tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46051604735650684872024-03-12T18:14:32.744-07:00The Author Blog for Anna Garner A.K.A. Libby MercerAnna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605160473565068487.post-66565937929683486382015-01-08T17:37:00.002-08:002015-01-08T17:49:29.655-08:00Release News: Twin Piques by Tracie BanisterHello, my little gumdrops!
As always, sorry about the radio silence (hangs head in shame)but I had to resurface so I could share the news about my awesome writer friend's new book! Tracie Banister's latest, Twin Piques, is a seriously fantastic book. I've read it, and I am so in love with it. I recommend you run out and snap it up now!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnedXzf7YpiNGGY3rgMrNPsioxHL1Lyxq5EpZLgQIaT-M6LjvFMBgJnYhRSIxOaHFPFzqFQPsUwgoz6gomqw-8Ut3nRfELbEkMCYHxxGPrdX_kjfvuTEe1tg0WUMi36eZ9AjFjsI2WBKw2/s1600/TBanister-TwinPiques-Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnedXzf7YpiNGGY3rgMrNPsioxHL1Lyxq5EpZLgQIaT-M6LjvFMBgJnYhRSIxOaHFPFzqFQPsUwgoz6gomqw-8Ut3nRfELbEkMCYHxxGPrdX_kjfvuTEe1tg0WUMi36eZ9AjFjsI2WBKw2/s640/TBanister-TwinPiques-Cover.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here's the skinny on the book:</span></div>
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Forensic accountant Sloane Tobin and kooky pet psychic Willa may have the same face, but that’s the only thing these identical twins have in common.<br />
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How she can read the hearts and minds of animals has always been a mystery to Willa, and her rotten luck with men is equally baffling. Although she’s been looking for “The One” for what feels like forever (A teenage marriage to a French mime and dating a guy named Spider seemed like good ideas at the time!), optimistic Willa refuses to give up on love. When she meets Brody, the handsome rose expert hired to save her grandmother’s garden, she’s instantly smitten, but why does he keep sending her mixed signals? Does he return her feelings, or is their attraction all in her fanciful head?<br />
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Unlike her twin, Sloane has zero interest in romance. Her passion is her job, where she uses her gift for numbers to take down slimy embezzlers and asset-hiding spouses. When she’s assigned two high profile cases, Sloane feels confident the promotion she’s been angling for is within her grasp. But will her plan to climb the corporate ladder be thwarted by difficult clients, her co-worker-with-benefits, or – most surprisingly of all – her own sister? And how’s she supposed to stay focused on the drama at work when her childhood friend, Gav, moves in next door and the spark between them becomes impossible to ignore?
To get what they both want, can Willa and Sloane band together and rely on each other’s strengths? Or will their differences drive them apart once and for all?<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Meet, Tracie, the super talented author of Twin Piques:
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvZPnrXSttdsqJB5PObkxueOvB4JqLk2l4Mz19T1ZGtEbsjAENpVQCyX-cpzXSDNxNEpsfBu3QlpbfeCxjkoEiAK6n_Yu5vGb86FIec7r-DyA4EYzrfKfw1PbvUmr9oPUHEKozmYqyQ5K/s1600/TBanister-AuthorPhoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvZPnrXSttdsqJB5PObkxueOvB4JqLk2l4Mz19T1ZGtEbsjAENpVQCyX-cpzXSDNxNEpsfBu3QlpbfeCxjkoEiAK6n_Yu5vGb86FIec7r-DyA4EYzrfKfw1PbvUmr9oPUHEKozmYqyQ5K/s400/TBanister-AuthorPhoto.jpg" /></a></div>
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An avid reader and writer, Tracie Banister has been scribbling stories since she was a child, most of them featuring feisty heroines with complicated love lives like her favorite fictional protagonist Scarlett O’Hara. Her work was first seen on the stage of her elementary school, where her 4th grade class performed an original holiday play that she penned. (Like all good divas-in-the-making, she also starred in and tried to direct the production.)<br />
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Tracie’s dreams of authorial success were put on the backburner when she reached adulthood and discovered that she needed a “real” job in order to pay her bills. Her career as personal assistant to a local entrepreneur lasted for 12 years. When it ended, she decided to follow her bliss and dedicate herself to writing full-time. Twin Piques is her third Chick Lit release. The pet psychic character in this novel was inspired by Tracie’s rascally rescue dogs. She’d love to know what goes on in their heads!
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You can find Twin Piques on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Twin-Piques-Tracie-Banister-ebook/dp/B00RSEP056">Amazon US</a>, <a href="http://myBook.to/TwinPiques" target="_blank">Amazon Global</a> or on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24302229-twin-piques" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>.<br />
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And you can find Tracie on her <a href="http://traciebanister.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">website</a>, on <a href="http://bit.ly/GRTBanister" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>, on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tracie.banister" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, on <a href="https://twitter.com/traciebanister" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/tlbani/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> and on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tracie-Banister/e/B006ZONWX2/" target="_blank">Amazon Author</a><br />
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<br />Anna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605160473565068487.post-13656527493929086142014-09-14T02:46:00.002-07:002014-09-14T02:49:30.964-07:00Guest Post: The Feel-Good Factor of a Romantic Comedy by Sarah Louise SmithHello my little maple leaves! Yes, that's right. I've come out of hiding again. Well... sort of. Today's blog post is courtesy of the fabulously talented Sarah Louise Smith. Take it away, Sarah!<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The feel-good factor
of a romantic comedy<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Firstly, thank you so much to Anna/Libby for allowing me to
take over her blog today!</div>
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If you don’t know me, I’m Sarah and I’m a chick-lit author.
But enough about me. Today I’d like to talk about romantic comedies and why we
ladies love them so much.</div>
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Now, I may be biased (being British myself) but aren’t British
romantic comedies such so darn cute and charming? How can any warm-blooded
woman not enjoy a bit of Hugh Grant bumbling over Andie McDowell or Julia
Roberts? Or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bridget Jones</i> flitting
between him and the lovely Colin Firth? And, one of the best of them all,
there’s Jude Law and Cameron Diaz falling in love in Surrey, England in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Holiday</i> – just wonderful.</div>
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Then there’s the American chick-flicks – a bigger budget
perhaps, a more confident hero, definitely – like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Definitely,
Maybe </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Friends with Benefits</i> …
not to mention the other half of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Holiday.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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There are tonnes more, of course. My personal favourite is
probably <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Love Actually</i>.</div>
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So what is it that makes us keep watching these so-called
chick-flicks (I use the term ‘chick’ loosely; my husband enjoys them too!)?</div>
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I think it’s the feel-good factor.</div>
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When the boy gets the girl, and they share that first kiss
or utter those three magical words, I get a warm, gooey happy feeling inside.</div>
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And that’s why I write chick lit. I read a lot, and I like
to pick up a book that’s fun, romantic and gives me that feel-good factor.
Sure, it needs a little depth too, but really want I’m looking for is that
happy, satisfied feeling when I close the last page. So to create that story
for someone else, hoping they too get that nice warm buzz from my story, well,
that’s something I can’t resist.</div>
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So, now I’ve rambled about that feel-good factor and shared
a few of my favourite movies; back to little old me.</div>
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I’ve just written my third chick-lit novel – Independent
Jenny – and it’s out on September 16. It’s about a girl who’s husband cheats on
her, and then her brother-in-law tells her he has feelings for her… then she
meets her ex-boyfriend again and between these 3 men, her feelings go hay-wire.
If you too like the feel-good factor of a nice rom com, you may enjoy this, or
one of my other books too. Shameless plug over.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4605160473565068487" name="_GoBack"></a></div>
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Have a fantastic day!</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About Sarah Louise
Smith:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
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Sarah Louise Smith lives in Milton Keynes, England, and
spends most of her time reading and writing chick-lit. She’s the author of
three novels: Amy & Zach, Izzy’s Cold Feet, and Independent Jenny, all
published by Crooked Cat. Visit Sarah’s website/blog: <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.sarahlouisesmith.com/">www.sarahlouisesmith.com</a></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About Independent
Jenny:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
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“I slept with someone else.”</div>
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Those five words changed everything.</div>
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After her husband Ross drops a bombshell, Jenny’s emotions
go hay-wire. Things are made even more complex when his brother Aiden makes a
confession of his own…</div>
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A holiday escape with her friend Hayley seems the perfect
way to figure out what – and who – she wants. But Hayley has a hidden motive
that results in Jenny spending time with her ex-boyfriend Will, who is now
married.</div>
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Should Jenny forgive Ross? Can she ignore her feelings for
romantic Aiden? And why can’t she get Will out of her head?</div>
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One thing is for sure: Jenny doesn’t want to be alone.
Surely any man is better than no man, right?</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fancy a read?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
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You can purchase paperbacks or e-versions from all the usual
online book sellers.</div>
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Amazon US: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/author/sarahlouisesmith">http://www.amazon.com/author/sarahlouisesmith</a><span style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Amazon UK: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sarah-Louise-Smith/e/B00AX55ZOI/">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sarah-Louise-Smith/e/B00AX55ZOI/</a></div>
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Follow Sarah on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/SarahSmith16">https://twitter.com/SarahSmith16</a></div>
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Find Sarah on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sarahlouisesmithauthor">https://www.facebook.com/sarahlouisesmithauthor</a></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Anna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605160473565068487.post-30700718600068330232014-07-20T23:17:00.000-07:002014-07-20T23:18:10.543-07:00Christmas in JulyHello, my little candy canes!<br />
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Some of my author friends and I are celebrating Christmas in July by dropping the price of our Christmassy e-books down to 99 cents.<br />
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So, brew up some peppermint tea (feel free to serve it iced!) treat yourself to a box of gingersnaps and get into the holiday spirit by downloading one or more of these fabulous books:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d5a6bd;">Winter Wonderland by Belinda Jones</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d5a6bd;">Married by Christmas by Scarlett Bailey</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d5a6bd;">Weight till Christmas by Ruth Saberton</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d5a6bd;">Merry & Bright (a festive anthology by six authors, including yours truly)</span></div>
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Tis not the season, but we're going to deck the halls and pretend that it is.</div>
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Love,</div>
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Anna</div>
Anna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605160473565068487.post-16412784191844313382014-06-26T02:04:00.000-07:002014-06-26T02:14:25.946-07:00Why Sugar Spun Sister?Hello, my candy floss girls!<br />
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As usual, apologies for not keeping this blog up to date. I'm so hopeless... Anyhoo, today I'm talking titles. A lot of people have asked me what's up with the title for my latest book, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d5a6bd;"><b>Sugar Spun Sister</b></span>. Well, I'll tell you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfYu8W-SH_q5Xqu6L0rUULoKaFBxXVVhF9Zq8JWkItDBIa3Zdp27kKhe4gsyTS7CL-mY9HVTrKQtHq-E3NbTj26-sXj6ECYYJjA9NgbLxCdKjaheUA7DeD9TaA6oGUVkyCyZzupQQwJ-Y/s1600/mmjTOwFxRPmdCmFj6nhPw5A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfYu8W-SH_q5Xqu6L0rUULoKaFBxXVVhF9Zq8JWkItDBIa3Zdp27kKhe4gsyTS7CL-mY9HVTrKQtHq-E3NbTj26-sXj6ECYYJjA9NgbLxCdKjaheUA7DeD9TaA6oGUVkyCyZzupQQwJ-Y/s1600/mmjTOwFxRPmdCmFj6nhPw5A.jpg" /></a></div>
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Since the book is about three friends who open up an ice cream shop, I spent a lot of time on Google, searching for movie titles and song titles that have ice cream-related words in the title. (I love how titles can't be copyrighted!) So I searched and searched and searched some more until I came across "Sugar Spun Sister" and had an AHA moment.</div>
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The song, "Sugar Spun Sister" is by The Stone Roses, one of my favorite bands from way back when. I do love this song, and since it's a bit obscure, I feel that using it for my book title gives it a kind of secret special meaning. Not so secret now, though, haha. Plus, I love alliteration, so quickly made an executive decision to christen "Cricket's Story" with the name of the song.</div>
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If anyone feels like having a listen, here's the song on YouTube. It's a catchy tune. They never did a video, but there are band pics to look at. Gosh, they were so young!</div>
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If you'd like to know a bit more about the book, Sugar Spun Sister, here's the blurb:</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life isn’t exactly sweet for Cricket Whittier. Her boss hates her, her work is soul-destroying, and the sexy guy she’s hooking up with doesn’t want to date her. But this girl is far from hopeless. When Cricket’s in the kitchen with her ice cream maker and a few choice ingredients, her troubles slip away as she becomes a delectable dessert-designing powerhouse. She loves it so much, she dreams of opening her own ice cream shop one day.<br /><br />As it turns out, “one day” just might be closer than she thinks. Propelled by the help and encouragement of her best friends, Lindsay and Nora, Cricket starts making plans to set up shop. Which is easier said than done what with the internal squabbling, the sky-high costs, her parents forecasting failure and her increasingly complicated love life. Despite all these hurdles, will Cricket be able to make her sweet dreams come true?</span></div>
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And the cover:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBP6Kr9GBc_2N04ehV4oYOfav5uoliln0VKZdathSgsNWXSjjlu1JbT-5pV81lCboHxQOBiWy8lngghkTpbWkY8fk_c9uvqMqhcusZ2TS1pvPv1yn6G7UbgwIUMw_vl_EaR-NIHGoG1Go/s3200/sugar+spun+sister+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBP6Kr9GBc_2N04ehV4oYOfav5uoliln0VKZdathSgsNWXSjjlu1JbT-5pV81lCboHxQOBiWy8lngghkTpbWkY8fk_c9uvqMqhcusZ2TS1pvPv1yn6G7UbgwIUMw_vl_EaR-NIHGoG1Go/s3200/sugar+spun+sister+cover.jpg" height="640" width="420" /></a></div>
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I had SO much fun writing this book. It's the first of a trilogy. Each of the three girls will be getting her own book, and I'm halfway through writing Book 2, featuring Nora, Cricket's glamourous and impulsive friend. It was a tough start (Nora is very different from me) but I'm really on a roll now and enjoying the process immensely.</div>
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And as much as I struggle with titles, I'm proud to say that "Nora's Story" already has one! Be on the lookout for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d5a6bd;"><b>Sundaes with Nora</b></span>, which will hopefully be out by the end of the year if all goes as planned.</div>
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Thanks so much for reading!</div>
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Love,</div>
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Anna</div>
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<br />Anna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605160473565068487.post-63443178238012053512014-03-26T10:00:00.000-07:002014-03-26T13:40:25.968-07:00What the H?Hello my little tulips! As usual, apologies for never posting anything. No excuses, really, except that I'm horribly disorganized. Oh, to one day have a personal assistant... Anyhoo, I've got something kinda unusual to blog about today.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDT3vWoWWagJfBsjxN76FZGpHT4RG7yaW37bVABDL9dQwRWBqt7M4Z1VO24coGzKiQPN0R9mYxTtvVI8CfDXombuZbaS6p1K3f55o9upoi0AwPC3Zp2onOHHz5MxjYtk12udyVDAQvn5y3/s1600/4616658-368764-diamond-alphabetic-uppercase-and-lowercase-letters-of-h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDT3vWoWWagJfBsjxN76FZGpHT4RG7yaW37bVABDL9dQwRWBqt7M4Z1VO24coGzKiQPN0R9mYxTtvVI8CfDXombuZbaS6p1K3f55o9upoi0AwPC3Zp2onOHHz5MxjYtk12udyVDAQvn5y3/s1600/4616658-368764-diamond-alphabetic-uppercase-and-lowercase-letters-of-h.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></div>
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It all started when I was on <b>Lying to Meet You</b>'s Amazon page the other day and I saw I had a new review. A bad one (sob). Bad reviews are unavoidable, of course. You can't please everyone in the world, but this one has really been bugging me because the reviewer is clearly a romance fan and I reckon she read the book wanting a more traditional romance rather than a work of chick lit. The main problem she had with the story was a plot twist that would <i>never</i> fly in category romance.<br />
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I'm not just trying to rationalize here, I promise. The reason I know she's a romance fan is because she mentioned "the H and h" and "the H's parents" etc. which is the standard way for romance aficionados to identify "the hero and the heroine". I must admit, the H/h thing got stuck in my craw for a bit. There isn't really an "H" in my story, per se. You don't really know for sure who Chloe's "hero" is until close to the end.<br />
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Eventually, I got over being bummed out over the bad review, but this H/h thing has really been bugging me. Not my reader's use of it in the review, but the use of it in general. When you think about it, it's so blatantly sexist. "H" means "hero" and "h" means "heroine". Why is that?<br />
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Just look at these two letters side by side:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">H h</span></div>
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The big "H" is so strong and solid, whereas the little "h" looks a bit meek and fragile standing next to it. To me, the little "h" looks unfinished somehow, not fully developed. Definitely inferior. And this really bothers me. Perhaps I'm reading waaay too much into this (it's been known to happen) but I find it frustrating that the women who write, edit and read these books use the H/h identifiers so easily.<br />
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<a href="http://www.julievalerie.com/humpday-bloghop/" target="_blank">Hop on over to Julie Valerie's Hump Day Blog Hop for links to loads of fabulous blog posts!</a>Anna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605160473565068487.post-84603407621182143202014-01-27T07:55:00.000-08:002014-01-27T07:58:38.284-08:00Cover Reveal: I Don't Know How She Will Do It by Kobby Tetteh Gyampoh and a GiveawayHello, my little snowflakes!<br />
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I know, I know. My lack of presence is abysmal. I'm sorry. I'm in the process of recharging and hope to come back in full force in a few weeks. But... I've decided to come out of hibernation in order to help spread the word about Kobby Tetteh Gyampoh's upcoming release. Check out the cover:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_314toTc7ZI5WtQuVaXBPO20NJbukRRJtnmkiZ4ms14aeIKmNbLXIX6E932w3xqA9hZZHbpeBNzdPX6fww652hZHk1qq71HrB7RFCGuPWHFdawxQ6LCCfPy2IQekZuppTjEk1wku-0Rc/s3200/I+Don't+Know+How+She+Will+Do+It+Cover.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_314toTc7ZI5WtQuVaXBPO20NJbukRRJtnmkiZ4ms14aeIKmNbLXIX6E932w3xqA9hZZHbpeBNzdPX6fww652hZHk1qq71HrB7RFCGuPWHFdawxQ6LCCfPy2IQekZuppTjEk1wku-0Rc/s3200/I+Don't+Know+How+She+Will+Do+It+Cover.jpeg" height="640" width="410" /></a></div>
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And now for the blurb:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ead1dc;"><i><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">Lily has had it with Aunt Lizzie. She wants her inheritance. She wants to be free. Aunt Lizzie wants Lily to find a husband, though she thinks it’s impossible. To her Lily could kiss freedom goodbye since it might be about the only person who’d allow that.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;"></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">Aunt Lizzie’s thinking marriage; Lily’s thinking marriage-if-anyone-would-ever-<wbr></wbr>want-me. Aunt Lizzie’s thinking cooking, cleaning and looking after a family; Lily wants a career that isn’t home-running. Aunt Lizzie’s not bent on making Lily have her way. So what would Lily do? She’d plot to gain her inheritance. She’d plot to gain her freedom. Her dad’s will says nothing about Mr. Right, neither does it mention an aspiring actress eager to break into Hollywood.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ead1dc;">Join Lily in her quest for freedom as she poses as a couple with Clare behind a camouflage of flashy cars and cupcakes in order to get that inheritance. Follow this hilarious recipe of a low self-esteem girl, a sassy self-employed actress, an Aunt whose quotes would get you raising brows and two grannies who are willing to help low self-esteem girl. But watch out, one has a pistol which she stashes in her </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;">underwear.</span></span></i></div>
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Sounds like a fabulous cast of characters and I can't wait to read it! Here's a bit about Kobby:<br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">First of all, KobbyTettehGyampoh, simply Kobby, hates referring to himself in third-person.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">I just turned eighteen. I am Ghanaian and have always loved Chick-lit. My Chick-lit role models would be Sophie Kinsella, Marian Keyes, Janet Evanovich and Sarah Strohmeyer.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">I was introduced to the genre when I was thirteen. Sarah Strohmeyer made the introduction with her Bubbles Series. Since I read Bubbles, I quit writing Harlequin-styled romances and have always considered myself-since then, a humor writer.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">My biggest dream is to be an EIC to a lifestyle magazine someday like Kate White-for my obsession for Cosmo’s language since she was running as editor. But for now, I am good with studying English to break into Advertising someday.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">I am currently working on my next title which is sort of a series like Cupcakes R US, but it’s based on the lives of editors, columnists and freelancers in a Cosmo-lookalike magazine. Which would be available in more formats than kindle. Epub, PDF, Docx, Doc, Mobi, PowerPoint. And oh, Paperback.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ead1dc;">If I am not writing something funny, I spend most of my time reviewing something funny on my blog, <a href="http://chicklitpad.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">ChickLit Pad</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;">.</span></span></div>
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And now a word from the author:<br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">I’ve had lots of inspiration for writing. But the one that moved me into publishing my very first novel, <i>I Don’t Know How She Will Do It</i> has to go to Allison Pearson. Words can’t describe how much <i>I loved I Don’t Know How She Does It</i>─both the book and the movie. Something about Kate’s struggle and how lovable she was portrayed made me nuts to pen something down. Days and days the title <i>I Don’t Know How She Does It</i> resounded constantly in my sleep, in my wake, every moment in my life (mainly because it was one hell of a funky title). I was practically haunted to put down my baby <i>I Don’t Know How She Will Do It</i>. Though they are both different stories, they both portray that sense of feminism that makes women all around the world proud. And that’s why I penned <i>I Don’t Know How She Will Do It</i>, a short story that would make women rejoice for their womanhood and cheering them for giving men a run for their money. There are points I might make you reach for your Kleenex, but forgive me for you will laugh at so many moments they would make up for all my sins.</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">Best,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">Kobby</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaWO8w7P2QEK11sn3dfAsZ8PNuZx0tnHi3Mg4njc93hnYjF7LoBaWKWlV6dDt9NbCT8XXQC0adCYEcdu0kIZ7ld-rbLMAlhSYEifmEbDDUj82ebRIJq8kaz8ioqN38txXd6zbxeSnZ5Tf/s1600/Author+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaWO8w7P2QEK11sn3dfAsZ8PNuZx0tnHi3Mg4njc93hnYjF7LoBaWKWlV6dDt9NbCT8XXQC0adCYEcdu0kIZ7ld-rbLMAlhSYEifmEbDDUj82ebRIJq8kaz8ioqN38txXd6zbxeSnZ5Tf/s1600/Author+photo.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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You can find Kobby on Twitter @chicklitpad, on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/chicklitpad" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or on his <a href="http://chicklitpad.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">blog</a>.<br />
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Keep your eye out for I Don't Know How She Will Do It, which is scheduled for release on February 3rd, and if you'd like a sneak peak, be sure to enter the Rafflecopter below. Kobby is giving away three digital copies:<br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/756fa81/" id="rc-756fa81" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
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<br />Anna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605160473565068487.post-70371673662011790462013-11-22T11:34:00.002-08:002013-11-22T11:40:55.190-08:00Cover Reveal: Sugar Spun Sister by yours trulyHello, my little sugar cones!<br />
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I've been super busy getting my new book buffed and polished for release, and I'm super stoked to reveal the cover today! This one is a trilogy about three friends in San Francisco who make plans to open up an ice cream shop. The trilogy is called <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f9cb9c;">Sweet Dreams</span>, and this first book is called <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f9cb9c;">Sugar Spun Sister</span>. And now, for the cover....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5drcgKOPzPasNUrTCF1YPAZEYE3osNju4Gy8RbrZvAqkPXnMiarLPHPKMsfVsj62KrJqLh4m_XWXjjV1DYfRSjEoFJJRECXfqH16pvDEpFR0OnDbOsTK7Qf4eE_JNv512RI1vJm0nTjX/s3200/sugar+spun+sister+cover-1+slightly+smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5drcgKOPzPasNUrTCF1YPAZEYE3osNju4Gy8RbrZvAqkPXnMiarLPHPKMsfVsj62KrJqLh4m_XWXjjV1DYfRSjEoFJJRECXfqH16pvDEpFR0OnDbOsTK7Qf4eE_JNv512RI1vJm0nTjX/s640/sugar+spun+sister+cover-1+slightly+smaller.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
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And now for the blurb:<br />
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: Palatino;">Life isn’t exactly sweet
for Cricket Whittier. Her boss hates her, her work is soul-destroying, and the
sexy guy she’s hooking up with doesn’t want to date her. But this girl is far
from hopeless. When Cricket’s in the kitchen with her ice cream maker and a few
choice ingredients, her troubles slip away as she becomes a delectable
dessert-designing powerhouse. She loves it so much, she dreams of opening her
own ice cream shop one day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Palatino;">As it turns out, “one
day” just might be closer than she thinks. Propelled by the help and
encouragement of her best friends, Lindsay and Nora, Cricket starts making
plans to set up shop. Which is easier said than done what with the internal
squabbling, the sky-high costs, her parents forecasting failure and her
increasingly complicated love life. Despite all these hurdles, will Cricket be
able to make her sweet dreams come true? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<br />
I haven't set a definite release date yet, but it will definitely be out there before Christmas. Thanks for reading!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
AnnaAnna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605160473565068487.post-37604139014864289232013-11-10T23:59:00.000-08:002013-11-11T11:02:35.173-08:00Cover Reveal: Hard Hats and Doormats by Laura Chapman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1ASCk2IN-h_nYlIYoWEfN7iC_maO98AROBJsPaj3FaW5QErb1i7lj82GQmEb_tmmkC37RRfx-BZdGbQlYTNZWN1XcYw9DmHFlUFuV_pVcJJXMjam8C1rXHbelnQ7aBI2aqDXsdXE8Fmj/s1600/cover_reveal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1ASCk2IN-h_nYlIYoWEfN7iC_maO98AROBJsPaj3FaW5QErb1i7lj82GQmEb_tmmkC37RRfx-BZdGbQlYTNZWN1XcYw9DmHFlUFuV_pVcJJXMjam8C1rXHbelnQ7aBI2aqDXsdXE8Fmj/s320/cover_reveal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Hello, my little baked cloves! I'm super stoked to share this cover reveal today. Laura Chapman is one of my very favorite book bloggers, and this is her debut novel! Here you go. The cover of Hard Hats and Doormats:<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwsa4saSxAxqZLe4Vi77AMixqSAYR_TyiNIxiyVH3zG38BuqyMtAISSnmBfJ_rtxJISYJJx5UNJ9CSSkmO3AVZSpFqOkKfbrvJSewDo41gHFKqna8X2ou15Fa87SA99hiNWWx6B7fYIs3/s3200/Hard+Hats+and+Doormats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwsa4saSxAxqZLe4Vi77AMixqSAYR_TyiNIxiyVH3zG38BuqyMtAISSnmBfJ_rtxJISYJJx5UNJ9CSSkmO3AVZSpFqOkKfbrvJSewDo41gHFKqna8X2ou15Fa87SA99hiNWWx6B7fYIs3/s640/Hard+Hats+and+Doormats.jpg" width="412" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And now for the synopsis:</span><br />
<br />
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<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Lexi Burke has always been a stickler for following rules and
procedures. As a human resources manager for a leading Gulf Coast chemical
company, it’s her job to make sure everyone else falls in line, too. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">But after losing out on a big promotion––because her boss sees her
as too much of a yes-woman––Lexi adopts a new policy of following her heart
instead of the fine print. And her heart knows what it wants: Jason Beaumont, a
workplace crush who is off limits based on her previous protocol.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">While navigating a new romance and interoffice politics, Lexi must
find the confidence to stand on her own or face a lifetime of following someone
else’s orders.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Who says nice girls have to finish last?</span></i></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<br />
To celebrate the cover reveal for her debut novel, author Laura Chapman is sharing behind-the-scenes tidbits about the making of Hard Hats and Doormats here and on other blogs wiht her "Hard Hat Confessions."<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here's<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; line-height: 16px;">#</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 16px;"> </span></span>6:</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Visit </span></b><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://change-the-word.blogspot.com/2013/11/hardhatsanddoormatscover.html"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">http://change-the-word.blogspot.com/2013/11/hardhatsanddoormatscover.html</b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> for more “Hard Hat Confessions.”</b></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">About the author:</span></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-US">Laura Chapman
found a way to mix her love of romance and humor as a women’s fiction author
and blogger. A 2008 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Laura
studied journalism, English and history. She traveled across the United States
as a writer/photographer before settling into a career in communications. She
also maintains <a href="http://change-the-word.blogspot.com/">Change the Word</a>,
a blog devoted to promoting women’s fiction and documenting her experiences as
a writer. Born and raised in Nebraska – in a city, not on a farm – she is a
devoted fan of football, British period drama, writing in bars and her cats,
Jane and Bingley. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hard Hats and Doormats</i>
is her debut novel.</span></div>
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: large;">Connect with Laura<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.laurachapmanbooks.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> (http://www.laurachapmanbooks.com/)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://change-the-word.blogspot.com/">Blog</a> (http://change-the-word.blogspot.com/)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/changetheword.blogspot">Facebook</a> (https://www.facebook.com/laurachapmanbooks)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://twitter.com/lmchap">Twitter</a> (https://twitter.com/lmchap)</span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<br />Anna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605160473565068487.post-4150284292309666862013-10-22T00:15:00.000-07:002013-10-22T10:55:04.406-07:00Fat Girls and Fairy Cakes Meets Lying to Meet You in New York<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;">Baking Hot in Birmingham!</span></div>
<br />
My name's Stella and I'm a girl on the wrong side of forty, my marriage is in crisis, my daughter's a Goth. My mother's gone global (don't ask) and I'm about to lose my job as a TV producer.<br />
<br />
But hey, when I'm in that kitchen baking I don't give a damn. There's something about the combination of butter, sugar and flour that never lets you down, isn't there?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieAZM9cp7BlYZ2BY0AEyT380wG_gxL0vXuz2JXbNo0Fkj5UI6y5wCs7mK7wjsM3a_VXGbnEeRm-L8EXLQNXONgpKVvzyXGzQWieEB1iordSpqVbk5M1GOuoKiZlOprifwBdn1tiO_9GuWM/s3200/fgfc_cover-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieAZM9cp7BlYZ2BY0AEyT380wG_gxL0vXuz2JXbNo0Fkj5UI6y5wCs7mK7wjsM3a_VXGbnEeRm-L8EXLQNXONgpKVvzyXGzQWieEB1iordSpqVbk5M1GOuoKiZlOprifwBdn1tiO_9GuWM/s640/fgfc_cover-1.jpg" width="416" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Anyway, I've been corresponding with Chloe, the fashionista heroine from chicklit novel, 'Lying to Meet You' and having met up with her in New York recently, <a href="http://fatgirlsandfairycakes.blogspot.com/2013/10/stella-from-fat-girls-and-fairy-cakes.html" target="_blank">read about that experience here</a> I returned the favour and invited her to my favourite place in the UK, my kitchen. So as I said, I love to bake (and eat!) cacke, I am also 20 pounds too heavy (oh ok... so I lied, 30 pounds and counting!) Chloe is young, thin and pretty, so I shouldn't really have anything in common with her, but she's feisty and fun and loves cupcakes... what's not to love?<br />
<br />
I welcomed Chloe to the Midlands where I live near the city of Birmingham, famous in showbiz circles for being the birthplace of Ozzy Osbourne and David (Homeland) Harewood. After NYC, Birmingham is not the most inspiring place on Earth, but I took Chloe straight to my kitchen -- which is <i>very</i> inspiring! I didn't want her fretting about calories and working-out during her stay, so I told her to leave her trainers at the airport, as there would be no power-walking, sit-ups or spinning classes while she was with me. The only time I raise a sweat is when my oven's on and I'm baking a batch of delicious fairy cakes (you'll know them as cupcakes!)<br />
<br />
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Without giving too much of my story away, I am trying desperately to win a contract to bake cakes so I can leave my job as a TV producer (where I suffer daily at the hands of my nasty boss MJ). One of the contracts I'm working towards is the opening party for 'Strictly Come Dancing,' which you will know as 'Dancing with the Stars.' Like the US version, ours is a prime time treat of celebrities, glitz, music and dancing -- and there have been celebrity love affairs, scandals and sporting injuries along the way (you see, too much activity can damage a person -- proof).<br />
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Anyway, I'd invited Chloe to share some baking time and make two hundred chilli chocolate cha cha cakes for the 'Strictly Come Dancing' bid. I knew she'd appreciate the work that goes into my cakes and as she's into fashion I showed her some of my design sketches.<br />
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These cupcakes are sweet yet with a little sizzle, just like the dance. The paper cases are metallic red to suggest a hot scarlet dress and there's a hint of spicy chilli for some rather hot Latin dancing.<br />
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After a cup of coffee and a chat (I thought I had a complicated love life until Chloe told me about hers!) we began baking... with a little Latin influence in honour of the cha cha.<br />
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"Now," I said through cake crumbs (I was 'testing'); "Chloe, cream that cake batter, and start by letting your hips sway very slowly... feel that music pulse through your body and let those Latin rhythms take you as we cha cha round the kitchen."<br />
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Chloe really embraced this and and at one point was so enthusiastic, I had to move my porcelain balking bowl as she shimmied past the kitchen table a little too close and too fast!<br />
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While the cakes baked, I made hot coffee and opened my cake tin for Chloe to sample my latest 'Violent Violet Punk Rock Fairies.' These bright purple cupcakes with a Mohican top were recently created for a 70's theme night and I'm very proud of my recipe collection (to be found in Fat Girls and Fairy Cakes).<br />
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Once the cha chas were out of the oven and filling the room with warm, spicy chocolate aromas, we dressed them. I showed Chloe how to swirl warm, chocolate fondant on top of each one, (while gyrating -- of course) then we had great fun throwing on red sparkles and bling from a great height. Of course, the most vital part of baking is the testing -- and I am relentless in my cake research. So we both took several big chocolate chilli bites and danced the night away... who needs the gym when you can bake, bake, bake?<br />
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So, do I get that cake contract? Can I escape my hellish boss? Will I save my marriage and convince my daughter it's ok to wear pink? And can I stop my mother dating on Ebay?<br />
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It's all in the book 'Fat Girls and Fairy Cakes,' a story of love, loss, friendship and cake.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Here's a short excerpt if you'd like another little bite of fairy cakes...</span></div>
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<i>After a tough time, Stella's best friend Lizzie has taken her on holiday to relax... to Ibiza, where everyone is 21 and 'relaxing' is not on the menu...</i><br />
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"The brochure described our resort as 'famous for its old town, cobbled streets, tasty local sausage and fine linen'," I called through to Lizzie.<br />
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She laughed. "Sweetie, it is a bit younger than I thought but on the plus side, it's just full of <i>young</i> men. Babes, it's <i>Cougar Town</i> out there!"<br />
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I drank my tea in silence. So, Lizzie had already discovered what the brochure referred to as '<i>tasty local</i> <i>sausage</i>' and it was only the first night.<br />
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When we woke the following morning to the distant-yet-insistent beat of 'Veejay Bobbi' I stood on the steaming, concrete balcony and surveyed the scene. It was incredibly warm already and not yet ten. By the pool, a few late-night revellers had abandoned themselves to the sun-loungers and were sleeping off last night's orgasms on the beach and long hard screws against the wall (and no, I <i>don't</i> mean the cocktails).<br />
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As I sipped yet more comforting hot tea I heard Lizzie singing and rummaging around in the room. She was so used to travelling with work, she never bothered to unpack and by the end of the week her suitcase would look like an explosion in a dress shop, but as she pointed out, "a <i>designer</i> dress shop, darling." Anyway, from the already-detonated suitcase Lizzie had extracted a really stylish lime-green tankini which she was now sporting on the balcony with a matching silk sarong and a golden layer of 'Fake Bake'.<br />
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"Lizzie, you look gorgeous," I said, almost as green as her outfit with best-friend envy.<br />
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"I have a turquoise set too," she said. "You can borrow it if you like. It would go great with your blonde hair."<br />
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I looked at Lizzie's full, curvy shape, chin-length auburn bob and (despite years of Merlot and Marlboros) perfect skin, and smiled; she was so kind.<br />
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"I couldn't possibly look as lovely as you, Lizzie. I'd never get those lycra shorts over my bum. I'll stick to my big black upholstered costume, thanks."<br />
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Lizzie put down her cup and saucer and grabbed my wrist, gently but firmly dragging me inside the room.<br />
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"Madam," she said in a mock-stern voice. "You are looking good -- there's nothing better than a bit of marital trouble to make those pounds melt away."<br />
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She plucked the turquoise beach set from her exploded case and handed it to me. "Just try it on..."<br />
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****<br />
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<b>Can you really make a a living from indulging in your dreams?</b><br />
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TV Producer Stella Weston is over worked, overweight and under fire. Having battled uphill for years to balance her career with family life, she is repaid by being put out to pasture on a religious gardening programme -- complete with a nervous vicar, his nymphomaniac wife, and 22 stone Britney wannabe gardener, Gerald.<br />
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In the past, comfort has always been found at the bottom of her mixing bowl, but when even the most delicious lemon sponge with zesty frosting cannot save the day, Stella decides enough is enough.<br />
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However, finding the courage to quit is sometimes the easy part. Can you really turn a passion into a profession? Does more time at home actually give you a happier family life? Are men truly from Mars or another universe altogether?<br />
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Stella has to roll up her sleeves and find out -- when the going gets tough, the tough get baking...<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ea9999;">You can find Fat Girls and Fairy Cakes on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fat-Girls-Fairy-Cakes-ebook/dp/B005L92JB8" target="_blank">Amazon US</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fat-Girls-Fairy-Cakes-ebook/dp/B005L92JB8" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a>.</span></i>Anna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605160473565068487.post-74874194584071945032013-10-21T00:06:00.000-07:002013-10-21T00:06:25.632-07:00United Authors of Chick Lit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: large;">Hello, my little jet setters!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">Fasten your seatbelts and put your tray tables in the upright and locked position. Over the next few days, some of your favorite Chick Lit characters will be jetting across the Atlantic to visit with fictional friends on the other side of the pond.</span></div>
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On Tuesday, Oct. 22, read about Stella from <i>Fat Girls and Fairy Cakes</i> and Chloe from <i>Lying to Meet You</i> as they travel across the Atlantic to visit each other.<br />
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On Wednesday, Oct. 23, it's time to discover what happens when Emma from <i>The Polyanna Plan</i> and Kim from <i>Blogger Girl</i> meet.<br />
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On Thursday, Oct. 24, Izzy from <i>Izzy's Cold Feet</i> and Jamie from <i>Finding Lucas </i>will be taking you on a trip alongside their characters.<br />
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And on Friday, Oct. 25, Kate from <i>Sealed with a Kiss </i>and Pilar from <i>In Need of Therapy</i> will be chatting about their overseas experiences.<br />
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Here's a little sneak peek at the fun, frothy books and sassy gals featured in our international promo, all of which are priced at $3.99 or less:<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"><i>Finding Lucas</i> by Samantha Stroh Bailey</span> </b> Daytime talk show producer Jamie Ross is beyond fed up with her toxic bad boy turned metrosexual boyfriend. Spurred on by her gang of quirky friends, she goes on a hilarious, at-times disastrous, and totally life-changing hunt to track down "the one who got away." But are some loves best left behind? Available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Lucas-ebook/dp/B007VIIU6A/" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Finding-Lucas-Samantha-Stroh-Bailey-ebook/dp/B007VIIU6A" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> and <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/books/Finding-Lucas/-wfpLcDV6keHZR-T80qCUg" target="_blank">Kobo</a><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"><i>In Need of Therapy</i> by Tracie Banister</span> </b> Handling the problems of hysterical hypochondriacs, lovelorn neurotics, and compulsive man whores is all in a day's work for super-shrink Pilar Alvarez. But can she deal with her crazy Cuban family, a trio of unsuitable suitors, and a threat to her practice without ending up on the couch herself? Available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/In-Need-of-Therapy-ebook/dp/B008N6Z36Y" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/In-Need-of-Therapy-ebook/dp/B008N6Z36Y" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> and <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-need-of-therapy-tracie-banister/1112265620?ean=2940015006889" target="_blank">B&N</a>.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"><i>Lying to Meet You</i> by Anna Garner</span> </b> Overworked New York fashion girl Chloe Lane has no time for a real relationship, but when her childhood pal asks her to play the part of his girlfriend in order to test a theory, she decides to go for it. The lies start piling up and things start getting crazy. Will Chloe be able to keep it together? Available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lying-to-Meet-You-ebook/dp/B00EZR5M9I" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lying-to-Meet-You-ebook/dp/B00EZR5M9I" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> and <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lying-to-meet-you-anna-garner/1116838753?ean=2940148616924" target="_blank">B&N</a>.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"><i>Sealed with a Kiss</i> by Rachael Lucas</span></b> Kate breathes a sigh of relief when she's dumped at her best friend's wedding. When she takes a job on the island of Auchenmor, she's determined to have a year off men, but that's before she rescues Flora the seal pup with the help of Roddy, her mysterious new boss... Available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sealed-with-a-Kiss-ebook/dp/B00BE9EUW0/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealed-with-a-Kiss-ebook/dp/B00BE9EUW0/" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a>.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"><i>The Polyanna Plan</i> by Talli Roland</span></b> Emma Beckett has always looked down on 'the glass is half full' optimists. But when she loses her high-powered job and fiance, Emma makes a radical decision: from her on in, she'll attempt to see the upside, no matter how dire the situation. Can adopting a positive attitude give Emma the courage to build a new life, or is finding the good in everything a very bad idea? Available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Pollyanna-Plan-Talli-Roland-ebook/dp/B00AFAW2GK" target="_blank">Amazon</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Pollyanna-Plan-Talli-Roland-ebook/dp/B00AFAW2GK" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a>.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"><i>Blogger Girl</i> by Meredith Schorr</span></b> Kimberly Long has two passions: her successful chick lit blog and Nicholas, her handsome colleague down the hall. But when her high school nemesis pops onto the chick lit scene with a hot new book and eyes for Nicholas, Kim has to make some quick revisions to her own life story. Available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blogger-Girl-ebook/dp/B00EDTLDSW" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blogger-Girl-ebook/dp/B00EDTLDSW" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blogger-girl-meredith-schorr/1116358028?ean=2940148503125" target="_blank">B&N</a> and <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/blogger-girl/id686654939?mt=11" target="_blank">Apple iTunes</a>.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"><i>Izzy's Cold Feet</i> by Sarah Louise Smith</span></b> Izzy is engaged to Greg, who is everything a girl could want. The trouble is -- all she can think about is the men she loved before she met him. In the week leading up to her wedding day, Izzy is forced to ask herself who she loves the most. And, given the choice, who would she want to spend her life with? Available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Izzys-Cold-Sarah-Louise-Smith/dp/1909841005/" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Izzys-Cold-Sarah-Louise-Smith/dp/1909841005/" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/izzys-cold-feet-sarah-louise-smith/1116263752" target="_blank">B&N</a> and <a href="http://uk.nook.com/ebooks/izzys-cold-feet-by-sarah-louise-smith/2940045154499" target="_blank">UK Nook</a>.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;"><i>Fat Girls and Fairy Cakes </i>by Sue Watson</span></b> TV Producer Stella is overworked, overweight and under fire battling to balance family, career and those weighing scales. In the past she's always found comfort at the bottom of her mixing bowl but now the most delicious lemon sponge with zesty frosting has no effect. However, life is about to get tougher... and Stella has to face some truths about herself, her life and her future. Available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fat-Girls-Fairy-Cakes-ebook/dp/B005L92JB8" target="_blank">Amazon</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fat-Girls-Fairy-Cakes-Watson-ebook/dp/B005L92JB8" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a>.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc; font-size: large;"><b>SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:</b></span></div>
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Tuesday, Oct. 22<br />
Stella will be on <a href="http://libby-mercer.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">my blog</a> and Chloe will be on <a href="http://fatgirlsandfairycakes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sue Watson's blog</a>.<br />
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Wednesday, Oct. 23<br />
Emma will be on <a href="http://meredithschorr.com/blog/" target="_blank">Meredith Schorr's blog</a> and Kim will be on <a href="http://talliroland.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Talli Roland's blog</a>.<br />
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Thursday, Oct. 24<br />
Izzy will be on <a href="http://samanthastrohbailey.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Samantha Stroh Bailey's blog</a> and Jamie will be on <a href="http://sarahlouisesmith.com/" target="_blank">Sarah Louise Smith's blog</a>.<br />
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Friday, Oct. 25<br />
Kate will be on <a href="http://traciebanister.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tracie Banister's blog</a> and Pilar will be on <a href="http://rachaellucas.com/blog/" target="_blank">Rachael Lucas's blog</a>.<br />
<br />Anna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605160473565068487.post-23904396624365404012013-10-03T12:30:00.000-07:002013-10-03T12:31:38.315-07:00Cover Reveal: Vegas to Varanasi by Shelly HickmanHello, my little pumpkin seeds!<br />
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I'm so stoked to share with you the cover of my author pal, Shelly Hickman's upcoming romantic comedy, <i>Vegas to Varanasi</i>. And here it is:<br />
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I just love it when the characters are smiling on the cover of a book. A sure sign that the story will make me smile! Here's the blurb:<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Anna has never been the beautiful one; she’s
always been the nice one. So when the gorgeous man sitting across the table at
a wedding reception remembers her from high school—and quite fondly at
that—she’s taken off guard. Formerly overweight and unpopular, Kiran has never
forgotten Anna, the one person who was kind to him when no one else could be
bothered, and Anna’s a bit flustered as she slowly comes to grips with his intense
attraction for her. In what feels like a romantic dream come true,
all-grown-up, hunky Kiran invites Anna on a trip to Varanasi. But her troubled,
whack-a-do ex-boyfriend starts interfering, creating drama at every turn, which
begs the question, “Can nice girls really finish first?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Well, I'm sold! Love the idea of a humble heroine, not to mention enduring childhood crushes and whack-a-do, troublemaking characters. And the fact that the heroine's name is Anna is pretty cool too. I'm just sayin'...<br />
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And now I would like to introduce the lovely Shelly Hickman:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8HVKw-6A3PFBJnbX5e1-JhQ-pbAUdRYif-B1uyUhyphenhyphen47_mAuJNRdnGWqh24DLnVEt6wYDKAou94IUGFoIfl3w3utUWiQXO2FczNy2UyijXWJLLuThkjpRvDudgOn9w7bOMklytmXYxR0Q/s1600/author+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8HVKw-6A3PFBJnbX5e1-JhQ-pbAUdRYif-B1uyUhyphenhyphen47_mAuJNRdnGWqh24DLnVEt6wYDKAou94IUGFoIfl3w3utUWiQXO2FczNy2UyijXWJLLuThkjpRvDudgOn9w7bOMklytmXYxR0Q/s320/author+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here's a little bit about her:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Living in Las Vegas since she was two, Shelly Hickman has witnessed many changes in the city over the years. She graduated from UNLV with a Bachelor of Art in 1990, and in her early twenties worked as an illustrator for a contractor for the Nevada Test Site.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">In the mid-90s, she returned to school to earn her Masters degree in Elementary Education. She now teaches computer literacy and media technology at a middle school in Las Vegas. She loves to write about people, examining their flaws, their humor, spirituality, and personal growth. Shelly lives with her husband, two children, and their dog, Frankie. </span><br />
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You can find Shelly on her <a href="http://www.shellyhickman.net/" target="_blank">website</a>, on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shelly-Hickman/219166834770664" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, on <a href="https://twitter.com/shellyhickman" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and on <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5814237.Shelly_Hickman" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>.<br />
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Thanks, Shelly, for including me in your cover release! Until next time...<br />
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Love,<br />
AnnaAnna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605160473565068487.post-71447150432804508902013-09-26T14:00:00.001-07:002013-09-26T14:03:46.196-07:00Getting into the Spirit of the HolidaysHello, my little gingersnaps!<br />
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I'm super excited to share the fabulous cover for Merry & Bright, the upcoming holiday anthology from Simon & Fig, which includes a short story by yours truly. Isn't it lovely?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAGmZw3btp1NBc92jCEEQzW-eJslq4XGvwUuqWOunNZqvUrtNWqD8BV1YmX3H-jC_DGaTojrQlLWjaQ020VH6OfRVpaw8rMHLFv8r5Q4XWAXp_obqsWYetj8tl8Txpi_W1xWbKk3sbw-1/s3200/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAGmZw3btp1NBc92jCEEQzW-eJslq4XGvwUuqWOunNZqvUrtNWqD8BV1YmX3H-jC_DGaTojrQlLWjaQ020VH6OfRVpaw8rMHLFv8r5Q4XWAXp_obqsWYetj8tl8Txpi_W1xWbKk3sbw-1/s640/image.jpeg" width="420" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ffe599;">Sip your eggnog, linger under the mistletoe, and make a Christmas wish. Merry & Bright brings you six tales of Christmas cheer, featuring stories of budding romances, Southern charm, lost loves, heaps of humor, and lots of pie by authors Isabella Louise Anderson, Cindy Arora, Laura Chapman, Lauren Clark, Libby Mercer, and Nancy Scrofano. From sunny Los Angeles to the Rocky Mountains to the Deep South, Merry & Bright will take you on a heartwarming adventure you'll love to visit again and again. Wrap yourself in holiday mirth and prepare to be swept off your feet.</span></div>
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I had so much fun working on my story. It's called "Secret Santa" and it takes place in St. Louis, Missouri, the city I grew up in and this is the first time I've set one of my stories in my hometown. So I hope you'll "meet me in St. Louis" when the anthology is released in November. Pardon the cheesy reference. I just couldn't resist!<br />
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More details to come.<br />
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Love,<br />
Anna/LibbyAnna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605160473565068487.post-39541597358263451012013-09-08T19:48:00.002-07:002013-09-08T23:28:55.389-07:00This Just In!Hello, my little bookworms!<br />
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<b>Lying to Meet You</b> has flown the nest and is now out there for public consumption. The whole thing was a bit nerve-wracking since it's the first book under my real name and all. I'm happy to report that the feedback has been fabulous. So far. A little afraid of jinxing myself! I'll just paste some highlights from the reviews and let them speak for themselves. But first, here's another look at the cover:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhU6mOMm2kpcY3GqHNlAIk3IcPWmDurAQ8IS7zTnCXA8lgs1dJ68moxYXblFOCYhiFszjaYA90uBKdAP09S20W7z3TVYU6ztYr6LpdMIDs3lRPu_XV4EuPbVrlx_P-4qY7ltwL1pF9-XL/s3200/Lying+to+meet+you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhU6mOMm2kpcY3GqHNlAIk3IcPWmDurAQ8IS7zTnCXA8lgs1dJ68moxYXblFOCYhiFszjaYA90uBKdAP09S20W7z3TVYU6ztYr6LpdMIDs3lRPu_XV4EuPbVrlx_P-4qY7ltwL1pF9-XL/s640/Lying+to+meet+you.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
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And now for a few tasty tidbits from my reviewers with links to their posts:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.idsoratherbereading.com/2013/09/book-review-lying-to-meet-you-by-anna.html#.Ui05feCbMTO" target="_blank">"I loved everything about this fun, quirky read. Lying to Meet You is smart, sassy chick lit."</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://michellesbooknook.blogspot.com/2013/09/review-lying-to-meet-you-by-anna-garner.html" target="_blank">"The hijinks that ensue are laugh out loud and exactly what you are hoping to read in a chick lit book."</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://chicklitvfantasy.wordpress.com/2013/08/18/lying-to-meet-you/" target="_blank">"I just couldn't put the book down."</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://susan-thebookbag.blogspot.com/2013/09/release-day-lying-to-meet-you-by-anna.html" target="_blank">"Anna has written another wonderful, fun story...read in one sitting. It was that enticing."</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://beckiesbookmix.blogspot.com/2013/09/review-lying-to-meet-you.html" target="_blank">"Chloe was the perfect character to take me on a tour of New York! This book was unputdownable."</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://everyfreechance.com/2013/09/review-lying-to-meet-you-by-anna-garner.html" target="_blank">"Lying to Meet You was a great read. It had everything that I love in chick lit."</a></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://shelireads.wordpress.com/2013/09/05/lying-to-meet-you/" target="_blank">"Chloe has a little feel of Bridget Jones to her."</a></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2013/09/lying-to-meet-you-by-anna-garner-author.html" target="_blank">"Includes hilarious antics, mishaps and dilemmas that keeps the reader laughing out loud."</a></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://chicklitplus.com/book-review-lying-meet-anna-garner/" target="_blank">"True to fashion, this book is witty and sweet and the characters were very well written."</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://fabulousbookfiend.blogspot.com/2013/09/review-lying-to-meet-you-by-anna-garner.html" target="_blank">"This is chick lit at its best...I loved it."</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://mebookshelfandi.co.uk/2013/09/05/review-lying-to-meet-you/" target="_blank">"A great chick lit read that keeps you on your toes throughout."</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://donnasroomforreading.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/lying-to-meet-you-anna-garner.html" target="_blank">I really enjoyed it, would highly recommend it and am eagerly awaiting more from Anna Garner!</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.chicklitpad.blogspot.com/2013/08/book-review-lying-to-meet-you-by-anna.html" target="_blank">"Really, there's never a dull moment."</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://candy-m.blogspot.com/2013/09/lying-to-meet-you-by-anna-garner-my.html" target="_blank">"Lying to Meet You is a humorous (I found myself laughing out loud a few times!), sexy, fun story!"</a></span></div>
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Okay, I'd better stop now before I get <b><i>too</i></b> carried away! But I'm beyond happy that Lying to Meet You is being warmly received, and I had to share.<br />
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Love,<br />
AnnaAnna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605160473565068487.post-21281460367578512852013-09-01T15:17:00.001-07:002013-09-01T15:18:02.718-07:00Just Four Days to Go!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrrlJAIX1wu_f7xtDyIoODs1YAKsoa6CcM2yYT7HWNObDSbxBdWMEE-3AEluQ6toor6rX_OSatSLACnpNoXcTjaPn4rWTZsTd0SV6eYtuj2W30NBdm9jkV_nsVtNHUTdAqUqYX161ZYmu/s2400/uredjenje-doma-nagradne-igre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrrlJAIX1wu_f7xtDyIoODs1YAKsoa6CcM2yYT7HWNObDSbxBdWMEE-3AEluQ6toor6rX_OSatSLACnpNoXcTjaPn4rWTZsTd0SV6eYtuj2W30NBdm9jkV_nsVtNHUTdAqUqYX161ZYmu/s480/uredjenje-doma-nagradne-igre.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Hello, my little Swarovski crystals!<br />
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Things are a bit manic at HQ, of course, getting all these last-minute things together before publication next week. I wanted to pop in here to share something I'm super excited about though. Kelli, the illustrious review blogger from <a href="http://www.idsoratherbereading.com/" target="_blank">I'd So Rather Be Reading</a>, has chosen Lying to Meet You as her <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">Book of the Month</span> read for August! I am absolutely over the moon here. What an honor!! Check out the post <a href="http://www.idsoratherbereading.com/2013/08/book-of-month-august-2013.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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I'd get back to work. Just wanted to share my fabulous news!<br />
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Love,<br />
Anna<br />
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Anna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605160473565068487.post-75634810913838117432013-08-11T14:22:00.001-07:002013-08-11T14:25:54.132-07:00Lying To Meet You: the Cover and BlurbHello, my little fashionistas!<br />
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Things are crazed here (as per usual) and I did my official cover reveal a couple of days ago, but I definitely wanted to also post my fab new cover here on this blog. I am so in love with it. Sue Traynor designed this one for me as well, and she's so amazing. Feast your eyes on this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5Z4bEQba7s_nruw9vXhXAFTlj4d_AYVc0xTbj5TxutJ01Nodr0IWxyOF7ZvQONGf4nvfgFm6zam6qw7MrvKNYUFT7lrQVvP_kajrPZmMT_PHD46u7C4Dc7H_aRebHKnmIJSCHP3dtwMv/s3200/Lying+to+meet+you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5Z4bEQba7s_nruw9vXhXAFTlj4d_AYVc0xTbj5TxutJ01Nodr0IWxyOF7ZvQONGf4nvfgFm6zam6qw7MrvKNYUFT7lrQVvP_kajrPZmMT_PHD46u7C4Dc7H_aRebHKnmIJSCHP3dtwMv/s640/Lying+to+meet+you.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
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And here's the blurb:<br />
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<div align="center" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Does being in a relationship make you a hot commodity in the eyes of would-be suitors?</span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><br /></span></i>
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><br /></span></i></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Chloe Lane is about to find out. When her childhood pal, Ethan Webster, asks her to play the part of his girlfriend in order to test this theory, she reluctantly agrees. As a work-crazed fashion designer, boutique owner and soon-to-be reality show judge, Chloe has no time for a real boyfriend, but being part of a faux pair will do just fine. Not that she has any intention of trying to attract someone else.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">However…</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Opportunity unexpectedly knocks when Chloe meets fellow reality judge, William Shannon. Super successful and super sexy, this high-powered entrepreneur inspires Chloe to test Ethan’s theory herself. Now, on top of keeping her fashion business productive, carving out a new role as a television personality, maintaining a fake relationship and attempting to lay the groundwork for a future relationship, she’s lying to William, lying to her friends, lying to her family and quite possibly lying to herself. Will Chloe be able to keep it all together, or are things about to explode?</span></div>
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Only 25 days to go until release date. Eek! For anyone who'd like to add it on his/her Goodreads list, you can find the link <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18211375-lying-to-meet-you" target="_blank">here</a> (and I'd really appreciate it!) :-)<br />
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Okay, I'd better get back to work. Lots to do!!<br />
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Love,<br />
AnnaAnna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605160473565068487.post-47625336774641655932013-07-25T12:43:00.002-07:002013-07-25T12:44:50.017-07:00Cover Makeover: Is This All There Is?Hello my little kitty cats!<br />
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I'm thrilled today to share the brand new cover for Is <i>This All There Is?</i> by the lovely Patricia Mann. And now, without any further ado... ta da!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuuBp3U9CA3_qBZU8JHhk1s39fD4Lvn4H6fQD1kHRQOw_rHUM9ToLWoC_GjQbOU9XAESXuBnt9EXvMhShtLYKb_S4YpQNrr_MBppyryxzWlTZWXDGVmZiPC34fMy2L8JzIOKlHNbmbgaw/s3200/iTaTI-NewCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuuBp3U9CA3_qBZU8JHhk1s39fD4Lvn4H6fQD1kHRQOw_rHUM9ToLWoC_GjQbOU9XAESXuBnt9EXvMhShtLYKb_S4YpQNrr_MBppyryxzWlTZWXDGVmZiPC34fMy2L8JzIOKlHNbmbgaw/s640/iTaTI-NewCover.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
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I love it! You can just tell it's a gripping, emotional read (and a sexy one) can't you? Here's the blurb:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d5a6bd;">Beth Thomas has the perfect life. At thirty-five, she's married to her college sweetheart, has two adorable kids, and teaches part time at the local university. But when a friend persuades Beth to go dancing on a rare night out, a chance meeting with twenty one year old Dave, one of her former students, changes the course of her life. Loud music, too much to drink, and the thrill of feeling young again lead to an unforgettable kiss that was never supposed to happen. As she tries to put the memory behind her, Dave's pursuit leaves Beth torn between what her mind says is right and what her heart and her body crave.</span><br />
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I cannot wait to read this one. And you must out the book trailer for this book <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT6uSuyFIuM" target="_blank">here</a>. The music is perfect. Really makes you want to jump right in and find out what happens to Beth.<br />
<br />
From the press release:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d5a6bd;">Is This All There Is contains 206 pages of an everyday woman's real life struggles, rewards and temptations and how she navigates her responsibilities, expectations and desires as a woman, wife, mother and professor.</span><br />
<br />
And for a final treat, here's the full cover for the printed version:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1LBYU1S_9Qx2rf5IHDWCy9ofWu4AytjvCYI-3l4BGFiZsNwWsPoyJdtqqWe2PtQdp_d4M4tvcJKs0OaIhtmwjCsIzYKoCztHfJASKOgwjuy1x1RChm-I_MJ8ZQFprhNAkZ-Xa0nDH5qV/s2667/iTaTI-FullCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1LBYU1S_9Qx2rf5IHDWCy9ofWu4AytjvCYI-3l4BGFiZsNwWsPoyJdtqqWe2PtQdp_d4M4tvcJKs0OaIhtmwjCsIzYKoCztHfJASKOgwjuy1x1RChm-I_MJ8ZQFprhNAkZ-Xa0nDH5qV/s533/iTaTI-FullCover.jpg" width="533" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So fabulously atmospheric, don't you think? Congratulations, Patricia, on your fab new cover!!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
LibbyAnna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605160473565068487.post-73476290375502703302013-07-15T00:45:00.001-07:002013-07-15T00:49:28.349-07:00Author Interview: Kamy Chetty Hello my little lollipops! Today I've got Kamy Chetty on my blog, who's had three of her red hot romances published. Read on to learn more about her writing experience, the way her nursing career influences her writing, and, of course, read on to find out more about her sizzling stories!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhX25oe1r_WWFqh4wCa27Kh3NnK30IszDvF6e1BMV3igdJEdI3nvatpBwSswMSS8Dp24trlL2TYvmRZ7VmWxiuJgBPlxjk7oTwl3JBjHOv0G8MGOUkYTS35ZEH0rGmtmFychFBZycuBcuF/s1600/kamy_photo1-300x234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhX25oe1r_WWFqh4wCa27Kh3NnK30IszDvF6e1BMV3igdJEdI3nvatpBwSswMSS8Dp24trlL2TYvmRZ7VmWxiuJgBPlxjk7oTwl3JBjHOv0G8MGOUkYTS35ZEH0rGmtmFychFBZycuBcuF/s1600/kamy_photo1-300x234.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Libby Mercer: Welcome to
my blog, Kamy! I understand that you work as a nurse. It’s great that you have
the professional experience to authenticate the medical aspect of your stories.
Are there any real-life situations that you’ve used in your books?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kami Chetty: Some of
the medical situations are similar to those situations I have worked in, and there
are those I have fabricated. The characters are all fictional.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LM: Do your
colleagues at the health service you work at read your books, and if so, do
they try to look for themselves in your fictional characters?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">KC: My books
are based in a private hospital situation but all my colleagues and family read
the book looking for a character that might be them but there is no character
that resembles them at all. My books are an escape from work and life and I
would hate for it to imitate real life in any way. That being said, my husband
would like to think every hero has some of him in the characterJ</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LM: About the
cover of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Breathe Again</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, hello! Am I
right to assume this is a red hot read?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">KC: You would be
absolutely right. I had a hard time coming to terms with the fact that I write
very, very hot romances, steamy sex scenes that are classed as erotic romance.
I still go around saying, but it’s just very steamy sex scenes and everyone
else says, no it’s off the charts hot. Who knows how they class it? All I know
is I write an emotional story with steamy sex, you make up your mindJ</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LM: The cover
of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Family Ties</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is so different. Is
this more on the sweeter side or are there some sizzling scenes in this one as
well?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">KC: This one
also has steamy sex scenes but I thought it would be a nice touch to let this
book have a family feel to it. I’m not sure I know how to write sweet romanceJ</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LM: How long ago did you start writing?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">KC: I have
been writing all my life. When I wasn’t writing in diaries, I was writing poems
and short stories but I quit for a long time after I had children and life got
in the way. Then I started again eleven years ago. I was reading a book and got
frustrated with a lacklustre plot which had me throwing the book across the
room thinking, I can do better than this. The dream of being published started at
that moment, and I worked at it until that dream came true.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LM: Did you
always want to be an author or did you get there in a roundabout sort of way?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">KC: When I was
five, I knew that I was going to be a nurse. That was it. There was no other
path for me. So I am not sure how my passion for writing tied in with my
nursing but somewhere along the way writing became my release and a way to get
lost in my own world. There are so many times when I am challenged as to which
profession I love more, but the beauty is I never have to choose.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LM: Tell me,
do you have any wild or wacky writing quirks?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">KC: No wild
writing quirks but I have to have my coffee, music and a clear writing space
with a pen/pencil and pad to scribble notes</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LM: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Who are some of your
favorite authors?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">KC: There are
quite a few, Maya Banks, Nalini Singh, Amy Andrews, Jodi Picoult, Dean Koontz,
Robin Cook, Stephen King</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LM: What’s
your all-time favorite opening line?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">KC: Jack Torrance thought: Officious little prick. Stephen King-
The Shining</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LM: What’s
your ultimate professional dream? Bestselling author status? Hollywood film
adaptation? Total world domination? All of the above?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">KC: Total
world domination would be boring, I’d hate to have to give up all the time I’d
need for shopping to have to rule the world. So maybe become a bestselling
author and have my book turned into a movie so I could have more funds to shop</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LM: What’s
your next project? Are you working on a new book right now?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">KC: My next
project is a sequel to my first book Falling into Paradise. Watch this spaceJ</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Read on for The Lightning Round, but first a peek at the caliente cover of <i>Breathe Again</i>:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgut2pLHexzTJSB8-vhEcLVjGeiCzbVX40mPHl5uv8CRHFlEldRltiLQ4DoE33lu8xUxSj3V-9O_tlalqQGugZfE1WH59DKqJcsZiBqUYKl9PTeFfGigufS2pTdhybnXBzC0JE61rIkXTaj/s3200/breathe.again_.final_.laceysmall.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgut2pLHexzTJSB8-vhEcLVjGeiCzbVX40mPHl5uv8CRHFlEldRltiLQ4DoE33lu8xUxSj3V-9O_tlalqQGugZfE1WH59DKqJcsZiBqUYKl9PTeFfGigufS2pTdhybnXBzC0JE61rIkXTaj/s640/breathe.again_.final_.laceysmall.jpeg" width="382" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
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</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and now for... THE LIGHTNING ROUND</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plotter or
Panster?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Both</b></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Character first or Plot first?<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
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<b>Character </b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Mac or PC?
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><b>PC</b></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Edit as
you go or Power Through and edit later? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Edit later</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Early bird or Night owl? <span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Night owl</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Coffee or
Tea? <span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Coffee</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Coke or
Pepsi? <span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Coke</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sandals or
Stilettos? <span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<o:p><b>Sandals</b></o:p></div>
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Diamonds
or Pearls? <span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<o:p><b>Diamonds</b></o:p></div>
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Snow-capped
mountain or Sandy beach? <span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<o:p><b>Sandy beach</b></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Cowboys or
CEOs? <span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><b>Both</b></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Ginger or
Mary Ann? <span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><b>Mary Ann</b></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Superman
or Batman? <span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><b>Superman</b></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Alpha
heroes or Beta heroes? <span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<o:p><b>Alpha</b></o:p></div>
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Austen or
the Brontes? <span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><b>Austen</b></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Mr. Darcy
or Captain Butler?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Mr. Darcy</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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KC: Thanks for
hosting me, this has been so much fun and I absolutely love your coversJ<span style="font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Rounded MT Bold"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><br /></span></span></div>
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LM: My pleasure! Thanks so much for being here, Kamy, and thanks a million about my covers. You've just made my day!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Folks, you can visit Kamy's website <a href="http://www.kamychetty.com/" target="_blank">here</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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And her Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KamyChettyAuthorPage" target="_blank">here</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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And you'll find her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/kamychetty" target="_blank">here</a></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Anna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605160473565068487.post-64215171278441686422013-07-12T13:20:00.000-07:002013-07-12T13:20:53.683-07:00No News is Good News<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
Or at least that's what I'm telling myself to justify the fact that I blog so infrequently...<br />
<br />
Hello my little party poppers!<br />
<br />
Things are truly insane these days. Since I last checked in, I've been working on my ice cream girls trilogy, finishing up a short story I wrote for Simon & Figg's holiday anthology, and done some promo for The Karmic Connection.<br />
<br />
These days I'm working on prepping Lying to Meet You for its upcoming release: just signed off on the final cover art, which I love (yay!) and now I'm contacting reviewers and trying to secure the rights to use some song lyrics. (Fingers crossed.) Soon I'll need to start building the Anna Garner platform - just created a Facebook page, and I'll need a Twitter account too. I will probably end up turning this blog into a Libby/Anna thing because I don't think I'll be able to manage two different author blogs. We shall see.<br />
<br />
The Lying to Meet You cover reveal is scheduled for August 9th and I cannot wait to share it with you!!<br />
<br />
Hope you're all doing well and enjoying the summer. I just wanted to pop in and say hi, let you know I haven't fallen off the face of the earth!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
LibbyAnna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605160473565068487.post-31278592554181049122013-05-20T00:12:00.000-07:002013-05-20T00:14:44.703-07:00What's On Page 25?Hello my little dew drops!<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
It's that time of year again: International Chick Lit Month. I'm super stoked to be participating in this fabulously fun blog hop, and we have a seriously awesome prize we're giving away. A Kindle Keyboard 3G with free 3G + Wi-Fi and a 6" E Ink Display <b>and</b> a copy of all the books by the authors participating on the tour! Now, onto what's happening on page 25 of <i>The Karmic Connection</i>...<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
Poor Adam. I spend a great deal of the first part of this novel torturing this guy. First he's yanked from his office in the middle of the night and thrown into a chauffeur driven car bound for where? He doesn't know. He arrives at a wellness center deep in the woods of Vermont where there's no coffee and no way of communicating with the outside world. He's miserable, stuck up there with (according to him) a bunch of New Age whack jobs when all he wants to do is work.<br />
<br />
Page 25 is actually the first page of Chapter 2. Adam has just met Lorraine - the beautiful, but flightly weirdo who introduced herself as his "wellness guide". He's sitting on the grass outside the big old farmhouse, feeling very sorry for himself. (Win the grand prize! The eleventh secret word in the 27-word sentence is: chick.) He's wondering what's going on in the office and cursing his bad luck for being imprisoned at the wellness center. To make matters worse, one of the weirdest of the weirdos staying at the center is intruding in his personal space.<br />
<br />
So there you have it! Now, onto the subject of our Grand Prize giveaway: if you're a little unsure how to go about entering the drawing, be sure to check this fantastic post written by Julie (our fearless leader) with excellent instructions on how to go about collecting the secret words. You'll find that post <a href="http://www.julievalerie.com/2013/05/12/chick-lit-author-blog-hop-starts-may-20/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading and happy hopping!!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Libby<br />
<br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/63e38518/" id="rc-63e38518" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><br />
<br />
<script src="http://www.simply-linked.com/listwidget.aspx?l=29d76a8c-fa5c-46a4-ac65-b5dc00799393" type="text/javascript"></script>Anna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605160473565068487.post-70394902466137252792013-05-03T01:39:00.001-07:002013-05-03T15:00:15.155-07:00I've Been Through the Desert on a Book with No Name...Sorry, I just couldn't help myself. I can't get that song out of my head.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<b>Hello my little brainiacs!</b><br />
<br />
I need your help. I'm polishing up the next story I'm planning to release, but there's only so much I can do at this point because I cannot come up with a decent title for it! I finished this book way back in 2009, and the title I've been using for it is <i>Playing House</i>. You'll see why in a sec. But I don't love <i>Playing House</i>. In fact, I kind of hate it. So I'm sending this one out into the cyberworld in the hopes that someone will be able to come up with the <i>right</i> title, the <i>one</i>. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>If you happen to suggest the title that I end up using, here's what I'm thinking:</u></b><br />
<br />
<b>1) You'll get a mention on the acknowledgments page of the Book with No Name (yet)</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>2) You'll get a free copy of the Book with No Name (yet) e-book or print - your choice</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>3) You'll get a character named after you in one of my future books. It can be your first name, your last name or both. Or if you're not comfortable with this, I can use any other name you like. Want me to name a character after your dog or cat? I can work with that!</b><br />
<br />
<br />
Sound good, I hope? Now, I need to tell you a little bit about the Book with No Name. Here's a rough description of the setup:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">Does being in a couple make one a hot commodity in the eyes of would-be suitors?</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b6d7a8;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b6d7a8;">Chloe Lane has her hands full. She runs a fashion wholesale business as well as managing her own boutique, so her love life (or lack thereof) is the furthest thing from her mind. When her childhood pal, Ethan Webster, asks her to pretend to be his girlfriend in order to test this theory, she reluctantly agrees. Not that she has any intention of trying to attract someone else. She just wants to help out her friend. Ethan already has his heart set on a woman he works with. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b6d7a8;">However...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b6d7a8;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b6d7a8;">When Chloe agrees to judge a new reality show, she finds herself instantly smitten with fellow judge, William Shannon, a tech whiz millionaire who looks like Superman. Since opportunity is knocking, Chloe decides to test the theory herself, orchestrating a casually flirtatious relationship with William that gradually intensifies.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b6d7a8;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b6d7a8;">So things get increasingly complicated as Chloe maintains her faux relationship, attempts to lay the groundwork for a future relationship, works hard to keep her fashion business productive, carves out her new role as a television personality and struggles with keeping track of all of the lies. By posing as a couple, she and Ethan are lying to their families and their best friends, and the lies just keep stacking up, one after another. </span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b6d7a8;"><br /></span>
<br />
<b>More information:</b><br />
<br />
I chose <i>Playing House</i> as the working title because Chloe and Ethan have been friends since they were three years old. And there's this bit in the book when Chloe is musing on how it's sometimes difficult to separate Ethan the adult from Ethan the child. I'm sure you can see where I was going with the title, but... meh. I don't think it works.<br />
<br />
I also considered <i>Bizarre Love Quadrangle</i> as a possibility. It works as far as the plot goes, and it's a twist on the New Order song title, "Bizarre Love Triangle". But it's definitely not the right title for this book. Unless you're familiar with New Order, it just sounds weird.<br />
<br />
I thought I might play with the Superman theme in the title. William Shannon is repeatedly described as the "millionaire Superman". He looks like Superman (as portrayed by Christopher Reeve). Ethan is basically Clark Kent. Although not awkward and nerdy, he is unpretentious and somewhat wholesome. And also, he works as a journalist at the <i>New York Times</i>. As for Chloe... well, her last name is Lane. I think it could be really fun to work the Superman angle into the title, but so far I haven't come up with anything good.<br />
<br />
I absolutely love book titles that sort of twist old titles or sayings (<i>Misery Loves Cabernet, The Misfortune Cookie, The Kitchen Shrink</i>).<br />
<br />
And I really love titles that just sort of hit you with a POW (<i>Dancing Naked in Dixie, Sleeping with Ward Cleaver</i>). How could you <i>not</i> click to see what those books are about when they have such excellent titles?<br />
<br />
I know this is a lot of information, folks. I hope some of you feel up to this challenge! I feel like that perfect title is out there somewhere, but I've been trying to catch hold of it for four years now and it's been out of my reach. So if you would put your thinking caps on, my little lovelies, and answer my call for help, I would be super, super grateful.<br />
<br />
If you have any suggestions, please post them in the comments section. Thanks!<br />
<br />
Oh, and just in case you're not sure what I'm talking about with the "been through the desert on a book with no name" post title, here's a link: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm4BrZjY_Sg" target="_blank">America video</a>. My parents were hippies. Sort of.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
LibbyAnna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605160473565068487.post-37929489206025445612013-04-26T12:51:00.000-07:002013-04-26T12:52:37.461-07:00The Karmic Connection is Live!Hello my little lavender sprigs!<br />
<br />
Well, it's been a crazy past few weeks, but I'm super happy to tell you The Karmic Connection is uploaded and on sale at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Karmic-Connection-ebook/dp/B00CIY1OEW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1366923034&sr=8-4&keywords=the+karmic+connection" target="_blank">Amazon</a> and <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-karmic-connection-libby-mercer/1115196368?ean=2940016521626&isbn=2940016521626" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>. I just love the cover so much, I have to paste it in this post too. :-)<br />
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<br />
<br />
And so far I've gotten some truly wonderful reviews. Here's a little taste of what my reviewers have to say about the new book:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;">"The backdrop setting was delightful and so very calm , it was as if the author let me get rid of my own stress just as her characters are meant to do. I loved how the author let the calm and peace of Luna shine from the residents there to help others, by using it's tranquillity to transform the characters."</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;">- Desere Steenberg, reviewer for Romance Book Heaven</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">"Once again, Libby has another hit on her hands! The Karmic Connection is a wonderful look into the lives of two people who could not be more different."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;">- Susan, reviewer for The Book Bag</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;">"All in all, The Karmic Connection is a very refreshing and entertaining read. You'll start it and won't be able to stop until the last page has been devoured, just perfect for a lazy afternoon."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;">- Charlotte, reviewer for BestChickLit.com</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
AND it's just $1.99 on both sites right now. I will probably be raising it up to $2.99 in the next couple of weeks. Not sure yet. I'll see how it goes. But for now, it's a definite steal. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
LibbyAnna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605160473565068487.post-13326515021562061102013-04-20T03:52:00.001-07:002013-04-20T03:53:37.629-07:00Guest Blogger: Jacqui JacobyHello, my little raindrops!<br />
<br />
I'm busy doing all the last minute pre-release stuff for <i>The Karmic Connection</i> (can't believe launch day is in 5 days!) and things are naturally insane, so I'm particularly pleased to welcome Jacqui Jacoby today as a guest blogger. Or to be more accurate, I'm actually welcoming Jaime Walsh, the star of Jacqui's latest book, <i>With a Vengeance</i>. Take it away, Jacqui! Er... I mean Jaime!<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-size: large;">A Day in the Live of Jaime Walsh</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">By Jaime Walsh, star of With a Vengeance</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">Once upon a time … that’s usually how
stories start, don’t they?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well
once upon a time there was a CIA Operative who managed to finally get some time
off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was me.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">Time off doesn’t come around very
often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Assignments, sometimes
lasting weeks or months, often back up against each other with only a few days between
to get some down time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bosses
have the next job planned before we even get in the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It takes some prep time to get ready to
go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What part of the world will we
be in next? Who is on the team? What is our objective? </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">All important questions.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">All, plus more, that have to be answered
before we get on the plane.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">But not today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my</i> day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A day I get to do with as I see fit
without answering to anybody.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">And the first thing I am going to do is
sleep in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean way in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pull the blinds tight, turn off my
cell phone and cover my head with a pillow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wait for the time when my body says it has had enough
sleep and not when an alarm goes off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If someone knocks on the door, they get ignored.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">This is just for me.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">Staying in shape is important to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It means I will be up for the next
obstacle that comes my way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even
on the job I manage to get in a couple mile run a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shoot for six days a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On my day off though, after I climb
from that warm bed, I won’t be hitting the streets or a treadmill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be lucky if I even get
dressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laying around in my
pajamas signals my brain this is the day we’ve been waiting for.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">Food is easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I live in New York City and have a drawer full of take out
menus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finding someone to deliver
is a simple matter of looking through the pile and deciding what it is I feel
like today.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">What to do to fill up the hours in between
is the real challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not
used to having nothing to do and doing nothing makes me uneasy sometimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look for that closet that needs
reorganizing or the letters that need to be written. I have to work at not
working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could get lost in a
good book, but there is not enough time to get through one of the titles I
might like to read, something off the classics list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A movie is always a good choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can make myself some popcorn and turn on a Cary Grant
comedy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bringing Up Baby</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe both. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably both.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">Yeah, that sounds like the perfect kind of
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t even look at the
files in my briefcase until tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p>I love the idea of a CIA Operative lounging around at home, watching classic movies. Jaime Walsh certainly sounds like an interesting character. Here's the book blurb for <i>With a Vengeance</i>:</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">
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</span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">WITH A
VENGEANCE</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span lang="EN-AU">The more she wanted out, the more they
dragged her back in!</span></i><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daughter to murdered CIA officers, niece to a deputy director, Jaime
Walsh has never known life outside the world of espionage. Until a high-action
case in Buenos Aires leaves her gutted. Physically, emotionally…and
professionally.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She’d planned for her long-overdue vacation to be a time to rest and
reassess. With her longtime partner Stephen not far behind, it’s a tropical
paradise away from work. A paradise where boundaries will be tested.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From their training days, Stephen Reid has watched Jaime kick ass while
performing what has become his second job—watching her back. But now his
feelings have grown.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As best friends look at each other in a new light, they like what they
see. And Jaime dreams of a new life outside “the company”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">Except someone from their past won’t be satisfied until Jaime and the
man she loves are hunted to the brink of death. Now Jaime must find the
strength to trust her heart and let go of her fear. Before she loses
everything…</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznTFwOQ9_hw4tnVX0eHfM4deB4ZmaPE5hJmXXC8qdaQggSln0iPLrRvcfGJ8FrcJUw_0y3JQ6T8gdLQ7hAdjU4oLNfY6gbMoa_2kt3me1L53qBkRLIqphrcWUk6I9-ngGvSxCdwwGooyx/s3200/JacquiAuthorPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznTFwOQ9_hw4tnVX0eHfM4deB4ZmaPE5hJmXXC8qdaQggSln0iPLrRvcfGJ8FrcJUw_0y3JQ6T8gdLQ7hAdjU4oLNfY6gbMoa_2kt3me1L53qBkRLIqphrcWUk6I9-ngGvSxCdwwGooyx/s640/JacquiAuthorPic.jpg" width="414" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And now for the links: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can read an excerpt <a href="http://www.jacquijacoby.com/Keyboard/FromTheKeyboard_Books.php" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read the reviews <a href="http://rbh-contemporary.blogspot.com/2013/03/with-vengeance-by-jacqui-jacoby.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Find it at Samhain <a href="http://store.samhainpublishing.com/with-vengeance-p-7351.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Find it at Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/With-a-Vengeance-ebook/dp/B00B18C30U/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360916053&sr=1-8&keywords=With+A+Vengeance" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Find it at B&N <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/with-a-vengeance-jacqui-jacoby/1114274152?cm_mmc=affiliates-_-linkshare-_-efyrrf4zg3w-_-10%3a1&ean=9781619215757&r=1" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Find it at Powells Books <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/1619215756?&PID=33157" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p>Thanks for being on the blog today, Jacqui! Er... I mean Jaime!</o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605160473565068487.post-89543058452788022962013-04-14T02:37:00.000-07:002013-04-14T02:38:05.289-07:00Book Spotlight: Between BoyfriendsHello, my little tulip buds!<br />
<br />
Today I've got some exciting information about one of my author pal's revamped book. Check this out:<br />
<br />
The Amazon #9 humor best seller, <i>Between Boyfriends</i>, got a makeover!
Sarka-Jonae's chick-lit novel just got a new cover, a new book
description, and a new book trailer. It also dropped a few pesky typos
and is ready to show off its new svelte, flawless look. The new version
is able as an update on readers' "Manage Your Kindle" pages through
Amazon. For people who have not checked out the book yet, we hear there
is a sale coming up April 14 to 16. Get the book East County Magazine
calls the "ultimate chick-lit read" for only $0.99.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNF0_rlpdl0RBrUR7mPtbEAuXDSqa9v5GWkNcam56LAhJOD1ByCGpwcdq5hIaNj4Uc6AanZD86wxS1t9R9wkgXC1NaQQNJeoa1_z9TBUgeTHVdBy9FVTMsnV3LC_se2QL3Tu6kscynP_y/s2400/Between+Boyfriends+New+Cover+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNF0_rlpdl0RBrUR7mPtbEAuXDSqa9v5GWkNcam56LAhJOD1ByCGpwcdq5hIaNj4Uc6AanZD86wxS1t9R9wkgXC1NaQQNJeoa1_z9TBUgeTHVdBy9FVTMsnV3LC_se2QL3Tu6kscynP_y/s480/Between+Boyfriends+New+Cover+Image.jpg" width="369" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And here's the book's description:<br />
<br />
<br />
At first glance, twenty-one-year-old Jan Weston has it all: a
gorgeous boyfriend, fun friends, and wealthy parents who take care of
all those pesky credit card bills.<br />
<br />
Then her boyfriend dumps her,
her friendships fall apart, and her parents cut her off. Suddenly
without money, without a man, and without a plan, it's time for Jan to
grow up.<br />
<br />
Determined to get her life back on track, Jan decides
it's time to make it on her own. Can she find her way as a single lady
in San Diego? Can she fix her friendships, her job prospects, and her
hair? And can she keep her vow that she'll never date again, even after
she meets a guy who just might be perfect for her?<br />
<br />
BETWEEN BOYFRIENDS is a sexy, hilarious story of living life, finding love, and growing up... but not necessarily in that order.<br />
<br />
<br />
You can find the book trailer <a href="http://youtu.be/11inT_Dv5Mg)" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFdVgXgFwIKlaCaJRD8IwJTFdKtf1T_FBDNqJIeDOKnBcNVT_JKo1_9ttKQNs7MQnTBIHc1mJRjpGk3vlh_T-KbyU1zXsf6DhJz1jwUQzkS6aMhR4AK2QVe2bo4cauLRK3GL49lb8HFwd/s3200/Sarkas-Author-Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFdVgXgFwIKlaCaJRD8IwJTFdKtf1T_FBDNqJIeDOKnBcNVT_JKo1_9ttKQNs7MQnTBIHc1mJRjpGk3vlh_T-KbyU1zXsf6DhJz1jwUQzkS6aMhR4AK2QVe2bo4cauLRK3GL49lb8HFwd/s640/Sarkas-Author-Photo.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
You can learn more about Sarka-Jonae on SarkaJonae.com and BetweenBoyfriendsBlog.com.<br />
<br />
Join her on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/sarkajonae" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or find her on Twitter @BoyfriendsNovel.<br />
<br />
Happy reading, everyone!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
LibbyAnna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605160473565068487.post-24711969234774725152013-03-22T03:20:00.001-07:002013-03-22T03:22:19.031-07:00The Karmic Connection Cover RevealHello, my little cupcakes!<br />
<br />
Well, in my last blog post, I was chatting about the fabulous cover for my new book, created by the uber talented <a href="http://suetraynor.com/" target="_blank">Sue Traynor</a>. And now I'm going to share it with you. It'll be popping up on lots of other blogs today, so I'll be hopping around the blogosphere. I'd love to know what you think. Okay, without further ado, here it is:<br />
<br />
<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt;">What
is the universe up to?</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Guilty
of nothing more than working too much - or so they say - Adam Stowe is dumped
at a "wellness center" in the middle of nowhere by a couple of
concerned colleagues. When he meets Lorraine, the beautiful and bewitching yoga
instructor, his spirits start to lift, but once he discovers what a flighty
fruitcake she is, they drop back down to subterranean levels.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For
Lorraine Jameson, Luna Wellness Center was a beacon of solace when her life was
falling apart, and she can't stand the way Adam's toxic energy is poisoning the
peace. He embodies everything negative about the life she discarded eighteen
months ago. Despite being fiercely attracted to the arrogant man, she's
determined not to let Adam Stowe anywhere near her heart.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Adam
and Lorraine couldn't be more unsuitable as a potential couple... so why is the
universe so dead set on uniting these two?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The Karmic Connection</i> is a
different kind of love story with a cast of quirky characters and a mystical,
magical New Age-y flavor.</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><i>The Karmic Connection</i> is scheduled to be released on April 25th. Just around the corner, really! For now, you can visit its new page on Goodreads <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17618169-the-karmic-connection" target="_blank">here</a>. This will more than likely be my last post before I jet off to the UK, but look out for a couple of guest posts and more news about<i> The Karmic Connection</i> when I return in mid-April. </span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;">Love,</span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;">Libby</span></span></span></b></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Anna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605160473565068487.post-45182354341233106302013-03-12T23:57:00.000-07:002013-03-12T23:57:50.514-07:00Just Popping In to Say Hello!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Hello my little shamrocks!<br />
<br />
I know. It's absolutely shameful how infrequently I blog. And my excuse is pretty lame (been really busy, hopeless when it comes to time management) but... I thought I should stop in and let you know what I've been up to.<br />
<br />
I'm still promoting <i>Maya</i>, but that's fallen to the wayside a bit because I'm getting my third novel ready for publication. It's called <i>The Karmic Connection</i>, and it's scheduled for release on April 25th. The cover is just about finished, which I love, love, love! It was designed by Sue Traynor, who created the image of the girl I put on the cover of <i>Unmasking Maya</i>. Well, she's designed the entire cover for <i>The Karmic Connection</i>. I'll be unveiling it before too long, so stay tuned. And in the meantime, you can check out Sue's website <a href="http://suetraynor.com/" target="_blank">here</a> if you like.<br />
<br />
In other news, I'm writing again. Hurrah! Frankly, I was a little worried I might have lost my mojo after taking such a long break to work on the business/marketing side of things. Thankfully, that's not the case and I'm pretty excited about my new story. It's in the early stages, but it's going to be a chick lit novel (not a romance) and the first of a series. Yep, that's right. I'm working on a series.<br />
<br />
That's about all my writing/publishing news. I'm afraid I'm going to be even more neglectful from late March to early April because I'm going across the pond for the Scottish wedding of two dear friends, and then I'm going to be hanging out in London for a bit. SO excited about that. But my internet access will be limited so I won't be doing much work. Will be strange for a workaholic like me. But I'll be back on the 10th (I think) and will have to hit the ground running with the new release coming up just two weeks later.<br />
<br />
So ta-ta for now. Hope you're all doing well and I'll check back soon. Well... maybe not soon, but eventually.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
LibbyAnna Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812306606425286218noreply@blogger.com0