tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31572171678256121792024-03-14T12:14:48.105-04:00Wade KellyWadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.comBlogger340125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157217167825612179.post-8288332504569441612018-10-12T03:00:00.000-04:002018-10-12T06:51:26.840-04:00Dirty Dozen - I'm Hosting Amy Wasp!Hello lovely readers! I am here with Amy Wasp from the GRL Dirty Dozen. What IS the Dirty Dozen, you ask?<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dirty Dozen Author schedule...</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>October 1<sup>st</sup></b> - <a href="http://aewasp.com/dirty-dozen-blog-hop/" target="_blank">Amy Wasp</a> <i>will host</i> Wade Kelly</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>October 2<sup>nd</sup></b> - <a href="https://www.jeffandwill.com/jeff-adams-writes/2018/10/02/dirty-dozen-blog-tour-jessie-gin/">Jeff Adams</a> <i>will host</i> Jessie Gin</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>October 3<sup>rd</sup></b> - <a href="https://www.ttcbooksandmore.com/">TM Smith</a> <i>will host</i> K-Lee Klein</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>October 4<sup>th</sup></b> - <a href="http://www.authoraevia.com/">AE Via</a> <i>will host</i> Deanna Wadsworth</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>October 5<sup>th</sup></b> - <a href="https://rubiconwriting.com/lynn-michaels/">Lynn Michaels</a> <i>will host</i> Alexa Land</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>October 6<sup>th</sup></b> - <a href="https://jrbarten.wordpress.com/">JR Barten</a> <i>will host</i> Morningstar Ashley</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>October 7<sup>th</sup></b> - <a href="https://morningstarashley.com/210-2/" target="_blank">Morningstar Ashley</a> <i>will host</i> Jen JR Barton</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>October 8<sup>th</sup></b> - <a href="http://alexalandwrites.blogspot.com/">Alexa Land</a> <i>will host</i> Lynn Michaels</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strike><b>October 9<sup>th</sup></b> - <a href="http://deannawadsworth.com/">Deanna Wadsworth</a> <i>will host</i> AE Via</strike></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>October 10<sup>th</sup></b> - <a href="http://chaosinthemoonlight.blogspot.com/">K-Lee Klein</a> <i>will host </i>TM Smith</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>October 11<sup>th</sup></b> - <a href="http://jessiegbooks.com/">Jessie Gin</a> <i>will host</i> Jeff Adams</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">October 12<sup>th</sup></span></b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - <a href="https://www.writerwadekelly.com/">Wade Kelly</a> <i>will host</i> Amy Wasp</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">TM Smith came up with the idea of 12 authors asking each other questions and hosting each other on our blogs to help spread the word through our readership. Is it working? Only you can answer that. So, for now, sit back and enjoy about Amy's book City Boy and what she had to say when she answered her questions.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheR5LWlpRfTc_VSeIIWeAeqgI-eoyw7Pvk6dJFYpv_YUQsoLJs99WVhwYE5RbQhroRB0t-tV41Ki6n97d3Kbqc0JNdYlXuB44PqGWs3ZljKZ7WCnrfLb6sQVBINXOmO2WvxNAPs9uXdEU/s1600/city+boy+400+x+600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheR5LWlpRfTc_VSeIIWeAeqgI-eoyw7Pvk6dJFYpv_YUQsoLJs99WVhwYE5RbQhroRB0t-tV41Ki6n97d3Kbqc0JNdYlXuB44PqGWs3ZljKZ7WCnrfLb6sQVBINXOmO2WvxNAPs9uXdEU/s320/city+boy+400+x+600.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">City Boy Blub </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">City Boy: Hot Off the Ice book 1</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Follow the money or follow your heart? Either way, you lose.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">When a blown tire leads directly to mind-blowing sex with a white knight named Dakota, pro-hockey player Bryce Lowery discovers he is most definitely gay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Being with Dakota opens up a whole new world. Bryce can't imagine life without him. But he refuses to be Bryce's dirty little secret. If he wants to keep Dakota, he's either going to have to come out publicly or retire and walk away from millions of dollars.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Bryce Lowery feels like the answer to all of Dakota's prayers. But is Dakota willing to leave the only life he's ever known only to be thrust into the spotlight as the boyfriend of the first out gay hockey player? Would their relationship even survive it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">He'll lose Bryce if he doesn't because Bryce will leave eventually. No one would turn down millions of dollars for a nobody with nothing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">City Boy is a first time gay, fish out of water, May/December love story with a happy ending. It features snarky siblings, a dirty-talking farmer, lots of food, and big choices. (No poultry was harmed in the making of this book.)</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;">Now on to the questions we asked each other....</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Amy Wasp - What is your favorite trope to write and why?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I love writing friends to lovers. The characters have a history together, they already have inside jokes and friends in common, and it makes for a very rich background. It also helps me with the dialogue, and items/locations can have pre-existing meaning for both characters and their friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Second chances have a lot of similarities. But for me, as the author, I have a hard time coming up with a good reason they broke up that is also something they can overcome in the present.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Pretend husband/boyfriend is another favorite because it lends itself to a lot of shenanigans and physical humor; two of my favorite things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jeff Adams - what’s your favorite part of the writing process and why?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I like the second or third draft through a manuscript. I can take all those clunky lines and make them better. I can discard subplots or themes that went nowhere. I can seed in things to support the revelations I came to about the characters in the final chapters. It’s when the story starts to not suck in my mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">TM Smith – What inspires you to write?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Bills. </span><span style="font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 14pt;">J</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I don’t know. I’ve always written. I love learning about people’s stories and my mind just takes off. Now that I have bunch of books out, I am inspired by the lovely things people say to me about how my books make them happy. That’s my main goal, to give people a few hours of happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">AE Via</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- <b>What career would you have if you never would've published your first book?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I didn’t publish my first book until I was fifty, so I can honestly say…none. I suck at real jobs. The longest time I held one for was three years and that was because it was a government job that I couldn’t quite without serious financial consequences until the time was up. I just kind of make up life as I go along. Ask me about my student loans! (No, please, don’t)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Lynn Michaels - How do you balance being original and giving the readers what they expect/want?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I don’t have a problem with that. I, too, love the same but different in my entertainment! Each story is unique because every character is unique. Every first kiss, every last first kiss, is special. If I took the pairs of characters from each of my books, and put them in the exact same trope-world, each book would be different.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Now I kind of want to do an anthology like that. Any takers?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">JR Barten - What have you done as a writer that you are most proud of?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paid for my one kid’s tuition. Writing-wise, my ability to learn and grow with each book. I try to make each one better than the previous one or at least add something I felt was missing from previous ones, concentrate more on an element of story-telling that I short-changed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Morningstar Ashley - What genre and trope would you like you write that you haven't yet?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Epic fantasy/fated destiny kind of trope. I started one and have two books in the series, but they didn’t sell well, so I never finished the trilogy. I will in 2019 even if no one reads it because I love it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Alexa Land - What are you working on now, and when can your readers expect it?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I’m working on two things: Book 2 in the Pros & Cons series, Pros & Cons of Lying, staring Danny and Wesley from books one, and a follow up to Score, which will be the start of a companion series to the Hot Off the Ice book, featuring the Tornadoes, the Thunders’ minor league development team. I started it in a free short that’s available when you sign up to my mailing list called “Twenty Bucks.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Deanna Wadsworth - How do you come up with your character's names?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">It’s so hard. I had to come up with an entire roster for two fictional hockey teams. And nicknames for them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Names are very important to me. A person’s given name and what they like to be called, what different people in their lives call them, can reveal a lot about the character and their relationship with different people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I usually spend a lot of time on names. For main characters, I have to know their background first – place of birth, ethnic, economic, age-to have a place to start. I try not to default to generic white American names unless that is part of the character. You can see I have a fondness for Russian names (which is lucky because there are a lot of Russian hockey players) because of all the variations of their names and the way they signal the level of intimacy between two people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">K-Lee Klein - Do you usually have only one project on the go or do you multitask between stories?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I try to only be writing-writing (which I what I call writing actual sentences) one thing at a time. I have folders/bookmarks/files for all my works in progress or potential future ideas, and as bits of dialogue or plot thoughts come to me, I’ll write them down. I seldom start from a totally blank page with no idea of what I’m going to write.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I have a million ideas, titles, character names, and setups in many different folders!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jessie Gin - What do you think makes a good story?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Being emotionally invested in the characters. If I’m not, no amount of exciting plot or beautiful prose can make me finish. I have to care what happens to the person/people I’m reading about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Wade Kelly -</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>What is your suggestion or piece of advice to new and upcoming authors?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Write a lot. Have realistic expectations, and don’t underestimate the intelligence of your audience. If a book you think is ‘bad’ is doing really well, don’t waste time with saying ‘I don’t understand, how can people like this, etc, etc. It’s poorly written, simplistic…’ take a long hard look and tear that book apart to try and find out what is making people respond so strongly to that book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Reading isn’t an academic exercise, it’s emotional, we as readers want something that grips us for whatever reason and doesn’t let us go. Try to find what that is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">And a short trick for romance writers: Make sure you have at least one scene in each book that will make readers sigh and say “Why doesn’t that ever happen to me?” If you can’t imagine a reader telling their best friend, “Oh my god. I loved the scene where x happened, or where Y did this,” try harder. Make those scenes happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial";">Bio</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Amy (A. E.) Wasp is the author of the hockey romance series<b>Hot Off the Ice</b>featuring the fictional NHL team, the Seattle Thunder and the intertwined lives of the players, staff, and the people they love. The recently-launched <b>Boy Next Doo</b>r is the most current addition to the series.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial";">Score</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial";">, a part of the Hidden Creek family of books, introduced the Tornadoes, the Thunder’s minor league development team. Their story will continue in the <b>Chasing the Storm</b>series, premiering in 2019.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Her<b>Veteran Affairs </b>series focuses on the issues veterans of all ages and backgrounds face when the return to civilian life. All the stories take place in a small town in Northern Colorado that is remarkably similar to the one in which she lives. Readers can expect a new Veterans Affairs book in the first half of 2019.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial";">Pros & Cons, </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial";">her newest series, a Leverage/Charlie’s Angels-inspired romantic suspense, high in banter and sexy times, low in detail on how, exactly, things got done, launched in September. The first book, <b>Pros & Cons of Vengeance</b>was co-written with author May Archer and released in September. Book 2, <b>Pros & Cons of Lying</b>, will be out by November. (Fingers crossed!)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Each of her books can be read as stand-alones, but they’re always best if you read them all!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;">Check out our GIVEAWAY...</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="color: orange; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/bde26371334/?" target="_blank">Rafflecopter</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Dirty Dozen hopes you have enjoyed their answers. As for me, Wade, I hope you have hopped to each and every author's blog and read about the authors who will appear at <a href="http://gayromlit.com/" target="_blank">GayRomLit</a> this year in Virginia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Thanks for stopping by!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Wade</span></div>
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Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157217167825612179.post-35788604989477279082018-10-11T15:57:00.000-04:002018-10-11T15:57:04.679-04:00It's Been a Year!WOW. I can't believe it's been a year already. Not a whole lot has changed and yet I feel like so much has changed--and that probably makes no sense. But, I am still alive. I'm around. I'm trying to sort out my life and my head. The last few years have really knocked me around. My pain is not much compared to what some people have gone through, but it is MY pain and real to ME. And I'm working through it.<br />
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Right now, it is October which means GRL and the Dirty Dozen Blog Hop, which is happening now. I normally post what's been going on and post links, but I have more problems with Internet than I am really willing to handle. I just put things off because I don't care to expend the energy, and then BOOM an entire year goes by.<br />
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I will update this post when I can, hopefully tomorrow, with all the links. Or maybe do another post with all the links. For now, here is the group banner:<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Author schedule... <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">October 1<sup>st</sup></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- Amy Wasp <i>will host</i>Wade Kelly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">October 2<sup>nd</sup></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- Jeff Adams <i>will host</i>Jessie Gin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">October 3<sup>rd</sup></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- TM Smith <i>will host</i>K-Lee Klein<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">October 4<sup>th</sup></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- AE Via <i>will host</i>Deanna Wadsworth<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">October 5<sup>th</sup></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- Lynn Michaels <i>will host</i>Alexa Land<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">October 6<sup>th</sup></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- JR Barten <i>will host</i>Morningstar Ashley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">October 7<sup>th</sup></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- Morningstar Ashley <i>will host</i>Jen JR Barton<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">October 8<sup>th</sup></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- Alexa Land <i>will host</i>Lynn Michaels<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">October 9<sup>th</sup></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- Deanna Wadsworth <i>will host</i>AE Via<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">October 10<sup>th</sup></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- K-Lee Klein <i>will host </i>TM Smith<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">October 11<sup>th</sup></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- Jessie Gin <i>will host</i>Jeff Adams<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">October 12<sup>th</sup></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- Wade Kelly <i>will host</i>Amy Wasp<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">GRL is coming up next week. Comment and let me know if I should keep a look out for you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I'll be p[osting about Amy Wasp tomorrow!.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">For now,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Ciao.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Wade <3</span></div>
Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157217167825612179.post-29269396498891292082017-09-18T08:40:00.002-04:002017-09-18T08:40:55.587-04:00SEX in booksToo much in my head. Sometimes I just can't think because the thoughts are too many and they get jumbled up. Has that ever happened to you? It's like I'm overloaded and the synapses are all firing at once or not firing at all. IDK. For years, I've been dealing with the fact I chose a non-popular topic to write about. I guess at first I thought it was all about the taboo subject of homosexuality. In 2010, I was all but accused of "turning" three boys gay. (Because I have the power of God.) It was this, "I can't believe you wrote a book with gay characters" and "what is your involvement with the youth" all in the same breath that had me reeling. I was told to stop writing. I tried. But the words wouldn't stop. The characters kept screaming. So, I wrote When Love is Not Enough. Ove the last seven years I guess, I've gone through changes and personal struggles. For a long time, I WAS Jamie Miller. (WLINE) I lied all the time. Mostly by commission. I just didn't talk. I never spoke about writing. I wrote when no one was around. I kept my feelings to myself. I closed my heart off from everyone. I think people found WLINE powerful because at the time, that book was all I had. I poured my heart into the story and characters. I purged my despair onto the pages. Since then, I've written heavy books and lite books and I have a scale to warn readers. LOL The writing has flowed fairly well over the years even though I've had to skirt around the subject of what I write to most people I know.<br />
2014 brought betrayal. My happy go lucky, carefree attitude got zapped when I trusted the wrong person. I guess what I learned from that experience is that I cannot trust people. But, on the other hand, when I do, I need to be prepared for hatred and resentment. It's sort of the same when anyone reads a book and you are the author. Some love it, some hate it. Well, when those people are people you know in real life and not just random faceless people out in the world somewhere, the pain of rejection is closer to the heart. It feels like betrayal and being stabbed in the gut. Not only do you, or that person, hate my book, they turn against me because the subject matter offends so greatly they have to involve the church leadership. In some ways, this is exactly what happened in 2010, only without accusing me of turning certain boys gay. Now, it's the fact that I'm "promoting a lifestyle contrary to God's word," and promoting impurity and disharmony in the church. I do not believe this is true. I have always tried to bring people together in my church. For YEARS I have said the pastor's sermons are the best I've ever heard. In my books, I try to promote monogamy and safe sex because that is what I believe in. I AM promoting purity. I believe in marriage. I also believe in Jesus. I think Robin McAvoy emerged (character in JOCK 1) because I needed a character to represent my beliefs. I also think I've had a struggle completing book 4 because it's HIS story, and in a sense MY story, and it isn't finished yet. I personally struggle God's Will IN my life and how I should live and what I should write because I think I have something to say that goes against the current grain of the church. I see the church failing humanity, when it should be nurturing it. The church as a whole has lost its ability to love. That is what I see. Apparently, (I was told), the pastor at my church sees this too. He agrees. Great! Then stop killing the souls of those who want to love! He, and others, have crushed my spirit. I feel like giving up. The fight is too difficult. I've been away from church for 2 months. They will not leave me alone. Now I'm requested to have a meeting. I can't run because it involves my family. It is not as easy as you think. I have to stand up, again, and defend myself. From what I understand it all comes down to sex. Always sex. I write sex. It supposedly isn't the sexuality in it, but the blatant sex. I have no problem scaling this back. I don't write erotica anyway. My fear is that if I give an inch, it will become more. It won't end with "you shouldn't write sex." I fear it will morph into, "This is what you should write." And this is what I cannot do. I CANNOT and WILL NOT write what someone SAYS I should write. ONE, that's not how my brain works. TWO, I think I have a calling to write things relevant to culture and the real struggles people are going through. I think sex is a part of that. I think monogamous, safe sex practices are best. That's my agenda. Don't be stupid about your choices. In WLINE, Matt Dixon makes a terrible choice of going off with someone he didn't know. He blindly trusts someone and gets hurt. I hope the message there was clear--DON'T TRUST STRANGERS. Don't let them tie you up. Because you know what, kids are out there, having sex, without thought of condoms or safe sex. They trust the wrong people. And bad things can happen. Sure, I write sexual content. And the church has issue with it. To me, sex is where people relate. We all have sex. The difference is that sex isn't always a good choice. With two men, or two women, pregnancy isn't an issue, so some do not think there are consequences. BUT THERE ARE.<br />
Examples: After sex, some people make an emotional connection. Sex isn't a canal act done in a vacuum! Sex cannot always be done for sex-sake. This is a "consequence." So by writing stories that show this, it might make people think about random hook-ups. IDK. I can tell you I've read stories where the random hook-up turns into love and marriage. Which again, proves my point. People make emotional connections through sex. Even when you think it's merely physical. Another consequence is disease. You can pass on HIV or other STDs when not using condoms. Safe sex practices are best. Did you know there are readers who may have NEVER been taught this? If a gay boy is isolated in whatever city or societal situation he is in, whether it is homeschooling, church, or a tiny town in the mid-west, he may have never been told about gay sex. PORN is not a great educational tool for all things sex. He (or she) is alone and confused and finds a book online about a gay kid. WHAT!?!?! There IS such a thing? Some kids still don't realize there are others out there like them. Some readers are just your average straight person who has NO IDEA that gays are still thrown in jail or murdered just because they love the same sex. Writing informs people, even through fictional stories. My stories. They are important.<br />
Sex can be a powerful thing. It can be raunchy, but it can also be beautiful. Kids, young men, young adults, who have had bad sexual experiences may not know all that is out there. Maybe some have been raped. Maybe some have been tortured. YOU DON'T KNOW. I don't know. But if a traumatized person can read a beautiful love story and realize they too might be able to find this type of love, and intimacy through sex, then SEX can heal. I write sex because it is where people relate. Sex is the most intense connection two people can make. My goal has always been to write meaningful characters who are real, raw, and riveting. I want people to feel every bit of the story. Will I always write sex? Probably not, but I cannot say where I am going with my writing. Right now, it's all stuck in my head. My head that is full of problems. I'm still taking care of my mother's estate. I'm getting a nuclear dye test for my thyroid this week. My church wants to "meet" with me. My husband says I'm embarrassing and he doesn't know how to tell people what I write. .... Well, guess what, most people now know exactly what I write. There aren't too many who don't know so you don't have to worry about telling them. And I haven't written anything significant since January 2016. I try, and things fall apart. I know I can't give up, but I so want to. I'm so tired. Fighting a war is tiring. Why do I keep going? Josh White. He's my friend who died because of hate.<br />
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I don't know what else to say. I'm just so tired.<br />
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~Wade<br />
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<br />Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157217167825612179.post-28109657966713823382017-09-05T06:52:00.000-04:002017-09-05T06:52:30.129-04:00First Day of SchoolI've decided, because it is the first day of this new school year, that I should treat it like "New Years Day" and turn over a new leaf. I've had some crappy years lately. I'd say days, weeks, or months, but truly it has been years. Sadly. I remember a time in 2014 when I was happy. Like, REALLY HAPPY. Things were going my way. I was writing, I had publications coming out once a year, I was meeting people like J.P. Barnaby who would make me smile. AND, I was learning about my faith in church without any ridicule or judgment. Life was really good. Then, I trusted the wrong person and things went to hell. The church turned on me and made me question what the heck was happening. I realize I was disillusioned by what I thought the church should be. Is that the right word? My expectations were too high. I expected more from people than I should have and it came back to bite me in the ass.<br />
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The SAME thing occurred in 2015 with regard to my son. I think I had unrealistic expectations and expected too much. We adopted him and I thought it would be like having my other children (the ones who grew up with me.) It isn't. It's harder. It's more painful. Loving a child who has never had family, was not what I expected and I brought much of the pain on myself with my unrealistic expectations.<br />
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Writing can be seen in that same light in many ways. Writing is hard! I've had a couple, nine, books basically fall out of my head. JOCK 1 I wrote in like two months. Bankers' Hours was written in three. Even NAMES, which took fourteen months to write, felt like the story flowed out of my head as I wrote it. Now, after finishing JOCK 3 in January 2016, writing hasn't fallen out. It feels like a clogged funnel. I have SOOOO many ideas, yet they are crammed in the hole. Nothing gets from my brain, out my fingers anymore. I'm trying, really I am, and I think TODAY is the day to turn over a new leaf and make life happen.<br />
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If the stories won't flow out easily, I will PUSH them out until the words come easily again.<br />
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This first day of school signifies the beginning of ROUTINE! I am forced to get up at the butt-crack of day to get my kids off to school. I am awake, making lunches, and hugging much earlier than I have all summer. With the school routine, will come the writer routine! I need to blog regularly. Not once a day... unrealistic. Hopefully once a week, or a couple times a month. Newsletters should also come more regularly, once I have something to say writing-related. I NEED to write EVERY day! I may not be able to write thousands of words every day, but I should try to get into the habit of writing something! I did this in June and it had been going well, but life threw another curve ball and I stopped. TODAY I start again!<br />
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Current projects include: a rewrite of an earlier book, JOCK 4, JOCK 5, and a book I was trying to write as a Dreamspun Desire before I realized I can't NOT write angst. grrr. Somehow the angst creeps in and it derails me from the Dreamspun outline. Maybe one day! I have about fifteen books in my head. Fingers crossed they come OUT of my head in a timely fashion.<br />
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Thank you for hanging around and putting up with me and encouraging me. I've not had the best of years lately, but there are people who've had it worse. I shouldn't complain too much. I'm merely venting on my blog because I need to get it out. I'm seeing my therapist again next week. I had stopped in June because it seemed like we had run out of things to talk about. NOPE! I have a lot more. I briefed her when I saw her last week and she just can't believe how I've been treated. For the most part, I allowed things to happen, but there comes a time when you have to protect yourself. NOW is that time. I am protecting what is left of my heart and my sanity. Part of that is writing. Writing use to bring me such joy. I need to find that again.<br />
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I hope you all have a wonderful day!<br />
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Hugs,<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Wade Kelly</span><br />
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<br />Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157217167825612179.post-40669049292524221002017-08-22T13:23:00.001-04:002017-08-22T13:23:53.720-04:00Dear StalkerThank you for filling my life with fear, anxiety, and paranoia. Knowing SOMEONE is out there watching EVERY move I make is so comforting, you have no idea. I hope there is someone watching out for you in the very same manner. It's a feeling I can not describe.<br />
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I realize my life is pretty much out there for everyone to see. I'm an online personality. I'm an author. I'm a "celebrity" in my own right, and as such I should be expected to handle those out there who watch every move I make whether it is online, in person, about my family, about my writing, about my beliefs, etc. I SHOULD be able to handle the scrutiny and ridicule.<br />
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But then again, why SHOULD I? Because you think so? Try it yourself. Tell me who you are that you are so much better than me, that you can watch my moves and report them to others and think yourself so much more righteous and pious because at least your sins are not as bad as mine? I don't name names, but maybe I should? Judy? Drew? Bruce? Shirley? Angela? Who the fuck are you and what gives you the right to treat me in this manner? Just because the church board has seen it as their job to chastise me and sentence me doesn't mean I have rolled over and willingly given them permission to ruin my life. LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE!!!! Telling me you miss me know is too little too late. Telling me I had years to change is true. But I don't see the need when you've had YEARS TO CHANGE AS WELL. The church hasn't changed its stand. And I haven't changed my mind on why I write. I stand for gay rights. That will not change. I heard when you said it's about the sex. Okay. I also said I was willing to work with that because it was never my intention to write sex. I write stories and sex happens sometimes. The thing is, you wanted me to roll over and beg forgivness for writing the things I have. I won't. They weren't my stories. I believe they came from God because they needed to be told. They were other peoples' stories. Sex and all. They came out of no where and touched others deeper than I could have imagined. I can't write stories like that apart from God. I had purpose. Then my heart was shattered.<br />
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Every time I turn around, SOMEONE IS THERE WATCHING ME! I chose a penname for a reason. Don't all authors? It's because it keeps my real life and my writing life separate because sometimes there are fans out there, Like some for JK Rowling as an example, who can become a little phsyco--go all "Misery" on the poor unsuspecting author. I don't have that. I have fans who want to hold me and protect me from the very people I trusted and let in. I exposed my heart and everything I had and instead of caring for my heart, those people I trusted ripped me to shreds.<br />
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My penname is Wade Kelly because I liked a show called Sliders in the 90's. Wade Wells was the female lead. A girl in second grade was named Kelly Dodd and I ALWAYS liked her name. Hence, Wade Kelly. I then trusted some of my fans and fellow writers with my real name. Kade Boehme was among the first. Why? Because I love Kade and I knew he'ed love me back and protect my heart.<br />
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I've been hurt more by the church than by any other people in the world, and they just don't stop. They stalk me. Dear Stalker, do you have any idea how that feels? I wrote a fucking book! (Or maybe a few) and no one leaves me alone because of it. It's this how it feels to be one of the marginalized? This has to be how it feels to be gay and hated by the church. (And I in no way mean to belittle the LGBTQ people. I'm writing to my stalkers.) I'm being crushed in spirit, the same way fists break bone when someone corners you in an alley. I have no way out because the silent stalkers can watch from their hiding place and I don't see them.<br />
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My name is Gina Adams. I live in Westminster and that's why most of my books are set here. Westminster is what I know. I don't hide or purpose. I chose a penname because I thought that's what people did. Some authors in my genre (Men and women) do because their writing is seen as an abomination to others. They want to protect themselves. I know this well. Why is it so wrong to try and protect yourself and your identity? I tried, but I trusted the wrong people and now I suffer the consequences. I'm watched all the time from faceless zealots.<br />
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I know who I am. I know how God views me. My beliefs are MINE. I believe Jesus died for my sins. Isn't that the whole point of the bible?<br />
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Another part references "shaking off the sand from your sandals." Please do that. Throw your stones. Get it over with and move on.<br />
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I don't know what else to say. Leave me alone. Let me take refuge with people who want to protect me the same way I would for them. Maybe you think you're being a good friend, but not if you are crushing my soul. I'll have nothing left.<br />
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Dear stalker, be careful what you do to another person's soul. Is pushing me to insanity worth it? Is that what Jesus would do?<br />
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Thanks for my heartache. I wonder how you treat the other people in your life?<br />
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~Wade / GinaWadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157217167825612179.post-16841370582641390612017-08-13T11:45:00.000-04:002017-08-13T11:45:35.257-04:00Moving ForwardMoving forward is typically easier said than done. I have a difficult time training my brain not to DWELL on the negative. I WANT to be positive, I WANT to be joyful and happy, but something inside clicks over to the cynical setting and I just see the glass half-empty. A couple years ago I remember a time when I was happy and joyful all the time. A fellow author called me Sunshine. I think she still calls me Sunshine, but I feel less sunshiney than I used to. My glow is dulled by life-crap. People like to drag you down, I think. When someone is sunshiney it is easy to get jealous or resentful and then others seek to steal your joy because it is easier to make YOU, or me, less shiney than for them to pull themselves out of the mire. Does this make sense?<br />
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I used to be so joyful. Where did that go? Well, I could probably point to the previous blog (<a href="http://writerwadekelly.blogspot.com/2017/08/what-ive-been-up-to-for-two-years.html">http://writerwadekelly.blogspot.com/2017/08/what-ive-been-up-to-for-two-years.html</a> ) and say that is the reason, but I am partially to blame. I LET or ALLOWED people to steal my joy. They wore me down and I gave in to some extent. No, I haven't rolled over, but I am also not as strong as I once was, nor am I as happy. I'm tired. That's really it in a nutshell. I'm just tried. I'm tired of being "watched," I'm tired of people riduculing me for writing some sexual cantent into my books, I'm tired of being treated like a pariah when I'm around "church folks." What I've learned is that some (not all) people I know in the church are actually less loving than those I've met outside the church. It's not supposed to be like that. The church is not supposed to eat itsown and crush the spirit of its members. I feel crushed. And yes, this is partically my fault because I believe people to be good. I believe people are my friends and I trust openly and this allows others to come in and crush my trusting heart. I understand if you disagree with me, and believe what I write is wrong and "sinful," people are intitled to thier opinions. But at some point, you need to back off and let me live my life. YOU are are NOT living it for me! You are not standing next to me day in and day out to tell me what I am allowed to do, or not do, according to your interpretation of the Bible. And I do say YOU INTERPRETATION because not every church preaches the same thing. Not every church sees things the way another church does. NOT every church sees Jesus or Christianoty the same way. And yes, I'm talking to the "watchers" of me, as well as thought-vomiting on my blog. Because this IS MY BLOG. I am allowed to write what I want, and people do read it. (Inlcuding those I wish wouldn't.) I am a person with my own mind and my own thoughts, who is beaten down. You have won the battle, I choose to no longer attend your church. There are people I will miss, some I will deeply miss seeing every week, but I can not subject myself to the hatefulness I get from the select few.<br />
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So how do I move on? It's not going to be easy. There is now a split between my husband and I. There has been an uncomfortable rift for a long time, but now it is very obvious. He goes to church, and I do not. This my girls see. The older one wanted to go to church to see her friends so my husband took her, but my younger one didn't want to go. She's home with me. Friends are very important and I know my older girl really misses hers when she doesn;t get ot see them. I will probably visit Taryn's church (my author friend) at some point, but for now I am taking a break. I need to find ME again. My spirit has been beated down and I just need some silence.<br />
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I'm reading a book called The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. It was actually lent to me by my tattoo artist, LOL. It's very fascinating and speaks about changing the way you think and the Law of Attraction. I need to finish it! I need to learn how to retrain the way I think. I need to find possitivity and joy again!<br />
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On the writing side, I haven't made much headway. I HOPE TO! I have loads of ideas and maybe once the muse gets moving I'll have many manuscript to submit. Fingers crossed. Will they be loaded with sex??? Probably not. Mine weren't loaded with sex before. I don't write erotica. But, for those who watch every little tidbit I write, there will be sexual content. When that will stop depends on the storiess and the characters. I write as I am inspired. The stories are character driven. If you don't understand this, it is because you are not an author! I believe and stand by the belief that I am inspired by God. WAY too many readers have told me "I wrote their story." I believe I am writing things that need to be said because someone out there is hurting and needs healing or closure. The sexual content is not the story, but in some ways it brings authenticity and realability to the readers. The sex is NOT the point of the story and may go away. My intent was not to write SEX. My intent was to write real stories. But I am NOT going to change what I write or how I write because a group of men sat down and wrote out a list of the things I am not allowed to do. NOPE. I will change only if moved to by God HIMSELF. As I believe I am inspired BY GOD, thent he stories are shaped BY GOD for the audience I write to. The church folks are not my audience, but boy they, might learn a thing or two if they just stopped JUDGING for a second.<br />
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I have many stories going through my head at the moment. JOCK 4, a Dreamspun Desire, one other story, and a re-write I'm working on. My issue is that these will not flow into a complete story. There are fragments, and the fragmants don't go anywhere. With JOCK 4, I am convinced the story didn't get written because I am not done living the things Rob McAvoy needs to go through. I really feel like he's me in many ways and lord help the readers once his story gets completed. JOCK 4 will have angst. It is not the #2 rating on the Angst Scale that JOCK 1 is!!! Maybe a #5. I'm also incorporating bits of JOCK 5 into it so they flow, but I want to bring JOCK 5 back down to a 2 or 3. I need some happiness to end the series on.<br />
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Bankers' Hours is still not in AUDIO. I'm sorry, but I don't know what's going on with that. It was recorded LAST year. I think it's really good and I want to share it, but I'ver heard nothing. Sorry.<br />
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Anyway.... I'm trying to pick myself back up and take a few steps forward. Keep your fingers crossed for me to keep moving forward. I will write again! I will find my joy again!<br />
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Thank you all for your love and support. You have no idea how much it means to me!<br />
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If you want to follow my via my newsletter, click <a href="http://writerwadekelly.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=cd6eaaef4affc270747b20a41&id=2a5700e470" target="_blank">HERE</a>! My am trying to keep my newsletter more about my publications and my blog more personal.<br />
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Love and Hugs,<br />
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Wade<br />
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<br />Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157217167825612179.post-64611193985456505382017-08-04T13:44:00.000-04:002017-08-04T13:44:02.579-04:00What I’ve Been Up To… For Two YearsHey. It’s been a long time since I’ve blogged. Heck, it’s been a long time since I blogged, posted, tweeted, newslettered, or bloody wrote something significant. I’ve had a lot going on in the past couple years and sometimes I talk about it, but most times I don’t.<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
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Reason one: I don’t want to seem like a whiner. Everyone has issues, and problems and I don’t normally advertise mine because I’m not out to seek sympathy for every little thing. Sometimes I say something just so you know I’m alive and that I still want to write more books. I haven’t given up completely.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Reason two: I’m being watched. Although that sounds silly in some ways, it does affect me. I am an author and therefore I’m an online personality for the most part. My picture is online, I appear in person to book related events, I am who I say I am, and the author part isn’t my issue. It’s the people in my RL (real life) who have issues with what I write.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Reason three: I don’t like to cause waves. I’m a non-confrontational person for the most part. I don’t like stirring up trouble. It is not and never was my intent to cause problems. What I want is to write stories that take what I see and experience in real life and translate them into stories people/readers can relate to. This, I think I have done.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Those reasons stated I have to say it hasn’t helped much. Things remain the same whether or not I talk about them. And again, I’m not posting a blog because I want your sympathy or condolences, or even anger; I’m posting because maybe you will understand where I’m coming from and be patient with me as I work through my crap on the way to writing another book. I haven’t given up; I’m on pause. (Like in the middle of a movie.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Back to reason one, I want to say I am not whining. I’m just stating the events of my life as things that have happened which effect my writing process and my emotional state. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In 2015 I had a fight with my son and he left. That is the short version. Since July 2015 there has not been a moment of reconciliation or even discussion about his feelings and what he thinks or wants. He doesn’t talk to us. This has been very difficult for me. Some may know we adopted him in 2010. This was a difficult process and very costly, but we loved him and made him a part of the family. It took time for my daughters to adjust to having a brother. He was older, which displaced my oldest, and he was “newer” which displaced the baby of the family. Then… only a couple of years later they’ve had to readjust to NOT having a brother because he doesn’t interact with the family. It’s been hard.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This emotional “trauma” is what my endocrinologist thinks could have triggered my thyroid issues. Thyroid is affected by emotions. YAY me!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I also had another incident with my church involving my writing and the board requested some “meetings” to discuss what I was writing. Some of these meetings were in 2014 into 2015, but picked back up again in 2016 into 2017. This is another whole thing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In 2016 my mother was diagnosed with COPD and emphysema from smoking for 50+ years. She smoked a lot! So my brother and I took her to the doctor and stuff. Meanwhile, my son isn’t talking to anyone, and stopped talking to my mother in January 2016. In all of 2016 I didn’t write anything. I’ve been scattered. Too much going on and I couldn’t think about what to write. I’m working on JOCK 4 but nothing is flowing, etc. In August I was diagnosed with hyperthyroid which accounted for my weak legs, shaking hands, and anxiety and depression. I was put on Methimezole and Lexapro. In the fall of 2016, the church board thought I needed to have a discussion about what I wrote because “didn’t you just release a book in August?” – Funny. Yes I did. Back Off! That’s My Jock came out in August 2016. As I said, people are watching me and because everything I do is basically online, they knew that. So we “sit down” and have a chat, the long and short of it was “writing sex isn’t acceptable.” Don’t go off. This is how it is in some churches if you’ve been to any reformed Presbyterian churches. I know this. I chose to go there. I chose to write sex in my books. I allowed the “meetings” to go on many occasions.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In November 2016 I had a panic attack. My first one even, and landed in the hospital over night because I thought I was dying. I wasn’t. My heart in fact was in great shape! YAY. But the anxiety and depression were not being helped by the scrutiny of my church. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In January 2017 my mother was given 6 months to live. A week later, I was to meet with the church and be “sentenced” according to the grievances they formally listed in a letter to me. I’ve got enough shit to deal with in my life. I went along, I pleaded guilty, and was sentenced. I was not excommunicated, which was actually a surprise. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Yes, I have written sexual content in my books. They are romance with sexually explicate content. No, this was not the intent of my life to write sex in and all the time. This may change. I told them that. I was willing to work with their desire for me NOT to write sexual content, but that wasn’t good enough. I had to feel bad and repent of writing it at all. I had to feel sorry for doing it. I’m not. I am proud of my writing. I love my stories. Yeah, there is sex but sex happens in relationships and I write characters as close as I can to real people. I want to be real and relatable. So yeah, I wrote sex. This didn’t sit well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In March, my husband tried to tell my son he needed to reach out to his grandmother before she passed. There was no communication between them. In April, my son joined the Air Force. He said he’d contact my husband with details of where he could be reached, and as of now (Aug 4) we haven’t heard from him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In June (ish), I was approached again by the “board” of elders and asked, “Have you changed yet?” Um, no…. when was this ever an effective method of intervention? I’ve been dealing with life crap, and now asked again if I have changed. No. I haven’t. I’m the same cynical person I was before. Actually, I’m probably more bitter than before.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In July. My mother died. I listened to her drown in her own fluid. I smelled the scent of death I hope never to experience again. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m posting because I freaking tired of people “watching” me and passing judgment on my life. As they say, you have NO IDEA what a person is going through. As far as I know, in my experience with church order and structure etc, church discipline is supposed to be delivered in love. What I feel, isn’t love. I feel ridiculed, cornered, and attacked. You may not intend that, but that’s what comes across. (Church!) I have tried to express my concern for your lack of compassion. No one hears me. When have you asked how my mother was doing after I announced in January that she was dying? When have you asked how my son was doing? (Aside from one person in two years.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Let me say this… In October 2016 I went to dinner during GRL with Steve Leonard. I don’t know Steve well, but while we were waiting for a table for like 8 people, we chatted. Do you know the first thing he asked? Steve asked, “How are things with your son?” Why did he ask that? He barely knows me. It’s because he pays attention and knows that the incident with my son was the most painful thing I’ve gone through in my life. He cared enough to pay attention. I get it, that the church “board” can’t know everything because they rely on Small Groups to get to know church members more deeply, but if a casual friend, whom I see once a year, knows my heart more deeply than a “board member,” then they don’t know and love me well enough to pass judgment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Not one person from this church board showed up at my mother’s viewing or funeral. I’ve been going to that church for 7 years. I’m there almost every week. (Except recently). My boss, whom I’ve known for 5 months, showed up at the viewing because he cared enough about me to make the time. Friends whom I haven’t seen in years took off work to make time to spend 15 minutes with me at a viewing because they cared enough to do so. What kind of message do you think this sends about the church to ME. You lack compassion and caring. I get it, I wrote sex and I am not repenting of such and so I’m under “discipline,” but now I feel as though I don’t measure up to your standards and therefore don’t matter in the long run. This, is very sad.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I do not mean to be an embarrassment to my husband, family, or church, but I DO take this very personally. There are people who have come out of the woodwork to pay respects, and yet my church “family” hasn’t. NOTE: I do not count the people who have reached out! I know who you are. I am speaking directly to the board who has let me down. Those who feel they can pass judgment over me and yet not spend 5 minutes consoling my family. You’ve lost my respect. I am no longer attending that church. If I visit, it is because I DO have friends there that I will miss.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is all ONLINE, as everything else in my life is online. If you don’t care to know me, then defriend me. I’m a very transparent person. I talk. It’s what I do. And I’ve held in the details of my life far too long. I tried to be respectful of the church, but I no longer feel like my life matters to you. I’m not clean enough—this is the message you sent me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“I’ve brought my damned best, and it’s not good enough.” – (paraphrased. Damien Mitchell)<o:p></o:p></div>
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On the writing side of things, I'm trying. Words are not flowing well as I've been dealing with emotional crap. I hope to write and finish a book this year. Fingers crossed.</div>
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My parents </div>
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Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157217167825612179.post-67527496759496148062017-03-16T10:39:00.001-04:002017-03-16T10:39:18.418-04:00LONG TIMESorry, It's been MONTHS!<br />
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SO what have I been doing between now and last November? Um, I had a couple panic attacks; one of which had me in the hospital. I had some issues with my church. (Which is an ongoing thing and probably will never truly go away.) I've been depressed and sleepy all the time. My thyroid is way off and it's doing weird things in my head. My endocrinologist said I am in a constant state of metabolic flux. YAY! I hope it will get straightened out soon.<br />
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Writing: I haven't done any.<br />
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Goals: TO WRITE!<br />
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I went to the Dreamspinner Workshop and I feel a revitalization coming on. Plus, I often get e-mails asking me about a story for Rob and Russell. My answer is YES, I'm writing it now. I have been working on it since last year, but didn't write for months and months which is why it isn't finished yet. My goal is to work on JOCK 4 (ROB) and JOCK 5 in order to finish out the series.<br />
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Since All Romance eBooks closed it's doors, I have been considering what to do with JOCK 1.5, the little free short that told readers what happened between JOCK 1 & JOCK 2. I decided to add the 4 chapters into JOCK 4. I may tell them from a different POV and condensed, but the information will be in JOCK 4. I also may have the file as a download on my website for those who'd like to have it. Still figuring this all out.<br />
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What I want to focus on:<br />
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JOCK 4<br />
JOCK 5<br />
and a Dreamspun Desire book<br />
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after these, you never know what will come out of my head. I have LOTS of book ideas!<br />
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I haven't gone away, I simply took a break.<br />
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Love you all,<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Wade</span></b>Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157217167825612179.post-39787515909347308872016-11-28T06:00:00.000-05:002016-11-28T06:00:15.427-05:00Wade Kelly NewsletterYES! I am starting a newsletter. I plan to send it out monthly, starting on December 1, 2016. I hope I have something interesting to say. I will try to keep the content as different as I can from other social media. If you would like to sign up, here is a link: <a href="http://bit.ly/2g3LKGj" target="_blank">NEWSLETTER!</a><br />
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This is just another way for people to stay in touch with me, especially those who do not have facebook.</div>
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Thank you for your love and support! <3</div>
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AND, Thank you to all of those who participated in the Big Gay Fiction Giveaway!</div>
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xoxoxo,</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wade</span></div>
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Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157217167825612179.post-88596860329915663032016-11-26T13:28:00.001-05:002016-11-26T13:30:32.725-05:00The Big Gay Fiction GiveawayRunning from November 20-27, I am a part of a huge giveaway through Instafreebie.com<br />
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You can find out about what authors of the 85 are participating by clicking on:<br />
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<a href="http://www.jeffandwill.com/biggayfictionpodcast/big-gay-fiction-giveaway-november-20-27/">http://www.jeffandwill.com/biggayfictionpodcast/big-gay-fiction-giveaway-november-20-27/</a><br />
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Or<br />
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<a href="http://www.michaeljensen.com/free-books/">http://www.michaeljensen.com/free-books/</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpqSssktRZOs2xNGPL1gfZMG7rbQZrvyuieKCAoAdnYq_zJ5n_Bdeuaq8EhyphenhyphenWy-FlwT5poWqW9HaNIEdFdeH24lJ-YwMvqJfyAPc0hCDM2s0i64p-h0iFXsDpmlYsmsxcN8Rp_-pF4d0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-20+at+3.48.59+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpqSssktRZOs2xNGPL1gfZMG7rbQZrvyuieKCAoAdnYq_zJ5n_Bdeuaq8EhyphenhyphenWy-FlwT5poWqW9HaNIEdFdeH24lJ-YwMvqJfyAPc0hCDM2s0i64p-h0iFXsDpmlYsmsxcN8Rp_-pF4d0/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-11-20+at+3.48.59+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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My contribution to this event is Misplaced Affection because it is the only book I own the rights to. If you already own that book and would still like to be a part of my monthly mailing list (The one I am starting on December 1st,) you can click <a href="http://writerwadekelly.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=cd6eaaef4affc270747b20a41&id=2a5700e470" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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Thank you for stopping by my blog :)<br />
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<br />Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157217167825612179.post-860391413125964232016-10-06T07:18:00.000-04:002016-10-06T07:37:55.077-04:00Dirty Dozen - Brandon WittHello, lovely readers. Thank you for stopping by for this special post from Brandon Witt, who is part of the "Dirt Dozen." Each year, the Dirty Dozen gears up for GRL with a blog tour. 12 authors, 12 days, 12 posts. This year the authors include: Brandon Witt, TM Smith, Jordan L. Hawk, Alexa Land, Jeff Adams, LE Franks, Morticia Knight, Jake C Wallace, K-lee Klein, Tempe O'Riley, AE Via, and myself. Each author can up with a question for this interview style post, and the author of the day answers the questions. It's fun! So let's get started.<br />
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I've met Brandon and I can tell you he is a warm and wonderful person.<br />
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Thank you, Brandon, for joining me. One for Brandon's novels is titled The the Stars Fall. I am currently listening to the audio and I think it's wonderful. It is a very warm and sweet romance. For those readers who like books without graphic sex, this one is for you! It's all about the relationships! I liked it so much, I have another of his audio books when I'm finished this one.</div>
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On with the questions....<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Tams asked</span></span></b><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> – If you could spend the day with one of your characters, which one would it be, and why?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Donnie Durke, from The Shattered Door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The idea of this book came to me on the way home from my cousin Gabe’s funeral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was twenty-five or twenty-six, I was twenty-four or twenty-five (I think, time does funny stuff to one’s memory).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Donnie was based off of my cousin Gabe—beautiful, kind, funny, charming, too good to be with us on earth for very long. I still miss him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Jeff asked</span></span></b><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> - What are you working on currently and what's its inspiration?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">I’m working on four novellas in a series called Mary’s Boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All four of them will be out in ebook by GRL 2017 (and will be combined in a paperback edition at the same time as the 4<sup>th</sup> one is published).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are all set in Denver at Hamburger Mary’s, which is a gay restaurant chain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is my first time doing novellas, and they are a little more traditionally romance focuses than my normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you read Under a Sky of Ash, and enjoyed the drag queen ManDonna, you’ll be thrilled to know she shows up in all four stories. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Wade asked</span></span></b><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> - If the lead character in your current novel were to read your other books, which one would be his/her favorite and why?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">The first book of my Rocky Mountain Boys series will be on pre-order by GRL Kansas City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the lead characters in that book is Luis Martinez who moves to Estes Park, Colorado from California in a spur of the moment leap in order to re-start his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think he’d most appreciate The Imperfection of Swans, as Kevin does something similar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t move away from home, but abandons his high-paying corporate job to open his dream wedding dress shop. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Jake asked</span></span></b><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> - If all of your MCs were thrown into a strange and dangerous world where survival relies on ingenuity, creativity, common sense who would come out on top?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">I think Brett Wright, from my Men of Myth series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His combination of demon, mermaid, and human ancestry would aid him well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to mention the fact that he’s immortal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least, as far as he knows….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-weight: bold;">Brandon asked </span><span style="color: #eeeeee;">(yes, I guess that means he's talking to himself. lol)</span></span><span style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> </span><span style="color: #eeeeee;">- What musician or album do you think people should listen to as they read your work because it fits the soul of your words (either a specific title or your writing in general)?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">I have to go with Joy Williams’s Venus album if you’re reading The Imperfection of Swans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was on constant replay as I wrote the last of that book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the title came from her song, You Loved Me, even though it doesn’t mention anything about swans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">In general, if you play Joy Williams, Amy Grant, The Civil Wars, Adele, Faith Hill, Natalie Cole, Erin McCarthy, Sara Bareilles, John Mayer, Mills Brothers, Pasty Cline, Leighton Meester, and Matt Alber, I think you’ll have a pretty perfect back drop for my contemporary novels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Men of Myth series would need a different playlist. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Morticia asked</span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> – </span></span></b><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;">If you could be one of your characters and live their life, who would it be and why?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">I can’t say I’d want to face all that Brett Wright had to face in my Men of Myth series, but I’d still like to be him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To live under the ocean with the mermaids and mermen???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, please!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span class="" style="color: #6fa8dc;">Tempeste</span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">asked</span><span style="color: #eeeeee;">– </span></span></b><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;">If you could be a fruit, any fruit, which would you be and why?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">I think a fig.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They always get put on charcuterie boards with all the best cheeses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would be heaven. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Jordan asked</span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> – </span></span></b><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.5pt;">What is the thing you enjoy most about gatherings like GRL? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Seeing friends that understand me in a way that no other people in my life can understand me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all have a shared, geeky bond of writing and/or reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s wonderful. And relaxing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">LE Franks asked</span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> – </span></span></b><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;">What is the most vivid romantic moment from any film that has lingered the longest and meant the most to you…. and why?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">In The Last Unicorn, which you must see, the prince refused to be responsible for the Amalphia remaining human when she should be a unicorn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He put his love for her above his desire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a result, she is the only unicorn in existence that can experience regret and truly know love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yeah, I know, I’m fucked up. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">K-Lee asked</span><span style="color: #eeeeee;">– </span></span></b><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.5pt;">If you could take any fictional couple or character (television, movies, real-life, books) and add them to one of your books, who would it be and why? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">The entire cast of Downton Abby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want them in every book I write and I want them in every room of the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I want to have Maggie Smith simply sit there and pass judgment upon me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">AE asked</span><span style="color: #eeeeee;">– </span></span></b><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.5pt;">What kind of quirky habits do you have before or during the time you write?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">I have a very strict routine I follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the food I eat, to the coffee I drink, to how long I write at a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not one that can sit and write anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a creature of habit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I have all of my My Little Pony characters assembled to the left side of my computer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever I start a new book, they get rearranged. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Alexa asked</span><span style="color: #eeeeee;">– </span></span></b><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;">When you write, do your characters hijack the story, or do you keep a tight grip on the reins?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">I’m a huge planner and outliner. We’re talking family trees, pages of characters notes, lists of questions and problems, etc. That said, I may have to do multiple outlines, as the characters nearly always change what I think is going to happen.</span></span></div>
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This was great! Thanks for answering all those fun questions. For readers who wonder about some of his other books, I'll list a few.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Bio:</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3157217167825612179" name="OLE_LINK3"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Merriweather-Regular; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;">Brandon Witt's outlook on life is greatly impacted by his first eighteen years of growing up gay in a small town in the Ozarks, as well as fifteen years as a counselor and special education teacher for students with severe emotional disabilities. Add to that his obsession with corgis and mermaids, then factor in an unhealthy love affair with cheeseburgers, and you realize that with all those issues, he's got plenty to write about.... </span><o:p></o:p></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.brandonwitt.com/" name="OLE_LINK1" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Website</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/wittauthor/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Author Facebook Page</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/AuthorArcade/brandon-witt" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Dreamspinner Press</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/wittauthor" target="_blank">Twitter</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/wittauthor/" target="_blank">Instagram</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brandon-Witt/e/B008FV6Y4M/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1454952325&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Amazon</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4896623.Brandon_Witt" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Goodreads</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK1;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO5cFqYKyNyDCxExAonFPRA" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">YouTube</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">And we have a 12 ebook giveaway!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;"><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="bde26371274" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/bde26371274/" id="rcwidget_kygu8ndo" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: -webkit-standard;">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"> </span><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard;">Rafflecopter direct link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/bde26371274/?</span></span></div>
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<br />Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157217167825612179.post-82871035148693557092016-08-25T10:19:00.000-04:002016-10-06T07:21:10.307-04:00Soccer Jerseys for the JOCK SeriesHello, lovely readers.<br />
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I had <a href="http://www.shopspiderweb.com/collections/wade-kelly-university" target="_blank">SOCCER JERSEYS</a> made special for the soccer players of my jock series.</div>
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You can choose home or away colors for 8 different characters:</div>
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Jackson #1</div>
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Garber #3</div>
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Archer #7</div>
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Montgomery #11</div>
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Rafferty #14</div>
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Harder #19</div>
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McAvoy #00</div>
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Reid #68</div>
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On the <a href="http://www.shopspiderweb.com/collections/wade-kelly-university" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a> you will see Jackson and Montgomery listed as examples of the back of the shirt, however, there is a scroll menu when you choose the color of the shirt where you can pick the player, then another scroll to pick the size. The cost is $31.99 plus shipping. (There will also be MD sales tax) There is an additional cost for larger sizes. $2 more for 2XL, $3 more for 3XL and $4 more for 4XL, but I still think they are reasonably priced for good quality soccer jerseys. I will take a pic of me wearing mine and upload it soon. You may order directly from me, or from the printer's website. I list shipping charges on my website which may vary from the printer.</div>
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There was also a question of sizing. I measured the Med and Large shirts myself and the medium shirt was 40" across the chest under the arm pits. The large was 44". I normally wear a large at 42". The large I tried on was a tad big, but it is a sports jersey and I think they do that on purpose. Personally, I am going with a medium because it fits fine. That's just me. :) The printing company is working on a size chart for me to post. It's coming soon. </div>
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Thanks. I hope you like them.</div>
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This initial store will run for about 4 weeks. Orders may be held until the end of this 4 week period, depending on the amount of sales. I will be made aware of sales and if they are higher than expected, then the wait for your shirt may be less than 4 weeks. This is JUST starting, so bear with me.</div>
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<br />Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157217167825612179.post-49646066726383944632016-08-17T10:40:00.000-04:002016-08-17T10:40:35.882-04:00My Life Is Never SimpleHey there, good people. This summer has been the fastest summer of my life. Just crazy busy and weird things piling up.<br />
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So first, there was 5 weeks of tennis for my girls right after school let out. I have 2 daughters, 15 & 11. Tennis was 3 times a week for 5 weeks. I thought I'd have some time for myself, while they were playing, but somehow time flies. Those five weeks went by so darn fast between tennis and swimming at friends houses and me driving them to spend the night etc. And all of a sudden it was August and I didn't remember July.<br />
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Yet, also during the summer, and extending back to like April, I've also been worrying about my mom and brother. My mom has emphysema and my brother and I have been talking to doctors and stuff. A lifetime of smoking did this, but condescending doctors are not helpful. I'm taking it one doctor's appointment at a time and being there to take her wherever she needs to go. She lives with my brother an hour from me so doctor appointment days take most of the day.<br />
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THEN, because it's never simple for me, I fell in my driveway and scraped my knee. A small cut. It ripped my only jeans so I was mainly upset about that, but 5 days after cleaning it out the area swelled up and got freaking HOT. I went to the doctor and they said it was infected. I was on TWO rounds of antibiotics, but it is STILL swollen. I have another appointment today with my orthopedist.<br />
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August has been crazy and this is only week 3. Week 1 was a HUGE kids festival thing my church is involved in. My kids are in it and I volunteered to serve snacks. It was Aug 1st-5th and pretty much exhausted everyone. It was a good week. Fun. Exhausting. And I took drugs for my knee, but also had gone to get blood drawn three times. I had gotten it in my head that I needed to know that I was healthy because I need to be strong for my mom, my brother, and the rest of my family. All tests came back good except one. My liver and kidneys are good. My cholesterol is good. My heart is fine. My blood pressure etc. My thyroid, however, is not. Durning Kids Fest Week, the doctor called to tell me I needed to see an endocrinologist immediately. I asked, "Will I die tomorrow?" because she sounded worried. The Doc said no. I was glad because I was going on vacation August 8-14. I figured my thyroid had probably been off for a long time so another week wouldn't matter.<br />
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I had gone to the doctor in the last week of July because I wanted bloodwork done to know if there was anything else wrong. I'd been seeing a therapist since January and the anxiety and depression hadn't gone away. I rarely slept. My heart was always racing. My mind never shut down. So the doctor prescribed a low dose of Lexapro. I've been on that for 3 weeks and I haven't slept this good in a year. I thought most of my mental issues were over my sadness and troubles with my son. Our argument and his leaving last July rocked me to the core. The Lexapro has really helped!<br />
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Anyway... I was on Lexapro the first few weeks of August and now I'm on a medication for my thyroid. Yesterday I had an appointment with my doctor to discuss my thyroid because the only Endocrinologist in town can't see me until October. I have Hyperthyroidism. My TSH # was undetectable, while T3 & T4 are elevated. In a perfect world, maybe they could straighten out my Thyroid and maybe I wouldn't need Lexapro. IDK.<br />
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What I do know is that Vacation was relaxing. I listened to several audiobooks while my kids swam. Sutphin Boulevard, The Starving Years, and Beneath the Stain. All were good! Beneath the Stain by Amy Lane was outstanding!<br />
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When I got back, I hit the ground running and took my mom to the pulmonary specialist at 9:30 in the morning Monday. (Which meant I had to leave my house at 7) Tuesday, I saw my doctor, and my daughter had a dr appointment for her 11 yr wellness visit. Today I have another dr appointment, and Thursday I see my therapist. GO. GO. GO. I never get a break.<br />
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The one thing that had troubled me and plagued me since January is the inability to write. I know my brain is a mess. I've been screwed up since July 2015. I thought seeing the therapist would help, and it has in many ways, but my creativity has disappeared. I have ideas, but no voice. I have words, but no passion. Not sleeping for months didn't help. I hope straightening out my body will fix my brain. I want to find my voice again.<br />
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One person who wrote a review for JOCK 3 on Goodreads said, "Wade Kelly has outdone herself with this one." I am so glad for that because I love this book so much. But I worry I won't find myself again. I want JOCK 4 to be incredible. I want people to weep with Rob because you know J4 is for him.<br />
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So this has been my life this year. I told the doctor I always have weird things going on. I plan to die from a satellite landing on my car while I'm on the Baltimore beltway. She laughed and said, "Oh, my. I hope not." But this is how my mind works. Nothing is simple. Nothing is normal. Always weird. We had discussed my family history too and I said everyone died of weird things like drowning not any specific disease like heart attacks. My two grandmothers died in their 90's. The people who died younger all smoked. I don't smoke, so I hope that will help change history.<br />
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So this is all very candid. This is me. I'm not hiding, I'm not exaggerating, and I'm not saying I have the worse life ever. I know people have it way worse than me. I am just saying this is why I disappear sometimes. I live in the fast lane sometimes and it has to do with taking care of my family. I want to write. I will write. I live to write. Just lately weeks have flown by so fast I can't think.<br />
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JOCK 3 is coming up fast. August 26th! I hope you like it. Follow the interviews and comment to win.<br />
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I love you guys. My readers and fans mean so much to me you have no idea. Thank you for understanding and standing by me through everything.<br />
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I guess that's all I have to say.<br />
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<br />Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157217167825612179.post-15487588944350534872016-07-27T09:32:00.000-04:002016-09-05T10:49:32.256-04:00Blog Tour for JOCK 3Hello, lovely readers.<br />
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This is the blog tour for JOCK 3, <a href="https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/back-off-thats-my-jock-by-wade-kelly-7376-b" target="_blank">Back Off! That's My Jock</a><br />
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The tour has 12 stops.<br />
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7-27 <a href="http://www.carawaycarter.com/wade-kelly-july-27th/" target="_blank">Caraway Carter</a><br />
8-1 <a href="http://www.jeffandwill.com/biggayfictionpodcast/2016/08/01/big-gay-fiction-podcast-episode-43-grl-blog-tour-with-wade-kelly-tv-book-talk-more/" target="_blank">Jeff & Will's Big Gay Fiction Podcast</a><br />
8-17 <a href="http://twochicksobsessed.com/grl-2016-blog-post-wade-kelly/#comment-18908" target="_blank">2 Chicks Obsessed</a><br />
8-19 <a href="http://www.prismbookalliance.com/2016/08/wade-kelly-on-back-off-thats-my-jock-guest-blog-local-giveaway/#comment-70351" target="_blank">Prism Alliance</a><br />
8-22 <a href="http://lovebytesreviews.com/2016/08/22/blog-tour-interview-giveaway-wade-kelly-back-off-thats-my-jock/" target="_blank">Love Bytes Reviews</a><br />
8-24 <a href="http://ashleyjohn.co.uk/wade-kelly-blog-tour/" target="_blank">Ashely John's blog</a><br />
8-25 <a href="http://blog.dreamspinnerpress.com/2016/08/25/fiction-mirrors-real-life-wade-kelly-post-giveaway/comment-page-1/#comment-55410" target="_blank">Dreamspinner's Blog</a><br />
8-26 <a href="http://reviews-and-ramblings.dreamwidth.org/4888958.html?view=9183358&posted=1#cmt9183358" target="_blank">RELEASE DAY Elisa Rolle</a><br />
8-29 <a href="http://joyfullyjay.com/2016/08/giveaway-guest-post-interview-back-off-thats-my-jock-by-wade-kelly/" target="_blank">Joyfully Jay</a><br />
8-30 <a href="http://www.longandshortreviews.com/guest-blogs/character-interview-with-wade-kelly-guest-blog-and-giveaway/#comment-308297" target="_blank">Long & Short Reviews</a><br />
8-31 <a href="http://www.ttcbooksandmore.com/2016/08/back-off-thats-my-jock-jock-series-book_31.html" target="_blank">TTC Books and More</a><br />
9-2 <a href="https://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/2016/09/02/back-off-thats-my-jock-by-wade-kelly-blog-tour-character-interview-giveaway/" target="_blank">MM Good Book Reviews</a><br />
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Here are the rules for prizes:<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">… <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I, Wade Kelly, will be giving away one GRAND PRIZE (items listed below) and three runners up prizes of a $10 gift card for Amazon. All you need to do is leave a comment. ALL comments are logged for a chance at the prizes. BUT, ONLY those who leave a comment on 10 out of 12 BLOG STOPS will be entered into the Grand Prize drawing. Last time I think there were 15 people in the Grand Prize drawing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Note: If we’ve never chatted and you aren’t on Facebook, it is a good idea to leave an e-mail address because I need to know how to reach you. If I can’t, and I reply to your comment on the blog post that you’ve won but don’t hear from you, I have to give the prize to the next person on my list. Each comment gets you a chance in the drawing. If you leave one on each, that is eleven entries PLUS you are listed in the Grand Prize drawing. For a reminder if the rules, and where I’m stopping next, visit THIS BLOG POST! I will update the links as each post happens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: large;">Grand Prize includes all of the following:</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">One of my famous spoons in the colors of your choice </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">(If you already have one, I'll send something else.)</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">One signed paperback from my back list (Not counting JOCK 3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">An e-book copy of JOCK 4, when it comes out. (Not under contract yet)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">An AUDIOBOOK of your choice. (Promo code)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5)<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">And last, but not least, a soccer jersey for the player of your choice from the players in JOCK 3. AWAY OR HOME Jersey. (I’ll list them on my website along with pictures of the jerseys. They come in adult S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, & 4XL)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">So there you go. If you have any questions, please let me know. Comment here or email me: </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="mailto:writerwadekelly@gmail.com">writerwadekelly@gmail.com</a></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmonF01F8o3aa3eRFZ8PCLGzCjJppb24CsAbHNBMlKtFVYvYuTTtJF2T2_0woS4CabxEkzuagmp73ql3P22TDmyO2EmXraD8BvXmVySt0QRQj28AO7ortlwPkNatDEMzHdmK4MfWX_l4U/s1600/Blog+tour+banner+2016-07-14+at+6.32.27+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmonF01F8o3aa3eRFZ8PCLGzCjJppb24CsAbHNBMlKtFVYvYuTTtJF2T2_0woS4CabxEkzuagmp73ql3P22TDmyO2EmXraD8BvXmVySt0QRQj28AO7ortlwPkNatDEMzHdmK4MfWX_l4U/s400/Blog+tour+banner+2016-07-14+at+6.32.27+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hello, lovely people. I have picked the winners.</div>
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The runners-up for a $10 gift card from Amazon are:</div>
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Kristian E.</div>
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Sheila S</div>
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Ineztey G.</div>
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There were 11 contestants in the final grand prize drawing. </div>
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The winner is... drum roll....</div>
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Jen CW</div>
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I appreciate all of you following the tour around to 12 stops! WOW. Such dedication. I hope you will come back the next time I have a book tour. I'm still writing JOCK 4, but I hope that one will be out next year. We'll see. I need to finish writing it first. Thank you for your support!</div>
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(Edit: 9/5/16 10:50 am EST)</div>
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Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157217167825612179.post-60732728029296149532016-07-07T09:11:00.002-04:002016-07-12T19:18:03.681-04:00InconsistencyWell, for anyone who knows me or has followed my blog for a while, you already know I'm inconsistent even if I WANT to be consistent. I guess what it comes down to is laziness and the lack of things to say. Maybe once I have more consistent publications, I'll have more to talk about. IDK.<br />
<br />
News... JOCK 3 comes out August 26, 2016. I have a cover reveal set up on Caraway Carter's blog <a href="http://www.carawaycarter.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. As well as a blog tour to talk about the book and me as an author. I hope you can join me. I'll be on the following blogs:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.carawaycarter.com/" target="_blank">Caraway Carter</a><br />
<a href="http://ashleyjohn.co.uk/" target="_blank">Ashley John</a><br />
<a href="http://www.jeffandwill.com/biggayfictionpodcast/" target="_blank">Jeff </a>& Will's Big Gay Fiction Podcast<br />
Elisa Rolle<br />
<a href="http://twochicksobsessed.com/" target="_blank">2 Chicks Obsessed</a><br />
<a href="http://joyfullyjay.com/" target="_blank">Joyfully Jay</a><br />
<a href="http://www.prismbookalliance.com/" target="_blank">Prism Alliance</a><br />
TM Smith<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_385636450"></span>Love Bytes<span id="goog_385636451"></span></a><br />
Long & Short Book reviews<br />
& MM Good Book reviews<br />
<br />
Not in that order.<br />
<br />
I'll have actual links in ONE blog post later on, which I'll update with each blog post on the tour so I can list all of them in one place for your convenience.<br />
<br />
Currently, I'm writing JOCK 4. The title may change so we'll just call it JOCK 4, or J4. I've been having difficulty writing this for several reasons. I have some personal issues with my son, which have affected me deeply. Since I'm a highly emotional person, this past year has been difficult on me. I also see this as a book which NEEDS to be amazing. It is the last of a 4 book series and I don't want to let people down. It needs to rock and therefore I think I've been putting too much pressure on myself. I probably just need to write it and see if my beta readers think it's okay. Going is slow, but I'm sure I'll get there.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.writerwadekelly.com/back-off-thats-my-jock.html" target="_blank">JOCK 3</a> blurb:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; text-align: justify;">Defining his sexuality didn’t make sense until his best friend spelled it out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Doug Archer did some pretty idiotic things in the first eight weeks of his junior year of college. First, he kissed his gay best friend, and second, he kissed a guy he’d mistaken for a girl. Not stellar moments for Doug. If he isn’t careful, he’ll lose his spot on the soccer team to the new freshman, or worse, he might misconstrue his new friend Rob’s overly affectionate tendencies for flirting. But if Doug isn’t bothered by another guy’s attention, and he normally dates girls, does that mean he’s gay or bisexual?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Sam Garber suppressed his same-sex attraction his entire life. His father told him it was immoral, and Sam did everything he could to bury his feelings. However, after meeting Doug at a party and kissing him, Sam can’t think of anything else. He decides dating girls is the best way to keep his secret hidden. With playoffs in sight, this is no time to think about guys in any other context than soccer. Only, neither boy anticipates the difficulty in suppressing his attraction for another jock!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
Let me know what you think. I'll have prizes on my blog tour so please consider following it :D<br />
<br />
That's all for now.<br />
<br />
Thanks,<br />
<br />
WadeWadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157217167825612179.post-17036729247186779072016-06-16T21:13:00.001-04:002016-06-16T21:14:48.278-04:00Orlando<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="a3hd6" data-offset-key="1lf6t-0-0" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="1lf6t-0-0" style="color: #f3f3f3;">The following was a post I did on Facebook, but not everyone who follows me is on facebook. So, here ya go....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0sWlr31pzt4Zc9XWLAQwi_bEo-UmUn-fdfKlYYdHYGD4E0zZHgRzUaPfYqqKSzsiEEcksrCbKuQ3SQ9jpAGYFzy2U25xIiv6F-NRWKiPDSEUMCRn-ikmk4Da0q54fKq9TxHHyQdo284/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-06-16+at+4.43.29+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0sWlr31pzt4Zc9XWLAQwi_bEo-UmUn-fdfKlYYdHYGD4E0zZHgRzUaPfYqqKSzsiEEcksrCbKuQ3SQ9jpAGYFzy2U25xIiv6F-NRWKiPDSEUMCRn-ikmk4Da0q54fKq9TxHHyQdo284/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-06-16+at+4.43.29+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span data-offset-key="1lf6t-0-0" style="color: #f3f3f3;">I saw my therapist today. Among other things, I expressed how hard it is for me not to be afraid to take a stand and speak my mind, especially in light of how I've been treated in the past. I said I wish I was brave. She told me she heard a quote somewhere that said bravery has nothing to do with not being scared. It has to do with being scared and still doing what you have the need to do. I've been trying to be more accretive for years. 2010 was a soul-crushing year in many ways, but I've changed since then. I have been getting stronger and braver over the years that followed. (There are people on FB who know this.) This past year has also been an emotional rollercoaster for personal reasons, which lead me to the therapist. However, the Orlando tragedy has changed me. I am a straight, white, woman, mother, wife, housewife, who is generally safe in my little house in the woods. No one is holding a gun in my direction. If I stopped writing, then there wouldn't even be a trail toward me after a period of time to even suggest I stood for anything. I am generally a quiet, non-confrontational person. I keep much of my opinions to myself. (Especially on FB. No drama from me.) But those people who died could have been someone I knew or loved and it makes me pause on a whole different level to look at myself and how I effect the world (Sorry if I should have said affect. hate those words) I can't sit quietly. Sure, I'm afraid about people who will reject me or hate me for being an advocate for human rights/ LGBT rights, but as I said no one is pointing a gun at me. The people the died we living their lives, being brave enough to go to a club where they felt safe. And some one took their breath from them. My therapist said she can see I have a passion for the gay community. She was happy that I changed my profile picture to my NOH8 photo. But changing a picture, is only a tiny step. I need to be more vocal to the people in my community and to my delegates and senators etc. The LGBT community is small compared to the rest of the population. They need advocates willing to be scared to take a stand with them. I've been to three gay clubs in my life. 2 of them I was there early with friends and was told nothing exciting happens until after 10. hahah. I go to bed at 8:30. But I did venture to watch a dancer I know in a club one time. (not sure if it was a gay club or not) If that hateful person had chose that club that night, then yes, I could have been among the victims simply because I wanted to a have fun with my friends. I can't live in fear. Those people went out that night not knowing they would die. They were trying to live. I want to live. I want my friends to live and have the same rights as me. To have the same security of going out in public and not feeling ashamed, scared, or marginalized because they love someone of the same gender. So if you are straight, and you care enough to take a stand, please do. We need to pull together! Love more, and hate less. Love is supposed to conquer hate, but it doesn't do it by itself without people who are willing to love.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="u0n-0-0" style="color: #f3f3f3;">Hopefully I didn't say this all wrong. I'm just typing what I'm feeling. I'm tired of being scared because life is too short to worry about what others are going to think of me if I stand for gay rights.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="3mi03-0-0" style="color: #f3f3f3;">And remember: if you love someone, tell them. Have coffee with your friends. and spread love, not hate.</span></div>
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Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157217167825612179.post-61318307345256900632016-05-08T13:15:00.000-04:002016-05-08T13:23:17.727-04:00Dreamspinner Sale<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 24.0pt;">Dreamspinner Press has a sale all this week! </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6e3ocYoiX3uT78oZCYCnwKMXiHqSaIHKN2_n0E2Z9QqvAjR8aI0gElWzn1jtgyDBCtJa2XGPriPanL6JfyruDGhc-7W6vA3stGkAt4yVPMRh-wmreJX179h6UNh93uVRXLoUAJnh023Y/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-05-08+at+12.19.10+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6e3ocYoiX3uT78oZCYCnwKMXiHqSaIHKN2_n0E2Z9QqvAjR8aI0gElWzn1jtgyDBCtJa2XGPriPanL6JfyruDGhc-7W6vA3stGkAt4yVPMRh-wmreJX179h6UNh93uVRXLoUAJnh023Y/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-05-08+at+12.19.10+PM.png" width="318" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">If you've ever wanted to try my books or buy another of my books or grab a paperback to get signed at a conference, NOW IS THE TIME!!!! </span><a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=WADE+KELLY&x=0&y=0"><span style="color: orange;">CLICK HERE!</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #10131a; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 24pt;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">35% off the following authors: </span></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14pt;">Year 4 authors- <a href="https://www.facebook.com/diane.adams.56808"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Diane Adams</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/victor.banis"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Victor J. Banis</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=780094684"><span style="text-decoration: none;">JP Barnaby</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/anne.barwell.1"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Anne Barwell</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jessie.blackwood.9"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Jessie Blackwood</span></a>, Louise Blaydon, Selina Brody, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/suebrownstories"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Sue Brown</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/scotty.cade"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Scotty Cade</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/talia.carmichael"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Talia Carmichael</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/allison.cassatta"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Allison Cassatta</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/alanhchin"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Alan Chin</span></a>, Elizabeth Coldwell, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/shaeconnorwrites"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Shae Connor</span></a> , R. Cooper, Charlie David, Jessica Skye Davies, Dawn Douglas, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cjane.elliott"><span style="text-decoration: none;">CJane Elliott</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/phoenix.emrys"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Phoenix Emrys</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jefferno"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Jeff Erno</span></a>, Pepper Espinoza, Etienne , Feliz Faber, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jamie.fessenden.7"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Jamie Fessenden</span></a>, Rebecca Lynne Fullan, S.A. Garcia, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/abgayle.writer"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Ab Gayle</span></a>, Michael Gouda, JM Gryffyn, Michael Halfhill, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lou.harper.14"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Lou Harper</span></a>, Lori C. Hawkins, Valentina Heart, Morgan James, Hayley B. James, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kiernan.kelly"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Kiernan Kelly</span></a>, M. King, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/christopher.koehler"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Christopher Koehler</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/trina.lane.books"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Trina Lane</span></a>, Maggie Lee, Rebecca Leigh, J.J. Levesque, (August) <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Ninja.Gus"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Gus Li</span></a>, Pearl Love, J.R. Loveless, Ryan Loveless, Sui Lynn, Jake Mactire, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/akasarahmadison"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Sarah Madison</span></a>, Anna Marie May, Moria McCain, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rowanmcallister10"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Rowan Mcallister</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/katemcmurraywriter"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Kate McMurray</span></a> , T.C. Mill, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.noble.77"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Elizabeth Noble</span></a>, Star Noble, J.L. O'Faolain, Stephen Osborne, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SJD.Peterson"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Sjd Peterson</span></a> , Amber Redd, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rickrreed"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Rick R. Reed</span></a> , Tracy Rowan, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jaime.samms"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Jaime Samms</span></a> , Stefan Seabourne, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kate.sherwood.79"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Kate Sherwood</span></a>, Ruth Sims, Joel Skelton, Amberly Smith, Shelter Somerset, JoAnne Soper-Cook, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/andrea.speed.3"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Andrea Speed</span></a> , Caroline Stephens, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ethan.stone.54"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Ethan Stone</span></a>, Jan Suzukawa, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bgthomaswriter"><span style="text-decoration: none;">B.g. Thomas</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Tinnean"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Tinnean</span></a> , C.M. Torrens, Wynn Wagner, Felicia Watson, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cooperwest.wtr"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Cooper West</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EdenWinters"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Eden Winters</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lisa.worrallauthor"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Lisa Worrall</span></a>, Connor Wright, Sulayman X , <a href="https://www.facebook.com/xaraxanakas"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Xara X. Xanakas</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008212125132"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Cari</span></a>, C. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/carol.zampa.3"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Carol Zampa</span></a> Year 5 authors- Alex Alder, Perry Ambrose, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/shira.anthony"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Shira Anthony</span></a>, Anna Birmingham, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000896020443"><span style="text-decoration: none;">T.c. Blue</span></a>, Ana Bosch, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lara.brukz"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Lara Brukz</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorkcburn"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Kc Burn</span></a>, Rena Butler, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EllisCarrington"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Ellis Carrington</span></a>, G N Chevalier, Nick Chivers Rebecca Cohen, David Connor, Michael G. Cornelius, Robert Cummings, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/carole.cummings.9"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Carole Cummings</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/eon.debeaumont"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Eon de Beaumont</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/poppydennison"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Poppy Dennison</span></a>, Johnny Diaz, A. Soo Donim, E.S. Douglas, Jana Downs, Ryssa Edwards, Bell Ellis, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thursdayeuclid"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Thursday Euclid</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theo.fenraven"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Theo Fenraven</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tiafielding"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Tia Fielding</span></a>, Kim Fielding, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rhys.ford.author"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Rhys Ford</span></a>, Brandon Fox, Gene Gant, Elizabella Gold, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fosterhighschool"><span style="text-decoration: none;">John Goode</span></a>, Elinor Gray, R.G. Green, Jeanette Grey, Liam Grey, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001710645622"><span style="text-decoration: none;">M.d. Grimm</span></a>, Ellee Hill, Ellen Holiday, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jc.holly.5"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Jc Holly</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/john.inman.79"><span style="text-decoration: none;">John Inman</span></a>, Lee James, K.J. Johnson, Lissa Kasey, Chris T. Kat, Annie Kaye, G.P. Keith, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wadekellywriter"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Wade Kelly</span></a>, Juan Kenobi, Zee Kensington, KevaD, Alex Kidwell, Evie Kiels, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tjklunebooks"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Tj Klune</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/susan.laine.author"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Susan Laine</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tara.larson.127"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Tara Larson</span></a>, M. Lee, J.R. Lenk, Jamie Lowe, Malthea, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EdmondManning"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Edmond Manning</span></a>, Wayne Mansfield, Z.B. Marshall, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/annamartinfiction"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Anna Martin</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004713810507"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Sean Michael</span></a> , C.L. Miles, E E Montgomery, April Moone, Clancy Nacht, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mj.oshea.5"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Mj O'shea</span></a>, Eve Ocotillo, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JeremyJPack"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Jeremy Pack</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hbpattskyn"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Hb Pattskyn</span></a>, Mal Peters, Charlotte Rahn-Lee, Eric Renner, Spencer Rook, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RodTRoss"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Rodney Ross</span></a>, Brian Rowe, Claire Russett, Ann T. 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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-trevyYnVJVvyTIAj2XUCHXlCX4_zl13NuN7IJibCFAuJOSr1j41b6j0I9UsZP9Fk4Zvg0Y8HUh_3AqONiGwLLyCZAAc26-GmWgwph7A6IfuNn5CfB23J5WwQNSxEwUpyd0O3TFq-bIs/s1600/7+title+desktop+banner+1280+X800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-trevyYnVJVvyTIAj2XUCHXlCX4_zl13NuN7IJibCFAuJOSr1j41b6j0I9UsZP9Fk4Zvg0Y8HUh_3AqONiGwLLyCZAAc26-GmWgwph7A6IfuNn5CfB23J5WwQNSxEwUpyd0O3TFq-bIs/s400/7+title+desktop+banner+1280+X800.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157217167825612179.post-35155359146616437362016-05-07T05:00:00.000-04:002016-05-07T12:35:58.809-04:00Thárros by C. Kennedy is out!<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 26.0pt;">Thárros by C. Kennedy is out!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Θάρρος<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Thárros. Greek. Meaning courage<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Courage. n. /ˈkərij/<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
1. The ability to do something that frightens one.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
2. Strength in the face of fear, pain, or grief.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
~*~<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Courage is resistance to fear,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
mastery of fear,<o:p></o:p></div>
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not the absence of fear. ~Mark Twain<o:p></o:p></div>
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High school senior Michael Sattler leads a charmed life. Almost. He has great friends, parents who love him just the way he is, and he was a champion hurdler until someone took out his knee when they kidnapped his boyfriend. Yet, Michael is determined to make the USATF tryouts in spite of his injuries.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Christy Castle is Michael’s entire world. Healing from years of abuse, his abduction by a predator has left him hiding a new secret as he tries to start his life again. Together, Michael and Christy work to recover from their wounds in time to make prom and graduate high school. To complicate matters, Christy is astonished to learn a fellow victim from his native Greece has survived. Christy will stop at nothing to bring him to the US to keep him safe.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But the prosecution of Christy’s kidnapper looms large in their futures and the struggle to return to normal only worsens. Christy's past continues to haunt them and, when the prosecution turns ugly and Christy’s new life is torn apart, only their unrelenting courage and determination can save them from the nightmare that threatens to destroy their future together.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now available at <a href="https://www.harmonyinkpress.com/books/tharros-by-c-kennedy-376-b">Harmony Ink</a>/<a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=tharros&x=0&y=0">Dreamspinner Press</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tharros-Elpida-Book-C-Kennedy-ebook/dp/B01DI3IU66/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459225056&sr=8-1&keywords=Tharros+C.+Kennedy">Amazon US</a>,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tharros-Elpida-Book-C-Kennedy-ebook/dp/B01DI3IU66/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459730154&sr=8-1&keywords=Tharros">Amazon UK</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tharros-c-kennedy/1123593433?ean=2940157660536">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/tharros-1">Kobo</a>, and <a href="https://www.omnilit.com/product-tharros-2002851-149.html">Omni Lit</a>/<a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-tharros-2002851-149.html">All Romance eBooks</a>!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Add Thárros to your <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22798303-th-rros">Goodreads</a> and <a href="http://booklikes.com/tharros-c-kennedy/book,13043593">BookLikes</a> Lists!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Read <a href="http://ckennedyauthor.blogspot.com/p/chapter-one-st.html">Chapter One</a> or Read <a href="http://ckennedyauthor.blogspot.com/p/tharros-en-francais.html">en français</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Thárros Book Tour and an Exclusive Excerpt Featuring Wade Kelly as Our Talk Show Host!<o:p></o:p></div>
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A very special thank you to Wade for hosting me today for the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thárros Blog Tour!</i> It’s great to be here! <o:p></o:p></div>
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My newest book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thárros</i>, Book Two in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Elpída Series</i>, is a continuation of Christy and Michael’s story. It picks up where <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ómorphi</i> left off. The boys work to heal after Christy’s abduction and Michael’s daring rescue of him, and this story centers on the trial to prosecute Christy’s abuser and kidnapper, Yosef Sanna. Writing works about the tough subject sexual abuse is hard. It must be done in such a manner as to reveal the cruelty of abuse without hitting you over the head with it. As such, I look to balance the story with laughter, joy, and hope.<br />
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For the release of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ómorphi</i>, I created a character interview of Christy with Wade as our talk show host. That post was so popular with fans that it became part of Thárros, the novel. Lo and behold, Wade is now memorialized in print! Check out the exclusive excerpt, Wade’s interview of Christy, below.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thank you for being our talk show host, Wade. You <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are</i> the coolest dude I know!<o:p></o:p></div>
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They watched the show recording from the sidelines of the studio. Christy trembled with fear, and Michael did his best to comfort him by holding him close with an arm around his shoulders. “You’re going to do great,” he assured.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I do not like this,” Christy whispered.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“We’re here. You’re not alone.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Are you ready?” Nero asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
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They nodded, and the show host announced them. They walked to the stage and took their seats as they’d been instructed ahead of time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Wade Kelly seemed to be a nice woman and welcomed Christy warmly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Christy, you have actively worked to avoid the media since you came to the United States. Thank you for allowing me to be the first to interview you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You are welcome, Mrs. Kelly.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Please call me Wade. Tell us how it feels to be popular for the first time in your life in a good way.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Christy seemed uncomfortable and looked to Michael for help. Michael squeezed his hand. “Say whatever you want, babe.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I will not be in trouble for this?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Nope.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Okay. This is uncomfortable for me. I do not wish for people to know who I am. I wish to have a life free of people who stare and say bad things about me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Wade smiled pleasantly. “That’s understandable. But what if people say nice things about you and stare because they admire you?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Christy thought for a moment. “I do not like the staring. I would prefer people speak to me as if I am like them and did not have a terrible history.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Each of us has a history, and we don’t always like what’s in it. You’re here with us today because we admire you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Soft applause emanated from the audience, and Christy blushed. “This is perhaps a little untrue. You admire the story of me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Wade laughed lightly, and Michael chuckled softly. “He’s kind of stubborn.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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She smiled. “I see that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Only a little stubborn,” Christy defended.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Wade pressed another question “How do you like living at Wellington Ranch?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“This is very nice for me. I have my own cabin. I am clean, I have food, and I am safe to sleep. It is a home for me. Not only a house. And I have Rob now. This is important for me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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She smiled kindly. “Dr. Villarreal is a very nice man.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I wish to say one more thing,” Christy said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Go ahead.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Michael does not like the security cameras in the cabin. He does not feel we have the privacy. But they are necessary to see that I am not ill or hurt, and I am safe.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Wade smiled again, and Michael wondered if her face ever got tired.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“What are your plans for the future?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I will be with Michael and graduate from the high school.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“That sounds wonderful. How do you feel about the upcoming prosecution of Mr. Sanna?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I am happy for this. I have learned that what he did to me is wrong. It is very nice of the president of Greece to remove the diplomatic immunity from Yosef, and I like the United States for doing this for me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Soft applause emanated from the audience again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“We understand that you’re giving your testimony in the form of pictures you have painted. Tell us a little about that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dangerous ground.</i> Michael looked across the stage at Nero, who nodded his okay.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“The paintings are the statement for the police. They are not the testimony. I will have to say what happened to me as the testimony. It will be hard for me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Wade offered the camera a sympathetic smile. “I bet it will be hard.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Michael and Rob will help me with this. I will do it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Can you tell us a little about what you have painted?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Christy shifted uncomfortably in his seat and glanced at Michael. Michael whispered into his ear, “Say you don’t want to talk about it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I do not wish to say this.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Fair enough. What plans do you have for fun in your new life?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Christy glanced at Michael again and Michael leaned in. “Tell her about prom.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Christy smiled for the first time in the interview. “We have a dance to attend. It is called the senior prom. Michael says I can wear the clothes I like. We did the shop for these. There are also flowers involved. I am to have the corsage, and Michael is to have the boutonnière. This is exciting for me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Applause cascaded down the audience.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Rumor has it that you’re not going to wear a scarf to prom. Is that true?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Christy’s brow dipped in a frown. “As you say, this is a rumor. The people who make the rumor are to blame for this. However, it is the true rumor. I will not wear the scarf for the prom.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Wade laughed softly for the camera. “All right, Christy. Thank you for being so courageous and for spending time with us. We hope you’ll come back soon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Thank you, Wade.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Wade turned to face the camera squarely. “There you have it. You heard Christy talk for the first time live and candidly, and I hope not for the last time. He’s shy but seems to be growing more confident as time goes on, and I think Michael has played a great part in that. It goes to show us what true love can do for us.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thunderous applause filled the audience.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Michael kissed Christy’s cheek and whispered, “You did great, babe.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Christy blushed. “I did this.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yep, you did.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“She said I am courageous.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yep, you are.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“This is new for me. Okay. I wish to go now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Okay. We’ll go now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nero’s large hand descended on Christy’s shoulder and gave it a pat, nearly sending Christy to his knees. Only holding onto Michael’s arm kept him standing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You did wonderfully!”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Christy smiled up at Nero. “I did, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kýrios</i> Santini. She said I am courageous.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Laughter rumbled low in Nero’s throat. “You’re the bravest soul I know, Christy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now available at <a href="https://www.harmonyinkpress.com/books/tharros-by-c-kennedy-376-b">Harmony Ink</a>/<a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=tharros&x=0&y=0">Dreamspinner Press</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tharros-Elpida-Book-C-Kennedy-ebook/dp/B01DI3IU66/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459225056&sr=8-1&keywords=Tharros+C.+Kennedy">Amazon US</a>,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tharros-Elpida-Book-C-Kennedy-ebook/dp/B01DI3IU66/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459730154&sr=8-1&keywords=Tharros">Amazon UK</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tharros-c-kennedy/1123593433?ean=2940157660536">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/tharros-1">Kobo</a>, and <a href="https://www.omnilit.com/product-tharros-2002851-149.html">Omni Lit</a>/<a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-tharros-2002851-149.html">All Romance eBooks</a>!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Add Thárros to your <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22798303-th-rros">Goodreads</a> and <a href="http://booklikes.com/tharros-c-kennedy/book,13043593">BookLikes</a> Lists!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Read <a href="http://ckennedyauthor.blogspot.com/p/chapter-one-st.html">Chapter One</a> or Read <a href="http://ckennedyauthor.blogspot.com/p/tharros-en-francais.html">en français</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">About Cody<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Cody is an award-winning author who lives, most of the time, on the West Coast of the United States. Raised on the mean streets and back lots of Hollywood by a Yoda-look-alike grandfather, Cody doesn’t conform, doesn’t fit in, is epic awkward, and lives to perfect a deep-seated oppositional defiance disorder. In a constant state of fascination with the trivial, Cody contemplates such weighty questions as If time and space are curved, then where do all the straight people come from? When not writing, Cody can be found taming waves on western shores, pondering the nutritional value of sunsets, appreciating the much-maligned dandelion, unhooking guide ropes from stanchions, and marveling at all things ordinary. Among many other awards, <i>Omorphi</i> was a runner-up in the 2014 Rainbow Awards, and <i>Slaying Isidore's Dragons</i> was a finalist in the 2015 Rainbow Awards. Cody does respond to blog comments and emails because, after all, it is all about you, the reader.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Find Cody on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CodyKennedyAuthor?ref=hl">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/CodyKAuthor">Twitter</a> @CodyKAuthor, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/ckennedyauthor/">Pinterest</a>,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://cody-kennedy.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a>, <a href="https://plus.google.com/111522648780713071448/posts">Google+</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ckennedyauthor/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://ello.co/cody_kennedy">Ello</a>, <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5816900.C_Kennedy">Goodreads</a>, <a href="https://medium.com/@CodyKennedy">Medium</a>,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://booklikes.com/c-kennedy/author,2718546">Booklikes</a>, and read a free serial story, <a href="http://www.fairybycodykennedy.blogspot.com/">Fairy</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157217167825612179.post-16227602531585674232016-05-04T09:33:00.001-04:002016-05-04T09:43:50.699-04:00Things I've LearnedHowdy. I'm here today to pass along a little advice on things I've learned from my therapist, and from my editor. (Or in the editing process.) So if you are a writer, or a human, (or both,) maybe something I say can help you.<br />
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1. <span style="color: #b4a7d6;">Be kind.</span> Going through life being an ass is probably easier, but it doesn't pay off. I think we need to love more and hate less.<br />
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2. <span style="color: #b4a7d6;">Focus on yourself.</span> -worry less about what others think. I have learned the hard way that I can't control other people's emotions or reactions. *Not that I was trying to "control" anything. But sometimes, no matter what you do, someone is always going to treat you poorly or hurt you or hate you. I've tried to be a good person, a good mom, a good writer, and a good Christian, but someone will always think I've fallen short of being anything good. So, what do you do with that? You work on yourself.<br />
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I'm trying to just LOVE ME. I'm trying to realize MY strengths, MY talents, MY positive influences no matter what other people say about me. This is not easy, especially for an author. We are surrounded by criticism all the time! Bad reviews hurt because they cause doubt. I doubt. I doubt myself all the time. What I need to is SIMPLY WRITE because writing is what I love and what I am passionate about. I have to trust that my stories WILL make a difference in the world, no matter what people say to the contrary. I have to take a stand on what I believe in, even if people hate me for it.<br />
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3. <span style="color: #b4a7d6;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Put forth your BEST effort!</span> </span>(Editorially speaking, but it translates into most things.) The very hardest edits I ever received, even worse than a rejection letter, was on a book I did NOT give my best to edit. I wrote it and hastily submitted it. Yes, it was accepted, but it was not an easy thing to get edits that tore me up emotionally. With the next book, I TOOK GREAT CARE in editing the manuscript before submission and my life is SOOO MUCH smoother because of it. This type of care should be given to everything in life. Do your best no matter what you are doing.<br />
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Personally, I'm trying to balance a LOT of things. I am trying to be the best mother I could be, the best author I can be, and the best wife I can be. Sometimes, one aspect gets more attention than another, but I really AM trying to do it all.<br />
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My advice to people is to put forth the best effort you can in all things.<br />
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4. <span style="color: #b4a7d6;">Let go of bitterness and anger.</span> THIS is something I haven't been able to do yet, but I'm trying. Bitterness and anger has a habit of swirling around the subconscious and festering. Take my word for it. Bitterness can take over your life and steal your joy.<br />
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I'm on a quest to spread love and encourage people. I challenge you all to do the same! Pick a few people off your Facebook friends list and post an encouraging pic like this:<br />
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(*sent to my sweet Kayla)</div>
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It may surprise you how often those posts are sent at JUST THE RIGHT TIME when the person needed a smile.</div>
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5. <span style="color: #b4a7d6;">Writers write!</span> Novels don't really write themselves. Sometimes the story flow so easily it feels like it writes itself, but it doesn't. It takes typing, and editing, and proofreading to make a story come to life where others can read it. There are MANY authors who write a book, publish it, and then they are sort of done. Maybe they ran out of stories, maybe they thought the one was all they had to say, but I think the authors who have stories in their veins, write more than one novel. Prove to the naysayers around you YOU ARE an author. Go Write! You can't just say you are writing a novel. You need to back up the claim. I've been on a hiatus as my doubts have grown so big I don't know how to get rid of them. But the cure for doubt is succeeding. I WILL WRITE THE NEXT BOOK! I AM AN AUTHOR! Writing is what I do. Writing is what I love.</div>
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That's all for now! I need to go edit!</div>
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hugs and kisses</div>
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Wade</div>
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<br />Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157217167825612179.post-7111809329749451242016-04-29T14:29:00.001-04:002016-04-29T14:47:38.153-04:00Transgender and The CHOICES We Make<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello, my people. I am here today with guest Matthew J. Metzger.<br />
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Matthew's book is about a transgender fifteen-yr-old. But, that's only the beginning of what seems to be an in-depth explanation in story form of how to "pick apart the aggressive, hostile questions from the simply-curious, sometimes foot-in-mouth moments," for which many of us need education. I know I would like to know who to tactfully talk to a transgender person without coming off like an ass. I don't intend to be like that to anyone, but as Matthew points out, in email or PM there is no "body language or voice tones or facial expressions to help you out." And that's can be applied to any conversation, really. I prefer face to face. A good old fashioned talk. (Or phone or Skype if not close by)<br />
<br />
Talking to people is the best way to know anything. I think a lot of people fear that which they don't know or understand and therefore come up with some crazy shit about bathrooms.<br />
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I intend to have Matthew back for an author interview, maybe next Friday, but for now let's just listen to what Matthew has to say about his characters.<br />
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Take it away Matthew......<br />
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<a href="http://www.jms-books.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=30_169&products_id=1678" target="_blank">For purchase at JMS Books click HERE.</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>On Choices</u></span></div>
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<i>Spy Stuff </i>is about the balance between being open-minded, and asking questions.<i></i></div>
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Anton, a transgender fifteen-year-old, has heard all the abuse before, but he's so unused to honest questions that he often confuses the two. His new boyfriend, Jude, has never met a transgender person before and really has no idea what to do or what to expect from this development. And being a fifteen-year-old boy with all the social graces of a badly-trained dog, Jude's not great at not just blurting out the first thing that comes to mind.<i></i></div>
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When I was in the final editing phase for this book, a new girl started in my office. She was immediately fascinated by my gender identity, having -- like Jude -- never met a transgender person before. And the questions began.<i></i></div>
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This is where the internet sucks -- it's <i>hard </i>to judge how someone means something by type. There's no body language or voice tones or facial expressions to help you out. "Do you have a dick?" can be an insanely rude and aggressive question, or a polite whisper from a well-meaning but curious person.<i></i></div>
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This new girl is the latter. Because she's very sunny, very bubbly, and constantly exuding this happy positivity, she comes across as harmlessly curious and you can have a laugh with her about things. In six weeks, I've taught her about the FtM transition process, the effect of testosterone on females, and even the wide range of sexualities out there. Just the other night, she texted me 'what's a non-binary queer pansexual?'<i></i></div>
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And it clicked for me that while Anton is the character whose experience I am focusing on, it's actually his cisgender boyfriend, Jude, to whom I most relate. Like Jude, I don't have many boundaries. Like Jude, I want to discuss things that others find off-limits or rude fairly frequently. And like Jude, I'm not fond of the idea that you shouldn't or can't ask.<i></i></div>
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Jude is the personification of the idea that being open-minded isn't just something you <i>are, </i>it's something you choose to be and work at. He's got no frame of reference for transgender issues, much less dating a transgender person, and because of Anton's need for secrecy, doesn't know how to get that information but from Anton himself. And as the book rolls on, Anton re-learns how to pick apart the aggressive, hostile questions from the simply-curious, sometimes foot-in-mouth moments that Jude is a little prone to.<i></i></div>
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But most importantly, Jude <i>chooses </i>to give Anton that time to explain, and <i>chooses </i>to take the time to understand.<i></i></div>
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And that's key, for both allies and transgender people themselves to understand. It's big news. It does affect our partners, especially a partner who -- like Jude -- believed they were only attracted to the thing we turn out we're not. The Jude on the first page of <i>Spy Stuff </i>is firmly heterosexual. The Jude on the last page isn't so sure anymore. He has to behave differently to his new boyfriend than other people will to theirs, and sexual experimentation is a whole new ball game with this thrown into the mix.<i></i></div>
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And Jude chooses to ride those waves. He chooses to try and understand this guy who isn't quite what Jude thought he was. And in doing so, he finally learns not only who Anton is and why that person is still someone Jude is totally into, but he also learns some valuable things about himself.<i></i></div>
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But he had to make the choice to do it. And Anton had to make the choice to let him.</div>
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<b>Title</b>: Spy Stuff<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Author</b>: Matthew J. Metzger<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Blurb</b>:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anton never thought anyone would ever want to date him. Everyone knows nobody wants a transgender boyfriend, right? So he's as shocked as anyone when seemingly-straight Jude Kalinowski asks him out, and doesn't appear to be joking.<br />
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The only problem is ... well, Jude doesn't actually know.<br />
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Anton can see how this will play out: Jude is a nice guy, and nice guys finish last. And Anton is transgender, and transgender people don't get happy endings. If he tells Jude, it might destroy everything.<br />
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And if Jude tells anyone else ... it will. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Buy Links</b>: <a href="http://www.jms-books.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=30_169&products_id=1678&zenid=QK0hWKEEPxIeSamZxcJRg0">ebook</a> and <a href="http://www.jms-books.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=86&products_id=1679&zenid=QK0hWKEEPxIeSamZxcJRg0">print</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Word Count: </b>67,000 words<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Publisher</b>: JMS Books (Queerteen Press)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Publication Date</b>: 1 May 2016<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Excerpt</b>:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anton slowly relaxed as Jude started to brighten up and just ... talk. Jude chattering, Anton was starting to realise, was a sign that everything was alright. And Anton desperately wanted it to be, so he simply clung on to Jude's hand -- even though it was raining outside, and really too cold to not be wearing gloves -- and let the noise wash over him all the way home.<br />
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Which meant, when he let them into the house and the smell of Aunt Kerry's drunk spag bol invaded their clothes, Anton was ... actually in kind of a good mood. Maybe he <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">could</i> do this. Maybe Jude <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">would</i> listen, even if in the end he still decided dating a trans guy wasn't for him? There was a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">chance</i>, right?<br />
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So when Lily appeared in the doorway, took one look at Jude, and screamed, Anton laughed.<br />
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"What the hell!" Jude yelped as she tore back into the kitchen.<br />
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"She's --"<br />
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"Mummy, Anton's friend's on fire in the hall!"<br />
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"-- kinda weird."<br />
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"No shi -- er, hell?"<br />
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"Just ignore her," Anton advised, hanging up their coats. A nervous swoop made itself known when Jude grinned and kissed his ear, but he laughed it off and pushed him in the direction of the kitchen. "Go get us drinks or something."<br />
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"It's your house," Jude said, but wandered off obediently. Anton took a moment to simply breathe before following him.<br />
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Lily had firmly decided -- despite having seen Jude before and not having really clocked his hair -- that Jude was on fire, and Anton had to wrestle a cup of water away from her before it ended up on Jude's head.<br />
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"Nooo, give it back!" she wailed, stretching up to grab his belt as he put the cup in the sink and rummaged in the fridge for Cokes.<br />
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"Yeah, Anton, give it back. I might start melting the counter," Jude said, sliding onto one of the stools at the island counters. Aunt Kerry, busy with dinner, simply chuckled at the both of them.<br />
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"You're being mean!" Lily yelled, stamping her foot, then turned on Jude, skidding across the tiles to grab at his trousers. "You need a fireman!"<br />
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"It's always that colour," Jude said in a serious voice, but he was wearing an ear-splitting grin, and Anton's heart clenched hard at the sheer beauty of him, despite the battered face.<br />
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"No, it's on fire!"<br />
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"No it's not," Jude said. "It's ginger."<br />
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"That's not ginger, ginger biscuits are ginger!"<br />
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"They're brown."<br />
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"If they're brown," Lily said seriously, "then why are they called ginger biscuits, huh?"<br />
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"Because they have ginger in them."<br />
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"Which makes them ginger and that's not ginger and you're on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fire</i>!"<br />
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"Lily, leave Jude alone," Aunt Kerry interjected.<br />
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"Jew?"<br />
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Jude dropped his head onto the counter with a muffled cackle into both hands, and Anton couldn't help but laugh at sight of him. "Oh God," he said. "Come on, let's go into the living room, and --"<br />
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"Noooo, you can't, he'll put the living room on fire!"<br />
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"Lily, seriously, stop it with the fire, he's not on fire."<br />
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"Jew!" she screeched, and Jude did a full body twitch like he was trying not to curl in on himself. "<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jew</i>!"<br />
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"Jude!" Anton corrected.<br />
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"<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jude</i>," she echoed scornfully, throwing Anton a fabulously dirty look for a kid who wasn't even six yet. "Jude!"<br />
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"What?" Jude managed, coughing and rubbing at his eyes, still grinning.<br />
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"Tell Tasha to stop it!"<br />
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Anton <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">froze</i>. Like a bucket of ice water being dumped on his head, every muscle seized up, and the Coke in the cans started rattling in his shaking hands. "Lily! Stop it!" Aunt Kerry barked, but Jude -- oh God, Jude, totally oblivious Jude --<br />
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"Okay," he said. "Who's Tasha?"<br />
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Lily blinked, then flung her arm out, and pointed right at Anton. "Anton's Tasha," she said, like it was so obvious.<br />
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"Lily, that's eno --"<br />
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"Anton was Natasha only then she became Anton and Mummy says I have to say he but I forget sometimes," Lily continued in a loud, inescapable voice. It bounced off the walls and tiles, and one of the cans slipped through Anton's hands and burst open on the floor. Coke was flung everywhere in long, fizzy bursts, soaking his socks and trousers, and through Lily's indignant shriek and Aunt Kerry's yell, all he could see was -- was --<br />
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Jude.<br />
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The wide-eyed, confused stare that Jude was giving him. And the single word, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> word, the word Anton <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hated</i>.<br />
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"Natasha?"<br />
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Anton opened his mouth, found nothing coming up to save him, and did the only thing possible.<br />
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He bolted. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Author Biography</b>:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Matthew is an asexual, transgender author dragged up in the wet and windy British Isles. He currently lives and works in West Yorkshire, and has a special fondness for writing the rough-edged British working class society in which he grew up -- warts and all.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Author Contact</b>:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Matthew roams mainly on <a href="https://twitter.com/MatthewJMetzger">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000531291168">Facebook</a>, has a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/mattingitup/timeline?ref=page_internal">free fiction page</a>, runs a <a href="https://becomingmatthew.wordpress.com/">blog</a> chronicling his own transition from female to male, and has a <a href="http://www.matthewjmetzger.com/">website</a>. His young adult backlist can be found on his <a href="http://www.jms-books.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=80&zenid=vny,1qDjyUyOE5eFZ1Jc,3">JMS Books author page</a>. And as a last resort, he can also be contacted at mattmetzger@hotmail.co.uk.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
*****<br />
<br />
If you've got questions: ASK. I (WADE) find myself asking with less and less hesitance. Maybe because I'm more confident than I've been in years past. Maybe because I'm too old to play games anymore. We ALL make choices. I want to make good choices, and ones to help bring people together, not tear them apart.<br />
<br />
If only I could translate that into some of my "real life" crap.<br />
<br />
As an aside.... I want to address some things I read today on Facebook.... As an aside.... What is it about Target and it's stand for equality and the controversy over bathrooms? Really? Bathrooms? Argh. Well, I think it's all stupid because people are people and if you have to use the bathroom, no one I know is peeking through the door cracks to see who is in there. And that is in the woman's bathroom. As far as I know, men look around the bathroom even less. I say, just let people pee. If you don't want to share a bathroom with transgender people, then pee at home.<br />
<br />
Anyway.....<br />
<br />
Come back another time for an author interview with Matthew J. Metzger.<br />
<br />
<br />
xoxoxoxox<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157217167825612179.post-84912583681055680122016-04-28T10:31:00.001-04:002016-04-28T10:32:39.747-04:00Audiobooks... I love themI love audiobooks. Have I told you that before? Well, I do. Part of the reason is because I find it difficult to read books on kindle or hardcover. I read, but I drift. Sometimes I drift off to sleep. Not that they are boring, but because staring makes my eyes tired. Listening, however, keeps me glued to every word. And when I notice I miss things, I do often rewind and relisten to catch up. The other reason I've come to understand is that I'm an auditory learner. I learn better by listening. So if I read out loud, then I remember longer, or if I am told something face-to-face or walked through something on the phone I learn it quicker. YouTube videos are good too because the verbal explanation comes with steps to watch.<br />
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Audiobooks have gotten me away from NEVER READING. I often say I don't read. Well, there was a time period where I didn't. I couldn't find time and reading was the thing that got shoved out of the schedule. Now, I CAN read, but it's through listening. Some people don't like it, but I REALLY DO! So for those authors out there considering putting their books on audio, I say DO IT! If I can find a book on audio there is a higher chance I'll read it.<br />
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Some of my recent reads (listens) are:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRC2XqH0r4K6nFJ07g2hWW26eHs1DEFN5q4PIAhaYE_9PL74swT9ROhkCIQSvEewMWXIiN91j9NG_z-h7_8YuEJwgD8TiQfqtskl09tQEMpIDu8bH9J0hAsDawE19GVP9NgY4mVsoLV8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-04-28+at+9.13.06+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRC2XqH0r4K6nFJ07g2hWW26eHs1DEFN5q4PIAhaYE_9PL74swT9ROhkCIQSvEewMWXIiN91j9NG_z-h7_8YuEJwgD8TiQfqtskl09tQEMpIDu8bH9J0hAsDawE19GVP9NgY4mVsoLV8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-04-28+at+9.13.06+AM.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Secrets-Audiobook/B00TZFLQNG/ref=a_search_c4_1_8_srImg?qid=1461849433&sr=1-8" target="_blank">BUY IT NOW ON AUDIBLE</a></div>
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This was a really good book! I've only listened to the first 4 in the series, so the rest may be better, but I really LOVED SECRETS. The character Victor Bayne could probably be counted in my top 10 favorite characters of all time alongside Adrien English, Miki St. John, & Drizzt Do'Urden! I know, I know, I'm like 10 years behind on discovering the brilliance of Jordan Castillo Price, but 10 years or not, I'm here now.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKke1lNoHBu7HcS2g1AIcn_dTOW1AfHj1WSAbRO81ONmcWDJfySlWsbR_j_Q9awvkkNW0reOavzcxDRUN8z3evZpXlWOAc-MIrRJJlbTBzBpVVEwo-ufJwNlP8XnxnKsRxr9ns6_JGUbY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-04-28+at+9.18.50+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKke1lNoHBu7HcS2g1AIcn_dTOW1AfHj1WSAbRO81ONmcWDJfySlWsbR_j_Q9awvkkNW0reOavzcxDRUN8z3evZpXlWOAc-MIrRJJlbTBzBpVVEwo-ufJwNlP8XnxnKsRxr9ns6_JGUbY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-04-28+at+9.18.50+AM.png" /></a></div>
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The first Book in the series came out in 2006.</div>
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In 2006, I was writing a sci-fi book called Escaping Reality. I wrote 284,000 words I think. Sometimes the number 267,000 comes to mind so I'm not completely sure how many words this was, but it was more like a trilogy and since that time I've taken it apart by chapter. It's no longer one doc, but many docs. Eventually, I plan to get back to it, but right now I don't have time. But in the same year Jordan introduces Victor Bayne, I was finding my joy of writing. I had NEVER written an entire story before 2006. So as far as I'm concerned, 2006 was a great year!</div>
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Another book I've listened to recently is...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVZHZ993IxwG48bfBuRBQF3j3vqQ3Fk6V1VZB-RbQ1TSfYLotFDBYyKoyiRHwY5GU5KEbX3PWm00HG9jeX8kolnPPKzs5QKSVQn5ctKzCj0_oy64MIXq83gNsLmnW3GlLpjIsGDWU_aU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-04-28+at+9.13.28+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVZHZ993IxwG48bfBuRBQF3j3vqQ3Fk6V1VZB-RbQ1TSfYLotFDBYyKoyiRHwY5GU5KEbX3PWm00HG9jeX8kolnPPKzs5QKSVQn5ctKzCj0_oy64MIXq83gNsLmnW3GlLpjIsGDWU_aU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-04-28+at+9.13.28+AM.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/Baby-Its-Cold-Audiobook/B01784POWE?ref_=audlib-pd-LIBRARY-list" target="_blank">On AUDIBLE HERE.</a></div>
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This is a very cute story. My only problem is that I would have liked it to be longer. Like maybe the end of a novel where the things the characters reflect on, are played out instead of memories. However, it was very cute as is.</div>
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I also listened to <a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Dirty-Heart-Audiobook/B01DMUE6ZO?ref_=audlib-pd-LIBRARY-list" target="_blank">Dirty Heart</a>, which is the last book in the Cole McGinnis Series.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ks62oboBTE3wAa1xnyWJPgrr9Lo7AYH8AfYv7TsE4uC9UVD7oHRqpOaxu2NRgtNXYdpn1GEo8edqctUqbTvaFsxulTcgaXg52cT1-EU7GeXLMs0jgXDqUSheDRstJPOj2h-c9z0BlAE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-04-28+at+9.13.51+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ks62oboBTE3wAa1xnyWJPgrr9Lo7AYH8AfYv7TsE4uC9UVD7oHRqpOaxu2NRgtNXYdpn1GEo8edqctUqbTvaFsxulTcgaXg52cT1-EU7GeXLMs0jgXDqUSheDRstJPOj2h-c9z0BlAE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-04-28+at+9.13.51+AM.png" /></a></div>
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This was an excellent ending to a wonderful series.</div>
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I guess I've been listening to more books lately because I'm in a funk. I'm kind of depressed and can't seem to focus on writing. I NEED to write JOCK 4, and I have tons of ideas rolling around in my head, but nothing is coming out. I'm dry. I'm not enthused, I'm not real happy, and I can't blame it on "family situations" forever. I guess part of it is self-pity. "I can't do it." But that only goes so far. I have to pull myself out of this and buck-up and DO IT!!!!!</div>
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I'm part of the way through edits of JOCK 3, so at least readers will get that book this year. I don't have the cover yet, but I'm excited for it.</div>
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I'm also excited for MY OWN AUDIOBOOKS. If you didn't know, I've got three audiobooks in my publication list.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxzmLHXZRjPWSOju3tMLePe_RxTIJ3P26wmDGtr9s02R5jSr_scSdPZVECuRbPJ8ZIzslLPhAbSip5XemV1cMTSgvDXZ7HjfNw9YoacasfcqW1i__bTMY5w2ms18guvHnTyWo7eNcpWc/s1600/MA_SQ+500+Chris+Patton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxzmLHXZRjPWSOju3tMLePe_RxTIJ3P26wmDGtr9s02R5jSr_scSdPZVECuRbPJ8ZIzslLPhAbSip5XemV1cMTSgvDXZ7HjfNw9YoacasfcqW1i__bTMY5w2ms18guvHnTyWo7eNcpWc/s200/MA_SQ+500+Chris+Patton.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Misplaced-Affection-Audiobook/B019WUEVWG/ref=a_search_c4_1_2_srImg?qid=1461853159&sr=1-2" target="_blank">Buy Misplaced Affection HERE</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnY4ZB8CsukWh-hsfeq-58awFPLG7_KU3LUb5BqdL_CoXW22mdvYDAjPXriImHXHwOLG5UyMrdc_rjokw5W55_tiNj4G66HT9gIUL6ET_ti_Gl-uTucyJ3lRexfh3Ypz_1CBO8E8iUfEE/s1600/Jock_Thumb+Audio+200x200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnY4ZB8CsukWh-hsfeq-58awFPLG7_KU3LUb5BqdL_CoXW22mdvYDAjPXriImHXHwOLG5UyMrdc_rjokw5W55_tiNj4G66HT9gIUL6ET_ti_Gl-uTucyJ3lRexfh3Ypz_1CBO8E8iUfEE/s200/Jock_Thumb+Audio+200x200.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/My-Roommates-a-Jock-Well-Crap-Audiobook/B00HUBHRYO/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1461853159&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Buy JOCK 1 HERE.</a></div>
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Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will leave a comment on your thoughts about audiobooks. Do you have a favorite? Have you listened to any of mine? Which narrator do you like best?</div>
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That's all for now.</div>
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Hugs (& Kittens- for Jason.)</div>
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~Wade</div>
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Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157217167825612179.post-85470295291805593752016-04-26T11:12:00.002-04:002016-04-26T11:17:02.466-04:00Special Guest - Ashley John <div class="MsoNormal">
Hello, Lovely People! </div>
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Today, Best Selling Author Ashley John has stopped by for an interview and to share a snippet from his new book <i>Timing. </i>I've never met Ashley, but he's definitely on the list of "Authors I'd like to meet." Maybe one day, if I ever hop over the pond to attend Euro Pride or the UK Meet or some such con. Flying to Europe will take budgeting and planning, BUT I WANT TO GO!!!!!! There are several fans I'd like to meet over there, as well as several authors. :)</div>
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<span style="font-family: "\22 calibri\22 ";">US:</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span><a href="http://amzn.com/B01ETKCW66" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;" target="_blank">amzn.com/B01ETKCW66</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: '"\\22 calibri\\22 "';">UK: </span><a href="http://amzn.co.uk/dp/B01ETKCW66" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;" target="_blank">amzn.co.uk/dp/B01ETKCW66</a></div>
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Here's the blurb for the new book:</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">When it comes to love, is timing everything?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Tom doesn’t have time for a relationship – not now that his fingers are practically touching the promotion he’s spent years chasing. His weekdays are consumed by desperately fighting for his editor’s attention and his weekends are wasted alone with meals for one and his cat for company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">All Cole has ever wanted is to work on the farm he was raised on, but money is tighter than ever and he is forced to get a job in a bar to keep a roof over him and his auntie’s head. Time is running out for the farm but he spends his days dreaming about a future he thinks he’ll never have.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">After an unexpected collision at the village train station, their lives suddenly become connected when Cole’s clumsily spilt coffee on Tom’s shirt turns into something greater. Tom is wary of listening to his heart and Cole is distracted by the threat of losing everything. Each possesses something the other desperately needs, but can they ignore bad timing to listen to their hearts?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Wade: </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Why don’t you start out with telling the readers a little bit about yourself?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Ashley: Of course! My name is Ashley John and I am a 22-year-old British author of Gay Romance novels. I’ve been writing and publishing for 2 years and in that time I have written and published eight full length novels and four novellas. I live with my fiancé, Reece and my two cats, Jeremy and Jinx.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Wade: I love pics of your cats on Facebook. They are really cute :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Wade: </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">What inspires your writing?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Ashley: </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">I always find this question tricky to answer because I wish I knew! I usually start with a question or a situation and then I build it from there. For Timing, I was sat in a train station and I thought ‘what would happen if two guys crashed into each other at a train station?’ and it unraveled from there. The characters usually form themselves, so I try not to overthink them too much. A lot of the time, these things wander into my mind, as if they’ve always been there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Wade: I love the "what if" question, and I can relate to characters forming by themselves. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Wade: </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">When did you start writing m/m romance?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Ashley: </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">I started writing gay romance in June 2014, so I’ve been in the game for nearly 2 years now. I was working at McDonalds and to say I hated my life at the time is an understatement. It all got too much for me, so I quit and I decided I was going to write a book, without any experience or knowledge. All I knew was that you could publish through Kindle and do it your own way. I wrote and released my first novella (The Secret) within a month. I didn’t know m/m romance was even a thing when I wrote it so I’m one of the few authors who came to the genre not being a reader first. Being gay, I just wrote a romance that felt natural to me, so I was lucky there were readers ready and waiting. I honestly didn’t think it would work or take me anywhere, but by my second month, I was making double what I had been in McDonalds, and it’s been snowballing ever since. I just ran with it, and I still haven’t stopped running with it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p>Wade: I'm SO GLAD it took you away from McDonalds! I worked as a short-order cook for 7 years, so I have nothing against that, but I think your brain doesn't grow in a place like that. Writing will push your mind. So very happy for you!!!</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17px;">Ashley:</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">I’ve always written, in one form or another. When I was about 4/5, I would type up my Disney storybooks word for word. I thought I was being intelligent and I had no idea about plagiarism at the time. When I was a little older, maybe 8 or 9, I wrote a sequel to a book I loved, called Double Act (by Jacqueline Wilson) and I called it Double Act 2 (inventive, right?). It didn’t really have much of a plot but it was a lot of fun to write. I remember being so proud of myself. In my early teens, I wrote a lot of Doctor Who fan fiction because I’ve always been obsessed with the show. When I was 12, I had a short story published in an anthology collection. It was about a young boy who played a virtual reality headset game and he got sucked into the game to fight an alien race and they murdered him. Pretty grim for a 12-year-old, right? In in my mid-teens, I switched to journalism. I ran a Doctor Who fanzine, which had quite a bit of success when I look back at it. I was conducting interviews with some big names in the world of Doctor Who (writers, authors, actors, voiceover artists, producers) when I 13-16. I think it ran for about 26 issues, all written, designed and published by me. By the last issue, it had 2000 solid readers. I think that’s where I learned the business of online publication and online marketing and a lot of that has crossed over to what I do today. In my late teens, I ran a couple of entertainment websites/blogs but they didn’t really take off how I hoped and that’s when I fell into Kindle publishing at the age of 20.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Wade: 20? I knew that, but the question mark comes from the thought that I'm jealous of your age. I truly wish I had found my love of writing back when I was 20. But, ya know, everything happens for a reason and if I'd gotten into writing back then, I probably wouldn't have found gay romance. Timing is important. (LOL... <i>Timing!... </i>hahaha) I'll say it again though, I'm really glad you found your passion for writing so early in your life. I'm proud of you, and that's coming from a person who just admires you from afar. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Wade: </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">How many books have you written so far?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17px;">Ashley:</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">I’ve written eight full-length novels and four novellas. My first series, which was a novella series called The George & Harvey series, consisted of my first 3 novellas, The Secret, The Truth and The Fight. My Surf Bay series, which is a novel series, consists of my next 5 novels, Lost & Found, Full Circle, Saving Michael, Love’s Medicine and Sink or Swim. Then there are three standalone novels, BOSS, Shelter and Timing, and the last is last year’s Christmas novella, Cabin Nights. Wow. That’s a lot in two years haha! I make that 13? I should know this off the top of my head, shouldn’t I?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Wade: </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Tell us a little about your novel, <i>Timing</i></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17px;">Ashley:</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"> is all about meeting somebody at the ‘wrong’ time, and listening to your heart instead of your head. Tom and Cole are both at very different crossroads in their life. Tom is a 26 year old journalist who is fighting for a promotion he knows his boss won’t give him and he’s been single for 3 years and sexless for 1. He’s sweet and shy but he’s always very scared of taking risks. He buries himself in his work so he doesn’t have to face his dead social and love life. Cole is 24 and he lives on a farm with his auntie, but the farm is in financial trouble so he gets a job in a bar. They meet at a train station when Cole throws a coffee over Tom and everything snowballs from there. It’s a cute romance story and it’s one very close to my heart. It’s set in a village about thirty minutes from where I live, so it’s the closest to home that I’ve written so far.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Wade: I'm fond of the name Cole ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Wade: </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">How long did it take you to complete it?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17px;">Ashley:</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">I think I spent about two full months writing, because it’s just under 100,000 words, and then another month of editing and beta and all that fun stuff. It’s an average length of time for me to write a book these days. I used to be a lot quicker but I’ve found that as I’ve grown as a writer, my stories have lengthened, so every process has slowed down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Wade: Well, all I can say is, I wish I could be more organized and write 100,000 words in two months more often. I think that's tremendous! :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Wade: </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Who is your favorite character in the novel and why?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17px;">Ashley:</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Is it bad that my favourite character might be one of the secondary characters? He’s called Ricky and he’s Tom’s best friend. He’s a foul-mouthed drag queen by night, then by day, he’s a no nonsense owner of a books/bondage shop in Manchester’s gay village. He’s the comic relief in the book but he has a heart of gold and he’s always on hand to offer advice to his friend, if he asks for it or not. I think he’s a character I want to revisit in the future if people shout loud enough for him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Wade: </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">How much of yourself did you manifest into your favorite character?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17px;">Ashley:</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Some of Ricky’s scenes really made me laugh reading them back, because I realized Ricky is literally me when I’m drunk. Some of his lines are things I’ve actually said. Another of the characters I see myself in is Tom. We’re quite similar and we both love The X Files. I never subconsciously write things to reflect my life but it always ends up happening, without doubt. It wasn’t until I’d finished reading Timing that I realized the farmhouse where Cole lives is directly based off an ex-boyfriend’s grandma’s farm! I love it when things like this happen because it shows how much our minds are recycling and reusing things from the depths of our memories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 17px;">Wade: Drunk Ashley? HAHAHAHAHA. I'm gonna have to read the book just to read that ;)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Wade: </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Can you share four things you’ve learned about the business?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17px;">Ashley:</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">I feel like I’ve learned a lot, because I’ve done everything on my own. I write my books, I design my own covers and promo material, I built my own website, I manage all of own social media and I have from day one. It’s a difficult business to get into, but it’s worth it. The first thing I’ve learned is that you can’t expect instant success. I always describe it as a snowball, rolling down a hill and getting bigger and bigger. The snowball has to start somewhere and it’s usually very small. I remember publishing my first book and feeling like I was talking to myself for weeks, but people finally started to respond to the book and it grew organically. People think writing and releasing a book is all they need to do, but that’s only half of it. You need to make sure your books are speaking to enough people to buy them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">My second tip would be to look at this like a business, especially when you’re making decisions about books to write and how to brand them. The aim of the game is to sell books and make money. When I started, I thought I’d sell maybe 100 books, if I was lucky, but I've sold way more than I ever dreamed possible. Always have your business head on, unless you’re just doing this for fun, but who doesn’t want their work to make them money? My third tip would be not to underestimate the importance of social media. Having a very accessible public image that people can see and think ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that’s Ashley John</i>’ is important. Have a newsletter, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook page and profile and website from the very start! Plug those links to HELL at the front and back of your books. That’s very important! If you want people to invest their time into you, you need to make sure they’re sticking around to see what you’re working on next.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">My last tip would be to listen to your instincts and ignore what everybody else is doing. I see a lot of authors reacting to what other authors are doing, thinking that’s how they’re going to sell books. Use your own voice, your own stories and make them unique to you. Be yourself, have fun with it and don’t let people’s opinions of you affect your work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Wade: I understand the snowball image. I've called it a slow burn - like a small spark on damp leaves that takes time to smolder and transform into a fire. Nothing is instant. Your advice to authors is totally correct! :) Your comment to "</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17px;">make them unique to you</span>"<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13pt;">... Yes, You are a lot wiser than people may assume of a 22-year-old. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Wade: </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">What is your suggestion or piece of advice to new and upcoming writers?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17px;">Ashley:</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Before you publish anything, deeply research the genre you’re going into. You want to know who the readers are, what books they’re buying, how those books are portraying themselves (covers, lengths, prices) and as much other information you can gather. Make sure you have a great cover and a good blurb and just try and get your story read by as many people as you can before you publish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Wade: Are you a planner or a pantzer when writing a story? And why?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17px;">Ashley:</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">I started out as a strict planner but now I’m a little of both. I think a lot of planning can bore you, especially when you’re halfway through a 100k book. Sometimes it’s nice to surprise yourself as you’re writing. Some of my favorite scenes are nowhere to be scene in the outline. A little planning can go a long way, so If you know your 3 act structure base, you can fill in the blanks as you write.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Wade: Me too. Exactly what you said,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Wade: </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">How do you keep your creative "spark" alive?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17px;">Ashley:</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">I write a lot! I finish one book and I start on the next. There hasn’t been a time in the last two years that I haven’t been working on a book at some point. I even write when I’m on vacation. I just can’t help it. I have a mind that is always working overtime and thinking about every little detail of my stories and characters, so the spark is always very much there. Right now, I’m working on some cozy mystery novels, which I’m going to publish under a pseudonym. It’s a genre I adore reading and it’s a new one for me to write but I’m really enjoying it, so the spark is brighter than ever right now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Wade: Sounds awesome :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Wade: </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Where we can find you on the Internet?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17px;">Ashley:</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 17px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Everywhere! I have every social media imaginable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29756459-timing" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ashleyjohnart" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="https://twitter.com/ItsAshleyJohn" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="http://ashleyjohn.co.uk/newsletter" target="_blank">Newsletter</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="http://amazon.com/Ashley-John/e/B00KVMZINQ/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Wade: </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Could you please share your favorite excerpt from <i>Timing </i>with us?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Timing Snippet. Taken From Chapter 5.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> “How’s white wine?” Cole held up the bottle. “I don’t know if it’s any good.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> “Ugh, I love you right now,” Tom sighed, “because that’s just what I need.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> Cole joined Tom on the floor in front of the fire, sitting closer than he had intended to. Their shoulders touched but Tom didn’t react by edging away, so neither did Cole. He cracked the seal on the wine and filled the tall glasses to the rim, not sure what amount was the right amount. The bar didn’t seem to attract the type of people who ordered wine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> “These are champagne flutes. Points for effort, though.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> Listening to the crackling of the fire, they sipped the wine and Cole started to feel more and more nervous. The silence between them wasn’t awkward but he felt like he wanted to say something, if only to talk to Tom, to find out more about him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> “S-s-s-s-so,” he stopped dead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> Tom turned to look at him but he didn’t look shocked or horrified, he just smiled. It was a normal smile without the usual subtext of pity. That eased Cole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"> “Sorry, let me try that again.” Cole exhaled, his cheeks burning but not from the heat of the fire. “So, how old are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> “Twenty-six, which, according to Ricky, means I have four years until my gay death.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> “Ricky talks a lot of shit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> “Yep,” Tom laughed, “I’ll drink to that. What about you then? Charming boyfriend in the city? Girlfriend? Both?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> Tom suddenly stopped talking and sipped his wine quietly. He dragged his knees up to his chest and stared dead again at the fire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> “Nope. Single. Waiting for the right guy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> Tom nodded and said, “Awesome.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> “What about you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> “Me?” Tom practically choked on his wine. “I’m too busy for all of that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> “By ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all of that</i>’ do you mean love and relationships or sex?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> “All of the above? I work my arse off at work to try and get ahead and it doesn’t pay off. Do you want to know what my big Friday night plans were? I was going to go home and watch <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The X Files</i> with my cat, drink a glass of cheap white wine and fall asleep with a pizza on my knee. How depressing is that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> “That,” Cole said with a nod, “sounds like my kind of night.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> Stretching out, Cole reached across the sofa cushions, his arm going around the back of Tom’s shoulders. He didn’t realise what he was doing until he was there but he knew it would look even stranger if he quickly retreated. He left it hanging on the cushions, straining his shoulder so that his arm didn’t touch the back of Tom’s neck or the quickly forming thick curls as they dried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> “Are you feeling warm yet?” Cole’s fingers instinctively wrapped around Tom’s shoulder to give it a rub and they both turned to stare at them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> “Cole, I -,”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> “I’m sorry.” Cole quickly pulled his hand away. “I don’t know why I k-k-k- - for f-f-fuck’s sake!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> He put his wine on the floor and hid his embarrassment by planting his hands firmly on his face. Under his touch, his flesh burned hot and he felt like a fool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> “This damn stutter,” he mumbled through his fingers, “it only ever comes out when I’m n-n-nervous.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> Grunting in frustration, he ripped his hands away and planted them in his lap, staring straight down at his fingers so that he wasn’t looking at Tom to see his own embarrassment reflected.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> Instead of judging, Tom simply asked, “Why are you nervous?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> Cole thought for a second, trying to think of a way to word it but he knew the only way was the truth. Turning to face Tom, whose face was soft and open in the dancing firelight, Cole wondered if he should say the words that he felt deep in the pit of his stomach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> “Because I really like you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> They silently stared at each other as Cole waited for Tom to react. One part of him expected Tom to laugh and the other part of him expected him to get up and leave. The storm was still battering the side of the farmhouse, which meant that the second option was less likely. When Tom closed his eyes and leaned in, the first option seemed just as unlikely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> Tom’s lips brushed gently against Cole’s and it felt as though time stopped around them. Cole couldn’t hear the wind and the rain shaking the old windows, nor could he hear the crackling fire as it warmed up the room; all he could hear was the beating of his shuddering heart in his chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> The kiss was delicate and it was over as quickly as it had begun. Tom pulled away, his teeth nibbling as his lip and his brows downturned at the edges.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> “I like you too,” Tom’s voice was barely above a whisper, “but I haven’t done this in a while and I don’t want to rush into anything.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> “I wasn’t going to rush you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> “Good,” Tom sipped his wine with a small smile before leaning into Cole’s side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> At first his body was rigid against Cole’s chest but he seemed to settle into a space that seemed as though it had been perfectly made for Tom’s body. Pulling him in close, Cole smiled down at Tom as he stared ahead at the fire. His curls had dried and one hung limply over his eyes. Reaching out, Cole brushed it to the side so he could see Tom’s eyes. He looked up at Cole and he smiled back nervously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"> Cole had no idea what they were doing or where it was going but he knew that it felt so different to his usual hook-ups and he liked it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Thank you, Ashley, for sharing yourself and your writing with us today! I certainly enjoyed the excerpt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">If you haven't read his books, I urge you to go out and get Timing! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The short version of Ashley's bio from Twitter says: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";">No.1 Best Selling British author of Gay/MM Romance. I hear voices in my head and I write them down. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The longer version from his <a href="http://ashleyjohn.co.uk/about/" target="_blank">WEBSITE</a> says basically what he said above. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Buy Links: </span><span style="font-family: "\22 calibri\22 ";">US:</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span><a href="http://amzn.com/B01ETKCW66" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" target="_blank">amzn.com/B01ETKCW66</a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span><span style="font-family: "\22 calibri\22 ";">UK:</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span><a href="http://amzn.co.uk/dp/B01ETKCW66" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" target="_blank">amzn.co.uk/dp/B01ETKCW66</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I hope you've enjoyed this interview with Ashley. For other interviews, check out my <a href="http://writerwadekelly.blogspot.com/search/label/Friend%20Fridays" target="_blank">Friend Friday</a> posts, or recent posts from <a href="http://writerwadekelly.blogspot.com/2016/04/release-day-tharros-by-c-kennedy-is-out.html" target="_blank">C. Kennedy</a>, <a href="http://writerwadekelly.blogspot.com/2016/04/special-guest-mighty-atom-yang.html" target="_blank">Atom Yang</a>, or <a href="http://writerwadekelly.blogspot.com/2015/10/dirty-dozen-blog-hop-ae-via.html" target="_blank">A. E. Via</a>. If you'd like to do an interview with me similar to this one, PM me on Facebook or email me at writerwadekelly@gmail.com.</span></div>
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Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157217167825612179.post-43332501858344219442016-04-14T20:34:00.002-04:002016-04-14T20:38:28.947-04:00Release Day! Thárros by C. Kennedy is out!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-align: justify;">Hello, good people. I have a special guest post by Cody to introduce us to his new book. I met Cody in person in San Diego for the first time last year. Cody is a really cool person! Very Caring. Without further ado, here's more about the book.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 26.0pt;">Release Day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 26.0pt;">Thárros </span><span style="font-size: 26pt;">by C. Kennedy is out!</span></div>
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Θάρρος<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thárros. Greek. Meaning courage<o:p></o:p></div>
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Courage. n. /ˈkərij/<o:p></o:p></div>
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1. The ability to do something that frightens one.<o:p></o:p></div>
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2. Strength in the face of fear, pain, or grief.<o:p></o:p></div>
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~*~<o:p></o:p></div>
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Courage is resistance to fear,<o:p></o:p></div>
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mastery of fear,<o:p></o:p></div>
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not the absence of fear. ~Mark Twain<o:p></o:p></div>
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High school senior Michael Sattler leads a charmed life. Almost. He has great friends, parents who love him just the way he is, and he was a champion hurdler until someone took out his knee when they kidnapped his boyfriend. Yet, Michael is determined to make the USATF tryouts in spite of his injuries.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Christy Castle is Michael’s entire world. Healing from years of abuse, his abduction by a predator has left him hiding a new secret as he tries to start his life again. Together, Michael and Christy work to recover from their wounds in time to make prom and graduate high school. To complicate matters, Christy is astonished to learn a fellow victim from his native Greece has survived. Christy will stop at nothing to bring him to the US to keep him safe.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But the prosecution of Christy’s kidnapper looms large in their futures and the struggle to return to normal only worsens. Christy's past continues to haunt them and, when the prosecution turns ugly and Christy’s new life is torn apart, only their unrelenting courage and determination can save them from the nightmare that threatens to destroy their future together.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSyYsOBmg4CFSpeXR5T9tMbaY3_v9kOQNCiJfhFxsQBA_DOJYxnwjlnl5qkSSYFJKNnB7cQGsu7Y7HCJrfYcjNlEDG9Y70kiR0iVsQRUKlfNZq_xrm8rXMs1CiQdpvMHDjKrxruBsAms/s1600/Tharros+-+Quote+-+I+have+your+heartbeat+in+my+ear+again2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSyYsOBmg4CFSpeXR5T9tMbaY3_v9kOQNCiJfhFxsQBA_DOJYxnwjlnl5qkSSYFJKNnB7cQGsu7Y7HCJrfYcjNlEDG9Y70kiR0iVsQRUKlfNZq_xrm8rXMs1CiQdpvMHDjKrxruBsAms/s400/Tharros+-+Quote+-+I+have+your+heartbeat+in+my+ear+again2.jpg" width="387" /></a></div>
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Now available at <a href="https://www.harmonyinkpress.com/books/tharros-by-c-kennedy-376-b">Harmony Ink</a>/<a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=tharros&x=0&y=0">Dreamspinner Press</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tharros-Elpida-Book-C-Kennedy-ebook/dp/B01DI3IU66/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459225056&sr=8-1&keywords=Tharros+C.+Kennedy">Amazon US</a>,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tharros-Elpida-Book-C-Kennedy-ebook/dp/B01DI3IU66/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459730154&sr=8-1&keywords=Tharros">Amazon UK</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tharros-c-kennedy/1123593433?ean=2940157660536">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/tharros-1">Kobo</a>, and <a href="https://www.omnilit.com/product-tharros-2002851-149.html">Omni Lit</a>/<a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-tharros-2002851-149.html">All Romance eBooks</a>!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Add Thárros to your <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22798303-th-rros">Goodreads</a> and <a href="http://booklikes.com/tharros-c-kennedy/book,13043593">BookLikes</a> Lists!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Read <a href="http://ckennedyauthor.blogspot.com/p/chapter-one-st.html">Chapter One</a> or Read <a href="http://ckennedyauthor.blogspot.com/p/tharros-en-francais.html">en français</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">About Cody<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Cody is an award-winning author who lives, most of the time, on the West Coast of the United States. Raised on the mean streets and back lots of Hollywood by a Yoda-look-alike grandfather, Cody doesn’t conform, doesn’t fit in, is epic awkward, and lives to perfect a deep-seated oppositional defiance disorder. In a constant state of fascination with the trivial, Cody contemplates such weighty questions as If time and space are curved, then where do all the straight people come from? When not writing, Cody can be found taming waves on western shores, pondering the nutritional value of sunsets, appreciating the much-maligned dandelion, unhooking guide ropes from stanchions, and marveling at all things ordinary. Among many other awards, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Omorphi</i> was a runner up in the 2014 Rainbow Awards, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Slaying Isidore's Dragons</i> was a finalist in the 2015 Rainbow Awards. Cody does respond to blog comments and emails because, after all, it is all about you, the reader.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Find Cody on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CodyKennedyAuthor?ref=hl">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/CodyKAuthor">Twitter</a> @CodyKAuthor, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/ckennedyauthor/">Pinterest</a>,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://cody-kennedy.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a>, <a href="https://plus.google.com/111522648780713071448/posts">Google+</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ckennedyauthor/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://ello.co/cody_kennedy">Ello</a>, <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5816900.C_Kennedy">Goodreads</a>, <a href="https://medium.com/@CodyKennedy">Medium</a>,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://booklikes.com/c-kennedy/author,2718546">Booklikes</a>, and read a free serial story, <a href="http://www.fairybycodykennedy.blogspot.com/">Fairy</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-field-code: " HYPERLINK \0022http\:\/\/ckennedyauthor\.blogspot\.com\/2016\/04\/release-day-tharros-by-c-kennedy-is-out\.html\0022 \\t \0022_blank\0022 ";"><span class="MsoHyperlink">FOLLOW THE BOOK TOUR AND WIN SIGNED BOOKS!</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157217167825612179.post-62230702396746694062016-04-05T00:00:00.000-04:002016-04-05T00:00:37.179-04:00Special Guest: The Mighty Atom YangHello, Lovely people! I am here with a special guest post from author, Atom Yang. I met Atom in October in San Diego at GRL. It was a very brief meeting, but one I was glad to have had. He is a delightful man--one whom I'd like to see much more often!!! Jeff Adams had asked to do an interview with the two of us on the same day and there we met.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jnWf8J948-WaxbYBFPBpkhbcoGGsBAC0_FudT2X95hayoIaHm73CVV_KCDvdP18Hb7eo9jtj_c3tevkZdN5XpHU-zKLwRDShiHcwvTjt6m_iC-VsVkaUNuxoj_HkRFMQX3-Ze-sIgx4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-04-04+at+9.43.52+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jnWf8J948-WaxbYBFPBpkhbcoGGsBAC0_FudT2X95hayoIaHm73CVV_KCDvdP18Hb7eo9jtj_c3tevkZdN5XpHU-zKLwRDShiHcwvTjt6m_iC-VsVkaUNuxoj_HkRFMQX3-Ze-sIgx4/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-04-04+at+9.43.52+PM.png" width="277" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">Atom is here to talk about his new book, <i>Herc & Pyotr.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: large;"><i>Released with MLR Press. Purchase it <a href="http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=SLS7__AY" target="_blank">HERE.</a></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzkNuTlFZUzY3FjNEK29iPqfPvfZ3lcu7vzahKhfqMPllElKh8tGWisxUTeMZeOQ-M_lkjejv968zVUWwR8kZYq-2T1IHn1klMrewlwvjj4i7ZnTK9OB858Jg-QTXluvAMJnh2YbiYeo/s1600/SLMeteor_HercPyotr_Yang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzkNuTlFZUzY3FjNEK29iPqfPvfZ3lcu7vzahKhfqMPllElKh8tGWisxUTeMZeOQ-M_lkjejv968zVUWwR8kZYq-2T1IHn1klMrewlwvjj4i7ZnTK9OB858Jg-QTXluvAMJnh2YbiYeo/s400/SLMeteor_HercPyotr_Yang.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
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I gave him a few standard interview questions, which he adapted to this book and answered in the middle of the night. Crazy Atom. I don't recommend that, but Atom apparently never sleeps because I see him posting at all hours of the day, or night. (haha, I'm joking. I'm sure he sleeps at some point.)<br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599;"><span style="font-family: "symbol";">WADE: </span>Where did you draw your inspiration for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Herc & Pyotr</i>?</span></div>
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ATOM: I drew my inspiration for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Herc & Pyotr</i> from several sources, notably 70’s disaster movies such as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Poseidon Adventure</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Meteor</i>. In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Meteor</i>, the US and USSR have to cooperate and set aside their differences to destroy a large meteor that will destroy Earth—they do this by using their “Star Wars” missile system, which was originally aimed at the opposing country from space, and target the meteor. The names of those missile systems? Hercules for the US, and Peter the Great for the USSR, which is where I got the names, Herc and Pyotr.<span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ffd966;"><span style="font-family: "symbol";">WADE: </span>You’ve said on your </span><a href="http://www.atomyang.com/">Facebook and author page</a> <span style="color: #ffd966;">that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Herc & Pyotr</i> isn’t exactly sci-fi, but that’s it’s actually contemporary romance. Can you say more about that?</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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ATOM: I have nothing against sci-fi—in fact, I’m a huge fan and you’ll find many geeky references to sci-fi in my work. However, some people aren’t so hot on the genre, and told me had they not enjoyed my last book (“Red Envelope”) so much, they wouldn’t have read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Herc & Pyotr</i> because they just didn’t read science fiction! They quoted the book cover and blurb as leading them in this direction, and I don’t blame them (the other four authors in this Storming Love series all wrote about aliens and space stations). After reading my story, though, they told me they were surprised it was contemporary—focused on relationships rather than technology, adventure, or extraterrestrials. And really, that’s what my story is about: how ordinary people, going about their ordinary lives, deal with a natural catastrophe of apocalyptic proportions—and fall in love while they’re at it.<span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ffd966;"><span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "symbol";">WADE: </span>You have more characters in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Herc & Pyotr</i> than you did in “Red Envelope.” </span>Did you have a favorite?</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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ATOM: I should say that I love all my characters equally, but the truth is, I felt myself drawn to Nestori as I do to all my “best friend” characters—because they’re best friends. We don’t get through life alone, and it’s often the best friend in gay people’s lives who get them through the tough times, so they’ll always have a special spot in my heart. <span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol";"><span style="color: #ffd966;">WADE: </span></span><span style="color: #ffd966;">How early in your life did you begin writing?</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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ATOM: I remember a story I wrote in second grade using the song, “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head.” I also wrote a science fiction piece in third grade called “Incredible Harry” about a boy inventor who makes a spaceship, and this was the first time I was paid for my writing because two classmates (they were girls, so I should’ve recognized it as the start of a trend) put together their allowance and gave it to me, saying, “We believe in you.” In fifth grade, I wrote a fantasy about a band of misfits fighting an evil wizard that I also illustrated and was a big hit. However, I didn’t really start writing in earnest until high school—my father had forbade me from taking any more drama classes and dreaming of becoming an actor, so my creativity had to find an outlet, and I went into writing, specifically poetry, on a lark.<span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ffd966;"><span style="font-family: "symbol";">WADE: </span>What question would you ask yourself here?</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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ATOM: I’d ask myself, “What do you want your writing to do?” And my answer is, I want it to transform the reader. I want to offer insight or a new, unexpected perspective—turn things on their heads. Remember how Anne Rice changed how we all perceived vampires? Like that. That’s what I want my writing to do. Cause a change in consciousness—which is what the author Starhawk would call <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">magick</i>. Writing and storytelling were the original magicks, the origin of “spells” (spelling) and “enchantment” (to sing to). Huh. I didn’t know that clearly until I asked myself this question, which you really asked me. Thanks! Writing is neat.<span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ffd966;"><span style="font-family: "symbol";">WADE: </span>If you were writing your life as a romance novel, what would the title be?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ATOM: Here He Comes Again</i>.<span style="line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #ffd966;">WADE: Thank you for stopping by and answering a few questions, but I bet readers would like to read an excerpt!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWK_DgJeSesA2P8iqbandPRqPX8ac3nSWAQCrpF-vhQB3z30QMtthaRRnA7DzVs2mwQsl7GpNhAk-Dh8kheXnr4lzTEkhrECA0BPvfWhzxOfJqzl1RZLSwVEXrwCEWxAtU9We-JzsZ2c/s1600/Herc+%2526+Pyotr+Blog+Tour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWK_DgJeSesA2P8iqbandPRqPX8ac3nSWAQCrpF-vhQB3z30QMtthaRRnA7DzVs2mwQsl7GpNhAk-Dh8kheXnr4lzTEkhrECA0BPvfWhzxOfJqzl1RZLSwVEXrwCEWxAtU9We-JzsZ2c/s400/Herc+%2526+Pyotr+Blog+Tour.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
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<b>Chapter One</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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I took care of my car.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Regular maintenance, oil changes, carwashes--the works. I figured I'd sell it one day, and I didn't want it to have a scratch or a sticker to drop its value, let alone anything wrong mechanically. Everything worked on it--the power windows, radio, CD player...until today.<o:p></o:p></div>
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"Great," I said, staring at the fist-sized hole in the hood. I clicked my key fob and turned off the alarm. A few of the neighbors came out and turned off their car alarms, too, that had been set off by the very loud <i>boom </i>that shook all of our windows early this spring morning.<o:p></o:p></div>
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"Jeez, Herc, what happened?" Nestori, my friend and neighbor down the way, stood there with his blond bed head, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He wore a rumpled white tee, sweatpants, and socks--we were dressed alike except I had slippers. Maybe I appeared as lost as he did. Or worse, since I hadn't changed my clothes since the beginning of the week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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"I don't know." I gawked at the smoking hole. "Lightning?" I pieced together the evidence I had, and only came up with a timeline that started with a crash, followed by my car alarm, then a couple of minutes later the aforementioned boom, and finally the other cars being triggered. "A frozen turd from an airplane?"<o:p></o:p></div>
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"Are you serious? Holy shit."<o:p></o:p></div>
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"Ha ha."<o:p></o:p></div>
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"What?" His golden eyebrows crinkled together, and then he grinned. "Oh."<o:p></o:p></div>
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"To be fair, it did fall from the sky." Everybody huddled closer to peer into the puncture. "I don't know. I don't even know who I should call about this."<o:p></o:p></div>
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"What about Jason?"<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nestori's innocent question should've felt like a sucker punch, but the numbness from seeing my killed car protected me. "He left last week. We're not together anymore."<o:p></o:p></div>
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"Bro. Why didn't you say anything?"<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Because you would've wanted to get me drunk and laid.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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"I would've totally come over with a bottle of Jack and helped you get some D, man."<o:p></o:p></div>
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"So that's why I haven't seen him jogging<i> </i>for a while." Pihla, the widow who lived across the street, had the perkiest personality--and breasts--in our neighborhood. "I thought he left on a business<i> </i>trip." She wore a pink satin robe over a pink nightie with matching pink slippers. A small, thin, gold cross on a gold chain stuck out sideways from her cleavage and wobbled back and forth, unable to rest flat. Her son, Sami, clung to her leg, his head just above her knee, avoiding eye contact like some toddlers do. This suburban Madonna in pink held a mug of expensive coffee I could smell and envy from where I stood, and rested her French manicured hand on her shy boy's head. By the way she had batted her eyes at Jason during block parties, or how she happened to pick up the morning paper from her driveway when he'd jog past, I always thought she had a crush on my partner.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ex. I meant ex-partner.<o:p></o:p></div>
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"Yeah, he didn't leave on a business trip. He just left me." I wondered if I died inside my home from choking on a chicken bone while eating, single and alone, how long it would take for my neighbors to notice my dead, bachelor body. <i>I thought I smelled something funny</i>, one would say a week later. <i>Jeez, what happened?</i> another would ask. <i>Who the hell cares?</i> my ghost would spell out on a Ouija board, <i>life sucks</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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"Meteorite," said a faintly accented voice from the crowd. Slavic, I would guess.<o:p></o:p></div>
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"Whoa! You think a meteor hit Herc's car?" Nestori asked. "How do you know?"<o:p></o:p></div>
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"<i>Meteorite</i>," the voice gently corrected. "It's a meteorite when it lands. I saw everything as I was jogging this morning."<o:p></o:p></div>
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"Meteorite," I mumbled. My geek brain fetched a personal wiki page from when I wrote a report in sixth grade about asteroids crashing into Earth and destroying all life, because I've always been a cheery person. <i>The word </i>"<i>disaster" comes from the Italian </i>disastro<i>, meaning "ill-starred event."</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Why couldn't it have been a pretty shooting star that vaporized all sparkly in the atmosphere, so I could make a wish? Instead, it'd dropped a deuce on my perfectly maintained car.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The hole in the hood gaped back at me, and I thought about the day Jason left. He had requested I park on the street instead of in the garage, so he'd be able to get his things out of the house without too much trouble.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I should make a wish anyway.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Something realistic, not like true love and a happy-ever-after ending with a handsome, emotionally intelligent man, because that obviously doesn't happen. How about a nice pair of shoes? Good shoes are more reliable than men.<o:p></o:p></div>
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"I'm sorry this happened," the voice said, this time to my left. "There have been worldwide reports of meteor strikes over the past few weeks."<o:p></o:p></div>
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I turned and came eye to eye with the concerned face of a middle-aged man only slightly taller than me. He wore a red baseball cap and his black hair, lined with a few strands of gray, escaped his hat around his ears and a little over his forehead. His color-coordinated stubble, speckled with silver, defined a square jaw and framed full lips. Perspiration darkened his loose, gray shirt, forming something like a Rorschach inkblot in the center of his defined chest. Despite the smell of engine oil and gasoline coming from my mortally wounded car, the scent of his clean sweat cut through and woke me from my daze.<o:p></o:p></div>
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"Hi, I'm Pyotr. I moved here last week." He offered me a firm handshake and a smile, and returned to surveying the damage to my car, his hands on his hips. "You should probably call your insurance and not your ex. I work from home a few days a week, so if you need a ride, let me know? I live down the street." He started running lightly in place. His feet were bare, which I hadn't noticed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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"Thanks for the offer...<i>Pee-yo-ter</i>. I may take you up on it."<o:p></o:p></div>
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"Please do." Pyotr smiled again, nodded a succinct farewell, and trotted off.<o:p></o:p></div>
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"Yeah, if you need a ride..." Nestori and a few neighbors offered, but I didn't pay attention.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I was busy making an unrealistic wish. And it wasn't for shoes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #ffd966;">Thank you Atom! If anyone else would like to host Atom to talk about his new book, please comment below or contact him directly! Congrats, Atom, on your new release!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnp1Ljunpa_vGCGqJ-2TJmk5c9-V6YMj8mdOdXhobKKE9UlaurnST0edPWPSyuz1NxhWRChMpgGHyWBfiKcfyYeHehED_j9mdaZE3U0D5aE-wv1a0m1HT3G4G2M1MISWFWhyphenhyphenSJXijltgo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-04-04+at+10.22.27+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnp1Ljunpa_vGCGqJ-2TJmk5c9-V6YMj8mdOdXhobKKE9UlaurnST0edPWPSyuz1NxhWRChMpgGHyWBfiKcfyYeHehED_j9mdaZE3U0D5aE-wv1a0m1HT3G4G2M1MISWFWhyphenhyphenSJXijltgo/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-04-04+at+10.22.27+PM.png" width="234" /></a></div>
<br />
BIO: Atom was born to Chinese immigrant parents who thought it'd be a hoot to raise him as an immigrant, too--so he grew up estranged in a familiar land, which gives him an interesting perspective. He's named after a Japanese manga (comic book) character, in case you were wondering.<br />
<br />
Atom's books can be found on <a href="http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowAuthorBooks.php?list=_ABKLIST237&author=Atom!Yang" target="_blank">MLR Press</a>!<br />
<br />
Here is the <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jeff-wills-big-gay-fiction-podcast/e/ep-03-interviews-with-atom-yang-and-wade-kelly-41096603" target="_blank">LINK</a> to the Podcast featuring Atom!<br />
<br />
Thank you all for stopping by!<br />
<br />
xoxox<br />
<br />
WADE<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3157217167825612179.post-66647353195628312032016-03-29T09:59:00.000-04:002016-03-29T10:01:15.839-04:00Paperbacks on sale!Hey, good people. Dreamspinner is having a sale!!!! They have sales all the time, but I am pointing this one out today. The sale is 25% off the entire store thru April 1st.<br />
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<span data-offset-key="3b77k-0-0"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 14px;">Sitting at #21 on the @dreamspinners Best Seller List, Bankers' Hours is only $5.24 on DSP's site compared to $6.99 @amazon --Just saying'! If you were considering purchasing it, maybe today is the day :) Plus, the paperback is only $12.74 for those who like to get copies signed. I will be in NY next weekend at the Rainbow Book Fair, and at GRL in October. I will have a few copies with me in NY, but I will NOT be selling in Kansas City. Stock up while they are cheap :) Remember, </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Dreamspinner offers a free eBook when you purchase a paperback! </span><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">And did you SEE the back cover of Bankers' Hours? It's so cute! No, it's not the most realistic book I've written, but I think the </span>story<span style="font-size: 14px;"> is adorable. :) It's meant to be light and cute and make you smile. We'll get back to deeper issues and soccer when JOCK 3 comes out later this year. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7556" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for Dreamspinner's website.</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mx3jshiraCF9X_4J_LrKoDcdCMKmjThvQjhZ6_AOnhUlrOK-VEO0oRSBqsIjbY6pqjiVCw8uwj4l2nwyYRo2MT-HxKRkWS8WrG05HFONVvDencBgGVBcazpmDdj22CdFuKCSMC-MonE/s1600/IMG_5048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mx3jshiraCF9X_4J_LrKoDcdCMKmjThvQjhZ6_AOnhUlrOK-VEO0oRSBqsIjbY6pqjiVCw8uwj4l2nwyYRo2MT-HxKRkWS8WrG05HFONVvDencBgGVBcazpmDdj22CdFuKCSMC-MonE/s400/IMG_5048.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">12/30 people on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29537419-bankers-hours" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> rate it 5 stars.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8O_HZLaXCIiDDtQ2bUCUvwdd04e2_dozVnJDPG_wofKoLYLlAUXW4zRpbrrzEeQuexUBWrcUEE3wt65WVaw5UbA3HWjbwfZ0mDAMdLlyCtztSXjzQQbHM1OZm6vN8heodMr6TFQXbY4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-03-29+at+9.38.05+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8O_HZLaXCIiDDtQ2bUCUvwdd04e2_dozVnJDPG_wofKoLYLlAUXW4zRpbrrzEeQuexUBWrcUEE3wt65WVaw5UbA3HWjbwfZ0mDAMdLlyCtztSXjzQQbHM1OZm6vN8heodMr6TFQXbY4/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-03-29+at+9.38.05+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: 14px;">Read reviews. Read the excerpt on Dreamspinner or Amazon. Follow my blog tour to read more about the characters and find more excerpts. I want readers to be happy, really I do! And part of that involves getting a deal on your purchase. Paperbacks are $12.74!!!!!! <3 :)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Stock up on ALL the paperbacks you will want to take to GRL or The Rainbow Book Fair to have authors sign for you! </span></div>
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<br />Wadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07981972788267230807noreply@blogger.com0