tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44802456626255640792024-03-13T07:59:11.153-06:00Anything and Everything. H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480245662625564079.post-22419291661630946372019-02-18T15:27:00.004-07:002019-02-18T15:27:46.127-07:00The original ending went like this... Back when I first typed out SERVING UP INNOCENCE, and long before it had a title or was even thought to become part of a series, I finished the ending in a less than ideal way. Shayne didn't get the guy she really wanted. She ended up not growing and made decisions that ended up being better for everyone else.<br />
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It wasn't right and it didn't work.<br />
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Rereading the original ending on a second and third pass, I knew it didn't fit her character as there was no character growth. I gave my own book a 2 star rating at that point. LOL. There wasn't even a real Happy Ever After, which if you write Romance, is expected (just like finding the killer is important to murder mysteries but more on that later). Reading the original ending, I knew what was going to happen... it was clear as day to me. So, why not then change the ending to reflect that? And in three short clicks, the ending was cut out and re-filed into a folder where I store my cut material (it makes for some interesting reading. HAHA) and the new, much improved ending was perfect. Cute and endearing, just like the heroine.<br />
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Interested in reading what was the original ending?<br />
Here you go.<br />
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Please note, this is an edited version, and there will likely be several grammatical and punctuation mistakes. This is also copyrighted material.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /><br />Epilogue<br /><br /> <br /><br />I grabbed a red pepper and was reaching for an unblemished green pepper right at the back when I spotted his reflection in the mirror. <br /><br />“Here, let me help you.” The voice was as familiar to me as my own, even if it had been years. “Shayne, is that you?” <br /><br />His face had changed, the years as hard on him as they had been on me. Still, he was recognizable, as the eyes were the same and held the same sparkle as before, even with a fanning of creases at the edges. Long gone were the dreads and scruffy beard, replaced with a more mature hairstyle and clean jawline befitting a man of his age, and yet, there was an air of youthfulness about him. A GQ cover model stood before me, like the past ten years happened in the blink of an eye. <br /><br />“Wow, Korey. It’s been a while.” I dropped the red pepper into my basket and reached for the green one he held out for me in his long, lean fingers. <br /><br />“You look great.” His eyes fell the swell of my tummy. “Positively radiant.”<br /><br />Instinctively, I touched it, although great wouldn’t have been a word I’d use to describe myself. I was sure I’d packed on fifty pounds since the last time I saw him, and in a fit of pregnancy induced rage where my hair wouldn’t do what I wanted it to, I’d chopped off ten inches. “Thanks. You look great too.” Eloquent words escaped me, replaced only with small talk kind of words. There was so much I wanted to ask and inquire about. It had been so long. Too long. And our last words to each other had been said in haste, in anger mostly, and definitely unresolved.<br /><br />“How’ve you been?” he asked, shifting his own basket into the crook of his arm. <br /><br />“Mommy.” My five year-old daughter nearly bowled me over as she ran at full throttle. I set my basket down and picked her up, shifting her onto the most comfortable part of my hip. “This is an old friend of mommy’s. Can you say hi?”<br /><br />“Hi,” she said, tucking her forehead into my neck. <br /><br />“What’s your name?”<br /><br />“Jade.” <br /><br />Korey looked straight at me, his jaw slacking. “What a lovely name.” <br /><br />Jade wiggled out of my arms. “Daddy said we get chocolate milk.” <br /><br />“Did he now?” I smiled, knowing my husband was a huge pushover as far as Jade was concerned. Anything she wanted, she pretty much got. <br /><br />Jade skipped away, proclaiming her undying affection for chocolate milk to her father, who pushed a cart in my direction. <br /><br />Korey’s expression darkened like a shadow on an otherwise bright and sunny day. He was unable to take his eyes off my approaching husband. <br /><br /> He stopped beside me and extended his hand. “Hi, I’m Jason.” <br /><br />“Korey. We’ve met.” He pumped Jason’s hand but his focus on me was mesmerizing. Questions swirled in his eyes and murmurs of years gone by danced on the edges of his lips. “Many years ago.” <br /><br />Jason nodded. “My apologies. I don’t remember.” <br /><br />“That’s okay.” Korey finally looked at Jason. “It really was a long time ago.” <br /><br />“We used to work together, at Westside, before Lily left.” My heart jumped up into my throat. Korey had never been a topic of conversation between Jason and I. Back then, Lily abandoned her three children and Jason, and I unexpectedly was charged with their care. Korey and I had broken up not long after, not because of that but because neither of us had believed enough in our relationship to think we could stick it out. Well... I guess I’d been the one to not believe. <br /><br />“Here’s the list and what I’ve got so far.” I put my basket of produce into the shopping cart. “Can you and Jade grab what’s left and I’ll catch up with you shortly?”<br /><br />“Sure thing.” He studied Korey, and plopped a kiss on my cheek before driving off with Jade hugging the end of the cart. <br /><br />“You married him?” <br /><br />“Clearly.” I wasn’t sure if I was annoyed or not, but old habits died hard, and sarcasm rolled off my tongue too easily.<br /><br />Korey watched Jason and my biological daughter walk away. “Never saw that coming.” <br /><br />Beneath my hand on the swell of my belly, my baby stretched out a leg. Only a few more weeks left. I gave the foot a rub and asked, “What about you? Married, kids?”<br /><br />“Nope. Never found one since you.” He shifted uneasily on his leather shoe covered feet, the hem of his dress pants hanging at the perfect height. “Regardless of what happened, or failed to happen, you were my other half.” That voice that beckoned me and made me melt all those years ago came rushing back like waves upon the beach. This time, the waves crashed over my pounding heart and I suddenly felt like I was nineteen again. <br /><br />The side effect of the rushing pulse caused my unborn son to move with a little more effect, this time kicking at one of my ribs and head-butting my swollen bladder. <br /><br />The longer Korey stared at me, the more pull I felt towards him. In so many different directions. I wanted to take him by the hand, sit down with him and have a discussion with him about what he’d been up to the past ten years, but I didn’t think I had it in me. I was afraid to ask for fear I'd never be able to walk away again. And that was a dangerous feeling. Very dangerous. Maybe I hadn’t let the past go? Maybe I hadn't really dealt with not having Korey in my life. Afterall, he'd changed it so much. <br /><br />“How long?” <br /><br />Had I been daydreaming and missed out on part of the conversation? “How long what?”<br /><br />“How long after me until you hooked up with your best friend’s husband?”<br /><br />With Lily gone, and Jordan’s mom on early mat leave, it seemed only logical to help with Jason and the girls. The timing of it all was too perfect—for everyone involved. Korey had left me with no place to live, as he set on drifting through another part of his life in another city. Jason needed help. Desperately. And he paid well enough that I didn’t need to work two jobs. It was a perk beyond perfect that he offered me a place to live. It wasn’t much, that tiny in-law suite in the backyard, but it was free and warm, and allowed me to still feel as if I were living alone. <br /><br />It took some time, but I realised there had been more truth to Lily’s words than I’d truly believed. It surprised me to learn how unorganized Jason was as a parent, and yet, he was the kindest father, always doting on his girls and giving them his undivided attention as soon as he was home from work. I found myself envying that and wanting to be someone’s focus in life, I just didn’t think it would happen between Jason and me. However, the lines between me being the girls’ nanny and being a full-time parent started blurring. Things just sort of happened. And quickly too. <br /><br />Five short months had passed after Lily’s abandonment, and I moved into the house. Into Jason’s bedroom. Less than a year after that, we became a family. The girls were thrilled, which made the whole thing easier. When we announced three years later we were expecting, they were over the moon to have a baby to swoon over.<br /><br />“It was the timing…” I fell over my words because it was the truth in so many ways.<br /><br />“If I hadn’t gone…” <br /><br />Or if I had followed… <br /><br />I shrugged and twisted the modest wedding ring on my finger. It was a guessing game, a flip of the coin. To say things would’ve been – could’ve been – different was something neither of us will ever know. There was no magic ball to gaze into and see what the future could've been like. All I knew was how my life was now. Step mom to three wonderful teenage girls, mom to one, and expecting one next month. I was married. I was settled down. My family was all within an easy ten-minute drive. How could I not be happy with the way things turned out? <br /><br />I cleared away the cobwebs in the corner of my brain. “Did you ever go to university?” I asked, afraid to know the answer. Did he really move on with his life? Did he do all that he’d set out to do, even though I wasn’t there? Or had he given up on more than just me? <br /><br />“I’m a high school drama teacher.”<br /><br />Somehow that didn’t surprise me. I could picture him with the students, dazzling them with his acting skills. He’d always managed to keep his customers happy and enjoying themselves, no doubt he passed on that energy to his students. <br /><br />“You?”<br /><br />“I’m a midwife. I own Inception Midwifery, along with a couple of partners.” It had been a long uphill climb to get that degree, and a couple of years longer than necessary, but I’d found my calling. It was a job I loved. <br /><br />“Cool. I’m glad you found your happiness.” <br /><br />“I’m glad you found yours.” It was the dumbest thing I could’ve said, and my cheeks heated in response. <br /><br />“I never said I found happiness.” He shook his head in such a way it was clear to see heartbreak and anguish settle over his body. His shoulders rolled inward, and his stance slackened. “Happy doesn’t come easy for me.” His hand covered his heart, and I wondered how long he’d hurt. Even though there’d been two people involved in that decision, he took the brunt of it and I choose the cowards way of dealing with it. “You’ve always been here.” He patted his chest, and the warmth and love in his voice caressed my soul. <br /><br />Time did nothing to the bonds of attraction, and I could feel it as easy as I could my son’s kicking. The flicker in his eyes that told me this meeting was fate and every bit as real as it had been in my dreams. Was Korey feeling what I was, or were my pregnancy hormones to blame?<br /><br />“Hey, Shayne?” Jason called me from the potato display. “Red or Yukon gold?” He held up a bag in both hands. “I need your help.” <br /><br />And as much as I wanted to, I couldn’t turn away from Korey. I couldn’t make my feet move toward the man I married, and I was instantly disgusted by that. I loved Jason, don’t get me wrong. But that fire, that zest, the monkey sex, it was never there. Never had been. <br /><br />Korey finally broke the silence developing between us. “Well, it was good seeing you.”<br /><br />“And you.” Cold feet froze me to the spot, cemented in wonder. I watched, in a slo-mo style, as he first extended his hand and deciding that would be weird, reached for a hug, stopping before he got started. Just going for it, I threw my arms around him, the huge belly a battering ram between us. The embrace felt good, it felt right and the worst feeling ever, it felt natural. <br /><br />“Take care,” he said, stepping back, the distance between us growing. <br /><br />All I could do was wave. I couldn’t say goodbye. That had been too hard the first time. <br /><br />He turned and walked away. <br /><br />I stared after him and looked back toward my husband, holding up the bags of potatoes. <br /><br />Another glance back at Korey, his body a silhouette in the sun-filled entrance way. <br /><br /> <br />For the first time in my adult life, I knew exactly what I needed to do. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What did you think? What does Shayne end up doing? </div>
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Interested in reading the full novel, and the true ending? You can!</div>
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<a href="https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/serving-up-innocence" target="_blank">Kobo</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/serving-up-innocence-hm-shander/1128881446?ean=2940155283218">Nook</a></div>
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/serving-up-innocence/id1395436191?mt=11" target="_blank">iTunes/iBooks </a></div>
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<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/837118">Smashwords</a></div>
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<a href="http://mybook.to/SUInnocence" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
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<br />H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480245662625564079.post-4629393311680261692019-02-08T08:42:00.002-07:002019-02-08T11:54:25.461-07:00The difference between a Critique Partner and a Beta Reader. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What’s a Critique Partner? <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WDQzGARpoBY/XF2ic7XyJ2I/AAAAAAAAG_c/MGg1cEwbUAEFUF4uQNgl8LBQf-cFmx5cwCLcBGAs/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WDQzGARpoBY/XF2ic7XyJ2I/AAAAAAAAG_c/MGg1cEwbUAEFUF4uQNgl8LBQf-cFmx5cwCLcBGAs/s320/1.jpg" width="275" /></a><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Simply, a Critique Partner (CP) is someone,
usually an author, who will go over your manuscript in fine detail, searching
for plot holes, weak character development, possibly grammar and punctuation
errors and so on. A CP will go in depth to your manuscript and bring out the
very best of your story the way you’ve written it – something that’s very
important. A critique partner worth their weight in gold, will strengthen your
words, not twist them into what they would’ve done. They will mix the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">constructive </i>criticism with the good. This
is exceptionally important. It’s equally as important to work with a CP who writes
in the same genre and therefore understands the mechanics within.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Of course, everyone
wants to have a perfect manuscript coming out of the gate, but even the best of
the best, have someone else who will review their manuscripts before turning
them over to their editors. And swapping chapters with another author gives you
a chance to work on your development skills, which can only strengthen your own
writing. Win-win for everyone. Plus, it’s usually free – you swap chapter(s)
with another author, although there are many paid services out there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">What is a Beta Reader? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">A beta reader is<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>a reader first. He or she will read your manuscript at any time
during the creative process, maybe after each chapter is written, or when the
entire thing is finished, or any point in between. Your mother or best friend
usually falls into this category as they are not looking for plot holes or
grammatical errors, they are reading for the story itself. Beta readers give
you the big picture feedback – yes it was good, I liked the main character, I
glossed over this section, etc. A beta does not delve into too many specifics. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JqcriHzMdnA/XF2ic37qF0I/AAAAAAAAG_Y/FI5lEIhPk-0CoacuSc50-i7iHkhVWGphgCEwYBhgL/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="785" height="112" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JqcriHzMdnA/XF2ic37qF0I/AAAAAAAAG_Y/FI5lEIhPk-0CoacuSc50-i7iHkhVWGphgCEwYBhgL/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Most authors will have
a few different betas review their manuscripts. This is a great time to ask
friends and family if they’d like to help out or ask on whatever social media
platform works best for you. Again, this is usually a free service but there
are many paid beta services on the web, and these betas will give you a 2-3
page feedback on your manuscript. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Just be sure to make
clear what your expectations are, and then you’ll know who you need to seek
out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Personally, I have a half-dozen beta readers,
who will each get the manuscript at a different point. One gets it right after
it’s written, another after the first draft is completed, and so on, and all
are romance readers. They know what to expect and believe me, if I don’t deliver,
I’ll hear about it. <br />
Also in my pocket of must haves, I have two trusted critique partners I’ve
worked with over the past four years – they are fellow romance authors whose
opinions mean the world to me and who I trust to help me bring out the very best.
Without them, I would have to pay way, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">way </i></b>more to my development editor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HgRhUNKy-cw/XF2icvyHk6I/AAAAAAAAG_g/9CFrkSKbwlQ4sNoVN-p0Yg4kKoPN8swMwCEwYBhgL/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="450" height="256" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HgRhUNKy-cw/XF2icvyHk6I/AAAAAAAAG_g/9CFrkSKbwlQ4sNoVN-p0Yg4kKoPN8swMwCEwYBhgL/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also reward my Critique Partners – they put in countless hours for nothing,
often sacrificing their free time, so I make sure to thank them with Starbucks
gift cards, signed copies of the book they helped with and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">always </i></b>a mention in the
back of the book in the acknowledgements. Let me tell you, a little author love
goes a long way in terms of karma and them wanting to help you out again and
again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Currently my village
of betas and CPs are hard at work on a new project I'm crafting, which with any luck, the two-book set will be out in late 2019. Would you like to be the first to
know the titles, blurbs, release dates and you love sneak peeks, be sure to
join my group - <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1896860110581581/">Shander’s Stargazing
Romantics</a></span> - otherwise you can follow me on my social media pages. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/HMShander"><span style="color: blue;">Facebook</span></a></span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="color: blue;"> <br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://twitter.com/HM_Shander">Twitter</a></span><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9881989.H_M_Shander">Goodreads</a></span>
<br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/H.M.-Shander/e/B0155W4HYM">Amazon Author Page</a></span><br />
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/HMShander">Smashwords Author Page</a></span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">In conclusion… how
many beta readers and critique partners would you like? What do you think would
be a great gift to receive if you are the beta or the critique partner? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gp8ZznaMUqo/XF2kYpdavvI/AAAAAAAAG_w/-ia9CECGOIcyjFrHF8U1K6Dj6U-1sLwdACEwYBhgL/s1600/contemporary%2Bromance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="828" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gp8ZznaMUqo/XF2kYpdavvI/AAAAAAAAG_w/-ia9CECGOIcyjFrHF8U1K6Dj6U-1sLwdACEwYBhgL/s400/contemporary%2Bromance.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480245662625564079.post-8542557543968943422019-01-13T21:46:00.000-07:002019-07-04T16:02:12.960-06:00My review of AT ANY COST by Rebecca Lovell<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41V-B1ow3%2BL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="At Any Cost (Chicago Gray Line Book 1) by [Lovell, Rebecca]" border="0" height="400" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41V-B1ow3%2BL.jpg" width="258" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Martin Caiber has a problem. As the son of a high-ranking member of Chicago's underworld, he knows his family has enemies, but he never expected to have someone trying to kill him. Unwilling to inherit his father's legacy, he wants to keep his nightclubs on the legal side of things but after nearly being run down in front of his club, Martin decides that it's time to enlist outside help.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Michelle "The Hawk" Andress is a woman with a past. A private investigator who specializes in finding lost children, she has talents she is glad she rarely has to use. It is these talents that put her on Martin's radar, and after an attempt on his life she agrees to become his bodyguard.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">The attraction between the two is undeniable, but when Michelle becomes the target of hitmen too, her past comes back to haunt her and puts their future in jeopardy. If they're going to make it out alive, they'll have to use Martin's contacts and Michelle's deadly aim to put an end to the threat for good, and find out if love makes the ends justify the means.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L2J1932" target="_blank">KINDLE/AMAZON</a> </span></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> <a href="https://t.co/shlQfRboSE" target="_blank">KOBO </a> </span></span><a href="https://t.co/shlQfRboSE" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;" target="_blank">BARNES&NOBLE iBOOKS</a></span></h3>
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My review. In a nutshell, page-turning! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</div>
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Already a huge fan of Rebecca's, having loved and read her other novels, I was given a copy of Rebecca's newest novel. I told myself I was only allowed to read two or three chapters a night, as I had to get up early in the morning for work. Lies. All lies. </div>
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Once I started, it was really hard to put down after the first couple of chapters, so I ended up losing a bit of sleep (so worth it). When I reached the half-way point, I knew I was in trouble. I was not going to sleep until I finished. I just HAD to know what was going on between Michelle and Martin, and how on earth were they going to be safe. Needless to say, in the wee of the night, I got the answers I was looking for and I turned off my e-reader with a satisfied smile.<br />
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This is definitely a romance book and the steamy scenes between them are great. All women would like to be as kickass as Michelle is, and deep down inside, I'm sure there are many who would like a sexy businessman like Martin. The electricity between them is palpable. But not only are there sweet and sexy scenes, there are car chases, mystery killers and thrills galore. You won't need caffeine to keep you awake - the story will do that effortlessly. It's well written and has great character development.<br />
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I'd recommend this to anyone who likes a little love with suspense and intrigue. Well done, Rebecca! You continue to make me a lifelong fan. </div>
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Follow Rebecca </div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/becca_el" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/becca_el" target="_blank">Twitter</a> - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaLovellBooks/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> - <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6088184.Rebecca_Lovell" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> - <a href="https://rebeccalovellbooks.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> </div>
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H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480245662625564079.post-12596917212428717742019-01-12T13:39:00.000-07:002019-01-12T13:42:01.354-07:00Serving Up Innocence Cover from Not Quite to Nailed It! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For a self-published author, deciding on a cover, or what I want on it is an arduous task. </div>
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In my newest series -- The Ladies of Westside -- I knew exactly what my main characters (MC) looked like, but finding them? Impossible. When I contacted the lovely Cassy Roop of Pink Ink Designs, she sent me a very detailed form to fill out, asking about fonts I liked, colours I thought worked and in-depth character descriptions. Then she provided me the name of the site she uses for photos and sent me shopping. </div>
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I spent HOURS pouring through the photos. For <a href="https://hmshander.blogspot.com/2018/07/serving-up-innocence.html" target="_blank">Serving Up Innocence</a> the male MC has dreads and is Caucasian. The female MC has darker hair. Finding a photo with these two was nearly impossible, especially characters that are in their early 20s. Unable to find a couples photo, I did find two individual, and sent the stock numbers off to Cassy. </div>
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She sent back this prototype. </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="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JZP5jfSQoO0/XDGiCmuGPyI/AAAAAAAAG6I/1h3jzi4Qjgo8rD2kGwWhbQRIQzhqDFPzwCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-07-24%2Bat%2B12.11.43%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="1600" height="229" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JZP5jfSQoO0/XDGiCmuGPyI/AAAAAAAAG6I/1h3jzi4Qjgo8rD2kGwWhbQRIQzhqDFPzwCLcBGAs/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-07-24%2Bat%2B12.11.43%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Concept 1</td></tr>
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Now, there's nothing inherently wrong with this, but it's not right. The guy is pretty much a ringer, and the lady... well, it's not too bad. But together? It didn't work. The font was perfect but the colour needed to change - I found it too beach like and the setting was wrong for that. Back to the drawing board. Since we couldn't find the above guy with the right lady, and I wanted them in more of a couple pose, we did manage to find a cute couple. BUT he didn't have dreads. </div>
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Ahh.. the magical art of photoshop. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dyNKWJMQ0MI/XDGiCv1_jNI/AAAAAAAAG6A/ardXIzlUR_Y9ypGhXuLpA5xrofiW-MlTACEwYBhgL/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-07-24%2Bat%2B1.16.14%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="1600" height="229" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dyNKWJMQ0MI/XDGiCv1_jNI/AAAAAAAAG6A/ardXIzlUR_Y9ypGhXuLpA5xrofiW-MlTACEwYBhgL/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-07-24%2Bat%2B1.16.14%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">concept 2</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d7GvLY04rgQ/XDGiCu709CI/AAAAAAAAG6E/Z3BtcVcp2XUtagT8Sq7dz1l03fgaGqimQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-07-25%2Bat%2B6.34.13%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="228" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d7GvLY04rgQ/XDGiCu709CI/AAAAAAAAG6E/Z3BtcVcp2XUtagT8Sq7dz1l03fgaGqimQCEwYBhgL/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-07-25%2Bat%2B6.34.13%2BAM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">concept 3</td></tr>
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We darkened the green to a more jade colour as the FMC's nickname is Jade. Perfect, that works. She darkened the guy's dreads and it was tolerable. It worked but it wasn't perfect. It didn't have that **WOW** I was looking for, but she had three other covers of mine to work on, so I accepted this (concept 3) and blasted it out with all the pre-order links. I'm not a big pre-seller, but my pre-orders do well enough for me. A month out from the release of Innocence and there was nothing. I asked a few trusted people and they all said it was the cover and the man on the cover looked off, which I agreed with. It just didn't have the zip and the male wasn't a natural dreadlock wearing individual. <br />
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I contacted Cassy and explained, and we went couple hunting again. I tell you - the next series/book I write, I'm picture shopping FIRST, I think that will make things much easier when it comes to cover design. Hahah. So after some more back and forths and a variety of single models, she came up with this (concept 4). Well... we're certainly getting closer. Much closer but it's not quite right. Better than the others though.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DkTDGobGrPA/XDGiEfEAygI/AAAAAAAAG6M/YUv7UypwIAU74PH9pcTrr9i9Cf5vZa8sACEwYBhgL/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-09-18%2Bat%2B4.56.00%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1600" height="230" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DkTDGobGrPA/XDGiEfEAygI/AAAAAAAAG6M/YUv7UypwIAU74PH9pcTrr9i9Cf5vZa8sACEwYBhgL/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-09-18%2Bat%2B4.56.00%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Concept 4</td></tr>
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I swear, I spent thirty hours over a weekend (three weekends before Innocence was set to release) combing through photos and photos. BTW - I've saved every cute couple I thought I'd possibly need for the next few books too. </div>
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On the final hour, in the middle of the night, I found them. They were perfect. Gorgeous and what I'd been looking for since the start. Only problem - the lady's hair colour was off and she was sporting tattoos. Damn! </div>
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However, I sent the couple photos to Cassy and figured I'd work with it. I could go through my written book and change out Jade's hair colour to match the cover and add in the tattoo. Wouldn't be too hard, and probably much easier than trying to find another couple. </div>
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Cassy emailed me back and when I saw the cover, I screamed. THIS was what I'd wanted since the beginning, it just took many tries and concepts and hours to get it. Through the magic of photoshop, she removed the tattoo and darkened the hair. Cassy Roop knew exactly what I was looking for and made this file perfect. </div>
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I quickly uploaded the new cover to all the sites and blasted out on my social media channels the updated version, and the pre-orders started rolling in. YEAH! A good cover truly does make the difference, and I'm super happy with this. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jxyrPDdLtJM/XDGiqYjrj5I/AAAAAAAAG6c/az5_OoxjUYcvJ41rq5V76Dw-hwFdQPYgACLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-09-19%2Bat%2B3.16.20%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1296" height="228" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jxyrPDdLtJM/XDGiqYjrj5I/AAAAAAAAG6c/az5_OoxjUYcvJ41rq5V76Dw-hwFdQPYgACLcBGAs/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-09-19%2Bat%2B3.16.20%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfection! </td></tr>
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So, if you are looking for a cover designer that works with you, I highly recommend Cassy Roop of <a href="https://www.pinkinkdesigns.com/" target="_blank">Pink Ink Designs.</a> You can also reach her on her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PinkInkDesignsbyCassy/" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a> - she'll post her deals (I got my covers done as a custom cover when she had a special birthday pricing) and has a list of available premades ready to go. She's uber nice, easy to work with and keeps going until it's perfect! </div>
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This are the other three covers in the series. Didn't she do a beautiful job? </div>
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I've also blogged about the <a href="https://hmshander.blogspot.com/2019/01/evolution-of-duly-noteds-cover.html" target="_blank">evolution of Duly Noted's cover</a>, and why I won't use Fiverr again. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IL-xPa0U6zQ/W1qk5sTy7hI/AAAAAAAAEsE/c2u4GngsVeETEMviA1yn3rinEmydP8z-gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Serving-Up-Devotion-EBOOK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JXjqVqrBUfE/W1qk-F_44lI/AAAAAAAAEsA/uoWrdNK7hxUJWyrPRX5jtosVcrba9PIBgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Serving-up-Hope-EBOOK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1054" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JXjqVqrBUfE/W1qk-F_44lI/AAAAAAAAEsA/uoWrdNK7hxUJWyrPRX5jtosVcrba9PIBgCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Serving-up-Hope-EBOOK.jpg" width="131" /></a> <img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1057" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IL-xPa0U6zQ/W1qk5sTy7hI/AAAAAAAAEsE/c2u4GngsVeETEMviA1yn3rinEmydP8z-gCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Serving-Up-Devotion-EBOOK.jpg" width="130" /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JXjqVqrBUfE/W1qk-F_44lI/AAAAAAAAEsA/uoWrdNK7hxUJWyrPRX5jtosVcrba9PIBgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Serving-up-Hope-EBOOK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K0LdrSDAR0M/W1qk-HvR5aI/AAAAAAAAEsE/OFlrCtbQiDUIvkgWm6EEz1nvqL7P7Cv2QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Serving-Up-Secrecy-EBOOK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1055" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K0LdrSDAR0M/W1qk-HvR5aI/AAAAAAAAEsE/OFlrCtbQiDUIvkgWm6EEz1nvqL7P7Cv2QCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Serving-Up-Secrecy-EBOOK.jpg" width="130" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://goo.gl/1kFxfu" target="_blank">KOBO</a> <a href="http://goo.gl/Pz7bko" target="_blank">iBOOKS</a> <a href="http://goo.gl/a78nHz" target="_blank">B&N</a> <a href="http://goo.gl/Acn3vB" target="_blank">AMAZON</a></h2>
<a class="twitter-timeline-link" data-expanded-url="https://goo.gl/Acn3vB" dir="ltr" href="https://t.co/qEuA5WYkgY" rel="nofollow noopener" style="background: rgb(245, 248, 250); color: #0084b4; font-family: "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank" title="https://goo.gl/Acn3vB"><span class="invisible" style="font-size: 0px; line-height: 0;">https://</span><span class="tco-ellipsis"><span class="invisible" style="font-size: 0px; line-height: 0;"> </span></span></a><br />
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H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480245662625564079.post-76428106690491731902019-01-06T15:09:00.002-07:002019-01-12T13:25:24.969-07:00Evolution of Duly Noted's cover<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
From WTH to Yes! Nailed It. </h2>
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I was going through my older pictures when I stumbled across the original mock ups for <a href="https://hmshander.blogspot.com/2016/05/duly-noted-na-contemporary-romance.html" target="_blank">Duly Noted</a>. It still makes me gasp in horror. </div>
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Based on a recommendation from another author, I contacted her Fiverr book cover designer (who I just checked is no longer listed - at least not under that name.). I told him/her what I was looking for and waited for the mock up to come back. This was the first! </div>
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I can hear you gasping! I know I was mortified. Where were these amazing covers that they posted for other authors and why was I getting something that looked like my kid whipped it together (and FTR my kid can do much better work than this!). I told them no way, and gave more information, what the story was about, the theme, the genre, links to book covers covering similar topics, everything I thought they'd needed. </div>
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This was the second (and final) mock up. And there are errors throughout. Sigh. </div>
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It's a huge improvement but still way beyond the other stunning covers posted on his/her Fiverr page (which I wonder if he/she didn't lift them from somewhere else). After going back and forth and tweaking little things here and there, I just knew I wasn't going to get a proper looking cover. Would you even stop to read the blurb on this? Nope! </div>
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Good thing I had a couple of months until the book released. I had time to find something better.</div>
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Not sure what else to do, I chatted with another author about who did her covers and she steered me towards a "pre-made" cover - where the designer will make a few tweaks to name/blurb and basic font and colours but otherwise the cover is done with the models/photos/etc . I could peruse their albums and search through the folders, gazing upon gorgeous cover after cover. It cost me nothing to see the premades. </div>
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Finding a group that I felt my book belonged in (she mainly does romance covers and it shows), I contacted <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/998600520186609/about/" target="_blank">ZH Designs</a> with my request & deposit -selecting one of her premades, requesting that the colour on the hair be changed. Because it couldn't be, she offered to give me a 'custom' cover for the cost of the premade. Woohoo! I gave her all the information she requested and waited with bated breath. Within a very short time, I was presented with two concepts and a difficult choice. Which to choose? </div>
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Bam! Finally, something that looks like a romance cover, something that could actually be a real book cover. I was super excited about these mock ups. After some back and forth with the designer, we tweaked one of the concepts. Based on the book information I gave her, she researched PTSD and found out their ribbon colour is the blue shown. Wow. Talk about going above and beyond. </div>
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This was the final cover, and I am completely in love with it. It captures Aurora and Nate perfectly as her PTSD stemmed from a car crash (thus them sitting on the road) and she had little bits of shattered glass over top and it fit within the romance genre perfectly. Well done.</div>
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Amazing eh? Yes, she was more expensive than the Fiverr designer, but really, really worth it! The Fiverr was in the ballpark of $30+ and ZH Designs was $100+. </div>
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What designer do you use? Did you fall in love with your cover right off the bat, or did it go through some major work? Share with me.<br />
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Interested in reading Duly Noted?<br />
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<a href="http://mybook.to/Aurora1" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="https://goo.gl/yuyqhr" target="_blank">Kobo</a> <a href="https://goo.gl/ozWmQ2" target="_blank">iTunes</a> <a href="https://goo.gl/6oHWER" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> <a href="https://goo.gl/1sXpCN" target="_blank">B&N</a> </div>
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H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480245662625564079.post-795467614836735552018-12-05T22:21:00.002-07:002018-12-05T22:21:57.688-07:00Music is so important, in movies and in books. <span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Music is so important, in books and movies. Ever watch a movie without the music playing? It changes the scene, and even though there can be great dialogue and fantastic acting, it's not the same. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-offset-key="93esq-0-0">Unfortunately, this is not possible for books to have certain songs playing in the background as you read over the scenes. If it were, I'd have a variety built in. </span><span data-offset-key="p41v-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span><span data-offset-key="epolh-0-0">There are certain songs though, that when I hear them, I think of certain books as it matches the themes. </span></span></div>
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For <b><i>Run Away Charlotte</i></b>, one song always stops me in my tracks when I hear it. I see Charlotte talking to Andrew, laying it all out as the communication shuts down between the two of them and how in that moment, she breaks and makes the worst decision of her life. A Great Big World's "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2U0Ivkn2Ds" target="_blank">Say Something</a>" wrecks me, as I figured Charlotte was in that heartbreaking moment.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"And I will swallow my pride</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">You're the one that I love</span></div>
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<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white;"></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white;">And I'm saying goodbye"</span></span></div>
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-- A Great Big World<br />
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</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">For the novel <i><b>Ask Me Again</b> </i>no song seemed to convey Charlotte's desire and longing to escape her demons and run into the safety of true love better than Chantal Kreviazuk's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-ouxPhYy7Y" target="_blank">Home.</a> This song would be the song playing as you read into the final chapters. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">If you knew how lonely my life has been</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">And how long I've been so alone</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">If you knew how I wanted someone to come along</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">And change my life the way you've done</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; text-align: left;">-- Chantal Kreviazuk </span></div>
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For <i><b>Duly Noted</b>, </i>the theme song for the book came while I was driving<i> </i>around singing to an older CD I'd popped in. Suddenly, a scratchy version of Garth Brooks' "When You Come Back to Me Again" and those first few notes hit me. Yes! This was Aurora's struggle. She didn't think anyone believed in her and she was a lonely ship at the mercy of the sea. Until she meets Nate. To me, it was the whole novel condensed into a few minutes of good ole Garth Brooks. I can't send you to his official link as he didn't make a video for this, but there are several covers on youTube.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: blue;">"'Cause there's a lighthouse, in a harbor</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">Shining faithfully</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Pouring its light out, across the water</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">For this sinking soul to see</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">That someone out there still believes in me"</span></div>
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-- <b>Garth Brooks</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course, the music changed a little when Aurora meets Nate's little brother, Lucas, and the two of them hit it off becoming best friends, at least to Aurora, in <b><i>That Summer.</i></b> Lucas on the other hand... well, James Arthur's "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yW7w8F2TVA" target="_blank">Say You Won't Let Go</a>" sums it up perfectly and it carries over beautifully into the final book of the trilogy. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"> </span><span style="color: blue;">"I knew I loved you then</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">But you'd never know</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">'Cause I played it cool when I was scared of letting go</span></span></div>
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</span><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><div style="text-align: center;">
I know I needed you</div>
</span></span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">But I never showed</span><span style="color: #222222;">"</span></div>
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-- <b>James Arthur</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For that final installment in the Aurora MacIntyre trilogy, the last book <i><b>If You Say Yes</b></i>, there was a whole <a href="https://hmshander.blogspot.com/2017/11/if-you-say-yes-playlist.html" target="_blank">playlist</a> involved, songs that would be playing in the background if it were a movie starring... well that's a blog post for another day.<br /><br />When I started the <a href="https://hmshander.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-ladies-of-westside.html" target="_blank">Ladies of Westside series</a>, the music was a little trickier, but only in the sense that I didn't know what each character was going through until it was written. The music didn't come suddenly or seem to match any song. It took a long while to find the right one. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">For <b><i>Serving Up Innocence</i></b>, there was Collin Raye's "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r9KAU-RKu4" target="_blank">Not That Different</a>". It hit home as the family-centric, play-by-the-rules Shayne is quite a bit different than the bohemian and carefree Korey who captures her heart. And for a bit, they wonder if they are strong enough to make the best of their differences.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"She said we're much too different</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We're from two separate worlds</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">And he admitted she was partly right</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">But in his heart's defense he told her</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">What they had in common</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Was strong enough to bond them for life"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>-- Collin Raye</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Serving Up Devotion</i></b>, is still a struggle and I'm actually still trying to find a general theme song for this one. I haven't yet heard one that captures all the emotions and soul of the book. Its tough when you're dealing with a head-strong orphaned heroine who's sole purpose is to give her brother a better life. Love just isn't on the do-to list. However I'm all game to hear any suggestions. When I wrote this book, there wasn't anything playing in the background aside from classical show tunes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Serving Up Secrecy </i>is a story about withholding information from another, and one song hits that on the head - Shania Twain's "No One Needs to Know". Just the like the main character, Josephine, she has no immediate need to share with her one-night stand the baby she's kept hidden from him, even though she finds herself falling in love with the man who never wants children. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: blue;">"I got my heart set, my feet wet</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">And he don't even know it yet</span></div>
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But no one needs to know right now</div>
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I'll tell him someday some way somehow</div>
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But I'm gonna keep it a secret for now"</div>
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<span style="color: blue;">-- </span><b>Shania Twain</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For <i><b>Serving Up Hope</b>, </i>the song that most captures the essence of Meghan being invited to her former fiance's wedding and finding the perfect date to accompany her, and finding herself falling for the guy who writes the most amazing letters is "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpZxRa-yetU" target="_blank">You Could've Been Anyone</a>" by Carole King. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"Funny how I feel more myself with you</span></div>
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Than anybody else that I ever knew</div>
</span><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div style="text-align: center;">
I hear it in your voice, see it in your face<br />You've become the memory I can't erase"</div>
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<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><b>-- Carole King<br /></b></span><br />
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<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><b><b>Do you have a favourite song? One that you'd say was your theme song?</b></b></span></h4>
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</span>H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480245662625564079.post-66352325808618097172018-08-15T12:42:00.001-06:002019-04-15T18:15:10.737-06:00The 2019 Junior YRCAs and who I think should win. For those of you who don't know, I work PT in an elementary school (grades preschool - grade six) and over the summer, I read all the <a href="https://www2.epl.ca/yrca/" target="_blank">junior level YRCAs </a>(Young Readers Choice Award) to better assist my students. This summer I was successful, and have rated the books from my least favourite to my absolute favourite.<br />
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There are 8 <a href="https://pnla.memberclicks.net/assets/2019%20yrca%20nominees.pdf" target="_blank">junior level </a>reads vying for top prize and the voting ended April 15th.<br />
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Here are my thoughts on the books.<br />
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#8 - The Inn Between by Marina Cohen</h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span id="freeText15064310252158324504" style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">The Shining meets "Hotel California" in this supremely creepy middle grade novel about the bizarre things that happen to two girls stranded at a desert inn.</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span id="freeText15064310252158324504" style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span id="freeText15064310252158324504" style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Eleven-year-old Quinn has had some bad experiences lately. She was caught cheating in school, and then one day, her little sister Emma disappeared while walking home from school. She never returned</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span id="freeText15064310252158324504" style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span id="freeText15064310252158324504" style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">When Quinn's best friend Kara has to move away, she goes on one last trip with Kara and her family. They stop over at the first hotel they see, a Victorian inn that instantly gives Quinn the creeps, and she begins to notice strange things happening around them. When Kara's parents and then brother disappear without a trace, the girls are stranded in a hotel full of strange guests, hallways that twist back in on themselves, and a particularly nasty surprise lurking beneath the floorboards. Will the girls be able to solve the mystery of what happened to Kara's family before it's too late?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: magenta; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Of the eight, this was not my favourite, and in fact I found myself skimming over it just to get to the end. It was a little weird for my liking, and I could see some parts being a little scary for the sensitive reader. I'd classify it into </span><span style="background-color: white;">the</span><span style="background-color: white;"> HORROR genre. The characters were okay, and it was well-written, just not my cup of tea.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">#7 - </span>It Ain’t so Awful Falafel by Firoozeh Dumas</h3>
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<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1492480032l/33503562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="33503562" border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1492480032l/33503562.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span id="freeText5623552671194342394" style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Zomorod (Cindy) Yousefzadeh is the new kid on the block . . . for the fourth time. California’s Newport Beach is her family’s latest perch, and she’s determined to shuck her brainy loner persona and start afresh with a new Brady Bunch name—Cindy. It’s the late 1970s, and fitting in becomes more difficult as Iran makes U.S. headlines with protests, revolution, and finally the taking of American hostages. Even mood rings and puka shell necklaces can't distract Cindy from the anti-Iran sentiments that creep way too close to home. A poignant yet lighthearted middle grade debut from the author of the best-selling Funny in Farsi.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #181818;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: magenta; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I started off really enjoying this story, especially since it pre-dates cell phones and social media, it gives the young readers of today a view of the world their parents lived in. The characters were great and fleshed out, but when it got quite political, I lost interest. It was a little over the top in that respect, and I think if it were scaled back, it would be higher on my list. Otherwise, Cindy's going ons as the new kid were pretty funny. </span></div>
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#6 - Dog Man by Dav Pilkey</h3>
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<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1456963971l/28691896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="28691896" border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1456963971l/28691896.jpg" width="135" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">New from the creator of Captain Underpants, it's Dog Man, the #1 <i>New York Times</i> bestselling, crime-biting canine who is part dog, part man, and ALL HERO!</b><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">George and Harold have created a new hero who digs into deception, claws after crooks, and rolls over robbers. When Greg the police dog and his cop companion are injured on the job, a life-saving surgery changes the course of history, and Dog Man is born. With the head of a dog and the body of a human, </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">this heroic hound has a real nose for justice. But can he resist the call of the wild to answer the call of duty? </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">I</b><span style="background-color: white;">'m not a fan of comic book/graphic novels, but I can see the huge appeal. It was a cute story and easy to read. Having met Mr. Dav Pilkey, I know why he has the bad spelling and grammar, but it bugs me to the end of the earth to have it in a kids book, especially those learning to spell correctly. I wouldn't be surprised if this book was voted #1 by the kids at my school, and won the award. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">#5 - Pax by Sara Pennypacker</span></h3>
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<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1434493048l/22098550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="22098550" border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1434493048l/22098550.jpg" width="140" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span id="freeText3213371717516277005" style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Pax was only a kit when his family was killed, and “his boy” Peter rescued him from abandonment and certain death. Now the war front approaches, and when Peter’s father enlists, Peter has to move in with his grandpa. Far worse than being forced to leave home is the fact that Pax can’t go. Peter listens to his stern father—as he usually does—and throws Pax’s favorite toy soldier into the woods. When the fox runs to retrieve it, Peter and his dad get back in the car and leave him there—alone. But before Peter makes it through even one night under his grandfather’s roof, regret and duty spur him to action; he packs for a trek to get his best friend back and sneaks into the night. This is the story of Peter, Pax, and their independent struggles to return to one another against all odds. Told from the alternating viewpoints of Peter and Pax.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I enjoyed this book right up to the ending. The ending tainted the whole story, although I had to suspend some reality (Peter runs away from home and is gone for so long and yet no one goes looking for him?) The alternating view points were cute, and I did enjoy reading from Pax's POV. Overall, it was cute, but not the heart-warming story I was expecting. </span></span></div>
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#4 - The Key to Extraordinary by Natalie Lloyd</h3>
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<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1458655716l/25152641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="25152641" border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1458655716l/25152641.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Everyone in Emma's family is special. Her ancestors include Revolutionary War spies, brilliant scientists, and famous musicians--every single one of which learned of their extraordinary destiny through a dream.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">For Emma, her own dream can't come soon enough. Right before her mother died, Emma promised that she'd do whatever it took to fulfill her destiny, and she doesn't want to let her mother down.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">But when Emma's dream finally arrives, it points her toward an impossible task--finding a legendary treasure hidden in her town's cemetery. If Emma fails, she'll let down generations of extraordinary ancestors . . . including her own mother. But how can she find something that's been missing for centuries and might be protected by a mysterious singing ghost?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">With her signature blend of lyrical writing, quirky humor, and unforgettable characters, Natalie Lloyd's </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">The Key to Extraordinary</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">cements her status as one of the most original voices writing for children today. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">It took me a bit to get into this, but once I did, I couldn't put it down. It was exceptionally engaging and I really enjoyed Emma and her quest. I loved the setting (a house that backs onto a cemetary) and the mysteries of the Deep South. It's not a scary read at all, but very magical. </span></span></div>
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#3 - The Wild Robot by Peter Brown</h3>
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<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1441052184l/26030734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="26030734" border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1441052184l/26030734.jpg" width="135" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is alone on a remote, wild island. Why is she there? Where did she come from? And, most important, how will she survive in her harsh surroundings? Roz's only hope is to learn from the island's hostile animal inhabitants. When she tries to care for an orphaned gosling, the other animals finally decide to help, and the island starts to feel like home. Until one day, the robot's mysterious past comes back to haunt her.... </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">I was hesitant to read this one, but I'm so glad I picked it up. The illustrations were adorable and the story as a whole was easy to get into. I loved how the robot Roz grew as a character. The only drawback is I wish it had a definitive ending - instead it leads to the start of book 2. </span><br />
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#1 - It's a TIE! </h2>
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The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill </h3>
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<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1485376116l/28110852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="28110852" border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1485376116l/28110852.jpg" width="131" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Every year, the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest. They hope this sacrifice will keep her from terrorizing their town. But the witch in the forest, Xan, is kind and gentle. She shares her home with a wise Swamp Monster named Glerk and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon, Fyrian. Xan rescues the abandoned children and delivers them to welcoming families on the other side of the forest, nourishing the babies with starlight on the journey. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">One year, Xan accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, filling the ordinary child with extraordinary magic. Xan decides she must raise this enmagicked girl, whom she calls Luna, as her own. To keep young Luna safe from her own unwieldy power, Xan locks her magic deep inside her. When Luna approaches her thirteenth birthday, her magic begins to emerge on schedule -- but Xan is far away. Meanwhile, a young man from the Protectorate is determined to free his people by killing the witch. Soon, it is up to Luna to protect those who have protected her -- even if it means the end of the loving, safe world she’s always known.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">The acclaimed author of <i>The Witch’s Boy</i> has created another epic coming-of-age fairy tale destined to become a modern classic. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">OMG - I just loved this book. It was a fantasy book that I became totally immersed in - the writing was so crisp and detailed, I could picture every scene with ease. The characters were amazing (I loved them all, but really liked Fyrain the Perfectly Tiny Dragon). I was rooting for the Xan and the ending was the best. Five stars all the way. </span></span></div>
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Ms. Bixby’s Last Day by John David Anderson</h3>
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<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457894475l/27064348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="27064348" border="0" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457894475l/27064348.jpg" width="132" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span id="freeText1963182579845911776" style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Everyone knows there are different kinds of teachers. The good ones. The not-so-good ones. The boring ones, the mean ones, the ones who try too hard. The ones you’ll never remember, and the ones you want to forget. But Ms. Bixby is none of these. She’s the sort of teacher who makes you feel like the indignity of school is worthwhile. Who makes the idea of growing up less terrifying. Who you never want to disappoint. What Ms. Bixby is, is one of a kind.<br /><br />Topher, Brand, and Steve know this better than anyone. And so when Ms. Bixby unexpectedly announces that she is very sick and won’t be able to finish the school year, they come up with a plan. Through the three very different stories they tell, we begin to understand just what Ms. Bixby means to Topher, Brand, and Steve—and what they are willing to go to such great lengths to tell her.<br /><br /><b>John David Anderson, the acclaimed author of <em>Sidekicked</em>, returns with a story of three kids, a very special teacher, and one day that none of them will ever forget.</b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">I loved how three boys go on an adventure of sorts, and we get a very interesting story as they are three unique boys from three different backgrounds. It's written so well, and I couldn't put it down. I became so invested in the story and their quest, that the ending had me bawling. I haven't read a MG book that affected me so much since I was a child reading <i>Charlotte's Web.</i> Everyone (I hope) has had a teacher as amazing as Ms. Bixby, and if so, they will fall in love with all the stories with the story. </span><br />
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After an engaging 6 months of student reading, I tallied their votes today and gave them percentages.<br /><br />It Ain't So Awful Falafel - 0%<br />
The Key to Extraordinary - 0%<br />Pax - 2.5%<br />
Ms. Bixby's Last Day - 5%<br />
The Wild Robot - 12.5%<br />The Inn Between - 20%<br />Girl Who Drank the Moon - 22.5%<br />Dog Man - 37.5% <- WINNER at our school, and likely the winner overall.<br /><br />We shall see in May when all the votes are calculated and the winner is crowned.<br />
<br />H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480245662625564079.post-34593588892554897332018-08-05T16:15:00.003-06:002018-08-05T16:15:59.191-06:00Big City Scavenger Hunt - My ReviewBack in April, I spotted a <a href="https://www.groupon.com/visitor_referral/h/454f5482-5712-43c2-9bc6-0bf716847ee1" target="_blank">Groupon</a> that sounded like so much fun - <b><a href="https://www.scavengerhunt.com/locations/Edmonton_Scavenger_Hunt.html" target="_blank">A Big City Scavenger Hunt</a></b> for Edmonton. With the Groupon pricing, and some sort of deal of the day discount, I secured 4 tickets for $33.20, and since it had to be used by August 10, I added it to our #summerbucketlist.<br />
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As the expiry date rolled closer, we decided to head out on a cloudy Saturday afternoon to make use of it. It took a bit to get it set up (for whatever reason, my phone wouldn't go past the login screen, so hubs used his and then became the group leader).<br />
We got it all set up, and because my youngest doesn't have a phone, he tagged off of my phone.<br />
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The four of us got our 'roles'; the <i>Leader</i>, the <i>Art Major</i>, the <i>Architect</i> and the <i>Photographer,</i> and with extra battery packs for the phones headed to our starting point - downtown at the Legislative Grounds.<br />
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Assignments were sent to each phone (two to mine as our youngest doesn't have a phone), and you completed them. Some were photo challenges (as in take a picture meeting certain criteria), and some were to read various signs and answer a multiple choice question (which the leader got). I was expecting puzzle challenges and the like, and was sadly disappointed to not get those. Maybe that comes with a larger group?<br />
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We moved from point to point seeing buildings and parks that we would've never explored as I, for one, do not venture downtown. So on that point, it was really neat to take in some historical places.<br />
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According to the website, it's <b>estimated that you'll walk about 2.18 miles (3.5 km).</b> No problem, we all wore good walking shoes. The truth was it's much more than that. MUCH more. To the <i>end </i>point. That doesn't include the distance back to the starting point.<br />
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It's estimated it <b>will take you about 2 hours</b>. This was pretty accurate.<br />
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Enjoyability factor - about 3.5 stars out of 5.<br />
Ease of use - it took a bit to get signed in, but after that, was pretty easy. We each received between 6-7 challenges texted to our phones.<br />
Would I recommend? - yes. It was neat to see the historic buildings and the sights I'd never noticed.<br />
Would I do it again? - no. It's only one option.<br />
Value for the price? I got a discounted price, thanks to Groupon, so it was decent. No way would I have paid the regular $20 per person price otherwise.<br />
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~~~~~~ warning - from here on in are spoilers about the locations we went to ~~~~~~~~~</h4>
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One of our stops, after two challenges at the Legislature, was to walk to this location. A very cool building built in 1904 and the site for the Legislature until the main one was built. </div>
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One of the photographer's challenges was to take a photo of something beautiful. I thought the tree was really neat. BTW - you get 5 minutes to perform the challenge. Usually, more than enough time. </div>
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As we headed north, find the Recycle was one of our stops and two challenges were achieved here. This park (Beaver Hill Park) I've driven by a few times, so it was neat to stop and check it all out. All the bicycles in the center are constructed out of other materials. They reused them for another purpose. </div>
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Heading further north, near Roger's Place, is the Neon Sign Museum - another site to complete a challenge. I'm sure it's much nicer at night, and I've seen this as I've gone to concerts and games at the arena, but never actually stopped and checked out the signs. One sign had the same name as my husband, so he posed under it (picture not shown). </div>
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Heading east, we checked out City Hall, and looked for the name of the clock tower. Since we couldn't find the name (likely due to construction, we guessed on that challenge, and --yay-- guessed correctly.) It was called the Friendship Tower. </div>
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The Lunchman was another challenge. We had to describe the object he's holding in his hands. My kids thought it was a hot dog without a bun (LOL) but it's not. I won't give this one away. ;) </div>
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The challenges mentioned how we're getting to the end, but we are still a long ways away from our car. Hmm... we'll keep going. Maybe it will start taking us westward.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pyramids at the Muttart are NOT one of the challenges. </td></tr>
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Nope. We followed directions south and east over to 95 A street and 101 ave and spotted our final 'check point' if you will, and descended into Louise McKinney Riverfront Park. We completed our final challenge! Yahoo! </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n7SfHIQIKOY/W2ZnbEXF1QI/AAAAAAAAF2k/gDoRBjxxFaMLofthMuSa4N96HQMBFdRAgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_3798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n7SfHIQIKOY/W2ZnbEXF1QI/AAAAAAAAF2k/gDoRBjxxFaMLofthMuSa4N96HQMBFdRAgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_3798.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Only thing is now we are roughly 2.3 km away from our vehicle. </div>
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And I have a very tired 10 year old.<br />
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So we walked along the river front and caught the Funicular up to the Fairmont Hotel MacDonald area, and then took the LRT back to our car. Wasn't expecting that. We'd all been hoping that the Hunt would make a nice loop back instead of ending quite a ways away. That put a damper on our experience. Plus it would've been nice to have more stops along the way. Not necessarily challenges, but a little info and history since the app was tracking us to send us the challenges at the right time.</div>
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This is a rough walking outline of where we went and where we ended. 5.1 km for the Scavenger Hunt (not 3.5, and we even took some shortcuts!), plus the return distance. </div>
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Verdict - the challenges weren't as exciting as I'd hoped, or was lead to believe. One challenge was to take a picture of one of our teammates jumping. Hmm... different and not related at all to the area we were in. But it scored us 50 points, so yay? IDK.<br />
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But the scavenger hunt was neat to do it ONCE. Maybe if they had another option, we'd try it again and park a car at the end point (groupon reviewers had mentioned this, as I read <i>after! Dang!) </i>However, we did see some new areas of Edmonton so that was cool. Overall 3 stars out of 5 (averaged from the four of us). </div>
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H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480245662625564079.post-85105388865264880582018-08-04T20:10:00.000-06:002018-08-04T21:01:12.813-06:00Our Journey Down the North Saskatchewan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last year we sailed down the North Saskatchew with<a href="https://www.edmontoncanoe.com/en/activity/79492/sunday-pm-canoe" target="_blank"> Edmonton Canoe</a> on their leisure Sunday PM canoe ride. If you're curious about our last years trip, click <a href="http://hmshander.blogspot.com/2017/07/canoeing-down-north-saskatchewan.html" target="_blank">here</a>. It was so much fun, that we booked again for this summer. Same company, same Sunday afternoon event. </div>
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Date selected, we eagerly watched the weather. Unless it's storming, it's a go. Thankfully for us that Sunday, it was a beautiful 30C, and we had a light breeze on the water. </div>
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Our starting point was Capilano Park, where we parked our vehicle and received some quick instructions from the leader of Edmonton Canoe. We boarded the bus and headed to our starting destination. This year, due to construction on the Groat Rode bridge, we were unable to start at Emily Murphy park. Instead, as a bonus, we got to start further upstream at Sir Wilfred Laurier Park. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Sir Wilfred Laurier Park - the Hawrelak Park-Laurier Park Bridge in the distance. </td></tr>
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As we paddled down the river, we passed Government Hill park on the left and came within sight of the High Level Bridge, which just happened to have a Streetcar crossing on the top. The LRT bridge is just below.<br />
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We paddled more downstream, enjoying the fresh air, the laughs, the views and the heat. We approached Edmonton's newest bridge - the Walterdale - a true beauty to be seen. </div>
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It was quite warm, so we 'docked' underneath the Walterdale in the shade and had a late lunch. There are year markers underside the bridge. One was 1985 and the other was 1915. We speculated that these might be how high the river was on those years, but we could be wrong. Anyone know?</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wiLngFZwIQE/W2ZQr1JU5fI/AAAAAAAAFz8/MbN1rsbPRcgMiH8sNknF6GYxK_lPQIpCACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_3696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wiLngFZwIQE/W2ZQr1JU5fI/AAAAAAAAFz8/MbN1rsbPRcgMiH8sNknF6GYxK_lPQIpCACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_3696.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Looking to the north side of Walterdale. </div>
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Continuing on, we passed this quaint little wooden bridge. </div>
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It's somewhere in the Irene Parlby park area. </div>
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Yay! As luck would have it the <a href="https://www.edmontonriverboat.ca/" target="_blank">Edmonton Queen</a> was heading upstream with a group of party-goers. We floated on by and waved! A few guests even waved back. Adding this to my #summerbucketlist</div>
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Approaching the 98 ave Bridge, with Downtown in the background. </div>
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This is a magnificent view of the Hotel MacDonald, the Funicular Viewpoint, the Courtyard by Marriot, Canada Place and the Shaw Conference Centre (on the far right)</div>
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We passed by Accidental Beach, and looked westward at downtown. Lots of construction going on in the core of our city, as you can see by the cranes. Accidental beach wasn't as appealing as we thought or hoped. However, it could be because the water levels are still high because the beach are wasn't that expanse? </div>
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The Rowland Road Bridge. We're approaching the end, and because it's been such a lovely and peaceful trek, we're not wanting it to end. So we lifted our paddles and simply floated downstream. </div>
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Here I am!<br />
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I travelled with my two children and two other adults. </div>
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We split the five of us into two canoes (so we bought the additional seat for the canoe). </div>
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It was an enjoyable ride. Already my kids are asking when we're going to go next year. </div>
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We couldn't have asked for better weather and better travelling companions. </div>
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According to my estimate, it was about 16 km worth of river we paddled down. </div>
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Edmonton Canoe was waiting for us as we 'landed' at Capilano and they took care of loading the canoe onto the trailer. They had also unloaded them at Laurier Park boat launch, so everything was ready to go. </div>
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Life jackets are provided, and they have kid sizes, but I brought my kids' anyway as I know they fit properly. They provide you with a dry bag to keep your personal effects in, but I used a baggie and carabiner clip to secure it to my lifejacket. Trust me, you'll want to take a lot of pictures and won't want to fiddle with wrapping/rewrapping the dry bag. I didn't post the pictures that had our faces in it but between the 3 adults, we took over 100 pictures. </div>
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The trip itself took us just over three hours. </div>
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Enjoyability factor - HIGH! Everyone wants to do it again. </div>
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Five stars all the way!</div>
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<br />H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480245662625564079.post-2365185654206259022018-08-03T13:00:00.000-06:002018-08-03T13:00:15.696-06:00For Readers of Duly Noted - a Bonus Chapter <br />
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Hey Readers! <br />The following chapter was cut during revisions. It’s still raw, and may contain spelling or grammar errors. It was supposed to be Chapter 27 in <i>Duly Noted</i>, but in consultation with my editor and beta readers, it added a whole other range of issues to explore, and the word count was already creeping up, so it needed to be cut. But it explores a bit of what Nate thought of Aurora's PTSD.<br />
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<span style="line-height: 14.124px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;">Copyright 2016 -- H.M. Shander</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 14.124px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;">No portion of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded or otherwise without express written permission from the author. </span></span></div>
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<h2>
<span style="text-align: center;"> DULY NOTED – BONUS CHAPTER</span></h2>
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Nate had to chuckle to himself as Aurora sang way off tune to a song on the radio. He knew this was a side to the medication, even if he never told her. Cole knew it too and had warned him. But it was very amusing listening to her belt out “Summer of 69” as if she were Bryan Adams. <br />
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She’d been very relaxed getting into the car, and he knew his time was limited. The last pill didn’t give him nearly enough time, but he was confident that he’d make it this time. The roads were much quieter being late into the night, so he drove a little quicker than normal too. He wanted her in her apartment before the pill wore off, he wanted her to come to in a place that was warm and familiar. <br />
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They made good time and he was about ten minutes from her house when he saw the flashing lights in his rear view mirror. <br />
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“Oh no,” he thought. “Please let it be for someone else.” A glance at his speedometer told him he was at least 15 kms over the speed limit. Hoping for another vehicle, he searched fruitlessly and pulled over. “How do I get through this, and get her home before it wears off?” He worried. “You doing okay?” he asked Aurora who suddenly went stone faced. <br />
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After an agonizingly long minute with the police cruiser parked behind him, the police officer finally made his way over. <br />
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Hoping politeness would speed things along, Nate rolled his window down. “Good evening, Officer.”<br />
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“Know why I pulled you over?”<br />
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“Yes, sir, I was speeding. But I can explain.” His voice was shaky and if he knew it, surely the police officer did as well. A flashlight beam searched his face. “My girlfriend has PTSD and takes a special pill to help her travel in cars. Her family was killed in a car wreck, see, so being in a vehicle terrifies the hell out of her.” Nate glanced over to Aurora whose expression had morphed into a terror stricken one. “And I need to get her home before the pill wears off and she realises where she is.”<br />
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The police officer shined the light over to her and back onto his face. “License and registration please.”<br />
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Nate pulled out his wallet and produced the information but kept his focus on Aurora. He touched her leg. “You still okay?”<br />
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There was no response and he knew he was in trouble. He knew she was starting to process, she’d explained it to him. How things slowly started coming together. Panic built up in him at an impressive speed. If she came out of it now, he had no idea how he’d get her home. He glanced in the rear view mirror. The cop was just getting into the cruiser. Oh shit, she’d for sure be out of it before he finished. <br />
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“Aurora?” he asked. The silence was deafening. He smacked the steering wheel. “Think, think, think!” he pleaded with himself. A lightbulb moment, he thought of his sister, but wondered if she’d be home already. “Couldn’t hurt anyways,” he thought as texted her, explaining what was happening and what he expected to happen. She texted back that she was on her way and she’d bring Max too. A little relief dripped on him. He looked back in the rear view – the cop was still in there. <br />
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Aurora looked worse. Her lips trembled and as if the curtains opened, her focus became laser sharp. “Nate?” she said, her voice matching the shaking of her lips. “Why are we stopped?” <br />
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“I got pulled over for speeding.”<br />
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“Nate?” she said in an almost whisper. “No! No! No!” she exclaimed covering her head. “Please no.” Her voice dropped, and she started shaking. <br />
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It was horrifying to watch. She started moaning, a deep painful moan. “What do I do?”<br />
<br />
The Aurora he knew was no longer there and he knew it. Her eyes tightly closed, her hands in fists. First came the scream that rocked him to his core, its sound so painful and desperate. He jumped out of his side and ran over to the passenger door. No matter what he did he was royally screwed. Leave her in there and he worried she’d give herself a heart attack. Pull her out, and he had no way to get her back into a vehicle to get her home safely. <br />
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By time he opened her door, the police officer was charging over. “What the hell are you doing?”<br />
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“The pill’s wearing off, and she’s freaking out.”<br />
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Both men looked over at Aurora in the passenger seat, moaning and tears rolling down her cheeks. The police officer nodded and with a swift step, Nate extracted her from the vehicle and she went limp in his arms. “Aurora? Aurora…” He shook her. <br />
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The officer called in for an ambulance as Nate placed her on the ground. He checked for her breathing – it was there, just deep and long like she was in a deep sleep. He checked for a pulse and was happy to feeling little pulses beneath his fingers. He sat beside her on the ground, holding her jelly-like hand. No smelling salts to bring her back, he just had to wait. <br />
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A car passed by slowly and braked, pulling in front of Nate’s car. Chris rushed over first, with Max right behind. <br />
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Nate caught them up as the officer stood over them. The wailing of a siren in the distance was music to his ears. He couldn’t remember a time he’d been happier to see the red and white lights of the ambulance. Max had moved his car further up the road to give the ambulance room to pull in. <br />
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The paramedics jumped out and came over, Max relaying info to them. Nate stood up as a gurney arrived and they lifted her onto it, pushing it back into the ambulance. <br />
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They worked over her, while Nate watched from the road, his hands running through his hair, pulling on it hard. He looked at his sister, just a few steps away. “I can’t do this, Chris.” He shook his head and stepped back to lean against his car. “I can’t wonder if every time we get into a vehicle if this will happen. This isn’t normal.”<br />
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“You’re right, it’s not.” He felt her arm on his shoulder. <br />
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“So how do I get through this? How can I do this?” He felt like he was going to crack and fought the urge to lash out. “Everything was going so well.”<br />
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Max yelled out the back. “What did you give her to fog her memory?”<br />
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Nate walked closer. “Her dad calls them Isa’s but I don’t know the full name.” The looks between the paramedics did not escape his view. “Why?”<br />
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“We just need to know what’s in her system, so we don’t give her anything harmful,” said one of the paramedics hanging up a bag of fluid. <br />
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“Why isn’t she waking up?” Nate asked, but no one in the ambulance answered. <br />
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Her sister’s voice beside him answered. “Her mind has shut down everything. It’s the brain’s defence mechanism. And it’s doing a good job. Really, it’s quite amazing.”<br />
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“Amazing? Are you for real?” Nate said with disgust. “There's nothing amazing about this.”<br />
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“Clinical speaking, I mean. As her boyfriend, I can imagine it’s quite different.”<br />
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“You’re damn straight.” His gaze never left Aurora. “When will she wake up?”<br />
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“That’s up to her.” Chris looked sympathetic. <br />
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“We’re ready to transport. She’s not responsive, so we’re taking her in.” The paramedic told Nate, as he hopped out and closed the door. <br />
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He watched as the ambulance pulled out and drove away, taking his heart with him. <br />
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“Come on we’ll follow them in,” Chris said to him, but his feet were glued to the ground. <br />
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The police officer handed him back his licence and registration but he couldn’t move. <br />
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“C’mon, Nate,” she urged.<br />
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He shook his head. “I can’t.”<br />
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<br />H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480245662625564079.post-42638757451135781722018-08-01T15:01:00.000-06:002018-09-19T16:22:34.255-06:00The Ladies of WestSide <h3 style="text-align: center;">
What's cooking in the Westside kitchen? </h3>
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Four brand new standalone stories; each focusing on one of the staff members at Westside, however, they also make minor appearances in the other stories.<br />
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Watch for a surprise appearance from a beloved character or two from past books.<br />
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Meet the staff at Westside Eatery: </h3>
<b>Jade/Shayne</b> - server<br />
<b>Jasper</b> - server<br />
<b>Evanora/Audrina</b> - server<br />
<b>Niall</b> - manager<br />
<b>Joy/Josephine</b> - server<br />
<b>Robin</b> - server<br />
<b>Celeste</b> - server<br />
<b>Meghan</b> - manager<br />
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Click on each book below to be taken to the its own page, with cover and sneak peek (coming soon), and links to pre-order.</div>
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<a href="https://hmshander.blogspot.com/2018/07/serving-up-innocence.html"><span style="color: blue;">Serving Up Innocence</span></a> - Book One - October 3rd<br /><a href="http://hmshander.blogspot.com/2018/07/serving-up-devotion.html"><span style="color: blue;">Serving Up Devotion</span></a> - Book Two - November 21st<br /><a href="http://hmshander.blogspot.com/2018/07/serving-up-secrecy.html"><span style="color: blue;">Serving Up Secrecy</span></a> - Book Three - January 2nd<br /><a href="http://hmshander.blogspot.com/2018/07/serving-up-hope.html"><span style="color: blue;">Serving Up Hope</span></a> - Book Four - February 13th</h3>
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Check out all the books on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9881989.H_M_Shander">Goodreads</a>, and add the Ladies of Westside series to your must read pile. </div>
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<br />H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480245662625564079.post-24419033015296680662018-07-28T20:04:00.000-06:002018-12-26T20:41:09.599-07:00My 2018 Read list<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">This is a running list of the books I've read each month, with a copy of the cover as my favourite of the month - which turns out to be 34! WOW! I am not including any of the manuscripts I have worked on for my author friends, as sometimes they had no working title when I received it, or the author has decided to withhold it from the public as it's being queried out, but there are likely a dozen or two I'd add to the list.</span></h4>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">It's definitely been a nice variety as our book club switches genres each month. That's fun - it's nice to read something a little different. </span><br />
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<b>January</b></div>
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Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins</div>
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The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club by Wanda Brunstetter</div>
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Bera the One-Headed Troll by Eric Orchard</div>
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Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins<br />
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February </div>
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A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Husseini</div>
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Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins</div>
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March</div>
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The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce</div>
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Wonder by R.J. Palacio</div>
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Love Connection by Camilla Isley</div>
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Cinder by Marissa Meyer</div>
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Landing Luck by Tracy Krimmer<br />
Caraval by Stephanie Garber (re-read)<br />
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April </div>
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Bird Box by Josh Mailerman<br />
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<b style="font-weight: bold;"><b>May</b> </b></h2>
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The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia McKillip</div>
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Spelled by Betsy Schow<br />
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June</div>
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The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain</div>
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The Girl Who Drank The Moon by Kelly Barnhill<br />
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</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
July </h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pax by Sarah Pennypacker</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Weird Things Customers Said in Bookstores by Jen Campbell</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It Ain't So Awful, Falafel by Firoozeh Dumas</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mrs. Bixby's Last Day by John David Anderson</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jEfdBQq6fLQ/W10eMnAc8iI/AAAAAAAAEtM/gjlzJJR-UQciX7I3ERH9vG0u_65R3GS-ACEwYBhgL/s1600/book%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="269" data-original-width="187" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jEfdBQq6fLQ/W10eMnAc8iI/AAAAAAAAEtM/gjlzJJR-UQciX7I3ERH9vG0u_65R3GS-ACEwYBhgL/s200/book%2B7.jpg" width="139" /></a></div>
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August </h2>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The Key to Extraordinary by Natalie Lloyd</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The Inn Between by Marina Cohen</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E.K. Johnson</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://bookdepot-lmwv1z0x2r9fdffrc7q.netdna-ssl.com/covers/large/isbn978110/9781101994580-l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://bookdepot-lmwv1z0x2r9fdffrc7q.netdna-ssl.com/covers/large/isbn978110/9781101994580-l.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<h2>
September</h2>
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The Shape of Water by Guillermo del Toro<br />
Blackheart by Nicole Castroman<br />
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<img alt="Image result for the shape of water" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51gd2owR2iL._SX329_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="132" /><br />
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<h2>
October</h2>
<br />
Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen<br />
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<img alt="Image result for along for the ride" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1356283714i/9310942._UY200_.jpg" /><br />
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<h2>
November</h2>
Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz<br />
The Whispering Magpies by J. Huet<br />
Tales of the Peculiar by Ransom Riggs<br />
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<img height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51xDg1HFNUL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="133" /><br />
<br />
<h2>
<b>December</b></h2>
My Life as a Country Album by LJ Evans<br /><br /><img alt="my life as a country album (my life as an album Book 1) by [Evans, LJ]" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51lBQ8GApbL.jpg" width="132" /><br />
<br /></div>
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</div>
H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480245662625564079.post-62270196978861980922018-07-17T09:52:00.001-06:002019-02-10T21:21:58.307-07:00Serving Up Hope<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nAM3cUHLbRY/Wxiw7vs9VGI/AAAAAAAAEn4/IU6djgxvmJ8oSqwCPYu2Nxy4uSlT5Wi9QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/The%2BLadies%2Bof%2BWestside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="828" height="151" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nAM3cUHLbRY/Wxiw7vs9VGI/AAAAAAAAEn4/IU6djgxvmJ8oSqwCPYu2Nxy4uSlT5Wi9QCPcBGAYYCw/s400/The%2BLadies%2Bof%2BWestside.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Serving Up Hope - Book Four</h2>
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<br />
<b><i>Single male needed for former fiance's wedding.</i></b><br />
<b><i>Must pretend to be my boyfriend for the day.</i></b><br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JXjqVqrBUfE/W1qk-F_44lI/AAAAAAAAEsA/lN3hKKCnG409XXh2bRuWslSz6BLa8j1swCEwYBhgL/s1600/Serving-up-Hope-EBOOK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1054" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JXjqVqrBUfE/W1qk-F_44lI/AAAAAAAAEsA/lN3hKKCnG409XXh2bRuWslSz6BLa8j1swCEwYBhgL/s400/Serving-up-Hope-EBOOK.jpg" width="262" /></a><b><i>Steady employment necessary, must look great in a suit and be between the ages of 25 - 40.</i></b><br />
<b><i>Bonus points if similar in nature to a Disney prince.</i></b><br />
<br />
Meghan Carter, the owner of Westside, is blindsided when she receives an invitation to her ex's <br />
wedding; the one who left her at the altar four years ago. Whatever the motive behind the invite, she needs to show up and prove she's better off without him. On the arm of the perfect man would be the best kind of revenge.<br />
<br />
The workaholic reluctantly sets up a dating profile and through the slush pile, four potential candidates seem <i>acceptable</i>. However, there's one she feels a connection with as he understands the motivation behind needing the fake date and is willing to be her arm candy.<br />
<br />
She didn't join the dating site to be jerked around, and she didn't join it to find an everlasting love, but feelings start blossoming. Is the attraction real, or is someone saying everything she's desperate to hear? Because she just crawled out of the dark hole and she doesn't want to fall back in. Ever again. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
And for fun, here is Meghan's dating profile and the other <i>acceptable </i>candidates. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iSVAgNBLcjc/XFy4JF8-sXI/AAAAAAAAG-4/gb_3jDwo1d44dTqHSo1pUivnhQzkRkMtQCLcBGAs/s1600/Text%2Bplaceholder%2B%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iSVAgNBLcjc/XFy4JF8-sXI/AAAAAAAAG-4/gb_3jDwo1d44dTqHSo1pUivnhQzkRkMtQCLcBGAs/s320/Text%2Bplaceholder%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h4>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m6edTsaigcM/XFy4IQt9yvI/AAAAAAAAG-w/afVfuiZNQZEn0nGfQSamRTkOtm1Nj9nnwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Text%2Bplaceholder%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m6edTsaigcM/XFy4IQt9yvI/AAAAAAAAG-w/afVfuiZNQZEn0nGfQSamRTkOtm1Nj9nnwCEwYBhgL/s320/Text%2Bplaceholder%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-etbG7kMhjnQ/XFy4IT9T4RI/AAAAAAAAG_A/6upKp9aiXWcfAMHlnwADTHcRN7q7TZgfwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Text%2Bplaceholder%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-etbG7kMhjnQ/XFy4IT9T4RI/AAAAAAAAG_A/6upKp9aiXWcfAMHlnwADTHcRN7q7TZgfwCEwYBhgL/s320/Text%2Bplaceholder%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BZkwHdSJ1bA/XFy4Ic_98XI/AAAAAAAAG_M/LaoZoxJvfzYtKIoWhYsbtpOWs_vNl1tbQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Text%2Bplaceholder%2B%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BZkwHdSJ1bA/XFy4Ic_98XI/AAAAAAAAG_M/LaoZoxJvfzYtKIoWhYsbtpOWs_vNl1tbQCEwYBhgL/s320/Text%2Bplaceholder%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OphCnQuDV5Q/V02vFgzfPkI/AAAAAAAAAKU/v87Hx6PNsXcRCB6CYu4iBk-7xW_36ue-gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/coming_soon.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="104" data-original-width="195" height="170" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OphCnQuDV5Q/V02vFgzfPkI/AAAAAAAAAKU/v87Hx6PNsXcRCB6CYu4iBk-7xW_36ue-gCPcBGAYYCw/s320/coming_soon.gif" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><br />releasing February 13, 2019</b><br /><br />Pre-order for $0.99<br /><a href="https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/serving-up-hope">Kobo</a><br /><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/serving-up-hope/id1395471617?mt=11">iTunes/iBooks</a><br /><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/serving-up-hope-hm-shander/1128881693?ean=2940155283362">Nook</a><br /><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/837180">Smashwords</a><br />Amazon <-link coming soon</span></h4>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Add to your <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40193192-serving-up-hope">Goodreads</a> Want to Read list today. </span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Others in the Series: </span></h4>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://hmshander.blogspot.com/2018/07/serving-up-innocence.html"><span style="color: blue;">Serving Up Innocence</span></a> - Book One - October 3rd<br /><a href="http://hmshander.blogspot.com/2018/07/serving-up-devotion.html"><span style="color: blue;">Serving Up Devotion</span></a> - Book Two - November 21st<br /><a href="http://hmshander.blogspot.com/2018/07/serving-up-secrecy.html"><span style="color: blue;">Serving Up Secrecy</span></a> - Book Three - January 2nd</h3>
</div>
</div>
H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480245662625564079.post-55171316813524562172018-07-11T18:18:00.002-06:002018-12-04T09:25:33.274-07:00Serving Up Secrecy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nAM3cUHLbRY/Wxiw7vs9VGI/AAAAAAAAEn4/IU6djgxvmJ8oSqwCPYu2Nxy4uSlT5Wi9QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/The%2BLadies%2Bof%2BWestside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="828" height="151" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nAM3cUHLbRY/Wxiw7vs9VGI/AAAAAAAAEn4/IU6djgxvmJ8oSqwCPYu2Nxy4uSlT5Wi9QCPcBGAYYCw/s400/The%2BLadies%2Bof%2BWestside.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Serving Up Secrecy - Book Three</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i><b>A wedding. A one-night stand. A future forever changed.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K0LdrSDAR0M/W1qk-HvR5aI/AAAAAAAAEsE/9yNUN35tmfwcFC4mDTc56A5lYsuAxkTTQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Serving-Up-Secrecy-EBOOK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1055" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K0LdrSDAR0M/W1qk-HvR5aI/AAAAAAAAEsE/9yNUN35tmfwcFC4mDTc56A5lYsuAxkTTQCEwYBhgL/s320/Serving-Up-Secrecy-EBOOK.jpg" width="210" /></a><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">J</span><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">oy is happy to do her own thing and live for each day… until the day she discovers she's pregnant. With that little pink line on the test, her focus shifts toward the future and finding the guy from the night she vaguely remembers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px;" /></span><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">James is the jam to her peanut butter. He’s charming and brilliant and understands how to treat a lady. A steady focus on the road ahead of him, he knows exactly what he wants from life, and figures Joy could be a part of that. However, his living the dream does not include children. Ever.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px;" /></span><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">If she tells him the truth, he’ll leave. So she's going to make the most of their time together before cutting him free, as a pregnancy can only stay a secret for so long. However brief their time together will be, it doesn't prevent deeper feelings from growing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px;" /></span><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Will Joy call it a heart-breaking fling and cut James loose, or will she share with him the big secret and risk ruining his future plans for a chance at love?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h4>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OphCnQuDV5Q/V02vFgzfPkI/AAAAAAAAAKU/v87Hx6PNsXcRCB6CYu4iBk-7xW_36ue-gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/coming_soon.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="104" data-original-width="195" height="170" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OphCnQuDV5Q/V02vFgzfPkI/AAAAAAAAAKU/v87Hx6PNsXcRCB6CYu4iBk-7xW_36ue-gCPcBGAYYCw/s320/coming_soon.gif" width="320" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">releasing January 3, 2019</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; font-size: 14px;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal;">Pre-order for $0.99</span></div>
</span></span><br />
<a href="https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/serving-up-secrecy" style="font-weight: normal;">Kobo</a><br /><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/serving-up-secrecy/id1395471467?mt=11" style="font-weight: normal;">iTunes/iBooks</a><br /><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/serving-up-secrecy-hm-shander/1128881689?ean=2940155283355" style="font-weight: normal;">Nook</a><br /><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/837172" style="font-weight: normal;">Smashwords</a><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://mybook.to/SUSecrecy" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </span></h4>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Add to your <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40193095-serving-up-secrecy">Goodreads</a> Want to Read list today. </span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Others in the series: </span></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://hmshander.blogspot.com/2018/07/serving-up-innocence.html"><span style="color: blue;">Serving Up Innocence</span></a> - Book One - October 3rd<br /><a href="http://hmshander.blogspot.com/2018/07/serving-up-devotion.html"><span style="color: blue;">Serving Up Devotion</span></a> - Book Two - November 21st<br /><a href="http://hmshander.blogspot.com/2018/07/serving-up-hope.html"><span style="color: blue;">Serving Up Hope</span></a> - Book Four - February 13th</h3>
</div>
H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480245662625564079.post-31645354419471492082018-07-10T10:52:00.000-06:002018-12-04T09:22:04.770-07:00Serving Up Devotion<br />
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nAM3cUHLbRY/Wxiw7vs9VGI/AAAAAAAAEn4/IU6djgxvmJ8oSqwCPYu2Nxy4uSlT5Wi9QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/The%2BLadies%2Bof%2BWestside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="828" height="151" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nAM3cUHLbRY/Wxiw7vs9VGI/AAAAAAAAEn4/IU6djgxvmJ8oSqwCPYu2Nxy4uSlT5Wi9QCPcBGAYYCw/s400/The%2BLadies%2Bof%2BWestside.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Serving Up Devotion - Book Two</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Audrina may be a witch to her co-workers, but at home she’s somebody’s hero. Since her mother’s death a few months back, she’s become her twenty-two-year old brother’s legal guardian. Michael suffers from muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy, and while her home suited her, it’s not for someone with disabilities. With his comfort in mind, she sets out to hire the perfect person to make the required changes.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IL-xPa0U6zQ/W1qk5sTy7hI/AAAAAAAAEr0/9vMwBhHLvv4uO_jG_y8xnIaMACc7-LIJQCLcBGAs/s1600/Serving-Up-Devotion-EBOOK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1057" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IL-xPa0U6zQ/W1qk5sTy7hI/AAAAAAAAEr0/9vMwBhHLvv4uO_jG_y8xnIaMACc7-LIJQCLcBGAs/s400/Serving-Up-Devotion-EBOOK.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px;" /></span><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Chad is the well-researched carpenter for hire. Rugged yet endearing, he agrees to rebuild the deck on one condition–that Audrina help. As the renovations get underway, Chad charms Audrina by having Michael assist, slowly winning her over by treating Michael like a real person. She relishes in these moments with Chad and finds her hardened heart softening.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px;" /></span><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Beyond the renovations, she knows it’ll never work out. Her heart and energy belong to Michael and his well-being, and despite what Chad thinks is best for her, there’s really no time for frolicking. The more he pushes her to live a little, the harder she fights against him. When Michael’s health rapidly declines, she shuts out everyone; Chad included.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">However, it forces her to see the depth of her loneliness. Maybe Chad really was the perfect person to make the changes… in her. Is it too late to tell him? Or did she push him away forever?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">(formerly: Audrina's Moments as </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">was in the running for Fan Favourite via the </span><a href="https://thebookdoctors.com/H-M-Shander/" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Book Doctor's Pitchapalooza.</a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">)</span></span><br />
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<h4>
What reviewers are saying: </h4>
"Shame on you. Serving Up Devotion made my cry. I loved it."<br />
<br />"<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">I just want to praise H.M Shader for evoking my emotion. What I love the most is the fact that Shader does not offer the reader with steamy sex scene to make her story spicier. Her story is great</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> "</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fxisIFhvfKU/XAaoMY9AjdI/AAAAAAAAGdg/w-S4VyoLJ1camZIRpynGViLa5eWrwSMRQCLcBGAs/s1600/nowavailable-blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="490" height="176" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fxisIFhvfKU/XAaoMY9AjdI/AAAAAAAAGdg/w-S4VyoLJ1camZIRpynGViLa5eWrwSMRQCLcBGAs/s320/nowavailable-blue.jpg" width="320" /></a></h4>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: center;">Get your copy at:</span></span></h4>
<a href="https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/serving-up-devotion" style="font-weight: normal;">Kobo</a><br />
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/serving-up-devotion/id1395439960?mt=11" style="font-weight: normal;" target="_blank">iTunes/iBooks</a><br />
<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/serving-up-devotion-hm-shander/1128881551?ean=2940155283270" style="font-weight: normal;">Nook</a><br />
<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/837148" style="font-weight: normal;">Smashwords</a><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://mybook.to/SUDevotion" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Add to your <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40193083-serving-up-devotion">Goodreads</a> Want to Read list. </span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">More in the series: </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://hmshander.blogspot.com/2018/07/serving-up-innocence.html"><span style="color: blue;">Serving Up Innocence</span></a> - Book One - October 3rd<br /><a href="http://hmshander.blogspot.com/2018/07/serving-up-secrecy.html"><span style="color: blue;">Serving Up Secrecy</span></a> - Book Three - January 2nd<br /><a href="http://hmshander.blogspot.com/2018/07/serving-up-hope.html"><span style="color: blue;">Serving Up Hope</span></a> - Book Four - February 13th</h3>
H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480245662625564079.post-5929305984797922182018-07-03T15:30:00.000-06:002019-01-12T13:23:42.004-07:00Serving Up Innocence<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Serving Up Innocence - Book One</span></div>
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<a href="https://hmshander.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-ladies-of-westside.html" target="_blank">Series information</a></div>
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<b><i><span style="background: rgb(252 , 252 , 252); font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Falling in love
wasn’t on the menu.</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Shayne is a straight and narrow twenty-year-old. After acquiring
debt from a relationship gone sideways and forced to put her college plans on
hold, she begrudgingly accepts a position at Westside. She hopes the tips will
solve her financial problems and put her back on the path she’d planned.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s there she meets Jasper—her trainer—a smooth-talking bohemian who
has his eyes on her. His free-spirited personality is a far cry from her
reserved one, and no matter how hard she tries to resist him, he gets under her
skin and into her heart. His training goes beyond the four walls of the restaurant,
and he teaches her to toss aside her innocence and free herself from the rigid
lifestyle that ties her down. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But her best friend is self-destructing, and she’s so tight with
her family she can’t possibly be away from them for long. Being connected to them is part of who she is, and Jasper can’t understand that. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Do opposites truly attract? Or is that just an expression? Because
Shayne isn’t sure if Jasper is too much for her, or everything she didn’t know
she needed.</div>
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Available on: (and price drops just before the next book in series releases)</div>
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<a href="https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/serving-up-innocence" target="_blank">Kobo</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/serving-up-innocence-hm-shander/1128881446?ean=2940155283218">Nook</a></div>
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/serving-up-innocence/id1395436191?mt=11" target="_blank">iTunes/iBooks </a></div>
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<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/837118">Smashwords</a></div>
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<a href="http://mybook.to/SUInnocence" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div>
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<br />
<br />
Add to your <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40546804-serving-up-innocence">Goodreads</a> Want to Read list today. </div>
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More in the Series:<span style="color: blue;"> </span><br /><a href="http://hmshander.blogspot.com/2018/07/serving-up-devotion.html"><span style="color: blue;">Serving Up Devotion</span></a> - Book Two - November 21st<br /><a href="http://hmshander.blogspot.com/2018/07/serving-up-secrecy.html"><span style="color: blue;">Serving Up Secrecy</span></a> - Book Three - January 2nd<br /><a href="http://hmshander.blogspot.com/2018/07/serving-up-hope.html"><span style="color: blue;">Serving Up Hope</span></a> - Book Four - February 13th</h3>
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H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480245662625564079.post-83395351283388948022018-01-15T10:41:00.000-07:002018-01-21T21:03:54.744-07:00January 15 - Blue Monday - I'm scared. I'm sure this blog has been a long time coming, but it's so very hard for me to talk about. VERY few people know what's going on, only because I've felt it's not my news to share, even if it's deeply affecting me.<br />
Even typing this, I'm crying -- which is why I can't actually voice it. So to my friends who are reading and hearing about this for the first time, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I can't say it in person. I wanted to, but it's too hard. I hope you understand why. (I hate crying in front of people, or even my own family.)<br />
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<i>My dad has cancer. </i></div>
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There I said it. Still doesn't make it easier. We just got through my maternal grandfather dying from it on March 14, 2016. And then my maternal grandmother passed on February 4, 2017. In between that I lost two friends, one on November 20th (to cancer) and another on Dec 29th. I'm really tried of Death hanging around. Seriously, it needs to chill out and take a vacation --- far away, like Antarctica or something. In the fall, we dealt with what appeared to be some serious health complications with my 10 year old son -- which THANKFULLY on November 16, turned out to be inaccurate, and my son will NOT need new lungs anytime soon.<br />
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I figured that was the end of our medical woes and bad news for 2017. We were on the home stretch and a fresh, new year was on the horizon.<br />
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<i>WRONG.</i> </div>
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Wednesday November 29th my world was rocked once again.<br />
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My dad is a colourful character, and anyone who's ever met him, will remember him. Even if they've only met him once. He just has a way with people, good, bad and interesting (he has NO issues telling you what's on his mind, and giving you his opinion. In a way, it's refreshing, and irritating. LOL). Call it charisma, call it charm, call it whatever you want. He's okay with that.<br />
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Many people say I am just like my father as far as looks, mannerisms and personality, although I tend to err on the side of diplomacy. But there's no mistaking who my father is. None. My dad and I are pretty close, at least I think so.<br />
<br />
He started having some pretty bad pains on Tuesday November 21 -- two days after he renewed wedding vows with Mom -- and spent a few hours in emergency, several times over the course of a week. He met with his personal doctor a couple of time. I'll spare you the details but he went from a robust 60+ year old man to being unable to walk because of the pain in the span of a few days. His life went downhill <b>fast</b>.<br />
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I thank GOD everyday that he has a kind and caring doctor, who fast tracked him as the whole thing was out of the ordinary for my dad. Tuesday November 28th my parents spent the night in emerg (again) and dad had more tests done. He wasn't supposed to but he saw the results ahead of the doctor he was meeting on November 29th.<br />
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My parents phoned and asked to meet me at the McD's near my house. My heart stopped. This wasn't going to be good news, I just knew it, and I figured they wanted to meet me there rather than at my house because I'd cause less of a commotion (as diplomatic as I can be, I'm also highly emotional).<br />
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I sat down, and my parents, who usually sit side by side, changed seats. Dad sat beside me, Mom across from me. I could barely hear from the race of my blood as it pounded through my veins. I see my parents every week. I saw Dad on Sunday. Four days later he looked like he'd aged a decade. His eyes were tired, he could barely move. And he dropped the news.<br />
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<i>"My kidney is full of little tumors, and one very big one. That one is full of cancer." </i></div>
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I know he said more, but I couldn't hear. I hugged my dad. I cried inside a McD's as I looked at my mother, who was completely shaken by the news. This isn't what we wanted to hear. We thought it was an infection of the bladder, or as the pain progressed, a kidney infection. We never expected to hear it was kidney cancer.<br />
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I offered my kidney, after all, since we're so similar, I'm sure we'd be a perfect match. But he won't need it -- for now, so I'm saving it and making it the best kidney, just in case he does.<br />
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I'm thankful for a system that got him in, with the ultrasounds and CT scans and bloodwork and catheters and genuine care he's felt over the past 8 weeks.<br />
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<i><b>Friday he goes in for surgery to remove the bad kidney. </b></i></div>
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They are confident that the cancer is located in just the one kidney, but still they are going to look around and check his lymph nodes out, as well as other tissues just to be sure. I am putting my trust into these surgeons that they do a remarkable job, and he comes out of the OR cancer free.<br />
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Friday, I will be sitting/pacing/praying at the hospital with my mom and brother, and we will wait (and pray) and worry. One of my dad's so-called friends told him he'll die on the table (WTF? Who says that???) But he has to have more time on Earth as he's not finished yet. Plus, I'm selfish. I'm not ready to lose him.<br />
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<b><i>I'm scared. I'm terrified and I don't know what to do. </i></b></div>
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Death needs to be nowhere near the hospital. My kids still need their Papa, and my mom needs her liver (a nickname). Cancer is a bitch, and I'm mad that it's touched someone so close to me. It's always been an arm's length away, as I know several who have had it, or been affected by it. But it's never been this close.<br />
<br />
So if you know of any ideas on what I can do, to either help Mom through this, to help Dad post-surgery, lay them on me. I'm completely open. I want a care package for them both but I have no idea what to include??<br />
The hardest day will be Friday for Mom, the night before for Dad.<br />
<br />
Thank you for reading, and if you can, say a prayer for my parents. They're going to need it, even if they don't believe.<br />
<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">UPDATE</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
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Dad's kidney was removed Friday Jan 19. It was a long morning as Mom, Brother and I waited in the waiting. It was a relief to have the nurse tell us he was in recovery, and even better when we got to see him. The road to recovery is going to be a rough one, if the past three days are any indication, but the doctor confirmed what we hoped: </div>
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There was no metastasis beyond the kidney and the lymph nodes looked clear. :) Yeah. He is cancer free, and alive. The best news of all. </div>
H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480245662625564079.post-61444255089779125642018-01-03T14:27:00.001-07:002018-01-07T16:14:37.634-07:002018 Goals<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Alright 2018 - I'm ready for you! Bring it on. </h3>
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My goals are lofty and ambitious, but I think I can achieve them. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Professionally: </span></div>
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To do more giveaways. Watch my twitter and facebook pages for more details.</div>
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Finish up Joy's story by Jan 30.</div>
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Write Meghan's story by March 15. </div>
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Select covers for the four books in the Westside Series by March 30. </div>
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Secure editing for all four books. </div>
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To swallow my fear and talk to the powers that be at our local book store that carries local authors.</div>
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Contact bloggers for the fall release of the entire series. </div>
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Release the books 4 - 6 weeks apart starting mid to late September. </div>
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Continue to promote the hell out of other books.</div>
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Continue blogging. Perhaps even streamline it a bit, but we'll see. I like showing you parts of me that aren't always writerly. </div>
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To stop be a stepping stone for others who abuse my time and generosity. </div>
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To read 30 books or more.</div>
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To walk over 1000 kms. My treadmill's been neglected lately and I miss the feeling I got after a solid workout.</div>
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To pamper myself a little more; whether it be massages, facials or pedicures. </div>
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To have more coffees/lunches with my friends. </div>
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To de-clutter and rid my house of extra things - I'm having a wicked garage sale in the spring. Watch out! </div>
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To reconnect with a lost friend - this will be a work in progress as a lot of hurt happened in the fallout.</div>
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To have a couple of great vacations. Planning on something wonderful for my 20th wedding anniversary, and something in the summer. </div>
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To cherish time with my kids. It won't be long before hanging with mom will no longer be cool, got to max it out while I can. </div>
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What about you? Do you have any goals for the upcoming year? </div>
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H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480245662625564079.post-2197041961361427512018-01-03T11:59:00.002-07:002018-01-03T11:59:26.755-07:002017 - A Year in Review - The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.What a year 2017 was! It didn't start out so well, with two celebrations of life within the first week. It marginally improved until I lost my beloved Grandmother on February 4. At least now she and my grandfather are <a href="http://hmshander.blogspot.ca/2017/02/theyre-together-again.html">together again</a>, and that gives me some peace, even if I miss her every day. <br />
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2017 was also the year I dealt with my youngest's health issues. At each respirology visit, he got worse, and his medications were increased. It wasn't until October, after a really bad visit where we were told my young son would need new lungs, that we got referred to a new pediatric Respirologist. That visit in November changed things for us. My son wasn't as sick as the other doctor was reporting (and to his credit, he was going based off the breathing test report done in another part of his office). It seems like <i>that </i>may have been where things went south. But I know now. He's on meds he was on 2 years ago, and is doing fine! Amen! </div>
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In November, my Momma Bear came out with full claws when my oldest child was attacked at school. Grr... My son was okay as it was an isolated issue, and I dealt with the situation with tact and restrain (I think) and eventually the child was transferred to another school. It stirred up some very mixed emotions in me. As happy as I was to learn he was gone, I worried what kind of home life that child had to be so destructive in his life. And my heart broke a little. I hope wherever he is, that there are some programs he can access. </div>
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But there were a lot of <span style="font-size: x-large;">good things</span> that happened as well, both personally and professionally. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wB76jRnUx1c/WargGXt7mmI/AAAAAAAABbE/MURVoLlu3JgdTzQJ_7RfVQgOPuoDzv0sACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/20915074_10154728917617611_3289436434000206482_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="622" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wB76jRnUx1c/WargGXt7mmI/AAAAAAAABbE/MURVoLlu3JgdTzQJ_7RfVQgOPuoDzv0sACPcBGAYYCw/s200/20915074_10154728917617611_3289436434000206482_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>We went on an amazing trip to the US to take in the <b>Total Solar Eclipse</b>. You can read about the highlights <a href="http://hmshander.blogspot.ca/2017/09/a-month-in-review.html">here</a>. <br /><br />I stepped out of my comfort zone and took a trip down the <b>North Saskatchewan River</b> in a canoe. Too many people filled my head with doubt and all the things that could go wrong. None did (thankfully) and we had an amazing time. So much so, we'll be doing it again! Read and see the pictures I took <a href="http://here./">here.</a></div>
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Also, the limits of my daytime job were tested. Gutting the huge library in June and packing/moving thousands of books was a taxing endeavor. Putting it all back together starting at the end of August was grueling. I built tables and shelves, and moved some sections of books 4-5 times until the new placement was just right. However, I'm pleased to say, most of the people I've talked to who have changed their libraries into learning commons took about a year to reorganize their literary collections, and somehow I managed to do it in 4 months. Now when I return next week, I can focus on getting the rest of the commons set up with the non-book portion and work on behind the scenes things. I'll blog about it soon.<br />
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Ended the year with some devastating news about someone very close to me. My dad has kidney cancer -- however -- the doctors & specialists are uber confident that when they remove his kidney in mid-January, that he will be cancer free. We can only hope they are correct. Considering the speed from diagnosis to removal will be less than two months, I pray they are right and chemo and radiation may not be needed. Any prayers are most welcome!<br />
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So, did I make my 2017 goals? I need to see high to set the bar for 2018.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">My <a href="http://hmshander.blogspot.ca/2017/01/my-2017-resolutions.html">2017 Goals</a> were:</span><br />-Release Two Books - <span style="color: blue;">DONE! <i>That Summer</i> came out Feb 19,<i> If You Say Yes</i> on October 17.</span><br />-Budget for Advertising - <span style="color: blue;">I did, and sadly the ROI wasn't very high. Need to rethink my marketing.</span><br />-Find an affordable and GOOD editor - <span style="color: red;">Still searching for this. </span><br />-Promote the hell out of my friend's books - <span style="color: blue;">YES! So many great books this year.</span><br />-To blog more - <span style="color: blue;">Did it - 40 times to be exact. </span><br />-To unsubscribe from mailing lists - <span style="color: blue;">DONE! And my inbox has never been happier. </span><br />-To let go <span style="color: blue;">Still working on this, but I managed to let some things go. </span><br />-To be more "selfish" <span style="color: blue;">YES. </span><br />- To have more date nights <span style="color: red;">It was a weird year for this, but something to focus on in 2018. </span><br />
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In retrospect, it was a good year. Had room for improvement, to be sure, but we survived and lived to tell about it.<br />What about you? Looking back at 2017, how was your year overall?H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480245662625564079.post-46882847240242731662017-12-17T19:42:00.000-07:002017-12-17T19:42:33.558-07:00A DIY Foosball game<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Every year in my family, we have a tradition we stick to (and have for over 30 years). It's to draw a name at Thanksgiving and you make a gift for that name. On Christmas Eve (or Christmas Day as it's moved to now), we present our handmade gifts. It started out with four family members and grew to include spouses, and a couple years back the kids were old enough to join in, so now there's ten of us. It's probably the most exciting part for our family - to see what the others have crafted and created with their own hands. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wOhvaAoMv_M/WjcpBa2AtXI/AAAAAAAAEgA/kMMGL3d8O4kJcAvcB3HvHA8VOnfWsF71wCLcBGAs/s1600/Handmade%2BChristmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="851" height="118" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wOhvaAoMv_M/WjcpBa2AtXI/AAAAAAAAEgA/kMMGL3d8O4kJcAvcB3HvHA8VOnfWsF71wCLcBGAs/s320/Handmade%2BChristmas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Over the years, there have been so many unique handmade gifts -- housecoats, chess boards with golf players for pieces, under the bed storage units, wedding scrapbooks, string art designs and so much more. </div>
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This year, I drew my youngest's name and struggled with what to make him that <br />A) he wouldn't see me creating. It is supposed to remain a secret until the big reveal and <br />B) something that was sturdy and can withstand a tough playing ten year old and <br />C) wouldn't take up too make valuable play space in his room and <br />D) was something I could make within my limits and knowledge and budget. </div>
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I scoured the internet, hunting for ideas and kept coming back to a miniature foosball game. Most if not all were made out of a shoebox, and would take ten minutes to create. That wasn't going to work. I wanted something that would withstand a play, and maybe even last a few years. I continued searching. Nothing. Sigh. </div>
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Well, I'm not one to give up. I'll create my own, and use my limited math skills and construct the thing from scratch. Since there was nothing readily available, I jotted down notes and took pictures to share with you, if you are deciding to make your own table top Foosball Soccer game. </div>
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Here's what my finished product looked like: </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7s2GYumccyg/Wjbr-6PpA-I/AAAAAAAAEfs/IaflmNOsUuYCrpHgRQjJBa4mSEJoFOezACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_2441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7s2GYumccyg/Wjbr-6PpA-I/AAAAAAAAEfs/IaflmNOsUuYCrpHgRQjJBa4mSEJoFOezACEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_2441.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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As best as I can recall, this is my supply list: </div>
- <b>3/4" thick board 4 inches wide of about 8 feet long. </b><br />
<b>- 4 x 1/4" dowels of 4 foot lengths</b><br />
<b>- 1 x 1" dowel (I needed about 16" worth)</b><br />
<b>- 1 sheet of 1/4" thick particle board - for the base. I used something similar to what goes on the back of bookshelves but a tad thicker</b><br />
<b>- 26 clothespins</b><br />
<b>- 4 corks </b><br />
<b>- carpenters glue</b><br />
<b>- paint</b><br />
<b>- nails</b><br />
<b>- varnish</b><br />
<b>- saws/drills/hammers/etc</b><br />
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I started out simply enough. I took my clothespins apart and glued the fronts together to make miniature men. I made extra (thank goodness, as two snapped when I drilled the holes for the dowels. Start small and change out your drill bit, working your way up to 1/4". Too big, too fast and heads will fly. LMAO!) I'd recommend saving the painting until the drilling is complete. ;) Lesson learned for me.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w4HRlhO8Btc/Wjbr8R-IfKI/AAAAAAAAEfI/Ml4kqigdIDEQ5ejOtkyzFZU0SY9relWggCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_2395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w4HRlhO8Btc/Wjbr8R-IfKI/AAAAAAAAEfI/Ml4kqigdIDEQ5ejOtkyzFZU0SY9relWggCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_2395.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Then came the fun part. I'm not a math person by any stretch, but I drew out and mapped the layout so I'd know how much wood I needed, based on the size of the men and the distance apart they needed to be. They could be spaced even an inch further apart which would add to the overall length, but for mine, it worked out okay even if they men have potential to hit each other on occasion. Like I said, there were no drawings/diagrams for me to base a smaller version on.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A7vOPXjFv1Y/Wjbr9Rbm6II/AAAAAAAAEfU/0tSq3_X1a0w2iySbYBTctm3B451hcqbdgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_2401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A7vOPXjFv1Y/Wjbr9Rbm6II/AAAAAAAAEfU/0tSq3_X1a0w2iySbYBTctm3B451hcqbdgCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_2401.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xclFof4a2-0/Wjbr9bOeU1I/AAAAAAAAEfY/uf3CFmLz17oNVWT7F3XnqvW2vcpm6IcfQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_2412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xclFof4a2-0/Wjbr9bOeU1I/AAAAAAAAEfY/uf3CFmLz17oNVWT7F3XnqvW2vcpm6IcfQCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_2412.jpg" width="240" /></a> And then I got to put to use my woodworking skills. I used a hacksaw on the dowels, cutting the 1/4" ones to 22" long, and the 1" thick one into 2" long pieces. I drilled out a 1/4" thick hole down the centre of each thick dowel, but did NOT go through (this will become the handle).<br />
Using a saw, I cut the poplar board into 2 x 28" lengths, and 2 x 12.5" lengths (so the overall width would be 14".) I will leave out the part that my board was warped and as such, did not go neatly together like it should have. Lesson learned -- buy perfectly straight boards. Apparently, these are known for warping. Anyhow, some adjustments were made, and I got everything hammered together and it laid flat. Good enough for me. :)<br />
I cut the bottom board into a 28" by 14" piece and nailed it on. Perfecto!!<br />
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Then came more drilling. I drilled eight 9/32" holes along the length 2" from the bottom. Anyone who has ever shopped in the wood department knows a true 1x4, is not actually 1" x 4". ;) The holes are just large enough for the 1/4" dowels to go through and turn/twist with ease, and the height is perfect so the little men don't scrape the bottom and their heads are barely visible over the top of the side boards. The cork pieces also got a 1/4" hole through the centre -- these will become the bumpers to stop the dowels from going to far in/out.<br />
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With everything flat and drilled, I gave it a nice sanding to smooth the sides and the ends of the dowels. Time to paint. I grabbed a couple of 'sample sized' paint containers and had them tinted to the colour I needed, and used that. For the bottom, it took about 3 coats to get a nice even coverage and it took at least that to cover the sides in a rich brown. I painted on the white goalie lines before finishing with multiple coats of varnish. It's so shiny!!<br />
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Working on the men was by far one of my favourites, and easiest of the entire project. I had lots of acrylic paint on hand, and painted all 26 men, and painted the handles red & blue to match the players, and the bumpers black. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-30Oh8eD1SyM/Wjbr8WtamcI/AAAAAAAAEfM/by9isN20SuYxRtZrl03kZ69mGn2ZgUsTQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_2398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-30Oh8eD1SyM/Wjbr8WtamcI/AAAAAAAAEfM/by9isN20SuYxRtZrl03kZ69mGn2ZgUsTQCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_2398.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Binder clips work awesome to hold them while they dry. ;) After all men were painted, each got a number on his back before the varnish went on and were tested to make sure the dowel fit through when everything dried. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ym-g-aOf6fg/Wjbr98jCpOI/AAAAAAAAEfg/mFaDbfSGtk4OQCbvxBYU2gqRWn4poziBwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_2431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ym-g-aOf6fg/Wjbr98jCpOI/AAAAAAAAEfg/mFaDbfSGtk4OQCbvxBYU2gqRWn4poziBwCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_2431.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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With everything painted and varnished, it was assembly day. Dun-dun-dun!! They all fit - the dowels through the holes, the bumpers on the end, the men through the middle. :) Happy dance! I glued each piece on, spacing them according to my measurements. </div>
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My oldest came into the room and we tested it out with a little ball. It works well and the players are good kickers. Now to wait until Christmas Day to reveal my project. Can't wait to see his little face. I hope he likes it. I'll keep you posted. </div>
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If you make your own based off of this, I'd LOVE to know of any adjustments you made. </div>
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<br />H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480245662625564079.post-26142541943171137452017-11-29T16:11:00.002-07:002017-11-29T16:11:30.895-07:00Check it Out - #NewRelease from Emma Tharp<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: red;">Keeping It Casual </span>by<span style="color: red;"> </span>Emma Tharp</h2>
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Now available for free! </h2>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Amazon UK: <a class="twitter-timeline-link" data-expanded-url="http://amzn.to/2A40Khu" dir="ltr" href="https://t.co/drztLmoYfY" rel="nofollow noopener" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0084b4; letter-spacing: 0.27px; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank" title="http://amzn.to/2A40Khu"><span class="tco-ellipsis"></span><span class="invisible" style="line-height: 0;">http://</span><span class="js-display-url">amzn.to/2A40Khu</span><span class="invisible" style="line-height: 0;"></span><span class="tco-ellipsis"><span class="invisible" style="line-height: 0;"> </span></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; letter-spacing: 0.27px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; letter-spacing: 0.27px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; letter-spacing: 0.27px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amazon AU: </span><a class="twitter-timeline-link" data-expanded-url="http://amzn.to/2A4LUHX" dir="ltr" href="https://t.co/tNikwy8REr" rel="nofollow noopener" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0084b4; letter-spacing: 0.27px; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank" title="http://amzn.to/2A4LUHX"><span class="tco-ellipsis"></span><span class="invisible" style="line-height: 0;">http://</span><span class="js-display-url">amzn.to/2A4LUHX</span><span class="invisible" style="line-height: 0;"></span><span class="tco-ellipsis"><span class="invisible" style="line-height: 0;"> </span></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; letter-spacing: 0.27px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; letter-spacing: 0.27px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amazon US: </span><a class="twitter-timeline-link" data-expanded-url="http://amzn.to/2AufaIy" dir="ltr" href="https://t.co/gFfvte5qj3" rel="nofollow noopener" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0084b4; letter-spacing: 0.27px; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank" title="http://amzn.to/2AufaIy"><span class="tco-ellipsis"></span><span class="invisible" style="line-height: 0;">http://</span><span class="js-display-url">amzn.to/2AufaIy</span><span class="invisible" style="line-height: 0;"></span><span class="tco-ellipsis"><span class="invisible" style="line-height: 0;"> </span></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; letter-spacing: 0.27px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></h4>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s9BHGq9T18Y/Wg5StK2tHrI/AAAAAAAABfc/01UWwzKDrFAqhmuSRAISbqPiStAbE7D6gCLcBGAs/s1600/ET.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s9BHGq9T18Y/Wg5StK2tHrI/AAAAAAAABfc/01UWwzKDrFAqhmuSRAISbqPiStAbE7D6gCLcBGAs/s320/ET.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
It started with a proposition: one night.</h3>
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<span style="font-size: small;">But Reid Livingston’s steel eyes, hot as hell body, and alpha </span><span style="font-size: small;">male attitude tempt Mia to accept his second proposition. </span><span style="font-size: small;">A no-strings attached relationship while he’s in town.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Mia thinks she can do it. She’s in no position to start a new </span><span style="font-size: small;">relationship anyway. But when she starts seeing his sweet, </span><span style="font-size: small;">thoughtful side, the one that takes care of her and starts </span><span style="font-size: small;">healing her, she knows she’s falling for him. Who’s </span><span style="font-size: small;">going to be there to pick her up when he leaves town - and her - behind?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Mia thought she was strong, thought she could keep it casual.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Turns out she was wrong.</span></div>
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Follow Emma Tharp on: </h2>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Emma-Tharp/e/B06XDTHG3Z/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Amazon</span></a></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/emmatharpauthor/?fref=ts" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Facebook</span></a></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16305423.Emma_Tharp" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/EmmaTharpAuthor" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></h4>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W4GeqqdOoFo/Wg0b0xGbxpI/AAAAAAAABfQ/aMCRgsoeu_w8D3Z-dnNqjN55TZTBiVXyQCEwYBhgL/s1600/0BB85718-A23C-46B5-BC5A-389C7D9C0039.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W4GeqqdOoFo/Wg0b0xGbxpI/AAAAAAAABfQ/aMCRgsoeu_w8D3Z-dnNqjN55TZTBiVXyQCEwYBhgL/s320/0BB85718-A23C-46B5-BC5A-389C7D9C0039.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hot right?</h4>
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Be sure to check out <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Emma-Tharp/e/B06XDTHG3Z/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1">Emma'</a>s other books and enter the <a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/c5eb">contest</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_kNqpdnDOhM/WhMMpG4hMmI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/hee19MJ25R8d0z6UHX8Oux9tPa5--gn0QCLcBGAs/s1600/990651BE-D1FE-4619-BDE7-670C94AB51B8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_kNqpdnDOhM/WhMMpG4hMmI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/hee19MJ25R8d0z6UHX8Oux9tPa5--gn0QCLcBGAs/s320/990651BE-D1FE-4619-BDE7-670C94AB51B8.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480245662625564079.post-30506352720200456312017-11-08T10:07:00.001-07:002018-09-08T10:54:10.338-06:00The Aurora Trilogy is complete<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It started with a standalone (<i>Duly Noted)</i>, a story about a girl-Aurora, her prescription drug addiction, and her fear of cars that gave her vehicular PTSD. I thought was over when I got to the final page. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Turns out I was wrong. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Something inside my brain was tickling that I hadn't told the whole story. In a whirlwind, <i>That Summer </i>fell out of me. It explained so much more, and delved even deeper into Aurora's PTSD but the end result was that it also made her question so much more. Hmm... what to do? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It took a while longer, but finally the rest of the story came to light. And it made so much more sense. It explored her addictions, and her need for something stronger. Her new drug became something else she hadn't expected, but it turned her life around and gave her hope. The final pages of <i>If You Say Yes</i> showcase her true happiness, something she never expected to find. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It took three stories spanning seven months to show her complete growth, from sassy and closed off to a woman who's ready to explore and finally live her life. </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0AiTD-9MXiY/WgMuZog9P0I/AAAAAAAABek/dwu0vJEQuJo0VitUQEyyNVv7updGYMQ-gCLcBGAs/s1600/She%2Bthought%2Briding%2Bin%2Ba%2Bcar%2Bwould%2Bend%2Bthe%2BPTSD.%2BShe%2Bthought%2Btaking%2Bthe%2Brecommended%2Bdoses%2Bof%2Ba%2Bprescribed%2Bdrug%2Bwould%2Bend%2Bthe%2Bdependency.%2BShe%2Bthought%2Bjuggling%2Ba%2Bromance%2Band%2Ba%2Bfriendship%2Bbetween%2Bthe%2Bbrothers%2Bwould%2Bend%2Bt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0AiTD-9MXiY/WgMuZog9P0I/AAAAAAAABek/dwu0vJEQuJo0VitUQEyyNVv7updGYMQ-gCLcBGAs/s320/She%2Bthought%2Briding%2Bin%2Ba%2Bcar%2Bwould%2Bend%2Bthe%2BPTSD.%2BShe%2Bthought%2Btaking%2Bthe%2Brecommended%2Bdoses%2Bof%2Ba%2Bprescribed%2Bdrug%2Bwould%2Bend%2Bthe%2Bdependency.%2BShe%2Bthought%2Bjuggling%2Ba%2Bromance%2Band%2Ba%2Bfriendship%2Bbetween%2Bthe%2Bbrothers%2Bwould%2Bend%2Bt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Duly Noted (book 1)- regular price $3.99 </h3>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://mybook.to/DulyNoted" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div>
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<a href="https://goo.gl/yuyqhr" target="_blank">Kobo</a></div>
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<a href="https://goo.gl/ozWmQ2" target="_blank">iBooks</a></div>
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<a href="https://goo.gl/6oHWER" target="_blank">Smashwords</a></div>
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<a href="https://goo.gl/1sXpCN" target="_blank">Nook</a></div>
</span></h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The blurb and the cast of characters await you <a href="http://hmshander.blogspot.ca/2016/05/duly-noted-na-contemporary-romance.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You can also read the first chapter <a href="http://hmshander.blogspot.ca/2016/06/duly-noted-chapter-1.html" target="_blank">here</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-03__2hOT8LY/VyrFdhc_WlI/AAAAAAAAAIw/LStr1RS00LQM684BKmYisoOQISkdrv2zQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Duly%2Bnoted%2Bebook%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-03__2hOT8LY/VyrFdhc_WlI/AAAAAAAAAIw/LStr1RS00LQM684BKmYisoOQISkdrv2zQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Duly%2Bnoted%2Bebook%2Bcover.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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That Summer (book 2) - regular price $2.99</h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://mybook.to/ThatSummer" style="font-size: 11pt;" target="_blank">Amazon</a><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://goo.gl/cSLuZ2" style="font-size: 11pt;" target="_blank">Kobo</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://goo.gl/gOk4S7" style="font-size: 11pt;" target="_blank">iBooks</a></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://goo.gl/5B6D99" style="font-size: 11pt;" target="_blank">Smashwords</a></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://goo.gl/ep13wL" style="font-size: 11pt;" target="_blank">B&N</a><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6R9XJ6jVqXg/WgM1tzgkOFI/AAAAAAAABe0/05seecJLizcKVOGDU9vgDhbw4hABOVM3gCLcBGAs/s1600/That%2BSummer%2Bebook%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="922" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6R9XJ6jVqXg/WgM1tzgkOFI/AAAAAAAABe0/05seecJLizcKVOGDU9vgDhbw4hABOVM3gCLcBGAs/s200/That%2BSummer%2Bebook%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" width="134" /></a></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
If You Say Yes (book 3) - regular price $3.99</h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://goo.gl/CxHjEa" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br /><a href="https://goo.gl/DoMzPH" target="_blank">Kobo</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://goo.gl/nu5LfN" target="_blank">Nook</a><br /><a href="https://goo.gl/1dBW1H" target="_blank">iBooks</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://goo.gl/4it2Wr" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Smashwords</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /><a href="https://hmshander.blogspot.com/2017/11/if-you-say-yes-playlist.html" target="_blank">Soundtrack for If You Say Yes</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JMAuo_LJOic/WgM1701ZheI/AAAAAAAABe4/sUY57wUKOz88HoO_zXGABLV9CnbWGRiWwCLcBGAs/s1600/IYSY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JMAuo_LJOic/WgM1701ZheI/AAAAAAAABe4/sUY57wUKOz88HoO_zXGABLV9CnbWGRiWwCLcBGAs/s200/IYSY.jpg" width="142" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://hmshander.blogspot.ca/2017/07/teasers-and-snippet-if-you-say-yes.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Teasers and Snippets Volume 1</span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://hmshander.blogspot.ca/2017/07/teaser-snippet-if-you-say-yes-2.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Teasers and Snippets Volume 2</span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://hmshander.blogspot.com/2017/08/teasers-snippets-if-you-say-yes-3.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Teasers and Snippets Volume 3</span></a></div>
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Join my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1896860110581581/" target="_blank">StarGazing Romantics</a> Group on FB for exclusive content. </div>
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H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480245662625564079.post-9050402369087496952017-11-08T10:01:00.000-07:002018-11-24T21:30:15.089-07:00If You Say Yes - PlaylistSeems to be a trend, where curious readers want to know what you were listening to when you wrote your book, maybe to get a general feel for the mood and tone.<br />
<br />
For the last book in the Aurora MacIntyre Trilogy - If You Say Yes - there were plenty of romantic moments, and accordingly, a lot of music played into that.<br />
<br />
Here's a brief list of some songs that captured certain scenes.<br />
<ol>
<li>James Arthur - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yW7w8F2TVA" target="_blank">Say You Won't Let Go</a></li>
<li>Shawn Mendes - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkGVmN68ByU" target="_blank">Mercy</a></li>
<li>Taylor Swift - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xg3vE8Ie_E" target="_blank">Love Song</a></li>
<li>Christina Perri - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5yaoMjaAmE" target="_blank">Human</a></li>
<li>Rachel Platten - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo1VInw-SKc" target="_blank">Fight Song</a></li>
<li>Ellie Goulding - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJtDXIazrMo" target="_blank">Love Me Like You Do</a></li>
<li>Ed Sheeran - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp-EO5I60KA" target="_blank">Thinking Out Loud </a></li>
<li>Taylor Swift - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-mBGUWf4rg" target="_blank">Stay Stay Stay</a></li>
<li>Evanescene - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5anLPw0Efmo" target="_blank">My Immortal</a> </li>
<li>Shawn Mendes - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY2yjAdbvdQ" target="_blank">Treat You Better</a></li>
<li>Snow Patrol - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GemKqzILV4w" target="_blank">Chasing Cars</a></li>
<li>Pink - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpQFFLBMEPI" target="_blank">Just Give Me A Reason</a> </li>
<li>Christina Perri - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeW0Sl0tNS8" target="_blank">Arms</a></li>
<li>Taylor Swift - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd_AtH0yVqU" target="_blank">All Too Well </a></li>
</ol>
<div>
Any favourites in the list? </div>
H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480245662625564079.post-41971767787161658272017-11-03T12:56:00.000-06:002017-11-03T12:56:05.664-06:00October -- A Month in ReviewIt's November 1st, which for many authors (myself included) is the start to <a href="https://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a>--National November Writing Month. The goal is to get 50,000 words down in one month. It's fun, exhausting but completely amazing. But that's for next month's blog post. ;)<br />
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October was a whirlwind month, mostly as a month spent behind the scenes.<br />
Promo spots are booked for the upcoming release <i><a href="https://hmshander.blogspot.com/2017/09/IfYouSayYes.html" target="_blank">If You Say Yes</a>,</i> coming out Nov 17th. A few wonderful authors (<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://stormowl7.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Magali A. Frechette</a>, <a href="http://www.emmatharp.com/" target="_blank">Emma Tharp</a>, <a href="https://www.emshotwell.com/" target="_blank">Em Shotwell</a> </span><span style="color: blue;"><- give them some love!)</span> are going to help me out too. How great is this community of writers?<br />
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It took a bit of back and forth, but I got a cover designed nineteen days before release. So much for a slow cover release, eh? Oh well, lesson learned for the next one. But she did a great job, wouldn't you agree?<br />
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And speaking of next one, a short story turned novella turned short novel fell out of me in October. It's sitting around 50K (before any editing), and features a female lead more in line with me than any character I've written before. She's definitely no Aurora and light years away from Charlotte. The male lead? Totally different than Jack or Andrew, or Nate or Lucas, but just as lovable. I'm debating how to release this one, and when. I could post a chapter a week on my blog like the uber-talented <a href="https://anyarousselle.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Anya Rousselle</a>, or release it around Valentine's Day as a quick read. Thoughts? Ideas?<br />
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Well, off to write the next story for NaNo. I'm going to try something new. Rather than a set or a trilogy, I'm writing a series. Each novel about a set of characters, with their own plot line(s), but each as a standalone. Should be fun. I hope. We'll see.<br />
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Thanks for reading.<br />
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<br />H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4480245662625564079.post-24143257468329931332017-10-05T14:22:00.000-06:002017-10-05T14:22:14.912-06:00Half My Life AgoToday -- October 5, 2017 -- marks a halfway point in my life - a line divided into the <i>Before Hubs</i>, and <i>After Hubs</i>. It's a tipping point for one day only.<br />
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As of today, I have been with my husband for half my life.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">HALF MY LIFE!!</span></b><br />
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Who knew when I asked that cowboy, after a night of dancing at Esmeralda's to come to my birthday party at my parents, that it would turn into something more? If he never came to the bar that night, would the future have turned out the way it did? Would we ever have gotten together? It's fun to think about, although I'm glad it worked out the way it did.<br />
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Half my life ago, I was someone completely different. I was single, and working at the Science Centre, where my hourly earnings were $8 ish per hour (and I thought that was HUGE money). I lived on my own in a basement suite where rent was $300 a month. What?? I know right??<br />
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A few things have changed since that point.<br />
I've had many jobs in many different fields (Customer Service Rep, nanny, teacher, doula, librarian, author)<br />
I've lived in seven different residences, all within Edmonton.<br />
I've had five different vehicles.<br />
I've put on some weight (lol! we'll go with 'some')<br />
We became parents six years after our wedding, and added to that 33 months later.<br />
We've travelled to Mexico, Cuba, Vegas and Toronto, along with many trips to BC and within AB.<br />
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Looking back, we had a few tough spots. Job loss can test the strongest marriage, and infertility can strain it even more. But we survived. For now. ;) We have an almost teenage son and one waiting in the wings. Some say that's the truest test of a marriage, but we'll see.<br />
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I'm very interested in the next doubling of my life, when I'm a frail old grandma. It's interesting to me to think about how much my life will change in those years. I can't even imagine, just like when I was twenty-one. Who knew what that doubling of my life would bring.<br />
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Happy dating anniversay, Hubs!<br />
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<br />H.M. Shanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07120273652602138900noreply@blogger.com0