tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89334665091564794802024-03-05T10:01:38.320-08:00Marie HallAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.comBlogger335125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933466509156479480.post-45158070571061793172015-03-02T14:51:00.000-08:002015-03-02T15:44:27.116-08:00A Pirate's Dream<div style="text-align: justify;">
Nimue, daughter of Hook, is desperate to prove to her parents that she's just as brave and as much of a pirate as they are. So when she serendipitously spies the hidden isle, she knows what she must do. A fearsome creature, known as the Sea Hag, is reputed to be hiding thirteen soul orbs within its sands and rumor has it any pirate brave enough to trespass there and snatch one up will be able to harness the power of the hag as his or her own. And that's just what Nimue aims to do. But, as is often her lot in life, things go horribly awry.</div>
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Sircco, King of the Sea, has no time for leggers. Those vile creatures in the Above also known as humans, and pirates are the worst of the lot. But when a feminine cry reaches his ears, his curiosity gets to him and against his better judgment finds himself offering the hag a trade for the wild, little legger with eyes of blue and hair the deepest color of his seas.</div>
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Human and merfolk do not fall in love with each other. It is simply impossible. But in Kingdom, there is no such thing as the impossible, merely obstacles a certain fairy godmother can easily overcome with a little fairy magic and some help from a few friends in very high places...</div>
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<b>A Pirate's Dream is the final book in </b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933466509156479480.post-80064272437582682772015-02-27T10:50:00.001-08:002015-02-27T10:50:39.002-08:00UPDATE on MarieFor the past few months I've received hundreds of very concerned emails from readers expressing not only their sympathy at the loss of my pen name, but also their sadness that I was no longer writing. I've heard from cancer patients who say immersing themselves in Kingdom during chemo is the only way they've gotten through things, and others who've told me that Kingdom helped them to get through the grief of losing loved ones.<br />
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I had no idea that Kingdom had become so personal for so many of you, it's humbled me and made me reflect a lot about a lot of things.<br />
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I wanted to set the record straight here, I am writing. It is who I am, and what I do. I love what I do. I realize that because I was so sad that I failed to mention that fact to you all. Because of this I have decided to release one final Marie Hall book, A Pirate's Dream, Kingdom book #11. If you want to know more about the future of Kingdom then make sure to read the author's notes as I'll go more in depth about what's happening with that world, but suffice it to say, Kingdom is far from over. I am still working on the Queens stories.<br />
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It is important to me that you all are aware this was not a gimmick. The Marie Hall brand is dead, but, there has been so much confusion that I felt I needed to clear things up for all of you. Today I'll be putting the finishing touches on A Pirate's Dream and within the next 2 weeks the book will be up for sale wherever ebooks are sold.<br />
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I am truly sorry for any confusion I may have caused you all before and hope that at the end of the day, you will continue to think kindly of me.<br />
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Be blessed,<br />
MarieAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933466509156479480.post-59277750234234767892014-11-17T21:09:00.000-08:002014-11-17T21:09:24.111-08:00The end of Marie HallAlmost feels like the end of an era. Though it didn't last long, it sure was fun.<br />
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Sadly, I have to kill off my pen name guys. My reasons are personal and extremely private and I would just ask that you all understand that this is extremely difficult for me. Killing her off is like killing off a real piece of my soul. I love her like I do a family member. But I just don't feel like I had a choice in this.<br />
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If you want to know more about what's going to happen with my books, blog, and the rest of that please feel free to write to me at mariehallwrites@gmail.com. I won't be responding back to messages here, I want to tell you all I thank you so much for making Marie the success that she was. I could never have done any of that without you guys.<br />
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Please know this isn't a decision I take lightly or easily. I'm terribly devastated by this but trying to put on a good face.<br />
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So for the final time,<br />
~Happy reading...<br />
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MarieAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933466509156479480.post-50340508421735473492014-11-10T16:30:00.002-08:002014-11-12T10:21:14.591-08:00Red Rain Update!Sigh...<br />
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I hate to do this, but after much thought and consideration, I'm going to have to push the publication date back for this book. Last month I had a family member get diagnosed with cancer. Needless to say, it's thrown my writing schedule completely out of whack. I have still been working on the book, but I realized that at the end of the day I'd rather have a product I'm proud of, then one I rushed through to get it out on time. And I hope that you readers feel the same. I didn't make this decision lightly, and it's something the professional in me balks at, but I've been working at a breakneck speed to try and finish this and noticing that because of all the other issues I'm dealing with, my words just weren't what they needed to be.<br />
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I'm not comfortable setting another date, because I don't honestly know. What I can tell you is that I'm not going to drag this thing out forever. Like I said, I'm working on the book, but being able to go at a slower pace gives me time to think about what I'm writing without the stress of trying to meet a deadline added to it.<br />
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However, Forbidden (the Night series spinoff series about the berserkers I introduced in Howler's Night) will still be published this month.<br />
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Thank you all for your understanding and just know, like I said, I'm not working on another project. I'm working on Red Rain. It will still be the next book published after Forbidden, that hasn't changed.<br />
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~MarieAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933466509156479480.post-65256529480660233172014-10-29T13:40:00.002-07:002014-10-31T11:24:01.324-07:00Her One Wish Now Available!<div style="text-align: center;">
You can find it online wherever ebooks are sold for 3.99! </div>
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Which is a real steal as this is the longest Kingdom book I've written to date!</div>
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Nixie is a genie with a problem. She's just killed her Master. Kind of a big no-no for her kind, but really, what did the ruling council of genie's expect her to do? It's not like she was given a handbook on how to be a "proper genie". She was never even supposed to wind up in Kingdom. She'd been born on Earth, Chicago specifically. Her father also happens to be Tristan Black, which yeah, kind of an issue. Now they've thrown the book at her, locking her away in the most wild, most hidden part of Kingdom and only the bravest could ever have a hope of saving her from a prison of perpetual darkness. </div>
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Robin Hood is a man on a mission. The tales have gotten this "hero" all wrong, he may not be the altruistic knight of yore, in fact, he might even be attempting a coup of his realm. </div>
<br />But as we all know, in Kingdom, things are rarely as they seem...</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933466509156479480.post-49615884483612606402014-09-30T11:38:00.001-07:002014-10-05T18:29:06.763-07:00Rockers After Dark<br /><br />I'm part of a brand new collection, Rockers After Dark! There are some really amazing writers in this set with me, LH Cosway, Deanna Chase, Cassia Leo, and Crista McHugh. This set is all about tatted up, sexy rockers and the women that love them. My offering is This Time, book 3 of the Moments Series. But, this book is very capable of standing on its own two feet, you don't need to read the first 2 to know what's going on.<div>
<br />Tor, my hero is from Norway. He's a bit of a modern day Viking throw back and oh man is he sexy. Jaime, is his honey, and there is some awesome and instant chemistry between the two of them. I loved writing that book and I think you guys will love it as much as I do.<br /><br />So make sure to pick up your copy wherever ebooks are sold, it's currently priced at 0.99, which is a steal considering it's worth 20 in total if you purchase the books separately!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933466509156479480.post-52391474257921050692014-09-19T10:30:00.001-07:002014-10-05T18:28:38.119-07:00The Wright Brother, now LIVE!<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's finally here! My latest contemporary romance, and I gotta say, for any of you who loved Ryan/Alex/or Tor from my Moments Series, I think Julian Wright might just be my favorite hero yet. He's amazing! Not only is he smokin' hot, cause yeah...he totally is, but Julian is so, so, so much more.</div>
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Born deaf and colorblind he moves through the world in a way few of us will ever see it, or could hope to understand it. Because of that he grows up tough, sensitive, and willing to be his own man. He doesn't march to the same beat as the rest of the world and that's probably the one quality about him I love most.</div>
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I had so much fun writing this character and I really, really hope that you guys would have just as much fun reading about him!</div>
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<br />The Wright Brother<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
From the moment I opened my eyes I could only see the world in shades of gray. There was no noise, no sound, nothing. <b>Deaf and colorblind</b>, I was a loner. My world was bleak, silent and empty, until her. Until I met my neighbor, Elisa Jane Adrian. I want her. I need her. The fractured part of me feels whole when she's around. Like the world isn't so dark, isn't so bleak, and so still. I know it's impossible, but when I look at Elisa I swear I can see color, can hear the gentle inhalations of her breath. I know she feels it too, this magic, this desperate desire...</div>
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I first saw him when I was three. Julian Wright was different than any other guy I'd ever known. He sees the world in a way I know I never will. But he intrigues me. The way he looks at me with his sea green eyes, how he hypnotizes me with his smile.</div>
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It's dangerous these feelings I have for him. Reckless and stupid. I'm so much older than him, I know better. And I'll fight these desires, no one will ever know how I feel. I'll even pretend to myself that I'm not as hooked on him as he is on me.</div>
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I'll move away to Ireland, I'll forget him, but that's the thing about the Wrights, they have a way of getting under your skin, into your soul, and no matter the time or distance, <b>once a Wright sets their eyes on you, there's no going back...ever.</b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933466509156479480.post-92034094078719815322014-09-08T12:06:00.002-07:002014-10-05T18:25:50.025-07:00The Wright Brother!Remember that snippet I posted a few weeks ago? About Julian Wright, deaf and colorblind, and about Elisa Adrian, the woman he loves desperately who brings a fair bit of issues to the table? Well, that book is almost here! It's actually already available up for preorder wherever online books are sold. :D It's also priced at .99, but for a very limited time. So make sure to pick up your copy before it goes up to 3.99.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
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<br /><br />The Wright Brother:<br /><br />From the moment I opened my eyes I could only see the world in shades of gray. There was no noise, no sound, nothing. <b>Deaf and colorblind</b>, I was a loner. My world was bleak, silent and empty, until her. Until I met my neighbor, Elisa Jane Adrian. I want her. I need her. The fractured part of me feels whole when she's around. Like the world isn't so dark, isn't so bleak, and so still. I know it's impossible, but when I look at Elisa I swear I can see color, can hear the gentle inhalations of her breath. I know she feels it too, this magic, this desperate desire...<br /><br />I first saw him when I was three. Julian Wright was different than any other guy I'd ever known. He sees the world in a way I know I never will. But he intrigues me. The way he looks at me with his sea green eyes, how he hypnotizes me with his smile.<br /><br />It's dangerous these feelings I have for him. Reckless and stupid. I'm so much older than him, I know better. And I'll fight these desires, no one will ever know how I feel. I'll even pretend to myself that I'm not as hooked on him as he is on me.<br /><br />I'll move away to Ireland, I'll forget him, but that's the thing about the Wright's, they have a way of getting under your skin, into your soul, and no matter the time or distance, o<b>nce a Wright sets their eyes on you, there's no going back...ever.</b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933466509156479480.post-80708325552344766582014-08-27T13:30:00.004-07:002014-08-27T13:30:56.317-07:00Boy do I have a treat for you guys!I'm part of a storybundle group for Dark Urban Fantasy. I don't know if you guys know anything about storybundle but the gist of it you pay a minimum of 3 bucks, up to whatever you want for a set of 5, possibly even 9 books (I'll paste a better explanation of what Storybundle is in just a bit). Part of your donation goes to the ALS organization. Which as you all know is currently trending as the ice water challenge. Crimson Night is part of the bundle, but along with that book are many more amazing books by exceptional Dark Fantasy writers. I don't think you guys are going to be displeased with this. I really hope you'll not only download a copy, but help spread the word about this. Good books and a fantastic cause, can't go wrong there! :)<br />
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Urban fantasy has begun to show a darker side in recent years and the books included in this bundle are designed to showcase that very trend, available August 27th through September 18th. You won't find any thinly disguised paranormal romance here; all of these titles delve into the gritty reality of a supernatural world that has come out to play with a complete disregard for doing so fairly. You'll find smart but saucy witches, hard-boiled sorcerers for hire, even a lustful demon that is far more than you ever imagined a demon could be. Combine them with the stalwart gentlemen that defend London with their magic and a resurrected Templar Order tasked with keeping the darkness at bay for the rest of us and you've got a smorgasbord of dark fantasy you simply won't want to miss!</div>
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StoryBundle's Dark Fantasy bundle is curated by bestselling author Joseph Nassise, a man who certainly understands the genre. His <em>Templar Chronicles</em> series has been an ongoing international hit for nearly a decade. Joining him are New York Times and USA Today bestseller Marie Hall, Hugo Award winner Tim Pratt, #1 bestselling UK author Steven Savile, urban fantasy stalwart Harry Connolly, and bestselling writers Susan Illene and Craig Schaeffer.</div>
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Says Nassise, "I loved each and every one of the books in this bundle when I first encountered them and I couldn't wait to share them here with you. I think they do a masterful job of showcasing the myriad ways of approaching a dark fantasy tale and I see them as representative of the terrific things going on in the genre today. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did."</div>
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We've also added the ALS Association (think ice bucket challenge) as a charity for this bundle. When you purchase a bundle, you can choose to donate part of your purchase to this worthy organization that's working tirelessly to find effective treatments and a cure for ALS.</div>
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The initial titles in the bundle (minimum $3 to purchase) are:</div>
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<li style="padding: 2px 0px;"><em>Bone Shop</em> by T.A. Pratt</li>
<li style="padding: 2px 0px;"><em>London Macabre</em> by Steven Savile</li>
<li style="padding: 2px 0px;"><em>Crimson Night</em> by Marie Hall</li>
<li style="padding: 2px 0px;"><em>The Long Way Down</em> by Craig Schaeffer</li>
<li style="padding: 2px 0px;"><em>The Heretic (Templar Chronicles: Book 1)</em> by Joseph Nassise</li>
</ul>
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If you pay more than the bonus price of just $12, you'll get another four books, including the next two volumes in Joseph Nassise's <em>Templar Chronicles</em> series:</div>
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<li style="padding: 2px 0px;"><em>A Scream of Angels (Templar Chronicles: Book 2)</em> by Joseph Nassise</li>
<li style="padding: 2px 0px;"><em>A Tear in the Sky (Templar Chronicles: Book 3)</em> by Joseph Nassise</li>
<li style="padding: 2px 0px;"><em>Twenty Palaces</em> by Harry Connolly</li>
<li style="padding: 2px 0px;"><em>Darkness Haunts</em> by Susan Illene</li>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933466509156479480.post-50435887458037462552014-08-19T15:30:00.002-07:002014-08-26T07:12:07.613-07:00Howler's Night is now LIVE<div style="text-align: center;">
Everywhere. :D</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-8bMoCdnDu_GvC4g-nVM3mFkepQSZ84c-m3tIMJNEsbdm26WWABnQoC7P8cFhbJUrbD40p087f47QAbdbqXnOcpZU58d89kw7uYn9wy30R7hbZnqds8kY9dhCpcYS8OqZivIc0CEfo4/s1600/Howler's%2BNight%2B-%2BEbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-8bMoCdnDu_GvC4g-nVM3mFkepQSZ84c-m3tIMJNEsbdm26WWABnQoC7P8cFhbJUrbD40p087f47QAbdbqXnOcpZU58d89kw7uYn9wy30R7hbZnqds8kY9dhCpcYS8OqZivIc0CEfo4/s1600/Howler's%2BNight%2B-%2BEbook.jpg" height="640" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Priest was back. Her home was safe. And Pandora had even managed to secure a powerful ally in the Zombie Queen. But in one fell swoop none of it mattered. She’s been abducted by a secret organization known only as the Triad, and they’re conducting experiments, treating her like a lab rat: cutting her open, dissecting her, and keeping her hostage. And she’s slowly going mad. Her demons are asleep, and no one knows where to find her. She’s completely isolated, and the Triad mean to break her. But for what purpose? And to what end?</div>
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Desperate to get back to her life and the people she loves Pandora manages a miraculous escape... Or has she? All she knows is she's woken up in the woods, alone and terrified and with no memories of who she really is.</div>
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Only one thought keeps hammering away at her. The prophecy. A legend, that states Pandora is the key to unlocking Armageddon. The truth of who she is, of what the Triad has made her become, has been sealed in her memory banks. And if she can just remember, she knows she can stop whatever they've got planned.</div>
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"And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him..."</div>
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From NY Times & USA Today bestselling author Marie Hall comes the third installment in the dark and riveting Night Series.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Howlers-Night-Book-3-ebook/dp/B00MV4DDTI/ref=sr_1_16?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1408486950&sr=1-16&keywords=marie+hall"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Howlers-Night-Book-3-ebook/dp/B00MV4DDTI/ref=sr_1_16?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1408486950&sr=1-16&keywords=marie+hall">Amazon</a> <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/howlers-night-marie-hall/1120162336?ean=2940150735378">BN</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933466509156479480.post-6001879439784857552014-08-04T13:29:00.000-07:002014-08-18T11:27:28.085-07:00Howler's Night official release date!<div style="text-align: center;">
I just got my edits back for Howler's Night, I'm setting an official release date for the book now...*drum roll please*....</div>
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August 22!</div>
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Be ready...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1fLVZOHFJXHO59rldwbyIPEOaeFpEuUe7vV1kvWrpyhEew5OAhftrXJNlIhfeE6veUK5g_ps9YdDWMWMT1uKfx2vPrYVIx1fXiGdelngh9FGgqkAIYVyOqJ1mpGqiGs0WZDfy3gtqdk/s1600/Howler's+NightD2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1fLVZOHFJXHO59rldwbyIPEOaeFpEuUe7vV1kvWrpyhEew5OAhftrXJNlIhfeE6veUK5g_ps9YdDWMWMT1uKfx2vPrYVIx1fXiGdelngh9FGgqkAIYVyOqJ1mpGqiGs0WZDfy3gtqdk/s1600/Howler's+NightD2B.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
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Howler’s Night</h2>
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The Priest was back. Her home was safe. And Pandora had even managed to secure a powerful ally in the Zombie Queen. But in one fell swoop none of it mattered. She’s been abducted by a secret organization known only as The Triad, and they’re conducting experiments, treating her like a lab rat: cutting her open, dissecting her, keeping her hostage. And she’s slowly going mad. Her demons are asleep, and no one knows where to find her. She’s completely isolated, and The Triad mean to break her.</div>
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However, Pandora is so much more than she seems. There’s a prophecy, a legend, that states she is the key to unlocking Armageddon. But memories are a funny thing: sometimes fleeting, other times crystal clear, no matter the passage of time… </div>
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And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him.</div>
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From NY Times & USA Today bestselling author Marie Hall comes the third installment in the dark and riveting Night Series.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933466509156479480.post-67203364688238016902014-07-23T16:14:00.003-07:002014-08-18T11:25:17.229-07:00Hood's Obsession NOW AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE!<div style="text-align: center;">
Totally just dawned on me I hadn't made the official announcement.</div>
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The book is now available online wherever books are sold!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_mb23aBPjXkUOzyXV4mNUEJbot4YmpuVbNimJHMfjGt18BQq8oqTlAyLnGCJvnqvw8_BWnILtp6iFAku53O6XkkhHZTXqOB3Q0Q092DfwojzhMPbJ_qcEeejw_BPN9_yC3Cg7spDN38/s1600/HoodsObsession_highres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_mb23aBPjXkUOzyXV4mNUEJbot4YmpuVbNimJHMfjGt18BQq8oqTlAyLnGCJvnqvw8_BWnILtp6iFAku53O6XkkhHZTXqOB3Q0Q092DfwojzhMPbJ_qcEeejw_BPN9_yC3Cg7spDN38/s1600/HoodsObsession_highres.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
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Erualis' time is running out and now Rumpelstiltskin says there are only two who can save him... </div>
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Lilith Wolf, the daughter of the Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood has a problem, she's an unmated female in heat. She has to get away from the males of her village unless she wants to find herself involuntarily hand fasted to the first one to tame her wolf. So when Giles Damien comes to her calling due the pact she'd signed with Rumpelstiltskin years ago, she doesn't really think twice about the fact that she'll be journeying to Fyre Mountain. Even though that means she'll be crossing paths with an angry water dragon, a pub full of rowdy Merry Men, and rock dwarves with a taste for flesh... For an alpha female that's an adventure. No problem. Find the Chalice of Hope, come back home, and life will return back to normal again. </div>
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But she hadn't counted on an honorable Giles Damien to intrigue not only her female sensibilities, but her wolf too. He's a warrior, but he's sweet, he's patient, and he's altogether different from the aggressive, rough males of her village. Problem is Giles is a demone, and everyone knows they don't mingle outside of their species. But now her sights are set on him and she's going to make it her mission to prove to the stubborn headed demone that sometimes love can come from the most unexpected of circumstances...</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933466509156479480.post-92218878518675058752014-07-18T16:31:00.002-07:002014-07-18T16:31:16.882-07:00Extended Sneak Peek: The Wright Brother<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;">Read on for a sneak peek of my latest contemporary romance, The Wright Brother. A book which spotlights the romance of one couple, Julian Wright and Elisa Jane Adrian over the span of several years, from birth, to high school, to college, and then to the real world. I'm very excited about this book, and hope you are too.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;" /><b style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;"><i>(NO PART OF THIS STORY CAN BE REPLICATED WITHOUT THE AUTHOR'S CONSENT!)</i></b><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;" /><br />
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<b>Chapter 1<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Three tiny little bundles stared back at Elisa Jane. Their faces were scrunched and red as they shuddered and wiggled beneath their monkey print blankets.<o:p></o:p></div>
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They were sorta cute, in an ugly kind of way.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Two of the babies looked back at her. Cooing and making funny noises.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Aww,” her tiny heart melted as she reached out her hand to let one of the babies latch onto her finger, but she couldn’t shove her hand through the bars close enough to get to him. “Cute.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Leaning up on tiptoe even higher so that she could get a better look at the triplets, Elisa held tight to the edge of their crib.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Elisa,” Mama glanced up from her spot on the couch, “you be careful, young lady.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Okay, Mama,” she said dutifully, wondering why Mrs. Wright’s face looked so splotchy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sometimes Elisa’s face would go splotchy too. Like when she’d fall off her bicycle and scrap her knees. Or that one time she accidentally touched the hot stove. Her face had gone really splotchy then too. There were no scraps on Mrs. Wright’s knees, so maybe she’d gotten burnt.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pressing her lips together, she turned back to study the babies.<o:p></o:p></div>
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They were grunting and scrunching their noses, their fists had wormed their way out of the snuggly blanket.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You guys are really ugly,” she murmured, and then quickly glanced back at her mother. Mama would be mad if she heard her calling babies ugly. But they were.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Their faces were so red, and they had no hair. “But you do have pretty eyes,” she said it as a consolation, even though their eyes weren’t all that pretty. And Daddy had told her once that boys weren’t pretty, they were handsome. But she didn’t think they were handsome either.<o:p></o:p></div>
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One of the babies sneezed. And that was cute. It tugged a smile to her lips.<o:p></o:p></div>
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All year Elisa had been so excited waiting for Mrs. Wright to have her triplets. And now they were finally here and that was nice. Of course it wasn’t fair that they weren’t girls. Because boys were dirty, and sometimes mean. But as long as they understood that they couldn’t be mean to Elisa, then she’d be okay with that she supposed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But it would take a while before they could play with her. Elisa would be three soon. She was the biggest of the big girls and they were just really small.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Two of the babies were blinking huge owl eyes up at her. But the third baby was looking at the wall of the crib with a weird stare. Elisa had been trying for the past ten minutes to get that baby to look at her, but he just wouldn’t.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It made her cranky. Obviously, he didn’t like girls.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Mama?” She looked up at her mom who was deep in conversation with Mrs. Wright.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes, Elisa,” Mama asked, sounding e-zas-per-tated.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That was a big word that Daddy was teaching her. He said that Elisa always made them e-zas-per-tated.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She huffed the blond lank of bangs out of her eyes. “What names?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Instead of Mama answering, Mrs. Wright did. Her smile was watery as she said, “Christian. Roman. And Julian.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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She dabbed at her eyes when she said Julian’s name, and Mama wrapped her up in a big hug.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elisa frowned. Grown ups were so weird sometimes. Turning back around she smiled at the boys.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Hi. I’m Elisa.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Christian and Roman cooed. But Julian still wouldn’t look at her.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Julian,” she singsonged his name, “I’m right here. Hello, baby.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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But he still wouldn’t look at her. Maybe he just couldn’t hear her or sumthin’. She shoved her arm through the bar, but again she couldn’t reach them. Annoyed, she decided the only way to get Julian to pay attention to her was to get in there with him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It would be kind of tricky, but she was a good climber. Daddy had taught her how to climb the great big elm in their back yard. Glancing over her shoulder one more time to make sure Mama wasn’t watching, Elisa stuck her shiny, black slippered foot on the outer edge of their mattress and stepped up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mama and Mrs. Wright had gone into the kitchen to get some more snacks. Which was good, because then Elisa could climb without Mama worrying that she’d do something wrong.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I’m coming baby Julian,” she grunted as she shimmied her way up the white painted metal side of their baby crib.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
But Elisa had overestimated her climbing abilities. Her arms were shaking only halfway up and when she went to pull her leg over the side of the crib she lost her balance and fell hard onto Mrs. Wright’s wooden floors.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Fire exploded down her side and this time it was her turn to shriek.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
In seconds Mama had scooped her off the floor, hugging her tight to her breast. “Elisa Jane Adrian, what have you done? Are you okay?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
But Elisa couldn’t talk, because her arm hurt so bad and now her face was all splotchy. She wrapped her arms around her Mama’s neck and cried, feeling bad because the babies were crying too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Mrs. Wright was over there, picking one up after another, patting their backs and telling them she loved them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“I’m sorry, Loribelle, I think we’re going to go now. But if you need anything at all.” Mama walked over to Mrs. Wright and gave her a side arm hug. “You don’t hesitate to call me, got it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Mrs. Wright sniffed and dabbed at her eyes. “Thanks, Bethy. I will.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Mama’s hand was big and warm as she rubbed Elisa’s back, already her arm was feeling better. She wished she would have had a chance to say hi to Julian too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Christian and Roman were still squalling, but Julian was where he’d always been, just staring at the wall of his crib, like he’d never even heard her fall.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Elisa decided right then that she didn’t like Julian Wright much at all.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><br clear="all" style="page-break-before: always;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;"></span><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<b>Chapter 2<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 18px;">5 years later<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
The sea was calling to Elisa today. The sky and water was so blue. Seagulls circled above her sandy playground, crying out loudly. Obviously smelling the hot dogs and hamburgers Daddy was grilling up. The grown ups were further up shore; Mrs. Wright would occasionally cast an eagle eye in the direction of the boys who played along the coastline.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
It was the fourth of July, tonight there’d be fireworks. This was really Elisa’s favorite time of year. The fireworks looked so amazing when they shone off the darkened reflection of the bay.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Not to mention no school. No homework. Just fun.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
With her boys.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Roman and Christian came running up to her. Their five-year-old legs churned up the sugary colored sand in their wake. Roman was missing his front tooth and his smile was huge as he wildly waved his prize high in the air.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Lisa. Lisa!” Roman jumped up and down; his turtle themed water shorts flopped around his legs as he did. He had a habit of dumping mounds of wet sand down his shorts. “Look what we found!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Well, I found it.” Christian stepped in front of his brother, shoving him gently out of the way as he pointed at his little bird chest.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
The boys weren’t identical triplets. But the two of them still looked sort of similar. Where Roman was a little darker, cause of his hair and eyes which were a pretty dark blue. Christian was just a little bit lighter. Looking more like Mrs. Wright with his sandy blond hair and slightly brighter blue eyes. Julian on the other hand looked just like Mr. Wright. Inky black hair, with the most striking and vivid set of bluish-green eyes that always reminded Elisa of the tropical waters she yearned to one day see in person.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Julian was the one that really didn’t look like he was one third of the triplet gang.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Which at least made it easy for Elisa to tell them apart.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
She laughed, eyes widening as she stared at the broken bit of shell. Holding out her hand for it, she turned it around and around after Roman placed it on her palm. The outside was dark and gray looking, full of green moss and other yucky bits. But the inside gleamed like mother of pearl.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Oh, that’s pretty,” she cooed, patting their heads. “Good job,” she chirped, when Christian snatched it back, hugging it tight to his body.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
It never really bothered her that she was almost three years older than the boys. Well technically, she was two years and five months older, but that was a bunch older than them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Still, they were sort of like her brothers. She loved them, kind of. Not when they were being buttheads and tripping her feet out from under her and stuff. But she was the kind of girl that loved fishing, and playing down by the docks, and swimming like a little fish. She guessed because she was more of a Tomboy the boys thought she was all right too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Where’s Jules?” she asked, shading her eyes as she searched the cove for any sign of Julian.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Christian and Roman both sighed in unison.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Julian!” Mrs. Wright’s voice was a sudden shrill that rent the peacefulness of the afternoon. “Julian!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
She came running up, her pale face and normally artfully arranged sandy blond hair that now tumbled haphazardly around her shoulders attested to her panic.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Yanking them each by the arm, she gasped, “Where is he?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Christian’s eyes grew wide. “He’s…he’s over there.” He pointed to a sharp area of rock.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
And sure enough, a dark head could be seen bobbing up and down around the dangerous bed of sharp rock.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Suddenly everyone seemed to become aware of what was happening. Mr. Wright, Mama, and Daddy—all of them rushed toward Julian who seemed completely unaware of the fact that when the tide rose and covered the rocks they became too slick and dangerous to walk on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Elisa had lived along the coastline long enough to know that the tide had already begun to shift and in moments those rocks he now played on would be hazardous. She didn’t stop to question her actions. With her heart lodged in her throat, she ran.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
She was already wearing her swimsuit, she could slice through the water and make it to him before anyone else could. His parents were close to the rocky outcropping, but they wouldn’t reach him in time, they’d have to step carefully themselves.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Elisa was already a champion swimmer and as capable in the water as any average adult.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
She didn’t shiver when the cold water rushed up the length of her calves and thighs. Instead, taking a deep breath, she dove into the almost frigid waters, breast stroking expertly out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Mrs. Wright screamed when Julian did exactly what everyone expected him to do. With a strange, garbled sound his arms wind milled violently, and like a cartoon falling in slow motion, Elisa caught a glimpse of him from the corner of her eye crashing into the dangerous waters.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Julian could swim, but just barely. He was really only good enough at keeping his head above water. She swam harder, kicking with all her might, when she noticed he was barely moving.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Elisa knew how badly head wounds could bleed. She’d seen her Dad crack his forehead open once; she just hoped Julian was okay.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Kicking her feet with all her might, and with five more powerful strokes, she got to his side. He’d turned over on his back, floating with his arms spread eagle and moaning loudly. Already she could see a purple knot swelling on his head, but thankfully there was no blood.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Get him, Elisa!” Mrs. Wright called, waving her hand as if guiding Elisa toward the spot where she stood.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Julian was heavy, but the water made him buoyant enough that Elisa was able to wrap her arm around his middle and gently kick her way back toward the rocks, where Mr. Wright waited with arms wide open.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“It’s alright, Jules,” she whispered as she concentrated on getting them back to safety. He was gurgling, his fingers digging like claws into her wrists, as he held on to her tight.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“I’ve got you. Don’t worry,” she soothed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Her arms trembled when she finally was able to hand him over to his father. Mr. Wright plucked Jules away from her easily, wrapping his arm around his son, and smiling down at her with a proud beam to his ocean colored eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Good job, girl. Good job.” Faint lines around his eyes crinkled as he gazed down at her, she was only thankful that she’d gotten to Julian in time. It could have been so much worse.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Arms feeling like wet noodles, she gave him a weak grin as she latched onto her Daddy’s outstretched hand and landed on the rocky outcropping beside Mr. Wright. Gratefully accepting the towel Mama held out for her, she wrapped it around herself twice, before patting Julian’s back.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Hey, Jules, you okay?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
He didn’t respond to her question, but he did respond to her touch. He had his face pressed into his father’s neck, but his brilliant blue-green eyes were just for her as he nodded. As if to say “thank you”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
She smiled. “You’re welcome,” she said, even though she knew he’d never hear it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Because Mama was a nurse, she checked him out quickly and determined that aside from the fact that he might have a bad headache later that night, he didn’t need to go to the hospital.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
That night they watched the fireworks in silence. She and Jules held hands on the beach together. He’d moved to her side after supper, and though she knew he couldn’t hear the booms or even see the colors, his eyes lit up as each firecracker danced through the air. And it made her happy to sit right there on that wet sand and listen to his happy little gurgles of laughter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Elisa didn’t know what she would ever do without Julian Wright in her life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
~*~<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Elisa was almost ten years old the day she learned the devastating news.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
The day had started out like any other day. She was happy because now she was a fifth grader, next year she’d go to middle school.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Mama had also told her she could finally go to a school dance. Next week was that dance and last week Mama had found her a pale pink dress that fell to her knees in soft waves. It looked super pretty on her. But even better, Mama had gotten her her first stick of lip-gloss. Elisa couldn’t wait to wear it. Janet was gonna be so jealous too, because her mom still wouldn’t let her wear make-up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Of course her date was Christian, which totally didn’t count as a date, but she was still excited, even if he was a third grader.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Mrs. Wright had put the boys into school when they were just barely four. So even though they were almost three years apart, they were only two grades apart. Which was still sort of young, but she liked Christian and unlike most boys in school, he could actually dance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Of course, it would have made it even better if she could have gone with Joey Crawford, he was only the cutest boy in fifth grade. But Joey had a stupid girlfriend and probably wouldn’t have asked her anyway.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Brushing out her hair one final time, she slipped it into a ponytail, pulled on her prettiest purple bathing suit, and tried to ignore the nervous flutters in the pit of her stomach.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Today was the biggest day of her life. Qualifications to get to be a part of Mt. Rodgers Middle School swim team.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Roman and Christian told her she had it in the bag. Which she totally thought she might, and even though she was fast, she was scared she might not be as fast as some of the other swimmers trying out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
What if she didn’t make it?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Or worse yet, what if she did?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
She grimaced.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
There was a heavy knock at the door. “Elisa, you dressed?” Her father’s deep baritone was a muffled sound.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Yes.” She nodded, still hanging tight to her stomach.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
He opened the door and she smiled when she saw him. Daddy was still the most handsome guy she’d ever seen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
There was some gray now at the corners of his dark brown hair, but she thought it made him look very distinguished.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
He grinned, but the smile never really touched his eyes. “You look nervous, little bit.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
She plopped onto her vanity stool and nodded. “I’m terrified. I’m not sure I’m good enough for this.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Snorting, he sat on the edge of her day bed, and nodded. “Oh, I understand that feeling. I’m always nervous before a big race—”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Daddy was a professional triathlete. Mama said that was where Elisa got her athleticism from, which was probably true; the most Mama ever did for exercise was gardening. She claimed to be allergic to running, which Elisa had totally believed, until she turned eight and realized allergic was just another word for lazy. It had made her laugh when she realized how gullible she’d been.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“—but that’s how you face your fears.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“How? By failing and coming in last?” She made a wound between a whimper and a whine.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Crossing his leg, he ran a hand through his hair. “If you try your best and come in last, there’s no shame in that. The only shame is if you defeat yourself by not giving it your all. No matter the outcome, we’ll be proud of you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“I love you, Daddy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Getting up, he came to her and wrapped her up in a big, soapy scented hug. His hug lasted a long time, longer than normal, and he kept clearing his throat. It was starting to make her nervous, but she thought maybe she was just imagining things when a second later he took a step back and smiled down at her. And this time his smile did reach his eyes. Eyes that looked a little more wet than usual. “Ditto. Now lets go.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Blowing out a deep breath, Elisa got up, slipped on her shorts and shirt, and nodded. “Okay. The guys are coming too, right?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
The grimace had happened so fast that Elisa almost couldn’t be sure she’d seen it happen at all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Yep. Sure, they’ll be there. Where else would those rugrats be? They only worship the ground you walk on.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
She laughed. “They do not.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
But she knew they totally did. That was okay though, she pretty much adored them herself. Being an only child may have been a sad life for her if it hadn’t been for her three friends that were more like brothers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
She leaned her head out the car window and waved just as the Wright’s came tromping out of their house ten minutes later. Daddy was taking her ahead of the crowd so she’d have time to warm up before the competition.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
But she frowned when not one of the boys waved back at her. In fact, Mrs. Wright didn’t look well either.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Her nose was a bright cherry red.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Elisa jumped to her knees and stared out the back window of her family’s SUV as they drove off—watching as Mama walked out her home and over to Mrs. Wright before pulling her in for a tight hug.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Daddy, is something wrong with Mrs. Wright?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
But instead of answering he clicked on the car radio and the nerves that’d been simmering in her belly now flared back to life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
All of that was forgotten the moment she arrived at the swim meet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Elisa shouldn’t have been worried, her form was top-notch, her strokes sure. She’d slid into first across the finish line, even beating out two boys from her class who’d sworn up and down they were faster than her. Blinking water droplets out of her eyes, she scanned the bleachers for Mama and the Wright boys when she stepped out of the pool.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
But the only face she recognized was her dad’s.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
He was clapping and gazing down at her proudly. “Good job, little bit.” He scooped her up and twirled her around, but his voice seemed to lack some of the joy he normally enthused when she won a competition.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
With a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach, she wiggled out of his arms. “Dad, where is everybody?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
It was rare that the Wright’s ever missed any of her meets. In fact, it’d only happened once before and that was because Roman had gotten a sudden case of appendicitis.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Suddenly the smile was gone. His face turned very serious and grave as he held onto her hand. “Lisa,” he sighed, “baby girl, we need to talk.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
She couldn’t do anything other than grab onto her stomach. People kept coming up and clapping her on the back and congratulating her, but she couldn’t respond back because she knew something was really, really wrong.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Letting her father guide her over to the bleachers he sat her down and waved off her coach as he made his way over. Her Father was never rude, now she was even more scared.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
With a mouth grown dry, she swallowed hard. “Daddy?” her voice trembled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Tipping his chin up toward the sun, Elisa knew she would never forget that moment. Never forget the way his face suddenly looked so shattered, or the way he inhaled three deep breaths, or how rough his palms felt when he grabbed her pruny ones.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“There’s no way to put this that won’t hurt you, Elisa. Mr. Wright died last night. It was very sudden and unexpected. Mrs. Wright is taking the boys to her family for a couple of weeks and—”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
She couldn’t take a proper breath. It was like her lungs had suddenly stopped working correctly. “But…but.” She shook her head, because there were too many thoughts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i>Mr. Wright was dead.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i>The dance.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i>Mr. Wright was dead.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i>Christian.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i>Mr. Wright was dead.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i>Roman.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i>Mr. Wright was dead.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i>Julian…<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
He shook his head.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
What did that mean exactly?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Daddy, have they left already?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“I’m afraid so.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
She screamed, hugging her arms to her middle. “But they’re coming back, right?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
He didn’t answer her, and even though she could feel the press of eyes all over her, she couldn’t seem to stop the tears from falling fat and heavy down her face.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Daddy, please tell me they’re coming back.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“I’m sorry, baby girl.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
He tried to wrap her up in his arms again, but she wouldn’t let him. She ran for the car. Maybe if they were fast enough they could get back. Maybe they could…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Elisa, stop!” Her father ran after her, his footsteps pounding the pavement.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Why did you bring me here!” Twirling on him, she balled her hands into fists. “Why would you do that to me?” She swiped at the tears dripping off her nose, angry with her father, with herself for caring so much about a stupid swim meet. “I should have been there for them. Daddy, why?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
His brown eyes were sincere and shimmering with wetness. They had attracted a large crowd, but none of it mattered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
She needed to see them one more time. Needed to say goodbye at least. They may not have been blood, but they were her brothers. They’d grown up together, she’d tended to their scrapes, played hide and go seek, listened to them talk all about their stupid cartoons because she loved them. From the very first minute she’d seen the triplets she’d fallen in love. They were her family.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“How could you do this to me?” she hiccupped.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Because your mother and I thought it would be best, Elisa. We know how you feel about them. What finding that out would do to you. You couldn’t stop them from leaving, they’re already gone. All you can do now is live, baby girl. That’s what this is about. Living. Remembering that no matter how sad, or tough, or hard things get, sometimes there’s nothing you can do to change it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Her lower lip quivered. “I hate you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“I know you don’t, sweetheart.” And this time when he pulled her in for a hug, she let him. Crying for Mr. Wright, crying for Mrs. Wright, but especially crying for the loss of her boys.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
The Wright’s returned back to Sunny Cove, Maine three weeks later to hold Mr. Wright’s funeral.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
On the one hand, it was wonderful getting to see them. But on the other, Elisa felt terrible. All three boys had been quiet and sullen as they’d entered the church for Mr. Wright’s memorial, Julian even more so than normal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
His eyes as he’d stood beside Mrs. Wright on the stoop after the service accepting condolences had seemed lost and empty.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Dressed in bright yellow shorts, a black and green pinstriped shirt, one blue sock and one red sock, he looked like a kaleidoscope of color.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Elisa frowned at the snickers some of the kids made when they saw him. It was obvious Mrs. Wright hadn’t been in her right frame of mind when she’d allowed him to walk out the house as he was.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Julian was not only deaf, he was colorblind too. Two conditions which had caused him to be picked on in school.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Her lower chin jutted out when she spied both Roman and Christian standing on the lawn out in front of the church surrounded by a couple of kids from their old class. They were chuckling and pointing at their brother.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Furious that Julian’s own brother’s would be so cruel, she marched over to Jules’ side, and tossing the boys an evil glare over her shoulder, stood directly behind Julian to shield him as best she could from their eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Jules,” she whispered and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. Her touch caused him to look at her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Tears slipped soundlessly from the corners of his eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Julian was tall for his age. Almost to her height. With a messy shock of black hair and those bold eyes, her heart gave a tiny pang. He looked so much like his father.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Her sign language wasn’t the best, but she’d taken the time to practice a little while they’d been gone. It suddenly bothered her that in all the years she’d known Jules she’d never tried to learn it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Tapping her pointer finger so that he’d glance at her hands, she spoke to him for the first time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
She didn’t actually know phrases, that’d been trickier to learn so quickly. But she’d learned the alphabet. Painstakingly she twisted her fingers into letters.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“I’m sorry.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
It took her close to a minute to spell it out. And he shuddered when she finished. His thin shoulders visibly trembled beneath his shirt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Biting onto the corner of his lip, he nodded, and did something back with his fingers. But he moved them so quickly it was a blur she couldn’t hope to understand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Shaking her head, she gave him a helpless shrug. Hating all over again that she’d never learned to talk to him properly. Julian had hearing aids, but the damage to his ears was so bad, that it basically didn’t help.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
He relied almost solely on sign language.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
He wiggled his fingers at her again, but again, she couldn’t make out more than a couple of L’s and maybe an A. She wasn’t sure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Shaking his head, as if to say “nevermind”, he then stepped into her and wrapped her tightly into his arms.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
She held him tight, knowing it would be the last time she’d ever get to do it with him again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“I love you, Jules,” she whispered and then kissed the top of his head.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Three hours later the Wright’s had gone back to New York State and Elisa’s world seemed suddenly more gray.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><br clear="all" style="page-break-before: always;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;"></span><br />
<div class="WordSection3" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<b>Chapter 3<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 18px;">9 years later<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“I totally think Joey’s gonna ask you to the dance,” Charity giggled over the phone line.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Elisa rolled her eyes. Of course Joey was going to ask her. It wasn’t like it was the best kept secret, he was a jock, she was a jock, it was a match made in jocky heaven. She snorted and crunched into the red apple. Rubbing her pink and black striped socked feet together as she lay on the piles of pillows her Father always teased was more than any one girl should need for a bed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“I’m not sure I’m going to say yes. I have a swim meet that morning.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Ugh,” Elisa could practically see her Goth friend rolling her heavily mascaraed eyes, “you are so frustrating, do you know that? You always have meets. When don’t you have meets? All year you’ve been saying you wanted to go to homecoming with Joey, now he’s gonna ask and you’re not sure! I mean, hello!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
She chuckled. “Whatever. Ms. dark, black, and deadly, shouldn’t you be getting ready to do some voodoo alter chant or something?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Grr. I don’t even know why we’re friends anymore.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Whatever, freakazoid.” She laughed, swallowing her bite of apple and then took another. “I think secretly you’re tired of playing Goth so you live through me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“I am not a Goth, I just like dark clothes, and you are just ridiculous.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Yeah, you keep telling yourself that and I’ll just pretend that you don’t actually have a voodoo doll hanging up in your locker.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“I will stick a pin in you,” she growled, “just bet me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Yeah, you go ahead and do that.” She shook her head. Her friend might be weird, but Elisa pretty much thought Charity hung the moon anyway.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Whatever,” Charity snickered. “Anyway, homecoming. You going, or what?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Charity and her family had moved from Trinidad and Tobago to Sunny Cove three years ago. At first everyone had avoided the dark-skinned girl with dreds that fell long and heavy down to her butt. She’d been like a bird of paradise stuck inside a monochromatic garden of white roses. She just stuck out. But Elisa had seen beneath the unique exterior to the intelligent, cool girl beneath and in no time the two of them had developed a tight bond.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Eventually Charity had won almost everyone over, with her hint of an island accent and her silky, dark skin the boys had fallen prey to her charms and she’d gone from being the outcast to the girl everyone wanted on their speed dial.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“I don’t know, probably, I guess. If he asks.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Jeez, could it have taken you any longer to get that out?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
She stuck out her tongue, curling her fingers through the worn threads of the one and only afghan blanket she’d ever attempted to crotchet. The colors were a mix of black, green, and blue. Colors she’d always loved. “Well, if I’m going, you’re going too.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Nah, I don’t do dresses.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Which was entirely true. Charity had one outfit. Tight black jeans, tight white tops, and a crucifix. Always the crucifix. She was the strangest pseudo Goth/Voodoo Priestess Elisa had ever seen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Of course, she was the only one Elisa had ever seen, but that was just semantics.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Elisa!” Her mother’s shrill yell came up the stairs. “Please come here!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Oops.” She jerked. “Coming, Mom. Chas, I gotta go. Dinner time. Maybe we can go shopping for some gowns tomorrow.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Keep dreaming, girlfriend.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
With a cheery laugh and another goodbye, Elisa hung up. Slipping the cell into her pocket and holding the apple between her teeth, she flew down the stairs and skidded to a complete stop at the sight that met her eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
It wasn’t dinner sitting on the kitchen table but the group sitting in the living room that’d made her mother call her down. Four people who’d become merely a memory to her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Mrs. Wright was no longer as tall as Elisa had once recalled her being. Her skin was pale, attesting to the fact that they no longer lived next to a coastline. Her once shiny sandy blond hair was cut to bob length and now had thick strands of gray between the blond.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
But she wasn’t the reason why Elisa suddenly felt like running back upstairs to her bedroom and locking the door.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Three extremely tall males surrounded their diminutive mother. Realizing that she still had the stupid apple stuck in her mouth, she spit it out and rubbed it on her shirt. Which was kind of weird, and dumb, but yeah, Elisa was completely taken aback.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Mom smiled. “Okay, I’ll leave you guys to have your reunion.” She took Mrs. Wright’s hand and led her back into the kitchen where the banging of pots and pans resumed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“We’re back,” Christian, or Roman, said the moment the four of them were finally alone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
It was really hard to tell the two apart. They looked almost identical. From the Hollister hip jeans, to the collared polo shirts. They weren’t nearly as pale as their mother, but they weren’t as sun kissed as she remembered them being once upon a time either.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Their hair was cut stylishly short and curled around the napes of their necks. She might be sixteen—almost going on seventeen now—and them only fifteen, but it was obvious to her that they were turning into super good looking guys. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
The girls at school would eat them up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Their lips twitched and then the one wearing the red polo spoke up, at a guess she’d say he was Christian since his hair was just a little bit lighter than the one wearing the blue polo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“We look kind of different, huh? You too, Lisa.” His pretty blue sparkled. “I’m Christian by the way.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
She snorted. “I knew that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Yeah, right.” He yanked her into his arms.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
It felt strange being hugged by him. What had once felt so normal now felt awkward. She patted his back, but her eyes drew like magnets to the third Wright boy sitting on her couch.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Unlike his brothers, Julian wasn’t the all American boy next door. Dressed entirely in shades of black and white, his hair was long. Hanging in a kind of skater style around his shoulders. Soft and wavy looking, and it was bizarre that her heart suddenly started to pound as hard as it did. Especially when she noticed a hint of black swirl’s on his wrists peeking out from under the cuffs of his shirt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Did he have tattoos?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
She wet her lips, jerking her eyes away from his, hoping it might help her to breathe a little easier.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
And maybe it had something to do with the intense way he was staring at her. His gaze unswerving from her face, his breathing just this side of heavy, that’d caused her heart to thump so violently, or maybe it was just the shock of seeing people she’d sworn she’d never see again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Christian stepped back and then Roman took his place. Giving her a quick side arm hug.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Jeez, I forgot how boring this place was.” Christian snorted when she stepped back.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
It took everything Elisa had to ignore Julian’s hard stare. But she felt it move all through her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Boring? You’re boring.” She swatted his shoulder. Her legs were jittery as she made her way over to her father’s favorite worn blue recliner and sat on the edge of it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
The boys sat down beside Julian and Elisa was suddenly upset that her mother had failed to warn her company might come over today. She was in short blue jean shorts and a Minnie mouse crop top.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
She brushed her fingers down her shirt; thank God it was clean at least.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“So umm.” She giggled, that was always her thing when she got nervous. It was a terrible habit. “You guys here on vacation? Can’t imagine you’d be happy to trade in the bright lights of New York for Maine.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Resting his arm on the back of the couch, Roman crossed his leg over his knee. “Nope. Here for good. Yay.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
She curled her nose, tossing a quick glance at Julian. Her heart thumped loudly when she realized he was still looking at her. All three of them looked so different from the boys she remembered and yet she could have picked Julian out in a crowd.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
There’d just always been something different about him. Something uniquely Jules.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
She gave him a little wave.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
But instead of waving back, he turned his face and studied her father’s running magazine on the end table.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Ignore him, he’s still just a freak,” Christian said with a roll of his eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
She frowned. Feeling that weird need to defend him, which was ridiculous. Julian was no longer a little boy and she was no longer his sister.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
They were all pretty much strangers now.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“He’s not a freak,” she said it anyway.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Roman scratched the side of his jaw. “Yeah, and how would you know? Not like you’ve been around for a few years.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Ouch. That was mean.” She crossed her arms. “When did you become such a jerk, Rome?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Christian shrugged. “He doesn’t mean it, Lisa.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Roman rolled his eyes again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Clearly things hadn’t been good since the Wright’s had left Sunny Cove. She glanced back at Jules. He still wouldn’t look at her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Mrs. Wright came out of the kitchen. “Okay guys, we gotta get the bags moved out of the car. You look so gorgeous, Elisa. As tall as your father.” She hugged Elisa and then kissed her cheek.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
It was weird how much a scent could ingrain itself into a person’s brain. How even after years of not smelling Mrs. Wright’s perfume of lavender and verbena, suddenly the smell of it transported Elisa back years.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Memories of seaside barbecue’s, and birthday parties, movies under the stars in their backyards, and all the wonderful times they’d spent together.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
She hugged her back hard and smiled, those had been some of the best days of her young life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Right boys? Isn’t she beautiful?” She looked directly at Julian as she said it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Elisa’s pulse pounded hard in the back of her throat when Julian’s sea green stare turned to her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
From the corner of her eye she could see Christian and Roman nod. Julian never answered; instead he stood, shoved his hands into his pockets, and walked toward the front door.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Mrs. Wright’s smile wavered just slightly. “Anyway, it’s really good to see you guys again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“You too, Mrs. Wright.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
“Call me, Lori,” she said, and patted Elisa’s cheek, “I think you’re old enough now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-indent: 0.25in;">
And just like they always seemed to do, the Wright’s walked away from her again. But this time they were back and for Elisa it was like something in her world had changed forever.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><br clear="all" style="page-break-before: always;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">KEEP CHECKING BACK FOR UPDATES ON <b>THE WRIGHT BROTHER</b>!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933466509156479480.post-24185214838671914732014-07-13T21:33:00.002-07:002014-07-13T21:33:31.303-07:00Summer Giveaway Winner #13And the winner is...<br />
<br />
Kelsea Moore!<br />
<br />
Congrats on the win, please write to grace.v.coronado@gmail.com and let her know you're the Summer Giveaway Winner #13!<br />
<br />
I hope you all had as much fun with this as I did. It was a pleasure getting to know you all.<br />
<br />
And remember, Hood's Obsession will drop on July 19!!!!<br />
<br />
Happy reading,<br />
Marie<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiEXzVGG5zfqDYMaWXrU1WIr9OHrFXPtTQ0dmtKRR9bjYEAoWwhM9M1F9hnwiY1y4rICWLNMBnIULAIdf2W6KP4xUrEAJtMGRVAtEbGdO3GoJcRkuZA6yyD2Nb3BErMYBKG_l1glXGQQ/s1600/HoodsObsession_800x1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiEXzVGG5zfqDYMaWXrU1WIr9OHrFXPtTQ0dmtKRR9bjYEAoWwhM9M1F9hnwiY1y4rICWLNMBnIULAIdf2W6KP4xUrEAJtMGRVAtEbGdO3GoJcRkuZA6yyD2Nb3BErMYBKG_l1glXGQQ/s1600/HoodsObsession_800x1200.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933466509156479480.post-66963581617157038442014-07-12T19:38:00.003-07:002014-07-12T19:38:39.000-07:00Summer Giveaway #13Yesterday's winner first...<br />
<br />
Cassandra Cushing! Congrats! :D Please write to grace.v.coronado@gmail.com and let her know that you're the Summer Giveaway Winner #12. You've won an autographed copy of Crimson Night and a genie's lamp charm necklace!<br />
<br />
Today's winner will get an autographed copy of Death's Redemption along with a Hatter watch charm necklace.<br />
<br />
I loved reading about your favorite foods, it made me so hungry. :p<br />
<br />
Today, is simple. Just say hi, and make sure to let your friends know about an author who loves to write about crazy fairy tale stories! Remember Hood's Obsession will drop on the 19th!<br />
<br />
Hope you had fun with me during these 13 days of summer!<br />
<br />
~Marie<br />
<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933466509156479480.post-1824946685217639222014-07-11T20:32:00.003-07:002014-07-11T20:32:59.385-07:00Summer Giveaway #12As always yesterday's winner will be announced first! :D<br />
<br />
<span dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/15749604889169029652" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;">Nazanin Hemmatpour</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;"> you've won an autographed copy of All Hallows Night along with the a silver Mad Hatter </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;">charm necklace! Please write to grace.v.coronado@gmail.com and let her know that you're the Summer Giveaway </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;">Winner #11!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;">Man, I think you guys all nailed my favorite authors. Only one on there that no one mentioned, probably because she </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;">passed recently, but I really would have loved to have a nice sit down chat with Anne McCaffery and pick her brain.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;">She was so amazing.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;">Today, I'm going with something just a little different. I love food. Love to cook it, love to eat it, love to buy cookbooks</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;">about it and dream up all sorts of amazing new dishes. Most of you know by now I was at a crossroads a few years</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;">ago, I was either going to culinary school, or I was going to become a writer. Obviously you know what I chose. But,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;">my passion for food has never really changed. So, I just want to know, what's your favorite meal in the whole wide </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;">world?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;">I've got a really eclectic palette, I've eaten African, Italian, Greek, Chinese (the real stuff), Thai, Cuban, Panamanian,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;">Moroccan</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;">, Hungarian, Dutch, Irish, Persian, Indian...and well, the list goes on. But if I had to pick my hands down </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;">favorite I would definitely say it was this spicy lamb dish I had in Disney World. I can no longer remember the name </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;">of it, but it had roasted lamb shank served over a heaping bed of couscous with golden raisens, toasted almond</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;">slivers, and boiled egg in it. Sounds weird, tasted absolutely amazing. If I could only have one more meal, that would</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;">definitely be it.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;">So what about you guys?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;">Answer below and you'll win an autographed copy of Crimson Night along with genie lamp charm necklace!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933466509156479480.post-20216522571869487532014-07-10T22:49:00.001-07:002014-07-10T22:49:21.954-07:00Summer Giveaway #11And the winner of #10 is...<br />
<br />
Ashley Lovell!<br />
<br />
Congrats, you've won an autographed copy of Death's Redemption along with a Big Bad Wolf charm necklace! Make sure to write to grace.v.coronado@gmail.com and let her know you're the Summer Giveaway #10. :)<br />
<br />
It is so cool getting to know all you guys, so I'm going with the same sort of questions. :) If you could go back in time to visit a writer, who would it be? Me, Jane Austen absolutely. Today you'll be winning an autographed copy of All Hallows Night along with a Silver Mad Hatter top hat charm necklace.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmCx70oy9AN51nZupnsxfEoDqNqiyrdYBY58G_asfITSckd0O4zKIKwU96d9GR1ruT4OfYrbHpuNMj_QKBW07qeH15iMH4fBk32tu2nRcG5ik2AIsjGn-UXSARDBeA__xNArk-_-8n90/s1600/Giveaway11-AHN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmCx70oy9AN51nZupnsxfEoDqNqiyrdYBY58G_asfITSckd0O4zKIKwU96d9GR1ruT4OfYrbHpuNMj_QKBW07qeH15iMH4fBk32tu2nRcG5ik2AIsjGn-UXSARDBeA__xNArk-_-8n90/s1600/Giveaway11-AHN.jpg" height="320" width="218" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933466509156479480.post-4678555458320008772014-07-09T23:58:00.001-07:002014-07-09T23:58:55.783-07:00Summer Giveaway #10And as always, winner first...<br />
<br />
Carrie Fort! You've won an autographed copy of Death's Redemption along with the Tick Tock charm necklace :D Please write to grace.v.coronado@gmail.com and let her know that you're the Summer Giveaway Winner #9!<br />
<br />
Today, I'm giving away an autographed copy of Death's Redemption along with a Big Bad Wolf charm necklace.<br />
<br />
It was so much fun hearing from all of you all the places in the world you'd want to visit, so many of them I share. And I can't believe I totally forgot to mention Italy as one of my all time favorites, because it so is. I'd love to see wine country someday. So today I'll ask another personal question because it's so much fun for me to learn about my readers. Here is a what would you do hypothetical question.<br />
<br />
Say you've won a million dollars, what would you do?<br />
<br />
Me, I'd buy a beautiful, secluded little seaside cottage surrounded by towering pines and forest to help inspire me to write. Then I'd bring all my extended family along to live, and I think that would be pretty darn fantastic. Everything else I'd give to charity because really, that's all I'd want. Just a beautiful home surrounded by those I love.<br />
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So what would you do?<br />
<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933466509156479480.post-49947232104272704042014-07-08T21:30:00.001-07:002014-07-08T21:30:51.018-07:00Summer Giveaway #9Previous winner first...<br />
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Linda, you're the winner of an autographed copy of Death's Redemption along with the Huntsman's ax charm necklace! Congrats. :D Make sure to write grace.v.coronado@gmail.com and let her know that you're the summer giveaway winner #8!<br />
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Today you'll be playing for a chance to win an autographed copy of Death's Redemption along with a Tick Tock charm necklace. And for those who don't know Tick Tock is the name of the Croc who took Hook's hand. *grimaces* poor Hook.<br />
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Anyway, today's question is just fun. If there were anywhere in the world you could visit, where would you go?<br />
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Me, I've always wanted to see Greece, Ireland, Scotland, Spain, Africa, Australia, England, and Norway. But if I could only choose one, then it would hands down have to be Ireland. So how about you?<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933466509156479480.post-88988626366528910182014-07-08T00:27:00.001-07:002014-07-08T00:27:21.853-07:00Summer Giveaway #8And the Summer Giveaway #7 winner is Nadine Clark! Congrats! You've won an autographed copy of Death's Redemption along with the fairy charm necklace. :D Make sure to write to grace.v.coronado@gmail.com and let her know you're the #7 SG winner.<br />
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First off, thank you for all the awesome suggestions yesterday. You guys really nailed a lot of the ones that I've already lined up for their own stories down the road. I'm in love with Wonderland, so I'll be going back there and writing a romance for the very misunderstood Queen of Hearts, Evil Queen of course has gotten a bad rap, and there are a few others that might surprise you. ;)<br />
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Today I'm giving away an autographed copy of Death's Redemption along with the Huntsman's ax charm necklace!<br />
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So question today... because I really love hearing the way you readers think...<br />
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What kind of swag is your favorite to get from an author?<br />
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You know the rules, answer below... and may the odds be ever in your favor ;)<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933466509156479480.post-50721731087328763902014-07-06T22:39:00.001-07:002014-07-06T22:39:28.019-07:00Summer Giveaway #7As always I'll announce yesterday's winner first. And the winner is...<br />
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Amanda Wilkie!<br />
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Congratulations :D You've won an autographed copy of Death's Lover and a Mad Hatter top hat charm necklace. Please write to grace.v.coronado@gmail.com and let her know that you are the Summer Giveaway Winner #6. Also, I should probably add to give her a snail mail addy to ship the prize off to. :)<br />
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Now, for today's prize. An autographed copy of Death's Redemption along with a fairy tale charm necklace. I just love this one. :)<br />
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Today's question is slightly different. If there were any one fairy tale villain you'd like to see me write, who would it be? That's it. Just want some ideas of want my readers want for future books. :D<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933466509156479480.post-42057948638611305362014-07-05T23:07:00.001-07:002014-07-05T23:07:19.625-07:00Summer Giveaway #6As always I will announce the previous days winner, and that would be...<br />
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Haley Puckett! :D<br />
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Congratulations! You've won an autographed copy of Right Now and the Mad Hatter charm necklace. Please write to grace.v.coronado@gmail.com and make sure to mention that you're the Summer Giveaway Winner #5!<br />
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Now onto today's prize. You can win an autographed copy of Death's Lover along with a Mad Hatter top hat necklace!<br />
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As always I'll ask a question and all you need to do is answer it below. Good luck!<br />
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What is the name of the Morrigan's consort?<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933466509156479480.post-4826499973764528772014-07-04T20:42:00.001-07:002014-07-04T20:42:44.797-07:00Summer Giveaway #5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And as always I'll announce Summer Giveaway Winner #4 first. And the winner is...</div>
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Dhufish!</div>
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You've won an autographed copy of A Moment along with the Mad Hatter charm necklace! Please make sure to write to grace.v.coronado@gmail.com and title it Summer Giveaway Winner #4! Congrats!</div>
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Now, to our latest giveaway. Today I'm giving away an autographed copy of Right Now along with another Mad Hatter charm necklace!</div>
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What car does Zoe drive? Trying to make it just a little bit harder, but seriously, you guys are amazing how well you know these answers! :p</div>
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Remember, just answer below and one of you will win!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933466509156479480.post-11386734422669854842014-07-03T20:27:00.002-07:002014-07-03T20:27:54.670-07:00Summer Giveaway #4And the winner of the Summer Giveaway #3 is...<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; white-space: nowrap;">Michelle Rooney!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; white-space: nowrap;">Congrats. You've won an autographed copy of The Kingdom Chronicles 4 & 5, along with the love potion </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; white-space: nowrap;">necklace! Please write to grace.v.coronado@gmail.com and tell her you're the Summer Giveaway Winner #3!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; white-space: nowrap;">Jeez, every time I think I've made things tough on you guys, you just prove to me how great of fans you</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; white-space: nowrap;">really are! :D</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; white-space: nowrap;">So now, I'm going to switch gears today and ask a question from my contemporary romance Moments Series!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; white-space: nowrap;">In A Moment where does Liliana Delgado work?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; white-space: nowrap;">You know the drill. Answer below, and today the prize is an autographed copy of A Moment, along with a</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: nowrap;"><b>silver necklace bearing a Mad Hatter charm. :D</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933466509156479480.post-23570661686184987022014-07-02T21:42:00.001-07:002014-07-02T21:42:15.869-07:00Summer Giveaway #3And the winner of Giveaway #2 issss....<br />
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<br style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Angel Graham!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Thanks everyone for voting, you all gave the correct answers, and here I thought I'd made the question so much trickier! :p</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Angel, make sure to write grace.v.coronado@gmail.com and let her know that you're the Summer Giveaway Winner #2!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">And remember guys, there are still 11 more chances to win!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">So today's giveaway will be an autographed copy of The Kingdom Series Chronicles which includes Jinni's Wish, Hook's Pan, and Danika's Surprise! Along with a love potion necklace. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">So since the question yesterday was waaaaaay too easy, let's see if I can't make this just a little bit harder.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">What was the name of the golem in Jinni's Wish?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">And a quick Kingdom update here while I have you, Hood's Obsession will be released July 19!!! So mark your calendar's folks ;)</span><br />
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