tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68116666680440910022023-11-16T05:32:42.503-05:00Dark and Dreamy with C. C. MarksYoung adult romance reads with a science fiction edge.Cherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811666668044091002.post-23432409122915437252022-10-30T14:42:00.002-04:002022-10-30T14:42:18.492-04:00Writing Again<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphVl7mZuYCGT4H29bCAgeSIK4ZiaxiQP7T7TPZ0ZqLhA-eYOOh5Ex8YAyCXF_uQG19zHR2NWzCi2cSAEs7jx0C1hPLWkMEq-y6Wtcb2Lx3QR9Cv6NJYRpThr_htTZEYcj9IJCN0cAbTUubQO3PvjQ54gsYH_yD0kzotnQah4ja27zH1GPxnPgn6M8/s640/One%20Day%20at%20a%20Time.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphVl7mZuYCGT4H29bCAgeSIK4ZiaxiQP7T7TPZ0ZqLhA-eYOOh5Ex8YAyCXF_uQG19zHR2NWzCi2cSAEs7jx0C1hPLWkMEq-y6Wtcb2Lx3QR9Cv6NJYRpThr_htTZEYcj9IJCN0cAbTUubQO3PvjQ54gsYH_yD0kzotnQah4ja27zH1GPxnPgn6M8/s320/One%20Day%20at%20a%20Time.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Writing again today. 1st time in months and months. Charlie's story is now at 136 pages and 44,000 words. I will finish it this year!<p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Until then, keep your reads dark & dreamy!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Love,</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">C. C.</span></p>Cherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811666668044091002.post-37042063382751897362022-07-13T09:18:00.004-04:002022-10-30T14:38:17.280-04:00Back in Action!<div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YMOLGZqwBNbbXeJKKUqqGcEZlv68jfkOgcOdEiidpn0P4wmzIc73mD3PXBJbK0xLkuCtLCtCRWrJvu7mgtbGnaTojPV_eFAm3_Qp_Qc6cptZ84VdVyWHqZxoTjYyvAwegnfxyJEk5BPdyUH6CSO4xm1MmM4JCaPVOEbG1qtJXXcnDk63ICmBREHp/s1080/Perservance%20Not%20Perfections.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YMOLGZqwBNbbXeJKKUqqGcEZlv68jfkOgcOdEiidpn0P4wmzIc73mD3PXBJbK0xLkuCtLCtCRWrJvu7mgtbGnaTojPV_eFAm3_Qp_Qc6cptZ84VdVyWHqZxoTjYyvAwegnfxyJEk5BPdyUH6CSO4xm1MmM4JCaPVOEbG1qtJXXcnDk63ICmBREHp/s320/Perservance%20Not%20Perfections.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Charlie and I are attempting to come out of obscurity today. I am at my first appearance in years. With absolutely no net, I am at a school administrator conference, and my heart is pounding. </p></div><p>I really was not ready for the amount of people, but I’m breathing through it. It feels scary and exciting, but it gives me hope I can get back to my passion!</p><p>I have been working on Charlie’s great escape, and I would be lying if I didn’t say that I am a little nervous about where the story is going. Can’t wait to run it by some readers. Let me know if you might be interested in becoming a beta reader. </p><p>I am also developing a new series in a whole new world be on the lookout for Lena, a girl with a curse that must be broken!</p><p>Until then, keep your reads dark and dreamy!</p><p>Love,</p><p>C. C.</p>Cherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811666668044091002.post-87923726030871599542020-11-09T00:41:00.008-05:002020-11-09T00:43:14.526-05:00Nice Days of November 2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9brqYT2jTAeqlDF3SqM0vW_iC2wbv-VyWyuXUdpT1jxbmtSShMArkPzQ3tWxhx8YGJz9UJslq9b5aHnFjgQ_RxIlEGWN8EqBnu9Reks5jY10K0OjhGJ-cRo1FmZjTsVixmtLji2XjhU/s251/Be+Kind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="201" data-original-width="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9brqYT2jTAeqlDF3SqM0vW_iC2wbv-VyWyuXUdpT1jxbmtSShMArkPzQ3tWxhx8YGJz9UJslq9b5aHnFjgQ_RxIlEGWN8EqBnu9Reks5jY10K0OjhGJ-cRo1FmZjTsVixmtLji2XjhU/s0/Be+Kind.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Life isn't so bad suddenly.</p><p>Charlie is almost free.</p>Cherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811666668044091002.post-68759962369037555932016-07-08T20:28:00.002-04:002022-10-30T14:52:20.507-04:00Lazy Days of Summer $250 Cash Giveaway!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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Lazy Days of Summer</h2>
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$250 Cash Giveaway</h2>
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July 6th to 26th</h2>
An Awesome Group of Authors & Bloggers have joined with me to bring you 1 fabulous prize!! We’re giving away $250 in Paypal Cash! Or alternately you can choose a $250 Amazon.com Gift Code! <strong>Sponsor List</strong> – Thanks to these great authors & bloggers for making this giveaway possible! I Am A Reader Krysten Lindsay Hager author Simple Wyrdings Heather Gray, Author Bookworm Lisa B. Kristin McMichael Rachel Matthews, Author of cozy, sweet reads Kindle and Me Everly Frost, YA Author Cool Cats Mysteries Helen Smith Laurisa White Reyes, Author Dark and Dreamy with C. C. Marks Dawn Malone Author Nikki Jefford Aubrey Wynne: Romantasy Through the Ages Mary Ting/M. Clarke Confessions of a Frugal Mind AuggieTalk Darcus @ Rainy Days and Pajamas Lori's Reading Corner Glistering Bs Blog The Lovely Books J.C. Whyte, author Gigi McAllister@ The Late Bloomer's Book Blog Bonnie Blythe Faith-Based Romance Bella Street Time Travel Romance Laurie Here - Cont Fiction and More Beth M. Honeycutt <strong>Giveaway Details</strong> $250 in Paypal Cash (alternately the winner can choose a $250 Amazon.com Gift Code) Ends 7/26/16 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway <script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Cherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811666668044091002.post-76475074625040813712016-05-16T07:00:00.000-04:002016-05-16T07:00:17.496-04:00New Covers for the Mercy Series!New digs in the #mercyverse! Check 'em out.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYA9stA4fAkTG7QddZiXBmDTVSYJqxvWTudobfmah1ZMsaSSLeCP7KXelQz6gvu2vJp0BGpSzF9F7buw6gc8Mfxe-h_UkJIQBzUt11TZxXky79-GXsaN6tiFtV_fstV4lBUaLfPDblH5Y/s1600/Edge+of+Mercy+2016+final.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/AVvXsEjYA9stA4fAkTG7QddZiXBmDTVSYJqxvWTudobfmah1ZMsaSSLeCP7KXelQz6gvu2vJp0BGpSzF9F7buw6gc8Mfxe-h_UkJIQBzUt11TZxXky79-GXsaN6tiFtV_fstV4lBUaLfPDblH5Y/s320/Edge+of+Mercy+2016+final.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09CgFp_yVuORoww0Sconxd70avyOAKMJtGYvcTmOEz92kg3ElQsDJTrSL6JVO5GZzNS7mz2kvHAxxG4_spRxVG6StOQDg89-ydcBVeooP0GT5rIj-YhFcyK8APNF5GjWzbVUiWATUn8k/s1600/Heart+of+Mercy+2016+final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09CgFp_yVuORoww0Sconxd70avyOAKMJtGYvcTmOEz92kg3ElQsDJTrSL6JVO5GZzNS7mz2kvHAxxG4_spRxVG6StOQDg89-ydcBVeooP0GT5rIj-YhFcyK8APNF5GjWzbVUiWATUn8k/s320/Heart+of+Mercy+2016+final.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAmlxbAOka1TAszd2O5yFxv8-hAuQR_LVaUrsOWozvIzMpaItT2rORrv1EbT0nWUaM8XwzY6FIMcnqNwMcyyoGewY0xUiNkLFgNpHowcZ6YsoCAGsbXBuxZ8zrtylMztW9zivSYLA9V4/s1600/End+of+Mercy2016+final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAmlxbAOka1TAszd2O5yFxv8-hAuQR_LVaUrsOWozvIzMpaItT2rORrv1EbT0nWUaM8XwzY6FIMcnqNwMcyyoGewY0xUiNkLFgNpHowcZ6YsoCAGsbXBuxZ8zrtylMztW9zivSYLA9V4/s320/End+of+Mercy2016+final.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
Cherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811666668044091002.post-44679181776507834682016-03-13T11:00:00.001-04:002022-10-30T14:53:31.844-04:00Pot o Gold Giveaway--Everybody's Irish on St. Patrick's Day!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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The Pot o' Gold Giveaway Hop is Coming – All Day on St. Patrick's Day!</h3>
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19 <span style="line-height: 1.7;">amazing authors have come together to give away $100 in gift cards to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, & Starbucks – plus eBooks, swag, and even more great prizes!</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.7;">Just visit any of the following Facebook pages from midnight to midnight, Eastern time on Thursday, March 17th. Then hop to the next author on the list for more chances to WIN!</span></div>
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<strong>Jordan Ford</strong></div>
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<strong>Martina Dalton</strong></div>
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<strong>Micalea Smeltzer</strong></div>
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<strong>Regina Bartley</strong></div>
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<strong><span style="line-height: 1.7;">Alexia Purdy</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="line-height: 1.7;">Vanessa Marie</span></strong></div>
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<strong>Sydney Logan</strong></div>
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<strong>M. Louisa Locke</strong></div>
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<strong>Debra Holland</strong></div>
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<strong> Belle Ward</strong></div>
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<strong>C. C. Marks</strong></div>
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<strong>Brenda Hiatt</strong></div>
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<strong>Magan Vernon</strong></div>
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<strong>Karen Amanda Hooper</strong></div>
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<strong>K. B. Hoyle</strong></div>
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<strong>Brenda Beem</strong></div>
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<strong>Evie Harper</strong></div>
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<strong>Lauren & Devon Royal</strong></div>
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<strong>T.M. Franklin</strong></div>
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Don't forget to give the pages a LIKE – and check out their books. You might find your next great read!</div>
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Cherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811666668044091002.post-82350056928277579232016-01-16T09:54:00.001-05:002022-10-30T14:55:34.325-04:00Dreaming of Cash $250 Giveaway<strong>Dreaming of Cash $250 Giveaway</strong> An Awesome Group of Authors & Bloggers have joined with me to bring you 1 fabulous prize!! We’re giving away $250 in Paypal Cash! Or alternately you can choose a $250 Amazon.com eGift Code! Sponsor List – Thanks to these awesome bloggers & authors for sponsoring this giveaway!!<br />
<strong><br /></strong> <strong>Sponsor List</strong> I Am A Reader<br />
Melissa M. Frye<br />
Here We Go Again...Ready?<br />
Unshelfish<br />
Heather Gray, Author<br />
The YA Gal<br />
Auggie @ AuggieTalk<br />
Jenna Lyn Field<br />
Kimberly Krey<br />
Lori's Reading Corner<br />
Simple Wyrdings<br />
Hidden World Books<br />
Author Inger Iversen<br />
Melanie McFarlane Books<br />
Author Mary Ting/M. Clarke<br />
Kimber Leigh Wheaton<br />
Suzi Love<br />
Rockin' Book Reviews<br />
Author Georgina Young-Ellis<br />
Author Ednah Walters<br />
Author D.E. Haggerty<br />
Laurie Here - Cont Fiction and More<br />
Author Cindy C Bennett<br />
Krysten Lindsay Hager author<br />
Literary Winner<br />
Mia Siegert, Author<br />
The Page Unbound<br />
Glistering Bs Blog<br />
Bonnie Blythe Pure Romance<br />
Bella Street's Time Travel Romance<br />
The Book Referees<br />
Author Wendi Sotis<br />
Nikki Jefford<br />
Author A. Gardner<br />
Dark and Dreamy With C. C. Marks<br />
Diana's Book Reviews<br />
Author Joy Penny <br />
<strong><br /></strong> <strong>Giveaway Details</strong> $250 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon.com eGift Card Ends 1/30/16 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or who can redeem an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway <script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Cherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811666668044091002.post-46072616426547089972015-08-22T11:07:00.000-04:002015-08-22T11:07:15.041-04:00Coming September 19th!Watch out for those authors coming out of their writing caves!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iGkip-Que40" width="560"></iframe>Cherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811666668044091002.post-47662575407770978082015-07-14T10:00:00.000-04:002015-07-14T10:00:01.811-04:00END OF MERCY is Finally Here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULptWG8EF75I8YQe6rTqaW02gwcoEuVV9Yu00KwmcZGOYlFmkrs6wYniTa5XHVYY3RhK8Do8eNjcVZVH5KTkeJtxySikBhADRfQ-3gFOYGMmXkM9-BiTZ5TSdTKegrygbkWqGQOkoW_k/s1600/End+of+Mercy+Promo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULptWG8EF75I8YQe6rTqaW02gwcoEuVV9Yu00KwmcZGOYlFmkrs6wYniTa5XHVYY3RhK8Do8eNjcVZVH5KTkeJtxySikBhADRfQ-3gFOYGMmXkM9-BiTZ5TSdTKegrygbkWqGQOkoW_k/s320/End+of+Mercy+Promo.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The third book in The Mercy Series is available today. It will be my first three-book series, and to say this is a milestone for me is nothing but unbelievable, shout-it-out-loud, hot-cross amazingbuns. Like all the stories I've written, I'm very proud of this book, and I can't wait for others to finally see it.<br /><br />Anyway, I wanted to share this milestone with the readers I've come to know through all my crazy book adventures. Thank you, all, for making a life-long dream a reality.<br /><br />Happy Reading!!!</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://smile.amazon.com/End-Mercy-Young-Adult-Dystopian-ebook/dp/B0101LBTZC" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XwEGhvxU18FGsO2sCiUgcGFDJMa1MBxKx3WEwmPArA1oX-OM13OTbaLQ5tcwoId9qep8BMOg8kjMy4wG_II6meVMhY7aq3lwIbByNJkb01MIOKSUMTVIVmDvEfM40LjOuVY2tNJLkgc/s1600/Amazon+Buy+Icon.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/end-of-mercy-c-c-marks/1122220058?ean=2940152173574" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GYMRRSbCwURgoJxz-H1R_l_rer9NBHQSaAEPg8tyXqvrhTJmXaEKe1b_9xNZFQxXpgmEHoo4tZ7M0Im7FRt83KOmKqLZAC_dsaKyAMSBXryGfKHJUxX-ZSWN7u4iit62zq9RfZA1i5s/s1600/BN140x28.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/end-of-mercy" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcM7WF9K1MeUxBrXPby1nRJcVmOsoV4d4NTomR2vpqzvn_kcA0Wvv1OHXofk8bfeE1Hyhvna9FnO4fWKLLMrzXw9aD7rIdE0OPxy3c5K076j5ioPuiLRHs2HLYhJxwOuwhzz7QB-g9Tg/s1600/Kobo90x28.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/end-of-mercy/id1013224621?mt=11" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsvXDqCWg6hMtOXpFfELDKQJbKaJg8q-uRkbJhVmEf8XIk_F2AJr30_EViSecDkC8_ZlD6BWmzXJla3P6nXB5Tag7Ip2wcZCZ0Y0ISdlVtMwhafXt8ceTSxdP24c-KAG_M0LlzAYpMOQ/s1600/Apple120x28.jpg" /></a></div>
Cherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811666668044091002.post-55158309368863740832015-06-24T12:00:00.000-04:002015-06-24T12:00:04.915-04:00END OF MERCY is Coming!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTrLEaew0PX9ufS-o-kpyt1nKaS6-wp2OlGndCXQ340n_iHT0HBVbT8VLZbUjFEyLXoGDjWM58yF-idNNygyZ5bM2MFetN0qICz5zKtZV8d7bTsHvqeweeSiXPjzjAO5N6m8BG1N5qT0/s1600/End_1600x2400.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/AVvXsEhiTrLEaew0PX9ufS-o-kpyt1nKaS6-wp2OlGndCXQ340n_iHT0HBVbT8VLZbUjFEyLXoGDjWM58yF-idNNygyZ5bM2MFetN0qICz5zKtZV8d7bTsHvqeweeSiXPjzjAO5N6m8BG1N5qT0/s320/End_1600x2400.jpg" width="213" /></a>For those of you who haven't seen the cover of the book, here it is!<br />
<i><br /></i> <i>End of Mercy</i> is officially up for pre-order at Amazon. The release date is July 14th, and I'm excited! My goal is to get it up for pre-order at the other retailers too, but that might be later this week. Anyway, here is a short excerpt from the book:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Come in.” The two words were short and impatient, and I didn’t have confidence she would be glad to see me again. Regardless, he twisted the knob and stepped inside and I followed, dragging my feet the whole way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">It took me a minute to spot her by the large, picture window. I hadn’t really noticed it last time I was here because curtains clearly covered it usually, but she had them pulled back currently and was sitting on the narrow ledge, staring down to the area below. I didn’t know at what she might be looking, but that window faced the inner walls of the square the hospital formed. Whatever was down there, was inside the facility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">She didn’t even turn around as she addressed us. “So close to the endgame. We can’t stop now. Am I right?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Ben didn’t acknowledge her rambling. Instead, he gripped my arm again and said, “I found Charlie in the third floor test subject corridor. She had a key…she knows who’s in there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Dr. Drake’s breath released heavily and created a moisture cloud on the window in front of her. I watched it fade as she explained, “It was bound to happen sometime. Kind of surprised it took her so long.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">More to Come!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Happy Reading!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">C. C. </span>Cherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811666668044091002.post-88910967359726188052015-06-05T11:40:00.001-04:002015-06-05T11:41:39.513-04:00Multi-Author Book Signing Near Cincinnati Today!!!!<span style="font-size: x-large;">Having a fantastic time at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RAGT15?src=hash">#RAGT15</a>! The signing starts at 3:00 and is open to the public. More info here: <a href="http://t.co/jSskDKuFbt">http://readerauthorgettogether.com/ </a></span>Cherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811666668044091002.post-60930101470615518492015-05-30T19:36:00.001-04:002022-10-30T14:57:32.146-04:00Looks Like A Great Read and There's a Giveaway!<strong>Jack Templar and the Lord of the Demons (The Templar Chronicles #5).</strong>
With two of the Jerusalem Stones in hand, Jack and his friends must race the clock to find the remaining Stones as Ren Lucre's Creach forces gather strength. With two of their group now with Creach blood flowing in their veins, the team will be tested as never before. They must unite together if they have any hope of surviving their journey to the Underworld and their battle with the vicious Lord of the Demons. The fate of the entire world hangs in the balance.
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<strong>Pre-order Your Copy Now!</strong></div>
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<strong>Amazon</strong></div>
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<strong>Author Jeff Gunhus</strong>
Jeff Gunhus is the author of the Amazon bestselling supernatural thriller, Night Chill, and the Middle Grade/YA series, The Templar Chronicles. The first book of the series, Jack Templar Monster Hunter, was written in an effort to get his reluctant reader eleven-year old son excited about reading. It worked and a new series was born. His book Reaching Your Reluctant Reader has helped hundreds of parents create avid readers. Killer Within is his second novel for adults. As a father of five, he and his wife Nicole spend most of their time chasing kids and taking advantage of living in the great state of Maryland. In rare moments of quiet, he can be found in the back of the City Dock Cafe in Annapolis working on his next novel. If you see him there, sit down and have a cup of coffee with him. You just might end up in his next novel.
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<strong>Website * Twitter * Facebook</strong></div>
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<strong>$25 Cover Reveal Giveaway</strong>
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 6/15/15
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
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<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Cherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811666668044091002.post-29787415987071964772015-05-27T20:39:00.000-04:002015-05-27T20:42:34.373-04:00Places I'll Be This Year--Come Say Hi!Sweet, sweet potatoes and peas, I'm going to be on the road some this year. And it will be a fab-tabulous time to meet the readers who make my day on a regular basis with e-mails, Facebook LIKE's, Tweets, and all the other ways they reach out.<br />
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I'm not going too far from home this time around, but if you're anywhere near these places, feel free to stop by my table and say hey:<br />
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Lori Foster's Reader Author Get Together is an event where readers and authors can...well...get together and talk books, books, and more books. I'll have a table set up where I'll sign books June 5, 3:00-5:00 P.M.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Crikettes Bookshelf and Kickback and Relax Book Reviews Blog is hosting the first annual River City Book Bash in Cincinnati, Ohio. Date is set for July 25th, 2015. I'll be signing multiple books from 12:00 to 3:00.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Book signing with multiple authors at The Louisville Palace Theater on Saturday, September 19, 2015 from 10:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.<br />
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Hope I get the chance to meet some of you in person.</div>
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Happy Reading and Writing,</div>
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C. C.</div>
Cherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811666668044091002.post-11693304142891266232015-01-22T20:54:00.001-05:002015-01-22T20:54:31.729-05:00Sneaky Peeky of End of MercyMaking progress peeps! Here's one of my fave parts so far and a hint about a big risk I'm taking with this book. Keep in mind, this is completely un-edited, so don't hold it against me!:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“These skinny mongrels are the forest firebugs?” I looked into the hard, coal-black eyes of the man in front of me and knew he was the one in charge of all this. He had short, brown hair that sat perfectly on his head. His clothes were clean and his face shaven. This was the face of the organization. This was their Jonas, and I hated him on sight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“We found them trying to steal one of the trucks, Harold.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Harold stared in silence for a while before asking, “What should we do with them?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Since no one answered, I figured he was thinking out loud. Right now, I was watching his every move and picking up on the dynamics of the group. The two guards were following orders and trying to impress Harold, but if he were as smart as I thought he was, we’d be able to deal with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Names?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I responded though it made my insides itch to do it, “I’m Thomas. He’s Peter.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Where did you two come from?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Peter spoke through gritted teeth, “Ain’t going to tell you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">His reaction was a little dramatic, but I could use it. “Come on, Pete. These guys are obviously smart. They’ll get the information out of us one way or another. Might as well play along.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">True to his role, Peter looked at me like I’d lost my mind. By now though, he knew me well enough to know I was working to get the upper hand. “You’re just going to tell them?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“What’s it hurt for them to know?” I sighed loudly. “We were in a school building over that ridge. There are still some people there, and they need medical attention. We were only going to borrow the truck to get them to Mercy. We planned to bring it back. I swear.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Harold nodded. I could see the plots developing in his eyes. “You’d be better off letting them to die than taking them to Mercy. That place is a deathtrap.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“We can’t just leave them. They need help.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“I’ll send a group out to locate them and transport them here. We’ll take care of all of you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I knew just how he planned to take care of us. He’d use everyone he found and us for his little operation here. I’d given him exactly what he’d needed—more bait—and he’d given Peter and me a stay of execution…at least for a little while.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Take them inside. Put them in the room above the stairs. Once their people are here, we’ll get everything settled.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">As the two guards pushed us toward the side door of the warehouse, Harold walked off in another direction. Going to send some of his men out to find the non-existent people holed up in a non-existent school, giving Peter and me an advantage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Peter whispered to me low, “Hope you know what you’re doing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I wanted to reassure him, but I also needed to keep things real. “Me too, dude. We might need a little luck to get out of this completely, but I think I bought us some time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The room at the top of the stairs was barely bigger than a closet. Some kind of office at one time, it had windows on all but one of the four walls, but they’d been blacked out with paint. That meant we’d have trouble keeping an eye on those below us, which I intended to do. The minute we got an opportunity, we were taking it. We’d get the truck and get out of here. I was determined, and often that’s all it took. A little sweat equity went a long way. At least that’s what my father used to tell me. I just hoped he was still on our side when we got back. Just hoped the community was still standing by the time we were finally out of this mess.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">They’d left us tied up, our hands behind our backs, but this world was full of sharp edges. You just had to know where to look. Sure enough, a filing cabinet in the corner was dented pretty badly—to the point that a jagged edge stood out from the rest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I signaled with a few nods of my head in its direction. “There’s how we’ll get these damn ropes off.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A little time and effort later and my hands were free. It took a little longer for Peter, but to give him credit, you had to stand at an awkward angle, backwards to reach the edge. Not to mention how many times I scraped my wrists instead of the ropes against that same edge. But we were free from that nuisance, and I felt a feral smile form on my lips. This could be simpler than I’d expected. These people weren’t exactly criminal masterminds. Just survivors like the rest of us, but they didn’t have a mission they couldn’t fail at, like I did. For my goal, I was willing to do whatever it took, whether I had to fight one man or a thousand, I had no other option but to achieve my aim. Too many were counting on me. Charlie was counting on me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I approached the window that faced the large open area of the warehouse below this office and scratched at the paint on the window until I had cleared a small spot I could see through. It remained slightly blurred, but beneath us, I could see three men standing in a tight circle, talking to each other. They seemed to be the only ones in the whole place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">After a few minutes, their heads turned in unison, as if they’d all heard something at the same time. With no more hesitation, they all rushed toward the door to the outside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Now’s our chance. Come on.” I motioned to Peter and was at the door in three strides, but paused as the handle began to jiggle from someone on the other side of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I held my hand up and stepped to the side, motioning for Peter to do the same, so that when the door opened, we’d be hidden behind the door. I grabbed an object from the nearby desk, barely looking at the hard, plastic stapler, but gripping it tight in my fist, ready to use it as a makeshift weapon, though I knew it would do very little damage, but it might slow down whoever was coming through that door long enough to push them out of the way and run.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The lock clicked and the doorknob turned. I raised the pitiful stapler above my head, ready to crash it down or throw it directly at the person on the other side of the door. Yet, the minute I saw the owl-eyed face searching the room, I lowered my improvised weapon and stepped out, curious to see the kid from the truck standing just inside the doorframe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">His gaze finally landed on me, and a determined look covered his features. “We don’t have much time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Though the statement was meant to prod us into action, it had just the opposite effect. Peter eased up beside me, his face a study in confusion, the way I thought I probably looked as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Peter spoke first, “What do you mean? Time for what?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“To get out of here. They’ll be back soon.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">To be perfectly honest, I didn’t know if I could trust this runt any further than I could throw him, but I asked, “You’re willing to help us?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“I’ll help you if you’ll help me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Always a catch. “We aren’t leaving without the truck.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">He pulled something from his pocket and jangled it in the air. A grin stretched across his face. “Now, will you help me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“What do you need us to do?” Peter asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">He pursed his lips tightly as if holding back bad news, but his eyes hardened again as if he’d crossed a line and could never go back. “I need help getting my brother free, and then I need you to take us with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I stared at him thoughtfully. We didn’t need two more bodies slowing us down, but he showed himself to be useful twice now. Once in giving us a chance to escape and the other in getting the keys to the truck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“What’s your name, kid?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“People call me Snap.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Peter’s face screwed up tight. “What kind of name is that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">He jangled the keys again. “They call me that because I can get things others can’t, and I can do it quickly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Satisfied, I nodded. “Well, I’m Thomas and this is Peter. Lead the way, Snap. Let’s go find your brother.”</span><br />
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Hope you enjoyed! Happy reading!<br />
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C. C.<br />
<br />Cherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811666668044091002.post-85860043137460275522014-12-06T23:04:00.005-05:002014-12-06T23:10:45.806-05:00Who R U Really? by Margo Kelly<a href="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/who-are-you.jpg"><img alt="who are you" class="alignleft wp-image-27270" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/who-are-you-195x300.jpg" height="430" width="280" /></a><br />
<div>
<strong>Who R U Really? by Margo Kelly</strong>
Thea's overprotective parents are driving her insane. They invade her privacy, ask too many questions, and restrict her online time so severely that Thea feels she has no life at all. When she discovers a new role-playing game online, Thea breaks the rules by staying up late to play. She's living a double life: on one hand, the obedient daughter; on the other, a girl slipping deeper into darkness. In the world of the game, Thea falls under the spell of Kit, an older boy whose smarts and savvy can't defeat his loneliness and near-suicidal despair. As Kit draws soft-hearted Thea into his drama, she creates a full plate of cover stories for her parents and then even her friends.
Soon, Thea is all alone in the dark world with Kit, who worries her more and more, but also seems to be the only person who really "gets" her. Is he frightening, the way he seems sometimes, or only terribly sad? Should Thea fear Kit, or pity him? And now, Kit wants to come out of the screen and bring Thea into his real-life world. As much as she suspects that this is wrong, Thea is powerless to resist Kit's allure, and hurtles toward the same dark fate her parents feared most. Ripped from a true-life story of Internet stalking, Who R U Really? will excite you and scare you, as Thea's life spins out of control.
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<br />
Excerpt<br />
<br />
When Tim’s eyes, bluer than an Idaho sky, met mine, my mind turned to mush. He towered<br />
above everyone else at the bus stop, and on this cold January morning he looked cuter than ever with his bomber hat and rosy cheeks. He shoved his sidekick, Josh, jokingly, and a cloud of white air escaped Tim’s mouth.<br />
<br />
<div>
My best friend, Janie, whacked me on the hip. “Omigosh, Thea. Here they come. Smile.”<br />
Her words bounced in rhythm with her black ringlets. She adjusted her new fluffy snow white<br />
parka, and even though it had a hood, she would never smash her perfect curls simply to stay warm. The crisp air made the tip of her nose red, but the rest of her face remained alabaster white. We’d been best friends for years, and at fourteen, having a friend made the ninth grade bearable.</div>
<div>
<br />
Janie hoped Josh and Tim would ask us to the Winter Solstice dance, but I just hoped to speak to Tim without sounding like a complete idiot. Tim walked in our direction with Josh right on his heels. They stopped in front of us, and everyone else hovered to watch the show.</div>
<div>
<br />
“Thea,” Tim said. I wanted to reply, but no words came.</div>
<div>
<br />
Josh approached Janie, and I fidgeted with my favorite fuzzy pink scarf.</div>
<div>
<br />
“Jan-eee,” Josh said, dragging out the last syllable of her name. He eyed her up and<br />
down. “You look like a giant fat marshmallow.”<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Who-R-Really-Margo-Kelly/dp/1440572763?tag=blasttours-20" target="_blank">Amazon</a> * <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/who-r-u-really-margo-kelly/1118847853?ean=9781440572760" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> * <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/who-r-u-really" target="_blank">Kobo</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Who-R-U-Really-Margo-Kelly/9781440572760" target="_blank">The Book Depository</a> * <a href="http://www.adamsmediastore.com/who-r-u-really" target="_blank">Merit Press</a></div>
<strong>Praise for the book:</strong>
"Kelly's first novel is a suspenseful page-turner with multiple suspects, a little bit of romance, and a strong but not overbearing message." --Kirkus Reviews
"Suspenseful novel that's guaranteed to give readers goosebumps--particularly as events heat up toward the end. A good choice for families to read together." --School Library Journal
"Who R U Really? is a fantastically creepy book that is surprisingly realistic and totally engrossing.... Once I opened it, I couldn't close it. Who R U Really is a satisfyingly unique YA thriller that left me guessing up until almost the very last page.... This book is very realistic and I really enjoyed the writing style." --Tempest Books
"Based on actual events, the story should be required reading for all teens." --VOYA Magazine
<a href="http://www.iamareader.com/2014/10/r-u-really-blog-tour-sign-ups.html"><img alt="who are you (1)" class="aligncenter wp-image-27273 size-full" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/who-are-you-1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.iamareader.com/2014/10/r-u-really-blog-tour-sign-ups.html" target="_blank">Blog Tour Schedule</a></div>
<a href="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Margo-Kelly.jpg"><img alt="Margo Kelly" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-27272" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Margo-Kelly-200x300.jpg" height="300" width="200" /></a><strong>Author Margo Kelly</strong>
Margo Kelly is a native of the Northwest and currently resides in Idaho. A veteran public speaker, she is now actively pursuing her love of writing. Who R U Really? is her first novel. Margo welcomes the opportunities to speak to youth groups, library groups, and book clubs.
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.margokelly.net/" target="_blank">Website</a> * <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MargoKelly.author" target="_blank">Facebook</a> * <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoWKelly" target="_blank">Twitter</a></div>
<strong>Blog Tour Giveaway</strong>
1 print copy of Who Are U Really?
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Ends 1/12/15
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Cherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811666668044091002.post-65638701097572262872014-10-31T21:00:00.001-04:002022-10-30T14:58:08.329-04:00Dystopian Giveaway Hop Happening Here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aDBid_8iXc494ta_fp5Wsw4Hv3qFTlvtlkkyF_W4msNXUcD4pUSB-EH-1uKNQPbPOTQJroQS3_hIdCquOfk6GtiMpzNwl9RvrW7L-GqKxfXtZ_bNpE0_gNllP4UrecocpeRn-tQBFjk/s1600/Mercy+Boxset+4.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aDBid_8iXc494ta_fp5Wsw4Hv3qFTlvtlkkyF_W4msNXUcD4pUSB-EH-1uKNQPbPOTQJroQS3_hIdCquOfk6GtiMpzNwl9RvrW7L-GqKxfXtZ_bNpE0_gNllP4UrecocpeRn-tQBFjk/s1600/Mercy+Boxset+4.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
Welcome! So glad you decided to stop here and have a little fun and hopefully get some good books to add to the TBR list. Feel free to have a look around and don't forget to enter to win one of three e-copies of the Mercy Series Boxset. This includes the first two books in the Mercy Series, plus a bonus short story from another character's perspective. Filled with suspense, danger, and a strong heroine willing to take it all on, it's a series you won't want to put down.<br />
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All you have to do is take a look at the Rafflecopter and click on the entries you want to do. (And YES, I can do international!) It's just that easy! And don't forget to head back to one of the main sites to check out all the great giveaways. Click one of the following links to take you back to the linky list: My Shelf Confessions or iamareader<br />
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<br />Cherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811666668044091002.post-47643889806477952842014-09-27T12:38:00.000-04:002014-09-27T12:38:07.136-04:00Making Progress!I'm 9,000 words into End of Mercy, which doesn't sound like much, but the story is flowing nicely. Everything is on target to be finished and published at the beginning of November. I can't wait to share this story. I believe readers will be surprised and excited with the direction the story is going. I can't wait to show everyone the amazing cover.<br />
<br />
Just to give a little taste, here's a snippet:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> For once in my crazy existence, I’d like to walk
away from a situation, instead of sprinting for my life. <i>Clearly…not…gonna…happen…today…Charlie.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> I ran down the hallway like fire already blazed behind
me. Thanks to someone acting before thinking, the whole
world of Mercy was about to come tumbling down any minute, and I had only seconds to get
freaking gone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Fortunately,
I didn’t have Star. I’d sent her ahead,
knowing things could get ugly real fast, and sure enough, they were about to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
first explosion sounded behind me and I heard and felt the pieces of concrete
and glass flying through the air around me.
I stumbled forward as the force of the blast hit me from behind,
followed by a wave of intense heat that singed my exposed skin. My ears began ringing, but whether from the
sound of the detonation or from the stress of the situation, I wasn’t sure. Didn’t matter anyway. I needed to get through the door at the end
of the hallway before the next explosion discharged. It would trigger the rest of the ignitions
and everything would go the way of the dinosaur.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Just
as I felt the rumbling beginnings of the blast, I flung my grasp at the handle
of the door and barely noticed the warmth of the metal before swinging the door
wide and throwing myself through it, pulling it closed just in time to hear the
whole world explode in a fiery ball of destruction behind me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I
didn’t pause to watch it long though. Instead
taking the stairs two at a time, flight after flight, until my chest ached with
each labored breath. I looked up to see
a large number three on the side of the wall next to the door, worn but still
clear. I yanked open the door and
sprinted down the darkened hall, picturing each turn I needed to take exactly
to get where I was going.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">After
two right turns, I stopped in front of a large, steel door and rested both
hands on the cool surface as I hung my head and worked to catch my ragged
breaths. Each pull of air into my lungs
burned, but it wasn’t enough to stop me for long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Movement
on the other side brought me back to reality.
Time was limited, and I wanted free of Mercy and all its horrors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I
shook my head and worked the keys from my pocket. “Gretchen?
I’m here for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Charlie?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Yeah. I’ve got the key to get you out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Her
voice seemed so small and confused as she asked, “Why? Why did you come back for me? You don’t…you don’t even like me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Why did I come back for her? </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">She might be a
first-class, pruny-faced beyotch, but leaving her had never been an
option. Not when there were no other
people in the world like us. It would be
like killing the only other unicorn in a mythical forest. “Don’t know.
Maybe I just can’t leave knowing you had the last word.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Cherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811666668044091002.post-47969170802872606182014-09-12T19:06:00.003-04:002014-09-12T19:06:45.139-04:00EDGE OF MERCY is FREEYou can get EDGE OF MERCY free at all the major e-tailers. END OF MERCY is coming soon, so if you've been considering giving the series a try, now might be a good time.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Edge-Mercy-Young-Adult-Dystopian-ebook/dp/B008QSTYUA" target="_blank">AMAZON</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Edge-Mercy-Young-Adult-Dystopian-ebook/dp/B008QSTYUA" target="_blank">BARNES & NOBLE</a><br />
<a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/edge-of-mercy" target="_blank">KOBO</a><br />
<br />Cherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811666668044091002.post-85676700541378766282014-06-27T09:00:00.000-04:002014-07-18T22:48:03.955-04:00A Favorite Character Comes to LifeSo, I was trying to write a flash fiction story, but I don't do well writing short, so it turned into a story for Snap, one of the favorite characters from <em>Heart of Mercy</em>. It's still in progress, but I like what it reveals about the world of Mercy. Here's the world according to Snap:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
gritted my teeth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pinch twisted my shirt
and lifted me to my toes, giving me a hard shake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Where’ve you been, you little piss ant?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Looking
for bait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like you told me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Didn’t
see you with the others.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And he
never would.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t like the
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, I had my own mission which
didn’t include finding the few living people to use as bait for the Draghoul,
to bring them close enough to allow hunters to lop off their heads in the light
of the moon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not my priority, but I
couldn’t let Pinch know that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plan
was to play it cool right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t
get along with them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Of
course you don’t, Snap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This ain’t no
summer camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s business.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one here knew my real name was Gabriel,
and that’s how I liked it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I earned the
name Snap because of a knack for finding things people wanted and needed, like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in a snap of the fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>But that wasn’t really my job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He sneered at the unoccupied trail
behind me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Looks like you came up
empty-handed again, boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Losing your
touch.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He clicked his tongue and shook
his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Better start producing again
or that little brother of yours might have to be used instead.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anger crawled over me like a giant
spider, gnashing its fangs, ready to strike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What I wouldn’t give to be able to put Pinch on the ground, in the dirt
where he belonged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he was older, twice
as big, and had Doc on his side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
knew I’d do anything for my brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After all, I’d made promises to my mother that had to be kept, and though
I was only twelve, I was the only protector my brother had left.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pinch loosened his hold on my
shirtfront and with a look up at the fading light of the sun, took a step
backward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Still time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get back out there and bring a piece of bait
to us for tomorrow night’s hunt.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Go back out?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pinch rested his hands on his hips
and shifted his feet before smirking in my face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Or we could send your brother out in your
place.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His breath smelled like rotting
remains, and I wanted so badly just to lay my hands on him and push him out of my
personal space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon…very soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Instead, I shrugged as if his words
didn’t affect me in the least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll go,
but then by the time I get back, you’ll be too busy to enjoy what I found when
I was out earlier.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I turned to walk
away, back into The Dead Forest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do you have?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I shook my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve made a lot of threats.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He swiped at me, but I ducked and shifted out
of his reach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Tell me what you found.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With a slow nod, I pulled off my backpack
and lowered it to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as I
knew he would, Pinch grabbed at the pack, lifting it, yanking it open, and gazing
inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew what he’d find.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple comic books, a can of beans, an old
handheld game system that no longer worked, and the thing I knew he couldn’t
resist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d found a large amount of cash,
which I’d grabbed with Pinch in mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pretty much meaningless here, but he didn’t plan to be here
forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bragged all the time that he
knew someone that would take him to Mercy for the right price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wouldn’t hurt my feelings to see him go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I knew he wouldn’t be able to resist the
sight in the bottom of my bag.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By his humorless laugh, I knew he’d
discovered it in the deep side pocket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It wasn’t until I heard the pop of the metal trap closing over his hand
that I grabbed the bag, the keys from his belt, and shoved him into the bushes
behind him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He held up his right hand in
disbelief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A mousetrap held his fingers
in a vice-grip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he stumbled backward,
he dropped completely out of sight, falling with a high-pitched scream.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Carefully, I picked my way through
the overgrown brush of the forest and looked down into the deep hole usually
reserved for the humans we used as bait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Charlie Little, the girl who looked like a boy and helped me achieve one
of my goals, had shown me that treating people like that was wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was long gone now, but against her own
need for protection, she’d pulled my Draghoul mother from the depths of a pond
and helped me put her out of her misery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her courage had given me my own courage to find a way to get my brother
and escape the Factory and all its horrible acts against the last living
humans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You little…I’ll feed your brother
to the monsters myself!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cursed me a
few more times, and even though he deserved what was sure to happen to him, I
hated to leave anyone in such a vulnerable position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wouldn’t last the night and would soon
leave this place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just not in the way he’d
planned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“As I see it, you’ll never have power
over my brother or me again.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He quieted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">An evil grin slid onto his
face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t worry about me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know how to take care of myself.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pulled a knife from one of his boots and
another from his belt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would help
him survive the first few Draghoul, but he’d never overcome a whole hoard, even
with weapons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then he surprised me completely by
shoving one of the knives deep in the side of the hole, high above his
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he slammed the other knife in
and used his feet to brace himself as he climbed up the hole, I scrambled
backward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was time to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Without another look behind me, I
ran toward the Factory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew exactly
where they kept my brother, and I had a hiding place prepared for us, but I had
to reach him before Pinch got free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
look at the sky reminded me the sun wouldn’t stay above the horizon much longer
either, and then things were going to be all teeth and claws and no guarantees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
Happy Reading!<br />
<br />
C. C. MarksCherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811666668044091002.post-76653322774278496952014-03-06T16:52:00.001-05:002014-03-06T16:52:25.086-05:00Here it is: The Opening Scene from End of MercyI have been remiss. Another project has kept me wrapped up, but it is nearing the end. So, I'm going to begin posting un-edited (please, keep that in mind) excerpts of my progress on End of Mercy. Oh, and did I mention there will be a cover reveal! So excited about that. Trust me, it's another great cover by <a href="http://mycoverart.com/" target="_blank">LFD Designs for Authors</a>. I can't wait to share it. <br />
<br />
Without further ado though, here is the <em>unedited</em> opening to <em>End of Mercy</em>: <br />
<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I woke slowly, tightened my eyelids to block the sunlight
streaming through my window, and listened for the sounds of the household
coming alive as I snuggled deeper into my covers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could hear my mother and father moving
around upstairs, getting ready for another busy day of work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I opened my eyes though, I inhaled
deeply, searching for the smell of my mother’s pancakes and sizzling aroma of
bacon frying in a pan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t seem
to get a whiff of them, but I could almost taste the sticky syrup on my tongue
as I turned over and slid into consciousness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Confused, I blinked a few times when my eyes slid open,
and I took in the gritty, gray concrete blocks that made up the wall in front
of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pushed up on my elbow and
looked around the room slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As my
vision cleared, the reality of my situation came back to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My parents weren’t here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sounds, smells, and sunlight drifting in
were coming from outside my small cell in The Heart of Mercy Research facility
where I currently was locked in a basement cell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I should be used to waking in strange places and even
stranger situations by now, but every once in a while, I woke at home again--at
least in my mind--and the disappointment was sharp when I realized that place
and time was completely gone, would never be something I experienced again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gone forever, along with the people I loved
most in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Metal clinked against metal as the door was unlocked from
the outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t have to look at
who it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some time now, a month
apparently, Ben Parsons had been the only person at my door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Except for once. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once
it had been someone…or something…else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It had been Zeke, or what was left of him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now that time, not so long ago, felt like a dream to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it had been one, though it had seemed
real enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d stood there until
armed guards had come and taken him away, his eerie ice-blue stare never
breaking away from my gaze until he was completely out of sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been him…but changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even now, I shivered at the memory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I threw the covers back and pushed myself to a standing
position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never wanting to appear
vulnerable, I was always ready when Ben walked through the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ready for what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really didn’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d only drawn my blood once, three tubes
of it when I first arrived, and hadn’t run any medical tests since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the time I’d been here, I’d only seen a
small portion of Mercy as I was dragged through the hallways by armed guards
and brought here to this small hole in the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, hardly a hole since it had a small, but
comfortable, bed and an attached bathroom, but considering I couldn’t come and
go as I pleased, it was a prison cell just the same.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">I
was sure I hadn’t left the safety of the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, somehow I suspected whoever was in
charge had control of everyone and everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And that control was absolute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What they didn’t know about me was that I didn’t back down and I didn’t
give up--not after what I’d been through in the community and fighting my way
to Mercy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now more than ever, I was
determined I would survive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so would
my sister Star, as soon as I learned where they were keeping her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until they let me see her, they weren’t going
to get a cooperative prisoner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But Ben didn’t appear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Step away from the door.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The voice was feminine, and I stood beside
the bed, too shocked to tell her I wasn’t near the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hadn’t seen a female since my mother nearly
a year ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There had been no women or
girls remaining in the community, and I didn’t dare tell them the truth about
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until the end, they all thought I
was just one of the boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only
female allowed had been my sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
the time, I didn’t know why there were no women; I just knew they were gone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It was only later that I learned the truth—all the women
and girls were sent into The Dead Forest with a few guards to either live or
die because females attracted Draghoul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or, at least, they believed that to be true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On the way to Mercy, I’d encountered one woman, but I
didn’t count the pitiful creature I’d found locked in the back room of an
underground bunker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was more
Draghoul than human at that point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
this, this person was an actual human female.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She swung the door wide and stood solidly in the frame of
the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t move or speak or
anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just stared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Happy Reading and Writing!<br />
<br />
C. C. MarksCherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811666668044091002.post-53058045555238467102014-01-23T00:00:00.001-05:002022-10-30T14:59:39.464-04:00Indie Authors Naked Book Blast
<strong>Indie Authors Naked</strong><br />
<br />
Indie Authors Naked explores and defines the world of independent publishing.
Comprised of a series of essays and interviews by indie authors, booksellers and publishers, readers will get a look at the many aspects of the indie community, where publishing professionals of all types come together with the simple goal of creating something unique; something that speaks directly to the reader, no middleman necessary.
Contributors include: James Franco, Hugh Howey, McNally Jackson Books, Sarah Gerard, OHWOW Books, Raine Miller, David Vinjamuri, Toby Neal, Rachel Thompson, Eden Baylee, Christoph Paul, Jessica Redmerski, Dan Holloway, Orna Ross and more.
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Smashwords</div>
<strong>About the Authors</strong>
<br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<strong>Loren Kleinman</strong> is a writer and poet with roots in New Jersey. She has a B.A. in English Literature from Drew University and an M.A. in Creative and Critical Writing from the University of Sussex. Kleinman is a columnist for IndieReader.com (IR) where she interviews New York Times and USA Today bestselling indie authors. Some of those interviews in IR reappeared in USA Today and The Huffington Post.
Her poetry has appeared in literary journals such as Nimrod, Journal of New Jersey Poets, Paterson Literary Review, Wilderness House Literary Review, Writer’s Bloc, Resurgence (UK), HerCircleEzine and Aesthetica Annual. She was the recipient of the Spire Press Poetry Prize (2003), was a 2000 and 2003 Pushcart Prize nominee, and a 2004 Nimrod/Pablo Neruda Poetry Prize finalist. In 2003, Spire Press published her first collection of poetry Flamenco Sketches, which explored the relationship between love and jazz.
Her second collection of poetry, The Dark Cave Between My Ribs, is due to release with Winter Goose Publishing in March 2014. She is currently working on a New Adult romance, This Way to Forever.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Website * Facebook * Twitter</div>
<br /><br />
<strong><strong><br /></strong></strong>
<strong><strong><br /></strong></strong>
<strong>Amy Holman Edelman</strong> launched IndieReader, the essential consumer guide to self-published books and the people who write them, way back in 2007. Since then, indie authors have stormed the bestseller lists, been courted by trad publishers and (after all that), finally gained a modicum of respect.
Amy self-published her first book, The Fashion Resource Directory, back in the 80s, long before POD and Amazon and e-readers roamed the land. Her second and third books (The Little Black Dress and Manless in Montclair), were traditionally published (by Simon & Schuster and Shaye Areheart Books, an imprint of Crown).
As an author and a publicist with over 20 years’ experience, Amy’s goal for IndieReader is no less than to make indie a respected and desirable category within the publishing world. This book is just one step in that direction.
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Website * Twitter * Facebook * Twitter</div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Excerpt</strong> f</span>rom the Introduction of Indie Authors Naked by Amy Edelman:</span><br />
<br />
IndieReader was launched in ‘07, otherwise known as the dark days of self-publishing. Back then, every book was considered a vanity publication, every author a failed writer. Denial ran so high that when the self-pubbed book, Her Last Letter by Nancy C. Johnson hit The New York Times bestseller list, the good folks at the NYT were still saying that they’d never include one! And then there was The Shack, another indie that snuck through the gauntlet to appear on the NYTimes list for an astounding 172 weeks between June 2008 to early 2010 (52 of those weeks at #1).
Flash forward to 2012-2013. With the advent of ebooks, the publishing landscape has completely and irrevocably changed. Bowker, the ISBN people, recently reported that the number of self-published books in 2012 rose 59% over 2011, growing to over 391,000 titles in 2012. That’s a lot of indie.
But it’s not just availability that has changed the notion of what a self-pubbed book can be. Either the whole “vanity” thing was propaganda on the part of trad publishing—after all, Virginia Woolf famously did it with Hogarth Press—or publishing ebooks makes it easier for talented writers to get their work seen. Either way, over the last couple of years—beginning with the high-profile snagging of Amanda Hocking—at least 50 indie authors (many of them interviewed in this very book) have been courted and won by traditional publishers.
Did these authors’ books change from when they were self-pubbed to when they became trads? Or did their appearance on the bonafide bestseller lists (The New York Times, USA Today) just make it easier for the Big 5 to spot them? Not that getting picked up by a traditional publisher is always an indie author’s end-game. In fact, a recent survey conducted by The Bookseller noted that only about one-third of the self-published authors surveyed stated that they would consider a traditional book deal. That’s a lot of authors who aren’t willing to trade the freedom of creation for the chance to have their works packaged by committee.
So whether an author decides to sell their work to a trad publisher or not—it is clear that indies are here to stay. Their books resonate with readers who really couldn’t give a damn if they came through the hallowed halls of a traditional publisher or just via their ereaders. The indie writing community is strong and getting stronger, as are the options for placing their books (been to your local bookstore lately? You may be surprised at the titles you find on the shelves).
Yes, dear readers, this time—thanks to technology and changing perceptions—self-publishing is clearly here to stay. And via interviews and essays, Indie Authors Naked aims to highlight the best of the best.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>BookBlast Giveaway</strong>
<strong>$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
Ends 2/10/14<br />
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
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<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Cherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811666668044091002.post-63158162093940984132014-01-14T18:21:00.000-05:002014-01-14T18:30:48.845-05:00Please Welcome Amy Durham as She Shares her New Release--DUSK!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3OSBXXdRXoMeaYkUK7Ke2TgksjZUyxZ0gCBvhynEwNTl71dgbTp7E4__JcVXTObUEnLEhR5DZ3DzbCcSkLEAtkqV2B5rT8gq3LetSicCt0rNkNXbTw7vadyww8E8ZN7gejUMtJ5ku5Y/s1600/AuthorPicNew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3OSBXXdRXoMeaYkUK7Ke2TgksjZUyxZ0gCBvhynEwNTl71dgbTp7E4__JcVXTObUEnLEhR5DZ3DzbCcSkLEAtkqV2B5rT8gq3LetSicCt0rNkNXbTw7vadyww8E8ZN7gejUMtJ5ku5Y/s320/AuthorPicNew.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 19.09090805053711px;">It's always a pleasure to have Amy Durham on the blog. I'm especially excited to know more about <i>Dusk</i>, her latest paranormal young adult romance! So, without further ado, here she is:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Thanks
for the invitation to come hang out in your corner of the blogosphere! I’m
always happy to meet new readers and writers!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">I
write young adult romance, with a bit of a paranormal twist. In DUSK, my newest
release, Zoe Gray, high school senior, must work through a tragic season in her
life and learn the power of forgiveness and second chances. There to help her
is Adrian Shaw, hot new guy at school and biker-boy. But, as Zoe discovers,
there’s more to Adrian than meets the eye.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">In
the following excerpt, Zoe is getting her first, up close look at Adrian. She’s
at her locker, looking around for her best friend, Vivian. She finds Adrian
instead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">Looking to my left, I saw Viv making her way down
the hall. And then <i>he </i>stepped into my vision, blocking out Viv and the
rest of the chaos in the hallway.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"> Umm, wow. He was even better up close.
The ability to speak left me.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"> “Hey,” he said, and considering he was
standing so close, I knew he was talking to me.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"> I looked up. Way up. He had to be over
six feet tall. And looked straight into the most gorgeous set of baby blues I’d
ever seen. The deep green shirt he wore today accentuated the color of his
irises. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"> Black hair and blue eyes were totally
hot together. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"> “I saw you yesterday,” he continued,
unaffected by my stunned silence. “I’m Adrian.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"> Adrian. It suited him. His name was
just as beautiful as he was. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"> I should talk. Say something.
Introduce myself. Wipe the drool from my chin.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"> “Zoe,” I squeaked, cringing at how
stupid I sounded. “Zoe Gray.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"> “Adrian Shaw.” He stuck his hand out,
waiting for me to shake it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"> I stared at his hand. He wanted me to
put my hand in his, and even as I told myself it was just a simple greeting,
the thought of feeling his skin against mine left me frozen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"> <i>Snap out of it! Act like you have a
brain, not just raging hormones!<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"> I gripped his hand. His fingers closed
around mine, and everything inside me went still, calm… <i>right</i>. The noise
around me stopped. The bustle of the kids in the hall faded away. And I found
myself lost in the feeling of my hand in his, drowning in the way his eyes
searched mine.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Q0inDOcnrGkv4Kwrw9ExzGSuUcqGv3jEukEnmUhQXXph8MhstMgPR178FO_5GEti348U88Q1GAXR7wOsPnOnK39U4QcoUUaJnYAxKUsm5trRh9zPcfi6kLv34RcUlqIi8XQOWBTM6NM/s1600/duskfinal1.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/AVvXsEg-Q0inDOcnrGkv4Kwrw9ExzGSuUcqGv3jEukEnmUhQXXph8MhstMgPR178FO_5GEti348U88Q1GAXR7wOsPnOnK39U4QcoUUaJnYAxKUsm5trRh9zPcfi6kLv34RcUlqIi8XQOWBTM6NM/s320/duskfinal1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">DUSK (blurb)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Zoe Gray lost her father... in more
ways than one. Angry and bitter, Zoe spends the summer before her senior year
of high school doing everything she can to forget, legal or not. But a close
call triggers a reality check, and Zoe decides to put her life back together, a
task that proves a lot harder than she thought.</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Adrian Shaw shows up on the first
day of school, creating quite a stir with his striking good looks and gleaming
black motorcycle. But Adrian is much more than a "biker boy", and as
Zoe discovers, he may just hold the key she needs to put her life back on the
right path.</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">But as they do battle with evil
forces that want nothing more than to destroy Zoe's chance at a normal life,
will their feelings for one another make them stronger, or be the reason Zoe's
happiness slips away forever?</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">And
will Zoe learn to forgive before it's too late?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Learn
more about Amy at the following places:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amydurham.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">www.amydurham.com</span></a><span style="color: #0c0c0c; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmyDurham"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">www.facebook.com/AuthorAmyDurham</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.twitter.com/Amy_Durham"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">www.twitter.com/Amy_Durham</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Find
DUSK:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Amazon
- </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dusk-Young-Adult-Paranormal-Romance-ebook/dp/B00HQ28IWW/ref=la_B00728PDLY_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1389124694&sr=1-3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">http://www.amazon.com/Dusk-Young-Adult-Paranormal-Romance-ebook/dp/B00HQ28IWW/ref=la_B00728PDLY_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1389124694&sr=1-3</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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B&N - <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dusk-amy-durham/1117992952?ean=2940148293873">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dusk-amy-durham/1117992952?ean=2940148293873</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Kobo - <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/dusk-8#readThisOn">http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/dusk-8#readThisOn</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Available soon at iBooks and in print edition from Amazon.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thanks!</div>
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Happy Writing and Reading!</div>
Cherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811666668044091002.post-50077670892462757582013-12-23T18:21:00.000-05:002014-01-14T18:22:19.432-05:00Is The Mercy Series' Main Character More Taylor or Miley? Oh, and pick up the Box Set for $.99<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhur1mttWTM2yfdYqNrpKd2szrSW9Ara9RMZ2wS2MO92pHJ9OCiK1V6IoEjmRCeki4zgXIJBmmohqJXL4Y3oeI9D2ulrYyTWDvnhpcSrAwzwMMsZIx1_naM3_T20uQ234sSAFtLIObseTs/s1600/Mercy+Boxset+4.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/AVvXsEhur1mttWTM2yfdYqNrpKd2szrSW9Ara9RMZ2wS2MO92pHJ9OCiK1V6IoEjmRCeki4zgXIJBmmohqJXL4Y3oeI9D2ulrYyTWDvnhpcSrAwzwMMsZIx1_naM3_T20uQ234sSAFtLIObseTs/s320/Mercy+Boxset+4.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Charlie Little is an interesting character. She's a fighter, but I don't think it comes natural to her. I think the reason she continues to move forward is because she doesn't want to let down those around her. She's still young, only seventeen, and has much to learn about the way of the world. It doesn't help that her world is such a dangerous place to exist.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwEpH2CS78L5TDbBQ6b1DTDDC_BOE2i3YoNsjZuN1mna8y07vVk8U55GrCEvqDp3sM6yhYtc2tkAB1pSUjBPtho_V3gRJp3VckvmCdAg2msIIJBS3kIw0yilpwsN2HTrI6yPQW2ojXKw/s1600/taylorswift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwEpH2CS78L5TDbBQ6b1DTDDC_BOE2i3YoNsjZuN1mna8y07vVk8U55GrCEvqDp3sM6yhYtc2tkAB1pSUjBPtho_V3gRJp3VckvmCdAg2msIIJBS3kIw0yilpwsN2HTrI6yPQW2ojXKw/s200/taylorswift.jpg" width="156" /></a>But, if I had to say of whom in the Zeitgeist she reminds me, I probably wouldn't choose Taylor. Personally, I'm rather passive-aggressive myself, and would be more likely to turn to snark to assert my independence, but that's not Charlie.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLen6_10ZVkGLtXuHUToS5rba-qrOGttMOiwszCEJPZx0hbOaXH4_9fi8KhTLLubxOmnTT0Htx1mpj6n1pnDuCX4FK30XuXSLJUTnFQKuQEBucMxuMC04Lc0zaXjUo7KOhsbsDCjxHfOY/s1600/mileycyrus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLen6_10ZVkGLtXuHUToS5rba-qrOGttMOiwszCEJPZx0hbOaXH4_9fi8KhTLLubxOmnTT0Htx1mpj6n1pnDuCX4FK30XuXSLJUTnFQKuQEBucMxuMC04Lc0zaXjUo7KOhsbsDCjxHfOY/s200/mileycyrus.jpg" width="132" /></a><br />
<br />
Likewise, Miley likes the spotlight. I don't think Charlie wants to stand out. She's got a pretty big secret to hide. <br />
<br />
Hmmm...she might be more like Selena Gomez, confident in who she is, able to find her way without forgetting her values.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oWMaP_xPLEMPon5gg8U9l-jP9yJ2ZdcLU3_qoxmL5SgVvmYcq5tqa53z-B0-0gseMecAGpiuhM2UPtRB-gNbPJzO2ODqkxYt_3w-I6Wk53O-TRHwQFLwOanDoPH12Up6vXywKLmqUAY/s1600/selenagomez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oWMaP_xPLEMPon5gg8U9l-jP9yJ2ZdcLU3_qoxmL5SgVvmYcq5tqa53z-B0-0gseMecAGpiuhM2UPtRB-gNbPJzO2ODqkxYt_3w-I6Wk53O-TRHwQFLwOanDoPH12Up6vXywKLmqUAY/s200/selenagomez.jpg" width="146" /></a>Then again, she is a fictional character. One that I'd like to share with the world. If you or someone you know likes a good deal, for a limited time (through December), The Mercy Series Box Set 1 will be available for $.99. Inside you'll find Edge of Mercy (Book 1), Heart of Mercy (Book 2), and Range of Mercy (A Mercy Series Short Story). Maybe you could decide for yourself whom Charlie resembles.<br />
<br />
Happy Reading and Writing!<br />
<br />
C. C. MarksCherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811666668044091002.post-68183178364564986572013-12-03T20:57:00.000-05:002013-12-03T20:57:15.978-05:00A Sense of Magic and Wonder--L. Jagi Lamplighter with The Unexpected Enlightenment of Rachel Griffin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Unexpected-Enlightenment-Rachel-Griffin/dp/1937051870" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozaYkAg1bjT66G8jTpgBrvP6RycOr0G4qt-ZRwh4j8F4cTY0IpX50gAVQZ4xc1RkLow4BI0qSE16csAsW3xN_uYZOV4muejUVFx28j3dErYYfNSvx4N3_AFLBrWch70R4z2spizwp1qw/s320/!+Rachel+Griffin+Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Please Welcome </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.ljagilamplighter.com/" target="_blank">L. Jagi Lamplighter</a></span><br />
to the blog today as she shares her novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Unexpected-Enlightenment-Rachel-Griffin/dp/1937051870" target="_blank"><i>The Unexpected Enlightenment of Rachel Griffin</i>.</a><br />
<br />
I recently got to see this beautiful cover up close and personal at a sci-fi/fantasy panel in which I participated. It is GORGEOUS!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ljagilamplighter.com/" target="_blank">Jagi</a> was kind enough to answer a few questions for the blog and to give all the awesome details on her latest release. <b>I'm also giving away a $5 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky commentor today.</b><br />
<br />
Without further ado, let's get right to it:<br />
<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><b>What aspect of writing comes easy to
you? What is difficult?</b></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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Dialogue comes easiest—I
love the fun banter between the characters. Also the general flow of the scene,
the basic things characters say and do comes pretty easily.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The hardest part for me is
showing the character’s emotions through action and writing description. I
often just write ‘description here’ and come back and fill it in later.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></i>
<i style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>What inspires you?</b></i></div>
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I pray before I write. So, I would say what inspires
me is the Divine Muse. I also enjoy listening to foreign music , or any music
that does not have words. And I enjoy talking to my husband, SF and fantasy
writer, <a href="http://www.scifiwright.com/" target="_blank">John C. Wright</a>, about the ideas. We both find it very helpful to bounce
our ideas off the other person.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the case of<i> The Unexpected Enlightenment of
Rachel Griffin</i>, the story is based on ideas created by my friend Mark A.
Whipple. So, I would count him as part of my inspiration.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Also, I enjoy taking a long walk, preferably in the
woods. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
But the main thing I do to get inspiration is go
rollerblading. I skate a couple hours a week and use the time of going around
and around the rink to review my project to date and work out the next few
scenes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><b>Where in the world would you want to
visit (all in the name of research, of course) and why?</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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My books are filled with old houses. I’m not sure
why, but all my characters seem to live in really huge fancy old houses filled
with odd magic. I always enjoy visiting castles and mansions and looking at the
rooms and smelling the smells.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’d like to visit Dartmoor National Park in Devon,
England, as that is where the family of my main character, little British
sorceress Rachel Griffin, lives.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><b>What does it take to be a successful
author in today’s publishing world?</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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It used to be that all an author had to do was
write. Advertising money made little
difference to sales. Tours made little differences to sales, except for the
very elite. Even being on Oprah is said not to matter, unless Oprah cries over
your book. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Nowadays, all of that has changed. Having an active
online presence sells books. Perhaps because people know if they like a blog
that they might like the person’s writing? I’m not sure. But the result is that
an author has to do much more than they once did. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This makes the task much more difficult!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><b><i>What obstacles have you overcome to get where
you are, and what advice do you have for anyone in a similar situation?</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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I did not start out as a good writer. I couldn’t
spell. My grammar was so-so. And my writing was terrible. My descriptions were
flat and uninteresting. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But I wanted to write!<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, I set out to improve. When I got out of college,
I studied grammar for two hours a day, doing things like writing out passages
from authors I liked and studying how they structured their sentences. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Once I got that down, I began to work on each section
of writing I was bad at. I learned to write descriptions and add sense
impressions to make them more vivid. I practiced sentence structure. I took
classes in how to express emotion through descriptions of action. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I just kept plugging away.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nowadays, I still have weaknesses in my writing, and
I still struggle to improve them. But my writing has improved a thousand fold. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Which just goes to show…if you want to do something
badly enough, you can! If I can write books people enjoy reading, anyone can.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><i><b>What did you enjoy most about writing your
latest work?</b></i><o:p></o:p></div>
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What I enjoy most about
writing the Unexpected Enlightenment series—starting with volume one, <i>The
Unexpected Enlightenment of Rachel Griffin</i> – is the sense of magic and
wonder. It’s a delightfully fun series to write. I love the characters. I love
the romance. I love developing the world. But the thing I like most is putting
across a sense of wonder that makes the story seem like something beyond the
norm. It is very easy when writing about magic, to make it seem humdrum. The
character gets used to it. It’s not any different than technology.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Some of my magic is that
way, but other things—such as the world around the students—maintain a sense of
mystery and awe that adds a great sense of fun to the work.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></i><i><b>What emotional reaction are you going for
when your readers read your work?</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Wonder. Awe. At times, romance and angsty sadness. At
times, rather frightening things happen—so fear. At other times, a rousing
cheer. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But most of all, I would like the reader to walk away
having had at least some moment when the world seemed greater, more
astonishing, than they had expected.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">BLURB:</span> </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Unexpected-Enlightenment-Rachel-Griffin/dp/1937051870" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkuqzjXtirkagq5oKmdoo9d4V4OeutsjtUtssU8Kwn7o20IqNlBB9yNeh2Myq-1BZOzRA6Jj3xlduwVS5CrVwgDT1QIxVSwnP816rRIO-ScRIlNN7vch82pvb4h3vxEtvBIS58lnVvQI/s200/%2521+Rachel+Griffin+Cover.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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Rachel Griffin wants to know <i>everything</i>. As a
freshman at Roanoke Academy for the Sorcerous Arts, she has been granted the
opportunity to study both mundane and magical subjects.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But even her perfect recollection of every book she has ever
read does not help her when she finds a strange statue in the forest—a statue
of a woman with wings. Nowhere—neither in the arcane tomes of the Wise, nor in
the dictionary and encyclopedia of the non-magic-using Unwary—can she find
mention of such a creature.<o:p></o:p></div>
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What could it be? And why are the statue’s wings missing
when she returns?<o:p></o:p></div>
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When someone tries to kill a fellow student, Rachel soon
realizes that, in the same way her World of the Wise hides from mundane folk,
there is another, more secret world hiding from everyone—which her perfect
recall allows her to remember. Her desire to know everything<i> </i>drives her
to investigate.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Rushing forward where others fear to tread, Rachel finds
herself beset by wraiths, magical pranks, homework, a Raven said to bring the
doom of worlds, love’s first blush, and at least one fire-breathing teacher.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Curiosity might kill a cat, but nothing stops Rachel
Griffin!</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">EXCERPT:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even among the Wise, animals did not talk.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These two were talking.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rachel Griffin awoke in her bunk bed in prestigious Dare Hall. It was her first night at Roanoke Academy, her first night in America, her first night away from home. The other girls in her dormitory room were asleep. She could hear their rhythmic breathing. Yet she distinctly heard voices. She opened her eyes and sat up.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tall, arched window was open. A chill blew in through it. On the windowsill sat an enormous raven, jet black with blood red eyes. The raven addressed the familiar that belonged to one of Rachel’s roommates. The girl must have been a fan of the new fad of shrinking wild animals and turning them into cute playthings. Her pet was a tiny lion the size of a house cat.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The raven croaked harshly, "You are not supposed to be here."</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The lion sat regally beside his human, who lay sleeping across the room, on the other set of bunk beds. "I was called. Where I am called, I come.”</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“None of my people called you.”</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“You called one of my daughters. I am always in her heart."</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“You need to depart.”</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The lion yawned. It turned in a circle three times and settled down to sleep.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The raven cawed raucously and flew away.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rachel replayed the conversation in her head. She did not know what the phrases meant, but she was certain she had just overhead something crucial, something not meant for her, something not meant for any human ears. It was like hearing a door swing open to another world. She would never forget a word of it.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But then, Rachel Griffin never forgot <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">anything</em>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-top: 12px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you hooked? Click <a href="http://www.ljagilamplighter.com/chapter-one-the-treacherous-art-of-making-friends/" target="_blank">HERE</a> to read the entire first chapter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or even better, click the link to purchase the book:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Unexpected-Enlightenment-Rachel-Griffin/dp/1937051870" style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Amazon BuyLink</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A little more about L. Jagi Lamplighter:</span></div>
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L. Jagi Lamplighter is the author of the YA fantasy: <i>The Unexpected
Enlightenment of Rachel Griffin</i>. She is also the author of the Prospero’s
Daughter series: <i>Prospero Lost</i>, <i>Prospero In Hell</i>, and<i> Prospero
Regained</i>. She has published numerous articles on Japanese animation and
appears in several short story anthologies, including <i>Best Of Dreams Of
Decadence,</i> <i>No Longer Dreams</i>, <i>Coliseum Morpheuon</i>, <i>Bad-Ass
Faeries</i> <i>Anthologies</i> (where she is also an assistant editor) and the
Science Fiction Book Club’s<i> Don’t Open This Book</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When not writing, she switches to her secret identity as
wife and stay-home mom in Centreville, VA, where she lives with her dashing
husband, author John C. Wright, and their four darling children, Orville,
Ping-Ping Eve, Roland Wilbur, and Justinian Oberon.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Her website is: <a href="http://www.sff.net/people/lamplighter/">http://www.ljagilamplighter.com/</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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Her blog is at: <a href="http://arhyalon.livejournal.com/">http://arhyalon.livejournal.com/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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On Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/lampwright4" target="_blank">@lampwright4</a><br />
<br />
Be sure to leave a comment for Jagi before you go and be entered to win a $5 gift card to Amazon. Please leave an e-mail address where you can be contacted if you win.</div>
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Cherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811666668044091002.post-57905097565133042322013-11-10T21:24:00.000-05:002013-11-10T21:24:19.389-05:00Edge of Mercy's Cover Finaled in EPIC's ARIANA Cover Awards!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdc-dIf-RwCupAQCOD6bFaRnsV40ihf1gL4vY6q_SqMSCMWam2R0udE4ZYMtm9PnFSQwuHbnStfJd3fkgOj1URw9WIN1zCb8ECMlLaNtaCFhkCjGZBEvdLwUUoiS2qBSmZtrLL21yv-5E/s1600/2014_ariana_finalist-sm.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/AVvXsEjdc-dIf-RwCupAQCOD6bFaRnsV40ihf1gL4vY6q_SqMSCMWam2R0udE4ZYMtm9PnFSQwuHbnStfJd3fkgOj1URw9WIN1zCb8ECMlLaNtaCFhkCjGZBEvdLwUUoiS2qBSmZtrLL21yv-5E/s1600/2014_ariana_finalist-sm.jpg" /></a>The amazingly talented Dara England of <a href="http://mycoverart.com/home/" target="_blank">LFD Designs for Authors</a> made a gorgeous cover for Edge of Mercy, and it finaled in the <a href="http://www.epicorg.com/index.php" target="_blank">EPIC Ariana Awards for E-book Covers</a>.<br />
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Congratulations to Dara! I knew it was a great cover!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Edge-Mercy-Young-Adult-Dystopian-ebook/dp/B008QSTYUA" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJc-CUMR9gUZ7VeQGKe__Slm52hHqtRjO9d1yWeREdCtgJgu5dPn0dY82FM6-6dy1djWTTc28WLpvZ2ipxsjgs8St3PEKIZyKxaVizWSJUiun3AiSFQY_4CUGpR3ipKLC7Zzr_zCNAGlo/s320/EOM_1600x2400.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Check out the entire <a href="http://www.epicorg.com/index.php" target="_blank">list</a>, if you'd like. Scroll and peruse the e-book finalists if you'd like and keep going to see the cover finalists below.<br />
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So exciting!<br />
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Happy Reading and Writing!<br />
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C. C. MarksCherie Markshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251826824735524360noreply@blogger.com0