tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75315579731753645842024-03-18T06:53:53.840-04:00Kristin SmithConfessions of a Young Adult AuthorKristin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.comBlogger214125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-42386121419459914842022-11-15T10:23:00.003-05:002022-11-15T10:40:21.199-05:00Catalyst Audiobook, Giveaway, Book Recs & More!It's my favorite time of year!<div><br /></div><div>The holidays are quickly approaching and the Hallmark movies are calling my name. Anyone else want to curl up with a blanket and a good book (or holiday movie) during this time of year? Maybe even listen to an audiobook? (wink, wink)<br /><br />I have some exciting news that may add to your holiday joy. <strong>Catalyst is now an audiobook</strong>, narrated by the extremely talented<strong> <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.victoriaconnollynarrator.com/" href="https://www.victoriaconnollynarrator.com/" target="_blank">Victoria Connolly</a></strong>!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img data-cke-saved-src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/03dc7f83-e5be-c23a-1ec3-b18defce363d.png" data-file-id="5677022" height="400" src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/03dc7f83-e5be-c23a-1ec3-b18defce363d.png" style="border: 0px; height: 400px; margin: 0px; width: 400px;" width="400" /></div><br />If you want to listen to the audiobook and hear how Victoria was able to bring the cast of characters to life, then you can purchase your own copy on <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Catalyst-Audiobook/B0BL2DYFFX?asin=B0BL2DYFFX" href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Catalyst-Audiobook/B0BL2DYFFX?asin=B0BL2DYFFX" target="_blank">Audible</a> or <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.amazon.com/Catalyst-Deception-Game-Book-1/dp/B0BL2GN5Z3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1F98MG2Z7T0K&keywords=catalyst+by+kristin+smith&qid=1668520479&sprefix=catalyst+by+kristin+%2Caps%2C1005&sr=8-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/Catalyst-Deception-Game-Book-1/dp/B0BL2GN5Z3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1F98MG2Z7T0K&keywords=catalyst+by+kristin+smith&qid=1668520479&sprefix=catalyst+by+kristin+%2Caps%2C1005&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a>.<div><br /></div><div>To top it off, I'm giving away 5 FREE COPIES of the Catalyst audiobook. How can you enter to win this amazing prize, you ask? Well, it's easy. Simply reply to this blog post and tell me, "I want it!" and you will automatically be entered to win. Five winners will be chosen using a random generator. Good luck!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgIUo_B3gLdnhmuJsDPupyoCAVrtW2qPRp0-xKtcpsVzbedNtP_hYiL4KMCeUgTjs7l6h0tK0J7OwKzuMupxLsqj-zpzP887jDTCE-VQDv-OoMRsPEuaCdT-3BRev10XhmYHpw2cf9Gokxj4jdrfMe8pFcSSXtYAHZ5xmgb1B9ja2bCzFZBL4KCJOKA/s1080/Catalyst%20Audiobook%20Giveaway%20(Blog%20Post).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgIUo_B3gLdnhmuJsDPupyoCAVrtW2qPRp0-xKtcpsVzbedNtP_hYiL4KMCeUgTjs7l6h0tK0J7OwKzuMupxLsqj-zpzP887jDTCE-VQDv-OoMRsPEuaCdT-3BRev10XhmYHpw2cf9Gokxj4jdrfMe8pFcSSXtYAHZ5xmgb1B9ja2bCzFZBL4KCJOKA/w400-h400/Catalyst%20Audiobook%20Giveaway%20(Blog%20Post).png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: 24px;"><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: helvetica neue,helvetica,arial,verdana,sans-serif;">News!</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>I have a new agent! I'm excited to announce that I'm now represented by literary agent Heather Cashman with Storm Literary. Literary agents are highly selective and are considered the gatekeepers between an author and large publishing houses (also known as the Big 5). For those who are seeking to traditionally publish their work, a literary agent is essential. I'm so happy to work with Heather and begin this next chapter of my publishing journey. She signed me for a YA magical realism, but she's working with me on several other books in my backlist. Super excited to see where this partnership takes us!<div style="text-align: center;"><img data-cke-saved-src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/a3bb06dc-d4cd-0904-b874-6ebf60cca6b9.jpeg" data-file-id="5676894" height="400" src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/a3bb06dc-d4cd-0904-b874-6ebf60cca6b9.jpeg" style="border: 0px; height: 500px; margin: 0px; width: 500px;" width="400" /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: 24px;">What Am I Working on Now?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You're probably wondering what's next for me now that the <em>Deception Game</em> series is finished. The good news is that I have more completed books, currently in the hands of my very capable literary agent, with more in the works.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For my current WIP (work in progress), I am completely switching gears. From YA to adult, from dystopian to romcom. I am loving writing something a little more light-hearted and fun. I hope to finish the first draft in the coming weeks.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 24px;"><span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: helvetica neue,helvetica,arial,verdana,sans-serif;">Publishing Tip 101</span></span></span><br /><br />I've had a lot of people ask me recently how to get a book published, so I figured it was only appropriate to share that information here. Maybe it will help one of you who are also wondering what it takes to get a book published.<br /><br />There are many paths to publication, but here are the 3 main ones:<br /><br />1) Traditional (Literary agent submits to Big 5 or imprint)<br />2) Small Press<br />3) Self-Publishing</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img data-cke-saved-src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/74aebe45-df31-a257-6316-d427e212a484.png" data-file-id="5676902" height="500" src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/74aebe45-df31-a257-6316-d427e212a484.png" style="border: 0px; height: 500px; margin: 0px; width: 500px;" width="500" /></div><br />Let's start with traditional publishing, or in this case, where a writer submits their work to a literary agent in the hopes that the agent will want to sign them and represent them. As I mentioned before, a literary agent is the gatekeeper to the bigger publishing houses. For many of the larger publishing houses, a writer has to have an agent submit their work for them. Most of the large publishing houses do not accept manuscripts from unagented writers. Agents also have their pulse on the market, so they know what's selling and what editors at these publishing houses are looking for. So to traditionally publish with a Big 5 or one of its imprints, you need to have a literary agent.<br /><br />However, there are many smaller presses who DO accept manuscripts from unagented writers. So if a writer chooses to go this route, they will do their research and then submit their work themselves to these publishing houses. Often times, this means smaller advances (or no advances at all) and less exposure when the book releases.<br /><br />The third option for getting a book published is self-publishing. Writers will often choose this route because a) they have a really great book that has been overlooked by agents and editors; b) they don't want to fool with trying to get an agent or editor; c) they like to have all creative control. Self-publishing means a writer does everything themselves, from hiring an editor and book cover designer to formatting the interior of the book to marketing and promos. The writer takes on all of the responsibility, but also receives all of the profits (once Amazon, B&N, etc takes their cut).<br /><br />I personally have dabbled in each one of these publishing options at some point in my writing career. No one way is better than another; it's about a writer's personal journey and what works the best for them. In the end, the goal of any writer is to create a great piece of work and get it into the hands of readers.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 24px;"><span style="color: navy;">Book Recommendations</span></span><br /><br />Looking for some good books to read over the holidays? Well, I have some recommendations for you! My good friend, Michelle Mason, recently released her YA book, <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.amazon.com/Second-Impression-You-Michelle-Mason/dp/1547604123/ref=asc_df_1547604123/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=564764382853&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3811612496813227009&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9009906&hvtargid=pla-1640186231642&psc=1" href="https://www.amazon.com/Second-Impression-You-Michelle-Mason/dp/1547604123/ref=asc_df_1547604123/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=564764382853&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3811612496813227009&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9009906&hvtargid=pla-1640186231642&psc=1" target="_blank"><em>My Second Impression of You</em>.</a> If you love sweet romcoms with lovable characters, then you'll love this one.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>"Perfect for fans of <em>Tweet Cute </em>and <em>Instant Karma</em>, this YA romcom is a heartfelt story about a girl who thinks she knows everything about love -- until she relives a day and discovers she had it all wrong."<br /><br /><img data-cke-saved-src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/59d725d4-0270-7e0f-1812-8efb8830d979.jpeg" data-file-id="5676958" height="499" src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/59d725d4-0270-7e0f-1812-8efb8830d979.jpeg" style="border: 0px; height: 499px; margin: 0px; width: 331px;" width="331" /></strong><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.amazon.com/Second-Impression-You-Michelle-Mason/dp/1547604123/ref=asc_df_1547604123/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=564764382853&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3811612496813227009&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9009906&hvtargid=pla-1640186231642&psc=1" href="https://www.amazon.com/Second-Impression-You-Michelle-Mason/dp/1547604123/ref=asc_df_1547604123/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=564764382853&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3811612496813227009&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9009906&hvtargid=pla-1640186231642&psc=1" target="_blank"><span style="color: navy;"><strong>BUY THE BOOK</strong></span></a><br /><br /></div><div><br />If you love adult romcoms, then I have an adorable one for you! Sarah Adams is the queen of sweet (not too spicy!) romcoms, and I promise she'll have you laughing out loud for most of the book. <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.amazon.com/Cheat-Sheet-Novel-Sarah-Adams/dp/0593500768/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24N5TF7ELCYYZ&keywords=cheat+sheet+book+sarah+adams&qid=1668522109&s=books&sprefix=the+cheat+sheet+by+s%2Cstripbooks%2C2002&sr=1-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/Cheat-Sheet-Novel-Sarah-Adams/dp/0593500768/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24N5TF7ELCYYZ&keywords=cheat+sheet+book+sarah+adams&qid=1668522109&s=books&sprefix=the+cheat+sheet+by+s%2Cstripbooks%2C2002&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><em>The Cheat Sheet</em></a> by Sarah Adams is about a former professional ballerina who is helplessly in love with her super hot best friend, an NFL football player. But the "friend zone" is not the "end zone" for this girl who wants more than a platonic friendship.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img data-cke-saved-src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/746b7f0f-1991-6709-4d73-f679a76f1418.jpg" data-file-id="5676962" height="499" src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/746b7f0f-1991-6709-4d73-f679a76f1418.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: 499px; margin: 0px; width: 324px;" width="324" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.amazon.com/Cheat-Sheet-Novel-Sarah-Adams/dp/0593500768/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24N5TF7ELCYYZ&keywords=cheat+sheet+book+sarah+adams&qid=1668522109&s=books&sprefix=the+cheat+sheet+by+s%2Cstripbooks%2C2002&sr=1-1" href="https://www.amazon.com/Cheat-Sheet-Novel-Sarah-Adams/dp/0593500768/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24N5TF7ELCYYZ&keywords=cheat+sheet+book+sarah+adams&qid=1668522109&s=books&sprefix=the+cheat+sheet+by+s%2Cstripbooks%2C2002&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: navy;"><strong>BUY THE BOOK</strong></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 24px;"><span style="color: navy;">Try This Recipe</span></span><br /><br />It wouldn't be fall without a delicious apple-based dessert. Try out these yummy Caramel Apple Crisp Cheesecake Bars from <a data-cke-saved-href="https://sugarapron.com/2015/10/09/caramel-apple-crisp-cheesecake-bars/" href="https://sugarapron.com/2015/10/09/caramel-apple-crisp-cheesecake-bars/" target="_blank">Sugar Apron</a> for your next family gathering or if you're just craving something sweet. Enjoy!<br /><br /><img data-cke-saved-src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/bd7569e4-8c6c-8744-03b3-a608f26f28da.jpeg" data-file-id="5676898" height="671" src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/bd7569e4-8c6c-8744-03b3-a608f26f28da.jpeg" style="border: 0px; height: 671px; margin: 0px; width: 600px;" width="600" /><p id="zlrecipe-prep-time"><br /><span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>Caramel Apple Crisp Cheesecake Bars:</strong></span><br /><br />Prep Time: 15 minutes</p><p id="zlrecipe-cook-time">Cook Time: 55 minutes</p><p id="zlrecipe-total-time">Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes</p><p id="zlrecipe-yield">Yield: 20-24</p><p id="zlrecipe-ingredients"><strong>Ingredients:</strong></p> <strong>Graham/Oats Crust:</strong><ul id="zlrecipe-ingredients-list"><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-1" itemprop="ingredients">1/4 cup brown sugar</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-2" itemprop="ingredients">1 cup graham cracker crumbs</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-3" itemprop="ingredients">3/4 cup rolled oats</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-4" itemprop="ingredients">1/2 cup melted butter, plus more for greasing the plate</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-5" itemprop="ingredients">Cheesecake Layer :</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-6" itemprop="ingredients">2 8oz package softened cream cheese</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-7" itemprop="ingredients">2 tbsp corn starch</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-8" itemprop="ingredients">1/4 cup brown sugar</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-9" itemprop="ingredients">1/4 cup white sugar</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-10" itemprop="ingredients">1/2 tsp ginger</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-11" itemprop="ingredients">2 tsp vanilla extract</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-12" itemprop="ingredients">1/2 tsp cinnamon</li></ul> <strong>Apple Crisp Topping:</strong><ul><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-14" itemprop="ingredients">1/4 cup all purpose flour</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-15" itemprop="ingredients">1/4 cup rolled oats</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-16" itemprop="ingredients">1/4 cup brown sugar</li><li itemprop="ingredients">1/2 tsp cinnamon</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-18" itemprop="ingredients">2 tbsp coconut oil</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-19" itemprop="ingredients">2 medium to large apple, peeled and thinly sliced</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-20" itemprop="ingredients">Caramel Topping</li></ul> <strong>Directions:</strong><ol id="zlrecipe-instructions-list"><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-0" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Preheat your oven to 350F.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-1" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Prepare one 9x13-inch glass pan by greasing thoroughly with butter or baking spray or a light-colored metal baking pan with foil (be sure to cover the sides—you are going to use this to lift the bars).</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-4" itemprop="recipeInstructions">In a mixing bowl combine graham cracker crumbs, rolled oats, melted butter and brown sugar together.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-5" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Press inside the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-6" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Bake for 5 minutes. Remove from oven to cool.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-7" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Meanwhile, in the bowl of your electric mixer, blend together cream cheese, brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cornstarch and vanilla.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-8" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Once well combined, pour on top of your graham cracker/oat crust.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-9" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Arrange the thinly sliced apple on top of the cream cheese mixture in a single layer.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-10" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Top with the Apple Crisp Topping. Bake at 350F for 40-50 minutes.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-11" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Once it's done cooking, cool for 15 minutes, then refrigerate overnight.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-12" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Cut into squares. Serve with caramel drizzled over top of the cheesecake bars.</li></ol><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: 24px;"><span style="color: navy;">Leave a Review </span></span><br /><br />Lastly, if you've read any of the books in the <em>Deception Game</em> series, thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for supporting me. I hope you loved them. And if you left a review for the books, then double thank you. It's amazing how much reviews help authors in this publishing world. It shows publishers that our work is worth publishing, and it also shows Amazon that our work is worth promoting (50 reviews seems to be the magic number). So if you loved the books in the <em>Deception Game</em> series, but you haven't had an opportunity to leave a review yet, please consider leaving a 5-star review. It can be as simple as, "I liked it."<br /><br />Thank you!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LNf-uOSJuEtwruYdG0Wn5WLRzZud-vw7YHZkZpChEMM1dwMfwJ79nsGQhWuND2vc4rOfrfYzh3ZR95ldIVwhJ633xM2IqNL5TUMjUam_5oH74kdnDD2N72JCfDAfQzXJINc0kkjcziAa2twGdYwV1ZhWPWdkEA0tK96zriptSOauW_Y9GVQpxfzy7w/s175/http---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54493-96-D359BF15DD488482A9FEDC70DC4EE947.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="74" data-original-width="175" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LNf-uOSJuEtwruYdG0Wn5WLRzZud-vw7YHZkZpChEMM1dwMfwJ79nsGQhWuND2vc4rOfrfYzh3ZR95ldIVwhJ633xM2IqNL5TUMjUam_5oH74kdnDD2N72JCfDAfQzXJINc0kkjcziAa2twGdYwV1ZhWPWdkEA0tK96zriptSOauW_Y9GVQpxfzy7w/s1600/http---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54493-96-D359BF15DD488482A9FEDC70DC4EE947.png" width="175" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div>Kristin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-64222032534923343092022-09-02T15:14:00.005-04:002022-09-02T15:14:54.831-04:00Exciting News & Catalyst Sale!<p> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #202020; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Friday, y'all! Anyone have fun plans for Labor Day weekend? My kids barely started school, but I'm already looking forward to a three-day weekend. With that being said, I have some exciting news (as well as a book promotion!) to share with you.<br /><br />But before I share my (happy) news and latest promotion, I'd like to take a moment to introduce myself, especially to those who might be new to my blog. And what better way to get to know me than to play one of my favorite games—<strong>THIS or THAT!</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;">Here goes!<br /><br /><img data-file-id="5623110" height="419" src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/5b3e6b44-fe6e-b45c-ab32-459e7f3e41ad.png" style="border: 0px; height: 419px; margin: 0px; outline: none; width: 500px;" width="500" /></span><br /> <p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>THIS OR THAT:</strong></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br /><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Vacation or Staycation?</strong></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><em>I love traveling and planning vacations, so if money and time permits, it’s vacation all the way.</em></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"> </p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Netflix or Hulu?</strong></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><em>It would have to be Netflix for me. I binge-watch way too many shows on Netflix to consider switching to Hulu.</em></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"> </p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Night or morning?</strong></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><em>I’m a night girl. But now that my kids are back in school, I’m slowly programming myself to wake up early and exercise before they leave the house.</em></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"> </p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Camping or glamping?</strong></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Glamping! I love nature, but I also love a good night’s sleep.</em><br /><br /><br /><strong>Beach or mountains?</strong><br /><br /><em>Beach. Give me a good book, some white sand, and the sound of crashing waves, and I'm set!</em></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"> </p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Cooking or being cooked for?</strong></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><em>I’ll be honest, I don’t LOVE cooking. So, any time my husband or one of my kids cooks dinner, I’m so incredibly grateful and happy.</em></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"> </p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Play or standup show?</strong></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Play, and if it’s a musical, even better.</em></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"> </p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Attend a party or host a party?</strong></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Ahh, this is a tricky one. I do love to host parties (and I especially love to plan them) but it is nice to attend someone else’s party and not have to do any of the work, lol.</em></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"> </p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Ketchup or Ranch?</strong></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Ranch! Perfect for dipping.</em></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"> </p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Board games or video games?</strong></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><em>My kids sometimes make fun of how awful I am at video games, so that would be board games for me.</em></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"> </p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Instagram or Twitter?</strong></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Not a huge fan of Twitter, so definitely Instagram.</em></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"> </p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Pizza or Chinese food?</strong></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><em>This is an easy one. I LOVE Chinese food and would choose it over pizza any day.</em></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"> </p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Laundry or dishes?</strong></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Give me the laundry, please.</em></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"> </p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Chocolate or vanilla?</strong></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Do you even have to ask? Of course, it’s chocolate.</em></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"> </p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Zombies or vampires?</strong></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Is this seriously a question? Vampires are way better than zombies.</em></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"> </p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Guacamole or salsa?</strong></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Definitely guacamole.</em></span></p><p style="line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br /><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;">Well, that was fun! You probably know WAY more about me now than you've ever wanted to know, lol. Now, on to my exciting news!</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed !important; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 18px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-top: 2px solid rgb(234, 234, 234); min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-size-adjust: 100%;"></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: mediumblue;"><span style="font-size: 40px;">News!</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><br />I'm super excited to announce that CATALYST is being made into an audiobook and will release in October!!<br /><br />Over the years, I've had so many readers ask me when CATALYST would become an audiobook, so I'm incredibly stoked to have an amazing narrator (Victoria Connelly) bring this book to life. I've heard a sample of the book, and y'all, it is AMAZING! She's so good at portraying the emotion on the page. I can't wait for it to be out in the world!<br /> </td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="padding: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnImageContent" style="padding: 0px 9px; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><img align="center" alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/bd8f27a8-f844-db30-ec6e-7e59c78dc764.png" style="border: 0px; display: inline !important; height: auto; max-width: 1080px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="445.56" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed !important; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 18px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-top: 2px solid rgb(234, 234, 234); min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-size-adjust: 100%;"></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><span style="color: mediumblue;"><span style="font-size: 32px;">SALE!</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><br />For a limited time, <strong>CATALYST </strong>(the first book in the Deception Game series) is only<strong> $0.99</strong>! Grab your copy while you can. Sale ends <strong>Tuesday, September 6th</strong>. You can purchase your copy <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Catalyst-Deception-Game-Book-1-ebook/dp/B09MFQSW4D/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" style="color: #007c89; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">HERE </a>or use the link below.</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnButtonBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnButtonBlockOuter"><tr><td align="center" class="mcnButtonBlockInner" style="padding: 0px 18px 18px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnButtonContentContainer" style="background-color: #2baadf; border-radius: 4px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="mcnButtonContent" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; padding: 18px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="middle"><a class="mcnButton " href="https://www.amazon.com/Catalyst-Deception-Game-Book-1-ebook/dp/B09MFQSW4D/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" style="color: white; display: block; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank" title="Buy Now">Buy Now</a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="padding: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnImageContent" style="padding: 0px 9px; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><a class="" href="https://www.amazon.com/Catalyst-Deception-Game-Book-1-ebook/dp/B09MFQSW4D/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank" title=""><img align="center" alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/b656cfb7-f64b-1fb7-9cab-920d2e9bac6f.png" style="border: 0px; display: inline !important; height: auto; max-width: 640px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: bottom;" width="473.76" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed !important; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 18px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-top: 2px solid rgb(234, 234, 234); min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-size-adjust: 100%;"></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><span style="color: mediumblue;"><span style="font-size: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;">Thank You!</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><br />I'm so grateful to everyone who helped me celebrate the release of UNBREAKABLE. It was a whirlwind of a week/month, but I loved seeing all of the beautiful book pics of UNBREAKABLE all over the internet. And, of course, my release party was a special highlight. I had lots of local friends come out and support me. Here are some of my favorite pics from Launch Week! </td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageGroupBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnImageGroupBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnImageGroupBlockInner" style="padding: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageGroupContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 273px;"><tbody><tr></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/23dcc6d3-0eb9-e3b3-7259-651c0f7cc0f4.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 480px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="264" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you, Beth Ellyn Summer, for this gorgeous pic!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageGroupContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 273px;"><tbody><tr></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/94d2bdd7-b0cf-328c-edf6-054466611d3f.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 574px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="264" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Books and manicures? I'm here for it! Thanks, Tiana Smith, for this beauty!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageGroupContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 273px;"><tbody><tr></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/d01a0231-cda0-9855-2c3e-0768d21966a5.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 573px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="264" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this picture from the fabulously talented Leandra Wallace! <3</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageGroupContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 273px;"><tbody><tr></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/a5f8f8f2-1d91-af9c-3524-6e83e921194b.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 480px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="264" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UNBREAKABLE book launch party decor.</td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageGroupBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnImageGroupBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnImageGroupBlockInner" style="padding: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageGroupContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 564px;"><tbody><tr></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/67baa5eb-43b6-339a-c773-cb8b8eca19c7.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 524px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="524" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UNBREAKABLE Launch Party!</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageGroupContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 273px;"><tbody><tr></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/59cc440e-2132-d22f-578c-06e0df42474f.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 480px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="264" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a few of the friends who came out to support me on my special night.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageGroupContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 273px;"><tbody><tr></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/7c7a85ff-c182-fca9-c80e-11dd3ccd5425.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 640px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="264" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Author Jamie Dalton and I before our Facebook Live event.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageGroupContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 273px;"><tbody><tr></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/fe407b82-d441-d875-4c40-2e92237088c0.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 480px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="264" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageGroupContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 273px;"><tbody><tr></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBC75uXj0ziskENBzL43TCQ9yd1X1cxtrbG3ZWkNX_djw_0jVYzArKd5n1BTo6ZcOigjJwNlh12HrldjvuYn5TLkjJJ9KTPcjWg0Y5NZJrXdMjbQazBqHePN7MbrkPHye9_-jMFM3CAXpwx8MSNeKbEfDcr_jYNvB4DFyWs-qIFb7IQx3JQEJrPoayQ/s640/IMG_7433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBC75uXj0ziskENBzL43TCQ9yd1X1cxtrbG3ZWkNX_djw_0jVYzArKd5n1BTo6ZcOigjJwNlh12HrldjvuYn5TLkjJJ9KTPcjWg0Y5NZJrXdMjbQazBqHePN7MbrkPHye9_-jMFM3CAXpwx8MSNeKbEfDcr_jYNvB4DFyWs-qIFb7IQx3JQEJrPoayQ/s320/IMG_7433.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grateful to all of my friends who came to help me celebrate! <3<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDTnt9yLxOGBP9Q1iLPVU-5v-lDaYrJDlFGDJQNzkm2rChyF3zkheRa-I6NRzqPl3cWY8oD9COslexRB5cuiboTsMiaUSrP45lnNtLiiqwFdxQWi8ejuWBVs1O_Bh8JjHqnc_-luJZFg95wn-ZNe7YgIuzF6YTxUygz-XFE2RPSddlBgviBFfV3etzw/s640/IMG_7370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDTnt9yLxOGBP9Q1iLPVU-5v-lDaYrJDlFGDJQNzkm2rChyF3zkheRa-I6NRzqPl3cWY8oD9COslexRB5cuiboTsMiaUSrP45lnNtLiiqwFdxQWi8ejuWBVs1O_Bh8JjHqnc_-luJZFg95wn-ZNe7YgIuzF6YTxUygz-XFE2RPSddlBgviBFfV3etzw/s320/IMG_7370.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLPgpieiuJ93ygsKkvD9DbUKt3lmXGHfwA17GmIgr7Xd5pzoGnkvdUAxf83EARbq7yD5mtbkEm31FzOdYfIjNU6OSpxbqASgOfxESpM7a68pvm3fyzIbCmHesNRAoRclt_LtnEFUdDu7aTECoi7FaGgeuAsy50Zr_tzzkSzJeh1S2FPEhqvRJwnEotw/s640/IMG_7361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLPgpieiuJ93ygsKkvD9DbUKt3lmXGHfwA17GmIgr7Xd5pzoGnkvdUAxf83EARbq7yD5mtbkEm31FzOdYfIjNU6OSpxbqASgOfxESpM7a68pvm3fyzIbCmHesNRAoRclt_LtnEFUdDu7aTECoi7FaGgeuAsy50Zr_tzzkSzJeh1S2FPEhqvRJwnEotw/s320/IMG_7361.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5IHEHktbxI6_bMYzRCh8z5sFfa7KqJfH0w9pSpCf_OeUwuxuTaVl3JSmUHPsvFiRu-zKYUKyEYiiZwtwuJ7uVMx9r4XZ35JXj1WaFm0Om_IdHLnE_bgFexToNEds55XhbiEvgnI-3uGrqW5ZV6WMYv3xZvTwNOtyMbqvz34Hnv-q1Jln1ZfxSFgZoow/s640/IMG_7453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5IHEHktbxI6_bMYzRCh8z5sFfa7KqJfH0w9pSpCf_OeUwuxuTaVl3JSmUHPsvFiRu-zKYUKyEYiiZwtwuJ7uVMx9r4XZ35JXj1WaFm0Om_IdHLnE_bgFexToNEds55XhbiEvgnI-3uGrqW5ZV6WMYv3xZvTwNOtyMbqvz34Hnv-q1Jln1ZfxSFgZoow/s320/IMG_7453.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><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/AVvXsEifUnToZLi3R66jwTlwEZ9Ul7aN2wP_JNSSBf7ZuPefj1U7C9CH_84VG8z8WYo0QMz6QKWvFEbsVQeNET8u5fOBs1QNTZ2Kb8yOJH6tUtJzZQMHWIzG9r-wWN_Soc_cs3k1taHMySmXrk2OpstjBIiWLXojMNDvkuylu6J7pzEhQ-85Jtv49FS3Ntvwrw/s640/IMG_7418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUnToZLi3R66jwTlwEZ9Ul7aN2wP_JNSSBf7ZuPefj1U7C9CH_84VG8z8WYo0QMz6QKWvFEbsVQeNET8u5fOBs1QNTZ2Kb8yOJH6tUtJzZQMHWIzG9r-wWN_Soc_cs3k1taHMySmXrk2OpstjBIiWLXojMNDvkuylu6J7pzEhQ-85Jtv49FS3Ntvwrw/s320/IMG_7418.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/9babf8a6-a787-9383-ceff-8d2ee1a5810e.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 624px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="264" /><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signing books at the UNBREAKABLE launch.<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed !important; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 18px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-top: 2px solid rgb(234, 234, 234); min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-size-adjust: 100%;"></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><span style="color: mediumblue;"><span style="font-size: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;">Other News</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><br />I've been busy! In case you missed it, I had the opportunity to chat with other authors during the days/weeks following my book release. On Instagram Live, I was in conversation with <a href="https://michelleimason.com/" style="color: #007c89; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">Michelle Mason</a>, author of YOUR LIFE HAS BEEN DELAYED. On Facebook Live, I chatted with fantasy author <a href="https://www.jamiedalton.net/" style="color: #007c89; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">Jamie Dalton</a>. And on The Book Corner, I had the chance to talk about the DECEPTION GAME series with <a href="https://dcgomez-author.com/" style="color: #007c89; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">DC Gomez</a>. I was also featured in an author interview on <a href="https://christinaconsolino.com/2022/08/08/strong-and-fearless-an-interview-with-kristin-smith/?fbclid=IwAR2CYFG9jRYOmv-nRyN8y22LyM7ptKnyxvjIwRvex8trE6NQEpYi2qTHvxA" style="color: #007c89; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">Christina Consolino's website</a>. If you'd like to check out my interviews, you can do so at the links below.<br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CgfpUqyFpTO/" style="color: #007c89; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">Instagram Live</a><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/1308391005/videos/7931939260213834/" style="color: #007c89; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">Facebook Live</a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/shop/dcgomez-author" style="color: #007c89; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">The Book Corner</a><br /><a href="https://christinaconsolino.com/2022/08/08/strong-and-fearless-an-interview-with-kristin-smith/?fbclid=IwAR2CYFG9jRYOmv-nRyN8y22LyM7ptKnyxvjIwRvex8trE6NQEpYi2qTHvxA" style="color: #007c89; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">Author </a><a href="https://christinaconsolino.com/2022/08/08/strong-and-fearless-an-interview-with-kristin-smith/?fbclid=IwAR2CYFG9jRYOmv-nRyN8y22LyM7ptKnyxvjIwRvex8trE6NQEpYi2qTHvxA" style="color: #007c89; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">Interview</a></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageGroupBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnImageGroupBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnImageGroupBlockInner" style="padding: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageGroupContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 273px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnImageGroupContent" style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 9px; padding-top: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><img alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/592bd66c-1e0e-830a-898f-546973639b6d.png" style="border: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 940px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="264" /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageGroupContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 273px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnImageGroupContent" style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-right: 9px; padding-top: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><img alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/95e1bc15-98e6-b71c-97d9-d68d469f2f1b.png" style="border: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 1080px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="264" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td class="mcnImageGroupBlockInner" style="padding: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageGroupContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 273px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnImageGroupContent" style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 9px; padding-top: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><img alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/2836ec9c-faa8-733b-bc0b-7482060662d2.jpeg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 940px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="264" /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageGroupContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 273px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnImageGroupContent" style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-right: 9px; padding-top: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><img alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/1529da56-8a74-0ddd-48e3-bca5a2b59e26.jpeg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 1080px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="264" /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed !important; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 18px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-top: 2px solid rgb(234, 234, 234); min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-size-adjust: 100%;"></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><span style="color: mediumblue;"><span style="font-size: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif;">Buy the Book</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><br />Also, it's not too late to grab your copy of UNBREAKABLE! The ebook is available wherever books are sold, and the paperback is available on Amazon. If you want to read the end of this thrilling, unpredictable dystopian saga, then grab your copy today!</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnButtonBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnButtonBlockOuter"><tr><td align="center" class="mcnButtonBlockInner" style="padding: 0px 18px 18px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnButtonContentContainer" style="background-color: #2baadf; border-radius: 4px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="mcnButtonContent" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; padding: 18px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="middle"><a class="mcnButton " href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09RTKBTVD?ref_=dbs_p_pwh_rwt_anx_cl_3&storeType=ebooks" style="color: white; display: block; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank" title="Buy Now">Buy Now</a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><br /><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Here's What Readers Are Saying About UNBREAKABLE:</strong></span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 9px 18px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="background-color: #052385; border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #f2f2f2; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; padding: 18px; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><span style="font-size: 16px;">"A must-read if you like: feisty, capable heroines; swoon-worthy book boyfriends; futuristic worlds with cool tech; and fast-paced adventures with a crew that has become family. With evocative writing and characters that stick with you after the last page, The Deception Games is a series that dystopian lovers need on their shelf. I'm happy for a terrific conclusion, but sad that it's over!"</span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 9px 18px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="background-color: #052385; border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #f2f2f2; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; padding: 18px; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><span style="font-size: 16px;">"I’ve been waiting for the last book in this series for years and it did not disappoint. I started and finished this in a day. I laughed, I cried… Kristin did it again and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!!"</span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnBoxedTextBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnBoxedTextBlockInner" style="text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnBoxedTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 9px 18px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="background-color: #052385; border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #f2f2f2; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; padding: 18px; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><span style="font-size: 16px;">"Unbreakable is the amazing conclusion to The Deception Game series (my favorite dystopian series ever). Sienna, Trey, Zane and Trina (LOVED getting Trina's POV, btw) all have a voice, and, of course, a gripping journey. Fast-paced, tightly plotted, and characters that'll stay with you forever, Unbreakable is a book you'll never forget."</span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCaptionBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnCaptionBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnCaptionBlockInner" style="padding: 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="mcnCaptionBottomImageContent" style="padding: 0px 9px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%;" valign="top"><img alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/3b4b3fe6bc737f2451c29aa4a/images/12a0e29c-75fa-1b6a-9e57-6573966fba0b.jpeg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 1200px; outline: none; vertical-align: bottom;" width="564" /></td></tr><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px 9px; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" valign="top" width="564"><h3 style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><strong>Buy your copy<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fearless-Deception-Game-Kristin-Smith/dp/1634223233/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1528148015&sr=8-1" style="color: #007c89; font-weight: normal; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09RTKBTVD?ref_=dbs_p_pwh_rwt_anx_cl_3&storeType=ebooks" style="color: #007c89; font-weight: normal; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">here</a>. </strong></h3> <h3 style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">Add to Goodreads <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60301691-unbreakable" style="color: #007c89; font-weight: normal; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">here.</a></h3> <h3 style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60301691-unbreakable" style="color: #007c89; font-weight: normal; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> /<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fearless-Deception-Game-Kristin-Smith/dp/1634223233/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1528148015&sr=8-1" style="color: #007c89; font-weight: normal; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fearless-Deception-Game-Kristin-Smith/dp/1634223233/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1527538560&sr=8-2&keywords=Fearless+by+Kristin+Smith" style="color: #007c89; font-weight: normal; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">Amazon</a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fearless-Deception-Game-Kristin-Smith/dp/1634223233/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1528148015&sr=8-1" style="color: #007c89; font-weight: normal; text-size-adjust: 100%;"> </a>/<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unbreakable-kristin-smith/1141107477?ean=2940161147238" style="color: #007c89; font-weight: normal; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank"> Barnes and Noble</a> / <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/unbreakable-133" style="color: #007c89; font-weight: normal; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">Kobo</a> / <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=zKFnEAAAQBAJ" style="color: #007c89; font-weight: normal; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">Google Play</a> / <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1152661" style="color: #007c89; font-weight: normal; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">Smashwords</a></h3></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed !important; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 18px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-top: 2px solid rgb(234, 234, 234); min-width: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-size-adjust: 100%;"></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>Kristin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-55018345150809681842022-07-26T00:00:00.022-04:002022-07-27T12:51:30.300-04:00Unbreakable Book Blitz & Giveaway!!<div style="margin: 0px auto 15px; text-align: center;">
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</p><p style="text-align: left;">Hi everyone! I'm super excited to share with you the release of <b>UNBREAKABLE</b>, the 4th book in the <b>Deception Game series</b>. This book was a labor of love, and after a long wait (VERY LONG WAIT!) it's finally out in the world. I hope it's everything readers want it to be! <3 <3 <3</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuz_eFMuceInIYzlEkwLuFIoEwHVZeMlKthVQvn23_c9_bQWM1zjHwKBVtUtxh-A1yl7KvbLSj6YFJtdCaoq70NoI3_JCPaHlgg9aFebZocmgoKJ7Rf0GQbRO2YR61neDtLKoW2R4KcVByChxuMe3UOjIntzjtSaN_7M5i49vpXaGBaCJtaDj30LuJTQ/s640/IMG_7302_jpg.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="462" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuz_eFMuceInIYzlEkwLuFIoEwHVZeMlKthVQvn23_c9_bQWM1zjHwKBVtUtxh-A1yl7KvbLSj6YFJtdCaoq70NoI3_JCPaHlgg9aFebZocmgoKJ7Rf0GQbRO2YR61neDtLKoW2R4KcVByChxuMe3UOjIntzjtSaN_7M5i49vpXaGBaCJtaDj30LuJTQ/w462-h640/IMG_7302_jpg.JPG" width="462" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">Here's all of the details!</p>
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<p><strong>Unbreakable</strong><br /><strong>Kristin Smith</strong><br />(The Deception Game, #4)<br />Publication date: July 26th 2022<br />Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult</p><blockquote><p>From best-selling and award-winning author Kristin Smith comes the riveting fourth and final book in the <em>Deception Game</em> series.</p>
<p><em><strong>A terrible discovery that will change everything.</strong></em></p>
<p>Armed with valuable information, Sienna and her friends find asylum in the east coast province of Pride. While initially grateful for Pride’s open arms, they begin to question exactly what kind of loyalties its president is after. Sienna must grapple with her new condition, Trey has to figure out how to win a war without losing Sienna, and Zane needs to recreate a gene regeneration therapy to cure Sienna without knowing if he’ll ever win her heart. When they learn Trina survived the Zenith Camp bombing, they also discover she’s been living a nightmare.</p>
<p>In the end, Sienna and her friends must somehow come together and fight a war for a government they aren’t sure they can trust.</p>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60301691-unbreakable" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> / <a href="https://amzn.to/3zkVumD" target="_blank">Amazon</a> / <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unbreakable-kristin-smith/1141107477?ean=2940161147238" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> / <a href="https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/unbreakable-133" target="_blank">Kobo</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">—</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIc2iZmg99a1BL6dPlfIJCShG0XQC3cNkT6Adh12st9d32V65A2YZbTXIxNMAxgcCpLxIEcQIKUPxRCpXYvkIzFFsnRReHAXmYPn9xeabju-VB_FcYWiyTXgBk9tcajb7r7ydWOARWq2LIO8bjGkHiqhLE8StiVOo3fe-eBt2Jg1wiXS6s8Qp_0Rxamw/s1080/Sienna%20Adrenaline%20Surges.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIc2iZmg99a1BL6dPlfIJCShG0XQC3cNkT6Adh12st9d32V65A2YZbTXIxNMAxgcCpLxIEcQIKUPxRCpXYvkIzFFsnRReHAXmYPn9xeabju-VB_FcYWiyTXgBk9tcajb7r7ydWOARWq2LIO8bjGkHiqhLE8StiVOo3fe-eBt2Jg1wiXS6s8Qp_0Rxamw/w400-h400/Sienna%20Adrenaline%20Surges.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>EXCERPT:</strong></p>
<p><strong>SIENNA:</strong></p>
<p>Ever since we arrived in Old Richmond, President Turner’s team of doctors have done test after test and x-ray after x-ray to determine how severely my spinal cord is damaged. And it’s all led to the same conclusion. It’s damaged beyond repair. Which means I’ll never walk again, at least, not in this life.</p>
<p>Am I angry? Yes. Do I feel sorry for myself? A little. But that’s not what keeps me tethered to this bed. Sadness is a weighted sandbag that drags me down, down, down. All I want to do is sleep.</p>
<p>Day after day, I lie on my back in a bed in a room that’s too posh to be a sick room. I let them check my blood pressure and temperature. I let them empty my catheter. I let them switch out my IV bag. And I don’t complain when they stick me with this needle and that one. For all intents and purposes, I’m alive.</p>
<p>And yet, I’m not.</p>
<p>I lost the two most important people in my life, and I don’t think I’ll ever fully recover. So what that I can’t walk? So what that my life as I knew it is over? So what. So what. So what. My mom and sister are dead. Burned alive.</p>
<p>Death is a plague that has visited my doorstep over and over. No matter where I go, it finds me and the ones I love.</p>
<p>And I’m tired. So very tired. Tired of living. Tired of loving. Tired of caring.</p>
<p>There’s a soft knock on the door, and then Zane sticks his head in. His face lights up when he sees me. “Hey,” he says. “Can I come in?” His gaze travels to Chaz, who is asleep in a chair near the corner of the room. His head sags against his propped-up arm, his chubby cheek squished against his fist. Chaz hasn’t left my side since we got to Old Richmond. My eternal watchdog.</p>
<p>“Trust me,” I say, “nothing short of an explosion can wake him when he’s asleep.”</p>
<p>Zane chuckles at this as he crosses the room and sinks into the chair beside my bed. “How are you holding up?”</p>
<p>“I’ve been better.”</p>
<p>His face is awash in pain. “I’m really sorry, Sienna—”</p>
<p>“It wasn’t your fault, Zane,” I remind him. We’ve been over this again and again, but he still carries the blame. Like he could somehow have <em>avoided</em> the hidden explosive. The thought is absurd.</p>
<p>“It was,” he says, his voice firm. “But I’m going to fix it. I promise.”</p>
<p>“I know you will,” I say. “You can do anything you put your mind to.”</p>
<p>He smiles. “Your confidence in me means everything.”</p>
<p>A loud snore comes from the corner of the room. Zane and I exchange looks. “See?” I say. “Told you.”</p>
<p>When Zane laughs, it feels like a little bit of goodness has returned to the world. His laugh almost elicits a smile from me. Almost.</p>
<p>He reaches for my hand, then takes it in his. His hand is strong, solid, the muscles arching as he squeezes my fingers. “I’ve missed you,” he says, and it’s so sudden and completely unexpected that I’m not sure what to say back.</p>
<p>“I’m right here,” I joke.</p>
<p>“That’s not what I mean.” His eyes connect with mine, and his gaze is so intense I have to look away. “Sienna, I need to know.”</p>
<p>“Need to know what?”</p>
<p>“Is there any hope for me? For us?”</p>
<p>I draw in a sharp breath. I thought I spelled it out pretty well in my bedroom that night in his house before the assassin tried to kill him. Apparently not. I try to say the next words as gently as I can. “I’m with Trey now. I <em>love</em> Trey.”</p>
<p>Pain fills his eyes as his hand slips from mine. “I understand.”</p>
<p>“Zane, I’m sorry—”</p>
<p>“Don’t be. It’s not what I wanted to hear. But it’s what I needed to hear.”</p>
<p>I reach for his hand again, and reluctantly, he gives it to me. Bringing it up to my lips, I kiss the soft spot between his knuckles. “There’s a girl out there for you. One who will love you and appreciate you for the incredible person you are.”</p>
<p>When Zane stares at me, his eyes full of longing, it tears holes in my heart. “I know,” he says. “I just hoped it would be you.”</p>
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<p><br class="blank" /></p><p>What's a book release without some teasers? My talented friend and critique partner, <b>Leandra Wallace,</b> made these incredible graphics which I absolutely adore. Enjoy!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTH0Gr_4J_obcB3UL7qHlBFGQjvG96AlbeVAayVIOQqgiVhUOpxXe4v_Oocoo7LNmQV8gV7vsY093hSz7eILDXtGM45Xa5TOnu6U4dzrn37YOMf1MckPk-dkSiIDkgeyC12MEg23nlaXred7zx5jYvyGIwLCtoVQoNbmjTH95ykJ_YhUagJds9BEdjfA/s1080/TreyJungle%20Cat.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTH0Gr_4J_obcB3UL7qHlBFGQjvG96AlbeVAayVIOQqgiVhUOpxXe4v_Oocoo7LNmQV8gV7vsY093hSz7eILDXtGM45Xa5TOnu6U4dzrn37YOMf1MckPk-dkSiIDkgeyC12MEg23nlaXred7zx5jYvyGIwLCtoVQoNbmjTH95ykJ_YhUagJds9BEdjfA/w400-h400/TreyJungle%20Cat.png" width="400" /></a></div></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBGX2-mLymllEKdo2de9m6MgB64HCDW8HWU1mC7-INORl-ujMK1lc6wy1szlbrpT7aTLr0iTsBU3wK-M4Q9nNs6D_tagyE9bMgvH8CCTuhYEP8kRaPElq5yrYYMhzk8894Bhp6kqJaZVH494kgXKk5WIvKOGS-jIDVSKdoodbkGT5qRXmh_GJs456FQ/s640/TrinaThe%20Gateway%202.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBGX2-mLymllEKdo2de9m6MgB64HCDW8HWU1mC7-INORl-ujMK1lc6wy1szlbrpT7aTLr0iTsBU3wK-M4Q9nNs6D_tagyE9bMgvH8CCTuhYEP8kRaPElq5yrYYMhzk8894Bhp6kqJaZVH494kgXKk5WIvKOGS-jIDVSKdoodbkGT5qRXmh_GJs456FQ/w400-h400/TrinaThe%20Gateway%202.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6zUNO_ByXtrJEK9TopdbaAUEHUZxb-_jLTEI-Jn8OTI0mo0dm2J0IoZW0mjmxvQyR__CJWej9iAWYp8OY4o65Hg6hiDpp76z4OBjOgaNJ2nUkmgMrvnGavI48jDFLUqD1MFZYsDjZCTA1-7wB9TjwKzYR9unz8AY5Rx0ngDqx4xJhvFpSOLaIxgqjQ/s1080/Zane%20We%20Kiss%20Like.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6zUNO_ByXtrJEK9TopdbaAUEHUZxb-_jLTEI-Jn8OTI0mo0dm2J0IoZW0mjmxvQyR__CJWej9iAWYp8OY4o65Hg6hiDpp76z4OBjOgaNJ2nUkmgMrvnGavI48jDFLUqD1MFZYsDjZCTA1-7wB9TjwKzYR9unz8AY5Rx0ngDqx4xJhvFpSOLaIxgqjQ/w400-h400/Zane%20We%20Kiss%20Like.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to enter the <b>giveaway</b> below for the chance to win a <b>$50 AMAZON GIFT CARD!!</b></p><p>Also, if you're on <b>Instagram</b>, join me and <b>Michelle I. Mason</b>, author of <b>YOUR LIFE HAS BEEN DELAYED</b>, tonight <b>(Tuesday, July 26th)</b> at <b>7:00 pm</b> for an <b>Instagram Live Book Launch Event </b>where we'll talk about the Deception Game series, romance in dystopian books, my writing process, and more! Hope to see you there! <3</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CnpsLkgxkR2iVGLbsVK2Uz82lN6spOEtU_9WCN5zt-IMTRMBcVrCPpZEI8fxom6bV-61-74psnq8DoxbHpo-Gw0J0YWR3bJbwD9pV27UWoO4v5DF3WBx73SC6wPg55bhQP0RCn3oINmVps0Bn-hFnn7OsiJdBO8Qcl1IGBqzNTNdpeFtzACh0PsPJw/s1080/Unbreakable%20Instagram%20Live%20Book%20Launch%20Event.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CnpsLkgxkR2iVGLbsVK2Uz82lN6spOEtU_9WCN5zt-IMTRMBcVrCPpZEI8fxom6bV-61-74psnq8DoxbHpo-Gw0J0YWR3bJbwD9pV27UWoO4v5DF3WBx73SC6wPg55bhQP0RCn3oINmVps0Bn-hFnn7OsiJdBO8Qcl1IGBqzNTNdpeFtzACh0PsPJw/w400-h400/Unbreakable%20Instagram%20Live%20Book%20Launch%20Event.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>
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<blockquote style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px;">
<p><b>Author Bio:</b></p>
<p>Kristin Smith is the best-selling and award-winning author of the DECEPTION GAME series. Her first book, CATALYST, was a 2018 IAN Book of the Year Award finalist in the Young Adult category. When she's not writing, Kristin can be found planning her next Murder Mystery dinner party, beating her boys at Just Dance, or belting out karaoke (from the comfort of her own home). Kristin currently resides in North Carolina with her husband and sons. To read more about Kristin or her books, please visit her website at kristinsmithbooks.com.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.kristinsmithbooks.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> / <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15184285.Kristin_Smith" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KristinSmithAuthor/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/SwordsStilettos" target="_blank">Twitter</a> / <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kristinsmithwrites/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> / <a href="https://www.kristinsmithbooks.com/newsletter-sign-up" target="_blank">Newsletter</a></p>
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Kristin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-22009116836267978002022-02-07T03:00:00.007-05:002022-02-07T10:59:39.944-05:00Cover Reveal! Unbreakable: The Deception Game #4<p><span style="font-size: medium;">This has been a long time coming, but I finally, FINALLY, get to share with you the cover for the 4th and final book in the <i>Deception Game</i> series. This book should have released months ago, but I've had some issues with my editor meeting deadlines, so hence the delay. I'm excited to share with you the cover, blurb, and (dun, dun, dun) a GIVEAWAY! Who doesn't love free stuff, amirite?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This book is the culmination of 5 years of writing and revising and editing (and blood, sweat, & tears). I mean, I wrote a freaking book series! From multiple POVs! :) After more than 2 years, I finally have a book that wraps up the entire <i>Deception Game</i> series. Questions will be answered, and yes, you will finally know who Sienna ends up with (YAY!). I sincerely hope my readers love it (and if they don't that they pretend they do, lol)! Thank you for being on this journey with me, and for loving the first 3 books enough to read the 4th. My readers are seriously the best! Love to you all! <3 <3 <3</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Of course, I also have to thank my very talented cover designer, <a href="http://www.strongimageediting.com/" target="_blank">Marya Heidel</a>, with <a href="http://www.strongimageediting.com/" target="_blank">Strong Image Editing</a>. She always does such a fantastic job on my book covers!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So, without further ado, I present the cover for <a href="https://amzn.to/3AVXphP" target="_blank">UNBREAKABLE,</a> the 4th book in the <i>Deception Game</i> series!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">*****************</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">*****************</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">******************</p><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-Sak4IM3xKPxlEOhHlQKBaIVL60wA8rBSxOmmTQILOuW_ZxcYUyc8mRk7OcJpul-OEWMJVJZ6ybhSvnM9pd10_5-pYZPwKzbwyUl88fF-JT5K69oj547RvdD4ygq-fgeWEZDxtn4ZsNV88yPc06xLzNFXSSYqY7UjUzi6BFDBHHC4pzJ0M0MEmDizRg=s2700" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-Sak4IM3xKPxlEOhHlQKBaIVL60wA8rBSxOmmTQILOuW_ZxcYUyc8mRk7OcJpul-OEWMJVJZ6ybhSvnM9pd10_5-pYZPwKzbwyUl88fF-JT5K69oj547RvdD4ygq-fgeWEZDxtn4ZsNV88yPc06xLzNFXSSYqY7UjUzi6BFDBHHC4pzJ0M0MEmDizRg=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Book Blurb:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none; font-size: medium;">From best-selling and award-winning author Kristin Smith comes the riveting fourth and final book in the Deception Game series.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none; font-size: medium;"><i>A terrible discovery that will rock all their futures.</i></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none; font-size: medium;">Armed with valuable information, Trey and the other members of the Fringe seek refuge in Pride, a neighboring province. But unable to trust his presidential host, Trey sets out to uncover if this new place holds friends or foes. In the end, it might not matter. Because he will do anything to save his people, including fighting a war for a government he isn’t sure he can trust.</span></p><p class="p4" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none; font-size: medium;">Zane blames himself for the accident that incapacitated Sienna. He’s driven to recreate Re0Gene 2.0, the healing serum his father was working on shortly before his death. But not all ailments are meant to be fixed, and he must accept that he might not be able to cure everyone.</span></p><p class="p4" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none; font-size: medium;">Sienna struggles with her new condition. When a highly experimental cure is offered, she doesn’t hesitate, despite the dangerousness of the situation. It’s her one chance to feel like herself again, no matter how risky the procedure might be. However, nothing can prepare her for the outcome.</span></p><p class="p4" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none; font-size: medium;">Trina finds herself in unexpected circumstances when she and a small group survive the Zenith Camp bombing. Unfortunately, the place she thought would be a haven turns into a nightmare. As she cares for the wounded, she and the others devise a plan for escape. But with no weapons or resources, the chances for success are slim.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit; font-kerning: none; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3AVXphP" target="_blank">Pre-Order the Book!</a></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">***</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I know I'm a little biased, but I just love how they all look together! My teenage niece guessed that the last one would be green, and she's right, lol. What do you think? Do you love the cover as much as I do?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJzQCcMEzCv4vrQrD84TxTNguM_8N_g6jbmXr6vtDaDWvHtkvx-LlG5oISxnGeCptznb_tvc8acZptJ_WegymOOVtkfMlUfrCdJloZyXO8HlJXpX7WnF-ePM0kIVGsJfLwiV73nayY8ZzTQz7GFLAjajrJDwJ17w9bEvIvG65iYud972de9nBHN_ZE5g=s2700" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2700" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJzQCcMEzCv4vrQrD84TxTNguM_8N_g6jbmXr6vtDaDWvHtkvx-LlG5oISxnGeCptznb_tvc8acZptJ_WegymOOVtkfMlUfrCdJloZyXO8HlJXpX7WnF-ePM0kIVGsJfLwiV73nayY8ZzTQz7GFLAjajrJDwJ17w9bEvIvG65iYud972de9nBHN_ZE5g=w640-h357" width="640" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4AUlG-hierdv3zkEM2OM1nv65SK8fZVB1u0AcgNK7sDvLdIy_juugInE0YLRBBExOcKP6qqUBiB-JtnaCPt-smIhKf7rrO5gyBVehVKfOUhJfy9iJRF_3qtqUKJNtiv55LwEd0qOnZrm9wc6brt0hDApJY7JjHaNkqjNqWdNFj9Ba6O3mfsw3AtVtIA=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2667" data-original-width="4000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4AUlG-hierdv3zkEM2OM1nv65SK8fZVB1u0AcgNK7sDvLdIy_juugInE0YLRBBExOcKP6qqUBiB-JtnaCPt-smIhKf7rrO5gyBVehVKfOUhJfy9iJRF_3qtqUKJNtiv55LwEd0qOnZrm9wc6brt0hDApJY7JjHaNkqjNqWdNFj9Ba6O3mfsw3AtVtIA=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div></div><b><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipjh05z5-bcN8yHtt0shYlkkzvbw9aQc-rYQUwi04bfEVZ4h7gHS9NRHvVhZ8_KRSkbJzVs8WSHoKIzggh1-np6PLn3sYzDSdAgJ36oNt5OEuaTUJOf8DeyoWs_HXngaaNyg1gpbhdWnSe_S0wf17Wmw-W7IIBzBdFfSKEpG7sXLqVZgdubovnBTaXAw=s1600" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipjh05z5-bcN8yHtt0shYlkkzvbw9aQc-rYQUwi04bfEVZ4h7gHS9NRHvVhZ8_KRSkbJzVs8WSHoKIzggh1-np6PLn3sYzDSdAgJ36oNt5OEuaTUJOf8DeyoWs_HXngaaNyg1gpbhdWnSe_S0wf17Wmw-W7IIBzBdFfSKEpG7sXLqVZgdubovnBTaXAw=s320" width="213" /></a></div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">About the Author:</span></b><div><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kristin Smith is the best-selling and award-winning author of the <i>Deception Game</i> series. Her first book, <i>Catalyst</i>, was a 2018 IAN Book of the Year Award finalist for the Young Adult category. When she's not writing, you can find Kristin planning her next trip (she LOVES to travel!), beating her boys at Just Dance, or belting out karaoke (from the comfort of her own home). She lives in North Carolina with her husband and sons. For more information on Kristin or her books, please visit her website at www.kristinsmithbooks.com.<br /></span><br /></span><div><br /></div><div><br /><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">GIVEAWAY!</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Well, it wouldn't be a cover reveal without a Giveaway, so let's get to it! Enter the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card! And remember, the more things you do (like Follow me on Instagram or Subscribe to my Newsletter, etc) the more entries you get. Good luck!</span></p></div></div>
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<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Kristin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-39824308193848152402022-01-25T08:14:00.001-05:002022-02-04T13:30:51.985-05:00Interview with Michelle I. Mason, Author of Your Life Has Been Delayed<p> I am so excited to have my good friend, critique partner, and former Pitch Wars mentee on the blog today, sharing about her debut YA novel, YOUR LIFE HAS BEEN DELAYED, that released in September 2021. It's about a teenage girl who gets on a plane in 1995 and gets off 25 years later, and she hasn't aged a day.</p><p> Now, this was not the book I read/critiqued when Beth Ellyn Summer and I chose Michelle to be our Pitch Wars mentee back in 2017. It was another amazing book. However, I did get to read an early draft of YOUR LIFE HAS BEEN DELAYED and fell in love with the concept and story. It's such a unique premise (and it was actually written BEFORE the show <i>Manifest</i> even came out). I loved all of the 90's references and differences between then versus today. And then there's Michelle's VOICE, which is spectacular and so perfectly YA.</p><p>Okay, enough gushing, let's get on to the interview! Thank you, Michelle, for agreeing to come on my blog and be grilled. :)</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>INTERVIEW WITH MICHELLE I. MASON</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><p><b>First question: How long have you been writing or when did you start?</b></p><br />For as long as I can remember. I loved writing stories when I was a kid, especially when they’d bind them for you at school. For some reason, I was especially fond of horror stories when I was young (must have been all those RL Stine books!). Then as a teenager I was into romance novels and thought I might write those, but I didn’t truly find my niche in YA until I was, ironically, an adult.<br /><br /><br /><br /><b>Your writer's origin story sounds a lot like mine! :) If you had to describe yourself in just three words, what would those be?<br /></b><br />Organized, Encouraging, Persistent<br /><br /><br /><br /><b>I wish I was a little more organized! What do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?</b><br /><br /><br />Isn’t that the million-dollar question? Honestly, my to-do list—and it’s most effective if I have deadlines associated with every item, including drafting/revising/submitting manuscripts. <br /><br /><br /><br /><b>I love a good to-do list. If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?<br /></b><br /><br />Ally Carter! I’ve met her at signings a couple of times, and she’s so fun. I’d love to hang out with her for a whole day and pick her brain about all her books.<br /><br /><br /><br /><b>Ally Carter would be a great person to hang out with! In YOUR LIFE HAS BEEN DELAYED, what was the hardest scene to write, and why?</b><div><b><br /></b><br />The climax of the book, which is technically a few scenes. I had a lot of fun writing it originally, but it was a bit… over the top. That’s about all I can say without spoilers, but my editor warned me before offering on the book that we’d need to change it, and I was fine with that. But it still took three tries before we landed on the right climax for the book. <br /><br /><br /><br /><b>I didn't realize you wrote the climax three different times! If your book were made into a movie, which actors would play your characters?<br /></b><br />I was totally picturing Melissa Joan Hart as Jenny while writing—but as she was in the nineties, of course ☺. For Jenny, I’m going to say McKenna Grace in a couple of years (since she’s only 15 right now) or maybe Kiernan Shipka. I had absolutely no actors in mind for Dylan while writing, so I just now went and searched teen actors on IMBD. Maxwell Jenkins or Jace Norman would work! <br /><br /><br /><br /><b>I had to go and search those actors, lol. I can totally see them as Jenny and Dylan! :) Okay, if you were to write a spin-off about a side character, which would you pick?</b><br /><br /><br />It would probably be someone else from Flight 237, like Valerie Wen, who returned to find her husband remarried with kids. On top of that, one of her former students asks her out. It’s such a great setup for a romance novel! Alas, I am not the one to write this story.<br /><br /><br /><br /><b>Me! Pick me! I volunteer as tribute. That would be such a cool concept to write about. ;) Let's get into the nitty gritty. What’s your favorite and least favorite part of publishing?<br /></b><br />Favorite: Notes from readers who love my book. It’s the best feeling ever!<br /><br /><br />Least favorite: Waiting! Everything just takes a long time. <br /><br /><br /><br /><b>I agree, the waiting is the worst. But those notes from readers sure do make it all worth it! I know you're an avid book reader. What book (or books) are you currently reading?</b><br /><br /><br />Right now I’m working through my Christmas book haul. I just finished (and loved) SUNKISSED by Kasie West. Of course, I may have read three more books by the time this posts, so check my Instagram to see what I’m loving!<br /><br /><br /><br /><b>Ooh, I haven't read that one by Kasie West yet. Thanks for the rec! What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?</b><br /><br /><br />Find other writers you trust to exchange manuscripts with and work together to improve your craft. When you’re first starting out, that’s the most important thing you can do. And finish writing that book! For me, getting to the end was one of the hardest parts with the first book.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div><br /></div><div><b>This is great advice! Thank you, again, Michelle, for sitting in the hot seat and answering my burning questions! Let's take a look at Michelle's book info, including where you can purchase your own copy.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbLvl3m7twzipSt8ZOMHD7Sd3VDMd_9ke21wzRkgWz2SQjIroAWSYlrcwpftLqQ5gjnGF_7664UNGo3ocegS_DG__YZQa8Wl5I8V9X2RI-iAlZb0qw7jhPg1I_Hu0SI_-ctMqTvfs1Caz4D0C7kPO1iv_hK8yTiIllsnvoCxMTNmyO-0w8B3JmZb5rYg=s499" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="331" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbLvl3m7twzipSt8ZOMHD7Sd3VDMd_9ke21wzRkgWz2SQjIroAWSYlrcwpftLqQ5gjnGF_7664UNGo3ocegS_DG__YZQa8Wl5I8V9X2RI-iAlZb0qw7jhPg1I_Hu0SI_-ctMqTvfs1Caz4D0C7kPO1iv_hK8yTiIllsnvoCxMTNmyO-0w8B3JmZb5rYg=s320" width="212" /></a></div><div><span face="Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><b>Book Blurb:</b></span></div><div><span face="Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">It’s August 1995, and seventeen-year-old Jenny Waters is flying back home from an exciting trip to New York City. The biggest things on her mind are applying to Columbia and reuniting with her brand-new boyfriend. But when she and the other passengers disembark in St. Louis, they’re told that their plane disappeared . . . </span><b style="font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>twenty-five years ago.</i></b></div><div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The world has fast-forwarded. Three of Jenny’s grandparents are gone, her parents are <i>old</i>, and her “little” brother is now an adult. There’s so much in the world she’s missed out on.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">When a shocking revelation comes to light, she feels betrayed by her family and once-best friend. She’s also fighting her attraction to Dylan, a cute and kind classmate who has an unusual connection to her past. And then there are the conspiracy theories, coming from a group of people determined to prove that Flight 237—and Jenny’s own existence—is a hoax. Will she figure out how to move forward or will she always be stuck in the past?</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Your-Life-Has-Been-Delayed/dp/1547604085" target="_blank">BUY THE BOOK!</a></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>About the Author:</b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5EPIMhYgmO42nCOCP2a1ZVlfX2NIZNAGGWXN5w7wOHDTZ-PhWvwAt7fP4wEGV8etbJ_DSdy9AoFb5V1iy4XTbHdT2KdoAYxDzgQrmS5ydzTdkbocjSdFnZ7jI8_Oeon3B70fmH_ecT0yHzwVhb2QJqsDuZIRfsxSQeCqeAoEvMwVu4oxo5xydPbEzhw=s2128" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2128" data-original-width="1870" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5EPIMhYgmO42nCOCP2a1ZVlfX2NIZNAGGWXN5w7wOHDTZ-PhWvwAt7fP4wEGV8etbJ_DSdy9AoFb5V1iy4XTbHdT2KdoAYxDzgQrmS5ydzTdkbocjSdFnZ7jI8_Oeon3B70fmH_ecT0yHzwVhb2QJqsDuZIRfsxSQeCqeAoEvMwVu4oxo5xydPbEzhw=s320" width="281" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Michelle I. Mason is the author of <i>Your Life Has Been Delayed</i> and the forthcoming <em>My Second Impression of You</em> (September 2022), both from Bloomsbury YA. Michelle spent ten years as a PR manager promoting everything from forklift rodeos to Hotel Olympics before deciding she’d rather focus on made-up stories. When she isn’t writing, she’s probably reading, watching too much TV, cross-stitching, baking amazing brownies, or playing the violin. Michelle lives in St. Louis with her husband, two kids, and color-coordinated pets. </div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://michelleimason.com/" target="_blank">CONNECT WITH MICHELLE!</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://michelleimason.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://twitter.com/michelleimason" target="_blank">Twitter</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/michelleimason/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></p><br /><p></p></div>Kristin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-33508394916863366632021-02-10T12:37:00.000-05:002021-02-10T12:37:32.159-05:00How I Got My Agent<div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So, truth. I wrote this post a long time ago (over a year ago, to be exact). I'm not sure why I never published it?? But I do still want to share my How I Got My Agent story, even though I've had an agent for almost two years now. Hopefully, my story will help someone who is currently in the query trenches. Here is the original post...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">***</span></div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>For a while there, I didn't think I'd ever get the chance to write a post like this, so, of course, I'm over-the-moon excited to share that...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'M REPRESENTED BY THE AMAZING MARLO BERLINER WITH THE JENNIFER DE CHIARA LITERARY AGENCY (otherwise known as JDLA)!!</span><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nrk8fJn2N80/YCQVzETeIXI/AAAAAAAACwY/zVBnZHUxZ3IAghKFN-2dTP8vDjIK_uEHQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/JDLA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nrk8fJn2N80/YCQVzETeIXI/AAAAAAAACwY/zVBnZHUxZ3IAghKFN-2dTP8vDjIK_uEHQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/JDLA.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When I first started querying years ago, I would scour the internet for the How I Got My Agent stories and I would soak them in. I would read example queries of those that "worked" and later on developed my own How I Got My Agent series on my blog. But that was a long time ago.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Since I loved reading those stories, I'm hoping there will be others who'll benefit from hearing my story, even if it's to convince them TO NEVER GIVE UP!!! So first, I have to tell you my story, and to do so, I have to start at the beginning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So, here goes...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As most of you know, I published my first books, <i>The Deception Game</i> series, through a smaller press called Clean Teen Publishing. They've been absolutely wonderful. But in between writing, publishing, and marketing my near-future thrillers, I kept writing, switching genres to YA contemporary which is really and truly my first love. I finished ATWTSY (which is an abbreviation—not ready to share the title yet!) around May 2017. It was right before Pitch Wars started, and since I was a mentor, all of my time and energy was consumed by the contest. I loved every minute, but by the time the agent round was finished in October, I hadn't looked at my own manuscript in months. I started revising again in January or February, sent it to my critique partners in March or April and started querying in June. I sent the queries out in batches.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I immediately got lots of requests, mostly because I targeted agents who'd had other manuscripts of mine and who'd indicated they wanted to see more of my work. I was feeling really great about this new MS. I had a trip to Italy with my husband planned for July 2018, so I put my MS on the back burner and stopped querying for the rest of the summer. More requests (and rejections!) rolled in, but once October hit, I decided to send out another big batch of queries. I waited a while and then sent out what I thought would be my final batch of queries in January 2019.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Friends of mine had told me that I shouldn't stop querying until I hit the 100 query mark. That seemed like SO many to me. Too many. In the past, I never came close to that number before I threw in the towel and decided to focus on the next manuscript, then the next. But this time, THIS TIME, I knew I had to hit 100 before I could fully say that I'd given it my all. I believed in my story, and I was determined to not give up until I found the right agent for it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In January, I formulated my list of agents I wanted to submit to. I discovered Marlo was a new agent, and when I realized I'd "met" her at the RT Booklovers Convention in Atlanta a couple years before, I knew I needed to query her. We had something in common, and I really felt good about sending her a query. She requested the full manuscript fairly quickly, which, of course, I was excited about. Then on a random day in February, I received the email I'd been waiting for. It was an offer of representation, but it wasn't from Marlo, it was from another agent. We set up a time to talk and then I quickly set out to notify all of the agents who either had the full or partial or who I'd recently queried (and since I'd just sent a big batch, it was quite a few agents). Some agents requested the full immediately and asked for time to read, and others politely stepped aside, even agents who'd had my full manuscript since the fall.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Marlo was one of the agents who said she was reviewing it quickly and would get back to me by my deadline. And she did! I was sick at the time with a horrible head cold, and I'll never forget the email I received one chilly Saturday morning from Marlo. It said she'd finished my manuscript and was hoping we could talk on the phone. I think I probably jumped out of bed (yes, it was one of those sicknesses where all I wanted to do was stay in bed!) and screamed a few times before responding to the email. We set up the call for a couple hours later. Turns out, she was sick with a cold also so I didn't feel so bad about my hoarse voice! Lol.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">From the moment we started talking on the phone, I could tell Marlo really GOT my book. I could feel her passion for my project, and it almost brought me to tears. After years of rejection, I'd finally found an agent who loved my book as much as I did. She understood the characters and their motivations, and her ideas on how to improve it were spot on. I really felt like my book would be in good hands with her as my agent. I happily accepted her offer once my deadline had passed. The hardest part was having to tell the other agent that I'd decided to go with someone else. For the first time ever, it was my turn to reject, and it didn't feel so great.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Working with Marlo has been awesome, and I'm so excited to see where this journey takes us!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So if you take away anything from this post, let it be this: <b>Don't give up.</b> Don't you EVER give up. If you have a dream, and you believe in yourself 100%, then it will happen. Keep writing, keep reading, keep learning, and keep growing. There's an agent/publisher out there for you.</span><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TC_42b7OF_0/VPfLFuvcd3I/AAAAAAAAApw/EixRYptcWKEIVgLihE5e2LyWU4u2KxFzACPcBGAYYCw/s175/http---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54493-96-D359BF15DD488482A9FEDC70DC4EE947.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="74" data-original-width="175" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TC_42b7OF_0/VPfLFuvcd3I/AAAAAAAAApw/EixRYptcWKEIVgLihE5e2LyWU4u2KxFzACPcBGAYYCw/s0/http---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54493-96-D359BF15DD488482A9FEDC70DC4EE947.png" /></a></div></span></div><div><br /></div></div>Kristin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-21433151478680981222019-10-01T02:00:00.000-04:002019-10-01T08:39:51.853-04:00YA Scavenger Hunt (Purple Team) and Giveaway!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SXcYgICpoGs/WdLzWbRGTGI/AAAAAAAACIE/KuhWDv1Gzgsrge81tj-Q9RBpWOnlKSbZQCLcBGAs/s1600/YA_ScavengerHunt_ColourLogo_CMYK-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SXcYgICpoGs/WdLzWbRGTGI/AAAAAAAACIE/KuhWDv1Gzgsrge81tj-Q9RBpWOnlKSbZQCLcBGAs/s320/YA_ScavengerHunt_ColourLogo_CMYK-01.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to YA Scavenger Hunt!</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is my FIFTH TIME hosting YASH, and I'm super excited to be a part of it again! This bi-annual event was first organized by author <a href="http://www.colleenhouck.com/">Colleen Houck</a> as a way to give readers a chance to gain access to exclusive bonus material from their favorite authors...and a chance to win some awesome prizes! At this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each author, you also get a clue for the hunt. Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize—one lucky winner will receive <b>one book from each author on my team</b>!<b> </b>But play fast: this contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online until <b>Sunday, October 6th.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But first, I want to take a moment to introduce myself! I'm <b><a href="http://www.kristinsmithbooks.com/" target="_blank">Kristin Smith</a></b>, your hostess for this leg of the hunt. I'm the author of the best-selling and award-winning YA novel CATALYST and its sequels, FORGOTTEN and FEARLESS. <b>Be sure to enter my Giveaway at the very end of the post!</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_3WsSWZr2g/Wck0uDjGRZI/AAAAAAAACGQ/rcuwYzH9mLMv8YO4AHxYUajDodNf0ZoqQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Kristin%2BPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_3WsSWZr2g/Wck0uDjGRZI/AAAAAAAACGQ/rcuwYzH9mLMv8YO4AHxYUajDodNf0ZoqQCEwYBhgL/s320/Kristin%2BPic.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">ABOUT ME:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love fall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My favorite colors are sky blue and pink.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My favorite scenes to write are ones with lots of kissing. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm a big fan of Karaoke and Just Dance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I may or may not have a stash of chocolate in my nightstand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm a mom to FIVE boys! (Yes, you read that correctly.) :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If I had to choose between the mountains and the beach, I'd choose the beach. Every. Single. Time.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Now back to the Hunt!</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GOX32ZbICeU/XKJJ5Zj7V0I/AAAAAAAACbM/PCG67rP4l_8jNrusTL1k_u8xt230xc0pwCLcBGAs/s1600/Team%2BPurple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" height="256" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GOX32ZbICeU/XKJJ5Zj7V0I/AAAAAAAACbM/PCG67rP4l_8jNrusTL1k_u8xt230xc0pwCLcBGAs/s320/Team%2BPurple.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><b><b><br /></b></b></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Go to the <a href="http://www.yash.rocks/p/how-to-hunt.html" target="_blank">YA Scavenger Hunt</a> page to find out all about the hunt. </b>There are FOUR contests</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">going on simultaneously, and you can enter one or all! I'm part of the <span style="color: purple;"><b>PURPLE TEAM,</b></span><span style="color: #bf9000;"> </span>but there's also a <span style="color: red;">red</span>, <span style="color: blue;">blue</span>, and <span style="color: #f1c232;">gold</span> team for a chance to win a whole different set of books!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ma_4hNbQ-ow/WckzZ9dwOiI/AAAAAAAACGU/dHtiu35nJ9chaUuBZF-kHlCvfQ7FxGeRgCEwYBhgL/s1600/puzzle.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="649" height="295" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ma_4hNbQ-ow/WckzZ9dwOiI/AAAAAAAACGU/dHtiu35nJ9chaUuBZF-kHlCvfQ7FxGeRgCEwYBhgL/s320/puzzle.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Directions:</b> Below, you'll notice I've listed my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on the <span style="color: purple;"><b>PURPLE TEAM, </b></span>and then add them up (don't worry, you can use a calculator!). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Entry Form:</b> Once you've added up all the numbers, <a href="http://www.yash.rocks/p/enter-here.html" target="_blank">make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize</a>. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rules:</b> Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian's permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by <span style="color: magenta;"><b>Sunday, October 6th </b></span>at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">SCAVENGER HUNT POST</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today, I'm excited to be hosting <b>ERICA CAMERON </b>for the YA Scavenger Hunt! Be sure to check out her books and her <a href="http://byericacameron.com/" target="_blank">website</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BfGna9beF44/XZK0Iu--koI/AAAAAAAACkE/MaiXkz6BtLQJJ0BoUFJvv5Hx5AWL8YuBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/EricaCameron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BfGna9beF44/XZK0Iu--koI/AAAAAAAACkE/MaiXkz6BtLQJJ0BoUFJvv5Hx5AWL8YuBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/EricaCameron.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">After a lifelong obsession with books, Erica Cameron spent her college years getting credit for reading and learning how to make stories of her own. Erica graduated with a double major in psychology and creative writing from Florida State University. She's written several series for young adults, including The Ryogan Chronicles and the upcoming Pax Annuls, and she contributed to various online blogs and publications. She is also an advocate for asexuality and emotional abuse awareness. Currently, she lives in North Florida.</span></div>
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<span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":515,"3":{"1":0},"4":[null,2,10027263],"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"After a lifelong obsession with books, Erica Cameron spent her college years getting credit for reading and learning how to make stories of her own. Erica graduated with a double major in psychology and creative writing from Florida State University. She's written several series for young adults, including The Ryogan Chronicles and the upcoming Pax Annuls, and she contributed to various online blogs and publications. She is also an advocate for asexuality and emotional abuse awareness. Currently, she lives in North Florida."}" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Connect with Erica at the following social media sites:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/byericacameron" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Facebook</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://byericacameron.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Website</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://instagram.com/byericacameron" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Instagram</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/ByEricaCameron" target="_blank">Twitter</a><br />
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<a href="http://byericacameron.tumblr.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tumblr</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--HY5xzkL2qo/XZK16VGlTQI/AAAAAAAACkQ/27Mrq9Jf4ZUkgajCKINZ_HrbHggrjIRkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/PaxNovis-HR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="683" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--HY5xzkL2qo/XZK16VGlTQI/AAAAAAAACkQ/27Mrq9Jf4ZUkgajCKINZ_HrbHggrjIRkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/PaxNovis-HR.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">About the Book:</span></b></div>
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<style type="text/css"><!--td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}--></style><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":515,"3":{"1":0},"4":[null,2,10027263],"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Cira Antares is deeply loyal to two things: Pax Novis—her mother's ship that transports supplies across war-torn star systems—and her personal mission to save war orphans. But hiding them as stowaways on the ship is illegal, and if any of them were found, not even her mother could protect Cira from the consequences.\n\nShe has successfully kept her secret...until supplies start to go missing. Food. Clothing. Tools. All signs point to her stowaways, but they wouldn't do anything to risk exposing themselves—or her. Especially not Riston, the oldest of the group and someone Cira has grown close to. Someone she might even be falling in love with...\n\nAnd petty thefts are only the beginning—whole ships are disappearing now.\n\nNot caught in a firefight. Not destroyed by another planet. Vanishing. Without a trace.\n\nAnd Pax Novis is next."}"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Cira Antares is deeply loyal to two things: Pax Novis—her mother's ship that transports supplies across war-torn star systems—and her personal mission to save war orphans. But hiding them as stowaways on the ship is illegal, and if any of them were found, not even her mother could protect Cira from the consequences.<br /><br />She has successfully kept her secret...until supplies start to go missing. Food. Clothing. Tools. All signs point to her stowaways, but they wouldn't do anything to risk exposing themselves—or her. Especially not Riston, the oldest of the group and someone Cira has grown close to. Someone she might even be falling in love with...<br /><br />And petty thefts are only the beginning—whole ships are disappearing now.<br /><br />Not caught in a firefight. Not destroyed by another planet. Vanishing. Without a trace.<br /><br />And Pax Novis is next.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://byericacameron.com/wp/books-and-stories/pax-novis/" target="_blank">Buy the Book</a></span></b></div>
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<b><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">**EXCLUSIVE BONUS MATERIAL**</span></b></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">You guys are in for a treat! Erica was kind enough to share the map of one level of the spaceship, Pax Novis, as well as a list of rules the onboard stowaways have to abide by. So freaking cool! Enjoy! :)</span></b></div>
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<h3 align="left" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Personal
Document from Pax Novis’s Shipboard Archive<br />
</i>Saved from the internal access device of Guest User 2421<br />
Terra-Sol date 3811.348<o:p></o:p></h3>
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<b>The Rules:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>The only time you should ever enter the main corridors of the
ship is to use restroom facilities, and the only facilities you should use are
the ones forward on decks 1, 2, and 12 or, at most once a week, the showers on
deck 10. Exercise caution at all times and only use the facilities in hours
when the bulk of the crew is elsewhere.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Plans to leave the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Novis</i>
must be announced at least two weeks out from the ship’s expected date of
arrival at a port of call. This date should be within 120 days of boarding the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Novis</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>2a.
</i></b><i><u>Addendum</u></i>: if you’re seeing this notice, you have asked
permission to stay and been approved by Cira. The rule for leaving still
applies, but the time frame doesn’t. Now, staying solely relies on sticking to
the rules until you change your mind and want to leave.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Food will be dropped in a specified location once a week. Anyone
found to be taking food rationed for another will be found in violation of
these rules. Don’t do it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>When you came aboard, either Cira or Adrienn took your
measurements. A uniform in your size should’ve been provided, and you can trade
this in once a week when you shower. Warmer clothes for living in the
maintenance sectors will be given out as needed. Do not enter the main
corridors in anything other than the uniform. It’s as close to camouflage as we
can get.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Adrienn will provide simple checkups when possible. Medical care
beyond that will be hard to arrange, and it must be used sparingly. To prevent
problems, take the supplements and other prescriptions provided for us in the
weekly supply drops.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>5a.
</i></b><i><u>Addendum</u></i>: I have emergency codes that can be used to
access medical if necessary. This is a last resort to be used only when death
is the only alternative. Do not risk all our places here for a cold.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>You will be given a sleep pad, a blanket, and a place to sleep
that should be relatively safe to remain in for short periods of time. Whenever
possible, try to sleep in shifts with one person keeping watch in case of
unexpected changes to the maintenance schedule.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>6a.
</i></b><i><u>Addendum</u></i>: Sleep is necessary. Do your best. Don’t get
caught.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Any of your personal belongings too large to be carried with you
constantly will be held in trust by Cira or Adrienn. They will be returned to
you upon leaving the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Novis</i>. Do not
ever leave any of your personal effects lying around the ship. You get one
warning if this happens. The second instance will be a dismissible offense.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Entertainment is limited, but Cira has arranged for terminals
completely disconnected from all <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Novis</i>
systems with a small library of stories, vids, and games on internal memory.
Trying to force a connection between these devices and the ship’s computers
will result in detainment and expulsion from the ship at the first possible
port. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>You will not be granted computer access in any capacity. General
alerts posted to all available screens will be the only news you will be able
to read on the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Novis</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>9a.
</i></b><i><u>Addendum</u>:</i> Cira has found a workaround that is only
available to long-term passengers. Your access will still be restricted, and
you will only be able to use the terminals personally given to you by Cira and
Adrienn. However, you will have access to the ship’s library of books, vids,
courses, and trainings. If you take a course and pass the certification test,
Cira has promised to attach that to your ID officially before you leave the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Novis</i> for good.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 22.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>When at port, you must
be even <i>more</i> careful. Crew schedules can become unpredictable. Work may
happen while the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Novis</i> is stationary
and connected to a backup power supply in areas of the ship rarely used
otherwise. Stay hidden and stay alert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-align: left;">
<b><i>10a.
</i></b><i><u>Addendum</u></i>: Long-term passengers may leave while at port
once every 180 days. Approval from Cira and Adrienn must be gained at least two
weeks ahead of the expected arrival. The one exception to this rule is Paxis
Station. No one, ever, can disembark there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
I will report all
violations immediately. Failure to comply with these rules will result in your
expulsion from the ship at the first available port. If Cira or Adrienn
determines you’ve become a danger to yourself, another stowaway, the crew, or
the ship, other measures will be taken including, but not limited to, sedation
and seclusion in one of the emergency cryostasis pods.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
All decisions will be
made by Adrienn or Cira, and no appeals will be heard.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">****</span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Whoa! Wasn't that insanely cool?! Hope you enjoyed that behind-the-scenes look at Erica's latest novel!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">
And before you leave, don't forget to enter the contest for a chance to win a bundle of awesome books by all of the authors on the </span><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>PURPLE TEAM! </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">To enter, you need to know that my favorite number is </span><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">12</span></b><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> Add up all the favorite numbers of the authors on the </span><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>PURPLE TEAM</b><span style="color: #bf9000;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">and you'll have the secret code to enter for the grand prize!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ByTIP1AsJo/XZK91EVZToI/AAAAAAAACkk/SoL7LMClQJ8FiOP0ihmzEZN-VRudZdVvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Purple%2BTeam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ByTIP1AsJo/XZK91EVZToI/AAAAAAAACkk/SoL7LMClQJ8FiOP0ihmzEZN-VRudZdVvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Purple%2BTeam.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">GIVEAWAY!!</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But before you go, be sure to enter my individual Giveaway for a chance to win a <b>$10 Amazon Gift Card,</b> a <b>SIGNED copy</b> of one of the books in the<i> <b>Deception Game</b></i><b> series</b> (your choice!) and <b>some awesome swag! </b>(Books and swag are for US residents only. International winners will receive gift card only.)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0HaLizjeUvk/XKKXBHdGftI/AAAAAAAACb4/Twvo8GeJeEkKvFozAdU-WNR9MhUm-RZGwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_E2944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0HaLizjeUvk/XKKXBHdGftI/AAAAAAAACb4/Twvo8GeJeEkKvFozAdU-WNR9MhUm-RZGwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_E2944.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">ENTER HERE:</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">CONTINUE THE HUNT</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To continue the hunt, you need to visit the next author—<b><a href="https://jcwelker.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">JC Welker</a></b>. <span style="color: purple;">Click on her name to be redirected to her website.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">But first, check out the first book in the <b>Deception Game</b> series, which is currently <b>FREE </b>on all major retailers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Catalyst-Deception-Game-Kristin-Smith/dp/1634229983/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1490666405&sr=8-1&keywords=catalyst+by+kristin+smith" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Amazon</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/catalyst-kristin-smith/1123761371?ean=2940153084497" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">NOOK</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/catalyst-kristin-smith/1123761371?ean=9781634229982" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Barnes and Noble</span></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/catalyst-62?utm_source=linkshare_us&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=linkshare_us&siteID=W1PQs9y_1_c-ytwRnkgElMNhdIBAPaYlFA" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Kobo</span></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/644376" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Smashwords</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks so much for stopping by! Good luck on the hunt! :)</span></div>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-TC_42b7OF_0%2FVPfLFuvcd3I%2FAAAAAAAAAps%2FRMXoEaRwxxA%2Fs1600%2Fhttp---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54493-96-D359BF15DD488482A9FEDC70DC4EE947.png&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TC_42b7OF_0/VPfLFuvcd3I/AAAAAAAAAps/RMXoEaRwxxA/s1600/http---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54493-96-D359BF15DD488482A9FEDC70DC4EE947.png" -->Kristin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.com72tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-33000275803195571082019-04-02T05:00:00.000-04:002019-04-03T06:48:46.478-04:00YA Scavenger Hunt (Purple Team) & Giveaway!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zzky2iBAYBY/W7JxjurXLrI/AAAAAAAACU4/R0y5FD7behQCKJJrhiuvIX6p9gBz5aZ1wCLcBGAs/s1600/YA_ScavengerHunt_WebBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="1018" height="219" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zzky2iBAYBY/W7JxjurXLrI/AAAAAAAACU4/R0y5FD7behQCKJJrhiuvIX6p9gBz5aZ1wCLcBGAs/s640/YA_ScavengerHunt_WebBanner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SXcYgICpoGs/WdLzWbRGTGI/AAAAAAAACIE/KuhWDv1Gzgsrge81tj-Q9RBpWOnlKSbZQCLcBGAs/s1600/YA_ScavengerHunt_ColourLogo_CMYK-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SXcYgICpoGs/WdLzWbRGTGI/AAAAAAAACIE/KuhWDv1Gzgsrge81tj-Q9RBpWOnlKSbZQCLcBGAs/s320/YA_ScavengerHunt_ColourLogo_CMYK-01.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Welcome to YA Scavenger Hunt!</b><br />
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This is my FOURTH TIME hosting YASH, and I'm super excited to be a part of it again! This bi-annual event was first organized by author <a href="http://www.colleenhouck.com/">Colleen Houck</a> as a way to give readers a chance to gain access to exclusive bonus material from their favorite authors...and a chance to win some awesome prizes! At this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each author, you also get a clue for the hunt. Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize—one lucky winner will receive <b>one book from each author on my team</b>!<b> </b>But play fast: this contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online until Sunday, April 7th.<br />
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But first, I want to take a moment to introduce myself! I'm Kristin Smith, your hostess for this leg of the hunt. I'm the author of the best-selling and award-winning YA novel CATALYST and its sequels, FORGOTTEN and FEARLESS. <b>Be sure to enter my Giveaway at the very end of the post!!</b><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_3WsSWZr2g/Wck0uDjGRZI/AAAAAAAACGQ/rcuwYzH9mLMv8YO4AHxYUajDodNf0ZoqQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Kristin%2BPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_3WsSWZr2g/Wck0uDjGRZI/AAAAAAAACGQ/rcuwYzH9mLMv8YO4AHxYUajDodNf0ZoqQCEwYBhgL/s320/Kristin%2BPic.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
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<b>ABOUT ME:</b></div>
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I love fall.</div>
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My favorite colors are sky blue and pink.</div>
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My favorite scenes to write are ones with lots of kissing. :)</div>
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I'm a big fan of Karaoke and Just Dance.</div>
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I may or may not have a stash of chocolate in my nightstand.</div>
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I'm a mom to FIVE boys! (Yes, you read that correctly.) :)<br />
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If I had to choose between the mountains and the beach, I'd choose the beach. Every. Single. Time.</div>
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<b>Now back to the Hunt!</b><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GOX32ZbICeU/XKJJ5Zj7V0I/AAAAAAAACbM/PCG67rP4l_8jNrusTL1k_u8xt230xc0pwCLcBGAs/s1600/Team%2BPurple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" height="256" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GOX32ZbICeU/XKJJ5Zj7V0I/AAAAAAAACbM/PCG67rP4l_8jNrusTL1k_u8xt230xc0pwCLcBGAs/s320/Team%2BPurple.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Go to the <a href="http://www.yash.rocks/p/how-to-hunt.html" target="_blank">YA Scavenger Hunt</a> page to find out all about the hunt. </b>There are FIVE contests<br />
going on simultaneously, and you can enter one or all! I'm part of the <span style="color: purple;"><b>PURPLE TEAM,</b></span><span style="color: #bf9000;"> </span>but there's also a <span style="color: red;">red</span>, <span style="color: blue;">blue</span>, <span style="color: #38761d;">green</span>, and <span style="color: #f1c232;">gold</span> team for a chance to win a whole different set of books!<br />
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<b>SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE</b></div>
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<b>Directions:</b> Below, you'll notice I've listed my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on the <span style="color: purple;"><b>PURPLE TEAM, </b></span>and then add them up (don't worry, you can use a calculator!). </div>
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<b>Entry Form:</b> Once you've added up all the numbers, <a href="http://www.yash.rocks/p/enter-here.html" target="_blank">make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize</a>. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.</div>
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<b>Rules:</b> Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian's permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by <span style="color: magenta;"><b>Sunday, April 7th </b></span>at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">SCAVENGER HUNT POST</span></b></div>
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Today, I'm excited to be hosting <b><a href="https://jessicaruddick.com/" target="_blank">JESSICA RUDDICK</a></b> for the YA Scavenger Hunt! Be sure to check out her books and her website!<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jUfHhazSttY/XKJNkxJuAgI/AAAAAAAACbY/NFC7fF5tVB4eFFCK6LtkntNjlubi4QCqwCLcBGAs/s1600/Jessica%2BRuddick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jUfHhazSttY/XKJNkxJuAgI/AAAAAAAACbY/NFC7fF5tVB4eFFCK6LtkntNjlubi4QCqwCLcBGAs/s400/Jessica%2BRuddick.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Award-winning young adult and romance author Jessica lives in Virginia with her college-sweetheart husband, two rambunctious sons, and two rowdy but lovable rescue dogs. Since her house is overflowing with testosterone, it’s a good thing she has a healthy appreciation for Marvel movies, Nerf guns, and football. Learn more about Jessica at <a href="http://jessicaruddick.com/">jessicaruddick.com</a>.</div>
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Connect with Jessica at the following social media sites:</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJessicaRuddick/">Facebook</a></div>
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<a href="https://jessicaruddick.com/">Website</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jessicamruddick/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/JessicaMRuddick" target="_blank">Twitter</a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Book Blurb:</span></b></div>
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How do you live with yourself when you decide who dies?</div>
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Ava Parks would have killed for an iPhone for her sixteenth birthday. Anything would have been better than coming into her birthright of being a seeker for the Grim Reaper, an arrangement made by her fallen angel ancestor in exchange for his re-admittance to heaven. And she isn’t just any seeker—she finds souls that have the potential for becoming angels and sentences them to death. A year and two souls into her role as a seeker with her conscience overflowing with guilt, Ava comes up with a plan to thwart the system. When it goes awry, she is forced to submit the name of a classmate, Cole Fowler, an ornery, rough around the edges guy who always seems to come to her rescue, whether she likes it or not. Her feelings for Cole prompt her to intervene, and she saves him from death, upsetting the Grim Reaper’s agenda. </div>
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While Ava schemes to find a way to save Cole, she learns he has some secrets of his own. She lets him believe he is protecting her, and not the other way around, until a final showdown with the Grim Reaper forces Ava to make choices Cole may never forgive.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2EOkFkW" target="_blank">Buy the Book</a></span></b></div>
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<b><b><span style="font-size: large;">**EXCLUSIVE BONUS MATERIAL**</span></b></b></div>
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<b>YASH EXCLUSIVE TEASER EXCERPT (BIRTHRIGHT)</b></div>
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Oooh, I just LOVE that excerpt!! Makes you want to read more, right?</div>
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And don't forget to enter the contest for a chance to win a bundle of awesome books by all of the authors on the <span style="color: purple;"><b>PURPLE TEAM! </b></span>To enter, you need to know that my favorite number is <span style="color: #bf9000;"><b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">12</span></b><span style="color: magenta;">.</span></span> Add up all the favorite numbers of the authors on the <span style="color: purple;"><b>PURPLE TEAM</b><span style="color: #bf9000;"> </span></span>and you'll have the secret code to enter for the grand prize!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">GIVEAWAY!!</span></b></div>
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But before you go, be sure to enter my individual Giveaway for a chance to win a <b>SIGNED copy</b> of the first 3 books in the <b>Deception Game series</b> PLUS a <b>$20 Amazon Gift Card and some awesome swag! </b>(Books and swag are for US residents only. International winners will receive Amazon gift card only.)<br />
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<b>ENTER HERE:</b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">CONTINUE THE HUNT</span></b></div>
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To continue the hunt, you need to visit the next author—<a href="http://blog.kmrobinsonbooks.com/" target="_blank">K.M. ROBINSON. </a><span style="color: purple;">Click on her name to be redirected to her website.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">But first, check out the first book in the <b>Deception Game</b> series, which is currently <b>FREE </b>on all major retailers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Catalyst-Deception-Game-Kristin-Smith/dp/1634229983/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1490666405&sr=8-1&keywords=catalyst+by+kristin+smith" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div>
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/catalyst/id1125905023?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4">Apple iBooks</a></div>
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<br /><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/catalyst-kristin-smith/1123761371?ean=2940153084497" target="_blank">NOOK</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/catalyst-kristin-smith/1123761371?ean=9781634229982" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/catalyst-62?utm_source=linkshare_us&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=linkshare_us&siteID=W1PQs9y_1_c-ytwRnkgElMNhdIBAPaYlFA" target="_blank">Kobo</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/644376" target="_blank">Smashwords</a><br /><br /><br /></div>
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Thanks so much for stopping by! Good luck on the hunt! :)</div>
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I'm almost embarrassed to post on here because it's been SO long. And for that, I apologize.<br />
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I have some fun things to share, but FIRST, Kissing in the Rain (A Seasonal Romance Anthology from Literary Crush Publishing) releases today! You can find my novella,<i> A Blueprint for Love</i>, in the collection!<br />
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<b>Story Blurb:</b></div>
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When stubbornly single Jenna Harris arrives in Eureka Springs, Arkansas for her best friend’s destination wedding, the only thing on her mind is performing her maid of honor duties. But for Chase Anderson, a handsome writer turned Ryde driver who’s in the Ozarks for some much needed relaxation and inspiration, the high-powered architect turns out to be just the type of inspiration he needs. Now he only needs to convince her.<br />
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<a href="https://geni.us/KitR" target="_blank">Buy the Anthology</a></div>
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This was such a fun story to write. After focusing on action-packed sci-fi stories in the Deception Game series, it was a nice change of pace to slow it down and work on my first love—romance. All of the novellas have the theme of Kissing in the Rain and are considered sweet, clean love stories. I'm happy to be a part of this anthology!<br />
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<b>OTHER NEWS:</b></div>
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If you follow me on social media, then you probably already know about this. Catalyst was named as a 2018 IAN Book of the Year Award Finalist in the Young Adult category! I was super excited to get this cool little badge for my book. I love the way it looks. Don't you??</div>
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In other news, Catalyst is making its television debut! :) My publisher was recently contacted by an NCIS New Orlean's set director, asking if they could use some of their books in a scene on NCIS. The set director chose Catalyst to be placed in an NCIS agent's daughter's bedroom. I was thrilled when I heard the announcement! I'm not sure when it will air, but if I find out, I'll let you know!</div>
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Here are some of the books that were chosen:</div>
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Also, I recently attended Teen Bookfest by the Bay in Corpus Christi, Texas as a featured author. It was an amazing experience. I flew there a day early so I could spend all day on Friday doing author visits at a local high school. Shaila Patel (another YA author from Charlotte) and I did three presentations together to a very respectful and attentive group of students. I loved their questions and their insights! Then on Saturday, during the Bookfest, I participated in three author panels and signed books throughout the day. I loved interacting with readers, especially those who are writers themselves! The TBFBay team was beyond amazing. They thought of EVERYTHING to make us authors feel welcome and appreciated. I can't wait to go back next year!</div>
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Last, but not least, FEARLESS, the third book in the Deception Game series, releases in paperback on March 19th! That's only a week away! And right now, I'm doing a preorder incentive for those who choose to preorder.</div>
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To enter: Preorder your paperback copy of Fearless from the retailer of your choice, send me Proof of Purchase or post a pic of your purchased book on social media and tag me. Two winners will receive a $10 Amazon gift card, Fearless bag, custom keychain from The Book Swag Shop, butterfly necklace, bookmarks, and swag.</div>
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And to get you in the mood for the upcoming release of FEARLESS, here are a couple teaser quotes for you! A BIG thanks to my friend and CP, Leandra Wallace, for creating these awesome promo graphics for me. She's SO talented!!! <3 </div>
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And that's all I have! Thanks for stopping by! Hope everyone is having a great 2019 so far. What have you been up to?</div>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-TC_42b7OF_0%2FVPfLFuvcd3I%2FAAAAAAAAAps%2FRMXoEaRwxxA%2Fs1600%2Fhttp---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54493-96-D359BF15DD488482A9FEDC70DC4EE947.png&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TC_42b7OF_0/VPfLFuvcd3I/AAAAAAAAAps/RMXoEaRwxxA/s1600/http---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54493-96-D359BF15DD488482A9FEDC70DC4EE947.png" -->Kristin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-19966737692632432042018-10-02T06:00:00.000-04:002018-10-02T06:00:02.270-04:00YA Scavenger Hunt (Blue Team) & Giveaway!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zzky2iBAYBY/W7JxjurXLrI/AAAAAAAACU4/R0y5FD7behQCKJJrhiuvIX6p9gBz5aZ1wCLcBGAs/s1600/YA_ScavengerHunt_WebBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="1018" height="219" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zzky2iBAYBY/W7JxjurXLrI/AAAAAAAACU4/R0y5FD7behQCKJJrhiuvIX6p9gBz5aZ1wCLcBGAs/s640/YA_ScavengerHunt_WebBanner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SXcYgICpoGs/WdLzWbRGTGI/AAAAAAAACIE/KuhWDv1Gzgsrge81tj-Q9RBpWOnlKSbZQCLcBGAs/s1600/YA_ScavengerHunt_ColourLogo_CMYK-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SXcYgICpoGs/WdLzWbRGTGI/AAAAAAAACIE/KuhWDv1Gzgsrge81tj-Q9RBpWOnlKSbZQCLcBGAs/s320/YA_ScavengerHunt_ColourLogo_CMYK-01.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Welcome to YA Scavenger Hunt!</b><br />
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This is my third time hosting YASH, and I'm super excited to be a part of it again! This bi-annual event was first organized by author <a href="http://www.colleenhouck.com/">Colleen Houck</a> as a way to give readers a chance to gain access to exclusive bonus material from their favorite authors...and a chance to win some awesome prizes! At this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each author, you also get a clue for the hunt. Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize—one lucky winner will receive <b>one book from each author on my team</b>!<b> </b>But play fast: this contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online until Sunday, October 7th.<br />
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But first, I want to take a moment to introduce myself! I'm Kristin Smith, your hostess for this leg of the hunt. I'm the author of the bestselling YA novel CATALYST and its sequels, FORGOTTEN and FEARLESS. <b>Be sure to enter my Giveaway at the very end of the post!!</b><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_3WsSWZr2g/Wck0uDjGRZI/AAAAAAAACGQ/rcuwYzH9mLMv8YO4AHxYUajDodNf0ZoqQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Kristin%2BPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_3WsSWZr2g/Wck0uDjGRZI/AAAAAAAACGQ/rcuwYzH9mLMv8YO4AHxYUajDodNf0ZoqQCEwYBhgL/s320/Kristin%2BPic.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
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<b>ABOUT ME:</b></div>
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I love fall.</div>
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My favorite colors are sky blue and pink.</div>
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My favorite scenes to write are ones with lots of kissing. :)</div>
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I'm a big fan of Karaoke and Just Dance.</div>
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I may or may not have a stash of chocolate in my nightstand.</div>
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I usually write on my bed.</div>
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<b>Now back to the Hunt!</b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WZDhn6mTY60/W7J1BQLo5nI/AAAAAAAACVE/tClpyxqwz-gaC64BKyiTicraq10oIOrlwCLcBGAs/s1600/Blue%2BTeam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="800" height="205" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WZDhn6mTY60/W7J1BQLo5nI/AAAAAAAACVE/tClpyxqwz-gaC64BKyiTicraq10oIOrlwCLcBGAs/s320/Blue%2BTeam.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Go to the <a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/">YA Scavenger Hunt</a> page to find out all about the hunt. </b>There are SEVEN contests<br />
going on simultaneously, and you can enter one or all! I am part of the <span style="color: blue;"><b>BLUE TEAM,</b></span><span style="color: #bf9000;"> </span>but there is also a red team, a green team, a pink team, an orange team, a gold team, and a purple team for a chance to win a whole different set of books!<br />
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If you'd like to find out more about the hunt, see links to all the authors participating, and see the full list of prizes up for grabs, go to<a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/p/prizes.html"> the YA Scavenger Hunt page</a>.<br />
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<b>SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE</b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ma_4hNbQ-ow/WckzZ9dwOiI/AAAAAAAACGU/dHtiu35nJ9chaUuBZF-kHlCvfQ7FxGeRgCEwYBhgL/s1600/puzzle.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="649" height="295" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ma_4hNbQ-ow/WckzZ9dwOiI/AAAAAAAACGU/dHtiu35nJ9chaUuBZF-kHlCvfQ7FxGeRgCEwYBhgL/s320/puzzle.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Directions:</b> Below, you'll notice I've listed my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on the <span style="color: blue;"><b>BLUE TEAM</b></span>, and then add them up (don't worry, you can use a calculator!). </div>
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<b>Entry Form:</b> Once you've added up all the numbers, <a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/p/enter-here.html">make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize</a>. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.</div>
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<b>Rules:</b> Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian's permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by <span style="color: magenta;"><b>Sunday, October 7th </b></span>at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">SCAVENGER HUNT POST</span></b></div>
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Today, I'm hosting <a href="http://www.evapohler.com/" target="_blank">EVA POHLER </a>for the YA Scavenger Hunt!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PZHz-BKhwmc/W7KtOmteAGI/AAAAAAAACVg/K52kME5Ft9oUu5aZAzzozUzpqQfmZOjfQCLcBGAs/s1600/Eva-Pohler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="810" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PZHz-BKhwmc/W7KtOmteAGI/AAAAAAAACVg/K52kME5Ft9oUu5aZAzzozUzpqQfmZOjfQCLcBGAs/s400/Eva-Pohler.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b> </b><b>Author Bio:</b></h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Eva Pohler is a USA Today bestselling author of over twenty novels in multiple genres--young adult fantasy based on Greek mythology and mystery/suspense. Her works include The Gatekeeper's Saga, A Gatekeeper's Spin-Off Series, The Vampires of Athens, The Purgatorium Series, The Mystery House Series, and The Mystery Box Collection. Learn more about Eva and her books and find freebies at http://www.evapohler.com.</span><br />
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Connect with Eva at the following social media sites:</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/evapohler" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.evapohler.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/evapohler/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nyILPpSH6us/W7KtPmDnIbI/AAAAAAAACVk/39t6FEyHEmgNrUz0zFAs6sK_du3tOLVmwCLcBGAs/s1600/Charons-Quest-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nyILPpSH6us/W7KtPmDnIbI/AAAAAAAACVk/39t6FEyHEmgNrUz0zFAs6sK_du3tOLVmwCLcBGAs/s640/Charons-Quest-2.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Book Blurb:</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The ferryman of the dead is forced to leave the life he’s always known.</span></div>
<style type="text/css"><!--td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}--></style><span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":515,"3":{"1":0},"4":[null,2,4884200],"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"The ferryman of the dead is forced to leave the life he’s always known.\n\nApollo has had a vision: as the life of each soul flashes before Charon’s eyes, the ferryman ages like an old man. Charon needs to experience his own adventures to become youthful again, or he will soon die.\n\nThe last thing Charon expects is to fall in love with a mortal woman—someone he can’t take with him when he returns. Charon must decide whether to abandon the love of his life or his duties."}" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
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<span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":515,"3":{"1":0},"4":[null,2,4884200],"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"The ferryman of the dead is forced to leave the life he’s always known.\n\nApollo has had a vision: as the life of each soul flashes before Charon’s eyes, the ferryman ages like an old man. Charon needs to experience his own adventures to become youthful again, or he will soon die.\n\nThe last thing Charon expects is to fall in love with a mortal woman—someone he can’t take with him when he returns. Charon must decide whether to abandon the love of his life or his duties."}"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span data-sheets-userformat="{"2":515,"3":{"1":0},"4":[null,2,4884200],"12":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"The ferryman of the dead is forced to leave the life he’s always known.\n\nApollo has had a vision: as the life of each soul flashes before Charon’s eyes, the ferryman ages like an old man. Charon needs to experience his own adventures to become youthful again, or he will soon die.\n\nThe last thing Charon expects is to fall in love with a mortal woman—someone he can’t take with him when he returns. Charon must decide whether to abandon the love of his life or his duties."}"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
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Apollo has had a vision: as the life of each soul flashes before Charon’s eyes, the ferryman ages like an old man. Charon needs to experience his own adventures to become youthful again, or he will soon die.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The last thing Charon expects is to fall in love with a mortal woman—someone he can’t take with him when he returns. Charon must decide whether to abandon the love of his life or his duties.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.evapohler.com/charons-quest/" target="_blank">Buy the Book</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">**EXCLUSIVE BONUS MATERIAL**</span></b></div>
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<b>AN EXCLUSIVE SCENE FROM <i>CHARON'S QUEST</i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style";"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i> </i>BY EVA POHLER</span></span></b></div>
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Matilda glanced at the clock on the wall behind her, next to the glassware. Four more hours, and she was out of here. She still had to study for a midterm, and tomorrow was her day to volunteer at the children’s ward. Monday’s were the longest days of the week, and the fastest to arrive.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just then, the man from the night before entered the bar, the one who had tipped her almost two-hundred dollars. She perked up, hoping for another. No, this wasn’t the same man, she realized, as he moved closer. This man was much younger, and now that she really got a look at him, hot. Maybe this was the older man’s son. If so, she hoped he was a good tipper, too.</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“What can I get you, sir?” she asked.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Shot of whiskey, please.” He rubbed his eyes.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Do you have a favorite brand?” she asked, noticing the sadness in his eyes. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Your finest, please.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Are you alright, sir?” Matilda asked as she poured his drink.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“I will be,” he said as he climbed onto the bar stool. “I recently lost someone very close to me.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> She handed him the shot. “I’m sorry to hear that. I know how you feel. A friend of mine passed away </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">a few days ago.” One of the terminal kids. It never got any easier.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“My condolences.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She studied his face and frowned. His resemblance to the old man from the night before was uncanny.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Is something wrong?” he asked.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Not at all,” she said. “It’s just that…well, by any chance, are you staying here with your father?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Why do you ask?”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“There was an older man here the other night. He was the kindest person I’ve ever met. Anyway, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">he resembled you. He walked with a cane and wore a fedora. I didn’t catch his name. Any relation?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The man’s face turned red. She suddenly had a bad feeling. She reached across the bar and covered </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">his hand with hers. “I’m so sorry, sir. I don’t mean to pry. But please tell me the person you lost </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">wasn’t your father.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“He was. His name was Bill.” </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She grabbed the bottle of Black Velvet and poured him another shot. “This one’s on me.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">He thanked her before taking a sip of the whiskey.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“I want you to know that one of his last acts was pure kindness,” Matilda said gently. “He left me a </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">generous tip—nearly two hundred dollars. It couldn’t have come at a better time.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“I’m glad he helped you,” the man said.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Matilda left to take the order of a small party who’d just entered the bar and had sat at a table near </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the lobby. When she returned, she busied herself with mixing drinks as the man sipped at his </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">whiskey. She left to serve the new party, and when she returned, she refilled the man’s glass without </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">asking if he needed more.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Thank you, Matilda,” he said.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“You’re welcome, Mr….?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Just call me Charon.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She lifted her chin. “What an interesting name for a man.” </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“It’s not a common one here? It is in Greece.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“It’s common here for women—though if it’s a Greek name, I doubt you spell it the same: </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">K-A-R-E-N.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“C-H-A-R-O-N,” he said. “And it’s pronounced KAIR-uhn, not KAIR-</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">in</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Like the ferryman,” she said.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Exactly.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Matilda’s face turned bright red. Not many people could say they’d met the ferryman of the dead, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">but she had, five years ago.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“What is it, Matilda?” Charon asked.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Excuse me,” she said. Then she dashed off to check on the couple at the end of the bar. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">When she returned, and as she began to mix drinks, Charon said, “My father left me a great deal </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">of money. I’d like to use it to help humanity in some way, but I don’t know how. Any suggestions?”</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">As she met his gaze, her mouth dropped open. Matilda thought for sure that one of her friends had </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">set her up, because there was no way a hot, rich, nice guy would come to her looking for a way to </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "bookman old style"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">use his inheritance. No way.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">****</span></b></div>
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What do you think, guys? Makes you want to read more, right?</div>
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And don't forget to enter the contest for a chance to win a bundle of awesome books by all of the authors on the <span style="color: blue;"><b>BLUE TEAM!</b></span> To enter, you need to know that my favorite number is <span style="color: #bf9000;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">12</span></b><span style="color: magenta;">.</span></span> Add up all the favorite numbers of the authors on the <span style="color: blue;"><b>BLUE TEAM</b></span><span style="color: #bf9000;"> </span>and you'll have the secret code to enter for the grand prize!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">GIVEAWAY!!</span></b></div>
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But before you go, be sure to enter my individual Giveaway for a chance to win a <b>$10 Amazon Gift Card and some awesome Swag! </b>(Swag Pack is for US residents only. International winners will receive Amazon gift card only.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HaA0Xv1ZJfI/WsN4FfgcJSI/AAAAAAAACQQ/hOfKsYMVE4YWqAKE-h-uY8KYrwEtLNWRACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_E9137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HaA0Xv1ZJfI/WsN4FfgcJSI/AAAAAAAACQQ/hOfKsYMVE4YWqAKE-h-uY8KYrwEtLNWRACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_E9137.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prizes include: Customized key chain, magnet, bookmarks, and reversible quote card<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">CONTINUE THE HUNT</span></b></div>
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To continue the hunt, you need to check out the next author—<a href="http://www.littlemisswrite.com/yash/" target="_blank">GINGER SCOTT! </a><span style="color: blue;">Click on her name to be redirected to her website.</span></div>
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Thanks so much for stopping by!!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HXRtFKcYdI8/W5r-qmYHslI/AAAAAAAACUM/p2FwYoFROqI5uf0XwjTfoU-LYoeP-JN1wCLcBGAs/s1600/Deception%2BGame%2BSale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HXRtFKcYdI8/W5r-qmYHslI/AAAAAAAACUM/p2FwYoFROqI5uf0XwjTfoU-LYoeP-JN1wCLcBGAs/s400/Deception%2BGame%2BSale.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Catalyst-Deception-Game-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01KWIR25A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536884543&sr=8-1&keywords=catalyst+by+kristin+smith" target="_blank">Catalyst</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XWFRM4W/ref=series_rw_dp_sw" target="_blank">Forgotten</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DGYZM3N/ref=series_rw_dp_sw" target="_blank">Fearless</a></span></div>
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In other exciting news, I'm one of the judges for the IWSG Anthology Contest. The genre for this year is Young Adult and the theme is Masquerade. There are so many fun things you can do with a theme like that—I can't wait to read the entries! For more details or to enter, visit the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/2018/09/the-iwsg-annual-anthology-contest-is.html" target="_blank">IWSG website.</a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--uBWC3tGzmA/W5sBb0n3E9I/AAAAAAAACUY/D8oOpuRm_m0idxPM8SSiYo3nKSf5odvKQCLcBGAs/s1600/IWSG_AC_2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--uBWC3tGzmA/W5sBb0n3E9I/AAAAAAAACUY/D8oOpuRm_m0idxPM8SSiYo3nKSf5odvKQCLcBGAs/s1600/IWSG_AC_2018.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Now check out the rest of the CTP sale and the $50 gift card giveaway. There are lots of books to choose from!</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.cleanteenpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/CTPs-Fall-Sale.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-8696" src="http://www.cleanteenpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/CTPs-Fall-Sale-1024x390.jpg" height="243" width="640" /></a>
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We're one week away from Fall and CTP wants to celebrate with their Bring On Fall Free Book Sale and an Author Sponsored $50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway! For one weekend only, they have selected a handful of titles throughout their different imprints that will be listed as free on Amazon from 9/14 to 9/16. This is a limited time promotion as the price will go back up to $4.99 on Monday. Take advantage of this exciting sale this weekend and Fall in love with some new books to cozy up with while you drink your Pumpkin Spice Latte, or tea, or hot chocolate, or whatever you love to sip while reading. Enjoy!</div>
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FREE BOOKS AVAILABLE 9/14-9/16:</h4>
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From YA to steamy romance, witches, queens and everything in between, there is sure to be something for everyone!</div>
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<strong>This group promo runs from 09/14/2018 to 09/16/2018 ONLY. </strong></div>
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Some of the authors listed below are also offering <strong>Kindle Countdown Deals</strong> on their sequels, which means you can snag sequels or even a few series for the low, low price of $.99 each during this sale!</div>
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<strong>Get your Kindles ready, or download the Kindle App on your tablet or phone and prepare for an amazing FREE reading extravaganza! </strong></div>
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<img alt="Never Forgotten - Kelly Risser" class=" wp-image-1086 alignleft" height="267" src="https://thescribblespot.files.wordpress.com/2018/09/never-forgotten-kelly-risser.jpg" width="178" /><a href="https://amzn.to/2QpXpia" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img alt="Prelude - Nely Cab" class=" wp-image-1087 alignleft" height="267" src="https://thescribblespot.files.wordpress.com/2018/09/prelude-nely-cab.jpg" width="178" /></a>
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Thanks so much for stopping by! Did you download any free books? Have a great weekend, and if you live in the Carolinas or any other state in the path of Florence, stay safe! <3<br />
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<br />Kristin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-61005746745355644122018-08-28T10:17:00.000-04:002018-08-28T10:17:18.417-04:00Fearless Release Day!<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Hi everyone! I know I'm horrible at blogging, but I do try to share when there's something exciting happening, like... A NEW RELEASE! That's right, folks, I have another book baby entering the world today, and I'm super excited to share it with you! FEARLESS, the 3rd book in the Deception Game series, is here! And here's the post my publisher put together to celebrate:</span></h3>
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NEW RELEASE AND SALE!!!</h3>
<a href="http://www.cleanteenpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Catalyst-Series-Banner.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-8566" src="http://www.cleanteenpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Catalyst-Series-Banner-1024x683.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a>
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Clean Teen Publishing is excited to share that the third book in the exhilarating DECEPTION GAME Series by Kristin Smith is finally available!<a href="https://amzn.to/2trdWbL"><strong> Grab your copy of FEARLESS today!</strong></a>
<strong> If you haven't started reading this series yet, now is a great time to do so as the first book— CATALYST— is currently free for two days only on August 28th and August 29th to celebrate this new release.</strong> Readers can grab their free copy on their Kindle or on the Kindle App through Amazon. In addition, <strong>this entire series is currently available in Kindle Unlimited</strong>, which means that Kindle Unlimited readers can borrow all three books in the series and binge read them for free!
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<a href="https://amzn.to/2trdWbL" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-8567" src="http://www.cleanteenpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/30954262_10212333699961115_1024419095_o-683x1024.jpg" height="600" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">FEARLESS (AUGUST 28, 2018)</span></h4>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">READ FEARLESS TODAY: <a href="https://amzn.to/2trdWbL">AMAZON</a></span></strong></div>
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On the run from the government, Sienna and her Fringe companions seek refuge in the primitive Zenith Camp, until a government decree draws them out of hiding. They're ready to resist, but it may be too late.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XdcTOzrCGtw/W4VBzGQAfAI/AAAAAAAACTY/AF-kKhHIESEERc210K7-BiH-QhbBiBr7gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XdcTOzrCGtw/W4VBzGQAfAI/AAAAAAAACTY/AF-kKhHIESEERc210K7-BiH-QhbBiBr7gCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_1561.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Praise for the Deception Game series by Kristin Smith:</b> </span><br />
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<i>"The heart-pounding plot twists and turns rival that of any roller coaster and I DID NOT WANT IT TO STOP."</i> – Amazon Reviewer<br />
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<i>"This has everything fans of dystopian YA love: suspense, action, plenty of twists and turns, and a love triangle!"</i> – Amazon Reviewer<br />
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<i>"These books are soooo good. They are a perfect balance of everything. Science fiction romance suspense action, they've got it all."</i> –Amazon Reviewer<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M1xWKVLNNgQ/W4VW2CV8s2I/AAAAAAAACTo/QIhxui8d8DYt93fUm8ZZKjB3lSmsXDwHACLcBGAs/s1600/_Fearless%2BPromo%2BImage_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1312" data-original-width="1600" height="326" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M1xWKVLNNgQ/W4VW2CV8s2I/AAAAAAAACTo/QIhxui8d8DYt93fUm8ZZKjB3lSmsXDwHACLcBGAs/s400/_Fearless%2BPromo%2BImage_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4YpHNIqKGaQ/W4VW1ouKuGI/AAAAAAAACTk/HJNcByx5Zfge4Xv5AieNGO7YiNQgLJLLACLcBGAs/s1600/Fearless%2BPromo%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="716" height="313" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4YpHNIqKGaQ/W4VW1ouKuGI/AAAAAAAACTk/HJNcByx5Zfge4Xv5AieNGO7YiNQgLJLLACLcBGAs/s400/Fearless%2BPromo%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Catalyst-Deception-Game-Kristin-Smith/dp/1634229983/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465999562&sr=8-1&keywords=catalyst+kristin+smith&tag=bookesca-20">CATALYST</a> IS FREE ON 8/28 AND 8/29 ONLY!</span></h5>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Catalyst-Deception-Game-Kristin-Smith/dp/1634229983/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465999562&sr=8-1&keywords=catalyst+kristin+smith&tag=bookesca-20"><img alt="" src="http://www.xpressobooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/11/Caralyst.jpg" style="display: inline-block; float: left; margin: 0 15px 15px 0;" /></a>
<strong>CATALYST</strong>
<strong>Kristin Smith</strong>
(The Deception Game, #1)
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<span id="freeText2485061427419022542"><i>Too pretty.
Too smart.
Too perfect.</i></span></div>
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In a crumbling, futuristic Las Vegas where the wealthy choose the characteristics of their children like ordering off a drive-thru menu, seventeen-year-old Sienna Preston doesn’t fit in. As a normal girl surrounded by genetically modified teenagers, all of her imperfections are on display. But after the death of her father, everything she’s ever known and loved changes in an instant.</div>
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With little skills to help provide for her family, Sienna clings to the two things that come easily—lying and stealing. But not all thief-for-hire assignments go as planned. When a covert exchange of a stolen computer chip is intercepted, she becomes entangled with a corrupt government official who uses her thieving past as leverage, her mother as collateral, and the genetically modified poster boy she’s falling for as bait.</div>
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In order to rescue her mother, there may only be one option—joining forces with the Fringe, an extremist group, and their young leader who’s too hot to be bad. Problem is, these revolutionaries aren’t what they seem, and the secrets they’re hiding could be more dangerous than Sienna is prepared for. In the end, she must be willing to risk everything to save the one thing that matters most.</div>
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Catalyst is a thrilling adventure of danger, romance, intrigue, and deception.</div>
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GRAB CATALYST FOR FREE ON 8/28 OR 8/29 THROUGH <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Catalyst-Deception-Game-Kristin-Smith/dp/1634229983/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465999562&sr=8-1&keywords=catalyst+kristin+smith&tag=bookesca-20" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Amazon!</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.cleanteenpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Kristin-Smith-Pic-FORGOTTEN.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-8568 alignleft" src="http://www.cleanteenpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Kristin-Smith-Pic-FORGOTTEN-200x300.jpg" height="300" width="200" /></a>
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<strong>Author Bio:</strong></h3>
Kristin Smith is the best-selling author of the <i>Deception Game </i>series. When she’s not writing, you can find her dreaming about the beach, beating her boys at Just Dance, or belting out karaoke (from the comfort of her own home). Kristin currently resides in the middle-of-nowhere North Carolina with her husband and five incredibly loud but extremely cute boys. To read more about her obsession with YA novels or her addiction to chocolate, you can visit her at kristinsmithbooks.com.
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<strong><a href="http://www.kristinsmithbooks.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Website</a> / <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15184285.Kristin_Smith" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KristinSmithAuthor/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Facebook</a> / </strong><a href="https://twitter.com/SwordsStilettos" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Twitter</strong></a></div>
Kristin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-2089876235265918002018-05-31T01:00:00.000-04:002018-05-31T01:00:04.384-04:00Fearless Cover Reveal & Giveaway!<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Hi, everyone! Today is the day! Today I get to share the Cover Reveal for FEARLESS, the 3rd book in the Deception Game series which releases August 28th (ebook) and March 18, 2019 (paperback). But before I do, I want to thank all of you who have read, reviewed, or rated CATALYST or FORGOTTEN. Your support means EVERYTHING! <3</span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Also, what's a cover reveal without a GIVEAWAY?! Be sure to enter the giveaway below for a $25 Amazon Gift Card.<br /><br />Okay, you ready to see the cover???</span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Here we go! :) </span></span></h3>
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FEARLESS by Kristin Smith</h3>
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(The Deception Game, #3)</div>
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August 28, 2018<br />
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<strong>Pre-order your copy <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fearless-Deception-Game-Kristin-Smith/dp/1634223233/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527529046&sr=8-1&keywords=Fearless+by+Kristin+Smith">here</a>. </strong></h3>
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Add to Goodreads <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40099871-fearless">here.</a></h3>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40099871-fearless" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> / <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fearless-Deception-Game-Kristin-Smith/dp/1634223233/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1527538560&sr=8-2&keywords=Fearless+by+Kristin+Smith" target="_blank">Amazon</a> /<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fearless-kristin-smith/1128614589?ean=2940155244851" target="_blank"> Barnes and Noble</a> / <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/fearless-150" target="_blank">Kobo</a></h3>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Book Blurb:</span></strong></div>
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Told from alternating points of view, the story of Sienna Preston, Trey Winchester, and Zane Ryder continues in this third installment of the thrilling Deception Game series, a sci-fi dystopian saga from best-selling author Kristin Smith.<br />
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<i>When you can't escape, you hide.</i><br />
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On the run from the government, Sienna and her Fringe companions seek refuge in the primitive Zenith Camp. But navigating the camp isn't easy. It's run by a tough, no-nonsense girl named Paige who has a long, complicated history with Trey. And Sienna's caught right in the middle. Not to mention Sienna is still confused about her lingering feelings for Zane―feelings that are especially useless now that he's returned to Legas to marry his perfect genetic match.<br />
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But it turns out Zane has his own set of problems to deal with, and they may force him back on the same path as Sienna, working to uncover a dark government secret. When the government issues a decree that will change the course of history, Sienna and her cohorts are forced out of hiding, ready to resist. Problem is, it may be too late…<br />
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ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:</h3>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="3d370a1c14" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3d370a1c14/" id="rcwidget_j4uvxpp6" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<span style="font-size: large;">BOOKS ONE AND TWO ARE AVAILABLE IN STORES AND ONLINE!</span></h5>
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<b>CATALYST by Kristin Smith</b><br />
(The Deception Game, #1)</div>
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<i>Too pretty. Too smart. Too perfect.</i></div>
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In a crumbling, futuristic Las Vegas where the wealthy choose the characteristics of their children like ordering off a drive-thru menu, seventeen-year-old Sienna Preston doesn’t fit in. As a normal girl surrounded by genetically modified teenagers, all of her imperfections are on display. But after the death of her father, everything she’s ever known and loved changes in an instant.</div>
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With little skills to help provide for her family, Sienna clings to the two things that come easily—lying and stealing. But not all thief-for-hire assignments go as planned. When a covert exchange of a stolen computer chip is intercepted, she becomes entangled with a corrupt government official who uses her thieving past as leverage, her mother as collateral, and the genetically modified poster boy she’s falling for as bait.</div>
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In order to rescue her mother, there may only be one option—joining forces with the Fringe, an extremist group, and their young leader who’s too hot to be bad. Problem is, these revolutionaries aren’t what they seem, and the secrets they’re hiding could be more dangerous than Sienna is prepared for. In the end, she must be willing to risk everything to save the one thing that matters most.</div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29922963-catalyst?ac=1&from_search=true" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> / <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1634229983" target="_blank">Amazon</a> / <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/catalyst-kristin-smith/1123761371?ean=9781634229982" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> / <a href="https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/catalyst-62" target="_blank">Kobo</a></div>
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<b>FORGOTTEN by Kristin Smith</b></div>
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(The Deception Game, #2)</div>
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The epic tale of Sienna Preston continues in this second installment of the exhilarating Deception Game series.<br />
Seventeen-year-old Sienna is no stranger to heartache and loss. But this time, it's different; someone—or something—has tampered with a loved one's memories, and she's determined to get answers.<br />
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The trail leads her to the glittering skyscrapers and modern luxuries of Rubex, the Capital of Pacifica, where she infiltrates the government's Agency for Intelligence and Genetics. But answers are not always easy to come by, especially when her own memories may have been altered. Luckily, Zane Ryder is there to help her put the pieces back together, his devotion and concern muddying the waters between friendship and something more.<br />
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When Sienna gets too close to uncovering dark Agency secrets, she's framed for the murder of a prominent government official, sending her on the run. Sienna's heart may be torn about who she loves, but none of that really matters anymore—because the only thing that awaits her now is a death sentence.</div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32789311-forgotten" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> / <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Deception-Game-Kristin-Smith/dp/1634222377/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank">Amazon </a>/ <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/forgotten-kristin-smith/1124998679?ean=9781634222372#/" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a> / <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/forgotten-64" target="_blank">Kobo</a></h3>
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<img alt="" src="http://www.xpressobooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/11/Kristin.jpg" height="200" style="display: inline-block; float: left; margin: 0px 15px 15px 0px;" width="132" /><b>About the Author:</b><br />
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Kristin Smith is the author of the best-selling young adult novel <i>Catalyst</i> and its sequel, <i>Forgotten</i>. When she’s not writing, you can find her dreaming about the beach, beating her boys at Just Dance, or belting out karaoke (from the comfort of her own home). Kristin currently resides in the middle-of-nowhere North Carolina with her husband and five sons. To read more about her obsession with YA novels or her addiction to chocolate, you can visit her at <a href="http://kristinsmithbooks.com/">kristinsmithbooks.com</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.kristinsmithbooks.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> / <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15184285.Kristin_Smith" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KristinSmithAuthor/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/SwordsStilettos" target="_blank">Twitter</a> / <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kristinsmithwrites/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> / <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kristin-Smith/e/B01EIJ6I90/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">And that's it! What do you think of the cover? Did you enter the Giveaway? </span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Happy Thursday! </span></h3>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TC_42b7OF_0/VPfLFuvcd3I/AAAAAAAAAps/RMXoEaRwxxA/s1600/http---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54493-96-D359BF15DD488482A9FEDC70DC4EE947.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TC_42b7OF_0/VPfLFuvcd3I/AAAAAAAAAps/RMXoEaRwxxA/s1600/http---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54493-96-D359BF15DD488482A9FEDC70DC4EE947.png" /></a></div>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-TC_42b7OF_0%2FVPfLFuvcd3I%2FAAAAAAAAAps%2FRMXoEaRwxxA%2Fs1600%2Fhttp---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54493-96-D359BF15DD488482A9FEDC70DC4EE947.png&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TC_42b7OF_0/VPfLFuvcd3I/AAAAAAAAAps/RMXoEaRwxxA/s1600/http---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54493-96-D359BF15DD488482A9FEDC70DC4EE947.png" -->Kristin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-89625516883547943812018-04-03T12:00:00.000-04:002018-04-03T12:00:13.024-04:00YA Scavenger Hunt (Gold Team) & Giveaway!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SXcYgICpoGs/WdLzWbRGTGI/AAAAAAAACIE/KuhWDv1Gzgsrge81tj-Q9RBpWOnlKSbZQCLcBGAs/s1600/YA_ScavengerHunt_ColourLogo_CMYK-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SXcYgICpoGs/WdLzWbRGTGI/AAAAAAAACIE/KuhWDv1Gzgsrge81tj-Q9RBpWOnlKSbZQCLcBGAs/s320/YA_ScavengerHunt_ColourLogo_CMYK-01.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Welcome to YA Scavenger Hunt!</b><br />
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This is my second time hosting YASH, and I'm super excited to be a part of it again! This bi-annual event was first organized by author <a href="http://www.colleenhouck.com/">Colleen Houck</a> as a way to give readers a chance to gain access to exclusive bonus material from their favorite authors...and a chance to win some awesome prizes! At this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each author, you also get a clue for the hunt. Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize—one lucky winner will receive <b>one book from each author on my team</b>!<b> </b>But play fast: this contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online for <b>120 hours</b>!<br />
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But first, I want to take a moment to introduce myself! I'm Kristin Smith, your hostess for this leg of the hunt. I'm the author of the bestselling YA novel CATALYST and its sequel, FORGOTTEN. <b>Be sure to enter my Giveaway at the very end of the post!!</b><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_3WsSWZr2g/Wck0uDjGRZI/AAAAAAAACGQ/rcuwYzH9mLMv8YO4AHxYUajDodNf0ZoqQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Kristin%2BPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_3WsSWZr2g/Wck0uDjGRZI/AAAAAAAACGQ/rcuwYzH9mLMv8YO4AHxYUajDodNf0ZoqQCEwYBhgL/s320/Kristin%2BPic.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
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<b>ABOUT ME:</b></div>
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I love fall.</div>
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My favorite colors are sky blue and pink.</div>
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My favorite scenes to write are kissing scenes.</div>
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I'm the mother of 5 boys (my house is loud and crazy).</div>
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I'm a big fan of Karaoke and Just Dance.</div>
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I may or may not have a stash of chocolate in my nightstand.</div>
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I usually write on my bed.</div>
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<b>Now back to the Hunt!</b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nTC3yMePTIc/WrvXOvxI9uI/AAAAAAAACPc/AUkIOJWSPDYs801UHtAXvdtMZykfAIDPgCLcBGAs/s1600/Gold%2BTeam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nTC3yMePTIc/WrvXOvxI9uI/AAAAAAAACPc/AUkIOJWSPDYs801UHtAXvdtMZykfAIDPgCLcBGAs/s320/Gold%2BTeam.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Go to the <a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/">YA Scavenger Hunt</a> page to find out all about the hunt. </b>There are SIX contests<br />
going on simultaneously, and you can enter one or all! I am part of the <span style="color: #bf9000;">GOLD TEAM—</span>but there is also a red team, a blue team, a green team, a pink team, and a purple team for a chance to win a whole different set of books!<br />
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If you'd like to find out more about the hunt, see links to all the authors participating, and see the full list of prizes up for grabs, go to<a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/p/prizes.html"> the YA Scavenger Hunt page</a>.<br />
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<b>SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE</b></div>
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<b>Directions:</b> Below, you'll notice I've listed my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on the <span style="color: #bf9000;">gold team</span>, and then add them up (don't worry, you can use a calculator!). </div>
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<b>Entry Form:</b> Once you've added up all the numbers, <a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/p/enter-here.html">make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize</a>. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.</div>
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<b>Rules:</b> Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian's permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by <span style="color: magenta;"><b>Sunday, April 8th </b></span>at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">SCAVENGER HUNT POST</span></b></div>
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Today, I am hosting <a href="http://darrengroth.com/" target="_blank">Darren Groth</a> for the YA Scavenger Hunt!</div>
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Darren is the author of six novels, including the acclaimed YA novels <i>Are You Seeing Me? </i>and <i>Munro vs. the Coyote.</i> He was the winner of the 2016 Adelaide Festival Award for Young Adult Literature and has been a finalist in numerous other prestigious prizes including the CBCA Book of the Year (Australia), the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards (Australia), the Governor General’s Literary Awards (Canada) and the Sakura Medal (Japan). For fun, he watches Game of Thrones with his beautiful Canadian wife and eats Fatburger with his wondrous sixteen-year-old twins.</div>
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You can find Darren at the links below:</div>
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<a href="http://darrengroth.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/darrengroth" target="_blank">Twitter</a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mSGpDJkJLv0/WrvbGpoFNJI/AAAAAAAACP4/lFdh67W4C7Q9onllOSLMtbbU7W90MrfawCLcBGAs/s1600/Munro%2Bvs.%2Bthe%2BCoyote%2B%2528Cover%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="198" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mSGpDJkJLv0/WrvbGpoFNJI/AAAAAAAACP4/lFdh67W4C7Q9onllOSLMtbbU7W90MrfawCLcBGAs/s400/Munro%2Bvs.%2Bthe%2BCoyote%2B%2528Cover%2529.jpg" width="267" /></a><b></b><br />
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<b><b>About the Book:</b></b></div>
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Sixteen year old Munro Maddux goes on a student exchange to Australia in an attempt to heal from the sudden death of his younger, Down Syndrome sister.</div>
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<b>Buy the Book:</b></div>
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<a href="https://m.barnesandnoble.com/w/munro-vs-the-coyote-darren-groth/1125840441" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Munro-vs-Coyote-Darren-Groth/dp/1459814096/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1522262391&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">**EXCLUSIVE BONUS MATERIAL**</span></b></div>
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<b>DELETED SCENE FROM MUNRO VS. THE COYOTE:</b></div>
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I imagine Caro helping to save us. <br />
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She sits on her living room couch, eyes glued to the news coverage. Tissue in her hand. Rock in her stomach. She shouldn’t feel guilty, but she does. Why did I leave? she thinks. I should be there.<br />
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Then she’s running out the front door of her rented house, down the steps two at a time, along the short driveway to the family van. She gets in and starts the engine. A small girl and an old woman appear in the doorway. They watch as Caro reverses onto the street. I know the old woman is the neighbor from the house on stilts that has a big tree with white flowers in the backyard. The small girl is Caro’s youngest sister. Neither waves as the van drives away. Caro doesn’t beep the horn. <br />
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She drives fast, ignoring all the road rules she learned for her test. She goes on the shoulder when the traffic is slow, doesn’t indicate when changing lanes, goes through the intersection with STOP signs. <br />
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“God, don’t let there be any cops,” she says.<br />
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If the police are around, she’ll lose her Learner’s licence. She’ll be banned from ever driving again. There aren’t any police. They’re all at the ‘Fair Go Standoff’ as the news reporters are calling it. She’ll get to the scene okay.<br />
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Her phone, lying on the passenger seat, starts up an Aussie song, “Playing With Fire.” It’s the ringtone for her texts. This is the eighth text she’s received in the last fifteen minutes. The first one prompted her to run. <br />
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Into a tunnel, onto the highway, dekeing and jigging. Past a construction zone and a worker yelling at her to slow down. Over the train tracks with a thump that makes the van bounce up and down like a teeter–totter. I see the scar on her leg. Climbing into the van, it was dull and grey; here, away from the house, speeding toward the scene, it glows with the power of a torchlight. Caro knows bad guys like Wedge, knows what they can do. <br />
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She screeches to a stop near the Fair Go entrance, where the police have set up a roadblock. Before the nearest officer can tell her to go away – and maybe take her licence – she’s talking, telling him to let her in. There’s a shake of the head, an open door. An order to leave. Now she’s shouting, almost to the point of crying. But she doesn’t give up. This isn’t the first time Caroline Wakefield has had to make the police listen, make them understand. She shows the officer the texts. He reads them and, for a second, he’s frozen like the Rideau Canal in winter. Another shout shatters the ice and now, at last, the two of them are running. Down the long driveway of Fair Go Community Village. Through the crowds and past the barricades. Dodging the police cars that are spread all around like a Hot Wheels collection waiting for their turn on the track.<br />
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There’s huge interest in the sudden arrival of the policeman and the young girl holding a phone. Strangers in the crowd lean toward each other and talk out of the sides of their mouths. Sussex students take photos and record video. The news reporters press their fingers against their ears. Everyone guesses at what’s going on, but only one person knows.<br />
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Kelvin Yow.<br />
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He watches Caro being led toward the officer in charge. He remembers the times she visited Fair Go. He liked her. He knows that the residents, the ones inside House 4, liked her, too. He recalls they exchanged numbers, promised to keep in touch. Kelvin Yow breathes deeply. He lifts his chin. He feels a sense of hope. It grows as the texts are shown to the cop, the one holding the speaker, the one in charge of the rescue.<br />
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Yes, I imagine Caro helping to save us.<br />
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And it might be more than just my imagination.<br />
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AHHH, wasn't that SO GOOD?? Makes you want to read more, right?</div>
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And don't forget to enter the contest for a chance to win a bundle of awesome books by all of the authors on the <span style="color: #bf9000;">gold team</span>! To enter, you need to know that my favorite number is <span style="color: #bf9000;"><b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">12</span></b><span style="color: magenta;">.</span></span> Add up all the favorite numbers of the authors on the <span style="color: orange;"><span style="color: #bf9000;">gold team</span><span style="color: orange;"> </span></span>and you'll have the secret code to enter for the grand prize!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">GIVEAWAY!!</span></b></div>
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But before you go, be sure to enter my individual Giveaway for a chance to win a <b>$15 Amazon Gift Card and some awesome Swag! </b>(Swag Pack is for US residents only. International winners will receive Amazon gift card only.)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HaA0Xv1ZJfI/WsN4FfgcJSI/AAAAAAAACQQ/hOfKsYMVE4YWqAKE-h-uY8KYrwEtLNWRACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_E9137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HaA0Xv1ZJfI/WsN4FfgcJSI/AAAAAAAACQQ/hOfKsYMVE4YWqAKE-h-uY8KYrwEtLNWRACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_E9137.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prizes include: Customized key chain, magnet, bookmarks, and reversible quote card</td></tr>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="3d370a1c13" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3d370a1c13/" id="rcwidget_3hksorw4" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">CONTINUE THE HUNT</span></b></div>
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To continue the hunt, you need to check out the next author—<a href="http://www.jenniferdigiovanni.com/" target="_blank">JENNIFER DIGIOVANNI!</a> <span style="color: #bf9000;">Click on her name to be redirected to her website.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am that my dear friend and critique partner, Sheri Larsen, has a book baby releasing this week. Welcome to the world, MARKED BEAUTY! I had the privilege to read an ARC of this fabulous book, and trust me when I say that everyone should be getting their grabby hands ready to obtain a copy. Here's what I said about MARKED BEAUTY:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Vividly rich in detail, this compelling read has a tension-filled romance that leaves you turning pages and wanting more. A must-read for paranormal fans."</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">-Kristin Smith, bestselling author of <i>Catalyst</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; white-space: normal;">So, without further ado, let's celebrate the release of MARKED BEAUTY!!! But don't leave the party until you've entered the giveaway and read Sheri's awesome guest post. Everything you've ever wanted to know about the difference between writing middle grade versus YA is in a nifty post right below. Be sure to check it out!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MARKED BEAUTY BY S.A. LARSEN BLOG TOUR</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="215" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/5S2ZhJkNv_FCFELDPn3i40JAMedGubPoNz9IJ98izxlR6Fu8FPs5Pg7B9xss8FjzEhOXJCabW1kRiYvtud06Zta8oWuqSiqrLPG3u0EEpt63J73V20cSSplkIgV4oyqGKzYtpO_Fj_slTTk-8A" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="515" /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="font-weight: normal;">Sheri's Blog Tour will run from October 16-27th, and if you want to read exclusive excerpts, interviews, and guest posts, you can visit the Tour Schedule <a href="http://www.chapter-by-chapter.com/tour-schedule-marked-beauty-by-s-a-larsen/" target="_blank">HERE.</a> </b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Title: Marked Beauty</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Author: S.A. Larsen</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Publisher: Ellysian Press</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Release Date: October 2017</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Uncovering hidden secrets can sometimes kill you . . . or worse, steal your soul.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anastasia Tate has a secret. She can feel the emotions of others through their life energy auras. Not a welcome gift for a teenager. Especially when a sinister presence begins stalking her.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Viktor Castle also has a secret. He’s tasked with protecting humanity yet cursed by an ancient evil to destroy it.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After Viktor saves Ana’s life, her abilities grow stronger. Drawn together, she senses Viktor has answers to lifelong questions. Only he shuns her at every turn, knowing he has saved her only to put her in more danger.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As Ana struggles with her attraction to Viktor, he tries everything to bury his unexpected feelings for her. But they must find a middle ground. For only together can they combat the dark forces threatening both their lives . . . and their souls.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35114147-marked-beauty" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "calibri"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35114147-marked-beauty</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">S.A. LARSEN is the author of the award-winning novel </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Motley Education</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the first book in a fantasy-adventure series for middle grade readers. Her work has appeared in numerous local publications and young adult anthologies </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gears of Brass </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Under A Brass Moon</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Curiosity Quills Press. Marked Beauty is her debut young adult novel. Find her in the land of snowy winters and the occasional Eh’ya with her husband of over twenty-five years, four children, a playful pooch, and three kittens. Visit her cyber home anytime at </span><a href="http://www.salarsenbooks.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0563c1; font-family: "calibri"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">www.salarsenbooks.com</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>GUEST POST BY S.A. LARSEN:</b></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: "times new roman"; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">“MG vs. YA – How to Write Them Differently”</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>by S.A. Larsen</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The first thing a writer of both middle grade and young adult stories needs to do is understand what sets these two audiences apart, but also what links one to the other. To explore the young adult arena and characters one must build upon their experiences, lessons, and guidance received during the middle grade years. Both stages pose an intricate labyrinth of growth and development from emotional and physical to mental and spiritual. There are many similarities, but at some point the teen maturity will take off, leaving the tween mentality behind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Middle Grade conjures images of curious innocence and the first glimpses of possible risk-taking to sneak passed the boundaries set by adults. Hungry sweetness that yearns to spread its wings beyond elementary mind-set. Children of this age are just learning how to stretch their attitudes, opinions, and decisions. Middle Graders are still dreamers. They believe in the possibilities, yet tend to still see the main people in their lives as bigger-than-life or even heroes. But this is also a time that brings about their quest to discover who they are, their likes and dislikes, and where they fit into this thing we call the world. They look outward at what others are doing and try to find themselves in the mix until they push beyond themselves. This eventually bends and twists their </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Me-ism</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> – the idea that the world revolves around me. We’re all born with it, and we all work through it toward the teen years. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Although the Young Adult age carries with it many of what middle graders thrived on, it's more complicated. By these years, most have experienced some sort of loss or pain that the world cannot give a resolute answer for. They’re less impressionable and more determined in those attitudes and opinions they discovered during their tween years. They’ve also established a sense of where they belong in their immediate world. Now, they look inward to solidify more of who they are so that eventually they can take in the outside world and make it theirs. Learning acceptance of personal failures, as well as failures of those around them—family, friends, teachers, and mentors—can be a difficult lesson to learn. Perfection is obliterated, which, for some, can be devastating. The realization that people they’ve thought of as heroes are nothing more than mere humans can be scary. But there’s also hope, a yearning for more of whatever is out there. They are more fortified than ever before in their short lives.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For the purpose of writing dynamic MG and YA characters and their worlds, here are a few elements to keep in mind. I’ll start with middle grade.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MGers love adventure and the messier the better. Whether it be racing a fire giant to the finish line or passing notes in Mrs. Studebaker’s classroom, it has to have stakes. And again, the bigger the better.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Humor is a must-have for middle school tales. Silly jokes or pranks, or even poking fun at themselves can go a long way. It’s refreshing and also relatable to MG readers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Incorporate history and all it has to offer. We already established tweens love to dream, so why not add in some real-life history mingled with a myth or two? It’s intriguing and will get them to think, which is a fabulous.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At this age, most </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">important</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> relationships come in the form of existing friendships with their peers or those yet to be developed to move your story along. There are family interactions and those of acquaintances like the school janitor who’s always nice. Or maybe not nice. Romance can come into play with a sweet crush or the inevitable knowledge that someone doesn’t return their affection. It’s new and more or less on the surface. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Magic is another huge factor that can be used to develop characters and worlds of this age group. Noticing the way a bird floats on a breeze can be magical for an MGer. It doesn't have to consist of wands and space invaders. Although, those are really cool too! Magic can be the unexpected or simple gesture that warms the heart. Help readers see the beauty and positivity in the world you're creating.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Animals are another big hit with middle grade readers. Use them to teach lesson or responsibility within your story world. They also conjure a softer and sweeter reaction to unwanted hurts from the world around them. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Speed (or pacing) is one of the biggest differences between MG and YA stories. Keep the action moving forward at all costs. Take an incident and use it as the foundation to build a race track of scenes that push and prod the reader to your finish line. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Young adult stories have a different set of needs. I don’t like to use requirements because you’ll always find an exception. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The pacing of young adult tales is much different than in middle grade stories. The quick action isn’t as necessary. What is more pertinent is the depth of the action—the why, the how, the when, where, and what. There still must be action, but it tends to take its time, stewing along the story line until it eventually boils over in the climax of a scene or the inevitable climax of the story. Throughout this, subplots can be used to add a rev here and there of the main story line's goals and conflicts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Humor can best be used in YA as a character detail. This can be done through a physical quirk, a past event, or a scene that adds to the character. It can draw a reader into the </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">reality</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of the world you’re creating. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Descriptions have some similarities to middle grade, but usually focus on different aspects of the story. Where in middle grade seeing details of the world move the story along, adding to pace and adventure, young adult readers like to see, feel, and touch character. It's more personal. Of course, if your writing fantasy or paranormal and those world characteristics are important to story, then by all means use them. But as with middle grade, insert them within a scene in direct correlation to the characters.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The essence of violence can be found in YA material through dialog, gestures, and even fight scenes. These readers are more emotionally equip to handle such realities and the aftermath for character and story than MGers. However, that does not negate some sort of maleficent action in middle grade. Whether writing reality or fiction the lives of your characters must be as tangible as possible. We’d like to shield younger children from the ugly of the world, but in reality that’s not always possible. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tension—pacing, violence, ME-ism, magic, and memories—can be used to add pull to the strings of your story. Roadblocks, unexpected boundaries, nibbles of mysteries unfolding will jive with anxieties your plot is pressing against your young adult characters. This is a great tactic to keep readers reading.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">YAers have learned or are learning about different cultures, histories, and famous (or infamous) figures. For the most part, these are used for world building, genre setting, and such as that. But that doesn't mean lessons still cannot be taught through these elements. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Relationships are my absolute favorite part of writing YA. As with middle grade, use family interactions, social acquaintances (could be the kid in the row next to them in class or the older guy that works at the diner with them), and authority figures but all to a greater, deeper, and more intense degree. Romance is at a high in YA, as I'm sure most of you know. The young adult age is when wings are spread to explore this aspect of human reality. So whether in contemporary or fantasy literature, use it. Teasing and flirting can be sweet and playful or more forthcoming. Push love and/or lust through stares and discreet gestures or be bolder. The heart has a novel all its own. Each character's is unique. Use physical touch from hugs and long, lusting kisses, to the inevitable topic of sex--first timers and those who have been around the block a few times. For me, sex should be used with discretion and to add to character and world. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ultimately, whether it’s a middle grade character or a young adult character, write from your heart and your character will grow one. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>TIME FOR A GIVEAWAY!!!!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: calibri; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blog Tour Giveaway:</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One (1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card (INT) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="a013e60750" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a013e60750/" id="rcwidget_mc6aaqj9" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a> <span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Release Party Giveaway:</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What better way to celebrate a book birthday then by a giveaway! There are many ways to enter, which you'll find below. You can win an iTunes, Amazon, or Starbucks gift card, an authentic Vera Bradley Little Crossbody in Cobalt Tile, an assortment of bookish swag, and even a KINDLE Fire HD 7"! The giveaway runs from release day, October 17, 2017 to December 5, 2017. Winners will be announced via social media December 7, 2017. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*No purchase necessary to win* </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">However, if you have read Marked Beauty or purchase it and read you can earn extra entries by posting a review on any major online retail bookstore and Goodreads! All the information you'll need is in the form below.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BUT there's more...</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: x-large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>FOR WRITERS!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Writers who enter can WIN a first five pages critique!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="a013e60748" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a013e60748/" id="rcwidget_wz2zqwfx" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">***</span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you so much to Sheri for her insight into writing middle grade versus YA books. What an informative guest post! And huge congrats to her on the release of MARKED BEAUTY!!! <3 Readers, did you add MARKED BEAUTY to Goodreads? Did you enter the Giveaway?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TC_42b7OF_0/VPfLFuvcd3I/AAAAAAAAAps/RMXoEaRwxxA/s1600/http---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54493-96-D359BF15DD488482A9FEDC70DC4EE947.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="74" data-original-width="175" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TC_42b7OF_0/VPfLFuvcd3I/AAAAAAAAAps/RMXoEaRwxxA/s1600/http---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54493-96-D359BF15DD488482A9FEDC70DC4EE947.png" /></a></span></div>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-TC_42b7OF_0%2FVPfLFuvcd3I%2FAAAAAAAAAps%2FRMXoEaRwxxA%2Fs1600%2Fhttp---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54493-96-D359BF15DD488482A9FEDC70DC4EE947.png&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TC_42b7OF_0/VPfLFuvcd3I/AAAAAAAAAps/RMXoEaRwxxA/s1600/http---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54493-96-D359BF15DD488482A9FEDC70DC4EE947.png" -->Kristin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-76402163992646881902017-10-03T12:12:00.002-04:002017-10-03T12:20:24.478-04:00YA Scavenger Hunt & Giveaway!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SXcYgICpoGs/WdLzWbRGTGI/AAAAAAAACIE/KuhWDv1Gzgsrge81tj-Q9RBpWOnlKSbZQCLcBGAs/s1600/YA_ScavengerHunt_ColourLogo_CMYK-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SXcYgICpoGs/WdLzWbRGTGI/AAAAAAAACIE/KuhWDv1Gzgsrge81tj-Q9RBpWOnlKSbZQCLcBGAs/s320/YA_ScavengerHunt_ColourLogo_CMYK-01.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Welcome to YA Scavenger Hunt!</b><br />
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This bi-annual event was first organized by author <a href="http://www.colleenhouck.com/">Colleen Houck</a> as a way to give readers a chance to gain access to exclusive bonus material from their favorite authors...and a chance to win some awesome prizes! At this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each author, you also get a clue for the hunt. Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize—one lucky winner will receive <b>one book from each author on the hunt in my team</b>!<b> </b>But play fast: this contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online for <b>120 hours</b>!<br />
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But first, I want to take a moment to introduce myself! I'm Kristin Smith, your hostess for this leg of the hunt. Be sure to enter my Giveaway at the very end of the post!!<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_3WsSWZr2g/Wck0uDjGRZI/AAAAAAAACGQ/rcuwYzH9mLMv8YO4AHxYUajDodNf0ZoqQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Kristin%2BPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_3WsSWZr2g/Wck0uDjGRZI/AAAAAAAACGQ/rcuwYzH9mLMv8YO4AHxYUajDodNf0ZoqQCEwYBhgL/s320/Kristin%2BPic.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
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<b>ABOUT ME:</b></div>
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I love fall.</div>
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My favorite store is Home Goods because I adore decorating.</div>
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I have a slight pillow fetish.</div>
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I'm the mother of 5 boys (my house is loud and crazy).</div>
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I'm a big fan of Karaoke and Just Dance.</div>
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I may or may not have a stash of chocolate in my nightstand.</div>
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I usually write on my bed.</div>
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<b>Now back to the Hunt!</b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n4507hej_KA/Wckqzt1k2uI/AAAAAAAACFk/rkJjIt4WQEgk0PahdfWD53a3z-EQjH9oACLcBGAs/s1600/Orange%2BTeam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n4507hej_KA/Wckqzt1k2uI/AAAAAAAACFk/rkJjIt4WQEgk0PahdfWD53a3z-EQjH9oACLcBGAs/s320/Orange%2BTeam.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Go to the <a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/">YA Scavenger Hunt</a> page to find out all about the hunt. </b>There are SEVEN contests going on simultaneously, and you can enter one or all! I am a part of the <span style="color: orange;">ORANGE TEAM—</span>but there is also a red team, a gold team, a blue team, a green team, a pink team, and a purple team for a chance to win a whole different set of books!<br />
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If you'd like to find out more about the hunt, see links to all the authors participating, and see the full list of prizes up for grabs, go to<a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/p/prizes.html"> the YA Scavenger Hunt page</a>.<br />
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<b>SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE</b></div>
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<b>Directions:</b> Below, you'll notice that I've listed my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on the <span style="color: orange;">orange team</span>, and then add them up (don't worry, you can use a calculator!). </div>
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<b>Entry Form:</b> Once you've added up all the numbers, <a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/p/enter-here.html">make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize</a>. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.</div>
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<b>Rules:</b> Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian's permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by <span style="color: orange;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">Sunday, October 8th</span></b>,</span> at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">SCAVENGER HUNT POST</span></b></div>
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Today, I am hosting C.M. Boers on my website for the YA Scavenger Hunt!<br />
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Obscured was C. M.'s debut novel. What began as a way to spend her free time slowly transitioned into a passion for writing. She's currently working on her fourth novel. The best is yet to come! <br />
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C. M. is a mother of three. She grew up in the sunshine state of Arizona with a love of reading and an ambition to write. But never took her writing seriously until after the birth of her first child. After that she took up writing more seriously in her spare time and hasn't stopped since.<br />
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Find out more information by checking out her author website <a href="http://www.cmboers.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Or you can purchase her book <a href="http://amzn.to/2pDbGhM" target="_blank">HERE</a>. <b>And for this week ONLY, Obscured is 99 cents, so hurry and grab your copy!</b></div>
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<b>About the Book:</b></div>
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Abby Martin thought she was an ordinary girl about to start high school. But when her mom announces that they’re moving to Arizona, vivid nightmares start plaguing Abby’s nights. As she settles into her new school and a cute guy named Pete catches her eye, she hopes that life might somehow get back to normal. To Abby’s horror, “normal” becomes a thing of the past as she’s swept up into a world of immortal protectors wielding supernatural gifts. When Abby realizes she’s a pawn in a centuries-old feud, she must figure out who she can trust before she’s caught in the crossfire.<br />
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Prepare yourself for heart-pounding suspense in the world of Obscured, where nothing is as it seems and danger lurks in unexpected places.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><b>Obscured Buy Links:</b></span></div>
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Amazon: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://amzn.to/2pDbGhM&source=gmail&ust=1506531881352000&usg=AFQjCNGxQMCnO_Wxq-SVUVN3CDQdsfMczQ" href="http://amzn.to/2pDbGhM" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/2pDbGhM</a></div>
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Nook: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://bit.ly/2qkiy2Z&source=gmail&ust=1506531881352000&usg=AFQjCNHamD7DYjbE_DaD5dvLAMcqJNU-Sw" href="http://bit.ly/2qkiy2Z" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/2qkiy2Z</a></div>
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Kobo: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://bit.ly/2qk5p9V&source=gmail&ust=1506531881352000&usg=AFQjCNGvOC9-ZcRPEr-f80yNzKqBDCZmdA" href="http://bit.ly/2qk5p9V" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/2qk5p9V</a></div>
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Apple: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://apple.co/2riI5GT&source=gmail&ust=1506531881352000&usg=AFQjCNGftdUeG3Xb1V5YODvvBThFl_YQSQ" href="http://apple.co/2riI5GT" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://apple.co/2riI5GT</a> </div>
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Google: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://bit.ly/2wXWQm4&source=gmail&ust=1506531881352000&usg=AFQjCNELdd1eWb-p7-jBAlE2eN-gsX4CsQ" href="http://bit.ly/2wXWQm4" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/2wXWQm4</a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">**EXCLUSIVE BONUS MATERIAL**</span></b></div>
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<b style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; white-space: pre-wrap;">Abby's Favorites </b><br />
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<b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This or that</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tea or soda? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Soda</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cake or pie? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cake</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ice cream or sherbet? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ice cream</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fast food or sit-down restaurant? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, this depends on my mood, but sit-down. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chocolate or vanilla? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mmm. . .Chocolate</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pulp or no pulp? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No pulp, yuck. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pancakes or waffles? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pancakes</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Football or baseball? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don't watch either, but if I had to it would be football. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ocean or mountains? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ocean of course. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Running or walking? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Walking. I hate running. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Video games or board games?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Board games</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Book or movie?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Book. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sneakers or flip-flops?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Flip flops, easier to slip off and bury your feet in the sand!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bare feet or shoes?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bare, always bare.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bikini or one piece?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One piece. Unless it's a tankini. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Boxers or briefs?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How about Boxer briefs. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bracelet or necklace?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Necklace. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Facial hair or clean shaven?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Clean shaven </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Funny or romantic?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Both, at the right times.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Roses or wildflowers?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sunflowers</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Calling or texting?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Texting</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bath or shower?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Both, depends on how I'm feeling.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Weird or normal?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ha! Nothing about my life has been normal for a long time. I guess I'll go with Weird.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Evil or good?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Good, I've had enough of evil.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Earthquake or tornado?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Been in many earthquake from my days of living in California, so I'll go with that. </span></div>
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And don't forget to enter the contest for a chance to win a bundle of awesome books by all of the authors on the <span style="color: orange;">orange team</span>! To enter, you need to know that my favorite number is <b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">12</span></b><span style="color: magenta;">.</span> Add up all the favorite numbers of the authors on the <span style="color: orange;"><span style="color: blue;">orange team</span> </span>and you'll have all the secret codes to enter for the grand prize!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">GIVEAWAY!!</span></b></div>
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But before you go, don't forget to enter my individual Giveaway for a chance to win a paperback copy of FORGOTTEN (Book #2 in the Deception Game series) and some awesome swag! (Prize is for US residents only. International winners will receive ebook instead.)<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">CONTINUE THE HUNT</span></b></div>
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To keep going on your quest for the hunt, you need to check out the next author—<span style="color: magenta;"><a href="http://www.tamarsloan.com/" target="_blank">TAMAR SLOAN</a>! Click on her name to be redirected to her website.</span></div>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-TC_42b7OF_0%2FVPfLFuvcd3I%2FAAAAAAAAAps%2FRMXoEaRwxxA%2Fs1600%2Fhttp---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54493-96-D359BF15DD488482A9FEDC70DC4EE947.png&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TC_42b7OF_0/VPfLFuvcd3I/AAAAAAAAAps/RMXoEaRwxxA/s1600/http---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54493-96-D359BF15DD488482A9FEDC70DC4EE947.png" -->Kristin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-19652574554747876672017-07-18T20:00:00.000-04:002017-07-26T15:13:29.971-04:00#PitchWars 2017 Mentor Blog Hop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Welcome to <b>#TeamVictoriousSecret</b>! If you're reading this, it's probably because you're a potential mentee and you're trying to choose the right mentor(s) for you and your awesome work. And Beth and I are about to convince you why WE are the mentors for you! (On a side note, Beth and I are accepting <b>YA</b> only.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">(On another side note: If you are thoroughly confused right now, you can read all about Pitch Wars <a href="http://www.brenda-drake.com/2017/06/pitch-wars-2017-details/" target="_blank">HERE.</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHO WE ARE:</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ISrkYN0UmnY/WV6VLTEL9ZI/AAAAAAAACBo/awhYVtdAuTYycWQ7Rx7MnHZ23eGQbMK_ACLcBGAs/s1600/Kristin%2BPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ISrkYN0UmnY/WV6VLTEL9ZI/AAAAAAAACBo/awhYVtdAuTYycWQ7Rx7MnHZ23eGQbMK_ACLcBGAs/s200/Kristin%2BPic.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kristin Smith</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hi there! I am so excited to be co-mentoring Pitch Wars this year with my friend and critique partner, the very talented Beth Ellyn Summer. Beth and I have a great love for many of the same books, and we </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: red;">are</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> dying to find that ms we immediately connect with and will go to battle for.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">m a YA author who loves jewelry and scarves, and would trade summer for fall any day. I</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">m the best-selling author of the YA near-future thriller </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Catalyst </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(released Nov. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">16 from Clean Teen Publishing) and its sequel </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Forgotten</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (released April </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">17)</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You can find my books in your local Barnes and Noble or online <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Catalyst-Deception-Game-Kristin-Smith/dp/1634229983/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499030018&sr=8-1&keywords=Catalyst+by+kristin+Smith" target="_blank">HERE.</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I LOVE to dance and may or may not be the Just Dance champion in my house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I play a killer game of Scrabble, but I suck at drawing—my biggest claim to fame would be stick figures and flowers.<br /><br />I have a slight addiction to chocolate, and I’m a strong believer that if a dessert doesn’t have chocolate in it, then it’s not considered a dessert (except for creme brûlée—I can always make an exception for creme brûlée).<br /><br />I love to laugh (no, seriously, I LOVE to laugh).<br /><br />I’m a Southern girl by birth and by heart, but I’m fascinated with big cities.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As the only girl in a house of six boys (1 husband, 5 sons), I'm WAY outnumbered, which is probably why I love rom coms so much.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love broadway plays, music, Zumba, sunsets, the ocean, my family, the piano, reading (of course), and a million other things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You can read more about me and my books at </span><a href="http://kristinsmithbooks.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">kristinsmithbooks.com</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> OR connect with me on Twitter: @SwordsStilettos OR find me on Instagram: @kristinsmithwrites</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hi! I am so thrilled to be a Pitch Wars mentor with my good friend Kristin Smith. There is something so crazy exciting about this contest, and the lead up to it every year reminds me of the electric buzz just before a concert's about to start. We can’t wait to find the manuscript that makes us fan girl!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm a YA author in love with makeup, words and pretty pastel things. My debut novel, AT FIRST BLUSH was published by Bloomsbury Spark in April '17. Check it out <a href="https://www.amazon.com/First-Blush-Beth-Ellyn-Summer-ebook/dp/B01MQ0QDE3/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1499206507&sr=1-1&keywords=At+First+Blush" target="_blank">HERE.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I firmly believe books > movies, but I do love television about as much as I love books. I’m a bit of a TV addict. I spent my college years interning at NBC for Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Fallon (which means I possess the answer to the age old question: how many interns does it take to change a water cooler?) Also: please don't tell my journalism degree, but my favorite news source is Colin Jost and Michael Che on </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Saturday Night Live's</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Weekend Update.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fun Facts:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I live, breathe, sleep, eat, exist for fitness (yes, I'm one of *those* people) with a special love for HIIT (actually HIIT classifies as a love/hate relationship), weight training, core work, and yoga. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have a cat named Penny Belle who loves to "hunt" my laundry downstairs at night and "present" it to me in my room upstairs which is adorable, as well as incredibly helpful. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Roots once wrote a song about me and Whoopie Goldberg eating frozen yogurt together on a desert island.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can’t for the life of me remember high school math, yet Britney Spears’ entire dance routine to “Crazy” is still somehow embedded in my brain (and feet) for all eternity. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can solve Wheel of Fortune puzzles with, like, three letters. Sometimes less.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love Hanson. Yes, Mmmbop Hanson. Yes, they still have a fan base. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I mentioned above, I love makeup. My main character in At First Blush is a makeup guru. But I can’t apply eye liner to save my life, and the one time I did a decent wing, I took 7,000 selfies to document the occasion. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To learn more about me and my writing check out </span><a href="http://www.bethellynsummer.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">www.BethEllynSummer.com</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or connect with me on Twitter and Instagram @BethEllynSummer</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />NOW ON TO THE GOOD STUFF!</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: red;">are</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> interested in <b>YA</b> in the following genres:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> contemporary realistic, contemporary magical realism, contemporary suspense/mystery/psychological thrillers, fantasy/speculative fiction</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here are some things we</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">d LOVE to see:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-VOICE, VOICE, VOICE (If you have an ms with a voice that truly stands out, we are the mentors for you!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Romance (we</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">re a sucker for great romantic tension</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">—</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">however, the romance doesn</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">t have to be part of the main plot; it can be a subplot and we</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">d be happy)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Complex family dynamics</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Unreliable narrators (If you have anything that can be comped to </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We Were Liars </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by E. Lockhart, we want to see it!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Love triangles (done right!)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Complicated or flawed characters</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Twists and turns we don</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">t see coming</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Stories told in an unusual way (with letters or text messages, etc. Think </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thirteen Reasons Why</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Jay Asher)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Fairy tale retellings</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-High concept plots (Think </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pretty Little Liars</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Own voices</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Writing that grounds us in the character</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">s every emotion </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Artistic characters: dance, painting, acting, singing, writing, photography, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Anything that can make us laugh or cry (preferably both!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Anything a la </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pretty Little Liars </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">or </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gilmore Girls</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Characters dealing with the death of a loved one (Think </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Sky is Everywhere</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Jandy Nelson)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Boarding schools</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Phantom of the Opera inspired retelling</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-YA version of the Bachelorette</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Foreign settings</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Anything with cooking</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Anything that can be comped to Sarah Dessen or Stephanie Perkins</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">THE BREAKDOWN:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CONTEMPORARY:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's no secret that we LOVE contemporary YA. So, if you've got swoony boys, complex characters and unique plots, we're your girls. We love the light and fluffy stuff (humor is always a plus) but on the flip side, if your character is gritty and dark, we want it too! In short, when it comes to contemporary, to quote Sharpay Evans, we want it all.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We love strong female friendships, but Beth has a love for the slow burn and inevitable heartbreak of close friendships falling apart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Beth is also addicted to Disney shows and movies, so if your book is anything like </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">High School Musical</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teen Beach</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(think </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What You Always Wanted</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Kristin Rae), she will move heaven and earth for it! (bonus points for manuscripts with musical elements: rock stars, concerts, etc.)</span></span></div>
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Kristin is a sucker for voices, so if you have a voicey ms that can make her laugh (or cry) she’ll fight Wonder Woman-style for it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kristin would love to see anything that could be comped to Sarah Dessen, Stephanie Perkins, or Kasie West. She</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">s also a huge fan of Phantom of the Opera, so if you have a contemporary version of this classic masterpiece, she</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">d love to see it. Kristin ships stories that have emotional depth, such as dealing with the death of a loved one, so if you have a ms a la </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Sky is Everywhere </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Jandy Nelson or <i>Hold Still</i> by Nina LaCour</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, please submit to us.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MAGICAL REALISM:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are looking for magical realism in a contemporary setting. Think </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If I Stay</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Gayle Forman or </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before I Fall </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Lauren Oliver. Or anything else you think we'd love.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FANTASY/SPECULATIVE FICTION</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">re looking for light fantasy or light sci-fi/near-future sci-fi. So if you have an epic fantasy or anything with dragons, trolls, or unicorns, we are probably not the right mentors for you. We're also not the right mentors for spaceships or aliens. However, if you have a superhero ms a la </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wonder Woman</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or anything as badass as that, we</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">d love to see it! Most of all, we want impressive world-building and unique plots. Give us something we've never seen before, and we'll be over-the-moon excited!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some favorites include: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Six of Crows</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Leigh Bardugo, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Raven Boys</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Maggie Stiefvater, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Lunar Chronicles</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Marissa Meyer, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Defy</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Sara Larson, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Catalyst </i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Kristin Smith (*wink, wink* See what I did there?)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CONTEMPORARY SUSPENSE/MYSTERY/PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLERS:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are open to thrillers and books that mess with your mind. If you have a suspenseful or psychological thriller that can keep us turning pages late into the night, we</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">d love to see it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Specifically, we want anything a la </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pretty Little Liars </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Sara Shepard</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Darkest Secret </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Pintip Dunn, or a YA version of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>The Girl on the Train </i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Paula Hawkins.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We know this is a wide range of interests, but mostly if you have a great story with a ton of VOICE and a lot or a little bit of romance (remember, romance can be a subplot), then we want YOUR manuscript!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FAVORITE BOOKS, MOVIES, & TV SHOWS:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kristin</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Favorite authors: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lauren Oliver, Jandy Nelson, Jenny Han, Kasie West, Stephanie Perkins, Sarah Dessen, Suzanne Collins, Jennifer E. Smith, Gayle Forman, Jennifer Niven, Rainbow Rowell, E. Lockhart, Kiera Cass</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Favorite books: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Sky is Everywhere</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Jandy Nelson, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before I Fall </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Lauren Oliver,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> All the Bright Places</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Jennifer Niven, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We Were Liars</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by E. Lockhart, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Fill-In Boyfriend</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Katie West, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Selection Series</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Kiera Cass, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anna and the French Kiss</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Stephanie Perkins, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eleanor and Park</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Rainbow Rowell, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hunger Games </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Suzanne Collins</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Favorite movies: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Notebook,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kate and Leopold, You</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ve Got Mail, Family Man, Batman Begins, Wonder Woman, Titanic, Life As We Know It, The Holiday, My Best Friend</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">s Wedding, Dirty Dancing</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Favorite TV shows: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gilmore Girls, Pretty Little Liars, Reign, Switched At Birth, Modern Family, Vampire Diaries, Drop-Dead Diva, Poldark, Hart of Dixie</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Favorite authors:</b> Kasie West, Sophie Kinsella, Kiera Cass, Stephanie Perkins, J.K. Rowling, Morgan Matson, Emery Lord, Sarah Dessen, Harlan Coben, Jenny Han, Allie Larkin.<br /><br /><b>Favorite books:</b><i> Shopaholic</i> series by Sophie Kinsella, <i>Anna and the French Kiss</i>, by Stephanie Perkins, <i>Harry Potter</i> series by J.K. Rowling, <i>The Selection </i>series by Kiera Cass, <i>Pretty Little Liars</i> by Sara Shepard, <i>This Lullaby</i> by Sarah Dessen, <i>P.S. I Like You</i>, by Kasie West (all by Kasie West), <i>The Summer I Turned Pretty</i> series and <i>To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before</i> series by Jenny Han, <i>My Life Next Door </i>by Huntley Fitzpatrick, <i>The Start of Me and You</i> by Emery Lord.<br /><br /><b>Favorite movies:</b> Dirty Dancing, Pretty Woman, Harry Potter, Titanic, High School Musical 1, 2, 3, Camp Rock, Teen Beach Movie, Frozen, The Little Mermaid... All things Disney. <br /><br /><b>Favorite TV shows:</b> Friends, The Middle, Modern Family, Gilmore Girls, Younger, Sex and the City, Everybody Loves Raymond, The King of Queens, Wheel of Fortune.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">NOT FOR US:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are some things we know would not be right for us, and as a potential mentee, you want a mentor who will be a champion for your work. With that being said, here are some things we</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">re not looking for:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-The murdering of darlings is about all the blood we can handle, so please: no horror!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Erotica</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Incest</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Glorification of rape</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Cruelty or death of an animal</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-High fantasy</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Dystopian (while we LOVE dystopian, it</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">’</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">s such a hard sell right now)</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Paranormal in the form of vampires, werewolves, or shapeshifters</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Space opera</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE US (aka OUR GENERAL AWESOMENESS)</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We love nothing more than finding that special something in a manuscript and exploring ways to make it come alive, while maintaining the structure and integrity of the story. BUT, that said, we'll push you to work hard and encourage you to make real, deep changes. Revisions aren't about cutting and pasting bits of the story and rearranging. They're about digging deep into structural edits and discovering new scenes (and sometimes characters) in the process. So be ready to kill some darlings and do whatever it takes to make that ms shine. Oh, and we LOVE brainstorming! So we'll always be available to bat ideas around and work through snags. In short, as long as you're willing to put the work in, we'll be there for you every step of the way!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://media.giphy.com/media/1sh14HB6KWbYY/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="500" height="222" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/1sh14HB6KWbYY/giphy.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Now head on over to Beth's blog to say 'hi' and find our word for the scavenger hunt. You can visit her <a href="http://bethellynsummer.com/blog/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Be sure to check out the other mentor bios below!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>2017 Pitch Wars YA Mentors</u></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<!-- beginning of export. owner: brenleedrake, postid: 29May2017a, columns: 3, mode: link --><br />
<table border="0" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="left" class="blenza-td" valign="top" width="33%">1. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11053007.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.cmmccoy.com/blog/pitchwars-yana-weird-stuff-mentor-bio-and-wish-list" target="_blank">CM McCoy (Colleen Oefelein)</a></div>
<br />
2. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11053012.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.rebeccasky.com/gallery.php" target="_blank">Team Gingersnaps (mentors: Rebecca Sky </a></div>
<br />
3. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11053256.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.nktraver.com/" target="_blank">N.K. Traver</a></div>
<br />
4. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11053337.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.rachelsolomonbooks.com/blog/pitch-wars-2017" target="_blank">Rachel Lynn Solomon</a></div>
<br />
5. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11053344.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://michelladomenici.wordpress.com/2017/07/18/pitch-wars-2017-mentor-wish-list" target="_blank">Michella Domenici</a></div>
<br />
6. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11053424.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://booktivities.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Leigh Mar</a></div>
<br />
7. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11053440.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://sharonmjohnston.com/" target="_blank">Sharon M. Johnston</a></div>
<br />
8. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11053690.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://carliesorosiak.com/pitch-wars/" target="_blank">Carlie Sorosiak</a></div>
<br />
9. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11055297.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.onlybylaura.com/pitch-wars-mentor-wishlist" target="_blank">Laura Pohl</a></div>
<br />
10. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11055401.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://samanthajoyce.com/pw2017wishlist/" target="_blank">Samantha Joyce</a></div>
<br />
11. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11056317.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.katherinefleet.com/blog" target="_blank">Katherine Fleet</a></div>
<br />
12. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11056372.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.metuiteme.com/blog" target="_blank">Amelinda Bérubé</a></div>
<br />
13. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11057129.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://erinfosterhartley.wordpress.com/2017/07/18/my-pitch-wars-2017-wishlist/" target="_blank">Erin Foster Hartley</a></div>
<br />
14. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11057405.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://mariemeyerbooks.com/2017/07/18/pitch-wars-mentor-wishlist-bio-2017/" target="_blank">Marie Meyer</a></div>
<br />
15. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11058600.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://akemidawnbowman.com/2017/07/pitch-wars-wishlist" target="_blank">Akemi Dawn Bowman</a></div>
<br />
16. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11059116.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.mollyelee.com/blog/2017-pitch-wars-bio-wish-list" target="_blank">Molly E. Lee</a></div>
<br />
17. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11059302.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.kipwilsonwrites.com/?p=2251&preview=true" target="_blank">Kip Wilson</a></div>
<br />
18. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11059485.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://kkazulwolf.com/2017/07/18/pitch-wars-intro/" target="_blank">K. Kazul Wolf</a></div>
<br />
19. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11059919.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://naomiedits.com/pitch-wars-2017.html" target="_blank">Naomi Hughes</a></div>
<br />
20. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11059991.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.aimeelsalter.com/2017/07/my-pitchwars-ya-mentor-bio-and-wishlist.html" target="_blank">Aimee L. Salter</a></div>
<br />
21. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11060054.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://emilywibberley.com/pitch-wars-2017-wishlist/" target="_blank">Austin and Emily</a></div>
<br />
22. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11060456.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://katchowrites.wordpress.com/2017/07/18/claribel-kats-pitch-wars-wishlist" target="_blank">Claribel Ortega and Kat Cho</a></div>
<br />
23. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11060559.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://ladennison.com/pitch-wars-2017-mentor-bio/" target="_blank">Laurie Dennison</a></div>
<br />
24. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11060623.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://wp.me/P5qzh8-9e" target="_blank">Ashley Hearn</a></div>
<br />
25. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11061144.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://www.rschaefferbooks.com/pitchwars" target="_blank">Rebecca Schaeffer</a></div>
<br />
26. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11061728.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://rebeccadenton.me/2017/06/16/pitch-wars-lets-ave-it/" target="_blank">Rebecca Denton</a></div>
</td><td align="left" class="blenza-td" valign="top" width="33%">27. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11062054.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://scribblebabble.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mara Rutherford and Joan He</a></div>
<br />
28. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11062867.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://alicialclancy.wixsite.com/mysite/single-post/2017/06/18/Pitch-Wars-Mentor-Bio" target="_blank">Alicia Clancy</a></div>
<br />
29. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11063106.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.kristenciccarelli.com/pitch-wars" target="_blank">Kristen Ciccarelli and Joanna Hathaway</a></div>
<br />
30. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11063804.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://natashaneagle.com/2017-pitch-wars-wishlist/" target="_blank">Natasha Neagle</a></div>
<br />
31. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11063863.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://lyndsayely.wordpress.com/2017/07/18/pitch-wars-2017-wish-list/" target="_blank">Lyndsay Ely</a></div>
<br />
32. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11066059.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://judilauren.com/?p=410&preview=true" target="_blank">Judi Lauren</a></div>
<br />
33. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11066834.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.mmhoffmanbooks.com/pitch-wars-mentor-bio/" target="_blank">Monica M. Hoffman</a></div>
<br />
34. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11067851.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://wp.me/p6vlU2-cO" target="_blank">Kelly Ann Hopkins</a></div>
<br />
35. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11068410.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.helenedunbar.com/blog/our-pitchwars-wishlist-2017" target="_blank">Helene Dunbar and Beth Hull</a></div>
<br />
36. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11068466.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.boekwegbooks.com/2017/07/pitch-wars-mentor-blog-swap-sheena.html" target="_blank">Sheena Boekweg</a></div>
<br />
37. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11069969.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://mkengland.com/?p=620&preview=true" target="_blank">M.K. England and Jamie Pacton</a></div>
<br />
38. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11070519.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://wp.me/p29p7E-aL" target="_blank">Nikki Roberti</a></div>
<br />
39. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11070636.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://writenextchapter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jenny Chou</a></div>
<br />
40. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11070863.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://wp.me/p2aC2P-2iu" target="_blank">Amy Trueblood</a></div>
<br />
41. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11070878.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.isabelibanezdavis.com/blog-1/2017/6/16/pitch-wars-wish-list-2017" target="_blank">Isabel Ibanez Davis</a></div>
<br />
42. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11070926.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://swordsandstilettos.blogspot.com/2017/07/pitchwars-2017-mentor-blog-hop.html" target="_blank">Kristin Smith and Beth Ellyn Summer</a></div>
<br />
43. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11071465.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://lisa-amowitzya.blogspot.com/2017/07/greetings-aspiring-writers-of-ya-i-am.html" target="_blank">Lisa Amowitz</a></div>
<br />
44. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11071526.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.colegibsen.com/" target="_blank">Cole Gibsen</a></div>
<br />
45. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11071541.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://www.natalkaburian.com/pitch-wars/" target="_blank">Natalka Burian</a></div>
<br />
46. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11071696.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://katekaryusquinn.blogspot.com/2017/07/gonna-make-you-sweat-everybody-dance-now.html" target="_blank">Kate Karyus Quinn and Mindy McGinnis</a></div>
<br />
47. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11072084.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.soniahartl.com/-pitchwars.html" target="_blank">Sonia Hartl and Annette Christie</a></div>
<br />
48. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11072316.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://wp.me/pBC5g-lj" target="_blank">Kit Frick</a></div>
<br />
49. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11072754.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://susangrayfoster.wordpress.com/2017/07/18/my-pitch-wars-wishlist" target="_blank">Susan Gray Foster</a></div>
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50. <br />
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<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11073425.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.sarahnicolas.com/2017/07/pitch-wars-wishlist.html" target="_blank">Sarah Nicolas</a></div>
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51. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11073490.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://monibw.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Monica Bustamante and Kerbie Addis</a></div>
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52. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11073563.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://mckelleblogs.wordpress.com/2016/07/19/pitchwars/" target="_blank">McKelle George and Heather Cashman</a></div>
</td><td align="left" class="blenza-td" valign="top" width="33%">53. <br />
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<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11073718.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://andthenshewaslikeblahblahblah.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">RuthAnne Snow</a></div>
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54. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11074169.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://lauramsteven.tumblr.com/post/162864264228/my-pitchwars-2017-wishlist" target="_blank">Laura Steven</a></div>
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55. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11074713.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.dianagallagherbooks.com/blog/lightscamerapitch-wars-wishlist-2017" target="_blank">Diana Gallagher and Katrina Emmel</a></div>
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56. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11074750.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.jennyferguson.ca/pitchwars-2017/hi-and-welcome-to-pitch-wars-im-jen-and-im-a-mentor-in-the-adult-category" target="_blank">Jen Ferguson and Gracie West</a></div>
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57. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11074753.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://kestrester.com/" target="_blank">Kes Trester</a></div>
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58. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11075257.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://jeanmarie-anaya.squarespace.com/config/pages/577e9731d1758e97560ad2d5" target="_blank">Jeanmarie Anaya</a></div>
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59. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11075322.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://catherinescully.com/2017/07/18/pitchwars-blog-hop-and-wishlist/" target="_blank">Cat Scully</a></div>
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60. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11075769.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://heatherezell.com/2017/07/pitch-wars-2017/" target="_blank">Heather Ezell and Rachel Griffin</a></div>
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61. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11075857.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.stephaniescott.net/2017/07/pitch-wars-2017-mentor-bio-stephanie-scott-erica-chapman/" target="_blank">Stephanie Scott and Erica M. Chapman</a></div>
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62. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11075862.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://linseymiller.tumblr.com/PWMentorBio2k17" target="_blank">Linsey Miller and Maria Mora </a></div>
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63. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11076257.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://heathersmithmeloche.blogspot.com/p/pitch-wars-2017.html" target="_blank">Kristin Bartley Lenz and Heather Smith Meloche</a></div>
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64. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11076259.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.kellydevos.us/pitchwars/" target="_blank">Kelly deVos</a></div>
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65. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11076294.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.tomiadeyemi.com/blog/teamclaws-pitch-wars-wishlist" target="_blank">Tomi Adeyemi and Kit Grant</a></div>
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66. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11076338.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://rhiannon-hart.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Rhiannon Hart</a></div>
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67. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11076415.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://shortcuttoshrums.blogspot.com/2017/07/pitch-wars-wishlist-2017.html" target="_blank">Brianna Shrum</a></div>
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68. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11076467.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.emilymartinwrites.com/2017/07/18/pitch-wars-wish-list-and-bio-2017-edition/" target="_blank">Emily Martin</a></div>
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69. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11076494.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://natasharazi.com/pitchwars" target="_blank">Natasha Razi</a></div>
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70. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11076685.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://tabithamartin.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tabitha Martin</a></div>
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71. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11076709.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://jamiehowardauthor.com/2017/07/19/2017-pitch-wars-mentor-bio-wishlist" target="_blank">Jamie Howard</a></div>
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72. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11076711.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.lindseyfrydman.com/blog" target="_blank">Lindsey Frydman</a></div>
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73. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11076729.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://jennalincoln.net/jl/pitch-wars-2017-blog-hop-mentor-bio-and-wish-list/" target="_blank">Jenna Lincoln</a></div>
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74. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11076739.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://destinycole.com/2017/07/18/wishlist2017/" target="_blank">Destiny Cole</a></div>
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75. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11076884.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.dawnius.com/blog/item/68-2017-pitch-wars-wishlist-bio" target="_blank">Dawn Ius </a></div>
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76. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MjltYXkyMDE3YQ==/11077060.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://jaycoleswrites.com/post/163151446342/pitchwars-wishlist-2017" target="_blank">Jay Coles</a></div>
</td></tr>
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Kristin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-48325049866693615092017-06-05T13:22:00.000-04:002017-06-05T13:22:33.441-04:00Summer Giveaways!If you're like me, you love a good giveaway. And if you love YA books, then you are gonna love this post! I have 2 amazing giveaways going on RIGHT NOW!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Catalyst Summer Celebration!</span></b><br />
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To enter this giveaway, simply purchase a copy of Catalyst from your local Barnes and Noble (or order at B&N online), and send your proof of purchase to <b><a href="mailto:kristinsmithcontests@gmail.com">kristinsmithcontests@gmail.com</a></b>. Once received, I will send you an awesome swag pack (signed Catalyst and Forgotten bookmarks, a postcard, and a Be Real, Not Perfect magnet). You will also be entered for the Grand Prize Giveaway in which you can win a $25 Amazon Gift Card, hardback copies of OF FIRE AND STARS, DAUGHTER OF THE PIRATE KING, and the NYT bestselling book, CARAVAL, along with matching swag (bookmarks, bookplates, tattoo, and notebook)!!!!<br />
<br />**The deadline for this giveaway is August 7th, so hurry and get those entries in!<br /><br />**To be eligible, proof of purchase must reflect dates of contest (6/1-8/7).<br />
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I have to thank my wonderful critique partner, <a href="https://leandrajwallace.blogspot.com/">Leandra Wallace,</a> for making me these cool giveaway graphics! Thank you!!!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>YA Beach Reads Giveaway!</b></span></div>
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How would you like to win 20 paperback books from a bunch of best-selling authors? I've teamed up with over a dozen authors for another awesome giveaway. This giveaway has a Prize Value of $500 and there will be 21 Winners chosen! The Grand Prize Winner will earn paper copies of ALL books shown. Giveaway ends on June 13th so hurry and get your entry in! You can enter at the link below:<div>
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Are you ready to start your summer reading? Did you enter the giveaway? Happy Monday! <3</div>
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Today I get to share a very special cover reveal with you. The author, SA Larsen, is not only my CP (critique partner) but she's a dear friend and probably one of the kindest people on social media. I'm super excited to be be able to help celebrate the gorgeous cover for her YA debut novel, MARKED BEAUTY! Seriously, I'm in love with it! Are you ready to see it??</div>
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<b>MARKED BEAUTY by S.A. Larsen</b><br />
<b>Title: </b>Marked Beauty<br />
<b>Author: </b>S.A. Larsen<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Ellysian Press<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>October 2017<br />
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<b>Book Blurb:</b><br />
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<i>Uncovering hidden secrets can sometimes kill you . . . or worse, steal your soul.</i><br />
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Anastasia Tate has a secret. She can feel the emotions of others through their life energy auras. Not a welcome gift for a teenager. Especially when a sinister presence begins stalking her.<br />
Viktor Castle also has a secret. He’s tasked with protecting humanity yet cursed by an ancient evil to destroy it.<br />
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After Viktor saves Ana’s life, her abilities grow stronger. Drawn together, she senses Viktor has answers to lifelong questions. Only he shuns her at every turn, knowing he has saved her only to put her in more danger.<br />
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As Ana struggles with her attraction to Viktor, he tries everything to bury his unexpected feelings for her. But they must find a middle ground. For only together can they combat the dark forces threatening both their lives . . . and their souls.<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35114147-marked-beauty">ADD to GOODREADS</a><br />
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<b><br /></b>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nj14TC0dpLY/WR2InGTiGWI/AAAAAAAAB-A/v1GcFweohwgtgImF0BqNP2JQLAjVmrJigCLcB/s1600/SA%2BLarsen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nj14TC0dpLY/WR2InGTiGWI/AAAAAAAAB-A/v1GcFweohwgtgImF0BqNP2JQLAjVmrJigCLcB/s320/SA%2BLarsen.jpg" width="290" /></a><b>About the Author</b><br />
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S.A. LARSEN is the author of the award-winning novel <i>Motley Education</i>, the first book in a fantasy-adventure series for middle grade readers. Her work has appeared in numerous local publications and young adult anthologies <i>Gears of Brass </i>and <i>Under A Brass Moon</i> by Curiosity Quills Press. Marked Beauty is her debut young adult novel. Find her in the land of snowy winters and the occasional Eh’ya with her husband of over twenty-five years, four children, a playful pooch, and three kittens. Visit her cyber home anytime at <a href="http://www.salarsenbooks.com/">www.salarsenbooks.com</a>. <br />
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Connect with her on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SALarsen.Author/">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/SA_Larsen">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sa.larsen/">Instagram</a> | <a href="http://www.writersally.blogspot.com/">Blog</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/SALarsen">Goodreads</a><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">GIVEAWAY!!!</span></b><br />
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This is a <b>#hashtag</b> giveaway, where two lucky winners will receive a <b>FREE eBook of Marked Beauty upon its release.</b><br />
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To participate: <br />
<ul>
<li>Share one of the premade images via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or write up a blog post using one of the images. </li>
<li>Include <b>#MarkedBeauty</b> in your description.</li>
<li>Optional for extra entry: include <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35114147-marked-beauty">Add to Goodreads</a></i> (with link) in your description.</li>
</ul>
<b>***</b>Posts MUST contain the hashtag #MarkedBeauty for entry into the giveaway or we won’t be able to find you.<br />
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<b>Pre-made tweets (you add the image)</b><br />
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"A lust 4 life energy. An ancient curse. One soul's journey thru death 2 find the cure." #MarkedBeauty #CoverReveal http://bit.ly/2qdE0q0<br />
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"Uncovering some secrets can kill you, or worse ... steal your soul." #MarkedBeauty #CoverReveal http://bit.ly/2qdE0q0 #YAlit <br />
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An ancient race. A timid girl. And a journey to the in-between. #MarkedBeauty #CoverReveal http://bit.ly/2qdE0q0 #YAlit <br />
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The giveaway begins May 17<sup>th</sup> and will be open until May 23<sup>rd</sup>. Winners will be announced May 24<sup>th</sup> via social media.<br />
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HUGE CONGRATS TO SA LARSEN!!! I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THE FALL!!<br />
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-TC_42b7OF_0%2FVPfLFuvcd3I%2FAAAAAAAAAps%2FRMXoEaRwxxA%2Fs1600%2Fhttp---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54493-96-D359BF15DD488482A9FEDC70DC4EE947.png&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TC_42b7OF_0/VPfLFuvcd3I/AAAAAAAAAps/RMXoEaRwxxA/s1600/http---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54493-96-D359BF15DD488482A9FEDC70DC4EE947.png" -->Kristin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-84291181216129117772017-04-18T02:00:00.000-04:002017-04-18T02:00:09.503-04:00Release Day! Forgotten is Out in the World!<div style="margin: 0 auto 15px; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Today is the day! Today FORGOTTEN, the 2nd book in the Deception Game series, releases to the world! Woot!</span></b><br />
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But before we celebrate, let me tell you a little story.<br />
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I hadn't TRULY experienced writer's block until I started writing this book. I got about three-fourths of the way through and then it hit me. HARD. No matter what I did or how hard I tried, I COULD NOT move forward and write the end of the novel. It was frustrating. But I quickly learned that the best way to deal with writer's block (for me, at least) is to take a break.<br />
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So I did.<br />
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I read books and binged-watched Netflix, and since I'm a religious person, there was also a lot of praying involved. I had a deadline, and I knew I needed to finish the book. ASAP.<br />
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And then one day, a glorious idea came. And then another idea came. And I FINALLY knew how the book HAD to end. I didn't want to write it. I cried all the way through it. But when it was done, I knew it was the exact conclusion it needed.<br />
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Are you curious yet? LOL.<br />
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Needless to say, writer's block sucks. Every writer will probably experience it, but eventually we make it through to the other side.<br />
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Welcome to the world, my beautiful book baby! <3<br />
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<img alt="" src="http://www.xpressobooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/04/Forgotten.jpg" style="display: inline-block; float: left; margin: 0 15px 15px 0;" />
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<strong>Forgotten</strong><br />
<strong>Kristin Smith</strong><br />
(The Deception Game #2)<br />
Published by: Clean Teen Publishing<br />
Publication date: April 18th 2017<br />
Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult<br />
<blockquote>
<span id="freeText10268269790292491311">The epic tale of Sienna Preston continues in this second installment of the exhilarating Deception Game series.</span></blockquote>
Seventeen-year-old Sienna is no stranger to heartache and loss. But this time, it’s different; someone―or something―has tampered with a loved one’s memories, and she’s determined to get answers.<br />
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The trail leads her to the glittering skyscrapers and modern luxuries of Rubex, the Capital of Pacifica, where she infiltrates the government’s Agency for Intelligence and Genetics. But answers are not always easy to come by, especially when her own memories may have been altered. Luckily, Zane Ryder is there to help her put the pieces back together, his devotion and concern muddying the waters between friendship and something more.</blockquote>
When Sienna gets too close to uncovering dark Agency secrets, she’s framed for the murder of a prominent government official, sending her on the run. Sienna’s heart may be torn about who she loves, but none of that really matters anymore―because the only thing that awaits her now is a death sentence.<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32789311-forgotten?ac=1&from_search=true" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> / <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Deception-Game-Kristin-Smith/dp/1634222377/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> / <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/forgotten-kristin-smith/1124998679?ean=9781634222372" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> / <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/forgotten/id1168862495?mt=11" target="_blank">iBooks</a> / <a href="https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/forgotten-64" target="_blank">Kobo</a></div>
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<div style="font-size: 115%; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
Grab book 1 for only 99¢!<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Catalyst-Deception-Game-Kristin-Smith/dp/1634229983/">Amazon</a> / <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/catalyst-kristin-smith/1123761371?ean=9781634229982">Barnes & Noble</a> / <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/catalyst/id1125905023?mt=11">iBooks</a> / <a href="https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/catalyst-62">Kobo</a></div>
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<strong>EXCERPT:</strong></div>
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Zane parks his Aria on the lake side of the dam, and we both climb out.<br />
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“Bring back memories?” Zane asks with a wry grin.<br />
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“How you thought I was trying to kill myself? Again?” I laugh. “I don’t know why you thought I was so suicidal.”<br />
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Zane shrugs. “Maybe I didn’t. Maybe I just wanted an excuse to rescue you.”<br />
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My heart trips over itself. “Zane,” I say softly, “you can’t keep saying things like that.”<br />
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He moves around the side of the car. “Why not?” When he takes my hand in his, the warmth of his fingers heats up my whole body.<br />
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“This isn’t a good idea,” I mutter, but I make no move to extract my hand from his.<br />
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He looks down at me, then at our entwined fingers. “But what if it is? What if it’s the best idea in the whole damn world?”<br />
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“Because—because you’re engaged. To someone else.”<br />
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“But I don’t want to be,” he says, his voice low. He takes a step closer until he’s so close that I could wrap my arm around his back if I wanted to.<br />
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“Zane,” I warn, but the warning gets caught in my throat. He’s giving me that look. The same one he gave me before he kissed me that first time on the couch in his house.<br />
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“What?” he whispers.<br />
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“Please, don’t—” But he’s already leaning down, his eyes focused on my mouth. My breath comes out shaky as his fingers slip from mine and his hands touch my waist, gently bringing me closer. Before I can stop myself, our lips meet, and a thousand nerve endings converge to a single spot. His lips are fire and warmth and need. And that single spark ignites an already-smoldering flame.<br />
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<b>Author Bio:</b> </blockquote>
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Kristin Smith writes young adult contemporary and science fiction novels. When she’s not writing, you can find her dreaming about the beach, beating her boys at Just Dance, or belting out karaoke (from the comfort of her own home). Kristin currently resides in the middle-of-nowhere North Carolina with her husband and five incredibly loud but extremely cute boys. To read more about her obsession with YA novels or her addiction to chocolate, you can visit her at kristinsmithbooks.com.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.kristinsmithbooks.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> / <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15184285.Kristin_Smith" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KristinSmithAuthor/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/SwordsStilettos" target="_blank">Twitter</a></div>
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Kristin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-6064805694716493242017-04-10T10:13:00.002-04:002017-04-10T10:13:28.928-04:00Monday Updates & Happy Release to At First Blush!Hello, friends!<br />
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There are lots of things going on that I wanted to share with you. The first bit of exciting news is that FORGOTTEN, the sequel to CATALYST, will release on April 18th, much earlier than expected. Yep, you read that correctly! My 2nd book baby will make an appearance in a week! Needless to say, I'm definitely feeling the stress and excitement of another book releasing into the world.<br />
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The blog tour will run from April 18th through April 25th, and will be through Xpresso Books. If you'd like to help spread the news of the release of FORGOTTEN, you can sign up at the link below. (Pretty, pretty please!) Thank you in advance!<br />
<a href="http://xpressobooktours.com/2017/03/24/blitz-sign-up-forgotten-by-kristin-smith/" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="http://xpressobooktours.com/2017/03/24/blitz-sign-up-forgotten-by-kristin-smith/" target="_blank">SIGN UP HERE TO HELP WITH FORGOTTEN RELEASE</a><br />
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And here are a few teaser images that my wonderful friend and critique partner, <a href="https://leandrajwallace.blogspot.com/">Leandra Wallace,</a> made. LOVE THEM!!!<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LFKNSf97fCo/WOuPPY2ZX3I/AAAAAAAAB7o/odJoDG69xNYOzw07uwyE06b60UTmDJRAQCLcB/s1600/Love.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LFKNSf97fCo/WOuPPY2ZX3I/AAAAAAAAB7o/odJoDG69xNYOzw07uwyE06b60UTmDJRAQCLcB/s400/Love.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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You can pre-order your copy of FORGOTTEN <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Deception-Game-Book-2-ebook/dp/B06XWFRM4W/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1491832980&sr=8-1">HERE.</a></div>
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Buy CATALYST <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Catalyst-Deception-Game-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01KWIR25A/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=">HERE.</a></div>
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<b>BOOK TOUR:</b><br />
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At the same time of the FORGOTTEN release, I'm doing a little book tour in the western part of the US. If any of you live in the following areas, please come out and see me!<br />
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<b>Saturday, April 15th @ 2 pm- The King's English Bookshop in Salt Lake City, UT
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't this just the cutest bookshop EVER?!</td></tr>
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<b>Thursday, April 20th @ 5 pm- Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Henderson, NV (Stephanie store)</b><br />
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For the event at the Henderson B&N, I'll be teaming up with bestselling YA author, Jessie Humphries, who lives in that area. It should be a lot of fun!<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-19GJCi9zUbs/WOuB6ESq1KI/AAAAAAAAB6k/jTJ22898iIQ-oHgAPdSuiBHL_8cWo9GTQCEw/s1600/badminton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-19GJCi9zUbs/WOuB6ESq1KI/AAAAAAAAB6k/jTJ22898iIQ-oHgAPdSuiBHL_8cWo9GTQCEw/s400/badminton.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have to say that one of the best things about being a published author is having fans reach out to me, telling me how much they loved CATALYST. I think the next greatest thing would be to receive some FAN ART! That would be pretty awesome. :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
In other exciting news, I'm now a <b>Pitch Wars 2017 Mentor</b>! I'll be co-mentoring with my dear friend, <a href="http://bethellynsummer.com/" target="_blank">Beth Ellyn Summer,</a> and we are SO excited to be mentoring YA this year. In a few months, we'll post on our blogs the kind of manuscript we're looking for, so be on the lookout for that post in July! If you'd like more information about Pitch Wars, see Brenda Drake's website <a href="http://www.brenda-drake.com/pitch-wars/">HERE.</a></div>
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<a href="http://i0.wp.com/www.brenda-drake.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Pitch-Wars-Header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i0.wp.com/www.brenda-drake.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Pitch-Wars-Header.jpg" height="202" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm also excited to celebrate the release of Beth Ellyn Summer's book, AT FIRST BLUSH. I'm a little late to the party (the book released last week) but I still wanted to show my love and support for this awesome book and author. If you haven't gotten your copy of AT FIRST BLUSH yet, you totally should!! Here's a preview:</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>BLURB </b></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-08dcdb9b-5814-96d3-113e-4db9c2293976"><br /></span>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-08dcdb9b-5814-96d3-113e-4db9c2293976"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Who would have thought that a teenager could have a successful career creating makeup tutorial videos on YouTube? For Lacey Robbins, this dream has been her reality. An up-and-coming YouTuber, she has thousands of fans and can't wait for the day when her subscriber count reaches the one million mark. And when she is offered a high school internship at On Trend Magazine, she figures that this could be the make it or break it moment.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But sometimes your dream job isn't all that it seems. Her editor is only interested in promoting junk products, and her boss in the Hair and Makeup department introduces her to the larger world of makeup artistry, making her wonder if making tutorials online is all she is meant to do. To top it all off, when the magazine's feature subject, musician Tyler Lance, turns his broodingly handsome smile her way, falling for him could mean losing her fans, forcing her to make a decision: her YouTube life or her real life?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fans of Zoella's GIRL ONLINE will fall right into the world of this YA DEVIL WEARS PRADA and stay hooked from the first blush to the last glossy kiss.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/First-Blush-Beth-Ellyn-Summer-ebook/dp/B01MQ0QDE3/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491831745&sr=8-1&keywords=at+first+blush">BUY AT FIRST BLUSH HERE!</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>About the Author:</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wlCDBbxvU5s/WOuK0p8VQ4I/AAAAAAAAB7M/7snj9t__VcQvYVe97HyYg9B4bgWby8SawCLcB/s1600/beth-ellyn-summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wlCDBbxvU5s/WOuK0p8VQ4I/AAAAAAAAB7M/7snj9t__VcQvYVe97HyYg9B4bgWby8SawCLcB/s320/beth-ellyn-summer.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-08dcdb9b-5815-8aec-81dc-bfeaa202eddb"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Beth Ellyn Summer writes contemporary young adult fiction that somehow always includes the following elements: fame, makeup, and television. She graduated from Long Island University with a degree in Print and Electronic Journalism. Interning for Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Fallon was the highlight of her college years. When she's not writing, Beth can be found swatching eyeshadows, solving Wheel of Fortune puzzles, and playing with her adorable cat, Penny Belle. Beth lives on Long Island in a cookie cutter town that, in an ironic twist of fate, doesn't have a single decent bakery.</span></span></span><br />
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<b>You can connect with Beth at any of the social media links below.</b><br />
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<a href="http://bethellynsummer.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/BethEllynSummerAuthor" target="_blank">Facebook</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/bethellynsummer" target="_blank">Twitter</a><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bethellynsummer/" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br />
<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/BethEllynSummer/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25613996-at-first-blush" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br />
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So many congrats to Beth! I hope your book release has been everything you dreamed it would be! <3<br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Hi everyone! Today is a super exciting day because I get to share with you the Cover Reveal for FORGOTTEN, the 2nd book in the Deception Game series which releases on August 21st. I absolutely LOVE how the cover turned out! Marya Heiman, Clean Teen Publishing's amazing designer, is so incredibly talented. I'm just in awe of her skills and what she came up with for Book 2.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">I know you're anxiously waiting to see the cover, but before I show it off, I'd like to thank all of my blogging buddies who are helping out with my cover reveal today. Be sure to stop by their blogs and show them some love. <3</span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.leandrajwallace.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Leandra Wallace</a></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://stephie5741.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Stephanie Faris</a></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://bethellynsummer.com/blog/" target="_blank">Beth Ellyn Summer</a></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.eseckman.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.eseckman.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Elizabeth Seckman</a></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://emilyrking.wordpress.com/blog/" target="_blank">Emily R. King</a></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.brenda-drake.com/" target="_blank">Brenda Drake</a></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://nocestories.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mark Noce</a> (posting on 3/8)</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.mbernsen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mary Bernsen</a></span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://sofewbooks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jennifer Lapachian</a><br /><a href="http://blackwords-whitepages1977.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jenny Bynum</a><br /><a href="http://www.bookwormforkids.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tonja Drecker</a><br /><a href="http://writersally.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">S.A. Larsen</a><br /><br /><br />Okay, you ready to see the cover???</span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Here we go! :) </span></h3>
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FORGOTTEN by Kristin Smith</h3>
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(The Deception Game, #2)</div>
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August 21, 2017</div>
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<a href="http://www.cleanteenpublishing.com/books/forgotten/"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-7564" src="http://www.cleanteenpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Ebook-forgotten-Remake2-683x1024.jpg" height="600" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong>Pre-order your copy <a href="http://www.cleanteenpublishing.com/books/forgotten/">here</a>. </strong></h3>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Book Blurb:</span></strong></div>
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The epic tale of Sienna Preston continues in this second installment of the exhilarating Deception Game series.<br />
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Seventeen-year-old Sienna is no stranger to heartache and loss. But this time, it's different; someone―or something―has tampered with a loved one's memories, and she's determined to get answers.</div>
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The trail leads her to the glittering skyscrapers and modern luxuries of Rubex, the Capital of Pacifica, where she infiltrates the government's Agency for Intelligence and Genetics. But answers are not always easy to come by, especially when her own memories may have been altered. Luckily, Zane Ryder is there to help her put the pieces back together, his devotion and concern muddying the waters between friendship and something more.<br />
When Sienna gets too close to uncovering dark Agency secrets, she's framed for the murder of a prominent government official, sending her on the run. Sienna's heart may be torn about who she loves, but none of that really matters anymore―because the only thing that awaits her now is a death sentence.</div>
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ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:</h3>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="3d370a1c11" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3d370a1c11/" id="rcwidget_r777n1vi" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">BOOK ONE IS NOW AVAILABLE IN STORES AND ONLINE!</span></h5>
<img alt="" src="http://www.xpressobooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/11/Caralyst.jpg" style="display: inline-block; float: left; margin: 0 15px 15px 0;" />
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<b>CATALYST by Kristin Smith</b><br />
(The Deception Game, #1)</div>
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<i>Too pretty. Too smart. Too perfect.</i></div>
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In a crumbling, futuristic Las Vegas where the wealthy choose the characteristics of their children like ordering off a drive-thru menu, seventeen-year-old Sienna Preston doesn’t fit in. As a normal girl surrounded by genetically modified teenagers, all of her imperfections are on display. But after the death of her father, everything she’s ever known and loved changes in an instant.</div>
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With little skills to help provide for her family, Sienna clings to the two things that come easily—lying and stealing. But not all thief-for-hire assignments go as planned. When a covert exchange of a stolen computer chip is intercepted, she becomes entangled with a corrupt government official who uses her thieving past as leverage, her mother as collateral, and the genetically modified poster boy she’s falling for as bait.</div>
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In order to rescue her mother, there may only be one option—joining forces with the Fringe, an extremist group, and their young leader who’s too hot to be bad. Problem is, these revolutionaries aren’t what they seem, and the secrets they’re hiding could be more dangerous than Sienna is prepared for. In the end, she must be willing to risk everything to save the one thing that matters most.</div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29922963-catalyst?ac=1&from_search=true" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> / <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1634229983" target="_blank">Amazon</a> / <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/catalyst-kristin-smith/1123761371?ean=9781634229982" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> / <a href="https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/catalyst-62" target="_blank">Kobo</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>CATALYST (The Deception Game #1) Teasers:</b></span><br />
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<img alt="" src="http://www.xpressobooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/11/Kristin.jpg" height="200" style="display: inline-block; float: left; margin: 0px 15px 15px 0px;" width="132" /><b>Author Bio:</b><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Kristin Smith writes young adult contemporary and science fiction novels. When she’s not writing, you can find her dreaming about the beach, beating her boys at Just Dance, or belting out karaoke (from the comfort of her own home). Kristin currently resides in the middle-of-nowhere North Carolina with her husband and five incredibly loud but extremely cute boys. To read more about her obsession with YA novels or her addiction to chocolate, you can visit her at kristinsmithbooks.com.</span></h3>
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<a href="http://www.kristinsmithbooks.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> / <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15184285.Kristin_Smith" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KristinSmithAuthor/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/SwordsStilettos" target="_blank">Twitter</a></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">And that's it! What do you think of the cover? Did you enter the Giveaway? </span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Happy Friday! </span></h3>
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I'm happy to have Mark Noce here today sharing the cover reveal for his latest novel, DARK WINDS RISING! Take it away, Mark! :)<br />
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<u>Dark Winds Rising</u> is the sequel to my debut novel <u>Between
Two Fires</u>, and comes out with St. Martin’s Press December 5<sup>th</sup>
2017! Today is my cover reveal for the next book in my historical fiction
series set in medieval Wales. A big thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the great
cover art!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>Dark Winds Rising (synopsis)<o:p></o:p></u></div>
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Queen Branwen finds her world once again turned upside
down as Pictish raiders harry the shores of her kingdom. Rallying her people
once more, she must face her most dangerous foe yet, the Queen of the Picts.
Ruthless and cunning, the Pictish Queen turns the Welsh against each other in a
bloody civil war, and Branwen must attempt to stop her before her country
threatens to tear itself apart. All the while Branwen is heavy with child, and
finds her young son’s footsteps dogged by a mysterious assassin. Branwen must
somehow defeat the Picts and save her people before the Pictish Queen and a
mysterious assassin threaten to destroy their lives from the inside out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>About the Author</u><o:p></o:p></div>
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Mark Noce writes historical fiction with a passion, and eagerly reads
everything from fantasy to literature. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay
Area, he’s an avid traveler and backpacker, particularly in Europe and North
America. He earned his BA and MA from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he also
met his beautiful wife. By day, he works as a Technical Writer, having spent
much of his career at places like Google and Facebook. When not reading or
writing, he’s probably listening to U2, sailing his dad’s boat, or gardening
with his family.<br />
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<u>Dark Winds Rising</u> is his second novel in a historical series published
by St. Martin’s Press. His debut novel, <u>Between Two Fires</u>, (also
published via St. Martin's Press) is available wherever books are sold. Learn
more at <a href="http://www.marknoce.com/">marknoce.com</a> or connect via his <a href="http://www.marknoce.com/contact">newsletter</a> or <a href="http://www.marknoce.com/blog">blog</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>Between Two Fires</u>: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Between-Two-Fires-Mark-Noce/dp/125007262X">Amazon</a>
/ <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/between-two-fires-mark-noce/1122537645">Barnes
& Noble</a> / <a href="http://us.macmillan.com/betweentwofires/marknoce/9781250072627/">Macmillan</a>
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Kristin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-42997187364212053542017-02-20T11:09:00.000-05:002017-02-20T11:09:01.730-05:00Exciting Updates<span style="font-size: large;">Hi, everyone!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's been a while since I've written a blog post, but that's only because life is crazy (but good!). Crazy good! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The biggest news I have to share is that CATALYST is now in Barnes and Noble bookstores around the country. I can't begin to tell you how thrilling it is to have people texting and messaging me pics of CATALYST in THEIR local bookstore. Here are some of my most favorite pics I've received so far:</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">This one was found at a B&N in Denton, TX and is SO cool because CATALYST is surrounded by Sarah Dessen books, and I LOVE Sarah Dessen!! What a dream to see my book on the shelves with her books. LOVE! <3</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is another great one because now I'm shelf buddies with Erin Summerill, author of EVER THE HUNTED. Erin and I will be rooming together at RT Atlanta in May, so super cool that we're shelf buddies too at this B&N in Pennsylvania. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My dear friend, Sandy, spotted CATALYST in a Manhattan B&N! Love that it's made its way to the Big Apple!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This one was spotted in Kansas City by fellow CTP author, Shannon Thompson. Poor CATALYST looks teeny tiny compared to THE CROWN'S GAME. Lol.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love this one! Jacy Merrill and Monica Hoffman—my local author buddies—and I discovered CATALYST at the B&N closest to where I live in NC. Such a surreal experience to see MY book on the shelves next to so many fabulous authors. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have you seen CATALYST in a B&N near you? If so, please snap a pic and tag me in it. I love seeing it make its way across the country. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In other exciting news, CATALYST has a sequel. The sequel has a title. And this title now has a release date AND an upcoming Cover Reveal. FORGOTTEN, the sequel to CATALYST, will release on August 21st. The cover reveal is scheduled for Friday, March 3rd. Here's where I need YOUR help.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you'd like to help with the cover reveal for FORGOTTEN (Book 2, The Deception Game series) please sign up using the form below. Thank you!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One last exciting bit of news: I have my first book tour this weekend, scheduled in my hometown and surrounding areas in Virginia. If you live in the Richmond area, you should come by and see me! Details below:</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Friday, February 24th: Hopewell High School (A visit to my Alma Mater)</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Friday, February 24th 7-9:00 pm: Book signing at Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Short Pump</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Saturday, February 25th 10:30 am -12:00 pm: Author event at the Appomattox Regional Library. Kristin will be talking about her book, answering questions, reading an excerpt, and signing books.</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>**This event is sponsored by the Junior Woman’s Club of Hopewell.**</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Saturday, February 25th 2:00 - 4:30 pm: Book signing at Books-A-Million in Colonial Heights</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do you have any exciting news to share? Did you sign up for my Cover Reveal? Do you live in the Richmond, VA area?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have a great week!</span></div>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-TC_42b7OF_0%2FVPfLFuvcd3I%2FAAAAAAAAAps%2FRMXoEaRwxxA%2Fs1600%2Fhttp---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54493-96-D359BF15DD488482A9FEDC70DC4EE947.png&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TC_42b7OF_0/VPfLFuvcd3I/AAAAAAAAAps/RMXoEaRwxxA/s1600/http---signatures.mylivesignature.com-54493-96-D359BF15DD488482A9FEDC70DC4EE947.png" -->Kristin Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531557973175364584.post-73819602129648956342017-02-01T09:20:00.001-05:002017-02-01T09:20:51.670-05:00January ReadsI wish I could say that I got a ton of writing done in January, but I can't. I did, however, read a lot of books! I 'm finally working through that looming TBR pile, and I'd almost forgotten how much fun reading can be. When I'm working on a project, I become so focused on writing that everything else takes a back burner, including reading. But it feels great to set aside some time for something that I love to do.<br />
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Is anyone else taking the Goodreads Reading Challenge? I set a low book goal knowing that I'll have at least one book release this year and will be writing 1-2 books as well. However, I started off the challenge with a bang! Here is an overview of the books I read in January.<br />
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<b>THE RAVEN BOYS by Maggie Stiefvater (4 out of 5 stars)</b><br />
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I really liked this book. First of all, I love Stiefvater's writing, especially her descriptions. In The Raven Boys, she's created these complex characters who each have their own issues they're working through—and she does it seamlessly. The story is told from multiple POVs, which I'm typically not a fan of, but she does it so well that being in multiple heads enhances the story, not detracts from it. My only complaint is the lack of romance. It says it's a paranormal romance, but there wasn't enough romance in my opinion to call it that. </div>
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<b>THE HUNDREDTH QUEEN by Emily R. King (5 out of 5 stars)</b><br />
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I received an ARC for this book, and I'm thrilled that I was able to read it months before it releases to the world!<br />
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This book is a beautiful, captivating tale of forbidden love, deep courage, and inner strength. Kalinda is a strong-willed character who doesn’t fully realize her potential until faced with an awful future married to a terrible tyrant. She is an extremely likable character who cares for those around her. She’s able to see the good in others, even an enemy who’s hated her since childhood. It is this belief that she can unite with her enemies that helps Kalinda secure her future with Rajah Tarek and ultimately carry out her grand plan to save herself, the one she loves, and the courtesans bound to the rajah.<br />
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This book was so unique and different from anything I’ve ever read. It was so layered and well-written that I found myself falling into the story, invested in each character, and longing for Kalinda to end up with her one true love. I love the world and culture King created. I loved that it had a gladiator feel with the wives and courtesans of the rajah battling against each other to maintain or increase their position. But I also loved the forbidden romance between Kalinda and Deven. The world-building was exceptional, the characters well-developed, and the writing exquisite. A must read for fantasy lovers!<br />
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<b>HOLDING UP THE UNIVERSE by Jennifer Niven (4 out of 5 stars)</b><br />
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Honestly, I loved this book. I do feel like it comes with a bit of a disclaimer, though, because there is A LOT of language. That's the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars. I'm not a huge fan of the "F" world, and it was used in the book quite a bit. I understand that these are teenagers, but still. I think Niven did an excellent job of making us FEEL for both Libby and Jack. That's what I love about her books—she knows how to bring in ALL THE FEELS! I love her beautiful prose. And yes, she writes about hard topics, but that's the way life is, right? Life isn't all peaches and roses. I applaud Niven for having the guts and courage to write about the tough things that make life completely unpredictable and totally sucky at times.<br />
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<b>P.S. I LIKE YOU by Kasie West (5 out of 5 stars)</b><br />
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Such a fun, cute story that goes to show you don't REALLY know someone until you get to know them. This was my first Kasie West story, and I have to say, I'm an immediate fan. I do believe Kasie West is now one of my favorite YA contemporary romance writers. I love that her stories are clean, with no language or sexual content. The romance was swoony, and the story was sweet, entertaining, funny, and completely unputdownable. Loved it!<br />
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<b>THE FILL-IN BOYFRIEND by Kasie West (5 out of 5 stars)</b><br />
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Loved this book. There were definitely places I laughed out loud, and there were places where my heart broke for the main character, Gia. Another great Kasie West book!<br />
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<b>THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT by Jennifer E. Smith (5 out of 5 stars)</b><br />
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I seriously loved this book. I read it in a day. You wouldn't think it could carry that much depth because it really only takes place in the space of 24 hours, but that's what's so amazing! You come to care so deeply for the main character, Hadley, that your heart breaks over her father leaving her and her mother. Much of the book is done in flashbacks, giving us a glimpse into what it was like when her father left, and why she's so wary about going to his wedding in London. I loved the romance, but I also loved that this book was about so much more than a love story. It's about family, forgiveness, hope, and moving on.<br />
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Have you read any of these books? Any on your TBR list?</div>
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Have a great Wednesday! :)</div>
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