence of magic there waiting if you’re only willing to see it. I think this is what opened up a whole new perception of how I saw things and this is when the dreams started. These dreams weren’t like my typical dream. They were more vivid in color, not black and white and recurring. Each night I could re-enter a dream from the previous night and pick back up right where I had left off. It was as if Alyssa, Marc, Lisa, and Megan all had a story to tell and they were not going to simply fade away and this is how the birth of ‘Crescent Bound’ came to be.</div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">That is a wonderful story. I’m sure your readers would love to know, who is your favorite character?</strong></div>
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My favorite female character is Megan; she’s a wild child and a blast to write about. This girl is beyond the words of timid and discreet. She is a free loving, definitely open-minded kind of woman and naughty in the most playful sort of way. She is mischief personified My favorite male character is Marc. He will forever hold that special place in my heart; I guess you could say he’s my first. My first male character that is. He’s an unstoppable force, who loves passionately and eternally. What more of a man could a woman want?</div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">I get attached to my characters too. I sit down at my Mac and let my characters take me for a ride. What is your writing ritual? Do you outline your books or do you just sit down and write?</strong></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.625rem; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px;">
Write. I have very specific visions of each scene for my books. I really know no other way to bring out my stories. They’re all caged inside my head like wild animals fighting to speak to me. Sometimes I have to push one aside that is trying to surface and tranquilize it for a moment and write them as they come.</div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Is there a writer who has influenced your career? What is your very favorite book?</strong></div>
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There are several <a class="inline_link omniture-click-processed" href="http://www.examiner.com/topic/authors" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0088cc; text-decoration: none;">authors</a> who influenced me, but one in particular is <a href="http://catetiernan.net/" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0088cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Cate Tiernan</a>. Cate is one of those authors that weaves her stories together like an intricate tapestry. She is funny, witty, attention grabbing, and she teaches pieces of truth in her tales. She’s the first author that introduced me to witch stories. ‘Sweep,’ it’s a series and a must read. My favorite book is ‘Bag of Bones’ by <a href="http://stephenking.com/" rel="nofollow" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0088cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Stephen King</a>. I have never come across a book that brings everything I love together into one story as well as this one does. Paranormal, romance, mystery, suspense, and horror all combined by an expert such as Stephen King.</div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">It sounds like you follow the heavy hitters. It is always good to follow successful authors so that we can learn from them. Do you have any advice for up and coming authors?</strong></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.625rem; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px;">
I do. Don’t be in a big rush, take your time. Writing is something like a marathon race. Pace yourself. And don’t get discouraged, we’ve all been through bouts with self-doubt, but never, ever let that or anyone else take what you believe in away. Write your story, your way, and know that if you’re doing something that you truly love, then you’re doing something right for you.</div>
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Judy Serrano, author of The Easters Lilly Series, and The Linked Series.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00866646237838005571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398824691051068828.post-79020832147693070012014-07-09T21:18:00.001-07:002014-07-09T21:18:54.336-07:00Writer's Blog: Giveaway | Promises In The Dark by Princess Racena...<a href="http://www.judyserranoauthor.com/2014/07/giveaway-promises-in-dark-by-princess.html?spref=bl">Writer's Blog: Giveaway | Promises In The Dark by Princess Racena...</a>: Book Title: Promises In The Dark Series: Secrets of the Mystic Author: Princess Racena McConell Genre: Paranormal Romance Rel...Judy Serrano, author of The Easters Lilly Series, and The Linked Series.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00866646237838005571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398824691051068828.post-31389920494120479712014-07-09T00:00:00.000-07:002014-07-09T00:00:00.136-07:00Giveaway | Promises In The Dark by Princess Racena McConnell @PrmTjm1981<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLbyF_mDol1jGsadZXW7jElQlhc2XMrDoNWH4yOc37Q1JESRKTcDUISexGanuePm_NcuJWPXa39SmSYP8x6L6Yh4_fo7dEGi6IYbkM6Jd2nfsS1bHWZuK-B80eNVTzT_3YLJTg3LvceqG/s1600/Promices+in+the+Dark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLbyF_mDol1jGsadZXW7jElQlhc2XMrDoNWH4yOc37Q1JESRKTcDUISexGanuePm_NcuJWPXa39SmSYP8x6L6Yh4_fo7dEGi6IYbkM6Jd2nfsS1bHWZuK-B80eNVTzT_3YLJTg3LvceqG/s1600/Promices+in+the+Dark.jpg" height="400" width="272" /></a></div>
<b>Book Title:</b> <i>Promises In The Dark</i><br />
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<b>Series:</b> Secrets of the Mystic</div>
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<b>Author:</b> Princess Racena McConell<br />
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<b>Genre: </b> Paranormal Romance</div>
<b>Released:</b> November 17, 2013<br />
<b>Length:</b> 345 Pages Print</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Presented by:</b> <a href="http://asyouwishtours.com/">As You Wish Tours</a> </div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">BLURB</span><br />
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What began as a casual dinner with friends quickly blossoms into a beautiful friendship for Rachel Adams and Derek Williamson. In time, it will develop into something much greater than either could have ever imagined. The pair have each had their share of tragedy and heartbreak that time has yet to heal. As their friendship evolves into something much more, Rachel begins to open up to the man she has fallen in love with about secrets that have consumed her life for so long. </div>
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Just when life seems to be opening up possibilities for the two of them, inexplicable and unsettling things start to happen. When these mysterious occurrences begin to invade their happiness, they are faced with the reality that they must find the truth about what haunts them. Will they survive as they uncover some of these long-kept secrets? Will the mystical forces that linked the lovers together so long ago be the same to destroy them in the end?</div>
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<b>Book Links </b></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Promises-Secrets-Mystic-Princess-McConnell-ebook/dp/B00H6Q1UG4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1392075264&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.com/Promises-Secrets-Mystic-Princess-McConnell-ebook/dp/B00H6Q1UG4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1392075264&sr=1-1" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnlsgXX_xlM4aTZtkOE3Zd1MO5K_gJCvu4cwWyAkDv-jYH-xOKcrvVsoKmhOmAxr9XxfLawrq7k3eOIYUPLG97I3rYVLdHcTO8vuNQWXFLkZeag6843DJmujYT9WYOMEDk5EZsnzU4GXV/s1600/Amazon+Kindle.png" /></a><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/promises-in-the-dark-princess-mcconnell/1117649739?ean=9781494393625" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/promises-in-the-dark-princess-mcconnell/1117649739?ean=9781494393625" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-BENeGy8OkTjEg9pFr1bdGNaEpnDlrYF1Qr6uapudyFhzbtIGAqVQz3WvlepRaALrt3F9uJZ6kclPX8vlvbk4l31OTJ58OMVnp8T4Nb1r38-Bm5sx9a_zL8nK34jHjCu7pSB1tNOxi0m/s1600/Barnes+&+Noble.png" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19378183-promises-in-the-dark" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19378183-promises-in-the-dark" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVstrXv_gXqmrBqrfx6JV-HmgBrCaIkTfV-51ICFmiVgotqoECq0CA5LVxs756N7FiBh6nVZ9kjhl4FqDOasWzcVEiVwfQeDOgDNB7buPxQ9_9T_e5btMWtmXUMiw4ePEqp0Ccr389ua_/s1600/Goodreads+Book.png" /></a><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/392994" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/392994" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04Bt3MHFMRnaJkDV0tn1Cd_ZrZMsIvyIXz2MDQkjpOErR2kNYVo0Yw5gwpC01NEsgejpi83CaoPwgUrFh5JSGwoNoStVfLPeVTfjdxk3mo3OGXTlnXjRn3iNlTmdhAv9Xa_7XiZHJuBpI/s1600/Smashwords.png" /></a></div>
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<b>AUTHOR BIO </b><br />
Princess Racena McConnell( who has never and will never go by her first name) was born in Kings Mountain NC and now resides in the busy little town of Summerville SC with her husband of 32 years. She is the mother of 3 and grandmother to 4 with a 5th one on the way! "Promises In The Dark"; her debut novel—is part 1 of a story that has been in her mind for many years, and finally had to be told! She enjoys spending time with her family, and is so thankful they all live within 20 minutes! She also enjoys reading, writing and anything horror related. Her dream is to someday see her books splashed across silver screen!<br />
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