tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48291657843584975362024-03-12T22:27:43.554-05:00Spunky Senior Authors and TalentsSPUNKY SENIOR AUTHORS AND TALENTS - The Forever Young at HeartMorgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829165784358497536.post-25833026596748220802013-12-18T12:53:00.000-06:002013-12-18T12:53:00.409-06:00J.L. (Janet) Greger Climbs Roofs and Does Something Harder - Picks a Book Cover<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dhajP6e819Y/UqoG7ZbMJPI/AAAAAAAAH98/KytCfVjICWg/s1600/jlgregerBug&me5+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dhajP6e819Y/UqoG7ZbMJPI/AAAAAAAAH98/KytCfVjICWg/s320/jlgregerBug&me5+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">J.L. Greger is no longer a biology professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; instead she’s putting tidbits of science into her novels.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">She and Bug, her Japanese Chin dog and the only non-fictional character in all three of her novels, live in the Southwest. Her website is at </span><a href="http://www.jlgreger.com/"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">http://www.jlgreger.com</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">. Her blog, JL Greger’s Bugs, is at </span><a href="http://www.jlgregerblog.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">http://www.jlgregerblog.blogspot.com</span></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Choosing a Cover for IGNORE THE PAIN<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I’m no
expert on picking covers, but I have opinions. I think a good cover is like a
good title. It suggests the topic of the book and is catchy. I will also admit
that I like bright primary colors for thrillers and adventure books, pastels
for romances, and dark moody colors for horror and mystery novels because the
colors convey a message. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Those of
you who are sophisticated in your choice of covers have probably concluded that
I’m very traditional. Now look at the cover of my new medical thriller. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ignore
the Pain</i></b> is set partially in Bolivia, and the heroine Sara Almquist is
an epidemiologist serving as a public health consultant there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lStiIer5hIs/UqoIbuyUH-I/AAAAAAAAH-I/yHjT5buFBHM/s1600/J.L.GregerCover+Ignore+the+Pain+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lStiIer5hIs/UqoIbuyUH-I/AAAAAAAAH-I/yHjT5buFBHM/s320/J.L.GregerCover+Ignore+the+Pain+(2).jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I looked
at hundreds (maybe even thousands) of pictures of scenes in South America. None
seemed right. They were too pretty and gave no hint about my protagonist. Then
I saw a photo with the colors of the Bolivian flag drawn across the face of a
blue-eyed woman, like Sara. This woman looked like she had guts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Now do
you still think I’m traditional older woman or do I deserve the title of
spunky? If you’re still not convinced, please note I did climb to the roof of
Iglesia de San Francisco and peer down at the Witches Market in La Paz,
Bolivia. Of course, I wasn’t being chased like Sara Almquist is in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ignore
the Pain</i></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I surfed
the WEB for blogs on the topic of choosing a cover after I wrote the first four
paragraphs of this blog. Many were by authors showing readers two to five
choices, and collecting votes for which cover was best. Some were ads by
professional cover designers who didn’t seem to want to admit their secrets.
Billie Johnson, my publisher at Oak Tree Press and a spunky senior, gave the
best advice. She called the picture we selected “a real grabber.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I hope
this blog encourages you grab for attention when you select your next cover.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T24uiJR8eGQ/UqpR5PQWciI/AAAAAAAAH-g/qpclse5wDPk/s1600/jlgregercocateabag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T24uiJR8eGQ/UqpR5PQWciI/AAAAAAAAH-g/qpclse5wDPk/s200/jlgregercocateabag.jpg" width="138" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">I</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">n <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ignore
the Pain</i></b>, Sara Almquist couldn’t say no when invited to be the
epidemiologist on a public health mission to assess children’s health in
Bolivia. Soon someone from her past in New Mexico is chasing her through the
Witches’ Market of La Paz and trying to trap her at the silver mines of Potosí.
Unfortunately, she can’t trust her new colleagues, especially the unsavory Xave
Zack, because any one of them might be under the control of the coca industry
in Bolivia. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">And coca is everywhere in Bolivia.</span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Ignore the Pain</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> is the third novel in a series
that tracks the adventures of epidemiologist Sara Almquist and her more
reserved sister – physician Linda Almquist. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mErq2leTA4w/UqoIvv0IGHI/AAAAAAAAH-Q/n7KfqIUx1lA/s1600/JanetGregerComing+Flu+Front+CV+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mErq2leTA4w/UqoIvv0IGHI/AAAAAAAAH-Q/n7KfqIUx1lA/s200/JanetGregerComing+Flu+Front+CV+(2).jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">In the suspense novel </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Coming
Flu</i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">, Sara, while tracking the spread of the deadly Philippine flu,
identifies a drug kingpin trapped in a quarantined community. </span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ufPuDSj4S1Q/UqpSf6FlzpI/AAAAAAAAH-o/fVTnFOg4dNE/s1600/jlgregermurderanewwaytoloseweight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ufPuDSj4S1Q/UqpSf6FlzpI/AAAAAAAAH-o/fVTnFOg4dNE/s200/jlgregermurderanewwaytoloseweight.jpg" width="135" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">In the medical
mystery </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Murder: A New Way to Lose Weight</i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">, Linda Almquist must discover
whether an ambitious young “diet doctor” or old-timers in a medical school with
buried secrets is a killer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Website: </span><a href="http://www.jlgreger.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">http://www.jlgreger.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">JL Greger’s Bugs Blog is at
</span><a href="http://www.jlgregerblog.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">http://www.jlgregerblog.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amazon
sell links</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Ignore the Pain:</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ignore-Pain-J-L-Greger/dp/1610091310/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1385498311&sr=1-1&keywords=Ignore+the+Pain" target="_blank"><span style="color: #365f91;">http://www.amazon.com/Ignore-Pain-J-L-Greger/dp/1610091310/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1385498311&sr=1-1&keywords=Ignore+the+Pain</span>
</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-no-proof: yes;">Coming Flu: </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-no-proof: yes;">http://www.amazon.com/Coming-Flu-ebook/dp/B008WDL84O/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1372715303&sr=1-1&keywords=Coming+Flu
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Murder:
A New Way to Lose Weight: </span></i></b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Murder-New-Lose-Weight-ebook/dp/B00DFCC3IM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1372715439&sr=1-1&keywords=Murder%3A+A+New+Way+to+Lose+Weight"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">http://www.amazon.com/Murder-New-Lose-Weight-ebook/dp/B00DFCC3IM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1372715439&sr=1-1&keywords=Murder%3A+A+New+Way+to+Lose+Weight</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">JL Greger's Website: </span><a href="http://www.jlgreger.com/"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">http://www.jlgreger.com</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Blog: JL Greger’s Bugs, </span><a href="http://www.jlgregerblog.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">http://www.jlgregerblog.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>Please leave a comment to welcome JL Greger to Spunky Senior Authors and Talents.</b></i></span></div>
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Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829165784358497536.post-45953898227717932502013-10-09T12:00:00.000-05:002013-10-09T12:00:01.695-05:00Spunky Senior Author Joanne Guidoccio Shares Her Yoga Trials and Her Mermaid Book<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">MY YOGA TRIALS by Joanne Guidoccio</span></b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">The
blonde willow was out of her comfort zone.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hNu8QQYTNGI/UlS7wOKAGII/AAAAAAAAHzY/fyPfxvMkclE/s1600/joanneguidoccioyogapic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hNu8QQYTNGI/UlS7wOKAGII/AAAAAAAAHzY/fyPfxvMkclE/s320/joanneguidoccioyogapic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She
sighed deeply and tossed her Farrah Fawcett curls as she removed a borrowed
parka, three sizes too big for her perfectly toned body. She was not impressed
by winter in March and seven less-than-enthusiastic students in Sudbury,
Ontario. She spoke at length about her personal journey as a California yogini,
and then demonstrated her pretzel-like ability to contort her body in a variety
of poses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Impressed
and intimidated, we did not look forward to the short lesson that would follow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She
did not consider our neophyte status. Instead, she continued with her favourite
poses, and we all struggled to follow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">At
one point, I developed a tickle in my throat and started coughing
uncontrollably. I quickly left the room and closed the door behind me. I had a
drink of water, but my cough persisted. I decided to remain outside until the
end of the lesson. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
assumed the walls were soundproof, but I was wrong. I found out later that my
loud and persistent cough was heard throughout the rest of the short yoga session.
When I re-entered the room, I received a few looks of concern and pity. As for
the blonde willow...she had become a blonde oak. She ignored me and left abruptly.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fast
forward twenty years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">My
oncologist is talking about maintaining a healthy lifestyle after treatments. In
addition to the usual advice about portion control, exercise and stress management,
she strongly urged me to take up yoga. I smiled and tried not to show my
frustration. While memories of the blonde willow/oak had faded, I still balked
at the thought of forcing my body into difficult poses, especially after ten
months of gruelling treatments. She persisted and I grudgingly agreed to give
yoga another try.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
bought the clothes—sleek, black yoga pants from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Roots</i> and a few <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Life is Good</i>
t-shirts—and signed up for a weekly yoga class. The instructor was very
charming and highly recommended. He gave each of us individual attention during
the first class. At the beginning of the second class, the business cards came
out and he started to talk about his many sideline businesses. I noticed that
more time was spent promoting and selling his products and less time on the
yoga mats. By the third class, women were taking out their cheque books and
purchasing his wonder products. I was not impressed and did not return. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A
few months later, I heard about a new yoga instructor who was offering classes
in her own home. I decided to call first. She assured me there would be, at
most, two other students in the class and that the course was geared for
beginners with no previous experience. She sounded surprised when I asked if
she had a sideline business and stressed that yoga was her main focus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Reassured,
I showed up and was pleased to see only two other students in the room. Within
a few minutes, however, a third participant arrived. An active and poorly
trained Boston terrier joined the class. She eyed me with interest. I was the
new girl in class, fresh meat. The dog spent a lot of time circling and
sniffing me throughout the hour-long class. As for what happened during
Downward Dog...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Three
yoga trials. Three strikes. Yoga was out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">All
that changed during the second summer after retirement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
had just picked up Wayne Dyer’s latest book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Excuses Begone!</i> I read the entire book in two sittings and spent
time reflecting on his message. I was drawn to his suggestion for practicing
yoga. I kept returning to that section of the book and imagined myself having a
conversation with the motivational guru.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You must give
it another try, Joanne. I’ve been practicing ninety minutes every day for the
past four years and I’ve noticed a lot of positive changes. I got rid of all
those aches and pains I inherited from three decades of daily running and
tennis.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s
wonderful, but I can’t see myself doing yoga every day. For one thing, I would
have to take lessons. I don’t like following DVDs or books. I’m not a natural
athlete.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“So, take a few
lessons. What’s the big deal?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ve tried that
route before.” I gave him a brief summary of my three yoga trials.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He shook his
head. “It sounds like you lasted only a few sessions. You have to give yoga an
honest thirty-day trial.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Thirty days!” I
exploded. I couldn’t imagine lasting that long. “Do you know how expensive that
will be?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He repeated,
“Give yoga an honest thirty-day trial.” He added, with twinkle in his eye,
“You’ll feel better and you may just stop making so many excuses.”He pointed to
the cover of his book.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
was skeptical, but I had to admit he was right. I had not given yoga a fair
trial, and I had a tendency to make excuses. I decided to wait until the fall
and then investigate the different yoga studios in town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A
few days later, the following ad appeared in a local paper:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Unlimited
Yoga during the months of July and August for $160<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
shook my head and imagined Wayne Dyer laughing. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The universe has spoken</i>. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No
more excuses, Joanne</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
planned to attend three classes a week and see how I felt by the end of the
summer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
was hooked after the first week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
classes were small and the instructors were able to work with me on an individual
basis. I test-drove all the instructors and then zeroed in on my favourites: Amy,
the social worker from Newfoundland who had completed her training in India;
Claudia, the young mother who offered a structured class that appealed to my
left brain tendencies; and Lisa, the quintessential willow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
found myself looking forward to each session. There was something immensely
comforting in the precision of the instructions: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Inhale and raise both arms straight out from the shoulders parallel to
the floor with the palms facing down…Exhale slowly while turning the torso to
the left...One more long, luxurious inhalation, one more complete exhalation.</i>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
found it easy to focus on the smallest of movements, regardless of the group
size or time of day. I also liked listening to the soft, soothing Sanskrit
names—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">balasana, garudasana, tadasana,
savasana</i>—that described the different poses. Much more interesting than
simply hearing child pose, eagle pose, mountain pose or corpse pose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When
Lisa talked about controlling our monkey minds, I felt she was talking directly
to me. I could also imagine Wayne Dyer whispering, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Control your mind, and everything will fall in place.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It
was reassuring to discover that all my body parts were working and reporting
faithfully for yoga duty. I felt myself growing healthier and stronger with
each stretch, breath and positive thought. And I didn’t feel pressured or
frustrated if I didn’t get the pose right the first time or at all. I kept
repeating the following mantra to myself: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A
yoga pose is a journey, not a destination</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
still have my personal challenges, but I am less reactive and more inclined to
let things go. I like that strange, beautiful place where I can step out of time
and leave all my concerns behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Namaste</span></i><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zpRgcx8a_-E/UlS7cy8KqGI/AAAAAAAAHzQ/LxRZgePRV1Y/s1600/joanneguidoccio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zpRgcx8a_-E/UlS7cy8KqGI/AAAAAAAAHzQ/LxRZgePRV1Y/s320/joanneguidoccio.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><b><i>About Joanne Guidoccio:</i></b></o:p></span></div>
<br />
In high school, I dabbled in poetry, but decided to wait
until I had more life experiences before writing a novel. The original plan was
to get a general arts degree and take a few years off to travel and write.
Instead, I gave in to my practical Italian side and obtained degrees in
mathematics and education.<br />
<span lang="EN-CA">
<br />
While I experienced many satisfying moments during my teaching career, I never
found the time and energy to write. In 2008, I took advantage of early
retirement. Slowly, a writing practice emerged and my articles and book reviews
started appearing in newspapers, magazines and online.<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_oclSIxXLmU/UlS7BK2hNlI/AAAAAAAAHzI/VLJObEwzdv4/s1600/joanneguidocciobetweenlandandsea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_oclSIxXLmU/UlS7BK2hNlI/AAAAAAAAHzI/VLJObEwzdv4/s1600/joanneguidocciobetweenlandandsea.jpg" /></a></div>
My debut novel, Between Land and Sea, a paranormal romance about a middle-aged
mermaid, was released by Soul Mate Publishing on September 18, 2013.<br />
<br />
I live and write in Guelph, Ontario.<br />
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-CA"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><b>About <i>Between Land and Sea</i> by Joanne Guidoccio</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></b><span lang="EN-CA">After giving up her tail for an international banker, Isabella of the Mediterranean kingdom is aged beyond recognition. The horrified banker abandons her on the fog-drenched shores of southwest England, leaving her to face a difficult human journey as a plain and practically destitute fifty-three-year-old woman.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-CA">With the help of a magic tablet and online mermaid support, Isabella evolves into the persona of Barbara Davies. Along the way, she encounters a cast of unforgettable characters, among them former mermaids, supportive and not-so-supportive women, deserving and undeserving men, and several New Agers.</span></div>
<br />
<b><i>Where to find Joanne…</i></b><br />
<span lang="EN-CA">Website: <a href="http://www.joanneguidoccio.com/" target="_blank">www.joanneguidoccio.com</a></span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/joanneguidoccio" target="_blank" title="https://twitter.com/joanneguidoccio">https://twitter.com/joanneguidoccio</a></span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA">Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BetweenLandandSeaJG" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/BetweenLandandSeaJG</a></span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA">Pinterest: <a href="http://pinterest.com/jguidoccio/" target="_blank">http://pinterest.com/jguidoccio/</a></span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA">Goodreads:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7277706.Joanne_Guidoccio">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7277706.Joanne_Guidoccio</a></span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA">Amazon: <a href="http://t.co/LKy4n0DFpY" target="_blank" title="http://is.gd/AVpoVs">http://is.gd/AVpoVs </a></span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA">YouTube (Trailer #1): <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xipZ6quZDOs" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xipZ6quZDOs</a></span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA">YouTube (Trailer #2): <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfiKOQe_yuU" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfiKOQe_yuU</a></span><br />
<br />
<i><b>Please leave a comment to welcome Joanne Guidoccio to Spunky Senior Authors and Talents.</b></i><br />
Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829165784358497536.post-86759506964554415392013-09-11T12:00:00.000-05:002013-09-11T12:00:00.846-05:00Spunky Police & Public Safety Psychologist Ellen Kirschman Writes Mysteries & Non-Fiction<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YHp20joR2rE/UipUQT-dg4I/AAAAAAAAHfk/Sh3MjhbkA6s/s1600/ellenkirschmanprofile-038-258+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YHp20joR2rE/UipUQT-dg4I/AAAAAAAAHfk/Sh3MjhbkA6s/s320/ellenkirschmanprofile-038-258+(2).jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #535353;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #535353;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I've been a police and public safety psychologist for
thirty-plus years, before I had any gray hair. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #535353;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">My work has taken me to four
countries and twenty-two states.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b6gOuTXhF24/UipW2VKbdTI/AAAAAAAAHf0/3avxYNugcXo/s1600/ellenkirschmanelephantPICT2837+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b6gOuTXhF24/UipW2VKbdTI/AAAAAAAAHf0/3avxYNugcXo/s320/ellenkirschmanelephantPICT2837+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting blessed by an elephant in India</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #535353;">I no longer have a private practice. Instead,
I spend my time writing, teaching, and volunteering as a clinician at the West
Coast Post Trauma Retreat for first responders.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #535353;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #535353;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I have
written four books: </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJoPf0MQzAk/UipYuF4ranI/AAAAAAAAHgM/_YdMqYi9qGs/s1600/ellenkirschmaniloveafirefighter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJoPf0MQzAk/UipYuF4ranI/AAAAAAAAHgM/_YdMqYi9qGs/s200/ellenkirschmaniloveafirefighter.jpg" width="135" /></a><span style="color: #535353;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #535353;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I Love a Cop: What Police Families Need to Know</i>, </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #535353;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I
Love a Fire Fighter: What the Family Needs to Know</i>,<i> </i></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--IEfkMnnFBI/UipYYcSRR9I/AAAAAAAAHf8/wVpIfnfuuRA/s1600/ellenkirschmanburyingben.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--IEfkMnnFBI/UipYYcSRR9I/AAAAAAAAHf8/wVpIfnfuuRA/s200/ellenkirschmanburyingben.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0s0f7PmLjrQ/UipZMUZCwFI/AAAAAAAAHgU/DMl2grRaehY/s1600/ellenkirschmancounselingcops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0s0f7PmLjrQ/UipZMUZCwFI/AAAAAAAAHgU/DMl2grRaehY/s200/ellenkirschmancounselingcops.jpg" width="135" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #535353;"><i>Counseling Cops:
What </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #535353;"><i>Clinicians </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #535353;"><i>Need to Know</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #535353;"><i></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #535353;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">(co-authored
with two colleagues)<i>,</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #535353;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #535353;">and</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #535353;"><i> </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #535353;"><i>Burying Ben,</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #535353;"> my first-ever
mystery. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #535353;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Burying Ben: A Dot Meyerhoff
Mystery</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #535353;"> received first prize for the not-yet-in-print novel from the Public
Safety Writers </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #535353;">Association. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #535353;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #535353;"><i><b>*** F</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #535353;"><b><i>ind all of Ellen's books at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/author/ellenkirschman">http://www.amazon.com/author/ellenkirschman</a> ***</i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #535353;">Writing mysteries is a new skill for me. I used to
think that making things up would be easier than writing non-fiction. What a
delusion! Creating a story that captures and holds the reader's attention from
page one is a tricky business. On a more personal note, I live in the San Francisco
Bay Area with my husband, who is a photographer (he took the author photos for
all my books) and retired remodeling contractor. In our spare time we hike, dance,
travel, and cook - not in that order.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Police
Psychology is an unusual profession, there are fewer than 300 of us in the
United States. People often ask me how I got started. I rarely tell anyone the
truth because they’d never believe it. But you, fellow writers, love a good
story.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yYwMOs3PJGw/UipdhWWZgHI/AAAAAAAAHgk/tX62HQnJVqU/s1600/ellenkirschmanandgirls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yYwMOs3PJGw/UipdhWWZgHI/AAAAAAAAHgk/tX62HQnJVqU/s320/ellenkirschmanandgirls.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Teaching in the Czech Republic this spring</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Growing
up in the 1950’s, I anticipated a life like my mother’s, full of frustration
and self-denial in the service of others. Like hers, my job prospects were
limited to teaching and secretarial work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because I had some modicum of theatrical talent, I thought to escape
this fate by becoming an actress.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I studied acting with a teacher well known for playing
Macbeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Acting is physical,“ he roared
as though still on stage. “Macbeth roamed the halls of his drafty castle in a
reeking bearskin cape. To get to his heart, you have to smell the stink.
Anyting else is shallow romanticism.” He urged me to use my senses while spending
a week observing someone at work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I don’t know what drew me to the Majestic Ballroom on Times
Square. Perhaps, it was the only place I knew where I could get a job the same
day I applied for it. Down the stairs I went, following the neon arrows and the
aging photographs of buxom women with sullen, pouty faces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knocked on the manager’s door and told him
I was looking for a job. “What are you?” he asked. “Some kind of reporter?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">He handed me to Dorene who looked me over, concluded that I
had nothing suitable to wear and handed me a floor-length strapless tube of
stretch jersey with a padded bra that catapulted my bosom into a fleshy
shelf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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My training was short and to the point.
“Tease the clients,” Dorene said. “Promise something while promising nothing.
The longer you hold a customer’s attention, the more dances, drinks, and
cigarettes he’ll buy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>String the guy
along until closing and then have the bouncer throw him out on his butt."</div>
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I waited with the other hostesses in an
oval holding pen separated from the dance floor by a low railing. We were a
cast of female archetypes. An avatar of Marilyn Monroe smiled provocatively and
shook her pearly blonde wig. Cleopatra assumed a regal pose while clucking
disapprovingly at an aging siren with deflated breasts who stood near the door
blowing obscene kisses and making juicy smacking sounds as our patrons
descended the stairs. The youngest hostess had a baby, a diaper bag, and a
mother, whose job it was to watch the baby. Off to one side, a forlorn and
disheveled Ophelia talked to no one but herself. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Our clients were a motley bunch. Morose
and somber, some were barely able to make small talk or eye contact. Many
seemed caught between loneliness and fear, scared of the human contact for
which they were paying. No one seemed to be having any fun except for the
occasional drunken frat boy who fell through the door on a dare, laughing and
shouting obscenities.</div>
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Mike was
unlike the soggy-faced shufflers who had been breathing in my face. He was
young and talkative. “I chose you, “ he said, “because you look different from
the other girls.” I was elated to be recognized for what I was, not what I was
pretending to be. I poured out my tale: dedicated-young-actress-embarked-on-a-meaningful-but-dangerous-venture-into-the-skin-trade-for-the-love-of-theatre.
My confession must have pierced the armor of his anonymity and scared him into
thinking I wanted something in return. An eighth note after the music finished,
he bolted across the dance floor and made for the stairs. With his hand on the
door, he turned and shouted at me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey
you. My name’s not Mike.”</div>
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At
closing time, we changed into street clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The manager escorted us upstairs where a few sleepy security guards
watched us drift away. Cleopatra rode off in a long Cadillac with a man who
looked to be half her age. Marilyn Monroe hailed a taxi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The old siren stuck a cigarette in her nearly
toothless mouth and headed for an all night bar. Ophelia skittered off into the
darkness. The young Madonna left with her mother and baby.</div>
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I quit
acting soon after, realizing that I didn’t have the drive or the talent
and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tucked the Majestic Ballroom out of mind. I
can’t tell you the exact moment when I realized that my brief venture as a
dance hall hostess was actually a venture into the world of social psychology,
my first experience probing the universe of work, in search of the mysteries
that lay hidden beneath the surface.</div>
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Police officers and dime-a-dance
hostesses are very different groups, of course, and I hope I’m not insulting
either, when I suggest they share some similarities. I can say this to you, my
fellow writers, because you understand conflict and relish complexity. Cops and
dance hall hostesses both need to protect themselves emotionally and
psychologically from an ambivalent public that wants them and rejects them in
equal measure. The occupational personas they are forced to adopt are tools of
the trade; virtual masks that simultaneously crush them and free them to do
their jobs.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tkL1t3nCbXw/UipeDe1vLtI/AAAAAAAAHgo/36kwf1ceb9Q/s1600/ellenkirschmanclass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tkL1t3nCbXw/UipeDe1vLtI/AAAAAAAAHgo/36kwf1ceb9Q/s320/ellenkirschmanclass.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Teaching in Singapore.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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My story has a good end. I’d have been
a terrible actress and an even worse dance hall hostess. I’d be poor, for one
thing and have a very short career. Grey hair and wrinkled cleavage don’t sell
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d annoy the customers by asking
too many questions about their personal lives. Besides, I really like to lead. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>The
Majestic Ballroom no longer exists, probably replaced by on-line porn sites. Cleopatra,
Ophelia, Marilyn Monroe, and the little Madonna have gone on to do other things.
It makes me sad that they will never know how much they influenced my life and
for how long. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Connect with Ellen Kirschman at:</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"><b> <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1378505047_0" style="color: #2862c5; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.ellenkirschman.com/" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1378503190204_35468" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2862c5; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">www.ellenkirschman.com</a></span> </b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Her books can be ordered at: <span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1378503190204_35470" style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://amazon.com/author/ellenkirschman" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1378503190204_35469" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2862c5; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1378505047_1">amazon.com/author/ellenkirschman</span></a></span></span></b></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1378503190204_35459" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Please leave a comment to welcome Ellen Kirschman to Spunky Senior Authors & Talents.</b></i></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1378503190204_35461">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829165784358497536.post-84830264225654095832013-07-29T00:30:00.000-05:002013-07-29T00:30:02.971-05:00Please Welcome Reluctant Sailor and Happy Mystery Writer, Terry Shames<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2JYU4ay6NLc/UfLDpmtHn7I/AAAAAAAAHWk/koODWKdBnso/s1600/terryshames.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2JYU4ay6NLc/UfLDpmtHn7I/AAAAAAAAHWk/koODWKdBnso/s320/terryshames.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><i>About Terry Shames: </i></b><br />
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Terry Shames grew up in Texas. She has abiding affection for
the small town where her grandparents lived, the model for the fictional town
of Jarrett Creek. A resident of Berkeley, California, Terry lives with her
husband, two rowdy terriers and a semi-tolerant cat. She is a member of Sisters
in Crime and Mystery Writers of America. Her second Samuel Craddock novel, <i>THE
LAST DEATH OF JACK HARBIN</i> will be out in January 2014. Find out more about
Terry and her books at <a href="http://www.Terryshames.com/">www.Terryshames.com</a>.</div>
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<b><i>What Terry Has to Say:</i></b></div>
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Thank you to the Spunky Seniors for having me as a guest. This
has been a whirlwind time for me with the debut of my first novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Killing-Cotton-Hill-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B00BH0VOCU/ref=tmm_kin_title_0">A KILLING AT COTTON HILL</a>. I hope readers enjoy the connection between the book and the
sailing life.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span>*****</div>
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<b><i>The Best Days and the Second Best Days by Terry Shames</i></b></div>
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Leaving out days like marriages and births, they say the
best day of your life is the day you buy your boat and the second best day is
the day you sell it. And they are right—at least for sailors.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FdUW81poZ7s/UfLEDh2ucJI/AAAAAAAAHWs/f7VkiUzA79w/s1600/boxofbookterryshamesakilling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FdUW81poZ7s/UfLEDh2ucJI/AAAAAAAAHWs/f7VkiUzA79w/s200/boxofbookterryshamesakilling.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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I’d argue that the best day of my life was last week when my
debut novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Killing-Cotton-Hill-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B00BH0VOCU/ref=tmm_kin_title_0">A KILLING AT COTTON HILL</a>, came out, but then I’m not an avid
sailor; I’m a reluctant sailor who has had some days on a boat.</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought my husband
and I had had all the best and second-best days we were going to have with
respect to boats. But two weeks ago we signed papers to buy another one.
Another best day for my husband. And, oddly, for someone like me who doesn’t
really love sailing, a happy day for me as well. For one particular reason.</div>
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Our last boat was a 45-foot catamaran, a big boat.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QDDBGJD2l7Q/UfJ56Ho1LGI/AAAAAAAAHVg/LZ6jz7b6IGk/s1600/Black+Peark+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QDDBGJD2l7Q/UfJ56Ho1LGI/AAAAAAAAHVg/LZ6jz7b6IGk/s200/Black+Peark+%25282%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last fall we sold her
after we decided sailing and maintaining her had gotten to be too much for
us—physically as well as financially. “Good riddance!” my husband said. Finally
completely retired from both working and boating, he then made a valiant effort
to turn his attention elsewhere. He took classes; tried kite boarding; and
insisted that we double our pet population, promising he would take on all the
responsibility for caring for them. But after a few months both of us realized
that he was not making a success of being retired from sailing. He was restless
and unfulfilled. He wanted another boat. “Couldn’t you take up something like
golf?” I whined. No, he wanted to be on the water.</div>
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I have to admit, that although I wasn’t as enthusiastic as
he was, there were things I missed about our boat: lovely evenings sitting on
deck watching the sunset; jumping off into the water in the heat of the day;
sailing when the wind was just right. So we decided to get another boat. We
looked at a few, kicking tires, so to speak, and then we went to Los Angeles to
examine a promising prospect. We walked onto the Catalina and I immediately felt
good about her. But there was one thing I needed to test out before I gave my
wholehearted love. While my husband was talking to the sales rep, I went below to
do my “test.” Eventually my husband came downstairs and found me in the master
cabin, sitting propped up on the pillows. “What are doing?” he asked.</div>
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I grinned. “Checking out whether I can write here. And it
will be just fine,” I said. Sold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3VYFOginCmk/UfLE13aGqiI/AAAAAAAAHW0/CiCsTe2OvsY/s1600/terryshamesboat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3VYFOginCmk/UfLE13aGqiI/AAAAAAAAHW0/CiCsTe2OvsY/s200/terryshamesboat2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I wrote most of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Killing-Cotton-Hill-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B00BH0VOCU/ref=tmm_kin_title_0">A KILLING AT COTTON HILL</a></i> while we were on
our catamaran in the Caribbean. Every morning I got up at 6 AM, booted my
husband out of the cabin and worked feverishly for three hours, our dog
snoozing on the bed while I typed. Learning to write on the boat freed me from
feeling unproductive and slovenly. Now I know I can do it. We have a smaller
boat that we can both handle physically, but big enough that I can prop myself
up and write to my heart’s content.</div>
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Happy Sailing!<br />
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<b style="font-style: italic;">About Terry's New Release:</b><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H13zxW0MHII/UfLGJognmoI/AAAAAAAAHXA/ZkrOMWYQvNI/s1600/terryshaneakillingatcottonhill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H13zxW0MHII/UfLGJognmoI/AAAAAAAAHXA/ZkrOMWYQvNI/s320/terryshaneakillingatcottonhill.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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In <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Killing-Cotton-Hill-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B00BH0VOCU/ref=tmm_kin_title_0"><i>A KILLING AT COTTON HILL</i></a> the chief of police of Jarrett
Creek, Texas, doubles as the town drunk. So when Dora Lee Parjeter is murdered,
her old friend and former police chief Samuel Craddock steps in to investigate.
He discovers that a lot of people may have wanted Dora Lee dead—the conniving
rascals on a neighboring farm, her estranged daughter and her surly live-in
grandson. And then there’s the stranger Dora Lee claimed was spying on her.
During the course of the investigation the human foibles of the small-town
residents—their pettiness and generosity, their secret vices and true
virtues—are revealed.</div>
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<b><i>Reviews:</i></b></div>
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<o:p> </o:p>“…if you’re as fond of good writing as I am, it will be the
characters in Cotton Hill that will keep the pages turning until late in the
evening…” - Mysteryfile</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 7;"> </span>“Shames’ novel is an amazing read. The poetic, literary
quality of the writing draws you in…” - RT Book Reviews </div>
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“Readers will want to see more of the likable main character, who compassionately but relentlessly sifts the evidence. Convincing small town atmosphere and a vivid support cast are a plus.” - Publisher's Weekly</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> “Terry
Shames offers readers a wonderfully-told tale that kept me turning pages… what
kept </span>my interest more than anything was the writing. It was absolutely
superb.” -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lee Lofland, The Graveyard Shift</div>
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<i><b>Please welcome Terry Shames to Spunky Senior Authors and Talents by leaving a comment.</b></i></div>
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Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829165784358497536.post-74268782516806707612013-06-25T07:58:00.000-05:002013-06-25T07:58:29.033-05:00Marilyn Celeste Morris Remains True to Her Military Brat Heritage<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s1HmHSHEm9g/UaTzdcA8tgI/AAAAAAAAHHs/SD6_367Z1wU/s1600/marilyncelestemorris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s1HmHSHEm9g/UaTzdcA8tgI/AAAAAAAAHHs/SD6_367Z1wU/s320/marilyncelestemorris.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Although she was raised as a Military Brat, Marilyn
Celeste Morris was born in her grandfather’s house in Toronto, Texas, a
small Southern Pacific Railroad Section six miles west of
Alpine. Perhaps as an omen of what would be the next twenty
years of her life, the railroad’s abandonment of this settlement
shortly afterward left her with no “permanent” home.</div>
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Schooling consisted of Dependents’ Schools while
overseas, in Seoul Korea, 1946-47 and Linz, Austria (1949-1952) and
various schools stateside. A rarity for a Military Brat, she
was fortunate enough to have attended all three high school years and
graduated at Lawton Senior High School, Lawton OK. Further
education was attained at Cameron University, Lawton OK, Tarrant County
College, Fort Worth TX, and North Texas State University. She received
an AAS Degree in Mental Health in 1995.</div>
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Morris began her writing career as a guest columnist
in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and for ten years Wrote a weekly
humor/human interest column for a weekly newspaper in the Fort Worth TX
area. </div>
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She has taught creative writing at Tarrant County
College, Fort Worth TX, survived numerous book signings and speaking
engagements; and is experienced in interviewing on both radio and
television.</div>
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When not writing or editing emerging writers’
manuscripts, Morris enjoys searching for former classmates and true to
her Brat heritage, she has a suitcase packed under the bed, ready to
travel at a moment’s notice. </div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I'm an eclectic author of eight published
works who is finally settling down to focus on historical novels.
Someone asked me why I chose that genre, and instead of the "same
ol, same ol," "Because I like it." I
answered,"Because I've lived most of it." <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mPVMRtTtKsM/UaTzqmEYY0I/AAAAAAAAHH0/ZFr_FpQmdUU/s1600/marilyncelestemorrisfamily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mPVMRtTtKsM/UaTzqmEYY0I/AAAAAAAAHH0/ZFr_FpQmdUU/s320/marilyncelestemorrisfamily.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marilyn Celeste Morris' Family, Mother's Day, 2012</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /><b>Marilyn Tells Us About Herself:</b>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I'm an old Army Brat, or Military Brat, who followed my army officer
father all over the world, post- WWII, and lived to tell about it.And
write about it. <i>Once a Brat, Always a Brat</i> is the
second of two non-fiction books I have published. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HkNAHDWTtaM/UaTz2F-WL1I/AAAAAAAAHH8/_AlpsmJ-b9E/s1600/MarilyncelestemorrisThe+Unexplored+Heart+cover+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HkNAHDWTtaM/UaTz2F-WL1I/AAAAAAAAHH8/_AlpsmJ-b9E/s320/MarilyncelestemorrisThe+Unexplored+Heart+cover+(2).jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
My most recent novel is <i>The Unexplored Heart,</i> and I am
working on a sequel, <i>After Camelot: Esther's Quest.</i> This
sequel focuses on the intrepid wife of an archaeologist who researches
the history of the sites her husband Charles Wooster, is considering as
his next dig. After I typed "The End" to The Unexplored
Heart, Esther Wooster snorted and said, "You just think you're
finished with me. I want my own book, now."<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And so she shall have it. </span></div>
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My other novels and non-fiction works are listed on the "Free
reads of the first four chapters of all my books" status line and
I invite you to check them out. </span></div>
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It occurred to me that <i>I am Esther Wooster, </i>and that
is NOT a bad thing. She and I are having a marvelous time returning to
the Himalayas on an entirely different search. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Marilyn Celeste Morris, Author, Editor, Speaker<br />
</span><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">WEBSITE:</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://bit.ly/RIqtQ4;" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">http://bit.ly/RIqtQ4;</span></a></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="color: #bf005f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br />
BLOG</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">:</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://authormarilyncmorris.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">AuthorMarilynCMorris.wordpress.com</span></a><br />
</span><span style="color: #bf005f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">AMAZON:</span><span style="color: #bf00bf; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="color: #0000bf; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://amzn.to/KSq5Ya;" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">http://amzn.to/KSq5Ya;</span></a></span><span style="color: #ff007f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="color: #ff007f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">PUBLISHER'S SITE: </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://bit.ly/LIq9iy" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">http://bit.ly/LIq9iy</span></a></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="color: #bf005f; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And now, free reads: First
four chapters of</span><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">all</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> my books: </span></i></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://bit.ly/JZM0j4">http://bit.ly/JZM0j4</a></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><i>Please leave a comment to welcome Marilyn Celeste Morris to Spunky Senior Authors and Talents.</i></span></b></div>
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Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829165784358497536.post-17113653146557082782013-06-05T11:32:00.000-05:002013-06-05T11:32:00.075-05:00Phyllis Zimbler Miller Says Seniors Get a Bum Rap on Technology<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pP6rxz4DEFY/UaT4y3grbaI/AAAAAAAAHIM/FRqJSxR4AvY/s1600/phylliszimblermiller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pP6rxz4DEFY/UaT4y3grbaI/AAAAAAAAHIM/FRqJSxR4AvY/s1600/phylliszimblermiller.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I Am Tired of Seniors
Getting a Bum Rap About Technology</b></div>
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How many times have you read an article that insists that
young people “get” social media and older people do not?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or that it is amazing that an older person
uses new technology?</div>
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If you are like me, you have had your fill of such articles.</div>
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To start with, just because young people have grown up with
Facebook or other social media sites does not automatically translate into
using these sites effectively for business purposes.</div>
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Using something for business purposes requires understanding
business, which in turn means understanding – among other distinctions – the
difference between selling and making connections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many young people “sell” on social media
while many people of whatever age use social media to create relationships that
may then lead to selling goods and services.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Second, older people learn new things all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The assumption, for example, that utilizing
Twitter effectively is beyond us is plain wrong.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I am equally weary of older people telling me they are
too old to learn new technological things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is a fear mentality mindset of not being good at the task and it
can be overcome.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know from personal experience that technology can be
learned at an older age – if one is willing to be frustrated and then move
ahead as one overcomes the obstacles.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-88uMQSxl9j0/UaT44b4CpXI/AAAAAAAAHIU/CCHFd4zFFiM/s1600/phylliszimblermillermrslieutenant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-88uMQSxl9j0/UaT44b4CpXI/AAAAAAAAHIU/CCHFd4zFFiM/s320/phylliszimblermillermrslieutenant.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For my 60<sup>th</sup> birthday I decided to self-publish my
20-year-in-the-writing women’s friendship novel MRS. LIEUTENANT, based on my
own experiences almost 40 years before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I said yes to this new publishing experience because POD (print on
demand) had eliminated the need to stack hundreds of self-published books in
one’s garage.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the same time I entered MRS. LIEUTENANT in the 2008
Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award competition, and MRS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LIEUTENANT was named a semifinalist.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Each semifinalist was given a page on Amazon, and this led
to my discovering that one author had something called a blog.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Now while I was an early adopter of computers and email, I
will admit in the spring of 2008 I did not know what a blog was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when I found out – it was like Alice
falling through the rabbit hole.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I started out in my adult life as a newspaper journalist,
and I knew what it was to wait for someone to say yes to something I had written.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here was a free opportunity to write whatever
I wanted without waiting for anyone’s okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And suddenly the ability to write well for purposes of information
sharing had again become handy.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The more I learned, the more I wanted to know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took free and paid webinars, bought online
courses, and threw myself into online relationship building.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the same time my younger daughter, Yael K. Miller, was
finishing an internship in the corporate communications department of a major
Hollywood agency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of looking for
a job, she agreed when I asked her to form an online marketing company with
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then introduced her to what I had
been learning.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now for the purposes of full disclosure, it is true that
some things come easier to her than to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But then other things might come easier to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus the combination of two different age mindsets
works well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
In the meantime, back to my book writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I self-published MRS. LIEUTENANT, Kindle
had just been introduced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found
someone to convert the novel for Kindle almost as soon as the physical book was
available on Amazon.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Five years ago not that many people had a Kindle reader, let
along other electronic devices that run free Kindle apps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as ebooks have become more and more
popular, I have expanded my book writing into nonfiction titles as well as more
fiction titles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I have just
encouraged Yael to publish her first Kindle ebook – the Middle Grade novel JACK
STROM AND NEW ORLEANS HOODOO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lo and behold, those old copyediting skills of mine honed going
to the printer to okay a newspaper edition before it went to press have also
become handy.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These days hand coding a Kindle ebook can ensure the best
possible formatting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But due to the
addition of Kindle Fire, this type of coding has become quite complicated.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yael did the research of what I needed to do, and now I use
my old copyediting skills when I code my books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I actually enjoy the coding – formatting my books exactly as I want
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I hand coded Yael’s book too.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before I did the coding myself, I accidentally lost control
of one of my ebooks when a company I paid to do the coding uploaded my ebook to
the company’s Kindle account instead of my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I immediately negotiated to get the rights back, recoded the book
myself, and now completely control all my ebooks – see <a href="http://www.ZimblerMillerbooks.com/">www.ZimblerMillerbooks.com</a>.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And perhaps the best part of all this utilization of online
technology is that I have made marvelous online friends throughout the world
(as long as they speak English).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
are people with whom I share many common interests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">In fact, I have created a triad of former military spouses who have written novels inspired by their experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can read a Digital Book Today article about our triad at <a href="http://budurl.com/whoserve">http://budurl.com/whoserve</a>.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mUcvva2h2MU/UazAxUtCPLI/AAAAAAAAHJg/9PsZfxnFcDY/s1600/phylliszimblermillerbeforeMiller_Photo+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mUcvva2h2MU/UazAxUtCPLI/AAAAAAAAHJg/9PsZfxnFcDY/s320/phylliszimblermillerbeforeMiller_Photo+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phyllis with Hubby, Mitchell, Coronation<br />Ball, at Michigan St. Univ, 11/18/67, sponsored<br />by Cadet Officers Club & Arnold Air Society</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMBmyP6WUkg/Uay_ucAY45I/AAAAAAAAHJU/FiVTAbC4rbg/s1600/phyllis-mitch-uss-midway-300+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMBmyP6WUkg/Uay_ucAY45I/AAAAAAAAHJU/FiVTAbC4rbg/s320/phyllis-mitch-uss-midway-300+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phyllis with hubby, Mitchell at USS Midway <br />aircraft carrier in San Diego, 2/1/07, after <br />US Naval Institute Conference</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In conclusion, as spunky seniors we need to disabuse people
of the notion that we cannot use new technology the way younger people
can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With our years of experience, we
have a lot of valuable wisdom to share online – and we can do this via
utilizing new technology!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4anTDVbMGJQ/UazCW85yHOI/AAAAAAAAHJs/UwO7P7seMyU/s1600/Phylliszimblermillerlt-commander-mollie-sanders-book-cover-2-330h+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4anTDVbMGJQ/UazCW85yHOI/AAAAAAAAHJs/UwO7P7seMyU/s320/Phylliszimblermillerlt-commander-mollie-sanders-book-cover-2-330h+(2).jpg" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phyllis and her hubby twrote<br />Lt. Commander Mollie Sanders</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Connect with me on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/ZimblerMiller">http://twitter.com/ZimblerMiller</a> or
visit my author website at <a href="http://www.PhyllisZimblerMiller.com/">www.PhyllisZimblerMiller.com</a>
to find my other social media info.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
let’s show the world that older people using online technology is not an
anomaly – it is the norm!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Phyllis Zimbler Miller has a B.A. in journalism from
Michigan State University and an M.B.A. in finance from The Wharton
School.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her fiction and nonfiction books
include TOP TIPS FOR HOW TO PUBLISH AND MARKET YOUR BOOK IN THE AGE OF AMAZON
and she is also the co-founder of <a href="http://www.MillerMosaicLLC.com/">www.MillerMosaicLLC.com</a><br />
<br />
<b><i>Please leave a comment to welcome Phyllis Zimbler Miller to</i></b><br />
<b><i>Spunky Senior Authors and Talents.</i></b></div>
Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829165784358497536.post-41749156791090328662013-05-22T18:33:00.000-05:002013-05-22T18:33:49.288-05:00Spunky Author Duffy Brown Does Mystery Parties<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pQo6JoPQKbM/UW9b80o4vcI/AAAAAAAAG4Q/7nQCqj5H57c/s1600/Duffy+Brown+photo++%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pQo6JoPQKbM/UW9b80o4vcI/AAAAAAAAG4Q/7nQCqj5H57c/s1600/Duffy+Brown+photo++%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All my life I thought launch was what those really smart
rocket science people do to get something into space and never in all those
years did I expect to be involved. Yet here I am dong a launch of my very own.
Not that I’m putting a rocket in space...though right now that seems like a
snap...but I’m launching a book.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What do you mean launch, I asked. The book comes out on a
specific day, booksellers, B&N and Amazon put it up for sale, end of story.
Done.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To launch my first cozy mystery, Iced Chiffon, I though it
would be fun to do something different. I’ll have a mystery party at my house,
I decided! I have the house, I like parties. A match made in heaven. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sixty is a nice number and I can just buy one of those
inter-active mystery party things online. Piece of cake. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tMdsNRwWmCg/UW9cneZqZmI/AAAAAAAAG4U/RpZI7NCY3iM/s1600/duffybrownlayinggirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tMdsNRwWmCg/UW9cneZqZmI/AAAAAAAAG4U/RpZI7NCY3iM/s320/duffybrownlayinggirl.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5UvDnP9Kulk/UW9dTgrzkhI/AAAAAAAAG4k/IAdaz95GiJM/s1600/duffybrownMurder+Mystery+party+2012+6+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5UvDnP9Kulk/UW9dTgrzkhI/AAAAAAAAG4k/IAdaz95GiJM/s320/duffybrownMurder+Mystery+party+2012+6+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a>You can see where this is going, can’t you. Murphy’s Law on
steroids.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First off there are no mystery parties online for sixty that
has everyone involved all the time. That means I have to write the mystery. And
if people are coming to my house I have to feed them and drink them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thirty years ago I decided I wanted kids and my husband went
along with it. That gave me four waiters and barkeeps for my party. It took me
a week to write the party with characters and clues.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few things I discovered along the way. The most important
is the more alcohol, the better the party and my ability to write the mystery.
The second is that your friends are there for fun more than finding out
who-done-it. And did I mention the alcohol?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wh6KcNI2H6Q/UW9cvoy85dI/AAAAAAAAG4c/UFGvxyw8KLo/s1600/duffybrownleis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wh6KcNI2H6Q/UW9cvoy85dI/AAAAAAAAG4c/UFGvxyw8KLo/s320/duffybrownleis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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The theme was Roaring 20’s and Duffy’s Speakeasy. Lots of
decorations online to buy and an easy theme </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0jp5iyz80fU/UW9dtCAXniI/AAAAAAAAG4s/LaULjJsw38Q/s1600/duffybrownspeakeasy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0jp5iyz80fU/UW9dtCAXniI/AAAAAAAAG4s/LaULjJsw38Q/s320/duffybrownspeakeasy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
to dress in costume for and did I
mention the alcohol? I divided the guests into families...Manicotti family,
Ravioli family...you get the picture. I think I did this at night when hungry.
Working in families made everyone pull their info and come up with the killer. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve had three parties now and each time it gets better. If
you’re a mystery author it’s a great gig...do it. If you’re a mystery reader
get invited to one. If I do party four I’ll let you know. I’d love to have one
at the Cincinnati conservatory with a Clue theme. You know, Miss Scarlett in
the conservatory with the candlestick. That’s my dream. I’ll let you know when
the invites go out.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So…what is the best party you’ve been to? What makes a party
special? Got any suggestions if we go to the Conservatory? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<b><o:p> I</o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px;">'ll give away two Killer in Crinoline totes from the answers.</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dx3neR-06t4/UW9eMfvS91I/AAAAAAAAG40/Iz1AwOibccw/s1600/duffybrownkillerincrinolines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dx3neR-06t4/UW9eMfvS91I/AAAAAAAAG40/Iz1AwOibccw/s320/duffybrownkillerincrinolines.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>
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<i style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">When Reagan Summerside is asked to make an emergency bowtie delivery to Magnolia Plantation for a wedding, she finds the groom face-down in five-tiers of icing and fondant, a cake knife in his back and her good friend and local UPS driver accused of the murder. Can Reagan find the real killer without winding up in the local swamp as alligator meat? Will Walker Boone, pain-in-the ass attorney and once-upon-a-time gang member, help her out or feed her to the alligators himself?</span></i></div>
</div>
<div class="yiv1598694874MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">**Facedown in <i style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">five-tiers of icing and fondant</i> a dead groom leads to wedding chaos for the bride, the bff and the hotshot attorney. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="yiv1598694874Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Duffy <span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Brown</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Berkley Prime Crime</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="yiv1598694874Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Consignment: Murder</span> series</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">-Iced Chiffon Oct, '12</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">-Killer in Crinolines May '13</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="yiv1598694874Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="yiv1598694874Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">www.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><a href="http://DuffyBrown.com/" rel="nofollow" style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">DuffyBrown.com</a></span></span></span></div>
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Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829165784358497536.post-97701734536240562013-04-24T17:17:00.000-05:002013-04-24T23:39:01.705-05:00Spunky Robert Henry - A Pilot Plus a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ummxUrM_TcI/UXRi4K2KGRI/AAAAAAAAG6A/yDx4uKyVOSE/s1600/roberthenryplane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ummxUrM_TcI/UXRi4K2KGRI/AAAAAAAAG6A/yDx4uKyVOSE/s320/roberthenryplane.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"><b><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">About the Author:</span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Robert
Henry, age 56, is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, a Certified
Personal Trainer, a Certified Specialist in Fitness Nutrition, and a Certified
Wellness Coach. His awareness of fitness and nutrition began at the age of 29.
When Robert first started to exercise, it was mostly for the purpose of
increasing body weight through the addition of lean muscle mass. However, more
than 20 years later, at the age of 52, after years of being lean and enjoying
good health, Robert experienced an undesired increase in body
fat and his health profile changed in the wrong direction The
loss of that body fat and the reversal of new and undesirable trends in his
health profile became Robert's new exercise goals. By re-booting his exercise
regimen and further "tweaking" his nutrition, he successfully
accomplished his new goals and, as he likes to say, discovered his "inner
athlete".<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1366581123423_4682" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Although he had worked out
for more than two decades, the journey he experienced in his early fifties
ignited something within Robert and he voraciously sought to increase his
knowledge and his credentials. It was then that he earned his numerous
certifications and set about to share his passion for health and fitness with
others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="yiv1695358395msonormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1366581123423_4681" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Robert's
background extends beyond fitness. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from Southern
Methodist University and worked for many years as an attorney. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t-ES9kVClYY/UXRiu-u7GKI/AAAAAAAAG54/IybZtP6xpnY/s1600/roberthenryat14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t-ES9kVClYY/UXRiu-u7GKI/AAAAAAAAG54/IybZtP6xpnY/s1600/roberthenryat14.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robert Henry at 14</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">He also
discovered a love of aviation early in his life and, while still a teenager,
became a Commercial Pilot and a Certified Flight Instructor. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HMokl9TyK3o/UXRjDG2XxlI/AAAAAAAAG6I/zXECDtYrxws/s1600/roberthenrycockpit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HMokl9TyK3o/UXRjDG2XxlI/AAAAAAAAG6I/zXECDtYrxws/s320/roberthenrycockpit.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">After law school,
he went on to become an Airline Transport Pilot and eventually earned three jet
ratings. Now in his fifties, he values his health, fitness, and wellness very
highly, and seeks to inform and inspire others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Robert’s latest book is the
health/fitness how to book,<span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i id="yui_3_7_2_1_1366581123423_4687"> </i></b></span><strong><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/AGE-RE-DEFINED-Control-Forties-ebook/dp/B00AZR6G2Y/ref=la_B00AZVPC98_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361228830&sr=1-1" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts"><span style="color: #2862c5; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span id="lw_1366581132_1">Age Re-Defined</span></span></span></a></span></i></strong>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1366581123423_4689" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Visit his website at<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.roberthenryfitness.com/" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts"><span style="color: #2862c5; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span id="lw_1366581132_2">www.RobertHenryFitness.com</span></span></span></a>.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b><i>Connect
with Robert:</i></b></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1366581123423_4691" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">
<b id="yui_3_7_2_1_1366581123423_4694"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1366581123423_4693"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="https://twitter.com/RobertHenryFit" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1366581123423_4692" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2862c5;">TWITTER</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>|<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/RobertHenryFitness?fref=ts" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1366581123423_4695" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2862c5;">FACEBOOK</span></a></span></span></b><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">What Robert Henry Says About His Book:</span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="yiv1695358395msonormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1366581123423_4698" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OOPygVB71Dw/UXRjsVy1HiI/AAAAAAAAG6Q/VvPnVnRI3U0/s1600/roberthenryagere-defined.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OOPygVB71Dw/UXRjsVy1HiI/AAAAAAAAG6Q/VvPnVnRI3U0/s320/roberthenryagere-defined.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1366581123423_4700"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Your state of health, how you feel, and how
you look are more within your control than you think – even in your forties and
fifties (and beyond). This book addresses exercise, fitness, nutrition,
wellness, and the mind-body connection. Its purpose is not to promote a
particular exercise program or a particular diet plan – although its coverage
of exercise, fitness, and nutrition is extensive – but rather to inform,
educate, and motivate the reader on the importance of being proactive in one’s
own health, fitness, and wellness.</span></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1366581123423_4700"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Even if you are already physically active,
this book can assist you in evaluating the effectiveness of your current
exercise efforts. A foundational background in exercise and fitness concepts is
provided. Not only does this book cite to numerous authoritative sources, but
it also conveys the author’s own philosophy of exercise and an informative
overview of his own exercise and nutrition regimen. </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">The author, who is 56,
shares his own motivating journey and the positive results he achieved through
exercise, nutrition, and the mind-body connection, with particular emphasis on
the challenges faced by him in his early fifties and the favorable results he
achieved at that age by “re-booting” his commitment to health and fitness.</span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">The importance of nutrition is explained
and heavily stressed. A Registered Dietician with a Master’s Degree in
Nutrition is a contributor to the nutrition content. One comes away with an
awareness of quality nutrition and its role in optimal health, fitness, and wellness,
and with a good working knowledge of the kinds of foods and eating habits which
are most beneficial.</span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">As stated in the book’s Introduction: This
book is about believing in yourself, maintaining inner strength, and
understanding exercise, fitness, nutrition, and wellness. This book is also
about getting younger instead of getting older, discovering your inner athlete,
and becoming and remaining healthy and fit in both body and mind. </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">This book is
for people who have never exercised but who would like to start; for people who
would like to know more about good nutrition; for people who exercise but have
not seen results; for people whose fitness level has declined and who want to
re-ignite their fitness quest; for people who choose to be proactive about their
own health, fitness, and wellness; for people interested in the mind-body
connection; and for people who reject negative self-talk and self-limiting
stereotypes about life after the age of 50. All ages are welcome.</span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h3 align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/AGE-RE-DEFINED-Control-Forties-ebook/dp/B00AZR6G2Y/ref=la_B00AZVPC98_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361228830&sr=1-1" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2862c5;">AMAZON</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>|<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/age-re-defined-robert-henry/1114228402?ean=2940016030869" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2862c5;">BARNES & NOBLE</span></a></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: large;">Check out Robert Henry's Youtube Video:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 13px;"><a href="http://youtu.be/utnwE-DF5j8">http://youtu.be/utnwE-DF5j8</a> </span></span></div>
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Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829165784358497536.post-51171748835053037382013-04-17T16:21:00.004-05:002013-04-18T08:48:27.711-05:00Spunky Fearless Author Liz Flaherty Not only Sews and Writes, but Also Parasails!<br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b><i>I'll let Liz Flaherty do the talking today, and she does a fine job of it!</i></b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0e4oMiEJYI/UW8RoEO5owI/AAAAAAAAG3w/UclZJMp3DkQ/s1600/lizflahertyandbandit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0e4oMiEJYI/UW8RoEO5owI/AAAAAAAAG3w/UclZJMp3DkQ/s320/lizflahertyandbandit.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz Flaherty with her dog, Bandit.</td></tr>
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I’ve been
retired for two years and two and a half months. This is hard for me to
believe, since I’m sure I just clocked out of the post office for the last time
a week ago Friday.<br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I worried
before I retired, about the things I imagine most of us worry about. Would we
have enough money to live how we wanted? Would our health hold up? Would we
still like each other when we had more time to spend together? Would I still
want to write when I had time for it? What about changes?—I hate changes!</div>
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But changes were
my friends in retirement. I spent more time sewing. I volunteered in fun times
at fun places. I decided to stop being afraid of so many things and went
parasailing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aybf4K792ag/UW8PcwH0skI/AAAAAAAAG3Y/CATKeQqysqU/s1600/lizflahertyparasailing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aybf4K792ag/UW8PcwH0skI/AAAAAAAAG3Y/CATKeQqysqU/s1600/lizflahertyparasailing.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fearless Liz Flaherty Parasails!</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Even my
writing changed, although not because I wanted it to. Many, many writers’ voices
don’t reflect their age. Nora Roberts writes a 20-some protagonist even better
now than she did at the beginning of her career in 1981. So do Mary Balogh,
Robyn Carr, and Susan Elizabeth Phillips, to name but a few.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I, on the
other hand, can make a 30-year-old sound like…yes, exactly, like a 62-year-old
retiree. A former—and very good—editor and a few contest judges referred to my
voice as—shudder—old-fashioned. No one said it was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bad</i>, nor that I should just confine myself to helping with the
church bulletin, nor that I should quit. I just needed to…well, what? Jazz it
up? Oh, good grief, there I go again. No one says “jazz it up” anymore. No one
has Early American furniture or decorates with baskets or still has flowery
wallpaper in their bathrooms.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Except maybe
me.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So here I was
with Early and Nash McGrath, in their late 40s, divorced after 30 years of
marriage. And it was time for another change.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Although I’d
read quite a bit of inspirational romance and some of my favorite people write
it (Cheryl St. John, Cheryl Reavis, Diann Hunt, and Janet Dean, again just
naming a few), I’d never seriously considered writing it. If for no other
reason, I didn’t think of it because my faith is private. I once told my
mother, when I was in the process of refusing to go to a revival with her, that
I didn’t consider Christianity a spectator sport.</div>
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That hasn’t changed much. But
inspirational romantic fiction has. More than just change, it has expanded.
There are many evangelistic books to be found, but there are also many that are
by and about people like me. People who go to church on Sundays and say quiet
prayers every day and read a lot of secular fiction but don’t really like a
whole bunch of cussing and are bored with sex scenes. Granted, even now most of
the heroes and heroines aren’t 62, but Early and Nash fit just fine.</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A
Soft Place to Fall</i> has already been released by Pelican Book Group in
paperback and will be out digitally on April 26. Although I don’t know yet how
my segue into inspirational fiction will work out, if it’s like the other
changes of the past couple of years, I’m really looking forward to it.</div>
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Oh, and ziplining—I’m looking
forward to that, too.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Visit me at <a href="http://lizflaherty.com/">http://lizflaherty.com</a> or email me at <a href="mailto:lizkflaherty@gmail.com">lizkflaherty@gmail.com</a> —I’d love to
hear from you and the coffeepot’s always on!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k4JrY-7l8l8/UW8RMErR2PI/AAAAAAAAG3c/M_isxyODFYw/s1600/lizflahertyasoftplacetofallcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k4JrY-7l8l8/UW8RMErR2PI/AAAAAAAAG3c/M_isxyODFYw/s320/lizflahertyasoftplacetofallcover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b>What <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Soft Place
to Fall is about:</i></b></div>
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Early McGrath didn’t want freedom from her thirty-year marriage to
Nash, but when it was forced upon her, she did the only thing she knew to
do—she went home to the Ridge to reinvent herself. Only what is someone who’s
taken care of people her whole life supposed to do when no one needs her
anymore? Even as the threads of her life unravel, she finds new ones— reconnecting
with the church of her childhood, building the quilt shop that has been a
long-time dream, and forging a new friendship with her former husband. The
definition of freedom changes when it’s combined with faith. Can Early and Nash
find a <i>Soft Place to Fall</i>?</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><i style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Liz Flaherty</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-indent: 0in;">JAR OF DREAMS / Carina Press / Available now!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">ONE MORE SUMMER / Carina Press</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: #009900; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"></span></span><br />
<div style="color: #009900; display: block; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: #009900; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">A SOFT PLACE TO FALL / Harbourlight Books - 4/26</span></span></div>
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<div style="display: block; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><b><i>Please welcome Liz Flaherty to Spunky Senior Authors and Talents by leaving a comment.</i></b></span></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></b>Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829165784358497536.post-80036370111448192052013-04-10T17:31:00.001-05:002013-04-10T17:55:59.504-05:00Spunky Senior Author Allison Knight's Life Change <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Allison Knight entered this world seventy-eight years ago,
on a cold and blustery Christmas night, to the delight of her mother who
claimed the baby was all she wanted for Christmas. </div>
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As Allison grew up, she discovered she loved to read even if
it meant reading late at night under the blankets. She started her writing
career in grade school, writing poetry, essays, one of which earned her a
monetary reward, then in college as a gossip columnist for the college
newspaper. </div>
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When she started teaching high school Home Economics, she continued
to read and write, even beginning a cookbook. Her husband claims it's a miracle
that book was never finished because some of her recipes... (Enough said!)
Instead of food, she turned to her love of history and the need to always have
a happy ending into writing romantic fiction, and began her career as a romance
novelist, selling the first three books she wrote to a NY publisher.</div>
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Her only claim to fame is being mentioned by Paul Harvey on
his noon radio show, when he explained that a teacher in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Michigan</st1:place></st1:state> taught 'Family Living' during the
day and wrote romance novels at night.</div>
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Her greatest writing achievement was accidentally exposing
one of her male students to the joy of reading. He told her privately that he'd
never read a whole book, but loved her story so much he read the book cover to
cover. He had discovered the joy of reading novels. A year after he graduated
from high school, she ran into him one evening in a local book store. With his
arm full of books, he grinned, explaining he ought to blame her because now he
spent all his extra money on the newest novel available. If her writing does
nothing else, at least she opened the world of literature for one young man. </div>
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She is still writing romance novels and with the help of her
husband who is quick to offer suggestions, edit each book before it's
submitted, and do the promotional work at her request, she waits for the
release of book number twenty in May of 2013 with another on her publisher's
desk awaiting a decision. </div>
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Allison Knight shares with us Her Late Change of Life - </div>
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<b>How to Change Your Life As You Near Eighty Years Young</b></div>
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The call came at ten o'clock at night. That's always
worrisome. Especially with children, even if they are grown. But, at the other
end of the phone was a timid, weak, little voice asking if she could please talk
to Grandpa. It was one of our granddaughters. And with a poignant plea!</div>
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Could we please take her cat? The cat bite her dad and he
said the cat had to go. She didn't want to take it to a shelter so if the cat
could come live with us, she'd help take care of it. They lived close enough,
only a few miles away, so she could come play with him and bathe him, feed him,
take care of him, if Grandpa would say he'd take one orange tomcat. Her idea,
not ours.</div>
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Of course, Grandpa agreed. I mean, who can deny the pleading
of one of your grandchildren.</div>
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So, after many years of no pets, (the last pet passed away
soon after the kids left the nest), and a great retirement, which meant time to
travel and explore our country, we were suddenly the new owners of a big, mean,
orange cat. Yes, he did bite and we immediately had to change his name. I'll
only use the initials, and let you figure out the rest, because that cat was an
animal with a mind of his own. He did his own thing in his own time, often
going for an arm or leg with his mouth open. So his name became L.S. because
that's what we called him when he was being obstinate or mean, which was most
of the time.</div>
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However, somehow, over the next six years, that big orange
ball of fluff grew into a loving cat, constantly needing a reassuring touch, a
rub or a pat morning, noon and night.</div>
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He even started talking to us when he wanted attention. Of
course we couldn't understand a sound he made because we didn't speak 'cat'. </div>
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When one of our sons called to say his crew found a tiny
black kitten under the shelves in a big box store, I looked at our big guy and
said, "Why not?" L.S. probably needed the company. So the kitten came
to live with us. Wally, a black tuxedo, wasn't much of a companion for L.S.,
though. Too much age difference, I guess.</div>
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We took a trip to our vet in search of a kitten, one who
could be a playmate for Wally, and brought home cat number three, a three year
old, part Siamese, with an attitude. At the vet's, Celine jumped into my
husband's lap and stayed there. We really had no choice.</div>
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Since then, three years ago, we've <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>discovered those cats are our entertainment,
provide company, give us a lot to talk about and definitely lower our blood
pressure. All three want attention, even when I'm engrossed on working on my
latest novel, or my husband is involved in working on some of my promotional
material. </div>
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L.S. is particularly fond of settling in on the hard copy of
the latest manuscript my husband is editing for me. Celine is especially
pleased when I decide to work at my desk, because she takes a giant leap, landing
in the middle of my notes, then stretching out, scattering papers all over the
floor, so I have room to scratch her back. All three love to jump on chairs,
tables, desks, computers, even printers and sing loud and clear. "Time for
us!" </div>
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And, yes, we do take time out and play with them. Okay, we
admit it. It's good for them and good for us. That was one late night phone
call we'll never regret taking.<br />
<br />
<b> About Allison's Novel, </b><i><b>Windsong</b></i><b>:</b><br />
<br />
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Alwyn ab Brynn Ffrydd wants revenge against a powerful Baron
without losing his king's support. What better way to exact revenge than to
kidnap the Baron's long time mistress. But she is not what he thinks she is.</div>
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Shy, unworldly Milisent Mortimore has been confined for nine
years by a brother who now demands she agree to wed a cruel, heartless man.
Thanks to her father's will, she has the right to chose her mate or her spouse
will lose her inheritance.</div>
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When Alwyn kidnaps her desires flares and together they must
struggle against the treachery of Alwyn's current mistress, her brother and the
man he wants her to marry.</div>
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In defying all three, Alwyn places his life at risk.
Milisent saves him from certain death and together they celebrate their life of
love. </div>
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Buy Link for <i>WINDSONG</i> is: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Windsong-ebook/dp/B0064XIPIG/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1364241476&sr=8-14&keywords=allison+Knight" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Windsong-ebook/dp/B0064XIPIG/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1364241476&sr=8-14&keywords=allison+Knight</a></div>
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Or the tiny URL is: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/cksavku" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/cksavku</a></div>
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My publisher, CBG, <a href="http://www.ChampagneBooks.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">www.ChampagneBooks.com</a> is planning to release BETRAYED BRIDE, a contemporary Romance, May 6, 2013. </div>
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My web page: <a href="http://www.AllisonKnight.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">www.AllisonKnight.com</a>. (There are buy links for each of my books, plus reviews and excerpts for each book on the web page.)</div>
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My blog: <a href="http://www.AlliosonKnight.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">www.AllisonKnight.blogspot.com</a></div>
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My twitter account: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/HistoricalAllie" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">www.twitter.com/HistoricalAllie</a></div>
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<b><i>PLEASE WELCOME ALLISON KNIGHT BY LEAVING A COMMENT BELOW.</i></b></div>
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Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829165784358497536.post-48796496057893844192013-03-12T18:10:00.000-05:002013-03-12T18:10:48.815-05:00Spunky Senior Author, Rosemary Morris, Not Only Visits Gardens, But Also Grows Organic<br />
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<div class="MsoSubtitle">
Rosemary Morris
says all of us know that we should eat healthily. She can’t claim to be a saint
where this is concerned. However, as well as ornamentals this senior citizen
grows as much of her own stone fruit, soft fruit, herbs and vegetables as
possible.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">She firmly
believes eating freshly picked or organic food is an important factor in good
health and tries to eat her five a day or more.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Her home grown
produce is particularly important because she is a strict vegetarian. Meat,
fish and eggs are not part of her diet. When asked if such a diet is healthy
Rosemary points out that there a millions of healthy vegetarians in the world.
She also says a vegetarian menu can include a wide variety of cuisines and need
never be boring.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Rosemary enjoys
visiting gardens large and small including those in the grounds of the Stately
Homes of England. Those in which areas are set aside to grow fruit, herbs and
vegetables inspire Rosemary to borrow ideas for her garden, albeit on a very
small scale. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Stately Homes
and other places of historical interest – in towns, villages, museums etc., -
fuel Rosemary’s imagination.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Since her teens
Rosemary has been interested in history, particularly that of the British Isles
and the <st1:place w:st="on">British Empire</st1:place>. She has also relished
reading King James Bible with its rich language, Shakespeare’s inspiring works,
the classics such as the Mahabharata and Ramayan which are as rich as the Greek
Classics and so much more, Jane Austen, Margaret Mitchell, Sir Walter Scott,
the Bronte Sisters, Georgette Heyer, Elizabeth Chadwick, Agatha Christie, to
name only a few.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">At school
Rosemary was a star pupil in literature, history and geography but had little
interest in mathematics which led to the accusation of comments such as Rosemary
could do better, Rosemary is lazy. Maybe she was lazy when bored by a subject
but she was not without ambition, which was to become a published author.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">In her mid
twenties, while living in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kenya</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
Rosemary wrote a Regency Romance which was accepted by a publisher in the U.K.
Unfortunately she did not know that a date for publication of a book should be
included in the contract. The publisher was taken over by another one; the
editor in the new publishing house did not like the novel so it was never published.
</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><b>ROSEMARY SPEAKS</b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">While living in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Kenya</st1:country-region> I met a Brahmin from <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>. He read
my palm free of charge and said: “You have an exceptional interest in
literature.” </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">“Yes,” I
replied.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">“I mean
exceptional,” he reiterated. “|An interest in reading and writing.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">He knew nothing
about me, so my love of writing must have been written on my hand.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">My children and
I moved from <st1:country-region w:st="on">Kenya</st1:country-region>, to an
ashram in <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region>, and then
back to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region>
where I was born. My late husband, who had stayed in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Kenya</st1:country-region>
until my return to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place>,
encouraged me to write. Actually, I had never stopped writing but was too
demoralised by my earlier misfortune to submit my work. Nevertheless, I wrote
historical novels. Historical because I want to share my love of history with
others. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Nothing can
describe my joy when my novel Tangled Lives was published and nothing could
describe my misery when the publisher went out of business. This time I did not
accept defeat. I read books on How to Write, joined Writing Groups, Completed
all three parts of a Writing Course which gave me credits towards a degree, and
kept on writing.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GWPozwfsLwQ/UT-xC5J4SzI/AAAAAAAAGxw/FUszr7vQGaM/s1600/Rosemary+Morris+tangled-love333x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GWPozwfsLwQ/UT-xC5J4SzI/AAAAAAAAGxw/FUszr7vQGaM/s320/Rosemary+Morris+tangled-love333x500.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">At long last,
Tangled Lives was republished by MuseItUppublishing as <i>Tangled Love</i>, since then
two more of my novels have been published and fourth will be published this
month.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">My novels are
available as e-books from:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>amazon kindle, kobo and elsewhere.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><i><b>TANGLED LOVE</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span>Shortlisted for
Romance Festival’s e-book award.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Tangled Love is
the story of two great estates. The throne has been usurped by James II’s
daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange. In 1693, loyal to his oath of
allegiance, ten year old Richelda’s father must follow James to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region></st1:place>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Before her
father leaves, he gives her a ruby ring she will treasure and wear on a chain
round her neck. In return Richelda swears an oath to try o regain their
ancestral home, Field House.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">By the age of
eighteen, Richelda’s beloved parents are dead. She believes her privileged life
is over. At home in dilapidated Belmont House, her only companions are her
mother’s old nurse and her devoted dog, puck. Clad in old clothes she dreams of
elegant gowns and trusts her childhood friend, a poor parson’s son, who
promised to marry her.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Richelda’s
wealthy aunt takes her to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city></st1:place>
and arranges her marriage to Viscount Chesney, the new owner of Field House,
where it is rumoured there is treasure. If she finds it Richelda hopes to ease
their lives. However, while trying to find it her life is in danger.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ujet0umcQws/UT-xT5bZPBI/AAAAAAAAGx4/AWd8jUpDySU/s1600/rosemarymorrissundays-child-200x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ujet0umcQws/UT-xT5bZPBI/AAAAAAAAGx4/AWd8jUpDySU/s1600/rosemarymorrissundays-child-200x300.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><i><b>SUNDAY’S CHILD</b></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Georgianne
Whitley’s beloved father and brothers died in the war against Napoleon
Bonaparte. While she is grieving for them, she must deal with her unpredictable
mother’s sorrow, and her younger sisters’ situation caused by it.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Georgianne’s
problems increase when the arrogant, wealthy but elderly Earl of Pennington,
proposes marriage to her for the sole purpose of being provided with an heir.
At first she is tempted by his proposal, but something is not quite right about
him. She rejects him not suspecting it will lead to unwelcome repercussions.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Once, Georgianne
had wanted to marry an army officer. Now, she decides never to marry ‘a
military man’ for fear he will be killed on the battlefield. However,
Georgianne still dreams of a happy marriage before unexpected violence forces
her to relinquish the chance to participate in a London Season sponsored by her
aunt.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Shocked and in
pain, Georgianne goes to the inn where her cousin Sarah’s step-brother, Major
Tarrant, is staying, while waiting for the blacksmith to return to the village
and shoe his horse. Recently, she has been reacquainted with Tarrant—whom she
knew when in the nursery—at the vicarage where Sarah lives with her husband
Reverend Stanton.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The war in the
Iberian Peninsula is nearly at an end so, after his older brother’s death,
Tarrant, who was wounded, returns to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place> where his father asks him
to marry and produce an heir.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">To please his
father, Tarrant agrees to marry, but due to a personal tragedy he has decided
never to father a child.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">When Georgianne,
arrives at the inn, quixotic Tarrant sympathises with her unhappy situation.
Moreover, he is shocked by the unforgivably brutal treatment she has suffered.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Full of
admiration for her beauty and courage Tarrant decides to help Georgianne.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Z66l3yXw54/UT-xcjrJZTI/AAAAAAAAGyA/I3GGfkm1-Ao/s1600/RosemarymorrisFalsPretences200x300+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Z66l3yXw54/UT-xcjrJZTI/AAAAAAAAGyA/I3GGfkm1-Ao/s1600/RosemarymorrisFalsPretences200x300+(2).jpg" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><i><b>FALSE PRETENCES</b></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Five-year-old Annabelle arrived at boarding school fluent in French
and English. Separated from her nurse, a dismal shadow blights Annabelle’s life
because she does not know who her parents are. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 28.35pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB">High-spirited Annabelle is financially dependent on her unknown
guardian. She </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">refuses to marry
a French baron more than twice her age. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Her life in danger, Annabelle is saved by a gentleman, who says he
will help her to discover her identity. Yet, from then on nothing is as it
seems, and she is forced to run away for the second time to protect her
rescuer. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Even more determined to discover her parents’ identity, in spite of
many false pretences, Annabelle must learn who to trust. Her attempts to
unravel the mystery of her birth, lead to further danger, despair, unbearable
heartache and even more false pretences until the only person who has ever
wanted to cherish her, reveals the startling truth, and all’s well that ends
well. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s8nPaRb3xFU/UT-xh-svEGI/AAAAAAAAGyI/_lYARaU2dxA/s1600/rosemarymorrisFar+Beyond+Rubies+200x300+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s8nPaRb3xFU/UT-xh-svEGI/AAAAAAAAGyI/_lYARaU2dxA/s1600/rosemarymorrisFar+Beyond+Rubies+200x300+(2).jpg" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><i><b>FAR BEYOND
RUBIES</b></i></span></div>
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(To be released
March 2013)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Set in 1706
during Queen Anne Stuart’s reign Far Beyond Rubies erupts when William, Baron
Kemp, Juliana’s half-brother claims she and her sister are bastards. Juliana is
determined to prove the allegation is false and that she is the rightful
heiress to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Riverside</st1:city></st1:place>,
a great estate.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">On his way to
deliver a letter to William, Gervaise sees Juliana for the first time in the
grounds of her family home…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The sight of
her drew him back to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>.
Her form changed to one he knew intimately – but not in this birth.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">An unexpected
event brings Juliana and quixotic Gervaise together and circumstances force
Juliana to accept his kind help. However, when Juliana’s life irrevocably
tangled with Gervaise’s she discovers he is not all that he seems.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://www.rosemarymorris.co.uk/">www.rosemarymorris.co.uk</a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://rosemarymorris.blogspot.com/">http://rosemarymorris.blogspot.com</a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Member of: Romantic Novelist’s Association, Historical Novel Society, Watford Writers</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><i><b>Please welcome Rosemary Morris to Spunky Senior Authors and Talents by Leaving a Comment.</b></i></span></div>
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Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829165784358497536.post-84219443312134920892013-02-28T13:49:00.001-06:002013-02-28T13:49:13.289-06:00Spunky Author Wayne Hatford Channels Rudolph Valentino, Debunks Myths about Seniors!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p3ITOrpesY8/USqcNzj-lvI/AAAAAAAAGqY/FeAaunPfeWI/s1600/waynehatford.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p3ITOrpesY8/USqcNzj-lvI/AAAAAAAAGqY/FeAaunPfeWI/s320/waynehatford.jpeg" width="245" /></a></div>
<b><i>What Wayne Hatford Has To Say about Rudolph Valentino and Seniors:</i></b><br />
<o:p> </o:p> </div>
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From one of the greatest lovers the
world has ever known, a few observations about love: </div>
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“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Though others this have said, ‘tis indeed true, love is the glue whose
purpose, among other things, is to fill in what we might perceive of as empty
space, creating a coherent whole ~ be it micro or macro. Love binds us to each
other as well as to the dimensions we inhabit. In essence, it’s our reason for
being ~ THE reason why everything IS. So all-encompassing are its perspectives
that for all practical purposes love is unfathomable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having neither sides nor bottom, it cannot be
plumbed</i>.” ~ Rudolph Valentino</div>
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Yes, Rudy was/is an icon of love, a
‘silent’ screen star that left this world at a relatively young age. So what is
he doing talking about Seniors? Of course, you have to first suspend your
disbelief that this kind of communication is even possible! But it is, and I am
not the first person to channel Rudolph Valentino nor will I be the last. He’s
always had a lot to say, and a little matter like death is not going to change
that fact! </div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
The Senior experience, which is currently part and
parcel of my own personal reality, is the genesis for our second collaboration,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Going for Excelsior: Thriving in
Seniorhood. </i>What is it about? How best to navigate our ‘Golden Years,’
safely, smartly, and creatively. GFE is a practical self-help/personal growth
tool for Seniors, <strong><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">a blueprint for active living ~ how to embrace where
you’re at in your life, find hidden gems, turn up the voltage! </span></strong>Most
of us will have the opportunity to be a Senior, for greater or lesser periods
of time. Why not have a good handle on it before you arrive at that age
bracket, and/or fully embrace and enjoy it if you are already there?</div>
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One of the most noteworthy aspects of this book, I
think, is its thoughtful examination of phenomena that are often associated
with Seniors, such as Dementia and Alzheimer’s. They are scourges, to be sure,
provoking concerns that are constantly being fueled by the media. But what if there
is a bigger picture view of why these conditions occur? Offered in the spirit
of love, here is an excerpt from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Going
for Excelsior </i>that addresses Alzheimer’s, examining its import and genesis.
Rudolph Valentino, speaking through me:</div>
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<o:p> </o:p>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sometimes oldsters have to use every trick
in the book to solve their karmic riddles. Alzheimer’s provides its clients
with a rest from daily drudgery, so that they can begin the diffusing process,
the decrease in specificity that some souls need to experience prior to
transition. It is a phenomenon that appears to lessen one’s mental acumen yet
it does not. Alzheimer’s is a fooler, a rabbit-warren wherein the patient hides
from the vagaries of the tangible world. Never fear, a lot of work is going on
while anyone is in this state, sort of analogous to being alive while at the
same time appearing somewhat deadened. To the onlooker, it is a very curious
condition, heart-breaking too, especially if you are one of their loved ones and
they yours. Again, never fear; they can still feel love and even project it,
though usually in rather off-handed ways.</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What are they doing? Exploring their inner
realms, in other words, day-dreaming, which does not correspond to what most
people agree on as reality. So, they listen to their own drummers (that perhaps
is the most apt metaphor) and dance to their own tune. Have compassion for them
but don’t dismay. Alzheimer’s per se is not a bad thing. It’s one of many
devices the soul uses to further its own work. There is awareness among
Alzheimer’s patients, though for the most part we, as observers, cannot discern
it. They are aware but they are aware of different things than the rest of us,
we who think in an unfettered way and can breathe freely, without any sort of
restriction or supervision. They, too, advance. Alzheimer’s is not a step
backwards nor is it karmic punishment. Karma is involved only in the sense that
for Alzheimer’s patients it may be more complex, so much so that they need to
focus on their innards to an even greater degree than most other people and
again, that is what they are doing, shining a light on the inside, conducting
research, making connections, self-circuiting. I would also say arcing and
sparking, plugging in, being constantly engaged in their own worlds. They are
re-wiring themselves prior to being re-born. Death for them is even more of a
re-birth than it is for those who know not of this supposed malady.</i>”</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People often get angry when they perceive
someone dropping out. Alzheimer’s patients chose to drop out, true, but they
did it in good stead and for many a valid reason. Again, have compassion and
send them a loving thought. In a way, they are caught in the in- between, a
living death ~ not bad, just what is. The bounty we can harvest from our inner
gardens never ceases to amaze. Think of an Alzheimer’s ward as just another
stage or film set where drama ensues. That is all it is</i>.”</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Felix Titling"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Going for excelsior blog
Tour Information:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><i>About the Author:</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KB12DGlq65c/USqY2kNQPmI/AAAAAAAAGps/fpmEOWY1-fw/s1600/WayneHatford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KB12DGlq65c/USqY2kNQPmI/AAAAAAAAGps/fpmEOWY1-fw/s1600/WayneHatford.jpg" /></a><strong>Wayne Hatford</strong>, B.A. in French and Spanish, M.A. in
International Administration, is a teacher, writer, editor and author dedicated
to bridging the gap between the physical and non-physical worlds. To that end,
he channeled a friend, Janice Horn ~ <a href="http://valentinospeaks.com/letters-from-janice/" title="Letters from Janice"><i>Letters from Janice: Correspondence with the Astral
Plane</i></a> and, more recently, the spirit essence of <a href="http://valentinospeaks.com/">Rudolph Valentino</a> ~ <a href="http://valentinospeaks.com/valentino-speaks/" title="Valentino Speaks"><i>Valentino
Speaks: The Wisdom of Rudolph Valentino</i></a> and <a href="http://valentinospeaks.com/going-for-excelsior/" title="Going for Excelsior"><i>Going for Excelsior: Thriving in Seniorhood</i></a>, all of which are available via Amazon.com. Each of these works explores the
“Other Side” while offering insight and practical suggestions on how best to
make the most of this one.<br />
A life-long student of metaphysics and transformation, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wayne</st1:place></st1:city> has both taught in public school and
been a personal property appraiser. Wayne Hatford now resides in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Santa Rosa</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">California</st1:state></st1:place>
where he and the Valentino essence continue their collaboration.<br />
His latest book is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Going-Excelsior-Thriving-Seniorhood-ebook/dp/B007HOD9KU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354402186&sr=8-1&keywords=going+for+excelsior"><em><b><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Going for Excelsior: Thriving
in Seniorhood</span></b></em></a>.<br />
<h3 align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://valentinospeaks.com/">WEBSITE</a>
| <a href="https://twitter.com/ValentinoSpeaks">TWITTER </a>| <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Valentino-Speaks-The-Wisdom-of-Rudolph-Valentino/207946935893568">FACEBOOK</a></h3>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4AC5dNqGlog/USqWj26d6nI/AAAAAAAAGpk/BKqdM3tPjYo/s1600/waynevincenthatfordGoing+for+Excelsior+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4AC5dNqGlog/USqWj26d6nI/AAAAAAAAGpk/BKqdM3tPjYo/s320/waynevincenthatfordGoing+for+Excelsior+(2).jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">About Wayne Hatford's <i>Going for Excelsior</i>:</span></div>
What if you were as savvy as you could possibly be in matters of aging and,
therefore, really soar, breeze through the final chapters of your life with
flying colors? The ’senior’ experience, through only the most constructive and
creative of lenses! Going for Excelsior” offers practical suggestions for
successfully negotiating Seniorhood, a blueprint for active living ~ how to embrace
where you’re at in your life, find hidden gems, turn up the voltage. Thriving
in Seniorhood is about going beyond what’s expected or being directed at you by
the host society and this book provides the reader with the tools and
understandings to accomplish that goal. Conundrums solved. The sting removed
from such phenomena as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Myths about Seniors debunked.
These are only a few of the benefits that can be derived from reading this book
which, hopefully, will serve to stretch your consciousness, something that’s
rather elastic to begin with ~ in every stage of life.<br />
‘Seniorhood’ ~ Where people often like to perceive us, once we have attained
a certain age. Also, where we can choose to thrive, with clarity of purpose ~
and by design!<br />
“Like all those who currently inhabit a body, you, too, are getting ready
for Excelsior. Especially allow the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and beyond of your ages to
be magical in this regard, for you to be way-showers, preparing yourselves
mentally, physically and spiritually for the next phase. There always is a next
phase, by the way, and we are always getting ready for it. You are part of a
grand design as am I. There is no other option!” ~ Rudolph Valentino<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Purchase Link: </strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Going-Excelsior-Thriving-Seniorhood-ebook/dp/B007HOD9KU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354402186&sr=8-1&keywords=going+for+excelsior">AMAZON</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Book Excerpt:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Now, let’s return to the more common definition of
Excelsior, the loose packing material that is most associated with the shipping
of fine art or antiques. It can come from many sources and, as a result, may
have lots of different ‘looks.’ Metaphysically-speaking, however, Excelsior is
a container for the soul and, being somewhat porous, allows for entry and exit,
not only of the soul itself, but also of vibrations, both ours and those of
other people. It might be easier to think of Excelsior as skin, that living,
breathing, largest organ of the body whose properties model those of the Veil.
Yes, once again our skin is a version of the Veil, that curtain of energy that
separates the dimensions and whose function also is, under certain
circumstances, to allow energy to pass through it. Our skin shields us from
danger, yet it also allows us to shine our Light. Have you ever heard someone
say that so and so’s skin was translucent? All of our skins are translucent. We
shine, projecting the inner spark that is soul to the outer world while, at the
same time, receiving Light from others, those we encounter in our daily lives.
This is how we determine who to interact with, by what our impressions are of
their Light. If, for example, we feel inundated or limited by their presence,
it’s a sign that we ought to move on. So it’s about the quality of Light of
each soul, which is the determining factor. This does not mean, however, that
some souls have inferior Light. Rather, it simply signals that their
frequencies are very different from ours and, as a consequence, are experienced
as jarring. The converse could also be true ~ that we, too, might upset the
applecart because our vibrations are not all that harmonious with theirs. </div>
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The following is perhaps a heady idea but, I think, very
apropos. In lots of new age books, individual souls have often been referred to
as Light workers. Indeed, that is exactly what we are, always putting on a show
for our fellow travelers, those who happen to be in the body at the same moment
as we. The skin, or Excelsior, monitors this so-called Light show, mostly on
auto-pilot, but sometimes with the greatest of attention on our parts. What is
it that throws the switch or adjusts the rheostat? A combination of factors,
including, but not limited to, our own free will, emotional state of being and
current degree of alignment. If we’re in sync with ourselves and our
environment ~ in the flow, of course we glow. <strong>The soul is electric,
like a dynamo or atom, independently functioning forever, and one of its
modalities is to shed Light. That’s right, a soul cannot die, what we all know
inside. It’s only the body that is capable of carrying out that task. </strong></div>
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If you will, take a moment to focus on the porous nature of
the skin. Not only does the soul make one definitive entrance and exit per
physical body, but also countless others that are far more casual, such as each
time we fall asleep or wake up. Yes, our soul or consciousness goes off to play
in the Astral, in the so-called dream world when we sleep while remaining
tethered to the physical body. It’s only when we die that the connection is
broken and the soul can no longer re-enter the body. Some of you are more aware
of the phenomenon of constantly leaving the body to dream than others. In the
state we call half-sleep, people often sense their consciousness either
floating close to the body or re-entering it with a thud when they suddenly
awake. The skin, or Excelsior, breathes too, though in a more subtle way, in
and out, mimicking the work of the lungs. Interesting that it’s the lungs,
heart and skin that are the last bastions of movement before the body becomes
inert, what we label as dead. At the very instant the first two stop working,
the skin is poised to exhale the soul, ready to perform its final function.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Think of the skin that covers our bodies as millions of tiny
mirrors, fractals with dampers that can be opened and closed at will. Yes, that
is what we do when we emit Light, reflect it through the pores of our skin, and
they are also the pathway for the Light of others to reach us. We are like
solar panels then, forever in the process of reflecting and absorbing. What an
exquisite landscape we wear! Who knew that packing material had such beauty,
form, and function? </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><i><b>Going for Excelsior</b></i> Tour
Page:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2013/01/20/pump-up-your-book-presents-going-for-excelsior-virtual-book-publicity-tour/">http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2013/01/20/pump-up-your-book-presents-going-for-excelsior-virtual-book-publicity-tour/</a>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Please leave a comment to welcome Wayne Vincent Hatford to Spunky Senior Authors and Talents.</i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"> </span></div>
Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829165784358497536.post-84201596292039017622013-02-20T16:17:00.000-06:002013-02-20T16:17:00.464-06:00Spunky B.A. (Barbara) Binns Meets Health Challenges Head-On Through Attitude and Writing<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-miCWhPiWA3M/URGEqR9V9AI/AAAAAAAAGgk/rwiSECjyPSQ/s1600/At+the+senior+center.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-miCWhPiWA3M/URGEqR9V9AI/AAAAAAAAGgk/rwiSECjyPSQ/s320/At+the+senior+center.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px;">B. A. (Barbara)
Binns writes to attract and inspire young male readers with stories of “real
boys growing into real men…and the people who love them.” This Chicago native
graduated from Hyde Park High School and went on to receive advanced degrees
from both Roosevelt and DePaul Universities, and then honed her writing skills
at Chicago State University and Harper College. Ms. Binns finds writing a major
exercise in self-discipline, and the perfect follow-up to her life as an
adoptive parent and cancer survivor. She is a member of RWA (Romance Writers of
America), the Chicago Writers Association, SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book
Writers and Illustrators), ALAN (Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of
NCTE) and YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Website – <a href="http://babinns.com/">http://babinns.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Blog – <a href="http://barbarabinns.com/">http://barbarabinns.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Facebook – <a href="http://facebook.com/allthecolorsoflove">http://facebook.com/allthecolorsoflove</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Email - <a href="mailto:binns@babinns.com">binns@babinns.com</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">According
to the <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/">Urban dictionary</a>, (my
favorite online resource) a spunky person is “somebody who has attitude, who
has a presence,” and is “a cool and awesome person with lots of pizazz.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Go
figure. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I
only developed attitude and presence and pizazz <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">after</b> becoming a senior. No, I’m too cool and awesome to reveal my
age. But I will give you a few of the accomplishments I made during those
early, non-spunky years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Master’s
degrees in both Biochemistry from Michigan State University, and Computer
Science from DePaul University in Chicago.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Raised
a daughter unlucky enough to have both Bipolar disorder and Lymphedema in
her left leg which left it permanently swollen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Look them up, neither is pretty and you
have them for life) That combination produced a load of gray hairs on my
head.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Retired
early. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X_uyOBXqY-E/URF-8KOY_hI/AAAAAAAAGf8/DQlgAOFffh0/s1600/barbarabinnshiking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X_uyOBXqY-E/URF-8KOY_hI/AAAAAAAAGf8/DQlgAOFffh0/s320/barbarabinnshiking.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Retirement
was supposed to give me extra time to relax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Shortly after having being hospitalized with a heart problem, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went hiking in Utah at Zion and Bryce
canyons. A few years ago I had uterine cancer. Within two months after having
my insides removed, I went cruising around Florida and the Caribbean and had to
fight off alligators. (So what if the gater was small, they still have sharp
teeth!) </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I
do spend a lot of time at my local senior center, mostly volunteering to help
out at the computer room – they actually think I know something (I’ve got them
fooled).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I spend a lot of time sitting, but
there is very little relaxation involved. Instead, I decided to exercise my
creativity and became. First I became an author – I had my first book published
in 2010; and then I decided to become a publisher. (Is there no end to my
insanity? No, wait, that’s supposed to be spunkitude.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h2>
Planes trains and Automobiles</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used to be a homebody. Now I have to do a
lot of traveling. In 2012 I spoke at the Illinois Reading Council in
Springfield, IL, the Ohio Educational Media Library Association conference in
Sandusky, OH, and the Indiana Library Federation in Indianapolis, IN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also made an appearance at the YALSA
Literature Symposium in St. Louis, MO. This year I have been invited to speak
at the <a href="http://virginia-hamilton.slis.kent.edu/2013-conference/"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Virginia Hamilton conference</span></a>
on diversity in literature at Kent, Ohio; at the <a href="http://nolastars.com/conference/conference-schedule/"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">NOLA Stars writers conference</span></a>
in Shreveport, LA, at the <a href="http://www.romanceslamjam.org/?page_id=5"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Romance Slam Jam conference</span></a>
in Milwaukee, WI, at the <a href="http://wikis.ala.org/yalsa/index.php/YALSA_at_ALA's_2013_Annual_Conference#Program_Schedule"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">American Library Association summer
conference</span></a> in Chicago, Illinois, and the <a href="http://www.ncte.org/adlit"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Assembly
on Literature for Adolescents</span></a> in Boston, Ma. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talk about Planes, Trains, and Automobiles!
But I get to speak about subjects near and dear to my heart: reaching out to
reluctant readers and at-risk youth, and advocating for more diversity in
literature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One symptom of my spunkiness
was becoming an outspoken advocate for causes I believe in. And I believe in
youth and the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h2>
A new addition</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qKtvYTBOnQE/URF_NukCN_I/AAAAAAAAGgE/HN6SMJCr-Dk/s1600/Barbarabinnsdog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qKtvYTBOnQE/URF_NukCN_I/AAAAAAAAGgE/HN6SMJCr-Dk/s320/Barbarabinnsdog.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All the
traveling is complicated by the new addition to my home. I acquired a dog a
month ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Note I say
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">acquired</i>. I did not buy her, nor was
she a Christmas present. My adult niece got her from a shelter some months ago
as a present for her daughter. Turns out the dog was a little too high-spirited
for the girl. So my niece gifted the animal to her aunt, my sister. Who quickly
decided taking care of a dog was more trouble than it was worth. She was on the
verge of returning the dog to the shelter when I showed up for Christmas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I took the
dog home on a trial basis. It was supposed to be a one-week trial, but I knew
as soon as I got her home she was mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t get me wrong, she still has some adapting to do. She barks too
much, pulls on the leash when we go for walks, and is a picky eater. But she
likes to put her head in my lap, and licks at my face and begs me to scratch
her ears before lying on the rug at my feet. I guess I’m keeping her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h2>
Becoming my own boss</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dJveW9WUCsU/URF_VS7qhqI/AAAAAAAAGgM/JiLrdlLx7wU/s1600/Barbarabinnsallthecolorsoflove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dJveW9WUCsU/URF_VS7qhqI/AAAAAAAAGgM/JiLrdlLx7wU/s320/Barbarabinnsallthecolorsoflove.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am also
keeping the company I started, <a href="http://allthecolorsoflove.com/"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">AllTheColorsOfLove press,</span></a> (http://AllTheColorsOfLove.com)
an ultra-small publisher with only one employee, me. I published two books in
2012 and—if I am exceptionally hard-working—will manage two more in 2013 in
spite of everything else going on in my life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first book of 2013 came out Feb 1. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Being-God-B-A-Binns/dp/0988182114"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Being God</span></a> is my second “boy
book;” yes, I’m spunky enough to think like a kid and write in the voice of a
seventeen-year-old male. Being God is not about religion, but is all about a
troubled boy struggling to find a future and re-connect with his family while
dealing with his own drinking problem. And there is a little of me in the boy’s
parents. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Okay,
maybe more than a little. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h2>
Using my own life</h2>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My teen
protagonist’s father and I are both ACOA (adult child of alcoholics). I too had
to figure out how real parents react, because I never had a real role-model. I
used that figure-things-out-as-you-go-along background to create Dwayne Kaplan,
a successful businessman but problematic father who has trouble expressing his
feelings for his child. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his own
words:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 110%;">“Insanity
of the mind doesn’t begin to cover the way I was. Am, still, really. I always
believed that somehow I made my father drink because I wasn’t a better son. I <span style="color: black;">grew up making excuses </span>for him and doing his work
because God forbid the poor man suffer the consequences of his actions. <span style="color: black;">You’d think with my history, I’d have seen what was happening
inside my house to my own son.</span>” He sighs heavily. “<span style="color: black;">For a long time I wasn’t sure I knew how to be a real son. </span>Maybe
that’s why I never learned how to be a real father.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I heard
someone say once that memoir writing was like cutting open a vein. Being God isn’t
a memoir, but the blade I used while writing Being God was exceptionally
well-honed. It hurt to write that story, but I’m glad I didn’t short-change the
difficulties of the situation. And I listed many of the resources that helped
me and my family in the book, hoping readers in need will reach out for help
the way my protagonist had to learn to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h2>
About Being God</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nMDt3_k1cog/URF_eVdPswI/AAAAAAAAGgU/wL3tnbg59v8/s1600/barbarabinnsBeingGod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nMDt3_k1cog/URF_eVdPswI/AAAAAAAAGgU/wL3tnbg59v8/s320/barbarabinnsBeingGod.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="yiv1694371599msonormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Seventeen-year-old Malik Kaplan is the
bully of Chicago’s Farrington High School. Malik has a cross to bear, or maybe
it’s a Star of David; being the black teenaged son of a Catholic mother and
Jewish father frequently makes life confusing. His grandfather, uncle, and
older brother all ruled as t<span style="color: black;">he BAMFs at Farrington.
Only his father is a “forgotten Kaplan,” and seems disinterested in his only
surviving son.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv1694371599msonormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Malik is determined to be
the worst of the worst and not repeat his father’s mistakes; even if that costs
him the people he cares about. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; letter-spacing: -.15pt; line-height: 200%;">At least he can
drink. Alcohol keeps him going; alcohol is destroying his life. But he doesn’t
see any problem, not even after he finds himself in court, shouldering the blame
for someone else’s crime. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Suddenly he’s faced with court-ordered
community service shepherding an angry ten-year-old who hates the world, an
“offer he can’t refuse” from the boy’s gang leader brother, and an opponent he
can’t crush: Barney, a fourteen-year-old girl who watched her alcoholic father
abuse and murder her mother. She wants nothing to do with any bad boy,
especially not one who thinks drinking is the way to forget his sins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Malik
and Barney are forced to work together to help the kid and themselves escape
the pull of the gang, and to rediscover the real meaning of family and
friendship. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><b><i>Buy Links </i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><b><i>PULL:</i></b>:</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> <span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> P</span>aperback: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pull-B-A-Binns/dp/0988182106/">http://www.amazon.com/Pull-B-A-Binns/dp/0988182106/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%;">eBook: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/PULL-ebook/dp/B009JJEI42/">http://www.amazon.com/PULL-ebook/dp/B009JJEI42/</a>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><b><i>BEING GOD</i></b></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%;">:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> P</span>aperback: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Being-God-B-A-Binns/dp/0988182114/">http://www.amazon.com/Being-God-B-A-Binns/dp/0988182114/</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px;">eBook: </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Being-God-ebook/dp/B00B9EWAEK/">http://www.amazon.com/Being-God-ebook/dp/B00B9EWAEK/</a></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%;"><b><i>DIE TRYING AND OTHER STORIES:</i></b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Paperback: </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Die-Trying-B-A-Binns/dp/098818219X/">http://www.amazon.com/Die-Trying-B-A-Binns/dp/098818219X/</a></span></div>
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<b><i>Please Welcome B.A. (Barbara) Binns to Spunky Senior Authors and Talents by Leaving a Comment.</i></b></div>
Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829165784358497536.post-77165328401556828192013-02-06T16:36:00.000-06:002013-02-06T16:36:00.045-06:00Meet Spunky Senior Author, Skydiver and Urban Chicken Rancher, Michael Murphy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Four days after my 60<sup>th</sup> birthday, my employer of
17 years, laid me off. Unfortunately, my experience is hardly unique. Still, I
struggled to make sense of it and like others in my situation, I went through a
grieving process, shock, denial, anger, depression. A friend told me losing
one’s employment unexpectedly is the second most stressful event a person can
experience, next to losing a spouse.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodbye Emily by Michael Murphy</td></tr>
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Eventually I used this experience in my writing. I wrote
<i>Goodbye Emily</i> about a baby boomer college professor whose career ends
unexpectedly, after he’s lost the love of his life, Emily. </div>
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In fiction, baby boomers are often portrayed in a less than
flattering manner, caricatures of the “get off my lawn” grumpy old man. I was
determined to portray boomers the way I see us, funny, sexually active and
optimistic about the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story
deals with serious issues, but does so with humor and a glimpse of the fun side
of life. </div>
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Writing is an important part of my life. I’ve been thrilled
with the response to my boomer novel. Author Alisha Paige calls the book, “<strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">…a road trip full of adventure, love, laughter, fun, superstar
appearances and heart-felt healing. Goodbye Emily will leave you cheering,
laughing and crying until the very end.”<o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></strong>
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Find Michael Murphy's Book on </div>
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Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Emily-Michael-Murphy/dp/1938467213/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360102801&sr=1-1&keywords=Goodbye+Emily" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank" title="http://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Emily-Michael-Murphy/dp/1938467213/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360102801&sr=1-1&keywords=Goodbye+Emily">http://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Emily-Michael-Murphy/dp/1938467213/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360102801&sr=1-1&keywords=Goodbye+Emily</a></div>
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Kindle: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Emily-ebook/dp/B00A8IYL2C/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1360102840&sr=1-1&keywords=Goodbye+Emily" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank" title="http://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Emily-ebook/dp/B00A8IYL2C/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1360102840&sr=1-1&keywords=Goodbye+Emily">http://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Emily-ebook/dp/B00A8IYL2C/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1360102840&sr=1-1&keywords=Goodbye+Emily</a></div>
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Nook: <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/goodbye-emily-michael-murphy/1111959889?ean=9781938467332" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank" title="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/goodbye-emily-michael-murphy/1111959889?ean=9781938467332">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/goodbye-emily-michael-murphy/1111959889?ean=9781938467332</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cbv8CWOMlbY/URFKHyT-8dI/AAAAAAAAGeY/97Kc2yFEwCI/s1600/michaelmurphybrian&granpa+on+bike+003+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cbv8CWOMlbY/URFKHyT-8dI/AAAAAAAAGeY/97Kc2yFEwCI/s320/michaelmurphybrian&granpa+on+bike+003+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandson, Brian, with Grandpa, Michael Murphy</td></tr>
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However, like most boomers I know, there are so many other
interests that keep me busy starting with my nine grandchildren. When I run out
of things to do, there’s always the love of my life, my wife of 40 years, my
“Emily.”<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--xLU2PCWumw/URGIfrRl3JI/AAAAAAAAGhE/IA6F_kcigco/s1600/MichaelMurphyflying011_9A+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--xLU2PCWumw/URGIfrRl3JI/AAAAAAAAGhE/IA6F_kcigco/s320/MichaelMurphyflying011_9A+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I credit her for so much in my life, talking me into joining her for
skydiving, and getting me involved with urban chicken ranching in our backyard.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WNEcfOmgSHM/URFKUkyr4xI/AAAAAAAAGeg/8orUKcmKRNg/s1600/MichaelMurphyLap+Chicken+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WNEcfOmgSHM/URFKUkyr4xI/AAAAAAAAGeg/8orUKcmKRNg/s400/MichaelMurphyLap+Chicken+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael Murphy with his Lap Chicken<br />
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I’ve lived most of my life in Arizona. I love to write and
encourage others to do so. I host novel writing workshops at libraries and
bookstores throughout the state. But enough about me.</div>
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If you’re a boomer, you may not be a writer, but there are
plenty of fulfilling activities that await the next portion of your life.
Enjoy.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mjmurphy.com/">www.mjmurphy.com</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodbyeemily.com/">www.goodbyeemily.com</a></div>
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blog: <a href="http://blog.mjmurphy.com/">http://blog.mjmurphy.com</a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4829165784358497536" name="_GoBack"></a></div>
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<b><i>Please leave a comment to welcome Michael Murphy to Spunky Senior Authors and Talents.</i></b></div>
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Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829165784358497536.post-79395758705662535242013-01-30T15:31:00.000-06:002013-01-30T15:31:00.212-06:00The Paddle Surfing Adventures of Spunky Senior Author, Terry Ambrose<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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Terry Ambrose </td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Optima; font-size: 17px;">Terry Ambrose
started out skip tracing and collecting money from deadbeats and quickly
learned that liars come from all walks of life. He never actually stole a car,
but sometimes hired big guys with tow trucks and a penchant for working in the
dark to “help” when negotiations failed.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Optima; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20px;">Terry's Website: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://terryambrose.com/"><span style="font-family: Optima; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica; mso-hansi-font-family: Optima;">http://terryambrose.com</span></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Optima-Regular, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 25px;"><b>Finding My Inner Hawaiian by Terry Ambrose</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Optima-Regular","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Optima-Regular; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I’m pretty
sure that in a previous life I was Hawaiian. Kauai is the one place I’ve ever
been where I feel truly “centered.” I’m sure that surfing, playing in the sun
all day while my skin turned a golden brown, and paddling an outrigger canoe
were my favorite activities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_8kvS8iOvdI/UQWdZbHyUsI/AAAAAAAAGTQ/RBLyzWqKYvs/s1600/terryambrosegirlboyoDSC01213-300x225+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_8kvS8iOvdI/UQWdZbHyUsI/AAAAAAAAGTQ/RBLyzWqKYvs/s1600/terryambrosegirlboyoDSC01213-300x225+(2).jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Optima-Regular","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Optima-Regular; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">That was
that life, fast forward to the this one. Last year I had the opportunity to try
paddle surfing. For those not familiar with the sport, you’re on a board a bit
wider than a surfboard and have a paddle to help control your direction and
balance. My wife purchased a package lesson for me, her brother Bill, and his
then 14-year-old daughter Brenna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None
of us had ever paddle surfed before; so this seemed like a great opportunity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Optima-Regular","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Optima-Regular; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The day
began with us on the docks with our guide, Jimmy. Jimmy had been in the
business for about three years and said that he’d never had anyone actually go
in the water. That gave all three of us, especially this intrepid paddle board
wannabe, comfort—and a goal…don’t be the first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Optima-Regular","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Optima-Regular; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Jimmy
explained how the secret to paddle boarding is to stand up slowly and keep your
center of gravity low while maintaining your forward motion. Sounded easy
enough. Next, he had us kneel on the boards in the water and paddle around the
harbor. Still simple, no problem. The water in the harbor was flat and,
according to Brenna (who tested it with her hand), not that cold. That was
comforting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Optima-Regular","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Optima-Regular; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">So here’s
how the action went down…so to speak. Brenna, being a kid, popped up on her
board in no time. Bill, being an ex-surfer wasn’t far behind. That means, you
guessed it, the real entertainment here was yours truly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Optima-Regular","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Optima-Regular; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I did as
Jimmy instructed and built up some forward momentum. My speed was good and the
board felt stable. I was on my knees and ready to stand. The other two were
paddling around me…not quite in circles, but the term “lagger” or even
“slacker” comes to mind. As I started to stand, I realized how shaky my knees
felt. Still, I figured, once I was up, everything would be okay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RPekCo8gkR8/UQWd-HafZWI/AAAAAAAAGTg/2ILUFDoOVuQ/s1600/terryambroseheadinwaterDSC01234-300x225+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RPekCo8gkR8/UQWd-HafZWI/AAAAAAAAGTg/2ILUFDoOVuQ/s1600/terryambroseheadinwaterDSC01234-300x225+(2).jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Optima-Regular","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Optima-Regular; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Part way up
on the first attempt, things got even shakier. Back down to my knees I went.
Another try…more momentum…keep the balance…I can do this…halfway up…now, paddle
a little…uh, oh, paddle’s dragging in the…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ADkIp8FJOvU/UQWeJFq_ySI/AAAAAAAAGTo/-RTbPgW6RfE/s1600/terryambrosepersoninwaterDSC01230-300x225+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ADkIp8FJOvU/UQWeJFq_ySI/AAAAAAAAGTo/-RTbPgW6RfE/s1600/terryambrosepersoninwaterDSC01230-300x225+(2).jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Optima-Regular, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 25px;">I hate being
the center of attention…at least, while I’m floating in dirty harbor water.
However, not being one to give up easily, I climbed back onto my board, more
determined than ever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Optima-Regular","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Optima-Regular; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">On the next
attempt, I dropped to my knees before I dropped…again…into the water. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jLgHXSZh_l8/UQWdvpTQWoI/AAAAAAAAGTY/GfHbyTX_cyk/s1600/terryambroseoarDSC01239-300x225+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jLgHXSZh_l8/UQWdvpTQWoI/AAAAAAAAGTY/GfHbyTX_cyk/s1600/terryambroseoarDSC01239-300x225+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Optima-Regular","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Optima-Regular; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The third
time was the charm and I popped up like a rusty nail coming out of a board…yes,
it was slow and jerky, but I made it. I only went in one more time and that was
when a boat’s wake caught me sideways…okay, the wake was only two inches tall
and moving slowly, but that’s not the point. The point is that I got back up on
the board, stood, and finished out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Optima-Regular","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Optima-Regular; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">So, in this
life maybe I’m not Hawaiian…can’t surf that well, everyone knows about the
fair-skinned people in the sun thing, and the outrigger canoe? Who knows, maybe…someday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Optima-Regular","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Optima-Regular; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The bad news
is, Jimmy can no longer say, “nobody’s ever gone in.” The other good news? I
saved my hat. Try it again? Absolutely!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Optima; font-size: 17px;"><b><i>And Now, About Terry's Book, License to Lie - Set where else, but Hawaii -</i></b></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-itA4qe_fXUI/UQWecjAgc5I/AAAAAAAAGTw/el5337Y8-UU/s1600/terryambroselicensetolieFront+Cover+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-itA4qe_fXUI/UQWecjAgc5I/AAAAAAAAGTw/el5337Y8-UU/s320/terryambroselicensetolieFront+Cover+%25282%2529.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">License to Lie<br />
by Terry Ambrose</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;">Catch island fever with this funny Hawaiian mystery set on the beautiful island of Oahu.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"></span></div>
<div style="display: block; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Optima; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="yiv936764479Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Wilson McKenna’s newest tenant is hot, gives great hugs, and just saw a dead body being thrown from a plane. McKenna’s not one to get involved in other people’s problems, especially those of a woman half his age, but before he knows it, he’s volunteered to track down the plane and its owner. In no time, McKenna has uncovered an island drug ring, pissed off a sociopath, and set himself up as the victim in a beautiful woman’s con that could cost him his life. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Optima; font-size: 17px;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Optima; font-size: 17px;"><i><b>What people say about Terry's Book:</b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Optima; font-size: 17px;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Optima; font-size: 17px;"><i>License to Lie</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Optima; font-size: 17px;"> is fast and well written, almost sure to satisfy discerning readers of thrillers. There’s a verve to Ambrose’s language and the story moves with assurance, defying easy predictions. Bravo to this writer. I hope there’s more to come. — T. Jefferson Parker, Author of The Jaguar and The Border Lords</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Optima; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 20px;">"Fast-paced, unpredictable, and a lot of fun--no one is who they seem in this smart and twisty tale of high finance and double dealing. This unlikely and irresistible crime-fighting duo will charm you--and keep you happily turning the pages." — Hank Phillippi Ryan, Anthony, Agatha and Macavity award-winning author<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Optima; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20px;"><i><b>Buy Links for Terry's Books:</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Optima; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 20px;"><i>License to Lie</i>: </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/License-to-Lie-ebook/dp/B00AWU8FZ0"><span style="font-family: Optima;">http://www.amazon.com/License-to-Lie-ebook/dp/B00AWU8FZ0</span></a><span style="font-family: Optima; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 20px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Optima; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 20px;"><i>Photo Finish</i>: </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008NQJD8S"><span style="font-family: Optima;">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008NQJD8S</span></a><span style="font-family: Optima; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 20px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Optima; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20px;"><i><b>Please leave a comment to welcome Terry to Spunky Senior Authors and Talents.</b></i></span></div>
Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829165784358497536.post-55264654109251123122013-01-23T14:46:00.000-06:002013-01-23T14:46:00.092-06:00Spunky Author D.B. (Donna) McNicol - Motorcycler, Traveler, and Dog Owner <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donna McNicol</td></tr>
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<b>ABOUT DONNA</b></div>
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Donna B. McNicol retired after 30+ years working in the IT
industry. She spent many of those years writing technical documents and user
instructions. In 1996 she tried moonlighting in freelance writing; she spent
the next ten years writing for such online sites as The Mining Company,
Suite101, BellaOnline and About.com as well as RV Companion magazine.</div>
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At age 55 she learned to ride a motorcycle, prompted by her
husband who was battling head-neck cancer at the time. Motorcycling turned out to be
the high point of the next few years. Widowed at 57, she spent the winter
planning a once in a lifetime motorcycle trip. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1F9NWndg7rU/UOx_8sO4ejI/AAAAAAAAGHU/JNNvXvS9byQ/s1600/DonnaMyBikes+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1F9NWndg7rU/UOx_8sO4ejI/AAAAAAAAGHU/JNNvXvS9byQ/s320/DonnaMyBikes+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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She decided to ride the 48
contiguous US states on her Harley-Davidson motorcycle, solo. Over five months
and several separate trips she managed to ride through 42 states, covering over
27,000 miles. She also spent three weeks volunteering on the Blackfeet Nation
Reservation in Browning, MT.</div>
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In 2007 she sold her home and belongings, bought a used
Class C motorhome and became a full-time RVer. While traveling in Wyoming she
met her current husband, Stu, who was recently widowed himself. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TVxZ1noll-A/UOyAoqRxcnI/AAAAAAAAGHk/5NrxMK_INng/s1600/DonnaOurFamily+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TVxZ1noll-A/UOyAoqRxcnI/AAAAAAAAGHk/5NrxMK_INng/s320/DonnaOurFamily+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stu, Sadie and Donna McNicol</td></tr>
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He was a
full-time RVer and Harley rider. They currently live and travel full-time
with their pup, Sadie, along with their two Harley-Davidson motorcycles in a
41' fifth wheel toy hauler trailer pulled by their medium duty Freightliner.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-be-uP0rxnK4/UOyCYtfkFkI/AAAAAAAAGIM/t5hMq9lOlv8/s1600/donnamcnicolOurHome+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="99" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-be-uP0rxnK4/UOyCYtfkFkI/AAAAAAAAGIM/t5hMq9lOlv8/s320/donnamcnicolOurHome+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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She started dabbling with fiction writing in 2012, found and
fell in love with flash fiction. She has published several compilations of her
flash fiction stories, two short stories and two novels. Her first book was a
romance, <i>Home Again</i>, which continued the story she told in her
short story, "Lost and Found". Her second novel, <i>Not a Whisper</i>,
is the first in her cozy mystery series, <i>The Klondike Mysteries</i>, set in
Pennsylvania. She plans to continue the Klondike Mystery stories this year as
well as the first romance in a new trilogy.</div>
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<b>DONNA SPEAKS</b></div>
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Retirement isn't for sissies, I have no idea how I got
everything done when I worked and had children at home. Of course it may have
to do with my motorcycle that begs to be ridden at any available opportunity.
Or it may have to do with living and traveling in a 41' toy hauler fifth wheel
so we can travel the country. Or maybe it's the annual cruise or trips to
Disney with the grand kids. Quite possibly my starting to write fiction stories
this past year could have tipped the scale. </div>
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Sixty-five outside but twenty-five inside, who is that gray
haired lady in the mirror and did she get here? As I people watch, a common
hobby of writers, I enjoy watching the older folks and their antics. See that
old couple of there, walking hand in hand. Aren't they cute? Oh, look at those
two dancing towards each other. Aren't they cute?</div>
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Well guess what. My husband and I have both been labeled as
"cute", walking hand in hand during his rehab stint for double knee
replacement. And we were labeled "cute" by the restaurant hostess as
we came dancing out of the restrooms across from each other.</div>
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It seems I have become one of those little old ladies I love
to observe. When did that happen? But I'm not too old to enjoy travel, riding
my Harley-Davidson, playing with my silly Pit-Boxer, Sadie or just enjoying
life. </div>
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<b>MY WRITING</b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z6RrZ6sqb9E/UOyC4NsJWnI/AAAAAAAAGIU/ifUpKKiBqW8/s1600/DonnaMcNicolHA-cover-469x750+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z6RrZ6sqb9E/UOyC4NsJWnI/AAAAAAAAGIU/ifUpKKiBqW8/s320/DonnaMcNicolHA-cover-469x750+(2).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<i><b>Home Again</b></i>, a contemporary romance</div>
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When Chicago's city life takes its toll on single mom Sarah
Davidson, she jumps at the chance to move back home, all the way to the
boondocks of Kansas. Little did she know, the local Sheriff, handsome Carl
Pierce, was making the same move from Tulsa. A tornado of events conspire
against them, tamping the rising fire of passion. Can they beat the odds or
will Sarah regret moving home again?</div>
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<b>READER REVIEW:</b></div>
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"Well, you just got me in a whole lot of trouble. The dishes
are still in the sink from last night 'cause I was reading your new book. You
Go Girl!!! It is great. Your descriptions of the people made me think I was
back in the Midwest in my "growing up" days. That might have been a
made up town - but it sure sounded like my home town - right down to the diner
on Main Street. Can't wait for your next one."</div>
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<b>WHERE TO BUY:</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00AMQ1IO4/iridemyown-20">http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00AMQ1IO4/iridemyown-20</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/264663">http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/264663</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-homeagain-1036154-149.html">http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-homeagain-1036154-149.html</a></div>
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div>
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<b>COMING SOON</b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zmL3miBSFFo/UOyDiRFss8I/AAAAAAAAGIc/dIPdNf9h2fk/s1600/DonnaNAW-cover-562x750+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zmL3miBSFFo/UOyDiRFss8I/AAAAAAAAGIc/dIPdNf9h2fk/s200/DonnaNAW-cover-562x750+(2).jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
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<i><b>Not a Whisper</b></i> [First book in the cozy mystery series, A
Klondike Mystery]</div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/KlondikeMysteries">http://www.facebook.com/KlondikeMysteries</a></div>
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Nestled away close to the New York border is an area of
Pennsylvania that many miss and the residents are glad of that. But even in
this idyllic setting in the middle of the Allegheny National Forest, mysteries
abound. Murder, arson, kidnapping and more. Join our troop of quirky residents
as they help solve each mystery.</div>
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<b>See all of Donna McNicol's books at Amazon:
</b><a href="http://amazon.com/author/donnabmcnicol">http://amazon.com/author/donnabmcnicol</a></div>
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<b>Blogs:</b></div>
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Writing [blog/website] -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><a href="http://donnamcnicol.com/author/">http://donnamcnicol.com/author/</a></div>
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Personal/Travel -<a href="http://2takinga5th.com/"> http://2takinga5th.com/</a></div>
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Route 66 Trip - <a href="http://route66in2011.blogspot.com/">http://route66in2011.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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Sadie Pup- <a href="http://sadiechats.blogspot.com/">http://sadiechats.blogspot.com</a></div>
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Future Cabin - <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%C2%A0http://firelily.us"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>http://firelily.us</a></div>
<br />Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829165784358497536.post-83577801981375489762013-01-10T07:36:00.000-06:002013-01-10T07:36:09.139-06:00Spunky Author Duffy Brown Gets Inspired by Consignment Shopping<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0uPiNZjp78w/UOtPnJ5nCFI/AAAAAAAAGFA/ez9AiW-DRd4/s1600/Duffy+Brown+photo++(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0uPiNZjp78w/UOtPnJ5nCFI/AAAAAAAAGFA/ez9AiW-DRd4/s320/Duffy+Brown+photo++(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"> Duffy Brown
loves anything with a mystery. While others girls dreamed of dating Brad Pitt,
Duffy longed to take Sherlock Holmes to the prom. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2M7ETBNLM1g/UOtPz_IlZEI/AAAAAAAAGFI/Ya-Eco5DOho/s1600/castellduffybrownSpooky+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2M7ETBNLM1g/UOtPz_IlZEI/AAAAAAAAGFI/Ya-Eco5DOho/s200/castellduffybrownSpooky+(2).jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spooky</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_vOBPoHMjs/UOtQEcOpecI/AAAAAAAAGFQ/sJrCxUfaDx0/s1600/castellduffybrowncatWatson+2+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_vOBPoHMjs/UOtQEcOpecI/AAAAAAAAGFQ/sJrCxUfaDx0/s200/castellduffybrowncatWatson+2+(2).jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Watson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"> She has two cats, Spooky and
Dr. Watson, and conjures up who-done-it stories of her very own for Berkley
Prime Crime. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Iced Chiffon</i>, out
October, 2012, is the first in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Consignment
Shop Mystery</i> series. Duffy writes romance as Dianne Castell and is a USA
Today bestselling author.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><b><i>And Now, Here's What Duffy has to say about her Consignment Shop Inspiration:</i></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UPaaTI6ys9s/UOtSCkXmVKI/AAAAAAAAGF4/p_FsSZ_hO0Q/s1600/CastellduffybrownSavannah+2+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UPaaTI6ys9s/UOtSCkXmVKI/AAAAAAAAGF4/p_FsSZ_hO0Q/s1600/CastellduffybrownSavannah+2+(2).jpg" /></a><o:p> </o:p> When I decided to follow my dream and write mysteries I went
with the old adage of write what you know and love. Killing off my kids and
husband in books didn’t seem like a good idea...though there are times when it
was very tempting so instead I went with my job and favorite vacation spot. I
adore Savannah, Georgia, and I work in an upscale consignment shop. That’s how
the series <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Consignment Shop mysteries </i>got
started.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GnI8D0fR6lo/UOtR4ivs-sI/AAAAAAAAGFw/ZKwUGgUOMng/s1600/CastellDuffyBrownconsignmentDSCN1109+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GnI8D0fR6lo/UOtR4ivs-sI/AAAAAAAAGFw/ZKwUGgUOMng/s320/CastellDuffyBrownconsignmentDSCN1109+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Consignment
shopping is the fun of wearing designer clothes on the cheap. I could never
afford a Coach handbag or an Armani jacket but I do love the expensive look and
great quality. Most of all I love bragging to my friends how much I paid! The
conversation goes something like, “Oh, isn’t that a great Kate Spade purse.”
And my reply is, “I got it at the Snooty Fox for forty bucks!” instead of the
usual three-hundred and fifty!</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For years I
shopped consignment stores then decided I needed to work at the Snooty Fox
since I was there all the time looking for deals. My kids were some of the best-dressed
on campus and I did it for K-Mart prices.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-znIOjCohOUY/UOtQi1NtYII/AAAAAAAAGFY/6UeNElOL7_0/s1600/CastellDuffyBrownSnootyfox+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-znIOjCohOUY/UOtQi1NtYII/AAAAAAAAGFY/6UeNElOL7_0/s1600/CastellDuffyBrownSnootyfox+(2).jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Don’t you love the
name Snooty Fox! The Snoot is an upscale consignment shop. How many times have
you bought something, wore it once, decided it wasn’t your color or didn’t fit
the way you liked and you were stuck with it? Well, that’s where the Snooty Fox
comes in. You can sell your green plaid jacket that you just had to have but
then decided you hated at the Snoot. There is a customer out there who will
love that jacket and pay you good money for it. </div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How this works is
that you open an account and hand over your clothes. The Snoot chooses which
clothes they will take...it’s called Snooty for a reason, we only take the good
stuff. The clothes must be cleaned, pressed, on a hanger, gently worn, in very
good condition, and within a two-year style period. The price is a third to a
fourth of retail and you get half of that when the item sells. Not a bad deal
for something hanging in the back of your closet that you’re never going to
wear again!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Consignment
shopping is a lot like solving a mystery. It’s all about the hunt for the
perfect scarf, skirt or shoes. I think that’s why the Consignment Shop
mysteries seemed like a perfect fit. The hunt is on!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hUn1iHdTfTA/UOtRa70eu5I/AAAAAAAAGFo/x_Ob_Isaubo/s1600/castellduffybrowndancing+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hUn1iHdTfTA/UOtRa70eu5I/AAAAAAAAGFo/x_Ob_Isaubo/s200/castellduffybrowndancing+(2).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m always amazed
at where someone’s hobby or special interest leads them. I have a friend who
loves to paint and is now doing murals on nursery room walls. Another friend
loves to dance, took lessons and met her future husband at an Arthur Murray
studio.</div>
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</div>
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So what about you and your hobbies or special interests? Did
you meet a best friend? Your mate? Visit a new place? Get an award for
perfecting your hobby or even teach a class on it? </div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hobbies enriched
our lives and often take us to places we never expected...like a murder mystery
series. Who would have thought.</div>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I’ll give away two Iced Chiffon totes from the answers. Please leave your email address so you can be contacted.</span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7CgI1dG0hyY/UOtQ5UbU2-I/AAAAAAAAGFg/9O7Kl526umw/s1600/castellduffybrownIcedChiffonbook+best+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7CgI1dG0hyY/UOtQ5UbU2-I/AAAAAAAAGFg/9O7Kl526umw/s200/castellduffybrownIcedChiffonbook+best+(2).jpg" width="123" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">About Iced Chiffon:</span></i></b></div>
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</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">To pay for rehabbing the dilapidated Victorian house she loves, Reagan
Summerside opens the Prissy Fox consignment shop on the first floor and gets
involved in the lives of her Savannah customers, neighbors, ex husband and the
attorney who screwed her over in the divorce. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Murder and mayhem at the consignment shop for the ex, his Cupcake and
the badass attorney </span><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Amazon Link: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://amzn.com/0425251608">http://amzn.com/0425251608</a></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><b>Barnes and Noble:</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/iced-chiffon-duffy-brown/1108799465?ean=9780425251607">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/iced-chiffon-duffy-brown/1108799465?ean=9780425251607</a></div>
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<b>Happy Reading.</b></div>
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Duffy Brown</div>
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Berkley Prime Crime</div>
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<a href="mailto:DuffyBrown@DuffyBrown.com">DuffyBrown@DuffyBrown.com</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.DuffyBrown.com/">http://www.DuffyBrown.com</a></div>
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Mystery and Mayhem for Fun and Profit </div>
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Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829165784358497536.post-79998246490314819462013-01-02T16:37:00.000-06:002013-01-02T16:37:00.820-06:00Spunky 76 Year Old Velda Brotherton Restarts Her Career Through eBooks<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-funqId-8kw0/UODDTYAaatI/AAAAAAAAGAU/1RXvIoeMVt8/s1600/veldaHolton+KS+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-funqId-8kw0/UODDTYAaatI/AAAAAAAAGAU/1RXvIoeMVt8/s320/veldaHolton+KS+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Velda Brotherton at a<br />
Holton, Texas Book Fair</td></tr>
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One of the most challenging things I've faced as a 76 year
old author has been trying to restart a career in E books and all that goes
with such an endeavor. Twenty-eight years ago, when I began writing on a
portable Sears typewriter, I never dreamed of such a thing as the Internet and
computers. Even when my first books were published by Penguin/Topaz, the word
processor I used was a far cry from computers of today. And there was no
Internet.</div>
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By the time the mid-list crisis hit in the early 2000s, and
book publishers began to fall like pins in a busy bowling lane, I'd had six
books published in New York. Though sales increased with each release, it
wasn't enough to hit the best seller list so, a victim of budget cuts <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I slunk back to regional nonfiction publishing
with my tail between my legs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Two summers were spent on the road, the first researching
and finalizing a nonfiction book, the second making three to five appearances
every week in libraries, historical societies, museums and book clubs. By the end
I had sold a lot of books but was physically exhausted. It was something I
doubted I could do again. Meanwhile, I'd done a lot of fiction writing, but
truly thought my career was over.</div>
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Till the Ebook phenomenon exploded.</div>
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Here was my chance, and I embraced it. I limped my way into
using a computer, and everything about that process has been a tremendous
challenge, but I love to write, so what was I to do? </div>
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Having begun my career after the age of fifty, I was pretty
long in the tooth to start over again. And I probably wouldn't have had it not
been for Ebooks and Indie publishers. I'd cut my teeth on Indies for
nonfiction, so it seemed natural to turn to them for fiction.</div>
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My mother taught me to be tough and stubborn and do what I
wanted no matter what anyone else said. So I refused to look at the calendar
that told me I was getting too old to work. And at the age of 74 I embarked on
a completely new learning process. I set some goals, the first of which was to obtain
a reversion of rights on my out-of-print New York books available again. While
waiting for something to happen, I'd had several nonfiction regional books
published, one of which was a finalist in the WILLA Literary awards and I'd
written a few novels in different genres just to keep busy.</div>
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It wasn't long before I learned that converting my books to
Kindle was going to be tough. I wanted to do it myself rather than pay someone.
I had my work cut out for me. The first step was to have the books scanned
because I had no computer copies of the manuscripts. When the scans came back,
I edited them carefully, then set about learning how to format them for Kindle.
That was the steepest learning curve I've ever encountered, but thanks to
several writer friends, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I managed to
learn this process. Then went on to create some decent book covers. This took
almost an entire summer.</div>
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While this was going on, I edited a couple of book
manuscripts and sent them off to Indie publishers. They were accepted
immediately. By the time I had a couple of books uploaded to Kindle I had my
first two books published by two indie presses.</div>
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Today I have seven Kindle books of my own available, plus
all 14 of my previously published books are now available through Kindle, and a
new one was released a few weeks ago. Two of the new indie books are also
available in print.</div>
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During the past year I've given four all-day workshops on
publishing to Kindle and am currently learning everything I can about online
promotion. I'll be 77 in February, 2013, and have no intention of slowing down
in my writing, though I no longer hit the road much to promote. I am scheduled
to speak at two conferences in 2013, but friends lend a hand when I have
appearances to make. When I'm asked to speak somewhere I say yes if I can at
all because I still enjoy being out among writers, but I don't go looking for
engagements. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SAr4336mqqM/UODDpgOIW9I/AAAAAAAAGAc/05e7q_-c1kk/s1600/VeldaPanel+OCW+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SAr4336mqqM/UODDpgOIW9I/AAAAAAAAGAc/05e7q_-c1kk/s320/VeldaPanel+OCW+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Velda Brotherton at An Ozark Creative Writers Panel</td></tr>
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Oh, yes, I still co-chair a critique group that we formed about 26
years ago. We meet every Thursday, have 45 registered members and have anywhere
from 12 to 21 people show up each week.</div>
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Promotion online takes up a big portion of my writing time,
but I'm working on a novella and another novel in The Victorian series for The
Wild Rose Press. I have no intention of slowing down as of yet.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrPhqsDb4-k/UODD4ESYXxI/AAAAAAAAGAk/9OX4jiQwHHs/s1600/veldabArtist+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrPhqsDb4-k/UODD4ESYXxI/AAAAAAAAGAk/9OX4jiQwHHs/s320/veldabArtist+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Velda Brotherton working on an oil painting. Some<br />of her paintings can be found on Muttonline.com. </td></tr>
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Besides writing, speaking and giving workshops I love to
paint and though I don't have as much time as I'd like to pursue that hobby
right now.</div>
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<b>About Velda's book, <i>Wilda's Outlaw</i>: </b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LZM-FMGZmpY/UODEBL4XJLI/AAAAAAAAGAs/9qwjSHePFKg/s1600/VeltaWildasOutlaw_TheVictorians_w7621_750+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LZM-FMGZmpY/UODEBL4XJLI/AAAAAAAAGAs/9qwjSHePFKg/s320/VeltaWildasOutlaw_TheVictorians_w7621_750+(2).jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px;">Calder Raines and his outlaw gang may be more than Wilda bargained for. All she wanted was to escape an unwanted marriage, now she finds herself in the arms of a tantalizing man whose warm kisses arouse a storm of forbidden desires. Calder never wanted to rob banks, but it's a family tradition. When he embraces the alluring redhead, passion conquers good sense and he imagines a life he cannot have.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px;"><i>Wilda's Outlaw</i> link: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009Y89PXW" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1356906639_0" style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009Y89PXW</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px;">Velda's blog:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px;"><a href="http://www.veldabrotherton.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1356906639_1" style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">http://www.veldabrotherton.wordpress.com</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px;">Website: <a href="http://www.veldabrotherton.com/">http://www.veldabrotherton.com</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><b>Some Other books by Velda Brotherton:</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><i>Stone Heart's Woman</i>: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/6q3fab5" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1356906639_3" style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">http://www.tinyurl.com/6q3fab5</span></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"></span></span></div>
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<i>Wolf Song</i>: <a href="http://www.synergebooks.com/ebook_wolfsong.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1356906639_4" style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">http://www.synergebooks.com/ebook_wolfsong.html</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><b>Please welcome Velda Brotherton to Spunky Senior Authors and Talents by leaving a comment. </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"></span></span><br />
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</span></span>Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829165784358497536.post-61060784202270821822012-12-26T15:46:00.000-06:002012-12-26T15:46:00.174-06:00Spunky Senior Surfer, Larry K. Collins, Teams Up With Wife, Lorna to Write<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4829165784358497536" name="_GoBack"></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Meet the Spunky Surfing
Senior<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4O4wXS6OVlg/UNN6IA4jIJI/AAAAAAAAF84/-y0vFLwpAvE/s1600/larrycollinssurfer+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4O4wXS6OVlg/UNN6IA4jIJI/AAAAAAAAF84/-y0vFLwpAvE/s320/larrycollinssurfer+%25282%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larry K. Collins</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Larry K. Collins,
multi-published author, began his love affair with surfing at about fourteen
years of age. His passion has never faded. In fact, when he and his wife, Lorna, lived in Japan
between 1998 and 2001, he took his board with him. In their book, <b><i>31 Months
in Japan: The Building of a Theme Park</i></b>, he tells about how difficult it
was to get to the beach, only to find very little surf.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ehJJzxlWRLM/UNN_fW5I3JI/AAAAAAAAF-Y/fT8B9YCAQnY/s1600/lornaandlarrycollins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ehJJzxlWRLM/UNN_fW5I3JI/AAAAAAAAF-Y/fT8B9YCAQnY/s320/lornaandlarrycollins.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lorna and Larry K. Collins<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Twenty-five years
ago, he and his wife and co-author, Lorna, moved to Dana Point, California, so
that he could be near the beach. Previously, they’d lived inland and had to
drive about an hour and a half to reach the waves. Now, it takes five-minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Larry retired in
2011 at age sixty-seven, and he’s never looked back. Each morning he and his
seventy-five-year-old best friend, Robert Schwenck, hit the ‘dawn patrol.’ They
ride for an hour or so, and then go back to Bob’s house for breakfast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-80M0bperDW8/UNN_ot3pi7I/AAAAAAAAF-g/xQX1gSFmR8Q/s1600/Larrycollins_2010+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-80M0bperDW8/UNN_ot3pi7I/AAAAAAAAF-g/xQX1gSFmR8Q/s320/Larrycollins_2010+(2).jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larry K. Collins</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sometimes Bob’s son
and grandkids join them. Here’s a link to a YouTube video Larry took on
September 13, 2012 showing Bob, Larry, and Bob’s son, Eric: </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/9qq9xhu">http://tinyurl.com/9qq9xhu</a>
And here are some still photos taken on September 19, 2012: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/9cn2lf3">http://tinyurl.com/9cn2lf3</a> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lorna has spent so
much time around surfing (Many of their dates were beach trips.) that she wrote
one into her latest novel, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ghost Writer</i></b>. He’s the guy who lives
next door to Nan Burton, the young lady who inherits a cottage on the sand. It
comes complete with its own ghost! Of course, the surfer is Nan’s ideal for a
hero. (Lorna’s, too!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When Larry wrote
his short story collection, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lakeview Park</i></b>, he had to include a
surfer. The story of George is based on a few incidents from his own
experience. (The floating bikini top really happened, but it wasn’t Lorna’s and
he never went out with the owner.) This is Larry’s favorite of the fifteen
stories in the collection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Most of their vacations
still require the proximity of an ocean and waves. Through the years, they have
visited Hawaii numerous times and have never grown tired of this tropical
Paradise. In fact, they set their mysteries, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Murder… They Wrote </i></b>and <b><i>Murder
in Paradise</i></b> in Hawaii. After all, it’s always necessary to visit to do
research. They just returned from their latest trip, ready to continue the
third book in the series.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4829165784358497536" name="_GoBack"></a>A Sampling of Their Books:</i></b></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><i><b>31 MONTHS IN JAPAN: THE BUILDING OF A THEME PARK</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zxMSX7GVKHM/UNN8lPKBO7I/AAAAAAAAF9c/B82wetL69qI/s1600/LarrykandLornaCollinsCoverArt+31MonthsJapan+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zxMSX7GVKHM/UNN8lPKBO7I/AAAAAAAAF9c/B82wetL69qI/s200/LarrykandLornaCollinsCoverArt+31MonthsJapan+(2).jpg" width="140" /></a></div>
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<i>31 Months in
Japan—the Building of a Theme Park</i> is the story of two Southern
Californians who embark on the adventure of a lifetime—moving to Japan to
participate in the construction of the Universal Studios Japan theme park.
While there, they encountered the wonders and frustrations of the culture as
well as the challenges of conducting business following foreign formal rituals.
Japanese customs seemed awkward at first, but eventually they established
effective working relationships and personal ones as well.</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><i><b>MURDER… THEY WROTE</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iXE3wfjgMaE/UNN8t44baGI/AAAAAAAAF9k/RszTnneUi30/s1600/LarrykandLornaCollinsMurderTheyWroteMTW_Cover+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iXE3wfjgMaE/UNN8t44baGI/AAAAAAAAF9k/RszTnneUi30/s200/LarrykandLornaCollinsMurderTheyWroteMTW_Cover+(2).jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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What if a retired NYPD officer is
asked to investigate a mysterious death at an authors’ conference where
attendees offer their theories and suspicions? Agapé Jones, retired NYPD
detective, tries to determine the truth surrounding the death of a noted poet
and critic. Confusing and confounding him are the victim’s romance novelist
ex-girlfriend, current young girlfriend, ex-wife, recently discovered
illegitimate daughter, agent, an action/adventure author, famous psychic,
long-time friend, and the mysterious countess. Peopled by a cast of quirky and
deliciously amusing characters, <i>Murder…They Wrote</i> is filled with accusations,
theories, twists, turns and surprises.</div>
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<i><b>MURDER IN PARADISE</b></i></div>
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On an early morning paddle, an
outrigger team finds a body in the water off Maui. Agapé Jones, retired NYPD
detective, is asked to act as special investigator in the murder of a famous
surfer, the son of a Hawaii state senator. The assignment takes Agapé to the
North Shore of Oahu where he discovers that he’s investigating more than just a
murder. <i>Murder in Paradise</i> allows readers to solve the case along with the
detective while experiencing a virtual trip to the real Paradise that is Hawaii.</div>
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<i><b>LAKEVIEW PARK</b></i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uDmPsFXq5PQ/UNN9CQMRwAI/AAAAAAAAF90/dUfeyfU-Bfo/s1600/larrykcollinslakeviewparkCover-Front+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uDmPsFXq5PQ/UNN9CQMRwAI/AAAAAAAAF90/dUfeyfU-Bfo/s200/larrykcollinslakeviewparkCover-Front+(2).jpg" width="124" /></a></div>
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Many people enjoy Lakeview Park,
and each one has a unique story. Between the pages, you’ll meet fifteen of
them. <i>Lakeview Park</i> is a collection of O. Henry-like slice-of-life stories
about the people who frequent a fictitious park. These tales reveal folks of
all ages, from small children to the elderly.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 19px;">Check out Lorna's blog at</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px;">: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://lornacollins-author.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank" title="http://lornacollins-author.blogspot.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1356038929_1" style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">http://lornacollins-author.blogspot.com/</span></a></span></div>
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To Read More and/or Click to Buy Any of The Above Books and Others by Larry and Lorna, </div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px;">Go To: <a href="http://www.lornalarry.com/">http://www.lornalarry.com</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px;"></span><br />
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<i><b>Please welcome Larry K. Collins to Spunky Senior Authors and Talents by leaving a comment.</b></i></div>
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Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829165784358497536.post-71939493420117346502012-12-19T14:37:00.000-06:002012-12-19T18:19:20.177-06:00Spunky Senior Author, Lorna Collins, Shares Christmas in California<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-clbYcQK3Ccg/ULPS2l-CLsI/AAAAAAAAF3k/V9Es6QxHRMk/s1600/Lornacollins1+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-clbYcQK3Ccg/ULPS2l-CLsI/AAAAAAAAF3k/V9Es6QxHRMk/s320/Lornacollins1+(2).jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lorna Collins</td></tr>
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<b><i>Today, Lorna is Sharing Her California Christmas With Us </i></b><br />
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<b>Christmas in California by Lorna Collins</b></div>
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As a native Californian, I'm often asked how it can feel
like Christmas with no snow. After all, Irving Berlin wrote White Christmas
while sitting around a hotel pool in Beverly Hills.</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The sun is shining,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The grass is green,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The orange and palm trees sway.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">There's never been such a day<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In Beverly Hills, L.A.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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(Verse of "White
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People always think there's no snow in this part of the
state. In fact, we even had snow at our house. Of course, the only time it
happened in my lifetime was in 1949.</div>
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However, this is one of the few places in the world where we
have such varied micro-climates. Within a couple of hours, it is possible to go
from the beach to the snow in the mountains to the desert. In fact, for many
years, three men in San Clemente had a New Year's Day ritual. They began the
morning by surfing at San Clemente pier. Then they jumped in the car and went
to Big Bear to go skiing. In the late afternoon, they went to the desert.</div>
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You may think that since we live here, we've never
experienced white Christmases. You'd be wrong.</div>
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In 1969, we spent the holidays in the Chicago area of
Illinois with gray skies and wet, heavy snow. It was bitterly cold and going
outside was a chore. And the fierce winds off the lake blew the bone-chilling
freezing cold through us. No amount of warm clothing could really keep us warm.
Since it was our first time away from our families during the holidays, we
really wanted to be back in the warmth of our home.</div>
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Two years later, we lived in Denver, Colorado. This snow was
white powder. After a day or two of stormy weather, the skies cleared, the
roads were cleaned, and the area became a winter play land. Although we still
had to bundle up against the cold, the nearby mountains were worth the effort.</div>
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When we left Chicago, I was sure we'd never live anywhere
with worse winters. Then we moved to Osaka, Japan. Our home was in the suburb
of Takarazuka, about an hour outside the city. The fierce wind blew down the
ice-covered slopes of Mt. Rokko and penetrated our bones.</div>
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Once again, being so far from home made the holidays harder.</div>
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After three winters in Japan, we were so glad to be back
home in Dana Point. The weather gets cool and crisp between November and March
but without the bitter cold. As Larry says, "And you don't have to scrape
the sunshine off the windshield."</div>
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December is my favorite month here at the beach. The skies
are blue, unlike in the summer when 'June gloom' (morning fog) blankets the
coast until noon. It's usually cool enough for a sweatshirt but warm enough to
be comfortable. And the summer crowds are long gone.</div>
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Having experienced the traditional white Christmas, we
prefer the holiday<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4829165784358497536" name="_GoBack"></a> right here at the beach without snow!</div>
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<b><i>And here's something about Lorna's Book:</i></b></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>GHOST WRITER</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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When an unemployed computer
programmer inherits a California beach cottage from her great-great-aunt, she’s
delighted. But she’s in for a huge surprise: The house is haunted by the ghost
of a famous romance writer who insists the young woman complete his last novel,
threatening to keep her from sleeping until she agrees. The ensuing clash pits
youth against the long-dead but still egotistical author with humorous and moving
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<b>Stay Tuned For Next Week To Read About Lorna's Husband, Surfing Larry, and The Books They've Written Together.</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lorna and Larry Collins<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In the meantime, you can check out their books at <a href="http://www.lornalarry.com/">http://www.lornalarry.com</a></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Lorna Collins</span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> and her husband, Larry, were raised in Alhambra, California where they attended grammar school and high school together. They have been married for over forty years and have one daughter, Kimberly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Larry is an engineer and spent many years working on various projects throughout the United States and around the world. They both love to travel whenever they get the chance. Lorna was in Document Control, IT Change Management, and Technical Writing prior to her recent retirement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">They both worked in Osaka, Japan on the Universal Studios Japan theme park. Larry was a Project Engineer, responsible for the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Jurassic</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Park</st1:placetype></st1:place>, JAWS, and WaterWorld attractions. Lorna was the Document Control Supervisor in the Osaka field office.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Their memoir of that experience, <b><i>31 Months in Japan: The Building of a Theme Park,</i></b> was a 2006 EPPIE finalist and named as one of Rebeccas Reads Best nonfiction books of 2005.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Their cozy mysteries, <b><i>Murder... They Wrote </i></b>and<b><i> Murder in Paradise</i></b> (2011 EPIC eBook Award finalist) were published by Whiskey Creek Press. Both are set in Hawaii featuring protagonist Agapé Jones. They have at least two more books planned in this cozy mystery series.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Lorna also writes anthologies with several friends, also for Whiskey Creek Press. Together they have published <b><i>Snowflake Secrets</i></b> (Dream Realm Award, Eric Hoffer, and EPPIE finalist), <b><i>Seasons of Love</i></b>, <b><i>Directions of Love</i></b> (2011 EPIC eBook Award winner) and <b><i>An Aspen Grove Christmas.</i></b> The first three were written with Sherry Derr-Wille, <st1:personname w:st="on">Christie Shary</st1:personname> and Luanna Rugh. The last also introduced new author Cheryl Gardarian. The group’s next anthology, <b><i>The Art of Love</i></b>, will be published soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Lorna’s first solo work, <b><i>Ghost Writer</i></b> was released in 2012 by Oak Tree Press.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">She is currently hard at work on another ghost story, a new anthology, and the next mystery. In addition, she and Larry have begun an historical novel set in San Juan Capistrano.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">They currently live in Dana Point, California.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i>Please leave a comment to welcome Lorna Collins to Spunky Senior Authors and Talents.</i></b><br />
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Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829165784358497536.post-7065776009480193052012-12-05T14:47:00.000-06:002012-12-05T14:47:00.297-06:00Spunky Senior Author Larriane aka Larion Wills Shares Misconceptions About the Hard of Hearing<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larriane aka Larion Wills</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Born in Oklahoma, but raised in Arizona Larriane/Larion feels a native to the state and has settled in the high desert country. Her first publisher used to tease her about 'coming out of the closet' as she had written all her life but didn't take the manuscripts out of the closet and begin submitting until after her half-century birthday. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"> In a quiet, rural area with a family who tolerates her writer’s single-mindedness, she presents us with a series of science fiction and unique westerns while still producing contemporary romances, many laced with paranormal settings, all with strong characterizations and suspenseful plots, capable of dragging you into a story in a genre you thought you didn’t care for. Under her pen of Larriane she writes science fiction and fantasy. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">As well as being an writer, Larriane is also an editor. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Visitors are always welcome at her website, <a href="http://www.larriane.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">http://www.larriane.com</span></a> where blurbs and excerpts of her current titles can be found, and buy links, of course. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"></span> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jo_cJKG9ArA/UJAoEqXuBJI/AAAAAAAAFqA/krkTT7IHVsU/s1600/larrianeguyandnekkonew+babies+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jo_cJKG9ArA/UJAoEqXuBJI/AAAAAAAAFqA/krkTT7IHVsU/s400/larrianeguyandnekkonew+babies+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larriane/Larion's constant companions, Guy and Nekko<br /></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><b><i>And Now, Larriane/Larion has words some of you can relate to, or at least understand:</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;"><b>Are
you rude or infinitely patient?</b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2dSDaidPCII/UJAm2qfRozI/AAAAAAAAFpk/ngrh-U3ASgc/s1600/larrianefamilyPICT0086+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2dSDaidPCII/UJAm2qfRozI/AAAAAAAAFpk/ngrh-U3ASgc/s320/larrianefamilyPICT0086+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only part of that tolerant family with 4 generations on<br />hand for 50th wedding anniversary.</td></tr>
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Today I’m not even going to talk about writing, at least
not in the actual writing. As an author, you’re told you have to promote, go to
conferences, books signings, book fairs, etc. Having attended a few is why I
ask are you rude of infinitely patient?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
you don’t know, carry on a conversation with someone hard of hearing. Don’t get
the wrong idea. I’m not slamming people with a hearing handicap. I’m on the
receiving end, not the giving. About twenty years ago, thanks to a doctor who
gave me a medication in too strong a dosage for too long a time, I lost the
majority of my hearing. Since, I’ve discovered people who answer to both ends
of that question. To some, I suddenly become invisible to a degree they not only
cut me out of a conversation; they turn their backs to me. Are they
embarrassed, thoughtless, or….? I really don’t know, but I do know, there are
more on the other side, for which I’m grateful. I know it’s frustrating to have
to repeat what you say, two or three times. It’s frustrating to me to have to
ask you to. I’m happy to say the ratio of those willing to is far higher than those
who get irritated, rude, or back off when I move closer to hear better. Honestly,
I’ve had people back away to the point I worried about BO more than did I
invading their space. On the opposite end are those like a clerk I asked questions
about my computer. He’d repeated the information in parts for the third time
before he asked, “Are you having trouble understanding me or hearing me?” I
could have hugged him. He didn’t look at me as if I were stupid. Furthermore,
he didn’t start yelling at me to embarrass me. Yelling, btw, only makes it
worse. Yelling distorts the sounds I’m already having trouble recognizing. I
have about 25% speech recognition in one ear. I supplement that with lip reading
which at its best is estimated to be 33%. Anything that distorts the sound or
obscures your mouth lessens my ability to catch enough to make sense of what
you’re saying, although admittedly there are some people who don’t make any
sense anyway. Poor diction makes it nearly impossible. I’m became more and more
aware of how poorly people speak, enough to make me wonder do they not teach
pronunciation in the schools anymore. Slurring, running words together, talking
a mile a minute, and chewing gum take my comprehension abilities down to about
one word in twenty.</div>
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As hard of hearing, I would like to pass these tips along
in talking to people ‘like us.’ </div>
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Get our attention. This doesn’t mean walk up and slap us on
the back, punch us on the arm, or some people’s favorite, slap the fanny. Not
only is it jarring to the nerves, it’s irritating. A light touch on the arm or
shoulder is so appreciated. If you’re across the room, waving wildly usually
helps. Also what works nicely is to ask a hearing person near us to touch us
lightly on the arm and point in your direction.</div>
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Look at and talk in our direction. It isn’t necessary to
look us in the eye. I know that makes some people uncomfortable. I wouldn’t
look you in the eye anyway; I’d be watching your mouth. Keep in mind if you’re
looking over your shoulder, to the side, or even at the floor, not only is it
difficult to see your mouth, the sound is going that direction.</div>
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Don’t cover your mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’d be surprised how many people do that when they’re talking. Are
they afraid they have spinach in their teeth?</div>
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Don’t shout. I’ve already explained why. Sometimes pitching
your voice to another level helps, but generally speaking normally works the
best. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Pronoun your words clearly. Self explanatory.</div>
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Speak at a normal rate. By that I mean, just because
someone tells you they’re hard of hearing, don’t think talking in slow motion
is going to help. I’ve found slow motion is like shouting. It tends to distort.
I’mmmmm gooooing<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">—</span>etc. I have
asked people to slow down. It’s usually last about three words into a sentence
before they’re back up to speed.</div>
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Don’t be irritated if they parrot back what you said. I’m
just making sure I heard you right before I answer.</div>
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Be patient. That’s the most important thing, and enjoy some
of the unexpected humor when you ask a question. I’ve given some off the wall
answers to what I thought was said. I can always tell when I’ve heard wrong by
the ‘Huh?’ expressions I get. Those can be pretty comical. Ah, yes, a sense of
humor helps, too. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HlqO-g6m3zg/UJAner2c-7I/AAAAAAAAFpw/Btw0QmVrL30/s1600/larrianethebastardsofran200x300+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HlqO-g6m3zg/UJAner2c-7I/AAAAAAAAFpw/Btw0QmVrL30/s1600/larrianethebastardsofran200x300+(2).jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;">About Her Book: From the atrocities of war a decision was made to save their race and their world. Protection of those of paramount value must be assured by any means. Ships orbiting their planet were built. Only when their planet would not support even war, the last and lowest, the military, were sent to the ships. From the age of seven when his training began, Jaylon knew only military. Guard duty in the Paramount lounge should have been easy duty though he was warned by his peers to never trust the Paramounts, especially the woman. Many played a game, flirt with military, and report them for punishment for breaches of protocol. His secret assignment, discover the trickster and the method behind the self-moving, sometimes attacking objects. From the first night, Tieanna caught his attention. She didn’t flirt. She tormented, using a formidable weapon, the truth. Hidden behind the lies, corruption, and betrayal of all but the chosen few, was the Paramounts’ fear, resurrection of the Bastards of Ran. Surely they and their powers were no more than legend. Who could believe in powers of the telepathic mind to healing with the touch of their hands? Jaylon did not. Still, if the belief of the Bastards, and their belief all were equal, revived then too would revolt and treason?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?keyword=Larion+Wills+&Search=Search&Itemid=1&option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">MuseItUp Publishing</span></a>--buy link</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bBNtCL6nJN0/UJAnzU9WtfI/AAAAAAAAFp4/HjfMdET11BE/s1600/Larrianeyard+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bBNtCL6nJN0/UJAnzU9WtfI/AAAAAAAAFp4/HjfMdET11BE/s320/Larrianeyard+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where Larriane/Larion relaxes when not writing.</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 15px;"><a href="http://www.larriane.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1351624087_0" style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Larriane AKA Larion Wills</span></a> </span></div>
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<o:p> </o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 15px;"><a href="https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?keyword=Larion+Wills+&Search=Search&Itemid=1&option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">MuseItUp Publishing</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><a href="http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1351118848_2" style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Secret Cravings Publishing</span></a></span></div>
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<b>Please welcome Larriane/Larion to Spunky by leaving a comment.</b></div>
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Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829165784358497536.post-30373136388069309382012-11-28T09:39:00.000-06:002012-11-28T09:39:00.549-06:00Spunky Senior Author, Lesley A. Diehl, Likes and Writes About Senior Sleuths <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7gjSxTk-YZ0/ULOLRrkxrCI/AAAAAAAAF1Y/iWyclHLf0EE/s1600/lesleydiehlprofile8873_small+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7gjSxTk-YZ0/ULOLRrkxrCI/AAAAAAAAF1Y/iWyclHLf0EE/s320/lesleydiehlprofile8873_small+(2).jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesley A. Diehl</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>ABOUT OUR GUEST, LESLEY A. DIEHL</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lesley A. Diehl retired from her life as a professor of psychology and reclaimed her country roots by moving to a small cottage in the Butternut River Valley in upstate New York.<span> </span>In the winter she migrates to old Florida—cowboys, scrub palmetto, and open fields of grazing cattle, a place where spurs still jingle in the post office, and gators make golf a contact sport.<span> </span>Back north, the shy ghost inhabiting the cottage serves as her literary muse.<span> </span>When not writing, she gardens, cooks and renovates the 1874 cottage with the help of her husband, two cats, and, of course, Fred the ghost, who gives artistic direction to their work.<span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She is author of several short stories and several mystery series: the microbrewing mystery series set in the Butternut Valley (<i>A Deadly Draught</i> and <i>Poisoned Pairings</i>) and a rural Florida series, <i>Dumpster Dying</i> and <i>Grilled, Killed and Chilled </i>(to be released late in 2012).<span> </span>She recently signed a three-book deal with Camel Press for The Consignment Shop Murders including <i>A Secondhand Murder</i>.<span> </span>For something more heavenly, try her mystery <i>Angel Sleuth.<span> </span></i>Several of her short stories have been published by Untreedreads including one (Murder with All the Trimmings) in the original Thanksgiving anthology <i>The Killer Wore Cranberry</i> and another (Mashed in the Potatoes) in the second anthology <i>The Killer Wore Cranberry: A Second Helping</i>.<span> </span>She invites readers to visit her on her blog and website.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>LESLEY SHARES THOUGHTS ABOUT HER FAVORITE SENIOR SLEUTHS</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Agatha Christie,
Dorothy Gilman and Me </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">By Lesley A.
Diehl</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I’ve been reading several of the Mrs.
Pollifax books, ones I never got to before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love the character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wears
well over the years as does Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both, in their individual ways, could be
considered spunky senior sleuths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps they age so well because the boomers are getting older and can
identify with them more easily now than when they were younger, yet I read and
loved Miss Marple in my teens and twenties and Emily Pollifax in my
thirties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is it that makes these
women so appealing to young readers and older ones alike?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Christie did a magical thing when she
took the image of the meddlesome old spinster in town and turned it on its head
to create Miss Marple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a woman
who resides in the idyllic English village, quaint shops, narrow streets, one
doctor, an old stone church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peaceful,
yet murder often comes to visit, and Miss Marple welcomes the challenge of
solving the crime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s not meddlesome,
rather she’s observant and brilliant, but more than those qualities, she
possesses kindness and the ability to listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>People confide in her, often young<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Criminals underestimate
her, assuming age to be an infirmity to deduction,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>while she proves it only adds to her arsenal
of reasoning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s a spry elder who
gets around the village with ease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those
whom she does not know in the town, she knows of or can learn about through her
other contacts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s the woman you want
living next door to you if you’re not a criminal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She provides<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>better security than an alarm system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The village, the manners and the customs
of Miss Marple’s life take us to a time we may find had more charm and face-on
encounters than the present does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a
transporting read, away from the stress of our own, more fast-paced lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The escape value of the stories alone is
reason to read Christie, yet there is also something timeless about the
character in her likeability, her intelligence and her ability to defy our own
prejudices about what older people are like.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Gilman’s Emily Pollifax takes the best
of Miss Marple and adds other dimensions to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Younger than Miss Marple and part of a larger
community, Emily Pollifax is a woman who refuses to let life leave her
behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has taken karate lessons and
sometimes uses them to fight off the bad guys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although she dresses in keeping with her age, she loves hats for
example, sensible shoes, of course, Gilman gives her a most unlikely avocation,
spy for the CIA, and takes her detective off on assignment to countries from
old Bulgaria to a rebellion-torn African nation to Syria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emily Pollifax is no less a brilliant
problem-solver than Miss Marple, but where riding a bicycle in the village
might be the most physical Miss Marple might get, a karate-chop and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">a ride on a
camel would not be unlikely for Emily Pollifax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The world has become Emily’s village,
yet these two women sleuths share similar personalities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both inspire confidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Young people share secrets with Emily
Pollifax much as they did with Miss Marple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Both look their ages, making them fit in where a younger sleuth might be
noticed or seen as suspicious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who would
suspect a little old lady of being a CIA operative?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bad guys still can’t believe a
grandmotherly type could outthink them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These women surprise many who know them as well as those who dismiss
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are perfect sleuths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are senior sleuths.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I don’t think a writer can improve on
the formula used by Christie and Gilman, but I have tried to update the senior
sleuth a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emily Rhodes, my
protagonist in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dumpster Dying</i>, the
first in my Big Lake mystery series(the second <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grilled, Chilled and Killed</i> is due out soon from Oak Tree Press) is
a retired preschool teacher who winters in rural Florida.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her life partner has died leaving no will,
and everything is in his name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
support herself, Emily takes on a bartending job at the Big Lake Country Club
where she discovers the body of the county’s wealthiest rancher in the
dumpster. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I’ve tried to adhere to what I think
works in Christie and Gilman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
protagonist is retired, in her fifties, and was a preschool teacher, someone
who wouldn’t be perceived as a threat to any bad guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, I made her small in stature,
only about five feet in height, not likely to frighten off any killer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s smart, but does<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>most of her reasoning on her feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve also made her the kind of person others
confide in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There are differences between my senior
sleuth and Christie’s and Gilman’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s
a bit bolder than Marple and Pollifax, and sometimes she takes foolish
chances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although Mrs. Pollifax marries
again in the Gilman books, there’s not much romance in them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I give my protagonist the attention of two
men, one a detective, the other a bass fisherman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several plot twists involve family
secrets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think these departures from
the Christie and Gilman approach make the book read more contemporary and
quicken its pace as well as make the plot more complex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also have ramped up the grittiness of the
setting by making the wilds of rural Florida figure into the plot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I am no Christie or Gilman, but I think
writers can do well examining what has worked in favorite books and emulate
some of that in their own work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope
what I’ve used from these mistresses of crime and the differences I’ve
introduced make my books both enjoyable and novel reads.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">My website: </span><a href="http://www.lesleydiehl.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.lesleydiehl.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">My blog: </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://anotherdraught.blogspot.com/">http://anotherdraught.blogspot.com</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>ABOUT LESLEY'S BOOK, <i>POISONED PAIRINGS</i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;">The threat of hydraulic fracturing or fracking, a controversial technique to extract gas from shale, invades the Butternut Valley .<span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"> </span>Hera Knightsbridge and her fellow brewers fear it will pollute the brewers’ most precious ingredient, water, as well as destroy the beauty of the valley.<span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"> </span>And then murder visits her brewery.<span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"> </span>When Jake is called away, Hera must find the killer on her own and confront a murderer as well as ghosts from her past.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>MORE ABOUT LESLEY'S BOOK, <i>DUMPSTER DYING</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Emily Rhodes came to rural Florida for the cowboys, the cattle, and to do a little country two-step, not to fall head first onto a dead body in a dumpster.<span> </span>Ah, the golden years of retirement in the sunshine state.<span> </span>They’re more like pot metal to Emily, who discovers the body of the county’s wealthiest rancher in the Big Lake Country Club dumpster.<span> </span>With her close friend accused of the murder, Emily sets aside her grief at her life partner’s death to find the real killer.<span> </span>She underestimates the obstacles rural Florida can set up for a winter visitor and runs afoul of a local judge with his own version of justice, hires a lawyer who works out of a retirement home, and flees wild fires hand-in-hand with the man she believes to be the killer.</span><span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Buy link for all my books on Amazon:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Lesley+A.+Diehl">http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Lesley+A.+Diehl<o:p></o:p></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lesley's website: </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.lesleydiehl.com/">www.lesleydiehl.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lesley's blog: </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://anotherdraught.blogspot.com/">http://anotherdraught.blogspot.com</a></span></div>
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<b><i>Please welcome Lesley A. Diehl by leaving a comment.</i></b></div>
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Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829165784358497536.post-52527560973891660372012-11-20T11:36:00.000-06:002012-11-20T11:36:39.119-06:00Happy Thanksgiving!Spunky Senior Authors and Talents wants to wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!<br />
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Our seniors are waiting in the wings to offer more revelations about their lives in the upcoming weeks. Thursdays are usually the unveiling days, but sometimes not, depending on technical difficulties.<br />
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One such difficulty happened to Barbara Becker Holstein, when the Sandy Storm caught her in its grip, and she couldn't get her post over here for November 15. Don't worry, we're working on an alternate date for her. Also, we have others also lined up.<br />
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In the meantime, have a Happy Thanksgiving!<br />
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Morgan Mandel, Blog Owner<br />
http://www.morganmandel.com<br />
http://www.amazon.com/author/morganmandel<br />
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<br />Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829165784358497536.post-78823373774282248502012-11-09T07:18:00.001-06:002012-11-09T07:22:08.373-06:00Please Welcome Spunky Senior Author and Teacher of Teachers, Peggy Williams<br />
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<b>ABOUT SPUNKY PEGGY WILLIAMS</b></div>
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Peggy Williams is co-author of the mystery <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">On the Road to Death's Door</i>, writing
with Mary Joy Johnson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also freelances
writing corporate and educational videos, screenplays, magazine feature
articles, and her own blogs: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Musings of a
MadCityWriter</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Reflections of a
MadCityScribbler</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In her day job,
she is a public school teacher in Madison, Wisconsin where she and her husband
Mark raised their two children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is
an ecstatic brand new, first time grandma!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Raised in<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4829165784358497536" name="_GoBack"></a> Michigan's Upper Peninsula, she
considers herself a Yooper by birth, but a Cheesehead by choice. </div>
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<b>HERE'S WHAT PEGGY HAS TO SHARE WITH US</b></div>
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I started writing when I was in junior high, when a group of
my friends and I gathered together to write the next great Beatles movie after <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Hard Day's Night</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Help </i>came out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sat around evenings and weekends
brainstorming, writing, and reading what we had just written--and
laughing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was tons of laughter.
Writing was fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it never occurred
to me that it might be hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I know differently now. While writing has never been
particularly difficult for me, it certainly is work. And it's not always
fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But perhaps because of that first,
early collaborative experience, writing is a part of who I am. </div>
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Teaching children to write is also a part of who I am. When
I do my job well, my young students invariably think of writing as no more
difficult than reading or talking--and they see it as fun and rewarding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a kindergarten and then first grade
teacher, I have always believed that young children can learn to write even
before they learn to read. Sometimes a story is represented in drawings and
simple words or even just letters. And sometimes a story that just has to be
told can be dictated to a supportive adult. But the process starts early in
life. </div>
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In my first grade classroom, my favorite time was when a
group of children gathered at a side table to plan their chapter books about
space exploration or lost wolves or the adventures of the myriad princesses and
witches that inhabited their stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Understand that a "chapter" might be only a page or two long,
but these young students understood that a story has a beginning, a middle, and
an end and they loved creating their own storybook characters.</div>
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Every year, as a class project we would write individual
letters to the President of the United States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Imagine the message these young children got about the power of the
written word when that envelope with the seal of the presidency and the return
address of the White House came in the school mail bearing a signed photo and a
letter of greeting from whomever was in office at the time. </div>
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And one time, after a student inadvertently bumped and broke
our classroom globe, a letter to the principal from the class explaining what
had happened and asking for a new one garnered us a brand new globe with
up-to-date country designations. The power of persuasive writing! </div>
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Our school is located not far from a nature conservancy, so
that we often have visitors on the playground of a rather wild nature. Every
year it seems, my first graders would spontaneously take it upon themselves to
create posters warning others in the building to "Bewar the wld
trkys!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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And it is amazing to see what six and seven-year olds can
produce when encouraged and supported to write free form poetry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They speak from the heart on a wide range of
topics. And interestingly, the opportunity to let go of the conventions of
punctuation and paragraphing often allows even those who struggle with other
academic challenges to feel successful in voicing their thoughts and feelings
through poetry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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My greatest delight was that the children groaned when
writing workshop came to an end each day, and that they often chose to write
during their free time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Social writing
sets the environment for this kind of enthusiasm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Skill is not so important; though I certainly
worked to help the children grow in their skills. But publishing is probably
the clincher, just as it is with adults. </div>
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I found that turning "Show & Tell" into
"Read & Share" gave the children a forum for reading aloud their
work to an appreciative audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Typing
their stories, letting them illustrate them, and then stapling or binding them
and putting them into our classroom library gave them a sense of accomplishment,
just as publishing my book gave me a thrill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And of course, posting their short work out in the hall shouted to the
rest of the school that we were a classroom of writers. </div>
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I'm not in the classroom anymore. I provide support to
teachers now and focus on larger curriculum issues and teacher training in my
building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But every once in a while I
have the opportunity to provide "intervention" in writing to a
struggling student or to model a lesson for a younger teacher in a
classroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That's how I get my kid fix.
And that's how I remember that being a writer doesn't have to wait until you
are all grown up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xQjRTPmfuZU/UJ0A_1Q3NpI/AAAAAAAAFrw/kCfTbxlttCQ/s1600/peggywilliamsOnTheRoadToDD-Cover-Final-20111118-600px+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xQjRTPmfuZU/UJ0A_1Q3NpI/AAAAAAAAFrw/kCfTbxlttCQ/s320/peggywilliamsOnTheRoadToDD-Cover-Final-20111118-600px+(2).jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b>PEGGY'S BOOK: </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>On
The Road to Death's Door</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Emily and Stan Remington’s maiden voyage in their newly
inherited, second-hand RV goes awry when a body falls off the top of their
vehicle. The retired small town police officer and her husband, a retired
history professor, find themselves at the center of a murder investigation
involving a politician, a corporate executive, and a hippie priest. Emily butts
heads with the local sheriff as their search takes them from a backwoods cabin
in Wisconsin’s scenic Door County to the Bishop’s Chancery in Madison to an
abandoned island in the infamous Death’s Door Straits. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--8ee6aJZhE0/UJ0CI4VvdPI/AAAAAAAAFr4/I98utPk2-hI/s1600/PeggyWilliams&MaryJoyJohnson+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--8ee6aJZhE0/UJ0CI4VvdPI/AAAAAAAAFr4/I98utPk2-hI/s320/PeggyWilliams&MaryJoyJohnson+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to right, Peggy Williams & Mary Joy Johnson</td></tr>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">On the Road to Death's
Door</i> is the first in the series by Peggy Williams and Mary Joy Johnson. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">On
the Road to Where the Bells Toll</i>, which takes place in Boston, will be
available soon. </div>
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<b>LINKS TO HER BOOK: </b></div>
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On the Road to Death's Door may be purchased through Amazon
and Barnes and Noble.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/On-Road-Deaths-Door-ebook/dp/B006CA06BU">http://www.amazon.com/On-Road-Deaths-Door-ebook/dp/B006CA06BU</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/on-the-road-to-deaths-door-m-j-williams/1108068339?ean=9781468065336">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/on-the-road-to-deaths-door-m-j-williams/1108068339?ean=9781468065336</a></div>
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<b>WHERE TO FIND PEGGY WILLIAMS:</b></div>
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Musings of a MadCityWriter<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><a href="http://madcitywriter.blogspot.com/">http://madcitywriter.blogspot.com</a></div>
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Reflections of a MadCityScribbler<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_282571166"> </a></span><a href="http://madcityscribbler.com/">http://madcityscribbler.com</a></div>
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<b><i>Please leave a comment to welcome Peggy Williams to Spunky Senior Authors and Talents.</i></b></div>
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Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4829165784358497536.post-69666992762894424122012-10-31T16:55:00.000-05:002012-10-31T18:52:23.358-05:00Please Welcome Spunky Army Brat and Author, Marilyn Celeste Morris<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 21px;"><i>Marilyn Celeste Morris says:</i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsBiqTeqIqg/UJAW5jOi62I/AAAAAAAAFnk/OkUYW0QjOx0/s1600/marilyncmorrissmaller+pub+photo+7+15+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsBiqTeqIqg/UJAW5jOi62I/AAAAAAAAFnk/OkUYW0QjOx0/s320/marilyncmorrissmaller+pub+photo+7+15+(2).jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marilyn Celeste Morris</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;"><b></b></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"> I was born in Alpine, Texas in my grandfather's Southern Pacific Railroad section house. The railroad company soon abandoned this part of the operations, so I was left without a "permanent" home. </span></span></div>
<div style="display: block; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"> At the age of eight, I received my very own orders from The War Department to journey to Seoul, Korea, to join my father in the US Occupation Forces. We were isolated in a military compound with little to do, so I turned my attention to writing. </span></span></div>
<div style="display: block; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"> My next overseas assignment was for three years in Linz, Austria. Out of these experiences sprang my first novel<i style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">, The Women of Camp Sobingo</i> and my autobiography,</span></span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">of sorts, </span></span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><i style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Once a Brat, Always a Brat, </i>described as part memoir, part therapy session. </span></span></span></div>
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<div style="display: block; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Other books quickly followed, as I retired from Corporate America, and at last I could do what I always felt I was born to do: Write. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"></span><br />
<div style="display: inline !important; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"> I am single, live in Fort Worth TX and have three grown children and five grands and am now 74<i>. </i>Been through a lot in my long life.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 21px;"><i>And, now Marilyn shares some fascinating information about her books:</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><i style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: #9d4407; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Once A Brat, Always A Brat</span></i></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4EsvnNpp-sc/UJAXEWrgfYI/AAAAAAAAFns/vVxvZtY9Eb4/s1600/marilyncmorrisSMALL+Copy+of+BRAT+COVER+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4EsvnNpp-sc/UJAXEWrgfYI/AAAAAAAAFns/vVxvZtY9Eb4/s200/marilyncmorrisSMALL+Copy+of+BRAT+COVER+%25282%2529.jpg" width="129" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Brat: Def: (1) An unruly child Def: (2) A child of the military BRAT: British Regiment Attached Traveler. We wear the “Brat” name with pride. Those who argue that the term is demeaning simply don’t understand. Once a Brat, Always a Brat is not intended to be a serious study of children of the military. It is neither an apology nor a rallying cry for our unique experiences. While some of my fellow Military Brats, missionary kids, children of the diplomatic corps, oil company employees’ offspring and others raised outside their home country may find similarities in my narrative, I must emphasize that the first part of this book is based solely on events transpiring between 1938 and 1958, with comments on how the Military Brat experience affected my life. Other Military Brats have contributed to this book, writing about their experiences in their own words. A Resources section is included for those who are seeking information about the various organizations who can offer advice and counsel to our current Military Brats and their families.</span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><i>The Cards We’re Dealt: Living with Lupus Erythematosis</i> </span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">This book of experiences comes from 'Lupies' who have been 'there... this is not intended as any form of medical advice, but rather as Lupus to Lupus survivor support, and includes many entries and posts from sufferers and their friends and families intended to give comfort and support. <br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />The web address with information about Regional Chapters and how you may donate to the search for a cure can be found at <a href="http://www.Lupus.org/" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1351618975_0" style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">www.Lupus.org</span></a>.</span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"> <i> The Unexplored Heart</i></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0EAjKspieI0/UJAXV_8BLeI/AAAAAAAAFn0/xr9j9AEh2Nc/s1600/marilyncmorrisThe+Unexplored+Heart+cover+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0EAjKspieI0/UJAXV_8BLeI/AAAAAAAAFn0/xr9j9AEh2Nc/s320/marilyncmorrisThe+Unexplored+Heart+cover+(2).jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="yiv2117380520MsoNormal" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"> </span>Impoverished but proud Vanessa Danforth is forced from her mother’s home by her new stepfather’s treachery in 1860s England.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">After graduating from stenographer’s school, she accepts a position at the estate of famed world explorer, Harrison Courtland.</span></div>
<div class="yiv2117380520MsoNormal" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Made a widower by his wife’s tragic death in the Himalayas, Courtland has retreated into his work while Vanni forges friendships with his daughter Katrin and the handsome physician from the neighboring estate.</span></div>
<div class="yiv2117380520MsoNormal" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">As Vanni encourages Courtland to unearth the ancient ruins at the edge of his property she discovers not only a stunning secret and a hidden treasure, but also her own heart’s desire.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"> </span>Impoverished but proud Vanessa Danforth is forced from her mother’s home by her new stepfather’s treachery in 1860s England.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">After graduating from stenographer’s school, she accepts a position at the estate of famed world explorer, Harrison Courtland.</span></div>
<div class="yiv2117380520MsoNormal" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Made a widower by his wife’s tragic death in the Himalayas, Courtland has retreated into his work while Vanni forges friendships with his daughter Katrin and the handsome physician from the neighboring estate.</span></div>
<div class="yiv2117380520MsoNormal" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">As Vanni encourages Courtland to unearth the ancient ruins at the edge of his property she discovers not only a stunning secret and a hidden treasure, but also her own heart’s desire. </span></div>
<div class="yiv2117380520MsoNormal" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
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<b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><i>Sabbath’s Gift</i></span></b><b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">:</span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"> Book One in the Sabbath Trilogy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">When New York writer, Joanna Elliott, flees her abusive husband to the Texas Hill Country, she and her six-year old son, Jason, unwittingly become a killer's prey. Despite Realtor Tommy Joe Greenleaf's warning that Wanda and Ralph Spencer had mysteriously disappeared from the remote farmhouse ten years earlier, Joanna moves in, and makes the sunroom into her office. Joanna adopts a cat from the local veterinarian, Sam Kelly, who tells her that Sabbath "had belonged to a witch." Unexplained events unfold: Joanna is locked overnight inside the storage shed, footprints appear under the sun room windows, and Jason's dog, Mournful, is found poisoned.</span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><i>Sabbath’s House</i></span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">: <i style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Book Two of the Sabbath Trilogy</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Best selling author Joanna Elliott and her growing family are looking for another house because, quite frankly, finding bodies in the cellar and a psychotic old woman kidnapping her son were not events conducive to bringing her new child into the world. She discovers a charming old Victorian mansion owned only by women of the Emily Harris family, but the remaining heiress has no descendants to inherit. Once the family moves in, however, psychic black cat Sabbath encounters spirits determined to continue the legend, once again putting the family in peril.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_pscWf6-fs/UJAY4eHohTI/AAAAAAAAFoE/-F19xBGk9_U/s1600/marilyncmorrisLawton+book+signing+with+Brat+Book+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_pscWf6-fs/UJAY4eHohTI/AAAAAAAAFoE/-F19xBGk9_U/s320/marilyncmorrisLawton+book+signing+with+Brat+Book+(2).jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marilyn Celeste Morris at a book signing</td></tr>
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<b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><i>Forces of Nature:</i></span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">What will happen when a fully-loaded KC130 tanker taking off from the nearby Air Force Base is flung into a crowded shopping mall by a giant tornado. Who lives and who dies? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Mother Nature against Human Nature. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"> </span><b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: #9d4407; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"></span></span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">"An edgy, well-written suspense by the same author as the wonderful The Women of Camp Sobingo, Forces of Nature has everything from thriller and horror to romance and human foibles... Each of the characters resonates with the reader with depth and clarity, all while making an entertaining evening's reading..." -Carl Benson, fan</span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><i>The Women of Camp Sobingo</i></span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">—A novel set in the Post WWII era</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">The Women of Camp Sobingo shares the story of four women; friends who share the life of army wives in a strange land, with husbands who serve … Their experiences in a far-flung military compound strengthen three of the women, but a fourth chooses to end her life there. A reunion twenty-five years later reveals long-held dark secrets and sorrows …</span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><i>My Ashes of Dead Lovers Garage Sale</i></span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">—</span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">and other stories from a single woman of a certain age.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">A collection of humor/human interest articles written for a suburban newspaper over 10 years. </span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><i style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"> </span>Vol. II coming soon</span></i></b><i style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">!</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: blue; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Marilyn Celeste Morris, </span><span style="color: blue; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Author, Editor and Speaker<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Website: <a href="http://bit.ly/RIqtQ4" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1351619477_0" style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">http://bit.ly/RIqtQ4</span></a></span><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /><span style="color: #ff007f; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"></span><span style="color: #bf005f; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Five novels, two non fiction books. All available on<span style="color: blue; font-size: small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"> Amazon.com</span></span>: <span style="color: #bf00bf; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><a href="http://amzn.to/KSq5Ya" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1351619477_1" style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">http://amzn.to/KSq5Ya</span></a> See Marilyn's Author Page at Amazon:</span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/marilynmorris" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/author/marilynmorris</a></span></span></span><span style="color: blue; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: #bf005f; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: #bf00bf; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"></span><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /><span style="color: #0000bf; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Vanilla Heart Publishing:</span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">:<a href="http://bit.ly/LIq9iy" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/LIq9iy</a> </span><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: blue; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">And now, free reads first four chapters of all her books: <span style="color: #ff007f; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><a href="http://bit.ly/JZM0j4" rel="nofollow" style="color: #003399; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1351619477_2" style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">http://bit.ly/JZM0j4</span></a> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: blue; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: #bf005f; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: blue; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="color: #ff007f; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><i><b>Please Welcome Marilyn Celeste Morris to Spunky Senior Authors and Talents by Leaving a Comment.</b></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Morgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.com8