tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85090922496795508692024-03-05T05:09:41.791-05:00Cheryl HartHart-to-Heart Women's FictionCheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509092249679550869.post-21723031468473370102014-12-04T14:53:00.000-05:002014-12-04T14:53:07.347-05:00Christmas book Giveaways!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://coverloverbookreview.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIfwMOCQHMo037G-VDtV_p2sDRQchw3cNMcjnFZVAHC8Qi57Rv3Fsi-N2msowrETmZf7LK1imv6nuFN5MhoY54zdCoCCWYkQAh6h3MIB2SjllUQlAyYDfgItUXVcgLaauZhgfpEnnfKU/s1600/ChildrensChristmas+giveaway+3books.jpg" height="166" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #141823;">There's a children's Christmas book giveaway at </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 6px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://coverloverbookreview.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">Cover </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lover Book Review</span></a><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">! </span></div>
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Cheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509092249679550869.post-80695431959110052802014-11-27T09:25:00.000-05:002014-11-27T09:26:33.623-05:00My Story, Daddy's Words, is published in Chicken Soup for the Soul.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Lucida Bright"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We
all have memorable times in our lives that we reflect upon while digging for
inner strength. I wrote about one such time in my life. My story, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Daddy’s Words</i>, is included in recently
released <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chicken Soup for the Soul: Find Your Inner Strength</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>101
empowering stories to inspire and encourage you to overcome your own
challenges.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Lucida Bright"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">These empowering and uplifting stories by people who have
overcome challenges, solved problems, or changed their lives will help you find
your own inner strength, resilience, and remind you to think positive, count
your blessings, and use the power that you have within you.</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Lucida Bright"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Real
stories from real people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Lucida Bright"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Triumph can blossom from tragic
events or quiet moments shared with a love one. I pray those who read these
stories are better able to seek and find their inner strength during difficult times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Lucida Bright"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Blessings,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Cheryl<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Cheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509092249679550869.post-68794631881072947552014-11-04T08:34:00.000-05:002014-11-04T08:34:13.206-05:00Fall Fancies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: goldenrod; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt;">May the
blustery winds</span></div>
<div style="color: goldenrod; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">of the forthcoming season</span></div>
<div style="color: goldenrod; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">blow all of your troubles</span></div>
<div style="color: goldenrod; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">and worries away.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: goldenrod; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: goldenrod; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">May your dreams be rekindled</span></div>
</span><span style="color: goldenrod; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">by warm blazing colors</span></div>
</span><span style="color: goldenrod; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">and treasures be found</span></div>
</span><span style="color: goldenrod; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">in fall's striking display.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">~Cheryl Hart</span></div>
</span>
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<!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span>Cheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509092249679550869.post-9270334419440616882014-05-14T10:25:00.000-04:002014-05-14T10:25:01.435-04:00For Such A Time ~ Book Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For Such A Time, by Kate Breslin</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">For Such A Time</b> has
moved me like no other. A heart-wrenching, soul-pricking, life changing read.</div>
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This story showcases the cruelties of WWII and the Nazis
brutality, hatred and lack of compassion toward the Jews. It also illustrates
how faith, love, and perseverance can overcome hardships that seem
insurmountable. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What I loved about
this book:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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*<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>The story.</u></i>
It was inspired by Esther’s story in the Bible. Just as Esther was chosen to
save her people, Hadassah must find the courage and faith to do the same. Her
plight is a difficult one, and her journey became my own.</div>
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*<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>The emotions.</u></i>
I felt a myriad of emotions. My jaw clenched in anger, my heart wrenched in
agony, and I wept for the atrocities that were carried out. I smelled the fear,
and felt the passions as well as punishments.</div>
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*<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>The characters.</u></i>
They are all flawed, some more than others. I sympathized with Hadassah’s
(Stella’s) conflicting feelings. Her responsibilities and struggles were nearly
unbearable. Aric is even more complex and conflicting. I fell in love with
Hadassah’s uncle, and the others she grew to love. And other characters put
such a palpable distaste in my mouth I wanted to spew them out. </div>
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*<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>The impact.</u></i>
This book transported me to a horrific place in history, where compassion,
empathy and faith were difficult treasures to unearth. Kate Breslin, the
author, has taken threads of differing textures: love/hate, empathy/cruelty,
acceptance/denial, belief/doubt, and somehow woven them into a tapestry of
beauty, love, and acceptance. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What I didn’t love
about this book:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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*<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Only that it ended.</u></i>
I’ll miss these characters and the journey we traveled together.</div>
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I don’t know how anyone could read this book without being
forever changed. Though this story is fictional, there were over a million men,
women, and children who experienced similar atrocities.</div>
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A book should make us FEEL—whether angry, proud, sad,
disgusted, or happy—and this book succeeded. </div>
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furnace, the insidious odor drifted upstairs to where Stella lay asleep on a
window seat.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #161616; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a Review Copy. I
was not required to write a positive review. The options I have expressed are
my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s
16 CFR, Part 255</span></i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Cheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509092249679550869.post-10210798753667833742013-02-27T04:31:00.001-05:002013-02-27T04:37:47.464-05:00Whistling Past the Graveyard - Book Review<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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqHVHINg9wnKBy_dTy5xs3woW48DuJzAYlPkri7OnVEzXUTdM-she_NieEwuKHmAcdew4avkuzzzACCe0GU00446YPAIEGQ_MUfXMW5RtEZA_x-NdLJ8ZlEnutHwQ_9wECxrWqE2xImQ/s1600/16058610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqHVHINg9wnKBy_dTy5xs3woW48DuJzAYlPkri7OnVEzXUTdM-she_NieEwuKHmAcdew4avkuzzzACCe0GU00446YPAIEGQ_MUfXMW5RtEZA_x-NdLJ8ZlEnutHwQ_9wECxrWqE2xImQ/s320/16058610.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A coming-of-age Southern fiction story.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="font-size: large; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17345947-whistling-past-the-graveyard" target="_blank">Whistling Past the Graveyard</a> </b><span style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">is a fictional tale, yet depicts an authentic display of the harsh realities of</span><span style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"> the 1960s Civil Rights era. </span><span style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">As she runs from her troubles, young Starla Claudelle is forced to face greater trials and fears than she ever thought possible. </span><span style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I loved the relationship between Starla and Eula. Their skin color, hardships, and outlooks on life are completely different, but they're bonded by their compassionate and steadfast hearts.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>Pros</b>: </span><span style="font-size: medium;">The characters are developed beautifully, the struggles and hardships of the Civil Rights movement are realistic, and I was instantly drawn in by the voice and flavor of little Starla's narration. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Cons</b>: None.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Overall</b>: <b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17345947-whistling-past-the-graveyard" target="_blank">Whistling Past the Graveyard</a></b> took me back in time and journeyed me through history, teaching me many lessons along the way. The only time I put this book down was when I had to go to sleep, and when I finished it. I love an engrossing southern read! </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #2f2a1b;">Cover: Love it</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #2f2a1b;">Title: Love it</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #2f2a1b;">Publisher: Gallery Books</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #2f2a1b;">Pages: 320</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #2f2a1b;">Pace: Some parts are fast paced, some are steady.</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #2f2a1b;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">First Line: My grandmother said she prays for me every day.</span></span></span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #2f2a1b;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></i></span></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the NetGalley book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The options I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255</span></i> </div>
Cheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509092249679550869.post-69571294965223082062012-11-10T22:00:00.001-05:002012-11-10T22:01:51.280-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDoYudvPZ1CrTNJnWz8F2idl6qHhYB7aejGNeEQPOsnh8On953pO1TdQTdEjyIy_TdIk5QCBmIbZ4UjQfl76R5NXzSCTRap9fWdxVOdrRhlaSl7MOX5PbB90meuyNZeOTJzPOwTTeUMY/s1600/Heaven+Changes+Everything_Page_01.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDoYudvPZ1CrTNJnWz8F2idl6qHhYB7aejGNeEQPOsnh8On953pO1TdQTdEjyIy_TdIk5QCBmIbZ4UjQfl76R5NXzSCTRap9fWdxVOdrRhlaSl7MOX5PbB90meuyNZeOTJzPOwTTeUMY/s200/Heaven+Changes+Everything_Page_01.png" width="150" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Heaven Changes Everything</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">by Todd & Sandra Burpo</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">A Devotional</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;" />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I highly
recommend reading <i>Heaven Is For Real</i> before reading <i>Heaven Changes Everything</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m presenting
my review of the first book (<i>Heaven Is For Real</i>) before the review for <i>Heaven
Changes Everything</i>, because I think it might be helpful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HEAVEN IS FOR REAL:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A
four-year-old’s explanation of heaven without the obstacles of adult influences
or expectations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This story
captured me from the beginning. I love little Colton and his heartwarming,
enlightening story – told through his father, Todd Burpo. Yes, the media is
full of <i>been there, done that</i> stories concerning out-of-body experiences
and seeing the light (I’m in no way discounting them, or making light of those)
but few accounts are given from such an innocent and fresh perspective.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found this
book informative, entertaining and uplifting. I didn’t find anything in the
story to be sensationalized or exaggerated. There was no need too, because this
child experienced things of this world (and out of this world) with an
unsullied and a pure heart. This book will surely bless you – and perhaps
(if you aren’t already) make you a believer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This book can
be read in one sitting. Photos are inserted in the middle, that add to the
already fabulous imagery of the story. Highly recommended.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HEAVEN CHANGES
EVERYTHING:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the beginning
of each of the 42 chapters is an excerpt from the first book, <i>Heaven Is For Real.</i> Each quote is then
followed by an essay, explaining how the circumstances changed the Burpos’
lives or outlooks. Then ends with a question and Bible verse, showing important
applications.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think this is
a nice ‘expansion pack’ so to speak, but I wasn’t totally engrossed in this
book like I was the first. It serves very nicely as a devotional book. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 14px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Cheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509092249679550869.post-23473427831500750152012-06-05T19:42:00.001-04:002014-09-06T18:15:36.927-04:00In Leah's Wake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHLLyCEvDyDqeJUpABuk21xtjSSCdwhdO0uG2Rp6vJElnP9WsEtps8a8GQzV5Hcg491PWtMxhJi9NngNnFwXYO3R8VGWqZayZjyYM7e7drvkXybXTQ139B9FvcFtWxeskpy5skN5peWE/s1600/9791117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHLLyCEvDyDqeJUpABuk21xtjSSCdwhdO0uG2Rp6vJElnP9WsEtps8a8GQzV5Hcg491PWtMxhJi9NngNnFwXYO3R8VGWqZayZjyYM7e7drvkXybXTQ139B9FvcFtWxeskpy5skN5peWE/s200/9791117.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>In Leah's Wake</b></span><br />
by Terri Giuliano Long<br />
A Novel<br />
<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Tylers have a perfect life--beautiful home, established careers, two sweet and talented daughters. Their eldest, Leah, an exceptional soccer player, is on track for a prestigious scholarship. Their youngest, Justine, more responsible than seems possible for her 12 years, just wants her sister's approval. With Leah nearing the end of high school and Justine a seemingly together kid, the parents are set to enjoy a peaceful life...until Leah meets Todd, a former roadie for a rock band.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #131313;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As Leah's parents fight to save their daughter from a world of drugs, sex, and wild parties, their divided approach drives their daughter out of their home and a wedge into their marriage. Meanwhile, twelve-year-old Justine observes her sister's rebellion from the shadows of their fragmented family-leaving her to question whether anyone loves her and if God even knows she exists.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #131313; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Can this family survive in Leah's wake? What happens when love just isn't enough?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">In Leah’s Wake is a story about family, relationships, finding your true self, forgiveness, and taking action. It’s also a cautionary tale of how the small choices we make today can have immense costs tomorrow.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Leah – She’s not unlike many teens. She follows a path of destruction that is (unfortunately) common in today’s world.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Todd – No comment. (I don’t want to spoil anything for you.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The plot is believable and kept me interested throughout. There were no lagging chapters or far-fetched scenes. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Terri Giuliano Long did a fabulous job of allowing the severity of Leah’s mishaps and changes to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>develop</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> as the story moved forward. (A major pro!) The progressing troubles and consequences give it a realistic, dynamic feel.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Cons</b> – The use of character’s names was distracting at times. The flow would be smoother if the author used <i>she</i> and <i>he</i> (in place of names) throughout—especially the beginning. Perhaps because I was so wrapped up in the characters as I advanced through the story, I didn’t notice it as much later on. This is the only con that comes to mind though, and certainly <i>not</i> a reason to set the book aside.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Overall</b> – I loved it! I recommend reading In Leah’s Wake. It is powerful, raw, and matter-of-fact. A story where relationships are strained, perceptions are distorted, and each character deals with their own unique internal struggles. Filled with angst, anger, resentment, fear, betrayal, love and underlying hope, In Leah’s Wake is an emotional read sure to leave you changed.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">First Lines: Zoe and Will Tyler sat at their dining room table playing poker. The table, a nineteenth century, hand-carved mahogany, faced the bay window overlooking their sprawling front yard.</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Cheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509092249679550869.post-30531006912799616972012-05-16T13:45:00.001-04:002014-09-06T18:12:37.401-04:00I Am Not Normal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Redheads have fiery tempers. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The U.S. population is overweight.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Teen drivers are careless.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Homeless people are lazy.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Asians are intelligent.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;"> </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These stereotypical statements predict or assume normal behaviors for certain groups of society. </span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>But what exactly is normal?</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Can</i><i> anyone</i><i> be typecast as such?</i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>
</b><br />Each individual on this planet is one-of-a-kind, irreplaceable. We have
diverse personalities, dreams, goals and characteristics. We display different
temperaments and sensitivities. We can be bizarre, funny, mean, slow, scary,
genius, odd, lazy or peculiar.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>How then can any of us be normal?</b></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Why would anyone wish</i><i> to be? </i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wZ3VtitE3j_yyorVAP_dlI31wRn8VroV0M8fZDRAlqojGg65uEa4COmB9jHoB_2WtgWgpMbng0XPfP0tkUX5yXqyz-SznA9FLIwCzEKzTfg8NExCfT6h6tUmhHpXzmenklnNxYM8fY4/s1600/Laptops+and+Lingerie+(2).png&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To be normal is to be common, average, ordinary. I certainly don’t
want to be an ordinary<i> </i>being. I enjoy being <i>abnormal</i>.
My hodgepodge of traits, habits, customs, gifts and faults is what makes me <i>unique</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
<br />
We should stop pigeonholing people with labels. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>After all, aren’t we are all
strange and wonderful?</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-5LwyRcWglQE%2FT7PkPv61sNI%2FAAAAAAAAAcE%2FWVap_11YSH8%2Fs1600%2FLaptops%2Band%2BLingerie%2B" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wZ3VtitE3j_yyorVAP_dlI31wRn8VroV0M8fZDRAlqojGg65uEa4COmB9jHoB_2WtgWgpMbng0XPfP0tkUX5yXqyz-SznA9FLIwCzEKzTfg8NExCfT6h6tUmhHpXzmenklnNxYM8fY4/s1600/Laptops+and+Lingerie+" -->Cheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509092249679550869.post-19099755434028640002012-03-11T10:34:00.003-04:002012-03-11T11:36:45.032-04:00Glorious Spring Has Sprung!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPNfwJdY6b5INjpK357upgCvrKevzOfqJyvi61AT-SNJAHVyZQPDwkStFgGN5H6MWDi_SIVJ_miKhG8uqyoZwHw20u9hpIk2o3T1Om3anb9ovm1nRjtey1EFXt6qil7H4u593KtIase4/s1600/images-14.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPNfwJdY6b5INjpK357upgCvrKevzOfqJyvi61AT-SNJAHVyZQPDwkStFgGN5H6MWDi_SIVJ_miKhG8uqyoZwHw20u9hpIk2o3T1Om3anb9ovm1nRjtey1EFXt6qil7H4u593KtIase4/s400/images-14.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I arise from bed and peer through the raindrops on my window. I notice the sun is rising earlier, buzzing bees are already planning parties on the fast blooming pear trees, and waking to a frosty windowpane is becoming a distant memory. I am witnessing spring, the season of new growth, flourish around every bend.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Embracing a steamy cup of coffee, I stroll outside to the backyard and behold the new season bursting forth. The earthy smell of rain, soil and grass tickle my nose. Inhaling the damp air, I catch a waft of wild onions that begin to peek from their winter hibernation. The golden Daffodils on the outskirts of the woods trumpet their powerfully sweet aroma toward the heavens. I can’t remember a season welcoming me so magnificently.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcnvn10_KBXsR_bz3pDC4d9Pr3yNbCcAgQ_S9ASJTtWXQm8Y8JWAfGSqDu5RgmShuO2OwKbbYC5AycP4a5afd28S6NzAn8rzGeHJ1-_rmdRd5kT0fOP50boBjfAK_ptWeamUHqLUfxhU/s1600/images-9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcnvn10_KBXsR_bz3pDC4d9Pr3yNbCcAgQ_S9ASJTtWXQm8Y8JWAfGSqDu5RgmShuO2OwKbbYC5AycP4a5afd28S6NzAn8rzGeHJ1-_rmdRd5kT0fOP50boBjfAK_ptWeamUHqLUfxhU/s400/images-9.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I promenade to the wooden garden swing that I haven’t visited in several months. It forgives my neglect and beckons me to settle back on its solid stern. The seat is wet, but I don’t mind. With nothing pressing on the schedule today, I decide to just lean back and drink in the beauteous moments of my solitude with nature. <em>How long has it been since I’ve just sat?</em></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The white fluffy clouds aren’t the only evidence of the morning showers I slept through. The water drops still glisten on the newly leafing plum trees, and the iris flags sip up the fresh cool rain to ready themselves for their debut. The glimmering growth before me is displayed as an artist’s painting. Even the puddles of mud share their place in the divine canvas of spring.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I watch and listen to the whispering hints of change. Geese are honking, woodpeckers are drumming, and yellow jackets are humming. The burgeoning Maple trees stretch out their branches in praise as the songbirds practice their spring chorus. I yearn no longer for springtime, for it is here.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdnbpameKEiA-kUe6ACSnQS9z3Ij7fi_whjf63Z8GpF-TX_ljFXCNHSDd5HTih4GG5WnAJ4fObXaNrqiQLIiANqnO5maBcWqM8HuWkjBtyrScxYsIEmch0H0e6ZM9j5BhFXBcrzcaFVM/s1600/images-13.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdnbpameKEiA-kUe6ACSnQS9z3Ij7fi_whjf63Z8GpF-TX_ljFXCNHSDd5HTih4GG5WnAJ4fObXaNrqiQLIiANqnO5maBcWqM8HuWkjBtyrScxYsIEmch0H0e6ZM9j5BhFXBcrzcaFVM/s400/images-13.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The swelling dogwood buds stir my thoughts to the majesty of its symbolic flowers. As I look around at this glorious world that God created, the prelude of colors, sounds, and smells of the season remind me of the new beginning I’m given every day. Yesterday is becoming a memory, but as each day unfolds, the fresh dawn allows me to bloom and grow.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How about you? </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>What beauty did you awake to this lovely March morning?</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i> </i></span></span></div>Cheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509092249679550869.post-12322805989925924042012-02-24T10:46:00.002-05:002012-02-26T11:54:40.459-05:00Take This Regret<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4q4s99PpSa9Pkxu85yvoxIOH3QLKQ-6C1ZuPHw-7QrHfTpJTyePlkPkJDl05LZ75nTIoDFZxWBHgjmL38uTiIAplIDa8B-4QVP5MTIgWfvUNML59eqzR_8FcWUX0LUsC9hvr-YnHe7T0/s1600/Take-this-regret-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4q4s99PpSa9Pkxu85yvoxIOH3QLKQ-6C1ZuPHw-7QrHfTpJTyePlkPkJDl05LZ75nTIoDFZxWBHgjmL38uTiIAplIDa8B-4QVP5MTIgWfvUNML59eqzR_8FcWUX0LUsC9hvr-YnHe7T0/s1600/Take-this-regret-cover.jpg" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Take This Regret</span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">by Amy Lichtenhan</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Contemporary Fiction</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Elizabeth and Christian are college sweethearts. Their love is going strong until an unexpected <i>life</i> sends them into a tailspin that threatens to blow them both off course.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Elizabeth announces she is pregnant, expecting Christian to accept the surprise thrown their way, but he doesn’t want the baby. Christian rashly declares they should have <i>it</i> ‘taken care of’ to avoid rearranging their life, school and career plans. Their sudden and painful split takes them on a lengthy journey of heartbreak and regret.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">After five years, Elizabeth and Christian meet again at a crossroads, striving to find a way to make their separate paths meld—for the sake of their child. Elizabeth has major trust issues (understandably) and Christian regrets his selfish decisions of the past and struggles to overcome them and make things right.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Pros:</b> This story portrays honest emotions that aren’t overdone or exaggerated for ‘dramatic effect.’ The characters feel real, and aren’t predictable. The decisions made are understandable, the heartbreak palpable, and the story memorable.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Cons:</b> There are a few grammatical issues throughout.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Overall:</b> I love a book that makes me feel a myriad of emotions and this one did that incredibly well. The author’s writing style is velvety smooth—seeping into my psyche and absorbing me into each page. The characters (even the supporting cast) are nicely developed, the imagery is vivid, and the story will stay with me for quite some time.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>Cover: Like it<o:p></o:p></i></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>Title: Like it</i></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>Publisher: The Writer's Coffee Shop</i></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>Pages: 224</i></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>Pace: Smooth and Steady<o:p></o:p></i></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>First line(s): “Christian, let go!” Elizabeth struggled to untangle herself from the arms wrapped around her waist.<o:p></o:p></i></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the LibraryThing Early Reads program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255</span></i></div></div>Cheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509092249679550869.post-51090758295627626852012-01-30T02:50:00.002-05:002012-02-09T22:54:13.114-05:00I Judge.<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The other day, while spending w-a-y too much time in the bookstore, I recognized three criteria I use before choosing a book.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. I judge a book by its cover. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Initially, anyway. That’s not to say I like bold, busy images. To the contrary. I’m often attracted to cover art that makes me stop, stare, and sigh. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRU6JcXGqqLx2N8wDUOmew00AlanEYXLquoh5mDNELeVRKnVsVxigGeNBV4JX84XAx3bwvbeFEeBRx78kJ7UUhuZLihL5YNkRB-xnsdwd50EGkfJ24s6naE_hEcJfV85WokygI5vytdZo/s1600/A+Secret+Kept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRU6JcXGqqLx2N8wDUOmew00AlanEYXLquoh5mDNELeVRKnVsVxigGeNBV4JX84XAx3bwvbeFEeBRx78kJ7UUhuZLihL5YNkRB-xnsdwd50EGkfJ24s6naE_hEcJfV85WokygI5vytdZo/s200/A+Secret+Kept.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ45XIA_TuZ281FR8VS6ycAcJWrgveYoZM9ZhpsI-tEICEckat0QfkidfPrvtUo4ncRXEOUQjWv2vIAcyIC0jlKOuwxMGhCEQKkGFN4QbWfxUt-h2N7VYmUx68hgJwQADV7r-ds_Ps4N4/s1600/The+River+Wife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ45XIA_TuZ281FR8VS6ycAcJWrgveYoZM9ZhpsI-tEICEckat0QfkidfPrvtUo4ncRXEOUQjWv2vIAcyIC0jlKOuwxMGhCEQKkGFN4QbWfxUt-h2N7VYmUx68hgJwQADV7r-ds_Ps4N4/s200/The+River+Wife.jpg" width="129" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7NQ5ubYn1A8L7FwpZKZjyY7YLkjBsGuXXZ4tO4FiDphchEA8NHISWsRUrUO5TYclLvKhrouDa7h7LGnPKlCw_kNEBSIfxMgrqari59WK6OwxlixkI2R0ihXFvcQGV6eSSz_VhqOWTbg/s1600/The+Forgotten+Waltz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7NQ5ubYn1A8L7FwpZKZjyY7YLkjBsGuXXZ4tO4FiDphchEA8NHISWsRUrUO5TYclLvKhrouDa7h7LGnPKlCw_kNEBSIfxMgrqari59WK6OwxlixkI2R0ihXFvcQGV6eSSz_VhqOWTbg/s200/The+Forgotten+Waltz.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. I judge a book by its title.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It should tell me something about the story. Isn’t that what its there for? If the title doesn’t arouse my interest or somehow allude to the story’s plot, I keep looking until I find one that does. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4TCqWCqh8Y3aLjx2nslsq6XCGscQ1NsGqhQyQF2bMK39M4BPoNsubnY8ZxnrPhSJq7h-KmEWkVncXy-lt5Dfsv2Ve1WAhCVDq4BBiY3TgZYuX6XG7-j3_TmyK_R9DebF6bZ4AqCcrEQ/s1600/Girls+in+White+Dressses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4TCqWCqh8Y3aLjx2nslsq6XCGscQ1NsGqhQyQF2bMK39M4BPoNsubnY8ZxnrPhSJq7h-KmEWkVncXy-lt5Dfsv2Ve1WAhCVDq4BBiY3TgZYuX6XG7-j3_TmyK_R9DebF6bZ4AqCcrEQ/s200/Girls+in+White+Dressses.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYyMvPYWFqxfT8h1vLiw3ThNYqiEbtXbuc-I-fTh-v_vz-3e296OerB5yHoEqQtfVLN8ceHB3vFvpPLk-U18nTe3PCzekwhvm0S94Ba69FBxUB_Ig3L634YzBgE4VBkN2MUaZ2g29u7c/s1600/A+Secret+Kept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYyMvPYWFqxfT8h1vLiw3ThNYqiEbtXbuc-I-fTh-v_vz-3e296OerB5yHoEqQtfVLN8ceHB3vFvpPLk-U18nTe3PCzekwhvm0S94Ba69FBxUB_Ig3L634YzBgE4VBkN2MUaZ2g29u7c/s200/A+Secret+Kept.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3ap2rpJN33XKITCbKbgY3W9l4czQwGUDz7a18vA-ccbQwVFluhukKrd3MAvNiivX9lRjuEuJqU245uRphjnsmje3BcB8JsyAb5d1A_LLnai9dROgotjLqNUZCLOGPgZh8IOW9Huck2c/s1600/book-daybeforehappiness-cvr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3ap2rpJN33XKITCbKbgY3W9l4czQwGUDz7a18vA-ccbQwVFluhukKrd3MAvNiivX9lRjuEuJqU245uRphjnsmje3BcB8JsyAb5d1A_LLnai9dROgotjLqNUZCLOGPgZh8IOW9Huck2c/s200/book-daybeforehappiness-cvr.jpg" width="127" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. I judge a book by its blurb.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If a dust jacket description captures my attention, I either purchase it or put it on my wish list for later. (Below is a description and evocative quote from the book, <i>To Kill A Mockingbird</i>.)</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs87qtJL1RyaSunN573sNscRWjyjAElMZGxaLWlKB_12RutzDO6gdavxIFXIT0lotjcf__WyoD5ngj5DuJBX9rflYwm5AEe_aASTSTCPfJAXS5KK35v_CIqPwEFFYlBxRsn_cHwLHAp_0/s1600/images-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs87qtJL1RyaSunN573sNscRWjyjAElMZGxaLWlKB_12RutzDO6gdavxIFXIT0lotjcf__WyoD5ngj5DuJBX9rflYwm5AEe_aASTSTCPfJAXS5KK35v_CIqPwEFFYlBxRsn_cHwLHAp_0/s1600/images-5.jpeg" /></a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">Atticus Finch, a lawyer in the Depression-era South, defends a black man against an undeserved rape charge, and his kids against prejudice.</blockquote></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I’ve enjoyed books without ever reading the blurb, liking the cover or being fond of its title--but that isn’t the norm.</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Cheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509092249679550869.post-32784855759102886182011-12-20T19:14:00.001-05:002011-12-20T19:54:49.132-05:00Finding Time<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Noteworthy Light';"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SdIJWFWirberhnBEqJWrM8N8ORyBaGDTwDYH4W2PXEDZDfkHZeR2HbGsT0RO28vXgZJdvC5N3GemBPaeVMHBRw0luc75RrHVd5A3Ezu_eAFJJ1p5vcbRplVTdwtMYPlF2Od9NhN9dT8/s1600/girl_silhouette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SdIJWFWirberhnBEqJWrM8N8ORyBaGDTwDYH4W2PXEDZDfkHZeR2HbGsT0RO28vXgZJdvC5N3GemBPaeVMHBRw0luc75RrHVd5A3Ezu_eAFJJ1p5vcbRplVTdwtMYPlF2Od9NhN9dT8/s320/girl_silhouette.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Noteworthy Light';"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>During leisure moments</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>I visit an exclusive hideaway.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>I close my eyes</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>and allow unfathomable shadows</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>to capture me.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Escorted by the soft waves of my mind</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>I reach a private alcove</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>where memories settle.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>I loll by time's shore</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>catching glimpses</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>of simpler childhood days;</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>where fears were unknown</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>dreams sown</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>risks taken</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>and imagination never forsaken.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Overgrown fields served</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>as make-believe oceans</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>where I voyaged to unfamiliar worlds.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>The nearby woodlands</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>sheltered magic </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>and begged to be explored;</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>for that was where</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>pixies dwelt.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>The light hours of day</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>were lived outdoors.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Nature was my playhouse</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>my podium</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>my stage.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Trees were climbed</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>tires swung</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>and puddles jumped.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Summers were long</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>troubles short-lived</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>hugs sought</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>bugs saved</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>and bedtime edged in too fast.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>The future was endless</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>and </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>time</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>was enough.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Reminiscence</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>satisfies my soul.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>I'll visit my haven again</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>when I find </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>time.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>By C.E. Hart</i></div>Cheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509092249679550869.post-53323662669419921172011-12-13T22:35:00.005-05:002011-12-22T17:35:31.121-05:00Smitten - Book Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrElNX9R-evV6aAjjrdFFcE8dOgrhVfCKUh7pYON4DObrIjGryqS6HGMh7kXJ2-L3gBLg-83Cb54pVR9LM0n_nRZ70L8Mz0q89YI4XJJ5XN8E3I0cW_iSuklTqd-3PAg46clIV7dIZpA/s1600/Smitten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrElNX9R-evV6aAjjrdFFcE8dOgrhVfCKUh7pYON4DObrIjGryqS6HGMh7kXJ2-L3gBLg-83Cb54pVR9LM0n_nRZ70L8Mz0q89YI4XJJ5XN8E3I0cW_iSuklTqd-3PAg46clIV7dIZpA/s200/Smitten.jpg" width="130" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Smitten</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal">by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, & Diann Hunt</div><div class="MsoNormal">A Christian Romance</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">When the logging mill shuts down in Smitten, Vermont, the townsfolk fear their community will never recover, but four women are determined they can change Smitten for the better. With a name like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Smitten</i>, why not make the town a romantic, honeymoon getaway? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Some of the local men think turning their mill town into a romance capital is a hair-brained idea. But, not only are they swayed by the women’s well thought out business plans, but they’re soon swept up in romantic notions of their own!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This is such a fun read. The characters are interesting and diverse and the town of Smitten is vivid. I feel like I know these characters, and if I were in Smitten, I’d certainly be friends with them.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">What a whirlwind of dreams and romance. I love the way the girls band together to make Smitten a fabulous, romantic spot. Their efforts put them on the map, and inadvertently put romance into their own lives.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">You don’t only get one fabulous romance in this book—but four! Each woman has her own section of the book. What a unique and exciting read. I finished this book with a smile on my face. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The options I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings;"> </span></div>Cheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509092249679550869.post-78769539847445127222011-11-18T17:47:00.001-05:002011-11-18T20:09:15.481-05:00Don't Breathe A Word - Book Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifX4KR4BVD2kWxfBQQvRrhU4O0htq7ZAJ4SID_EiPidYdnrYuT5_9y_y7MKZXp37qxt5GkO0bpi1R_8gICb3IZ2rTe6YkK00aPpWKGyVGd2tvd8YoUd8hZpYx5IYYMuGxo8qi81e1U8NA/s1600/Don%2527t+Breathe+A+Word.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifX4KR4BVD2kWxfBQQvRrhU4O0htq7ZAJ4SID_EiPidYdnrYuT5_9y_y7MKZXp37qxt5GkO0bpi1R_8gICb3IZ2rTe6YkK00aPpWKGyVGd2tvd8YoUd8hZpYx5IYYMuGxo8qi81e1U8NA/s200/Don%2527t+Breathe+A+Word.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Don’t Breathe a Word, by Jennifer McMahon.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I loved this book. It wasn’t <i>anything</i> like I expected. This isn’t an <i>average</i> fairy story. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">You are better off without any preconceived notions about this story, so I’ll be brief on its description. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">A 12 year old girl, Lisa, tells her brother that she has found a door into another world and is leaving to meet the King of the Fairies. She goes to Reliance, a mysterious abandoned town of the past within the woods behind her home, and disappears. Nobody seems to know what exactly happened to her.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Years later, Phoebe becomes involved with Sam, Lisa’s brother, and questions Lisa’s disappearance, the fairies, and Reliance. Her quest for the truth leads to so many twists and turns I couldn’t begin to describe them all.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The characters in this book are so <i>real</i>. I soon forgot there are no such things as fairies…or are there? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The character descriptions and imagery are strong. An imaginative tale that kept me glued. A creepy and entertaining read.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>Cheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509092249679550869.post-4953276128241184342011-11-18T17:25:00.001-05:002014-09-05T22:19:09.378-04:00Heaven is for Real - Book Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNEM8nZ6BCfuwcfEbajBjuFJsRmGQu9s-PvhPHOrrzwpBuqSnG0s-VAnSRRVUelmwhytI9EpqMrDkSMauhPxDhus7Tov8tJj44U-Zb8OBoj54ka_iQ4xKqyio3AEYN1ySSdvmx_L2X1A/s1600/Heaven+is+for+Real.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNEM8nZ6BCfuwcfEbajBjuFJsRmGQu9s-PvhPHOrrzwpBuqSnG0s-VAnSRRVUelmwhytI9EpqMrDkSMauhPxDhus7Tov8tJj44U-Zb8OBoj54ka_iQ4xKqyio3AEYN1ySSdvmx_L2X1A/s200/Heaven+is+for+Real.jpg" height="200" width="129" /></a></div>
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Heaven is for Real, by Todd Burpo.</div>
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A four-year-old’s explanation of heaven without the obstacles of adult influences or expectations. </div>
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This story captured me from the beginning. I love little <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Colton</st1:place></st1:city> and his heartwarming, enlightening story – told through his father, Todd Burpo. Yes, the media is full of <i>been there, done that</i> stories concerning out-of-body experiences and seeing the light (I’m in no way discounting them, or making light of those) but few accounts are given from such an innocent and fresh perspective. </div>
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I found this book informative, entertaining and uplifting. I didn’t find anything in the story to be sensationalized or exaggerated. There was no need too, because this child experienced things of this world (and out of this world) with an unsullied and a pure heart. This book will surely bless you – and perhaps (if you aren’t already) make you a believer.</div>
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This book can be read in one sitting. Photos are inserted in the middle, that add to the already fabulous imagery of the story. Highly recommended.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Blogsneeze. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255</span></i></div>
Cheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509092249679550869.post-24430648932456760012011-11-11T18:32:00.000-05:002011-11-11T18:32:15.825-05:0011 things I’m thankful for on 11-11-11:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EcfK9sqUt6ydVGx_qFLpDTEuwOvdlLDCszXI4bLW9suK61fEXPRzIdgjo7dA29JxTO9VyyUIC4KXVG_p9_wTzcVvIgzTC-v0FFCCwty8e1Ri1i7uSvO6jkqsY1u3N82-dQEvslVHjgs/s1600/thankful+for.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EcfK9sqUt6ydVGx_qFLpDTEuwOvdlLDCszXI4bLW9suK61fEXPRzIdgjo7dA29JxTO9VyyUIC4KXVG_p9_wTzcVvIgzTC-v0FFCCwty8e1Ri1i7uSvO6jkqsY1u3N82-dQEvslVHjgs/s200/thankful+for.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Veterans <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Everyone who is (or was) active duty, honorably discharged, in the reserves or retired from the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region></st1:place> Armed Forces, contributed to my safety and freedom. I salute you! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-indent: .25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Friends and Family<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">They cheer for me when I triumph, lend a hand, ear, or shoulder during defeat, and give me a swift kick in the pants when I need it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Health<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I’m able to stand, walk, and talk. I am blessed. I work with many who can’t. Seeing their struggles and victories puts so much into perspective.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Home<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">‘There’s a roof up above me. I’ve a good place to sleep. There’s food on my table and shoes on my feet.’ <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Kind Strangers<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">They’ve shared a smile, returned a lost phone, given me directions, and allowed me merge into their lane. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Laughter<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">It’s the most economical medicine for the soul. And it tastes good.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Freedom<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">So many don’t have it. So many die fighting for it. It was given to me by <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> Veterans.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Books<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">They give me something to stick my nose into, without getting me into trouble. (Lol)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Troubles<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">No, I haven’t lost my mind—not completely anyway. Without the valleys, I wouldn’t know the joy of reaching the peaks.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Imagination<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The imaginings of my mind is what gives life to my dreams. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">God<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;">He’s given me everything I’m thankful for. </span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Cheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509092249679550869.post-29580078297192009532011-10-04T12:48:00.000-04:002011-10-04T12:48:01.483-04:00Did You Hear That Book Cover?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeulVXHmXJ8gOdaj-H-DlgXoO9vb_k3QwUmX9ntb1hZa_nQ-_Vco6c9rZSYOzdYvhdMm4ber_ce_xVzMTlXrs56s7HLliXEA-FnvbPek7rDXw8fNf27dbO3B3xVodkwXyLe34AuILd6z0/s1600/BOOKS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeulVXHmXJ8gOdaj-H-DlgXoO9vb_k3QwUmX9ntb1hZa_nQ-_Vco6c9rZSYOzdYvhdMm4ber_ce_xVzMTlXrs56s7HLliXEA-FnvbPek7rDXw8fNf27dbO3B3xVodkwXyLe34AuILd6z0/s200/BOOKS.jpg" width="176" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oftentimes I browse through a bookstore and pass by rows of books in silence, but then <b><i>BAM!</i></b> Out of nowhere I hear a scream. It’s an extraordinary book cover bellowing out, <i>“Grab me! Buy me! Read me!”</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I know the saying—d<i>on’t judge a book by its cover</i>, but in my opinion, covers are there for a good reason. To draw in readers. Okay, so the cover doesn't determine the quality of writing or its ability to keep my interest, but it, along with a great title, is the initial attraction that influences me to read the blurb.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Below are a few covers that recently shouted out to me.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnj4mezGzduGA5aLPzw8_vvoBp9xnYPu46NF_m36IClRpmcJv2W_9B-L9GAGSlDAyUyfefvfGYlN8hJnUJnTvf-lkYDJZ6WutixJtey9S3eR7FzFlBG25SmrF-AZWuZWt0LzOsiogDAY/s1600/8591107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnj4mezGzduGA5aLPzw8_vvoBp9xnYPu46NF_m36IClRpmcJv2W_9B-L9GAGSlDAyUyfefvfGYlN8hJnUJnTvf-lkYDJZ6WutixJtey9S3eR7FzFlBG25SmrF-AZWuZWt0LzOsiogDAY/s200/8591107.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUuzJZJGHlQ8Eq7431u3dj0ONKswwTNTH8sjFTOz16MtAwI4y9VfH-fFj6_Otcwx7SquR8ONh8BgCZHTAS37IL3ixAC0QyoRBVomI4cNN3Rv8lZu8L-DRRmbusJ0dRe5ZJ2hBJMsJgrQ/s1600/8603765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUuzJZJGHlQ8Eq7431u3dj0ONKswwTNTH8sjFTOz16MtAwI4y9VfH-fFj6_Otcwx7SquR8ONh8BgCZHTAS37IL3ixAC0QyoRBVomI4cNN3Rv8lZu8L-DRRmbusJ0dRe5ZJ2hBJMsJgrQ/s200/8603765.jpg" width="131" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_N4WROI_2hUCt4ehARqWVV9v_Qqlu1VB-c0jZZqWXY5DAVpL7WxNphrf-eRUv9y0k_es4gpr7sjyH5xGZvUQ081JMEqxL8fFiYo6T8X87MT_z_2CPx4wgDC4bsg0pzvwI69kSg511c6k/s1600/1000534058_LG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_N4WROI_2hUCt4ehARqWVV9v_Qqlu1VB-c0jZZqWXY5DAVpL7WxNphrf-eRUv9y0k_es4gpr7sjyH5xGZvUQ081JMEqxL8fFiYo6T8X87MT_z_2CPx4wgDC4bsg0pzvwI69kSg511c6k/s200/1000534058_LG.jpg" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XzQEgVfQBH56YB2Wp3cLS6WZhb3-uDfuOrp1FYe3jG09oLzy-XlMURLQJpIoNjK0NPgEnL4kp1koItr0R4NDPLGh8JrrRyJu5wFrJpzcI3qnYu9Dz-pGFTGwsTqfr9u_MLPEJgDa6TM/s1600/american.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XzQEgVfQBH56YB2Wp3cLS6WZhb3-uDfuOrp1FYe3jG09oLzy-XlMURLQJpIoNjK0NPgEnL4kp1koItr0R4NDPLGh8JrrRyJu5wFrJpzcI3qnYu9Dz-pGFTGwsTqfr9u_MLPEJgDa6TM/s200/american.jpg" width="130" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuG1rJCXKzhlLI8_XgxhHaICCdEdJzPk6N4naRPX6_4UpHAKlIL1YNtDnalRu1XNCFi4ULLkK-Pt-eV-wAt0MY_iZT7pqDfRjAT1pfgIlCN__aerxw4Jn7yeS3dwyQI1u7M2VC7bS4YAA/s1600/before+i+fall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuG1rJCXKzhlLI8_XgxhHaICCdEdJzPk6N4naRPX6_4UpHAKlIL1YNtDnalRu1XNCFi4ULLkK-Pt-eV-wAt0MY_iZT7pqDfRjAT1pfgIlCN__aerxw4Jn7yeS3dwyQI1u7M2VC7bS4YAA/s200/before+i+fall.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLQcMob_Z0xe8q3jDMKwiy57kltcPdOMF0PG9IIoMz770sdPMz6RRbcLq5zF5FhU86Kb5BKfBJqAD6q6ZGrhPUuJgVTfRhsaUO8Q4vSQMly5ctBV-usoPlPPekV_nfv5rAh4JQ86JuHw/s1600/dove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLQcMob_Z0xe8q3jDMKwiy57kltcPdOMF0PG9IIoMz770sdPMz6RRbcLq5zF5FhU86Kb5BKfBJqAD6q6ZGrhPUuJgVTfRhsaUO8Q4vSQMly5ctBV-usoPlPPekV_nfv5rAh4JQ86JuHw/s200/dove.jpg" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyu8qGCUZW9F6gBRNvV1Pc0bUSIBC_I1geEWkZP_EQIxjcre4kFOZfV4g5cBsgXck7ydahorn4gjadgyiQj0uMqkivBMg8pKNPDsFAHxd7D4x827hhD-oudoHViD387nseE_JuPyQeIqk/s1600/GRAVE+ROBBERS+750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyu8qGCUZW9F6gBRNvV1Pc0bUSIBC_I1geEWkZP_EQIxjcre4kFOZfV4g5cBsgXck7ydahorn4gjadgyiQj0uMqkivBMg8pKNPDsFAHxd7D4x827hhD-oudoHViD387nseE_JuPyQeIqk/s200/GRAVE+ROBBERS+750.jpg" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37IZ5VfQAfhoHPB_t_BO-9jj1PPR4cEObyWC1_dscXtMUWPI0gkBIxnmJ8DPOJfUQkHLLIP7zjAbyPehoW5Tw9fwxeupbua7mpiwyPvgSTMhnXdAHr_arhjtbvuHGVxWIYAu_RUYDkyw/s1600/images+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37IZ5VfQAfhoHPB_t_BO-9jj1PPR4cEObyWC1_dscXtMUWPI0gkBIxnmJ8DPOJfUQkHLLIP7zjAbyPehoW5Tw9fwxeupbua7mpiwyPvgSTMhnXdAHr_arhjtbvuHGVxWIYAu_RUYDkyw/s200/images+%25281%2529.jpg" width="128" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3e4JgEKMlKPcnMLWh8uglA_YqGuPFqr6RB43KJ8G0OdsTanDK6Z82cCMr4-gSUNvNBTvgKYYTKHpQJSkjjEwxuwWNFToH3wgg-kfchi7MyLle4nVsnjYLe9-DKnmE38pxiDQMhXdFr0/s1600/images+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3e4JgEKMlKPcnMLWh8uglA_YqGuPFqr6RB43KJ8G0OdsTanDK6Z82cCMr4-gSUNvNBTvgKYYTKHpQJSkjjEwxuwWNFToH3wgg-kfchi7MyLle4nVsnjYLe9-DKnmE38pxiDQMhXdFr0/s200/images+%25282%2529.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgvBW5JDpndaZbm0tfRmY8Q0FNDzkI2preQU5r2pg8pCmHrZkVpsu11A-nIkA4CAnwELD1JoLwoiP20P6RCuyyNH52ulXlCswvQTK7e0U5ZE1V7zOF6aRJDtRt10iouID299Ros-Qygg/s1600/images+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgvBW5JDpndaZbm0tfRmY8Q0FNDzkI2preQU5r2pg8pCmHrZkVpsu11A-nIkA4CAnwELD1JoLwoiP20P6RCuyyNH52ulXlCswvQTK7e0U5ZE1V7zOF6aRJDtRt10iouID299Ros-Qygg/s200/images+%25283%2529.jpg" width="133" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfQDriU-QtsiFs609KkaY8o-WnDMqnThlv0e-BL5ulgqz5fNRonq_YqaIPCOiebiY6SWXBhLv-DrCchRR8fG2wGaE1DWWlT84WV92GssX0OtbtoxuQcpM-Go-NDnEzxTjWzB3t7YBUQk/s1600/Opposite+Me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfQDriU-QtsiFs609KkaY8o-WnDMqnThlv0e-BL5ulgqz5fNRonq_YqaIPCOiebiY6SWXBhLv-DrCchRR8fG2wGaE1DWWlT84WV92GssX0OtbtoxuQcpM-Go-NDnEzxTjWzB3t7YBUQk/s200/Opposite+Me.jpg" width="128" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsM4NQSCzCwD9HkOY3lC_H7MxemYvA8_xnB_lfIIraoZjjlEWnsTtLZaPq6qnEbEJ_9-yESg7-XBzOkTPNELoSDhslZPkh-Td0Mly8ltE7ZfL_GG0TD-f3tNgSZB9b-gf_QQ4npivW7U/s1600/The-Good-Daughters-198x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsM4NQSCzCwD9HkOY3lC_H7MxemYvA8_xnB_lfIIraoZjjlEWnsTtLZaPq6qnEbEJ_9-yESg7-XBzOkTPNELoSDhslZPkh-Td0Mly8ltE7ZfL_GG0TD-f3tNgSZB9b-gf_QQ4npivW7U/s200/The-Good-Daughters-198x300.jpg" width="132" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love book covers. They reveal just enough of the story to rope me in. What book covers have recently screamed at you?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span>Cheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509092249679550869.post-27173651440158865462011-09-13T09:31:00.000-04:002011-09-13T09:31:02.149-04:00Baking a Book with Un-Imaginary Friends.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDQ6jeeDYKrUavypFyFB-P4lzjWfwVP_2hr91zVqNt2jVoprXM9CKRNt5IuD8u80FUl6Cd3EHfa1avNgtJkv-aU5aO_te25A3lBksTwzmA738ogoF9JA_Mpf664RxMCvoIU35XCObdMA/s1600/bakers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDQ6jeeDYKrUavypFyFB-P4lzjWfwVP_2hr91zVqNt2jVoprXM9CKRNt5IuD8u80FUl6Cd3EHfa1avNgtJkv-aU5aO_te25A3lBksTwzmA738ogoF9JA_Mpf664RxMCvoIU35XCObdMA/s200/bakers.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">One thing book authors have in common is: <i>They didn’t do it alone.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Most people think of writers as being loners, which is partly true. We sit alone exploring our thoughts, until we dream up imaginary friends (characters) and create situations to dip them into. We carefully choose just the right ingredients we need for our fabulous adventure, romance, tragedy, or mystery, and then write our creative little hearts out. Soon, with pencil to paper, or fingers to keyboard, we discover we’ve produced a story! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But wait! That’s just the first draft, or the batter, so-to-speak. Now it’s time to mix in our <i>un-</i>imaginary friends—beta readers, critique partners, and editors. This is when the <i>story </i>is stirred, beaten, and baked into a delicious <i>book</i>. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Thank you to my un-imaginary friends. You know who you are. :)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Cheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509092249679550869.post-84618048293414292192011-08-13T10:37:00.001-04:002011-08-13T10:41:36.777-04:00Auntie Em!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWz18mOVNCKc5bJLS0XxPd6LyyyP6qcC-AmGHzf53KdJXbtMPsm9agsERplqx85MQwi54cSXjSpC2wl_6fwKe68vfk7-k24xu3KpIIPFJaXA9Y91n11gtDxsGBDv4wIAXbpd6AjmD9R0k/s1600/aunti+em.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWz18mOVNCKc5bJLS0XxPd6LyyyP6qcC-AmGHzf53KdJXbtMPsm9agsERplqx85MQwi54cSXjSpC2wl_6fwKe68vfk7-k24xu3KpIIPFJaXA9Y91n11gtDxsGBDv4wIAXbpd6AjmD9R0k/s320/aunti+em.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Submitting, revising, promoting, Oh My!</i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The release of <i>Piper’s Passion Cookies</i> is nearing and my excitement is building. It’s hard to believe things are moving so quickly. The three rounds of edits are complete, and not only is my story stronger, but I’ve made a friend in the process. My editor, Valerie Mann, is incredible. She is knowledgeable, encouraging, and downright awesome! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>[Dorothy]<b> </b></i><b><i>I'm going to miss the way you used to holler for help before you found your courage.</i></b></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>[Cowardly Lion] </i><i><b>I never would've found it if it hadn't been for you... </b></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’ve been following the yellow brick road and now I’m finally nearing the wonderful Land of Oz. I feel so blessed to have so many people along the sidelines cheering me on. <i>You all know who you are!</i> My sister has been one of my greatest supporters. We’ve shared a love of the writing world since we were tots, and here we are walking this publication road together. It doesn’t get much better than that.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’m afraid there’s no denyin’, I’m just a dandy-lion, a fate I don’t deserve. I’m sure I could show my prowess, be a lion, not a mou-ess, if I only had the nerve.</span><o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Writing has always been part of my life, but to be honest, the thought of sharing my creations with the world sometimes fills me with anxiety. This journey to my first publication has been a wild one. My brain over-<i>thunk</i>, my heart skipped beats, and my nerves were rattled on a few bumpy passages, but it didn’t stop me. The nerve was always there, I just had to dig deep to find it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">[Dorothy]<b> Weren’t you frightened?<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">[Wizard]<b> Frightened? Child, you’re talking to a man who’s laughed in the face of death, sneered at doom, and chuckled at catastrophe…I was petrified.</b></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The process of having my first story published has been very stimulating. (A wiz!) I never imagined it would be this much fun. The journey is exciting and the path ahead is endless. Having a dream is just the beginning. It is <i>following</i> that dream that leads to a happy ending.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true…<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Over the rainbow...that’s where you’ll find me.</span><i style="font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></i></div><br />
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Cheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509092249679550869.post-12704475858000214762011-08-01T13:11:00.001-04:002011-08-02T01:58:07.327-04:00Inspired!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVYtxKaqQgFMUnu_Gxdr1I3jZTpdcXG96RNvpTDZ_SoIqorpyGOMhrCAaCHT1ECaRCLVNvLtuCpiqtt5b_bG3Mc7c9dWeoAbfYjIi1hL-8QuZRiyShcvEl8YhHb58S636hPKT5DwoAdU/s1600/writing-inspiration-300x198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVYtxKaqQgFMUnu_Gxdr1I3jZTpdcXG96RNvpTDZ_SoIqorpyGOMhrCAaCHT1ECaRCLVNvLtuCpiqtt5b_bG3Mc7c9dWeoAbfYjIi1hL-8QuZRiyShcvEl8YhHb58S636hPKT5DwoAdU/s200/writing-inspiration-300x198.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m inspired!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After viewing a profile photo of a guy holding up the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">tower</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Pisa</st1:placename></st1:place> with his foot, I’m itching to return to my WIP (work in progress), <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sunday in the Piazza</b>. Recollections of my spring trip to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region> are flooding back and the urge to infuse those memories into my story are intense. It is exciting to have that fire lit under my butt. LOL</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My writing was paused (other than a short story here and there) to sod our yard, have sheetrock repaired after storm damage, paint the entire indoors of my house, and prepare for my son’s wedding. All that is nearly completed (except for a few more rooms to paint) and I’m eager to get back to my daily writing. I’ve missed it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Although it was painful to step away from my WIP, it was a blessing in disguise. Last month I worried my opening chapter wasn’t powerful enough, so when I opened my manuscript this morning I looked for weaknesses in chapter one, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">got back</i> the feel of the story. I was ecstatic when I became completely engrossed. I like the beginning of my book and have returned to my original love for the story. Yay!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I wish I didn’t have to work today. I’m eager to create more of Sunday Phillips’ Italian romance and plan to dive back in—head first—when I get home this evening. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region></st1:place>, watch out! I’m about to unleash a powerful romance on your beautiful country. ;)</div>Cheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509092249679550869.post-40122591564101981362011-07-10T09:23:00.001-04:002011-07-10T09:23:33.748-04:00I’m Published! (And other updates…)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16r3q4cTgIDiTQs7i6RjXZ1nTm7VRu3QdItjnctaJPr_JbrPeFYtOBaRRsTKZ1V-5Nng35o3fCfvk5dP4DtX_Soz9cU9ze13wjIjmb9Kak3KvQNe78mundzNwLek6-gsQvV9eauk5C4I/s1600/happy-dance-snoopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16r3q4cTgIDiTQs7i6RjXZ1nTm7VRu3QdItjnctaJPr_JbrPeFYtOBaRRsTKZ1V-5Nng35o3fCfvk5dP4DtX_Soz9cU9ze13wjIjmb9Kak3KvQNe78mundzNwLek6-gsQvV9eauk5C4I/s200/happy-dance-snoopy.jpg" width="157" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Thank you</b> to everyone who voted for my novella, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Piper’s Passion Cookies</i></b>! I really
appreciate your support. My story won the Rising Star contest—and I
just signed a publishing contract with <a href="http://1placeforromance.com/">1 Place For Romance</a>. I’m excited to
begin the editing process. Piper was a fun character to create, and I have
aspirations to continue her story in future fun novellas. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Aside from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i>
great news, here is a brief synopsis (don’t you love that word?) of what else
is going on in my world…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">My son
is getting married this month! Thankfully the mother-of-the-groom doesn’t
have a lot to do concerning the wedding planning and preparation. I
purchased an adorable dress, but still in search for shoes (Eeek)</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">We
sodded our yard (looks great!) which leads to monotonous hours of watering
so the fortune we spent on it doesn’t go down the tubes, (LOL) </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">I
pressure washed our front porch. Now I have to paint it because I held the
nozzle too close and chipped paint off the rails. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">After
rolling ten (yes, ten!) paint samples on our living room, dining room, and
kitchen walls, we’ve come to the conclusion that the two original colors
we chose are the best. Caramel Sundae and Caramel Honey (mmm… caramel.) A
tasty combination!</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hopefully the rundown above explains my recent lack of blog posts.
I hope to get back to more regular posts and daily story writing soon. Today, I'm taking a break from painting to join an author friend at the coffee shop
for a few hours of writing. I foresee a productive chapter or two on my WIP, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sunday in the Piazza,</i></b>
before my edits to Piper come in. :)</div>
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Thanks for stopping by!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1tKbzQ1KroO1AcVAqlOuAdb3WcFECywxNBTVjk-ulfTJZ2X1p3CTAHySqQhyDafE-jge2t2nPY_OUuBP0bTALyUoD134Hep-gGeggC47niw7Yblzo7KTg3c1LQMVBKSAlhDz-PdFUdg/s1600/Writers+hart+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1tKbzQ1KroO1AcVAqlOuAdb3WcFECywxNBTVjk-ulfTJZ2X1p3CTAHySqQhyDafE-jge2t2nPY_OUuBP0bTALyUoD134Hep-gGeggC47niw7Yblzo7KTg3c1LQMVBKSAlhDz-PdFUdg/s320/Writers+hart+banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509092249679550869.post-18956960131495092572011-06-20T14:25:00.001-04:002011-06-20T14:25:57.281-04:00Vote and Win a Chance For $25!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHdXXkAe8wNyW9dxVG_Xf6D53I3c5hh5OgyQWuyum0oKrgvJULKK9X7D_wN2XUOne4d6nA98KdogKCGTQJ8999PZRfFQxUJQm8rN-hu0uy9Npkcy3X63j7R5KO7Dvc2rJX-LV3fi5uNQ/s1600/2nd+Anniversary+novella+Rising+Star+finalist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHdXXkAe8wNyW9dxVG_Xf6D53I3c5hh5OgyQWuyum0oKrgvJULKK9X7D_wN2XUOne4d6nA98KdogKCGTQJ8999PZRfFQxUJQm8rN-hu0uy9Npkcy3X63j7R5KO7Dvc2rJX-LV3fi5uNQ/s200/2nd+Anniversary+novella+Rising+Star+finalist.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My quirky romance, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Piper’s Passion Cookies</i></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, is a finalist in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><a href="http://1placeforromance.com/">One Place for Romance</a>’s Second Anniversary Summer Romance Novella Contest!</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (Wow that's a mouthful of romance!) </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Let me break it up into smaller bites...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hot guy in swim trunks <span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">þ</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A touch of magic <span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">þ</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Swarming passion <span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">þ</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Delicious kisses <span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">þ</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Your vote? <span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">¨</span></span> Priceless</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://1placeforromance.com/info_239.html">VOTE HERE!</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can vote by clicking the link on the site (<i>this brings up your default mail client</i>) or by sending an email to: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; line-height: 20px;"><b>2011RisingStars@1PlaceForRomance.com</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">with <b>Piper's Passion Cookies</b> in the subject line. That's all you have to do.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://1placeforromance.com/info_236.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">WIN $25!</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; line-height: 20px;">One </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; line-height: 20px;"><b>voter</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; line-height: 20px;"> in the rising star category will be selected at random to receive a $25.00 gift code from 1PFR!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; line-height: 20px;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzSsIzQ2JwK3BaoycGZd4X5cL_CvqXLubdDa1jr1RPCNMO7VUyse94S7klrU7JYwEchnY_vEk0EzAzB-tz_RIn0WAuyVvE0Pf42WzpPEb7EkD4wloOIjb-kKCKf1046e7nhW-oof2yXc/s1600/Writers+hart+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzSsIzQ2JwK3BaoycGZd4X5cL_CvqXLubdDa1jr1RPCNMO7VUyse94S7klrU7JYwEchnY_vEk0EzAzB-tz_RIn0WAuyVvE0Pf42WzpPEb7EkD4wloOIjb-kKCKf1046e7nhW-oof2yXc/s320/Writers+hart+banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span></div>Cheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509092249679550869.post-89324562988122783792011-06-17T10:04:00.001-04:002011-06-17T10:37:22.283-04:00I'm a Guest Blogger at Lindsay's Ramblings.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cp6jN50n7oosrraWC_iaX0JTGLJFZyBQAaIMsIXxNC0Bnc0ftfBZLMId9TY5QhnHotj2Rj2X2dXFh2E7lqQxKteXoYS502pbNzKiF0rno4zU0m35WS4QKa2oMcleM4xYHfk5xiy6gtI/s1600/12ower+again.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cp6jN50n7oosrraWC_iaX0JTGLJFZyBQAaIMsIXxNC0Bnc0ftfBZLMId9TY5QhnHotj2Rj2X2dXFh2E7lqQxKteXoYS502pbNzKiF0rno4zU0m35WS4QKa2oMcleM4xYHfk5xiy6gtI/s200/12ower+again.JPG" width="132" /></a></div><br />
Today, I'm a guest blogger at <a href="http://lbelow.blogspot.com/2011/06/my-inspiration-sunday-in-piazza-by-ce.html">Lindsay's Ramblings</a>, the fabulous L.K. Below's Blog. (Thank you for hosting me, Lindsay!)<br />
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Find out what inspired my current WIP, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Sunday In the Piazza! --</i>This photo is a subtle hint. LOL<br />
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P.S. Comments make a great dessert. ;)Cheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509092249679550869.post-53084961033535938422011-06-11T19:18:00.000-04:002011-06-11T19:18:40.832-04:00I pushed the send button. Now I wait...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mYyHYtY9Up3km39iMCx3ncf-81fjJbIHdk7XsmZ-xT4jLlcrPBXLDWZCT724EA2NmcHf4BhY2Sifg5tSKZkjsRsTkHoQI3D2_4SruqjQAt-eb3Cv6zww5_xo1KGJzKO-BbzO4NL43p8/s1600/charlie+brown+mailbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mYyHYtY9Up3km39iMCx3ncf-81fjJbIHdk7XsmZ-xT4jLlcrPBXLDWZCT724EA2NmcHf4BhY2Sifg5tSKZkjsRsTkHoQI3D2_4SruqjQAt-eb3Cv6zww5_xo1KGJzKO-BbzO4NL43p8/s1600/charlie+brown+mailbox.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Piper’s Passion Cookies</i></b> has been submitted. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yay!</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I completed the first draft on the due date, so I didn’t have much time to fret or edit. After a quick read-through, I rephrased a few sentences here and there with the help of two fabulous fellow authors. It is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">unlike</i> me to spend so little time polishing my work, but with less than five minutes before the deadline, I pushed the send button anyway. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aaugh! </i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">A blurb of my short story: </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><blockquote style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Piper <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bell</st1:place></st1:city> finds an old wooden chest in the attic while rummaging through her grandmother’s belongings. Inside is a book titled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Granny Bell’s Magic Recipes</i>. The cookbook couldn’t have come at a better time, for she needs to take cookies to the neighborhood pool party. With the touch of an enchanted easy-peasy ingredient, Granny Bell’s passion cookies promise to capture even the most reluctant man’s attentions—and her love life could certainly use a little magic. </span></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;">She tests her first batch on the poolside bachelor partygoers, and Voila! The fruit cookies are a success. Men are swarming her like yellow jackets on watermelon, including Donovan Tate, the man on her mind since moving to Magnolia Acres the day before. The passion begins and things heat up… but Piper wonders if she should’ve stayed out of the kitchen.</span></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I had fun writing my first humor-romance. Creating the quirky narrative and wacky characters was exhilarating, and I look forward to revisiting them in future sequels. Piper is already cooking up new magical adventures in my head. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I’ll know if my story is a finalist in the 1PlaceForRomance summer romance contest by June 15<sup>th</sup>. (Wish me luck!) Until then, I wait…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYr-hId-baF9pBtprZ4QqXRp3Jrm_fpILyanYu19BINbdKlMcjV7hAKHg3tYGl-R8L288esI4bRS7hOgUIzsTGwEyIHEkP_gedXVNMhpIghxD9l8rxYUDCXZij-MLz30Ur6HIxlhNaSTE/s1600/Writers+hart+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYr-hId-baF9pBtprZ4QqXRp3Jrm_fpILyanYu19BINbdKlMcjV7hAKHg3tYGl-R8L288esI4bRS7hOgUIzsTGwEyIHEkP_gedXVNMhpIghxD9l8rxYUDCXZij-MLz30Ur6HIxlhNaSTE/s320/Writers+hart+banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Cheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509092249679550869.post-45855187863321487802011-05-25T20:11:00.000-04:002011-05-25T20:11:59.154-04:00The Finish Line<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUhA9THPhh1_kywiSmrwjbI0RZEEGD4e1GyXlsy1sxqR25ndaOajIJPg5sWNZxLtu39vfS8OWclg-tt7-XXzH75fPA6bj37_WOljJtd2xwKWPlLzAfaDWP1SYk8Jz4fuQzTFqYDQZL4c/s1600/Finish-Line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUhA9THPhh1_kywiSmrwjbI0RZEEGD4e1GyXlsy1sxqR25ndaOajIJPg5sWNZxLtu39vfS8OWclg-tt7-XXzH75fPA6bj37_WOljJtd2xwKWPlLzAfaDWP1SYk8Jz4fuQzTFqYDQZL4c/s200/Finish-Line.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Last night was the season finale to NBC's fitness reality show, The Biggest Loser. After shedding nearly half her body weight, the winner stated that even more than losing the weight, she was most proud of <em>finishing something she started</em>.<o:p> </o:p>That statement really struck a chord with me. <br />
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I’m constantly inspired to write stories. Often, a single word, object or feeling can spark ideas for my next plot or character. I frantically search for my voice recorder, paper and pen or indispensible laptop, to document everything pinging around in my head. In turn, those ideas and characters become a story—a new beginning.<o:p> </o:p><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The problem is, a story must contain yin and yang. Endings have to be written for those beginnings. Finishing something I’ve started seems to be one of my greatest writing challenges. I have little problem coming up with ideas or interesting characters. On the contrary—I come up with too many!<o:p> </o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Upon hearing The Biggest Loser’s fabulous speech, I was inspired to do what she did. Finish something I’ve started. Have you ever told yourself, “I’m not going to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">start</i> another story until I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">finish</i> one of my zillion works-in-progress.”? So have I. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This</i> time I mean it. I will complete a work-in-progress. The race is on. I’ll run through the finish line ribbon with my arms outstretched and screaming, “I did it! I’m a winner!” </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I can do it. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmFT4cgWs791OUMyWsT4btnSsWvtM_v_3KP59k05_td2QLfYLmBnCJweHz5xkUDw-HoXKTMg9p3T7KP3JxHmgJ5MGKnuH5RtjF3uaLJQdLeopBYW_kgopVmE8cTEG5s9L2CSlM8wbYmg/s1600/Writers+hart+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmFT4cgWs791OUMyWsT4btnSsWvtM_v_3KP59k05_td2QLfYLmBnCJweHz5xkUDw-HoXKTMg9p3T7KP3JxHmgJ5MGKnuH5RtjF3uaLJQdLeopBYW_kgopVmE8cTEG5s9L2CSlM8wbYmg/s320/Writers+hart+banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div>Cheryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05941924274116467229noreply@blogger.com6