tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39317564009903804832024-03-28T14:58:58.690+01:00Ruins & ReadingDiscover gripping historical fiction and historic sites...Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.comBlogger306125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931756400990380483.post-54451989454786737372024-03-28T14:58:00.000+01:002024-03-28T14:58:24.521+01:00Review: Raven Lord by JC Duncan<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, I'm delighted to share my review of <i><b>JC Duncan</b></i>'s <b>Raven Lord</b>, the second novel in his gripping adventure series about Harald Hardrada, whom many merely remember as dying at Stamford Bridge when trying to take the English throne. But there's so much more to the warrior, and JC Duncan has mapped out his fascinating life in this exciting series. Have a look! <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Raven Lord</b> is currently on blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources. My thanks to Rachel, and Boldwood Books, for a copy. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMx2UOgPq4VfStKAruweHWSEVYsH74Na-rRFh5-EdDLVaiv5PKi4Ff9IUtPpLtrQ7i8NcUDw5CBbzkA6jSbsR6t45s0YVCvH49kjpGHSwtchtKkoGBWPpAC9HxylLh7JobUrWLiUjtKpOvgGZYxQMNP5tnNwvv3tUFmLSIpqMjv005hJclRdXNjg6iXJg/s700/Raven%20Lord.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="700" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMx2UOgPq4VfStKAruweHWSEVYsH74Na-rRFh5-EdDLVaiv5PKi4Ff9IUtPpLtrQ7i8NcUDw5CBbzkA6jSbsR6t45s0YVCvH49kjpGHSwtchtKkoGBWPpAC9HxylLh7JobUrWLiUjtKpOvgGZYxQMNP5tnNwvv3tUFmLSIpqMjv005hJclRdXNjg6iXJg/w640-h252/Raven%20Lord.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Raven Lord</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">JC Duncan <br /></span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Raven Lord begins where the first book in the series, <i><a href="https://ruinsandreading.blogspot.com/2023/10/review-warrior-prince-by-jc-duncan.html" target="_blank">Warrior Prince</a></i>, ended, with Harald and his group of men seeking new adventures. The narrative style remains the same, so we can hear about Harald's exploits through Eric, his trusted man.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Harald and his men head for the famed city of Miklagard, commonly known as Constantinople, capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, to offer their services in the Varangian guard (a guard made up of Norse mercenaries protecting the imperial family). But if Harald thought politics in the Kyivan Rus were tiring, the imperial household in Constantinople could beat any of his expectations.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As Emperor Michael and Empress Zoe manage to endanger their fragile empire with their conflicting plots, Harald and his men – told through the eyes of his trusty sidekick, Eric (like in Warrior Prince), must do their utmost to defend the vast territory against enemies. But he can do little to defend himself from the guiles of a Byzantine noblewoman, Maria, and this proves to be his weak spot that leads him, and others, into danger.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Still a young man of barely 20, Harald is already a seasoned warrior and mercenary, and his actions and attitude reflect this. His isn't an easy life in a safe castle, but rather full of dangers, intrigues, and fighting. He's not a 'nice' man as such, yet he does have a sense of personal loyalty and fairness. But he hides it well...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVBB83kw5B7_zAXvrM814KIqTIG4vG7ddakK2C3KOWQvwRJFzP1h6XLoS-a3Piku7rqikxoRlrs8x2nGr96XY76LcuUyjgVQW-a2IBtSHflbiteFjSEvulwJCTpgDAD5pz0KuAoQceejdIVX0QLXkxB57d9gZ-tTCwv5OaC8HB9UH_Tq4RMFajNXc21Q/s1080/14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVBB83kw5B7_zAXvrM814KIqTIG4vG7ddakK2C3KOWQvwRJFzP1h6XLoS-a3Piku7rqikxoRlrs8x2nGr96XY76LcuUyjgVQW-a2IBtSHflbiteFjSEvulwJCTpgDAD5pz0KuAoQceejdIVX0QLXkxB57d9gZ-tTCwv5OaC8HB9UH_Tq4RMFajNXc21Q/w200-h200/14.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Set in the world of medieval political plots and with a constant, underlying sense of lurking danger, Raven Lord shows us how empires could continue to prosper – or threaten to fall – in the blink of an eye.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The background and setting are extremely well-researched, and the political 'games of thrones' are thoroughly explored. The author portrays Harald Hardrada as a hardened warrior that he obviously was, and there is little in terms of subtlety in the story. But that suits the plot well, for those political movers and shakers don't hold back. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I found this a fascinating glimpse into an area not often enough featured in historical fiction. The Byzantine Empire was remarkable, both in its vast lands, and in its squabbling imperial families, where no one thinks twice about murder to further their own cause. It makes for highly entertaining, and utterly gripping, reading.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I'm looking forward to reading the next book about Harald's adventures before he meets his end at Stamford Bridge in 1066.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~~~<br /></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Blurb:</span></b></span></p>
<div style="background: white; border-bottom: none windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm 0cm 3.0pt 0cm;">
<h2 style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 133%; margin: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 3.0pt 0cm; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; padding: 0cm; page-break-after: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #0f1111; line-height: 133%;">Mercenary. Exile. Warlord.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeAgUev6n5ZMTzXtnn1NyU-SRDw7yLhUTzrLhkbK1fr1otsWCzpFkhNKnx4Vb8cc5pWW_6rlGZJlrR_-31sdwPsnsVjJm1YFQNZzlxcAZ3onDphSBAECf41fcN87WmiHW9LGP8bo-9lhr-WYQ8ksAkBn2kLIwmuLxrXB3OGJGMSS5Dhrw7vYEiBhHuoc/s2339/Raven_Lord_e-book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="1524" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeAgUev6n5ZMTzXtnn1NyU-SRDw7yLhUTzrLhkbK1fr1otsWCzpFkhNKnx4Vb8cc5pWW_6rlGZJlrR_-31sdwPsnsVjJm1YFQNZzlxcAZ3onDphSBAECf41fcN87WmiHW9LGP8bo-9lhr-WYQ8ksAkBn2kLIwmuLxrXB3OGJGMSS5Dhrw7vYEiBhHuoc/s320/Raven_Lord_e-book.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><br /></span></b></span></h2>
<h2 style="background: white; border: none; line-height: 133%; margin: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 3.0pt 0cm; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; padding: 0cm; page-break-after: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a name="_tm583zxwkh5c"></a><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #0f1111; line-height: 133%;">At the edge of the world, the clouds of
war are gathering…</span></b></span></h2>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #0f1111; line-height: 150%;">1034AD</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #0f1111; line-height: 150%;">Cast out from the Kyivan Rus, Harald Sigurdsson’s quest
for fame and fortune takes him to the far reaches of Europe; the lands of the
Eastern Roman empire.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #0f1111; line-height: 150%;">The empire is dying the slow death of decay and
corruption. In desperation to fend off a myriad of foes, the emperor turns to
the legendary Varangian guard for salvation. These deadly warriors from the far
north, famed for their fearsome steel and battle skill, have become the
empire's greatest protectors.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #0f1111; line-height: 150%;">From the golden gate of Constantinople to the holy waters
of the river Jordan, Harald will march with the emperor's finest. Joining their
ranks promises him all the gold and glory he can desire, if only he can survive
the desperate battles, the hostile land, and the ruthless ambition of a
vengeful queen.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #0f1111; line-height: 150%;">The fascinating next book in the extraordinary tale of Harald Hardrada.<br />
Perfect for fans of Matthew Harffy, Peter Gibbons, Bernard Cornwell and
Christian Cameron</span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;">Buy Link: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://mybook.to/ravenlordsocial"><span style="line-height: 150%;">https://mybook.to/ravenlordsocial</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;">~~~</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;"> </span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;">About the Author:</span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">JC Duncan <br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">James has a 5
book historical fiction series 'The Last Viking' about the extraordinary life
of Harald Hardrada being published with Boldwood books starting with 'Warrior
Prince'. When he isn't writing or doing his full-time engineering job, James is
happiest being an amateur bladesmith, forging knives in the shed he built in
his garden.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcgAlQkooUdKl6Zu35f3x76zGRu2DEFh8f6wnln7m5lVHZQahlDzgQ5DOgc_xA6AzlaW5RCXwOUs8oLcm-mn4ouQadY6RH0l7CVW7xtnKjFm3etN9Zcry8rsAmZ87vZGe8uEpEtnCALLBFjTLsrwr_sL54sFW2L5u2IEgfTaYk1C0UcK5y2W5F9DpDvM/s2637/Author%20photo%202023.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2637" data-original-width="2297" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcgAlQkooUdKl6Zu35f3x76zGRu2DEFh8f6wnln7m5lVHZQahlDzgQ5DOgc_xA6AzlaW5RCXwOUs8oLcm-mn4ouQadY6RH0l7CVW7xtnKjFm3etN9Zcry8rsAmZ87vZGe8uEpEtnCALLBFjTLsrwr_sL54sFW2L5u2IEgfTaYk1C0UcK5y2W5F9DpDvM/w174-h200/Author%20photo%202023.png" width="174" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;">Connect with James:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;"><span> <br /></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;">Facebook: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JCDuncanAuthor"><b><span style="line-height: 150%;">https://www.facebook.com/JCDuncanAuthor</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;">
</span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;">Twitter: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://twitter.com/JCDuncanauthor"><b><span style="color: #1155cc; line-height: 150%;">https://twitter.com/JCDuncanauthor</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;"></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;">Instagram: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/j.c.duncan/"><b><span style="line-height: 150%;">https://www.instagram.com/j.c.duncan/</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;"><span> </span></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;">Newsletter Sign Up: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://bit.ly/JCDuncanNews"><b><span style="line-height: 150%;">https://bit.ly/JCDuncanNews</span></b></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB"><b><span style="line-height: 150%;"> </span></b></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-vXpwh1BTI6b0xgTsU7iHq_KWQy2nTbvnx_5RStVadvOK2XEwGRUg2sDxQDNWkSmq8C3grR93MTq4B8muzuiKaBkFqB8OfoNqBrTC9mn-JYYvNTThsLyA5PIiD5eGPWKKudmcitNCZ4CbyVfaT42ujZ6WMA8HmA-myjFHrc0uefsgfpgLSBhjKOtrwc/s1452/Raven%20Lord%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1452" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-vXpwh1BTI6b0xgTsU7iHq_KWQy2nTbvnx_5RStVadvOK2XEwGRUg2sDxQDNWkSmq8C3grR93MTq4B8muzuiKaBkFqB8OfoNqBrTC9mn-JYYvNTThsLyA5PIiD5eGPWKKudmcitNCZ4CbyVfaT42ujZ6WMA8HmA-myjFHrc0uefsgfpgLSBhjKOtrwc/w400-h344/Raven%20Lord%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN-GB"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931756400990380483.post-73458808353568527202024-03-25T13:54:00.001+01:002024-03-25T23:32:51.476+01:00Review: EXSILIUM by Alison Morton<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, I'm absolutely delighted to welcome back author of historical fiction, alternative history, and thrillers – Alison Morton. Please find my review of her recent release, EXSILIUM, sequel to the brilliant JULIA PRIMA, below.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">EXSILIUM is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Find fascinating guest posts, enticing extracts, and other reviews <a href="https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2024/02/blog-tour-exsilium-by-alison-morton.html" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>!<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfM7Z0oyoF5axXbgsWZS3vNvkelevLNt9id0MPFZ-LpR754Egepa4uHzSPwI2VQbCclGui6zxMdgDTDImhJUj6LEjbxiHkS4gmNgiNA5v8NTSM4_pFHccsC6NnIE53s-EaqN1tpyO7s02jEMfs3gyy-cb2ErkZjP83-H2WevWV4OpyxDEN0wL1t1xZelQ/s640/Exsilium%20Blog%20Tour%20Banner%201.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfM7Z0oyoF5axXbgsWZS3vNvkelevLNt9id0MPFZ-LpR754Egepa4uHzSPwI2VQbCclGui6zxMdgDTDImhJUj6LEjbxiHkS4gmNgiNA5v8NTSM4_pFHccsC6NnIE53s-EaqN1tpyO7s02jEMfs3gyy-cb2ErkZjP83-H2WevWV4OpyxDEN0wL1t1xZelQ/w640-h360/Exsilium%20Blog%20Tour%20Banner%201.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">EXSILIUM</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>A Roma Nova Foundation Novel</i></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Alison Morton</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I've been waiting patiently for the release of this exciting sequel to the exceptional JULIA PRIMA (see my review <u><a href="https://ruinsandreading.blogspot.com/2022/10/review-julia-prima-by-alison-morton.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u>!), and I'm thrilled to say, the wait has been well worth it.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But have your tissues at hand, as EXSILIUM begins with a tragic plot twist. It made me feel a little bereft as I quite liked that character. But hey, such is cleverly-plotted historical fiction. Expect the unexpected.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We've reached the dying years of the once glorious Roman Empire. Christianity spreads through the ranks, amongst the members of the senate, the chosen imperator, or the many ordinary people who have converted to this new 'cult'. But there is a small group of people who refuse to follow the Christos, but instead stay true to their ancient gods. And this novel is about this select group as everyone must come to terms with the growing animosity from all sides.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The novel unfolds in three points of view, each distinctly different from the other, and in consequential order. First, we meet Maelia Mitela. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In the fight between contenders to the imperial crown of Western Rome, Maelia's husband has chosen the wrong side, the side of their true gods. When they lose the battle, and he loses his life, he is soon cast as a traitor – and her Roman home is taken over by the imperial guards. Finding some solace in the fact that, as a widow with children, she would not be forced to remarry, Maelia is carving out a life for herself and her son. But as she needs someone to run the family farm in the countryside, she choses a cousin who will have a devastating effect on her son's upbringing. Despite lawyer Marcellus Varus' hints at marriage, she remains steadfastly single, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Maelia is a strong woman, a warm, caring character, but life has a few tough lessons in store for her (which I don't want to give away, obviously).</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Then we switch to the POV of Lucius Apulius, senator, and husband of the wonderful Julia Prima. Following his wife's tragic death, he brings up his three daughters alone, but as the situation for those following the old gods becomes more dangerous, Lucius hatches a plan – a plan that involves his late wife's home, Noricum, and her pagan father. But will he convince others to join him? Lucius – intelligent, hard-working, and honest, finds himself as the born, if reluctant, leader. But will he prevail?<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The last POV is Galla, eldest daughter of Julia and Lucius. After discovering her husband cheated on her, she demands a divorce. A strong-willed young woman, much like her mother, Galla hates the fact that being a female is detrimental to her wielding any great influence. But her administrative and negotiating skills come in handy when her father's plan takes shape, and after some reluctance, the others begin to listen to her. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Then the long journey north-east begins, but not without trouble. Will the small group make it to Noricum? Or will they be caught as traitors? Find out in the novel!<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBRqF80yZbGOQaC_S2q5WVzkA866EVzE1NRwh01ZiD-0gfRbRsi7ZiHk_0AvzFPGaZg9yIMI76kNCVWpHxUjmL_yNZCaFk6S_KdJhRfBg4VrWsxHDVZuGsJygwo2IYwI4EkZNBjQVMBY5p2BPvZJ2T7rqcvzMWoSK4vV_axiRwA9_CktiyMU6BOyuNwY/s1080/IG%20banner%20Exsilium.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBRqF80yZbGOQaC_S2q5WVzkA866EVzE1NRwh01ZiD-0gfRbRsi7ZiHk_0AvzFPGaZg9yIMI76kNCVWpHxUjmL_yNZCaFk6S_KdJhRfBg4VrWsxHDVZuGsJygwo2IYwI4EkZNBjQVMBY5p2BPvZJ2T7rqcvzMWoSK4vV_axiRwA9_CktiyMU6BOyuNwY/s320/IG%20banner%20Exsilium.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">EXSILIUM begins a few years after JULIA PRIMA ends. Julia's and Lucius' relationship is a happy one, until tragedy strikes. Then the action moves fast through the next few years, as their daughters grow up, and make their own way in the Roman world.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We also hear more about other characters involved in their lives – Maelia, Marcellus, Gaius (Maelia's brother), Tellus, and then Lucius' eldest daughters, Galla and Lucilla, who turns out to be a bit of an Amazon, with her fighting skills. There is a fabulous plot twist near the end that involves her, and I really enjoyed that part, for both characters involved.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The struggle to maintain the religion that had been in place for over a millennium is well portrayed. As with every new religion that carves its place in history, the Christos followers are portrayed as threatening, unrelenting in their drive to have everyone converted, by whatever means. I know very little about that particular era, but, having read this novel, I can well imagine the bullying. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Ms Morton's research is impeccable, and as the plot unravels, we are gripped with a growing sense of unease, and concern for those who don't play ball. It was just a question of time when Pagans were removed from offices of state or the senate, and having this determined group move to safer grounds – in Noricum – makes much sense. It could have happened.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The fast-paced narrative takes your breath away at times, and as the trek heads north, dangers lurk everywhere. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I did particularly enjoy Lucius' story, as here is a man who has lost his wife, who has four young daughters who show the same traits as their rather rebellious mother, and who must juggle the two different religions vying for supremacy. I loved his intelligence and calm nature, and that he finds himself guiding a group of refugees away from the once mighty city of Rome, now descending into lawlessness and danger.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Whilst the part of their journey was fascinating – we follow the geographical trail through Italy – I thought at times that parts were a little far-fetched. If the empire wanted young men for their wars, they would not only have set up road blocks, but they surely must have known of secret tracks through nearby forests, which circumvented the main routes.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Apart from that, I could have read more books about this brave group's adventures in setting up their new home, which are perfectly outlined in the Epilogue. It explains various characters that the 'modern' Roma Nova novels refer to, and explains the origins. Though I wish we could have stayed with them for longer...</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">EXSILIUM is an at times evocative account of what people do when they're running out of options. The flight of the small group of believers in the old gods is incredibly moving, as every character is aware of what would happen should they be caught and their plan revealed. A tentative trust can be so easily broken.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I must return now to the Roma Nova novels of the 20th and 21st century, to discover more about everything panned out. Watch this space!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Another fascinating read by Alison Morton for fans of historical fiction, Roman fiction, and those who enjoy a touch of alternative history. It could have happened...<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> ~~~</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Blurb: <br /></b></span></p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Exile – Living death to a Roman <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUpGZHVX7EiYGiKNbbvcbpvh9sJ5rBMfwJHLXRg0T0Z0rFgjmsWSUfV86vrWRJvNlTIwFOBquny-xazjgOUWVrAoPQbrIutnw34bPFJqe88NT6Dr1JlzO58TLLQEgVvo83XicJXOyHycz9mrdFCiZxQjLzyHCn-37eNJzmLTAz6qgaKqqcj19lmyu-U0/s800/Exsilium_eBcov%208x5%20pale%20frame.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="518" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUpGZHVX7EiYGiKNbbvcbpvh9sJ5rBMfwJHLXRg0T0Z0rFgjmsWSUfV86vrWRJvNlTIwFOBquny-xazjgOUWVrAoPQbrIutnw34bPFJqe88NT6Dr1JlzO58TLLQEgVvo83XicJXOyHycz9mrdFCiZxQjLzyHCn-37eNJzmLTAz6qgaKqqcj19lmyu-U0/s320/Exsilium_eBcov%208x5%20pale%20frame.jpg" width="207" /></a></div></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">AD 395. In a Christian Roman Empire, the penalty for holding true to the traditional gods is execution. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Maelia Mitela</b>, her dead husband condemned as a pagan traitor, leaving her on the brink of ruin, grieves for her son lost to the Christians and is fearful of committing to another man.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Lucius Apulius</b>, ex-military tribune, faithful to the old gods and fixed on his memories of his wife Julia’s homeland of Noricum, will risk everything to protect his children’s future.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Galla Apulia</b>, loyal to her father and only too aware of not being the desired son, is desperate to escape Rome after the humiliation of betrayal by her feckless husband.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For all of them, the only way to survive is exile.</span></div></div></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Buy Link: </b><a href="https://books2read.com/EXSILIUM" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">International Buy Link</a></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~~~<br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>About the Author:<br /></b></span></p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Alison Morton</i></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Alison Morton writes award-winning thrillers featuring tough but compassionate heroines. Her ten-book Roma Nova series is set in an imaginary European country where a remnant of the Roman Empire has survived into the 21st century and is ruled by women who face conspiracy, revolution and heartache but use a sharp line in dialogue. The latest,<span> </span><i>EXSILIUM</i>, plunges us back to the late 4th century, to the very foundation of Roma Nova.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">She blends her fascination for Ancient Rome with six years’ military service and a life of reading crime, historical and thriller fiction. On the way, she collected a BA in modern languages and an MA in history. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysBih8qNad3-fDS7zzP2wJJFXuvwphwoqW_Ih7OoiiucEpqhuXDtz-iChlfz4abe2xhD0RifNmYA4SfcT58Nl_8amtY0wSGPikFNaIA9GgHSQQJJMoVs0BlZkL8NLzRdiHiaJbfd4OwS_zutxN5tQaEw-nygqsBNjobEKTB90F16AkjGSf5fFFZHyoDMA/s591/Alison%20Morton.jpg" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysBih8qNad3-fDS7zzP2wJJFXuvwphwoqW_Ih7OoiiucEpqhuXDtz-iChlfz4abe2xhD0RifNmYA4SfcT58Nl_8amtY0wSGPikFNaIA9GgHSQQJJMoVs0BlZkL8NLzRdiHiaJbfd4OwS_zutxN5tQaEw-nygqsBNjobEKTB90F16AkjGSf5fFFZHyoDMA/w170-h200/Alison%20Morton.jpg" style="border: medium; position: relative;" width="170" /></a></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Alison now lives in Poitou in France, the home of Mélisende, the heroine of her two contemporary thrillers,<span> </span><i>Double Identity</i><span> </span>and<span> </span><i>Double Pursuit</i>.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Connect with Alison:</b></span></p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://alison-morton.com/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Website</a> </span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://alisonmortonauthor.com/" style="color: black; 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font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsH3VBWD9QRFfW6tmm3aq2DIqW-0ReYf1y9A5EbEKMaWXH4leUVU3CcZZnwX3N9BBM70SHh61fYjdd6OMQXM1Y8pVE8yCyBX90j6rzGvSyRmd4fFKIW9TX-YQFgy2lCL8-h1hIBYGr79OM_Gr6d9rebBkYPvsyWZKXLIeN7pFcdKWdMV-6P5MKLZ7WI0-T/s640/Exsilium%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsH3VBWD9QRFfW6tmm3aq2DIqW-0ReYf1y9A5EbEKMaWXH4leUVU3CcZZnwX3N9BBM70SHh61fYjdd6OMQXM1Y8pVE8yCyBX90j6rzGvSyRmd4fFKIW9TX-YQFgy2lCL8-h1hIBYGr79OM_Gr6d9rebBkYPvsyWZKXLIeN7pFcdKWdMV-6P5MKLZ7WI0-T/w640-h360/Exsilium%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" style="border: medium; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></span></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><p> </p></div>Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931756400990380483.post-33888132988246052272024-03-19T10:53:00.003+01:002024-03-19T10:53:31.813+01:00Promo: Stay with the Wagons by David Fitz-Gerald<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">T</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">oday, I'm delighted to welcome back US author <b><i>David Fitz-Gerald</i></b>, with another gripping instalment in his evocative <i>Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail</i> series. Check out book 3 – <b>Stay with the Wagons</b>!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Stay with the Wagons</b> is on a <b><span style="color: #800180;">*New Release Book Blast*</span></b> today with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Find other fabulous tour stops <a href="https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2024/02/blog-tour-stay-with-the-wagons-by-david-fitzgerald.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>!<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmdqMTqPC4GgZVmX774RWSq156I-gpbhrDwMEHjcHbyHMQosAbh1DXle3LoanolWJAk8tEtHBj2bYmpH-JJOYk9b55B_5U8agROn1xq2RbCKTvt9tTa7DTABmHtepheXmUL-UsHv2_yWvOhg_Ze-iS3yhU3plWLGhwfeBS-ZkYu7eJ5fwx1780JfgEEo/s640/Stay%20with%20the%20Wagons%20Tour%20Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmdqMTqPC4GgZVmX774RWSq156I-gpbhrDwMEHjcHbyHMQosAbh1DXle3LoanolWJAk8tEtHBj2bYmpH-JJOYk9b55B_5U8agROn1xq2RbCKTvt9tTa7DTABmHtepheXmUL-UsHv2_yWvOhg_Ze-iS3yhU3plWLGhwfeBS-ZkYu7eJ5fwx1780JfgEEo/w640-h360/Stay%20with%20the%20Wagons%20Tour%20Banner.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></b></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></b></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Stay with the Wagons: A Pioneer Western Adventure</b></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail, Book 3</i></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">by David Fitz-Gerald</span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Blurb:<br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Venture deep into the uncharted wilderness and crest the continental divide.</b></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="864" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLfWICVWILVgN5WYoo3yWQrKfn_X5Y5-lJdT1EeShNQnmCcOJfbDCfwBqhwo_cvd7r5Nt8fzHZxznBsVGK-RXtSSmE42l_rw3dHimErl12uakrhI0k9CnK7JqK9blOJhrQd26m153xfrI5TEkmyaWUkgWlbFDxW1x6fvIs79RsqCgm-fWNm-ZxA7_ccLK/w213-h320/GATOT%203%20KDP_FitzGerald.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="213" /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Stay with the Wagons</i><span> </span>is the enthralling third chapter in the Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail series. Dorcas Moon has discarded her mourning dress and yearns for freedom and independence amidst the vast frontier. But a perilous world and a commanding wagon master keep her tethered. Ultimately, it's a brutal bout of fever and ague that confine her to camp.</span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Relentless disasters and beguiling challenges unfold in this installment. A young man is crushed beneath a wagon wheel. Dorcas' son breaks an arm, a grizzly bear attacks the wagon train, and the looming threat of attacking outlaws whips the emigrants into a worried frenzy. How many must perish before they reach the end of the trail?</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As chaos reigns, her troubled daughter, Rose, disappears once again, leading Dorcas on a perilous quest. Tracking Rose to a sacred site, they encounter a blind seer and a legendary leader, Chief Washakie. Rose's enchantment with Native American adornments sparks Dorcas' concern about an unexpected suitor and raises worries about Rose's age.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Stay with the Wagons</i><span> </span>is bursting with action, adventure, and survival. It is a story of resilience and empowerment on the Oregon Trail.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Claim your copy now and re-immerse yourself in a tale of high-stakes survival, unexpected alliances, and the indomitable spirit of Dorcas Moon.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg122vffDgTYO6FgIvRyIjvVTqAVKiw8Js9hy5fUQQBPbcYUK-dEcLxlk4w5Me9ETsP7NBfWV50c8a0udHCrbPsQ2JoP1jVPoy-BRGXb5aZ6K1dr9UNOay3DoZxTyAjxN7jc8X0QW-0McyntfXXeKlL3fxZJ6UhXBkxx4MlKOuFCLz6bsPJkEPiH_ednKE/s1080/IG%20banner%201%20Stay%20with%20the%20Wagons.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg122vffDgTYO6FgIvRyIjvVTqAVKiw8Js9hy5fUQQBPbcYUK-dEcLxlk4w5Me9ETsP7NBfWV50c8a0udHCrbPsQ2JoP1jVPoy-BRGXb5aZ6K1dr9UNOay3DoZxTyAjxN7jc8X0QW-0McyntfXXeKlL3fxZJ6UhXBkxx4MlKOuFCLz6bsPJkEPiH_ednKE/s320/IG%20banner%201%20Stay%20with%20the%20Wagons.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></b></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: transparent;">Watch the Series Trailer:</b></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="https://youtu.be/sWvp6dtbXvA" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">https://youtu.be/sWvp6dtbXvA</a></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; 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text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">~~~<br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; 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--tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></span><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>About the Author: </b></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>David Fitz-Gerald</i></span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></span><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">David Fitz-Gerald writes westerns and historical fiction. He is the author of twelve books, including the brand-new series, Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail set in 1850. Dave is a multiple Laramie Award, first place, best in category winner; a Blue Ribbon Chanticleerian; a member of Western Writers of America; and a member of the Historical Novel Society.</span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Alpine landscapes and flashy horses always catch Dave’s eye and turn his head. He is also an Adirondack 46-er, which means that he has hiked to the summit of the range’s highest peaks. As a mountaineer, he’s happiest at an elevation of over four thousand feet above sea level.</span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4epL1EqxhGszVIgWe0xqSxE-eE47-00D7ntj4Sc5zjODcTF3mk2-m49324gU6smMy5eGdLKq7FKnooAeUOG_OwaX4LdGlPITrwUu4a8vt494X0vSpzBltqXotEdEJ38wIMDHi3QiINlbd8bzEI0weyNEBq-6ntS8t93BuPDCo6XmKGzP-xwu3_7Opa089/s1080/David%20Fitz-Gerald.jpg" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4epL1EqxhGszVIgWe0xqSxE-eE47-00D7ntj4Sc5zjODcTF3mk2-m49324gU6smMy5eGdLKq7FKnooAeUOG_OwaX4LdGlPITrwUu4a8vt494X0vSpzBltqXotEdEJ38wIMDHi3QiINlbd8bzEI0weyNEBq-6ntS8t93BuPDCo6XmKGzP-xwu3_7Opa089/w200-h200/David%20Fitz-Gerald.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></span></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Dave is a lifelong fan of western fiction, landscapes, movies, and music. It should be no surprise that Dave delights in placing memorable characters on treacherous trails, mountain tops, and on the backs of wild horses<span style="background-color: transparent;">.</span></span></div></div></div></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; 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--tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://linktr.ee/authordavidfitzgerald" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">LinkTree</a> <br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; 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font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgOa08MuSGL0szsmRJ6aHmvhsHNIIKEEQXKXmry5KHcYLqkCld8fP5V0Bu2UuVKMpXI_omkDSC7Y9MJIXgJKkxFnzOt6k6pYYx90YSbK0d1EEVhRp3JTc9Gfsyf3zfLRULI3V-hw2O28JJ29bBO2OmaJ6kahazCXQaBpdl3lPu3An38U9NDkG7yORZnBC/s640/Stay%20with%20the%20Wagons%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgOa08MuSGL0szsmRJ6aHmvhsHNIIKEEQXKXmry5KHcYLqkCld8fP5V0Bu2UuVKMpXI_omkDSC7Y9MJIXgJKkxFnzOt6k6pYYx90YSbK0d1EEVhRp3JTc9Gfsyf3zfLRULI3V-hw2O28JJ29bBO2OmaJ6kahazCXQaBpdl3lPu3An38U9NDkG7yORZnBC/w640-h360/Stay%20with%20the%20Wagons%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div></div></div></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931756400990380483.post-61923325817522300412024-03-15T13:38:00.001+01:002024-03-15T13:38:20.163+01:00Review: Covered in Flour by Charles Presti<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, I'm delighted to share my review of <b>Covered in Flour</b>, an evocative and completely immersive coming-of-age novel by <i><b>Charles Presti</b></i>. Check it out!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Covered in Flour</b> is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Check out other fascinating posts <a href="https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2024/01/blog-tour-covered-in-flour-by-charles-presti.html" target="_blank">here</a>!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4wk30CDmihf3CmKVXWzFodav5k-sZaDCY72JCt8-os6WnKKFYKNKDxKk_LM4diQtDKlg1-HsHrKdlBk4Xb4UtO__XqE9kwad_T0aWPqKhZYfeEVtaa6TP6RyqQKd1xBuiqjYtgS2-UEIgWf-_FQSopyfLT4atc7iUhcggatukyGaz8FlC-za-HqRlxo/s640/Covered%20in%20Flour%20Tour%20Banner%202.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4wk30CDmihf3CmKVXWzFodav5k-sZaDCY72JCt8-os6WnKKFYKNKDxKk_LM4diQtDKlg1-HsHrKdlBk4Xb4UtO__XqE9kwad_T0aWPqKhZYfeEVtaa6TP6RyqQKd1xBuiqjYtgS2-UEIgWf-_FQSopyfLT4atc7iUhcggatukyGaz8FlC-za-HqRlxo/w640-h360/Covered%20in%20Flour%20Tour%20Banner%202.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><span>Covered in Flour</span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span>Charles Presti</span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Covered in Flour</i> tells the story about young Carl Pozzi, growing up in 1960s suburbian America. A far cry from the tumultous riots that hit urban areas, his world is about playing with his friends – and his mother's delightful pasta dinners.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Carl is a clever boy, with an open, inquisitive mind, whose world expands beyond childhood games as he grows older. He's keen to learn, and trying to understand more and more what's going on around him.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But reality finally encroaches when he receives a ring binder, which reveals details he's never had to think about. His teacher is keen for the kids to realise that not everyone lives in utopia, but that racial tensions are real. The fight for equality and mutual respect is real.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">On the other side, Carl's father firmly disagrees with the teacher's opinion, and his racist views are at times hard to read. His disappointment in the lack of his son's sporting prowess is also showing, leaving the boy in a dilemma of how to please the father he really adores.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Torn between the two opposite views, Carl laps up all the information he learns, but he's becoming fully aware that there are things he can't discuss at home. All the while, the familiar daily routine like baking, eating, and staying close to his family, continues, enveloping him in a cocoon from which he can only glimpse at the outside world. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But with the riots getting out of control, and his father involved in quenching them, Carl must form his own views of what's happening. Will he follow his teacher's guidance, or will his father's strong views shape young Carl's future? Read the book to find out!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMSx6wDAqhu4ICzc-8T1c7SmbXSCO4XKVlL6fZOCfiiYT_QzoUMDD5JZbdVITXadtnRLvJACgHDXjteeMyBBuXnh5HF-CP0SxEMzsyxk51z85Xmti9zHHbheLgc3nMV1ysKhkUkZNIcfCecq2pE0mGhKpz7I6QczHjT58PduM6ehJSwe6zqorIAThaKEM/s1080/IG%20banner%20Covered%20in%20Flour.png" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMSx6wDAqhu4ICzc-8T1c7SmbXSCO4XKVlL6fZOCfiiYT_QzoUMDD5JZbdVITXadtnRLvJACgHDXjteeMyBBuXnh5HF-CP0SxEMzsyxk51z85Xmti9zHHbheLgc3nMV1ysKhkUkZNIcfCecq2pE0mGhKpz7I6QczHjT58PduM6ehJSwe6zqorIAThaKEM/w200-h200/IG%20banner%20Covered%20in%20Flour.png" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i> </i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Covered in Flour</i> is an evocative story that pulls you into its cosy setting to start with. The scent of baking in the air, the delicious food Carl grows up with, his mother's love, and the hopes and dreams of a young boy growing up during a volatile period in America's history – it all sets the scene perfectly. We can easily visualise this suburbian idyll. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But it's soon disturbed by external events, and by the teacher's attempt at showing the children what is really going on. This makes for uncomfortable reading, both for Carl and us, especially as his father is trying to instill in Carl views that are deemed racist and radical these days.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The author's voice shines through this story, and the narrative is personal and easy to follow. We see the world through young Carl's eyes, and he remains close to us readers all the time.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Covered in Flour </i>is an evocative tale of family, friendships, love and obedience, and of learning and discovery. It's an immersive story of growing up during a time of severe social, racial, and political upheaval, and we get a close glimpse at the dark side of the riots, of the violence, and a child's fear for his father's life.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">At the same time, we grow with Carl as he discovers that his own views differ from his father's. And as he learns about the world outside his home, Carl's real journey only just begins...<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~~~</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Blurb:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />It's 1968 in Whisper Haven, and 8-year-old Carl Pozzi’s world is about to change. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-S3K3lPFmLKAEn71NqVRC_MfqO7XuRtMY7kYcZRcYs4W3SAhPCaiE4C_-ioQ8ulL8qsfJOOLDrRDQ9Byp8WTTJ6u_e5NVBKZQRxLJ53-GU5OxnWP2chUreQt7wIU5EpDJ_oHVfQOVi5OKqtJ_i_DFSKkDvqyr0Aoa4SgdE_M9uVAr3RU5lykZ_za9_40/s2000/Covered%20in%20Flour%20book%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-S3K3lPFmLKAEn71NqVRC_MfqO7XuRtMY7kYcZRcYs4W3SAhPCaiE4C_-ioQ8ulL8qsfJOOLDrRDQ9Byp8WTTJ6u_e5NVBKZQRxLJ53-GU5OxnWP2chUreQt7wIU5EpDJ_oHVfQOVi5OKqtJ_i_DFSKkDvqyr0Aoa4SgdE_M9uVAr3RU5lykZ_za9_40/s320/Covered%20in%20Flour%20book%20cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For eight-year-old Carl Pozzi, 1968 begins like any other year—playing kickball with friends and enjoying the comforting aroma of Mom's pasta dinners in their predominantly white suburban Whisper Haven home. But when Carl's teacher introduces lessons about racial prejudice and injustice, his worldview cracks wide open.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">How far can innocence stretch before it snaps?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As Carl flips through the pages of his 3-ring binder, each lesson serves as a gateway to a journey of self-discovery and understanding. It's an expedition that not only changes him but reshapes his whole concept of family and justice—especially as he watches his father put on a police uniform during one of the most fraught periods in American history.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">"Covered in Flour" is not just a heartfelt stroll down memory lane. It's a captivating coming-of-age saga that digs deep beneath the surface of suburban tranquility. It beckons you to reconsider long-held family values and confront the societal norms you've taken for granted.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Written with genuine love, humor, and a tinge of sorrow, this story blends the nostalgia of tradition with the inevitability of change, offering a stirring mix that leaves you pondering long after the last page is turned. This book isn't just a delightful read; it's a catalyst for introspection, freshly baked and served for your soul.</span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Buy Link: </b><a href="https://books2read.com/u/3LdWED" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Universal Buy Link</a></span></div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~~~<br /></span></p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>About the Author:</b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Charles Presti</i></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Charles Presti, emerging from the sun-drenched shores of Pensacola, Florida, crafts narratives that echo with the richness of his varied life. His journey from a USF College of Medicine graduate to a storyteller is as unconventional as it is inspiring.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUblpOhM2YE7jzPWOCLqpeYGZAFPzSH7yOSJy0e6_jQyyX7dxLqBgIdtuG1bXH7tIMbuxDnpwtSi3bdAqe0nIxrH1yZ7ywTbpcHWWywy551stvMeEWuoXRP_Xfy0RvjV1IheRKeOH-1NFD_fZIlzx_qjwZWt8qKmR2MLfdc6wma_U16UPKG0RKxhZ74rT/s2304/Untitled%20design(7)%202.jpg" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="1728" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUblpOhM2YE7jzPWOCLqpeYGZAFPzSH7yOSJy0e6_jQyyX7dxLqBgIdtuG1bXH7tIMbuxDnpwtSi3bdAqe0nIxrH1yZ7ywTbpcHWWywy551stvMeEWuoXRP_Xfy0RvjV1IheRKeOH-1NFD_fZIlzx_qjwZWt8qKmR2MLfdc6wma_U16UPKG0RKxhZ74rT/w150-h200/Untitled%20design(7)%202.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="150" /></a></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Drawing from his days as a physician and informatics specialist, Charles infuses his writing with a rare blend of scientific precision and heartfelt emotion. His debut novel, "Covered in Flour," is a vivid tapestry of his Italian-American heritage, his experiences in the whirlwind era of the 1960s, and his personal journey as a gay man. These elements converge to create stories that not only entertain but resonate deeply with themes of family, discovery, and the delicate dance of life's everyday moments.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Charles's passion for storytelling is paralleled only by his commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion. Alongside his husband, Mike Bruce, and their beloved Wheaton Terrier, Zoey, he is a vibrant force and founder of "Sunday's Child," a local charity dedicated to nurturing inclusion and empowering LGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities through grants to local charities. A pillar in the Emerald Coast Writers group, he continually explores the nuances of identity, heritage, and a sense of belonging.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Discover more about Charles's captivating world and "Covered in Flour" at www.coveredinflour.com, where each story is a window into a life lived fully and authentically.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Author Links:</b></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.coveredinflour.com/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Website</a> </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckpresti/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552112886658" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/covered_inflour/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a> <br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/charlespresti" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a> </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/books/covered-in-flour-1968-a-young-boy-s-perspective-on-school-family-and-changing-times-by-charles-presti" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">BookBub</a> </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/45201473.Charles_Presti" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0EqaS4ndHx7hLztbUtU_Jk6tvb5xmidlYhGGq33iAq06KyAucnpS1KuR36vteWfLuNhBdHO9cQadBQvLnqfMRRUFn49c6BqJprAe3Cn9LUIVvKBPkaLllTisViSmRBLVv3MtkgOX-OCTyZH4-A08VIba78wztdi47YYzZyOKM01FKM5gWJpN9MpNH-RE/s640/Covered%20In%20Flour%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0EqaS4ndHx7hLztbUtU_Jk6tvb5xmidlYhGGq33iAq06KyAucnpS1KuR36vteWfLuNhBdHO9cQadBQvLnqfMRRUFn49c6BqJprAe3Cn9LUIVvKBPkaLllTisViSmRBLVv3MtkgOX-OCTyZH4-A08VIba78wztdi47YYzZyOKM01FKM5gWJpN9MpNH-RE/w640-h360/Covered%20In%20Flour%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931756400990380483.post-5137558497206417932024-03-13T12:23:00.000+01:002024-03-13T12:23:24.492+01:00Promo: The Château de Verzat Series by Debra Borchert<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, I'm delighted to welcome author <b><i>Debra Borchert</i></b> to Ruins & Reading, with an excerpt from <b><i>Her Own Legacy</i></b> (Book 1), and a mouth-watering recipe from her book, </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span></span><i>Soups of Château de Verzat, A Culinary Tribute to the French Revolution</i>, 2023</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">. Intrigued? Read on!<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Like me, Debra has a soft spot for French history, and her <b>Château de Verzat series </b>sounds just like my kinds of reads. Look out for my reviews, once I've had a chance to read the two existing titles in the series. A third title will be released in the summer.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>The Château de Verzat series</b> is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Discover other intriguing excerpts <a href="https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2024/02/blog-tour-chateau-de-verzat-series-by-debra-borchert.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>! </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10-PJo6MVgiXRBmPXcJ14DILCTyiWAaTjWD95asKyccAjSEfwlSq79dEiPb6v2nItIikXE93fp73GaFN3OVZ-if5TjbT1zJfxhhX620P7TB-oJ160nglfhB2MzTFC931DWusViz22scnD65yE14_ki_xxo7KTTLZvrtgD7ZWYHM7uA0lRitpsE72sRf4/s640/Chateau%20de%20Verzat%20Series%20Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10-PJo6MVgiXRBmPXcJ14DILCTyiWAaTjWD95asKyccAjSEfwlSq79dEiPb6v2nItIikXE93fp73GaFN3OVZ-if5TjbT1zJfxhhX620P7TB-oJ160nglfhB2MzTFC931DWusViz22scnD65yE14_ki_xxo7KTTLZvrtgD7ZWYHM7uA0lRitpsE72sRf4/w640-h360/Chateau%20de%20Verzat%20Series%20Banner.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></p><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><span>Château de Verzat Series</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span><br /></span></b></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span> Her Own Legacy</span></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span>Her Own Revolution</span></span></i></div></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span><br /></span></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span>Debra Borchert</span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Excerpt:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span lang="EN-US">Her Own Legacy</span></i><span lang="EN-US">, Paris, June 1789</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span lang="EN-US">Henri discovers Pierre is Geneviève</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">The floor shook
with stampeding, cussing students heading for the door. I waited for Pierre and
grinned. He tried to cover his smile but lost the battle. We clapped each other
on the back and headed outdoors. Sunlight brightened the gray stone walls, but
the wind was chilly. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">Someday I’d
thank LaGarde for the title of my next article. I needed to get some quotes
from the common man, first. “Palais-Royal?” I asked Pierre. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">He nodded.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">“Fouquier!”
LaGarde leaned against a column. Two noble students flanked him.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">“Careful,” I
whispered. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">Pierre marched
straight at him. “Yes?”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">“The law states
you must address me by my title.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">“Class dunce?”
Pierre tilted his head.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">My hands
jittered. Pierre was half the brute’s size.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">LaGarde withdrew
his rapier from its jeweled scabbard and slowly brought the blade above his
head. I reached under my waistcoat for my pistol. LaGarde brought the rapier
forward, resting its tip at Pierre’s jabot. <a name="_Hlk535063590">Pierre</a>
did not blink. I withdrew my pistol.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">With one
deliberate swipe, LaGarde sliced through Pierre’s waistcoat and tunic, which
fell away, revealing two breasts bulging over the edges of a lace corset.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">My mouth dropped
open. A thin line of blood wandered like a silk thread, trickling down Pierre’s
chest, detouring over a pale swell of flesh. My breeches grew tight. The wound
did not seem deep. But—.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">With one hand,
Pierre calmly clutched the edges of the waistcoat. His—her face was calm. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">LaGarde and his
companions stood, jaws dropped, eyes bulging. He—she had fooled us all. What a
charade. What nerve.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">“You are a…”
LaGarde blustered. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">“Woman?” Pierre
smiled. “Have you not seen one before?”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">“Women have no
right to enter <span>Université</span><i>.” </i>LaGarde’s rapier vibrated. “<span>Salope</span>!”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">Like I was in a
tunnel, darkness fell around everything but the glinting rapier. He’d called
her a whore. “If this woman passed the exams to enter, she deserves the right
to attend—the same as any man.” My thumb pulsed on the pistol’s hammer as I
brought it up.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">“This is a fight
for swords, not guns. Where’s yours?” LaGarde spat.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">“Even peasants
know only nobles may wear them.” Pierre spat at LaGarde’s feet. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">LaGarde’s face
reddened. “Why don’t you go back to the squalor of Saint-Antoine, Detré?”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">Pierre—whatever
her <i>real </i>name was—stood straight and tall. “As you’ve proven, LaGarde,
being a noble does not mean one is a gentleman.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">“You going to
allow a <span>salope </span>to fight your
battles, Detré?” The brute moved to the <span>en
garde</span> position.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">“Regardless of
whether or not I’m entitled to carry a sword, I’ve no need of such
encumbrances.” I aimed the pistol at his face. “I’m an expert shot. You’ll be
dead before your body hits the ground.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">He pointed his
rapier at me. “I shall deliver your <span>lettre
de cachet</span> myself.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">“And I shall
kill you before your next breath. Sheathe your sword.” </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">“LaGarde, do you
know my father’s name? It may assist you <span style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">at the Châtele</span>t.” Pierre gave him a coy
smile. “My father is prosecutor<span style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"> there.”</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">I broke into a
sweat. The torture chambers deep in the bowels of that prison were something I
never wanted to see. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">Pierre crossed
his arms over his…her…breasts. “He has been influential, not only in the
courts, but also with tortures and executions.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">LaGarde’s rapier
quivered. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">Pierre walked to
within a foot of him. “Does the name Antoine Quentin Fouquier de Tinville sound
familiar?”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">Relief at not
being in LaGarde’s shoes washed over me like warm water. The two noble students
standing behind LaGarde ran.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">LaGarde’s jaw
slackened. “If your father knows you attend <span>Université</span><i>, </i>why do you
dress as a man?”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">“To protect
myself from idiots like you.” She could have the dolt arrested, put in a
dungeon, tortured, and left to rot, <i>if </i>he survived the torture. “I don’t
think my father will like the new cut of my waistcoat.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">“Excuse me,
Mademoiselle, I did not know.” LaGarde gawped like a landed fish.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">“Unless you’d
like to receive a <span>lettre de cachet</span><i> </i>yourself, I suggest you take Monsieur
Detré’s advice and sheathe your weapon.” </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">He did so and
stood at attention, as if the prosecutor<span style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"> </span>stood before him.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">“Monsieur Detré,
would you kindly walk me to my father’s office?”</span></span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</font></font></style></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKZUJUMbqfG37vZUTOAUw6VWXPK48STfBmljlJqZTjjYm72ZG-bGQQnHQoldK2DThbTsml0pSYxB0l46bqr48-0j5sUB6O3YIZrKqdA8ElRu8-rLgiBhpde2_WZsCvBRZ5a7p2-vwlG180GRxcFyRVeJw_e36NPpOBajJknAuZAKhqIVJFkV_tFtl3Ro/s1080/IG%20banner%20Chateau%20de%20Verzat.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKZUJUMbqfG37vZUTOAUw6VWXPK48STfBmljlJqZTjjYm72ZG-bGQQnHQoldK2DThbTsml0pSYxB0l46bqr48-0j5sUB6O3YIZrKqdA8ElRu8-rLgiBhpde2_WZsCvBRZ5a7p2-vwlG180GRxcFyRVeJw_e36NPpOBajJknAuZAKhqIVJFkV_tFtl3Ro/w200-h200/IG%20banner%20Chateau%20de%20Verzat.png" width="200" /></a></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Tempting Recipe from </b></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Soups of Château de Verzat, A Culinary Tribute to the French Revolution</b></i><b>, 2023</b></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span>:<br /></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a name="_Toc145835136"><span><span lang="EN-US"><b>Madame
Detré’s Chicken Vegetable Soup</b></span></span></a><span><span lang="EN-US"></span></span></span><span style="color: #800180; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span></span></span><span style="color: #800180; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0f4761; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span lang="EN-US">On the rare occasions Henri’s maman had chicken, she would have used
the carcass to create a hearty broth. She shows Henri her love with food in
this excerpt from Her Own Legacy, </span></i><span lang="EN-US">Chapter 8.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">Maman ladled some liquid into a wooden bowl. “Have some soup.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">“I have to deliver the laundry.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">“First, eat.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">I sat, breathing in the aroma of garlic, onions, chicken. “Maman,
can you give me some of the rosemary soap you make?”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">Her smile lit up the room like a flaming torch. “I’ll give you some
for your tutor, also.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">I’d bring her some meat and bread. I’d buy her a lace-trimmed
handkerchief. I’d show her she was the only maman I ever wanted and would ever
need. I’d convince her she’d never lose me. I’d try to tell her I loved her.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioM3qjueHIuIapsuwd92HicUBe3Tp7PpZvhlahIAn0e8Z0GSHOfDNSfkvwt6t9JjzqwKWcWvhBmLFZ87hFc7L7H26GEwnYMpj3LEzL8pwd_HngW-U-ooNi6OstscvS2lBJ7zyN_Hkc5vVQHsen6FdY8YtMo0nX0VGS_yQrmJM8XAt6B215Nzsg5r40Vqk/s372/Picture%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="372" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioM3qjueHIuIapsuwd92HicUBe3Tp7PpZvhlahIAn0e8Z0GSHOfDNSfkvwt6t9JjzqwKWcWvhBmLFZ87hFc7L7H26GEwnYMpj3LEzL8pwd_HngW-U-ooNi6OstscvS2lBJ7zyN_Hkc5vVQHsen6FdY8YtMo0nX0VGS_yQrmJM8XAt6B215Nzsg5r40Vqk/w200-h134/Picture%201.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US"></span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span class="Heading2Char"><span lang="EN-US">Serves</span></span><span lang="EN-US"> 6–8</span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="color: #800180;">Ingredients:</span></b></span></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span></p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr>
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 256.25pt;" valign="top" width="342">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">2 boneless chicken breasts</span></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 211.25pt;" valign="top" width="282">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">1 medium onion, peeled, chopped</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 256.25pt;" valign="top" width="342">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">4 boneless chicken thighs</span></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 211.25pt;" valign="top" width="282">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">1 ½–2 quarts chicken or vegetable broth</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 256.25pt;" valign="top" width="342">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">2 quarts water</span></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 211.25pt;" valign="top" width="282">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">dash cayenne pepper (optional)</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 256.25pt;" valign="top" width="342">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">3 sprigs rosemary</span></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 211.25pt;" valign="top" width="282">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">sea salt </span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 256.25pt;" valign="top" width="342">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">2 cloves of garlic, peeled, and chopped</span></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 211.25pt;" valign="top" width="282">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">freshly ground pepper</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 256.25pt;" valign="top" width="342">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">extra virgin olive oil</span></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 211.25pt;" valign="top" width="282">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">1 cup broccoli florets</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 256.25pt;" valign="top" width="342">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">2 carrots, peeled and sliced</span></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 211.25pt;" valign="top" width="282">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">chopped fresh parsley</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 256.25pt;" valign="top" width="342">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">2 celery stalks, thinly sliced</span></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 211.25pt;" valign="top" width="282">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">lemon wedges</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="color: #800180;">Process:</span></b></span></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"><span>1.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Place chicken, rosemary, and
garlic in heavy-bottomed pot and cover with water.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"><span>2.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Heat on low and allow to
simmer, uncovered, until the chicken is tender, about 45 minutes.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"><span>3.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Remove chicken pieces and allow
to cool. Discard rosemary and garlic.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"><span>4.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">OPTIONAL: You can continue to
simmer the broth until it is reduced by half and use it as part of the chicken
soup, but you’ll need to cool and skim it before adding it to the soup. I
usually allow it to simmer, cool, skim, and then freeze it for future use.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"><span>5.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Heat a heavy-bottomed pot on
medium heat and coat the bottom with olive oil.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"><span>6.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Sauté the carrots, celery, and
onion in that order, cooking each for 2–3 minutes before adding the next
vegetable.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"><span>7.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Add chicken pieces. Pour in the
broth and simmer for 30–45 minutes.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"><span>8.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Add dash of cayenne if using.
(A dash of cayenne boosts flavor without salt.)</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"><span>9.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Season to taste.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"><span>10.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Add the broccoli 5 minutes before serving so it remains bright
green.*Serve with lemon wedges.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">Notes:</span></span></h2>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"><span>1.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">*When serving this in a slow
cooker, I replace the broccoli with green beans which retain their color longer
than the broccoli.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"><span>2.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">This soup freezes well but add
the broccoli or green beans just before serving. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span></p>
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{margin-bottom:0cm;</font></font></style></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Bon appétit! <br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~~~<br /></span></div></div></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Blurbs:<br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Her Own Legacy <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4U5ZvrqpeEb1zbAb1MZI3E72uZWPv9NNd5BUIfThtgz4DIPyDbmKjfONwHBTncet2Gn7E_V04OduT3_5OlX0vrHpwB4BEls91EGx2YRs9qkSVeXC9WFlWrVhm9wzCJ5V0zHO1z_Z79EcILSu28TSmkJUWiO6EoJVncJPFX-9W_Cinv3uD2RUET7uSE_k/s2925/HER_OWN_LEGACY_COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2925" data-original-width="1950" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4U5ZvrqpeEb1zbAb1MZI3E72uZWPv9NNd5BUIfThtgz4DIPyDbmKjfONwHBTncet2Gn7E_V04OduT3_5OlX0vrHpwB4BEls91EGx2YRs9qkSVeXC9WFlWrVhm9wzCJ5V0zHO1z_Z79EcILSu28TSmkJUWiO6EoJVncJPFX-9W_Cinv3uD2RUET7uSE_k/s320/HER_OWN_LEGACY_COVER.jpg" width="213" /></a></div></i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>A Woman Fights for Her Legacy as the French Revolution Erupts</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Determined to inherit her family’s vineyard, Countess Joliette de Verzat defies society’s rules, only to learn of her illegitimate half-brother, the rightful heir. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Her Own Revolution</i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>A Woman Forges a Treacherous Path to Save Hundreds from the Guillotine</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">If Geneviève Fouquier-Tinville had the same rights as a man, she wouldn’t have to dress like one. A suspenseful page-turner led by a renegade heroine whose compassion for innocent people leads to both loss and love.</span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Buy Links:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;"><b>*<i>Her Own Legacy</i><span> </span>will be only 0.99 in the UK, CA and AU stores from March 5th – 15th, 2024!*</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Her Own Legacy</b></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://books2read.com/u/bWYod1" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">International Buy Link</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Her Own Revolution</b></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://books2read.com/u/m0aJVl" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">International Buy Link</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Château de Verzat Series</b></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B9KN1536" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon US Series Link</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0B9KN1536" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon UK Series Link</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~~~<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>About the Author:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Debra Borchert</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Debra’s the author of the Château de Verzat series that follows headstrong and independent women and the four-hundred loyal families who protect a Loire Valley château and vineyard, and its legacy of producing the finest wines in France during the French Revolution.<span> </span><i>Her Own Legacy</i><span> </span>published 2022,<span> </span><i>Her Own Revolution</i><span> </span>published 2023, and<span> </span><i>Her Own War</i><span> </span>will be published in 2024. A passionate cook, she also wrote a companion cookbook to the series:<span> </span><i>Soups of Château de Verzat, A Culinary Tribute to the French Revolution</i>, 2023.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AYmprt4rVZ-lsfdnVNHGsbLGr23kE6ANx4CPFOw_dgGGTX-qz2oCm6jQ_DGUWpi0IgYa5f3kaHMPLF-9xZTf2kda2MNs4KHECPWJeJaKYnOmFpHSrl1r-F4ZYs97XkOJkHwNYa_dcO0vBDAvpJBWJrdA6n_EM8kKIyWFQ9glFv6jWuK_B3smcC6AZJc/s3872/Debra%20Borchert%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AYmprt4rVZ-lsfdnVNHGsbLGr23kE6ANx4CPFOw_dgGGTX-qz2oCm6jQ_DGUWpi0IgYa5f3kaHMPLF-9xZTf2kda2MNs4KHECPWJeJaKYnOmFpHSrl1r-F4ZYs97XkOJkHwNYa_dcO0vBDAvpJBWJrdA6n_EM8kKIyWFQ9glFv6jWuK_B3smcC6AZJc/s320/Debra%20Borchert%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, she weaves her knowledge of textiles and clothing design throughout her historical fiction. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family and standard poodle, named after a fine French Champagne.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Author Links:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://debraborchert.com/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Website</a> <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://twitter.com/debraborchert" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DebraBorchertAuthor/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/debraborchert/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a><span> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/debraborchertauthor/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/Debra-Borchert/author/B00CSW9MH0" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/debra-borchert" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">BookBub</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-borchert-10b8305/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7787729.Debra_Borchert" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span></div></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwAwznbX5fI7TW5nBaNTJzhEOjRkBXYGVaX6Lg1fzrYRi82rthhq3w_q6oRXYJ3ueq0AItJbAre3w4A11WJ10fhy2Ir2IndkwzXN3fDOcHeNnWclQLu1ZWop5sSaoPcro2NjOYeBtUPLOSItP3NbDFVLJGv6xsMAZzrGU7yiBbkITiXnWa8ytlppYptY/s640/Chateau%20de%20Verzat%20Series%20Tour%20Schedule%20Bannerpng.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwAwznbX5fI7TW5nBaNTJzhEOjRkBXYGVaX6Lg1fzrYRi82rthhq3w_q6oRXYJ3ueq0AItJbAre3w4A11WJ10fhy2Ir2IndkwzXN3fDOcHeNnWclQLu1ZWop5sSaoPcro2NjOYeBtUPLOSItP3NbDFVLJGv6xsMAZzrGU7yiBbkITiXnWa8ytlppYptY/w640-h360/Chateau%20de%20Verzat%20Series%20Tour%20Schedule%20Bannerpng.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div>Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931756400990380483.post-7800264774447695812024-03-07T15:45:00.000+01:002024-03-07T15:45:02.523+01:00Review: Thor's Revenge by Donovan Cook<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I'm delighted to share my review, today, of <b>Thor's Revenge</b>, the latest instalment in <i><b>Donovan Cook</b></i>'s intriguing <i>Charlemagne's Cross</i> adventure series. Have a look!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Thor's Revenge</b> is currently on blog tour with <i>Rachel's Random Resources</i>. Many thanks to Rachel and the publisher for a copy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODBEY1y4KCUB2Nx-dFyzv8DjFC40oBNnEjDGyfebP8VZ401Uu_FoWGRfQeD1IAbyDMAqc1uxcxA6R_nfQobOeYe_kbLq082PoG6eGM6ZSq7DdnSEgEwI5RTqek-6bfB9PmRtGIBdr_I7r7P9ZUQqiMlxFNEKWgziY3-6OV16lrM8Mu_eOqtZi_NhNOp4/s700/Thors%20Revenge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="700" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODBEY1y4KCUB2Nx-dFyzv8DjFC40oBNnEjDGyfebP8VZ401Uu_FoWGRfQeD1IAbyDMAqc1uxcxA6R_nfQobOeYe_kbLq082PoG6eGM6ZSq7DdnSEgEwI5RTqek-6bfB9PmRtGIBdr_I7r7P9ZUQqiMlxFNEKWgziY3-6OV16lrM8Mu_eOqtZi_NhNOp4/w640-h252/Thors%20Revenge.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><span>Thor's Revenge</span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span><i> The Charlemagne's Cross Series, Book #3</i></span><b><span><i><br /></i></span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span>Donovan Cook</span></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Political games between Danes and Franks abound in <i>Thor's Revenge</i>, where we find some familiar names again. Young Charles has been abducted by Ivor, Thora recovers slowly from a near-fatal injury, and Sven seeks solace in the cups, drowning his sorrows. As for the Charlemagne cross – the reason for murder, betrayal, and abduction – it is missing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Charles' mother, Abbess Hildegard, has arrived in Ribe, looking for her grandson (and the cross, obviously). But neither Thora nor Sven trust the woman who had joined Holy Orders and left her son behind. Sven has not forgiven his own son's death (Charles' father), for which he blames the East Franks, Hildegard and her ilk. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sven and Thora keep searching for Charles, but with treacherous Franks trying to get to the boy, it's no easy feat. Will they manage to save him, alive and well? Find out in the book! <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZWrPyJBCj31d_kp2C2Y4WTfgIMAlwADQeLhewmUCJBTf6XqeiUmDy9cSzTbHAYigVVDQuQAe502j35MZ3D8a5spKZTA0gzJ56iwlN8NIgvRR9kiK2AB-13ksbHhpe_2tu0aL2ySI7ivVC64R-A1GR3UOgBARQ-0PUqp0mxbIH1yTynLSExEkbQ-Wk1Q/s1080/4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZWrPyJBCj31d_kp2C2Y4WTfgIMAlwADQeLhewmUCJBTf6XqeiUmDy9cSzTbHAYigVVDQuQAe502j35MZ3D8a5spKZTA0gzJ56iwlN8NIgvRR9kiK2AB-13ksbHhpe_2tu0aL2ySI7ivVC64R-A1GR3UOgBARQ-0PUqp0mxbIH1yTynLSExEkbQ-Wk1Q/s320/4.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Thor's Revenge</i> begins rather slowly, in my view. The early chapters sum up the recent action, and this slows the pace. In between these long paragraphs, however, we find intriguing action surrounding Charles, the boy everyone is after. So keep reading! Once the pace picks up, the plot unfolds, with more battles and the unavoidable injuries. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I found the Frankish plotters intriguing, as this reveals much about these Christian kings of East and West Francia (usually at each others' throats), at a time when religion was in flux. The Danes, still holding on to their ancient beliefs, are looked down upon by the seemingly superior Franks, but they aren't as well-organised as they'd like to be, and both sides get their share of comeuppance. That's an aspect of the novel that I really enjoyed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">There are, however, some editorial issues with the novel, and I hope the published version is improved. For example, I found the repeated reference to Hildegard as 'Charles' mother' (from Sven's or Thora's point of view) tiring. Using her name would have added immediacy, and the flow of the narrative would have been improved. There are also quite a few repeats within a paragraph or two of each other, all through the novel – something the editor should have noticed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But overall, <i>Thor's Revenge</i> is an enjoyable adventure full of intrigues, battles, losses and gains, with wonderfully flawed main characters and a clever plot, which is hopefully due to be resolved in Book 4 of the series. I'm looking forward to reading it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Fans of Viking and early medieval fiction will enjoy this riveting chase for the elusive Charlemagne's Cross.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~~~<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Blurb:</b></span></p><p>
</p><div style="background: white; border-bottom: none windowtext 1.0pt; border: medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm 0cm 3pt;">
<h2 style="background: white; border: medium; break-after: auto; line-height: 133%; margin: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 3.0pt 0cm; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; padding: 0cm; page-break-after: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0f1111; line-height: 133%;">A kingdom without a
crown. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAKDyTHB7rn43ryprRM6wEF8RUfg7VFjRaIq4Wb5W_dPFpLiRtMg1vl_fay2Z2NOAU8UofIHyRXKcFepmv4thbtO_7q7hES0Ym8t-86ziRZ90ywzqqgbO_3kfEYO6PIUSp_OgtHzf66kU1lon2mM_LrMIyM9bvACIRw5LAX5La1K0VFUCq7RI9I23CYY/s2339/THOR-HIRES.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="1524" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAKDyTHB7rn43ryprRM6wEF8RUfg7VFjRaIq4Wb5W_dPFpLiRtMg1vl_fay2Z2NOAU8UofIHyRXKcFepmv4thbtO_7q7hES0Ym8t-86ziRZ90ywzqqgbO_3kfEYO6PIUSp_OgtHzf66kU1lon2mM_LrMIyM9bvACIRw5LAX5La1K0VFUCq7RI9I23CYY/s320/THOR-HIRES.jpg" width="208" /></a></div></span></b></span></h2>
<h2 style="background: white; border: medium; break-after: auto; line-height: 133%; margin: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 3.0pt 0cm; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; padding: 0cm; page-break-after: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0f1111; line-height: 133%;">A
boy forsaken by his God.</span></b></span></h2>
<h2 style="background: white; border: medium; break-after: auto; line-height: 133%; margin: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 3.0pt 0cm; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; padding: 0cm; page-break-after: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0f1111; line-height: 133%;">A
warrior bent on revenge.</span></b></span></h2>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0f1111; line-height: 150%;">After the bloody Battle
of Jelling, Denmark’s throne lies empty and chaos reigns as Jarls jostle for
power.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0f1111; line-height: 150%;">Sven survives the
bloodshed only to return home to find Ribe sacked by those he trusted and
Charles, a pawn in a much bigger political game, kidnapped.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0f1111; line-height: 150%;">Consumed by the loss of
Charles, Sven is shocked by the arrival of the Abbess Hildegard, daughter of
his nemesis King Louis of East Francia, who seeks the whereabouts of Charles,
her son, and also the cross of Charlemagne.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0f1111; line-height: 150%;">But whilst others want
revenge for the chaos Sven has caused, Denmark burns and Sven must stand in the
shield wall one more time if he is to survive and rescue his grandson.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #0f1111; line-height: 150%;">Outnumbered and
outmaneuvered, Sven and Charles must put their fate in the hands of the gods if
they ever want to see each other again.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;">Buy Link: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://mybook.to/thorsrevengesocial"><span style="line-height: 150%;">https://mybook.to/thorsrevengesocial</span></a></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;">~~~</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;">About the Author: </span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;"><i>Donovan Cook<br /></i></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;">Donovan Cook is the author of the
well-received Ormstunga Saga series and the Charlemagne's Cross series, both of
which combine fast-paced narrative with meticulously researched history of the
Viking world and are inspired by his interest in Norse Mythology. Donovan was
born in South Africa but raised in England.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MeI_tI5ddkAb5_B622jgAAE2_6V0_60ys0WpxFF8Btnxt4Qo0ccBoxAELO359Px0gf2GkELW28WeRaqX9l0ocEreGr8X-OmqBfCyBvZQsQiN9iiveIgaUwnRbbu749p3lf86trnpuWKVRYUFWjDgbfBHZ06Av_W_DraVG8ouUnCthk65cF7iLQyybgg/s3753/Profile%20photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3753" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MeI_tI5ddkAb5_B622jgAAE2_6V0_60ys0WpxFF8Btnxt4Qo0ccBoxAELO359Px0gf2GkELW28WeRaqX9l0ocEreGr8X-OmqBfCyBvZQsQiN9iiveIgaUwnRbbu749p3lf86trnpuWKVRYUFWjDgbfBHZ06Av_W_DraVG8ouUnCthk65cF7iLQyybgg/w320-h213/Profile%20photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;"> </span></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;">Connect with Donovan: </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;"><span> <br /></span></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;">Facebook: </span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DonovanCookAuthor"><span><span style="line-height: 150%;">https://www.facebook.com/DonovanCookAuthor</span></span></a></span><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;">
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;">Twitter: </span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://twitter.com/DonovanCook20"><span><span style="line-height: 150%;">https://twitter.com/DonovanCook20</span></span></a></span><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;">
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;">Newsletter Sign Up: </span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://bit.ly/DonovanCookNews"><span><span style="line-height: 150%;">https://bit.ly/DonovanCookNews</span></span></a></span><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;">
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;">Bookbub profile:</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/janet-hoggarth"><span><span color="windowtext" style="line-height: 150%; text-decoration: none;"> </span></span></a><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donovan-cook"><span><span style="line-height: 150%;">https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donovan-cook</span></span></a></span><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</font></style></span> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVqlORJFjjgXFUcL2aIvLLHgpm6opbMfBdzfMcHE7xxMDOjSr3bFRziJUcyWkFQOAFlw8Hz3kh1AkZ_vPMZ6QSQP_mz3ccq4uF4myoGZBz4xiBZJ1bSNUy38kI6FHXaztqBAX5yYM2pHUUNhPpj0KodxFNr7p-umtfVyGmROW_G3JF1RhotktuHGEsQM/s1287/Thors%20Revenge%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1287" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVqlORJFjjgXFUcL2aIvLLHgpm6opbMfBdzfMcHE7xxMDOjSr3bFRziJUcyWkFQOAFlw8Hz3kh1AkZ_vPMZ6QSQP_mz3ccq4uF4myoGZBz4xiBZJ1bSNUy38kI6FHXaztqBAX5yYM2pHUUNhPpj0KodxFNr7p-umtfVyGmROW_G3JF1RhotktuHGEsQM/w400-h368/Thors%20Revenge%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931756400990380483.post-57283621007725545912024-03-05T11:01:00.000+01:002024-03-05T11:01:18.777+01:00Review: The Shadow Network by Deborah Swift<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, I'm delighted to welcome bestselling, award-winning historical fiction author, <b><i>Deborah Swift</i></b>. Her new release, <b>The Shadow Network</b>, is set in the secretive world of underground radio stations set up to confuse the enemy – the Germans. It's a gripping, fast-paced story full of deception, danger, and a subtle touch of romance. Have a look!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>The Shadow Network</b> is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Find fascinating background guest posts, tempting excerpts, and more reviews, <a href="https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2023/12/blog-tour-the-shadow-network-by-deborah-swift.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>!<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLxdam5Y2zDpIhcCxXgbevM4fY0WgRV-V-wWYUBjUaRsWaZRM80x52JUs-CEAJ-3FBZufb6N1Lw2ggOgdPi26sSuo4TdU594xBNBou7PgCFs2EcqhgW2uczQZhbCrl2sc7hy8_A2w9SVhZDCu27r6OxiSqA-LX7sRNvM7m2RWRMHYx7-bZfkz5e_Y4QY/s640/The%20Shadow%20Network%20Tour%20Banner%201.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLxdam5Y2zDpIhcCxXgbevM4fY0WgRV-V-wWYUBjUaRsWaZRM80x52JUs-CEAJ-3FBZufb6N1Lw2ggOgdPi26sSuo4TdU594xBNBou7PgCFs2EcqhgW2uczQZhbCrl2sc7hy8_A2w9SVhZDCu27r6OxiSqA-LX7sRNvM7m2RWRMHYx7-bZfkz5e_Y4QY/w640-h360/The%20Shadow%20Network%20Tour%20Banner%201.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span><p></p><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span>The Shadow Network</span></span></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><i>Secret Agent Series (standalone)</i></span></span></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Deborah Swift</b></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When I first heard about this novel, I was intrigued by the subject matter: underground radio stations set up to send false messages to the enemy. Now that I've read the book, I know what it all means. It's intriguing!<br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">These radio stations were often staffed by German refugees, and even POWs (although those had to be closely observed as not to send out any illicit warnings). But it appears even German refugees of any creed remained under suspicion throughout WWII. One of those, in this novel, is Lilli.</span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The story opens in Berlin, where young student Lilli lives with her father, a former radio engineer and now sacked employee of Blaupunkt, as Lilli's late mother was Jewish. The opening scenes in this chapter are harrowing, but Ms Swift manages to maintain a personal view of everything through Lilli's eyes. Yet at the same time, the horrors of Kristallnacht (the Night of Broken Glass) as it affected individuals are vividly shown. I thought this was cleverly done. We don't see the carnage done across the country, but just from Lilli's block of flats. This adds a realistic, close point of view.</span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When Lilli's father is taken away by the Brownshirts, a neighbour holds her back from running to be with him, then urges her to flee the country. Confused, angry, and worried, Lilli eventually complies, and leaves her home, and her captured father, behind.</span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Fast forward to the UK two years later, where Lilli works in London as a cleaner and a singer in a small bar. However, as she is an alien refugee, she – and many other refugees as well as prisoners of war – is taken to the Isle of Man, to an internment camp. She settles into a daily routine, keeping away from a group of fellow German women who still hold views she finds abhorrent. One day, she receives an offer that sounds too good to be true: to help with the war effort.</span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So Lilli's role as a singer and newsreader with an underground radio station begins. With her interest in radio technology, she's keen to get involved on that side too, but her pleas fall on deaf ears. A woman and technology? A German woman? Nope! So she makes the most of her work. She also gets closer to Neil Callahan, a Scot with a leg injury, who manages the daily output. But Neil, shifting between self-pity and anger at his disability, is reluctant to get involved. Until...</span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A blast from Lilli's past appears: Bren Murphy, calling himself Johnny, much to her curiosity. Her first love, an Irishman who'd studied in Berlin; who dumped her for a ditzy blonde, and who may have betrayed her father to his Brownshirt friends. Yet now, it appears he's on the side of the English, whom he used to hate. Yet if so, why change the name, and his background? Who does he work for?<br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Curiosity takes over, and Lilli subtly tarts to look into Bren's background story, and she soon finds nothing adds up. Had English security failed in their due diligence? Or had Bren changed, keen for a new start? </span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And just how will the arrival of her first love affect her growing affection for Neil? Well, read the book!</span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XD6e5sAd2CI450YRs_-Y-0gOyVp0tteAK-XZBtqjiN46KWcCcw8dgb9EuBsON58-OUrHv7RlGJHchz7-Se0DhaESsVRIn8ih2xOjAe07tqbNGefQX4Qq9rbQW5Bh4vI-XgQMipZZMFg8epGMK_qwJW5IoVSDemJzwypDOdiY_j0kL2qULBU1PpdFBo4/s1080/IG%20banner%20The%20Shadow%20Network.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XD6e5sAd2CI450YRs_-Y-0gOyVp0tteAK-XZBtqjiN46KWcCcw8dgb9EuBsON58-OUrHv7RlGJHchz7-Se0DhaESsVRIn8ih2xOjAe07tqbNGefQX4Qq9rbQW5Bh4vI-XgQMipZZMFg8epGMK_qwJW5IoVSDemJzwypDOdiY_j0kL2qULBU1PpdFBo4/w200-h200/IG%20banner%20The%20Shadow%20Network.png" width="200" /></a></div></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>The Shadow Network</i> is a fast-paced thriller with romantic elements. Extremely well-researched, the author shows us the harsh reality of life during WWII. First, Lilli's neighbour, who prevents her from rushing to her father's side – and with it the risk of being taken away. Where to? The woman's character was realistic, I thought. <br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The rough treatment of German refugees in England seems callous, but then, who could you trust? Some would have been spies, and the risk was too great.</span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The slowly budding love story between Lilli and Neil added a soft side to the otherwise terrifying background of war and danger, and Bren's appearance is certainly intriguing. Lilli's reactions to him don't always make sense to me, though we do see her emotional confusion, as all the warning signs are there. </span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bren's point of view adds to the dark side of the story, bringing political motivations to the plot. He is involved with some shady characters, and Ms Swift does well to show them not just as ruthless robots, but also flawed individuals. It's cleverly done.</span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">However, there are one or two points unresolved, so I wonder if there's going to be a sequel. We shall see.<br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">From the beginning, I was drawn into this riveting plot, with a formidable cast of characters and a realistic background, including some technical details about transmitters, and the whole, clever setup of underground radio stations. </span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>The Shadow Network</i> is a fascinating novel about 20th-century technological warfare that I found quite revealing. But it also depicts the human side – the good, the bad, and the ugly. It makes for satisfying reading, and I can highly recommend it.<br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">~~~<br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Blurb:</b> <br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>One woman must sacrifice everything to uncover the truth in this enthralling historical novel, inspired by the true World War Two campaign Radio Aspidistra…</b></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0hKVze2eyhpirRDeWrI3t1kwIyT7kC0H0ju-E8QLiwvLPXF8AfRxrI4PaSLpsr5lxAdSvFiPVIXa9sHxaKI9NFFFTY74DNmC6Bm5AMPf7v23dEMdSWwePGwkSNgMunaqMtpRCg1fVcvcIbKrAX0RsMH-kzItIFSw5VIsunPqgzPUbT5xOw5UfqqH3_DL/w209-h320/Cover%20of%20The%20Shadow%20Network.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="209" /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">England, 1942: Having fled Germany after her father was captured by the Nazis, Lilli Bergen is desperate to do something pro-active for the Allies. So when she’s approached by the Political Warfare Executive, Lilli jumps at the chance. She’s recruited as a singer for a radio station broadcasting propaganda to German soldiers – a shadow network.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But Lilli’s world is flipped upside down when her ex-boyfriend, Bren Murphy, appears at her workplace; the very man she thinks betrayed her father to the Nazis. Lilli always thought Bren was a Nazi sympathiser – so what is he doing in England supposedly working against the Germans?</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Lilli knows Bren is up to something, and must put aside a blossoming new relationship in order to discover the truth. Can Lilli expose him, before it’s too late?</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Set in the fascinating world of wartime radio, don’t miss The Shadow Network, a heart-stopping novel of betrayal, treachery, and courage against the odds.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; 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text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://mybook.to/RadioLies" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Universal Buy Link</a></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/the-shadow-network-ww2-secret-agent-series-deborah-swift" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Bookshop Buy Link</a></span></span></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">~~~</span><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>About the Author:</b></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Deborah Swift</i></span></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></span><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Deborah Swift is the English author of eighteen historical novels, including Millennium Award winner <i>Past Encounters</i>, and <i>The Lady’s Slipper</i>, shortlisted for the Impress Prize. </span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Her most recent books are the Renaissance trilogy based around the life of the poisoner Giulia Tofana, <i>The Poison Keeper</i> and its sequels, one of which won the Coffee Pot Book Club Gold Medal.</span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Recently she has completed a secret agent series set in WW2, the first in the series being <i>The Silk Code</i>.</span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVcyYdJAF3cfQLT8W_LZrReIpyHVpevgAfleFQXaC4IvvQfWYXNkQAxVTFQBta4gKrZyrvTeCrI8kji1n9IFjLvCPayOKj2kDasWQjlVkq_u66Binke_B_BOTNd9378C8_cAejW970fF4lamILOuvVXHHBtqkC8gMomvUO3e0sIYR4Hn_gJ_OqJHShLPG/s400/Deborah%20Swift.jpeg" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVcyYdJAF3cfQLT8W_LZrReIpyHVpevgAfleFQXaC4IvvQfWYXNkQAxVTFQBta4gKrZyrvTeCrI8kji1n9IFjLvCPayOKj2kDasWQjlVkq_u66Binke_B_BOTNd9378C8_cAejW970fF4lamILOuvVXHHBtqkC8gMomvUO3e0sIYR4Hn_gJ_OqJHShLPG/w200-h200/Deborah%20Swift.jpeg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Deborah used to work as a set and costume designer for theatre and TV and enjoys the research aspect of creating historical fiction, something she loved doing as a scenographer. She likes to write about extraordinary characters set against the background of real historical events.</span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Deborah lives in North Lancashire on the edge of the Lake District, an area made famous by the Romantic Poets such as Wordsworth and Coleridge.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Author Links:</b></span></span></p></div></div></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.deborahswift.com/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Website</a><span> </span> <br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; 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--tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://author.to/DeborahSwift" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a> </span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); 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--tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-XATF4KLuwWVR8UrDD9sEXUy5EoE51M8ZtabARovKqvHgYNhWhKAT8NPnoUVNvJT1hV_OhZ4yh2hnI6_c7LkRRiHvi7YK7nKprAA9-TBEBTFat7QRBtDVYQmsvXlo9pi7v_3POmiIuFSistvBKTp7teIoqKLZpuhNIIS0KNRAokSO7P3nwl2A3HFqII/s640/The%20Shadow%20Network%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-XATF4KLuwWVR8UrDD9sEXUy5EoE51M8ZtabARovKqvHgYNhWhKAT8NPnoUVNvJT1hV_OhZ4yh2hnI6_c7LkRRiHvi7YK7nKprAA9-TBEBTFat7QRBtDVYQmsvXlo9pi7v_3POmiIuFSistvBKTp7teIoqKLZpuhNIIS0KNRAokSO7P3nwl2A3HFqII/w640-h360/The%20Shadow%20Network%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></div></div><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p> </p>Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931756400990380483.post-82072375313837996642024-03-01T12:03:00.001+01:002024-03-01T12:03:06.265+01:00Promo: Lighten the Load (Ghosts along the Oregon Trail) by David Fitz-Gerald<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I'm delighted to welcome back US author <b><i>David Fitz-Gerald</i></b>, with <b>Lighten the Load</b> – the second instalment in his fascinating series, <i>Ghosts along the Oregon Trail</i>. The gripping plot continues...</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Lighten the Load</b> is on blog tour today with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Have a look <a href="https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2024/02/blog-tour-lighten-the-load-by-david-fitzgerald.html" target="_blank">here</a>!<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiTeVtE1oqMdCznbCaloYyh3p2mGl3TcD5-1dSqJZ3xqVbCDyLJp3lqDDxGKKZxzDQ87fXJCXGJjYkjB_3NrvbWXwo5_qhtR_o-HedbNblCG-tuskG6L_vpsyr7kto89hbm_jd9JzT5DITkChXQN5ffgBf7KG3soixDaRa6Lj0um4Hc_gCoj0dAuXDeI/s640/Lighten%20The%20Load%20Tour%20Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiTeVtE1oqMdCznbCaloYyh3p2mGl3TcD5-1dSqJZ3xqVbCDyLJp3lqDDxGKKZxzDQ87fXJCXGJjYkjB_3NrvbWXwo5_qhtR_o-HedbNblCG-tuskG6L_vpsyr7kto89hbm_jd9JzT5DITkChXQN5ffgBf7KG3soixDaRa6Lj0um4Hc_gCoj0dAuXDeI/w640-h360/Lighten%20The%20Load%20Tour%20Banner.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Lighten The Load: A Pioneer Western Adventure</b></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail, Book 2</i></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>David Fitz-Gerald</b></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b>After a devastating tragedy, Dorcas Moon faces brutal choices in the unforgiving wilderness</b></span><b>.</b></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzomj6iYsD52SYMgUDM4siVlvlNheL5MhD46PjNSjkUZh65Bab5PnS2kXUh5sVO3v3DLHsCakRyJfUtc-nKMfxVFguZh1upjRCVgAWduUi429f9T44J3ddWLFAH5Qh9DycT0swfDzn91QEMrvq4Bu_H7llrdIKr_fnH1peq7ZvI75Ngv5r7RwApacnUJfV/s1296/GATOT%202%20KDP_FitzGerald.jpg" style="clear: right; color: black; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="864" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzomj6iYsD52SYMgUDM4siVlvlNheL5MhD46PjNSjkUZh65Bab5PnS2kXUh5sVO3v3DLHsCakRyJfUtc-nKMfxVFguZh1upjRCVgAWduUi429f9T44J3ddWLFAH5Qh9DycT0swfDzn91QEMrvq4Bu_H7llrdIKr_fnH1peq7ZvI75Ngv5r7RwApacnUJfV/w213-h320/GATOT%202%20KDP_FitzGerald.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="213" /></a><span>An unsolved hometown murder casts a foreboding shadow over the journey. Mounting responsibilities weigh heavy on Dorcas' shoulders while navigating the trail along the Platte River. Family, friends, and neighbors can't seem to get along without her help.</span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The gruesome trail exacts a heavy toll. A sweeping grass fire blazes across the prairie. A doomed wagon careens down a treacherous hill. A fellow traveler is gored to death while hunting buffalo. Each disaster pushes the pioneers to the brink. Amidst the chaos, Dorcas grapples with the realization that she must dump her precious cook stove and her husband's massive safe. The oxen can no longer haul the heavy weight of unnecessary cargo.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When her daughter mysteriously disappears while the wagons are at Fort Laramie, Dorcas Despairs. She is desperate to help her daughter when the troubled youth is found in the arms of a Brulé man in Spotted Tail's village.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Secure your copy of<span> </span><i>Lighten the Load</i><span> </span>and delve into an unforgettable saga of empowerment, sacrifice, and the haunting echoes of the American frontier. Rejoin Dorcas Moon on the adventure of a lifetime as she confronts the challenges that shape her destiny.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></b></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: transparent;">Watch the Series Trailer:</b></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://youtu.be/sWvp6dtbXvA" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/sWvp6dtbXvA</a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg539xGFpyeqV_tSMJ7tHC8PTt1MwwFw1bTm7f5pshlG1Z9FGWVQfRtidJOZ6eqSmTTaZk02pbdKf1z4zLVcJ-QVT6USisKrelPw_8MGuTkunBD7WjGI1kVU1uG8lAPWWKkoyD6N5uOcJLgGBea34V0Zd1W7NOnB_qZ-g3CtdzmDCyJaoAh1Z5F1uXOp7o/s1080/IG%20banner%202%20Lighten%20The%20Load.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg539xGFpyeqV_tSMJ7tHC8PTt1MwwFw1bTm7f5pshlG1Z9FGWVQfRtidJOZ6eqSmTTaZk02pbdKf1z4zLVcJ-QVT6USisKrelPw_8MGuTkunBD7WjGI1kVU1uG8lAPWWKkoyD6N5uOcJLgGBea34V0Zd1W7NOnB_qZ-g3CtdzmDCyJaoAh1Z5F1uXOp7o/s320/IG%20banner%202%20Lighten%20The%20Load.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; 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font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.</span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">~~~</span><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>About the Author:</b></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i> </i></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>David Fitz-Gerald</i></span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></span><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">David Fitz-Gerald writes westerns and historical fiction. He is the author of twelve books, including the brand-new series, Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail set in 1850. Dave is a multiple Laramie Award, first place, best in category winner; a Blue Ribbon Chanticleerian; a member of Western Writers of America; and a member of the Historical Novel Society.</span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Alpine landscapes and flashy horses always catch Dave’s eye and turn his head. He is also an Adirondack 46-er, which means that he has hiked to the summit of the range’s highest peaks. As a mountaineer, he’s happiest at an elevation of over four thousand feet above sea level.</span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4epL1EqxhGszVIgWe0xqSxE-eE47-00D7ntj4Sc5zjODcTF3mk2-m49324gU6smMy5eGdLKq7FKnooAeUOG_OwaX4LdGlPITrwUu4a8vt494X0vSpzBltqXotEdEJ38wIMDHi3QiINlbd8bzEI0weyNEBq-6ntS8t93BuPDCo6XmKGzP-xwu3_7Opa089/s1080/David%20Fitz-Gerald.jpg" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4epL1EqxhGszVIgWe0xqSxE-eE47-00D7ntj4Sc5zjODcTF3mk2-m49324gU6smMy5eGdLKq7FKnooAeUOG_OwaX4LdGlPITrwUu4a8vt494X0vSpzBltqXotEdEJ38wIMDHi3QiINlbd8bzEI0weyNEBq-6ntS8t93BuPDCo6XmKGzP-xwu3_7Opa089/w200-h200/David%20Fitz-Gerald.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></span></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Dave is a lifelong fan of western fiction, landscapes, movies, and music. It should be no surprise that Dave delights in placing memorable characters on treacherous trails, mountain tops, and on the backs of wild horses<span style="background-color: transparent;">.</span></span></div></div></div></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; 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padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/profile/david-fitz-gerald" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">BookBub</a><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Ld0HrV3d93sHFKNaNxNpiEhAMP91dE6SMdJYhOCL5_Fv3V1belItPdwOdZaXT5CYrJf36xCA7Wps0c3nm9iAgm9G_WQdIFuuk1HM4fOZhHhTeAwHE5TxGepUzO4ll-YKcMEOD0thc1e3HVYlyCADkpqbTHzqW8yijZUvy-1XZcVwVdYQqTqEZAT33nA/s640/Lighten%20the%20Load%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Ld0HrV3d93sHFKNaNxNpiEhAMP91dE6SMdJYhOCL5_Fv3V1belItPdwOdZaXT5CYrJf36xCA7Wps0c3nm9iAgm9G_WQdIFuuk1HM4fOZhHhTeAwHE5TxGepUzO4ll-YKcMEOD0thc1e3HVYlyCADkpqbTHzqW8yijZUvy-1XZcVwVdYQqTqEZAT33nA/w640-h360/Lighten%20the%20Load%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931756400990380483.post-29286833646898901332024-02-29T11:06:00.002+01:002024-02-29T11:06:49.502+01:00Promo: The Trail to Crooked Creek by MK McClintock<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, I'm delighted to welcoome US author <b><i>MK McClintock</i></b> to Ruins & Reading. We're shining a fabulous book spotlight on her evocative western romance, T<b>he Trail to Crooked Creek</b>. Have a look!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>The Trail to Crooked Creek</b> is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Find other lovely spotlights <a href="https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2024/02/blog-tour-the-trail-to-crooked-creek-by-mk-mcclintock.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>! <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkGOD2qcGh6FnkdApThHnpt_m9r8ndtvp6MaH8EvB8roWgSZ8SN5qvQ6Wu7XeehUvVzHBGkIF0wPFuAzu_g09XHapAIO_C8fnEg9_9-gzH6hSEvCHqlUMJywUTms1J-J6y162IgvRDxCI7geN7-rkvCsavYh37QJECkh1KZkgmR4my-HM5hoFPLXTFwk/s640/The%20Trail%20to%20Crooked%20Creek%20Tour%20Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkGOD2qcGh6FnkdApThHnpt_m9r8ndtvp6MaH8EvB8roWgSZ8SN5qvQ6Wu7XeehUvVzHBGkIF0wPFuAzu_g09XHapAIO_C8fnEg9_9-gzH6hSEvCHqlUMJywUTms1J-J6y162IgvRDxCI7geN7-rkvCsavYh37QJECkh1KZkgmR4my-HM5hoFPLXTFwk/w640-h360/The%20Trail%20to%20Crooked%20Creek%20Tour%20Banner.png" width="640" /></a><span> </span><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>The Trail to Crooked Creek</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Crooked Creek Series, Book #3 (standalone)</i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: left;"><b>MK McClintock</b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: right;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqG77ap9VES0EaW_oMdbYZixZZnYsW3KhZR9gFJkuNcneGMO2oOnXfYi65cNjHRpok59IBoFKD4K6sQ8zNjVuPvrjaUjvPHrkAgDWrF5-_G0I_AF1BNxpzZ86XpbEouEddVCkL3haMxofJK4ysIPHXi7VehBw3T36-ERHTPijGXkOTOWlqOVO4TF006q0a/s1313/The%20Trail%20to%20Crooked%20Creek%20cover.jpg" style="clear: right; color: black; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1313" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqG77ap9VES0EaW_oMdbYZixZZnYsW3KhZR9gFJkuNcneGMO2oOnXfYi65cNjHRpok59IBoFKD4K6sQ8zNjVuPvrjaUjvPHrkAgDWrF5-_G0I_AF1BNxpzZ86XpbEouEddVCkL3haMxofJK4ysIPHXi7VehBw3T36-ERHTPijGXkOTOWlqOVO4TF006q0a/w244-h400/The%20Trail%20to%20Crooked%20Creek%20cover.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="244" /></a></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Everyday heroes who find the courage to believe in extraordinary love.</b></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Two years after the devastations of war left their mark on a country torn apart, Wesley Davenport, a former soldier haunted by his experiences on the battlefield crosses paths with Leah Tennyson, a teacher who helps him heal his emotional wounds—and discovers unexpected love in the most unlikely place.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Trail to Crooked Creek, a novella, is a tale of resilience, compassion, and the triumph of the human spirit set in the breathtaking and sometimes unforgiving landscape of post-Civil War Montana Territory.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">***</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>About the Crooked Creek Series</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>"MK McClintock knows what readers want."</i><span> </span>~ Readers' Favorite</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Set in post-Civil War Montana Territory, in the small town of Crooked Creek, it all started with Emma. Her story was written for a contest, but I soon realized there were more women whose tales needed to be written. The war is over between the North and the South, but the battles at home are just beginning. If you love stories of bravery and courage with unforgettable women and the men they love, you'll enjoy the Crooked Creek series.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Also Available:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Women of Crooked Creek</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Christmas in Crooked Creek</span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mXPNsu9dUWxAiaaoq1-RtDYyFB02cB6xCb6pyipa3zi1yeZyGsGDc_ub6NwBNxaG0xZj6SW35T-UZV9DKEG331N1RkFlEW6SjOb_A4wMSO-xK_MQfn_6GzoLvdxqcXK0YvqtIeu1asqwkSkDK-yh9orsMddGlAhlQ-6vRW1ZH8bKTRDSMRsZFmByb6w/s1080/IG%20banner%201%20The%20Trail%20to%20Crooked%20Creek.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mXPNsu9dUWxAiaaoq1-RtDYyFB02cB6xCb6pyipa3zi1yeZyGsGDc_ub6NwBNxaG0xZj6SW35T-UZV9DKEG331N1RkFlEW6SjOb_A4wMSO-xK_MQfn_6GzoLvdxqcXK0YvqtIeu1asqwkSkDK-yh9orsMddGlAhlQ-6vRW1ZH8bKTRDSMRsZFmByb6w/w200-h200/IG%20banner%201%20The%20Trail%20to%20Crooked%20Creek.png" width="200" /></a></div><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Buy Link: </b></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://books2read.com/u/bM2N08" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Universal Buy Link</a> <br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited, and in paperback and large print.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~~~<br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>About the Author: </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>MK McClintock</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">MK McClintock is an award-winning author who writes historical romantic fiction about chivalrous men and strong women who appreciate chivalry. Her stories of romance, mystery, and adventure sweep across the American West to the Victorian British Isles with places and times between and beyond. </span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Her works include the following series: Montana Gallaghers, Crooked Creek, British Agents, Whitcomb Springs, and the stand-alone collection, A Home for Christmas. She is also the co-author of the McKenzie Sisters Mysteries.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJO5DblOh_bg0xlL7U2fbCyEoKYoOvhVx8e7PdbUx4ArWDsnRbRGFf__z-sT9mW6OJYNRx1yTl4Bt-dXQZg4jIgJIO-EU3gyIk79pHL94ZfWzpXN2admaPCzU94w20_HxandSIetnpeO6ikdyVnHnid-Y3zRF8Sxr0KdTItvF_EmwDOpvM-dXiEmoUEFu/s500/MK%20McClintock_Get%20Lost%20in%20Books.jpg" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJO5DblOh_bg0xlL7U2fbCyEoKYoOvhVx8e7PdbUx4ArWDsnRbRGFf__z-sT9mW6OJYNRx1yTl4Bt-dXQZg4jIgJIO-EU3gyIk79pHL94ZfWzpXN2admaPCzU94w20_HxandSIetnpeO6ikdyVnHnid-Y3zRF8Sxr0KdTItvF_EmwDOpvM-dXiEmoUEFu/w200-h200/MK%20McClintock_Get%20Lost%20in%20Books.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">MK enjoys a quiet life in the northern Rocky Mountains. Visit her online home at www.mkmcclintock.com, where you can learn more about her books, explore extras, and subscribe to receive news. </span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /><b>Author Links:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /><a href="https://www.mkmcclintock.com/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Website</a> <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MKMcClintockBooks" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mkmcclintock/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mk-mcclintock" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">BookBub</a><br /><a href="https://www.pinterest.fr/mkmcclintock/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/MK-McClintock/author/B006UV5PPI" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a><br /></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVW2kV3LIgB6xV9-CvlO__Ohx4aTL968reSMgVJ-dpMOjpw22YANGf7keIeKQQSUiWrIlOBQsXGiNvbc4J6WJqVSaFOpb7BVxEkr4PrBFfAavOCoU5vIGMwCLfVlMzBEGrspmbeExcmVD8hY3FGzIQoA0QaV3ic03OP7rhDqELXFUE0_w2ZV2UdHVEqsk/s640/The%20Trail%20to%20Crooked%20Creek%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVW2kV3LIgB6xV9-CvlO__Ohx4aTL968reSMgVJ-dpMOjpw22YANGf7keIeKQQSUiWrIlOBQsXGiNvbc4J6WJqVSaFOpb7BVxEkr4PrBFfAavOCoU5vIGMwCLfVlMzBEGrspmbeExcmVD8hY3FGzIQoA0QaV3ic03OP7rhDqELXFUE0_w2ZV2UdHVEqsk/w640-h360/The%20Trail%20to%20Crooked%20Creek%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" width="640" /></a></div></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931756400990380483.post-12739028919963365732024-02-28T13:02:00.000+01:002024-02-28T13:02:10.134+01:00Review: Her Scandalous Suitor by Rachel Brimble<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, I'm absolutely delighted to welcome back my dear author friend, <i><b>Rachel Brimble</b></i>. I'm sharing my review of newly released, <b>Her Scandalous Suitor </b>(previously published as <b>The Seduction of Emily</b>). I read the previous version before, but thoroughly enjoyed revisiting Emily's intriguing story. Have a look!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Her Scandalous Suitor</b> is currently on blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources. My thanks to Rachel and The Wild Rose Press for a copy.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkC5kZk6Aj26krNzs10EGp5Fs_iZKeWYeTkjo-uDyu1TaghfIjbBleuftdJvFT_aRzUGnvHOcjr2DcSRxjjvqvCvgRqnc9MPA_2IG9uygGfqQAxo6-_u-UlRh2WY4zgQ8KVEZw5VgBPDCq91y9FtVekSGci7CDoeRuaq83FDT1H3-hZLg8nOWTUq0aCU/s700/Her%20Scandalous%20Suitor.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="700" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkC5kZk6Aj26krNzs10EGp5Fs_iZKeWYeTkjo-uDyu1TaghfIjbBleuftdJvFT_aRzUGnvHOcjr2DcSRxjjvqvCvgRqnc9MPA_2IG9uygGfqQAxo6-_u-UlRh2WY4zgQ8KVEZw5VgBPDCq91y9FtVekSGci7CDoeRuaq83FDT1H3-hZLg8nOWTUq0aCU/w640-h252/Her%20Scandalous%20Suitor.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Her Scandalous Suitor</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Rachel Brimble</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Emily Darson's future seems predetermined for her: she must marry her childhood friend, Nicholas Milne, to consolidate their fathers' shared tobacco business. A contract drawn up a decade earlier by their fathers stipulates that if one of them walks away from the deal, their share of the business goes to the other one.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Emily seems content with the choice, though not altogether happy. She is a forward-thinking young woman, like her mother was, and she hopes the man she's known all her life will respect her views.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">But Nicholas is no longer a childhood friend. He has changed, has become ruthless, and his dismissive attitude towards her wishes grates on her. But with her father dying of lung cancer, she wants to ensure he will be able to leave her in the hands of his late business partner's son.<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">During an auction, at which Nicholas wins a bid for a precious necklace, Emily meets mysterious Will Samson. Clearly not of their class, but she still feels drawn to his open admiration of her. And intrigued by his obvious antagonism towards Nicholas. When their paths cross again, she can't fight the attaction between them, though she's fully aware she's betrothed to Nicholas – whose jealousy grows at every meeting. But it's not jealousy out of love. Nicholas regards her as his property, and that doesn't sit easily with Emily.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Will has come to Bath to seek revenge on Nicholas Milne, the man he blames for his mother's death. Poor, left to fend for herself, his mother had entertained 'male visitors' to make ends meet, and Milne was one of them. But he hadn't just sought sex. The man's degradation of women went far deeper...<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">When Will falls for Emily, and is invited to stay at her house by her father after he helps her following an accident, he is torn. He could use her to get his revenge, but he could not leave her in Milne's hands. No woman was safe from the man's cruelty.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Will they find a way to come together, and also solve the issue of the contract that ties Emily to Nicholas? And will the man have his just punishment, or is Will going to hang for murder? Have a read!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><i>Her Scandalous Suitor</i> is a gripping romantic adventure with fascinating main characters. Emily is the daughter of a wealthy business-owner; Nicholas the son of her father's partner; and Will is a handsome, intelligent rogue keen on revenge. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">We experienced Emily's dilemma in great detail. On one hand, resigned to her marriage, but on the other, those niggling doubts kept returning. But she also thought ahead, of their children inheriting the business. But what was the price she had to pay?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Nicholas is an arrogant, pompous ass (pardon my French). His dismissive attitude towards her, his assumption of a wife being a husband's 'property' (as was the law), and his shady dealings which are revealed as the plot thickens all make you shudder. You wouldn't want Emily to end up in his hands. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">And then there's Will, clearly of the lower classes, with a prostitute mother (though he never refers to her as that, which adds a caring touch to his at times rough demeanour) who tried to make ends meet. He has some funds, which he gained as a painter and sketcher. But he is by no means rich. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><i>Her Scandalous Suitor</i> throws us into a somewhat shady world of the upper classes and their 'keeping up appearances'. Nicholas is a nasty character, good-looking but pretty much dead inside. Emily's modernist views fit well into the setting at a time when women began to voice their discontent with the status quo as chattels. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">You do have to suspend disbelief, however, at times, as the law would certainly have favoured rich men over poor or fallen women, whatever their transgression. But this is a romance, and as such, the ending works out very well, if somewhat easy.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><i>Her Scandalous Suitor</i> is an intriguing Victorian romance that has all the necessary plot twists, a gentle touch of lovemaking, and a social conscience. All those aspects work very well together, in my view. It paints a realistic image of late 19th-century England.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Highly recommended, especially for readers of historical romance who look for more realistic themes in addition to a sweeping romance!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">~~~<br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: 115%;"><b>Blurb: </b></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: 115%;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ns51FCTMMCUVw8kgTzD7cNMblWgGLMWoonHNXEewyoM-HTE_wKjd4CPsfGt-1RmTMzVoOGUHOUEz2wzVxx10mKOGp1Tsjh5UNl3SNdQU92t43HZxO5iUrM7JZ5_ZRy5eKZnJ-zYi8llEw0K_c69fb8Om0rFNr5FtmrH9DWrf_WjQvq-o2ecDKEsCws4/s2244/HSS%20-%20Cover%20(best).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2244" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ns51FCTMMCUVw8kgTzD7cNMblWgGLMWoonHNXEewyoM-HTE_wKjd4CPsfGt-1RmTMzVoOGUHOUEz2wzVxx10mKOGp1Tsjh5UNl3SNdQU92t43HZxO5iUrM7JZ5_ZRy5eKZnJ-zYi8llEw0K_c69fb8Om0rFNr5FtmrH9DWrf_WjQvq-o2ecDKEsCws4/s320/HSS%20-%20Cover%20(best).jpg" width="200" /></a></b></span></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: 115%;">A chance meeting...or so she thought. Is confidence trickster
Will Samson the hero he claims to be or someone else entirely...</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: 115%;">Emily Darson assumed her future of propriety and privilege
amid a loveless marriage was set in stone. At least, she did until confidence
trickster Will Samson came into her life...</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Then everything changed.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">With each revelation about her fiancé and
herself that Will uncovers, he also reveals a little more of who is he, what he
has suffered, and the volatile vengeance that burns in his heart.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Can Emily really risk security for scandal?
Loyalty for love? Only time will tell…</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Buy Links: </span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Her-Scandalous-Suitor-Rachel-Brimble-ebook/dp/B0CQ8VB3BH/"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Her-Scandalous-Suitor-Rachel-Brimble-ebook/dp/B0CQ8VB3BH/</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Her-Scandalous-Suitor-Rachel-Brimble-ebook/dp/B0CQ8VB3BH/"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">https://www.amazon.com/Her-Scandalous-Suitor-Rachel-Brimble-ebook/dp/B0CQ8VB3BH/</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">~~~</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> <br /></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">About the Author: </span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a name="_Hlk511400570"></a><a name="_Hlk58838643"></a><a name="_Hlk107840393"></a><a name="_Hlk517171228"></a><span><span><span><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Rachel
lives in a small town near Bath, England. She is the author of 29 novels
including the Ladies of Carson Street trilogy, the Shop Girl series (Aria
Fiction) and several single titles with The Wild Rose Press. She is super
excited to be the first historical fiction author writing for Harpeth Road
Press and her first novel with them will be released May 2024.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists
Association and the Female Entrepreneur Association and has thousands of social
media followers all over the world.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span></span></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">To sign up for her newsletter (a guaranteed
giveaway every month!), click here: </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://bit.ly/3zyH7dt"><span><span><span><span><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">https://bit.ly/3zyH7dt</span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Connect with Rachel:<br /></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Website: </span><a href="https://bit.ly/3wH7HQs"><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">https://bit.ly/3wH7HQs</span></span></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Twitter: </span></span><a href="https://bit.ly/3AQvK0A"><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">https://bit.ly/3AQvK0A</span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Facebook: </span></span><a href="https://bit.ly/3i49GZ3"><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">https://bit.ly/3i49GZ3</span></span></a><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> <br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Instagram: </span></span><a href="https://bit.ly/3lTQZbF"><span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">https://bit.ly/3lTQZbF</span></span></a></span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</font></style></span><br /></p>Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931756400990380483.post-20800712091729369432024-02-26T12:26:00.000+01:002024-02-26T12:26:33.543+01:00Review: Dude or Die by Lynn Downey<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, I'm delighted to share my review of <b>Dude or Die</b> by <b><i>Lynn Downey</i></b>. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Set on a dude ranch (yes, I had to look it up), it's part mystery, part life on a dude ranch in the mid 1950s. If you're as curious as me about this thrilling adventure reminiscent of the Wild West, read on! It's well worth it...<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Dude or Die</b> is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Find other fascinating posts from the tour <a href="https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2024/01/blog-tour-dude-or-die-by-lynn-downey.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>!<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGDRByq5CghbNawYia4q5HVH4kw-rObc4u8ZyXzJrFQXDnEPzxGaz4xAAj8yoox9ZdJP9PXd5-0A0mEGzdJ2F4cArrfdG3qQYYOjB1WwOdoeM6787eMNLnhuC-dRGxDqDEqWMd5sWitQWAmq6nAypj3kvG711jHhkRA-p-7GPEqDBgLe8S1SrWlN6QGo/s640/Dude%20or%20Die%20Tour%20Banner%201.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGDRByq5CghbNawYia4q5HVH4kw-rObc4u8ZyXzJrFQXDnEPzxGaz4xAAj8yoox9ZdJP9PXd5-0A0mEGzdJ2F4cArrfdG3qQYYOjB1WwOdoeM6787eMNLnhuC-dRGxDqDEqWMd5sWitQWAmq6nAypj3kvG711jHhkRA-p-7GPEqDBgLe8S1SrWlN6QGo/w640-h360/Dude%20or%20Die%20Tour%20Banner%201.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Dude or Die<br /></span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>H Double Bar Dude Ranch Series</i></span></b></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lynn Downey</span></span></b></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Dude or Die</i> begins with an exciting event: a books signing by the main character, Phoebe Kelley, whose book based on a diary she found at her sister-in-law's dude ranch on a previous visit. But whilst she is thrilled about this minor success, she realises it doesn't pay any bills. </span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When she receives an offer to work for a company as a copywriter, she gives it some serious thought – until Mary, her sister-in-law, implies her to join her at H Double Bar dude ranch in the new season in the autumn.</span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It's an easy decision for Phoebe to make, so in August, she lets out her flat to her friend, and heads east, crossing states all the way to Tribulation, Arizona.</span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">There, she learns more about the threat a new ranch is posing to the existing dude ranches. Bigger, with more activities (and plenty of money thrown at it), Phoebe and Mary wonder who the real owner is, and what their plan is. Do they want to bankrupt all other dude ranches around town? It looks like it.</span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">But the women have no proof, so Mary decides to put on a rodeo - dubbed a 'dudeo' – for their visitors. But when small 'accident's happen on the ranch – cut saddle belts and missing items – they suspect that someone wants to sabotage their business. </span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mary is also suspicious of a Nevada couple who'd rented one of her lodges for several months – an unusual deal, especially as the woman shows no interest in the ranch or its activities. But as several regulars have jumped ship, joining the new establishment, Mary has no choice. But something isn't quite right about the couple...</span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Will the dudeo succeed without incident? And will Phoebe and Mary discover more about the elusive owner of the new dude ranch? Well, read the book! </span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSmaAFIGy86COFYBmwtZMo-EaoOPDgMq4CDGNep0J9WRYNV44dVjdga1Z1j9Zh7OQAc-NSDrvLtAnAE7HBcU0E9N8ScCXbqyoeiDqHvvD2VxXLRUqiLDG1jpuakKzzsJQLgrFV9dibgxf4nMolPG555UKU1VJlZYec44hWAXLxkmk92mS65qFTS7bqwfC/s1080/IG%20banner%20Dude%20or%20Die.png" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSmaAFIGy86COFYBmwtZMo-EaoOPDgMq4CDGNep0J9WRYNV44dVjdga1Z1j9Zh7OQAc-NSDrvLtAnAE7HBcU0E9N8ScCXbqyoeiDqHvvD2VxXLRUqiLDG1jpuakKzzsJQLgrFV9dibgxf4nMolPG555UKU1VJlZYec44hWAXLxkmk92mS65qFTS7bqwfC/w200-h200/IG%20banner%20Dude%20or%20Die.png" style="border: medium; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Dude or Die</i> has a wonderful cast: Phoebe, the no-nonsense writer who loves working on the ranch, but has very little riding experience; Mary and Sam, the H Double Bar ranch owners, fabulous, hard-working hosts to their guests; Virgil, the husband of the lady whose diary Phoebe uncovered, and whose story she told in her book...<br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For me, it's these characters who drive this story. The pace itself is slow, gentle, with the odd incident thrown in. It's not a fast-paced mystery. Instead, the focus of the narrative is on the daily work on the ranch, the rides, picnics, trips to town, looking after the guests' welfare, and the dudeo itself! And I found this utterly fascinating.</span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Yes, there are regular hints that not all is well, that the new ranch hides something big, and that the Nevada couple may have sinister intentions. But the way Ms Downey shows us around the ranch, with its people and animals, is revealing a world I didn't know existed. If I say it's a form of Butlins for American city slickers ('dudes'), then we'd get close. But it's far more adventurous and thrilling.</span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">At times, I thought a little more in terms of dialogue could have revealed more about the characters, their actions, their opinions. There was a certain amount of 'telling', which brushed over certain things, and instead, a touch of 'showing' could have given us readers more insights.</span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">But ultimately, the plot centres around the ranch, and that's where Ms Downey's incredible knowledge about the scene comes to the fore. Her research is impeccable, and she describes the world of dude ranches in great, fascinating detail. She makes it sound fun, exciting, and entertaining. And, I guess, that's what it's all about – giving the guests the best experience ever.<br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Dude or Die</i> is a gentle read that takes you on a real Western adventure. Breathe in the country air, learn to live alongside the beautiful horses, and enjoy a fun ride!</span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It's the perfect novel for readers who love a combination of sleuthing alongside an intriguing plot in beautiful surroundings. Check it out!<br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">~~~</span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Blurb: </b></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRblI_NZZfwQYXNTPUgR53zUQ_haYcjjXr9ChhXqX1TZVQv-9v_LwZKQkcrRiD3t5qlP3QeZ3fA4uz_DJIQdYxQ7upTZkEs_18CeR-NSQkKf_fMoHpBQ_5UW-bCtgk_BKl3CbCurvYLfUu-YPX-xG0ESblltAztwa5g3wQpAbOpMAQcU-9uYnaMubfOo/s2700/Dude%20or%20Die-Lynn%20Downey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRblI_NZZfwQYXNTPUgR53zUQ_haYcjjXr9ChhXqX1TZVQv-9v_LwZKQkcrRiD3t5qlP3QeZ3fA4uz_DJIQdYxQ7upTZkEs_18CeR-NSQkKf_fMoHpBQ_5UW-bCtgk_BKl3CbCurvYLfUu-YPX-xG0ESblltAztwa5g3wQpAbOpMAQcU-9uYnaMubfOo/s320/Dude%20or%20Die-Lynn%20Downey.jpg" width="213" /></a></div></b></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b>It’s 1954, and San Francisco writer Phoebe Kelley is enjoying the success of her first novel,<span> </span><i>Lady in the Desert</i>. When Phoebe’s sister-in-law asks her to return to Tribulation, Arizona to help run the H Double Bar Dude Ranch, she doesn’t hesitate. </span><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">There’s competition from a new dude ranch this year, so the H Double Bar puts on a rodeo featuring a trick rider with a mysterious past.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When accidents begin to happen around the ranch, Phoebe jumps in to figure out why, and confronts an unexpected foe. And a man from her own past forces her to confront feelings long buried.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Dude or Die</i><span> </span>is the second book in the award-winning H Double Bar Dude Ranch series.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Buy Link: </span></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://books2read.com/u/b5BVwp" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Universal Buy Link</a></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">~~~<br /></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" />About the Author:<br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></span><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Lynn Downey</b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></span><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Lynn Downey is an award-winning novelist, short story writer, historian of the West, and native Californian.</span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">She was the Historian for Levi Strauss & Co. in San Francisco for 25 years. Her adventures as ambassador for company history took her around the world, where she spoke to television audiences, magazine editors, and university students, appeared in numerous documentaries, and on The Oprah Winfrey Show. She wrote many books and articles about the history of the company and the jeans, and her biography,<span> </span><i>Levi Strauss: The Man Who Gave Blue Jeans to the World</i>, won the Foreword Reviews silver INDIE award.</span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Nzj9x5yWDPCP-in1Et_G8TTXO-LYghi-wCfaSwPkfWGMj7r5PC_AO-Oj14A70BKfKiAeZZLU3yEvI-w3jZ_TAAsERAxirfY6UxbjbvCwqaIQ370zpWd75I_wQ4FTzhfv0vOFdEyv-EpbTWWwNQYhyHPsPu03oNwd6JpfJc3yVd8W-ObGihbHnmOltPJN/s640/Lynn%20Downey-Author%20Photo.jpg" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="534" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Nzj9x5yWDPCP-in1Et_G8TTXO-LYghi-wCfaSwPkfWGMj7r5PC_AO-Oj14A70BKfKiAeZZLU3yEvI-w3jZ_TAAsERAxirfY6UxbjbvCwqaIQ370zpWd75I_wQ4FTzhfv0vOFdEyv-EpbTWWwNQYhyHPsPu03oNwd6JpfJc3yVd8W-ObGihbHnmOltPJN/w167-h200/Lynn%20Downey-Author%20Photo.jpg" style="border: medium; position: relative;" width="167" /></a> <br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Lynn got interested in dude ranches during her time at Levi’s. Her debut historical novel,<span> </span><i>Dudes Rush In</i>, is set on an Arizona dude ranch in the 1950s; Arizona because she’s a desert rat at heart, and the 1950s because the clothes were fabulous.</span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Dudes Rush In</i><span> </span>won a Will Rogers Medallion Award, and placed first in Arizona Historical Fiction at the New Mexico-Arizona book awards. The next book in this series,<span> </span><i>Dude or Die</i>, was released in 2023. And just for fun, Lynn wrote a screenplay based on<span> </span><i>Dudes Rush In</i>, which is currently making the rounds of reviewers and competitions.</span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">She pens short stories, as well. “<i>The Wind and the Widow</i>” took Honorable Mention in the History Through Fiction story contest, and “<i>Incident at the Circle H</i>” was a Finalist for the Longhorn Prize from Saddlebag Dispatches. The story “<i>Goldie Hawn at the Good Karma Café</i>” won second place in The LAURA Short Fiction contest from Women Writing the West, and is based on her experiences in a San Francisco religious cult in the 1970s. (That will be another book one of these days.)</span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Lynn’s latest nonfiction book is<span> </span><i>American Dude Ranch: A Touch of the Cowboy and the Thrill of the West</i>, a cultural history of the dude ranch. It was reviewed in The Wall Street Journal, True West, Cowgirl, and The Denver Post, and was a Finalist for the Next Generation INDIE Award in Nonfiction. Kirkus Reviews said the book is “…deeply engaging and balances accessible writing style with solid research.”</span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When she’s not writing, Lynn works as a consulting archivist and historian for museums, libraries, cultural institutions, and businesses. She is the past president of Women Writing the West, a member of the Western Writers of America, and is on numerous boards devoted to archives and historic preservation. </span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Lynn lives in Sonoma, California, where she sometimes makes wine from the Pinot Noir grapes in her back yard vineyard.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Connect with Lynn:</b></span></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.lynndowney.com/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Website</a> </span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://tumblereadsblog.com/blog-sg/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Blog</a></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; 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--tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhYOjN7LcMjsLP2r4aV1G-xE7CmIKP45bKXp2pDYSDKv610dpOisCXJESRWhgoFbcbRtNvp-fTFmz90XjMYuDYAFa5yibuWU78_WZiodvGlmX9i__g6gX7ic582MIzPx_9aEs15GeIWeuDMwtDK1p-YF3Vs94mU9IIw-aBaHqzlKSSdqq6UQ7Gjc9D6E/s640/Dude%20or%20Die%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhYOjN7LcMjsLP2r4aV1G-xE7CmIKP45bKXp2pDYSDKv610dpOisCXJESRWhgoFbcbRtNvp-fTFmz90XjMYuDYAFa5yibuWU78_WZiodvGlmX9i__g6gX7ic582MIzPx_9aEs15GeIWeuDMwtDK1p-YF3Vs94mU9IIw-aBaHqzlKSSdqq6UQ7Gjc9D6E/w640-h360/Dude%20or%20Die%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></div></div><p> </p>Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931756400990380483.post-86857396396212807832024-02-22T13:25:00.000+01:002024-02-22T13:25:32.063+01:00Review: Cinnamon Girl by Trish MacEnulty<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, I'm thrilled to welcome back author <b><i>Trish MacEnulty</i></b>, with her wonderful coming-of-age tale, <b>Cinnamon Girl</b>. It's a gripping adventure that draws you in. I read it in one go. Don't miss it!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Cinnamon Girl</b> is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Find other fascinating posts <a href="https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2024/01/blog-tour-cinnamon-girl-by-trish-macenulty.html" target="_blank">here</a>!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-jam8DlqgEdnWZRY2U15kLVtLOYgTsi445Ff9xwdqWevtaPjeTBjASNlY3T4gp0fYG02VoSGpyG9mi3zwRN5mlLj78SjFdLAfgSG8QDoxO-YJkiwHFZNlapq8Dt29owmCCs7CW6enO3Uk5TN7BhOVn3Xt9uY5X2wUdMy5rVWdeq5YsDSEo1w7W0Rdtc/s640/Cinnamon%20Girl%20Blog%20Tour%20Banner%201.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-jam8DlqgEdnWZRY2U15kLVtLOYgTsi445Ff9xwdqWevtaPjeTBjASNlY3T4gp0fYG02VoSGpyG9mi3zwRN5mlLj78SjFdLAfgSG8QDoxO-YJkiwHFZNlapq8Dt29owmCCs7CW6enO3Uk5TN7BhOVn3Xt9uY5X2wUdMy5rVWdeq5YsDSEo1w7W0Rdtc/w640-h360/Cinnamon%20Girl%20Blog%20Tour%20Banner%201.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Cinnamon Girl</b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">by Trish MacEnulty</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I didn't really know what to expect from this novel. Usually not a great fan of YA fiction, nonetheless, the blurb had caught my attention, and as a child of the 1970s (though a few years after the protagonist, Eli), I thought the book would bring back some memories.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And boy, was I in for a surprise! Cinnamon Girl had me hooked from the beginning. </span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I started reading the novel one evening around 9.30pm – and I didn't stop until I finished the book at 2am! </span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Without a shadow of a doubt, Cinnamon Girl will feature in my top reads this year. Engaging, intelligent, fast-paced, and full of realistic adventure, I found myself totally mesmerised by Eli's story.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We first meet Eli when she lives with her step-grandmother, English-born opera singer, Mattie. Knowing her career in the limelight of New York, London and Milan was threatened by age and competition, Mattie had created her own opera bubble in Augusta, Georgia. There, she was in charge of a small theatre, and it was in this exciting, vibrant world that Eli grew up. </span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Ever since Eli could remember, Mattie had employed Miz Johnny, of similar age to her, to look after her house, welfare, and Eli. Throughout her time there, Eli always thought that Miz Johnny had it good – in a relatively well-paid (compared to others in her position) employment, treated with respect. But it is only later, during her journey, that Eli realises what she'd taken for granted throughout her childhood was at the expense of their kind, black housekeeper's lack of opportunity for a better job.<br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When Mattie dies of cancer, Eli's father, Billy, comes to take her to his home he shared with his 2nd wife and two little boys. About her mother, Eli only knows that the young woman – an alcoholic – had left when Eli was a toddler, and that Mattie had taken the girl in.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But Eli doesn't want to go with the father she barely knows. She'd much rather elope with Wolfgang, the elder brother of her best friend, Gretchen, from a German American family. Wolfgang is on his way to Canada, to avoid being drafted into the army and shipped to Vietnam. So off they go early one morning, to New York, where he'd made contact to an organisation that, amongst other anti-government 'communist' actions, helped young men avoid having to go to war.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In the big city, she's confronted by a number of challenges set for her: to shoplift and to beg, when the place they were staying was raided and they lost all their belongings. This opens her eyes to another world entirely.<br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Then Wolfgang disappears, and Eli has to change her plan, fast. She goes to stay with Billy and his family after all, and for a while enjoys being a normal teenager – going to school, attending rock concerts at the weekend, and eventually she finds a boyfriend. But trouble is never far away, as Eli's learning curve continues to weave its way through her young life.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTHKaxyft7XTIMMSbTxLyiPgDUx-g8AG0nDdY7B5xPs2syB1jh0LGDXDuzGgbwdbBFKW_F0453rlWCss2WDWkDg08mRm6e2boS8BM8LW8eeM246dFXuH3cbTCc_CaI6dP4ewQfhx4CujbwH-rAKKqyW2NrH6_Vk8L5Q5PsnmzkPBOx7XTZ3aTY3iGaes/s1080/IG%20banner%20Cinnamon%20Girl.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTHKaxyft7XTIMMSbTxLyiPgDUx-g8AG0nDdY7B5xPs2syB1jh0LGDXDuzGgbwdbBFKW_F0453rlWCss2WDWkDg08mRm6e2boS8BM8LW8eeM246dFXuH3cbTCc_CaI6dP4ewQfhx4CujbwH-rAKKqyW2NrH6_Vk8L5Q5PsnmzkPBOx7XTZ3aTY3iGaes/w200-h200/IG%20banner%20Cinnamon%20Girl.png" width="200" /></a></div></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Cinnamon Girl is a captivating story of a young girl growing up in late 1960s / early 1970s America. Ripped from the safety of Mattie's home, she soon learns the hard way about all the social and racial injustice that permeates society. And even amongst the peace-loving hippies and underground revolutionaries, who proclaim to be in favour of same rights for everyone, she finds that sexism, racism, and prejudice are rife.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">On her journey, Eli slowly turns from an innocent, naïve teenager into a young woman who has gained an understanding of the politics of the era (though is everything always as clear-cut as some make it out to be?), including race riots, arrests, and demonstrations that end in the killing by police of innocent bystanders. She learns about the dangers of travelling as a lone female and finding support from unexpected quarters.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">There is an unexpected, clever twist near the end which sets Eli's path in a different direction than she'd anticipated. And then, at last, she has arrived.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Cinnamon Girl is a brilliantly immersive, fast-paced novel full of adventure, revolutions, learning, and inner growth. The author doesn't shy away from showing the dark side of the era, with its political hardline on Vietnam, the smouldering race issues that erupt into open riots, and the communist underground movement aiding draft-dodgers and trying to beat the capitalist system. Ms MacEnulty's research and knowledge of the era is impeccable, and you gain a real sense of 'being there', of experiencing this time of major change and upheaval through Eli's eyes – the eyes of a teenage girl on the cusp of growing up. Through all this, the novel provides readers with a fascinating reading experience that sends you back in time.<br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As I said, I was reading through the night to keep up with Eli and her adventures. She meets a bunch of fascinating people, some of whom are not to be trusted (which I guessed), and her journey is one of learning and discovery, and we, the readers, are with her every step of the way.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A highly recommended read – one I've now added to my list of favourite books!<br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~~~<br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Blurb:<br /></b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="907" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKGbymYSw-DtNnbzD78hUJZGynZFCRl9JsU4WankaJHfTCIK544FZwUsmBTqCNVXaMtHTIBJX8s6xs4JgytiBHQkLMV5m8Oq_8KZBAjjKVn37hSks8nYytmLAVFhUCWPkOdwtvtFq5DhvDs66Kuhz5ZDkIzjFB4x6bD16OqAyicIii5rGsa7upjfRlOTY/w213-h320/Cinammon%20Girl.jpg" style="border: medium; position: relative;" width="213" /></span></span></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Winner of the Gold Medal in YA Fiction from The Historical Fiction Company!</b></span></div><div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When her beloved step-grandmother, a semi-retired opera singer, dies of cancer in 1970, 15-year-old Eli Burnes runs away with a draft-dodger, thinking she's on the road to adventure and romance. What she finds instead is a world of underground Weathermen, Black Power revolutionaries, snitches and shoot-first police.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Eventually Eli is rescued by her father, who turns out both more responsible and more revolutionary than she'd imagined. But when he gets in trouble with the law, she finds herself on the road again, searching for the allies who will help her learn how to save herself.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Buy Link: </b><a href="https://books2read.com/u/3Ldonw" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Universal Buy Link</a></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~~~<br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZbX8ZjiHaWYtvus48abtXFR4u7vSNJctGzwnyki3_VwnzZUTVEgd8cfgtGJFNUPDYgXhCrBXezBbfQrAtAEkxNbGHouhMSBtTtHkZM-DOL0GjTKHqSUfd6uzxP1xLCoM5bAuHJvAXXOJTlUWPL3ID9pp4ziLQ75njTP6339LmXf40lFk_WTenjAtXg/s398/Page%20divider.png" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><br /></a></span></div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>About the Author:<br /></b></span></p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Trish MacEnulty</i></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span>Trish MacEnulty is the author of a historical novel series, literary novels, memoirs, a short story collection, children’s plays, and most recently, the historical coming-of-age novel,<span> </span><i>Cinnamon Girl</i><span> </span>(Livingston Press, Sept. 2023). She has a Ph.D. in English from the Florida State University and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Florida.</span></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2q_YwkPG5KrJ37zciOmGVEfuHg05ccjYfOX0UmYkZ1tWZAUszLkngFeHk-48vvMV3PZ2AqmnBc7rVgq3v7a9A6p1YFrNhD9ineRCCID8EAGIZiWv4kTPIAeh6xoI8-E7y5GPXBiCq579Cib9GJvrm165jTEHNzR4V5ttvHofnesQfgSn_Q-APAJlGNfUZ/s450/Trish%20MacEnulty.jpeg" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="450" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2q_YwkPG5KrJ37zciOmGVEfuHg05ccjYfOX0UmYkZ1tWZAUszLkngFeHk-48vvMV3PZ2AqmnBc7rVgq3v7a9A6p1YFrNhD9ineRCCID8EAGIZiWv4kTPIAeh6xoI8-E7y5GPXBiCq579Cib9GJvrm165jTEHNzR4V5ttvHofnesQfgSn_Q-APAJlGNfUZ/w200-h200/Trish%20MacEnulty.jpeg" style="border: medium; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span> <br /></span></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Trish currently writes book reviews and features for the Historical Novel Society. She lives in Florida with her husband Joe and her two tubby critters, Franco and Tumbleweed. More info at her website:<span> </span><a href="http://trishmacenulty.com/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">trishmacenulty.com</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Connect with Trish:</b></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://trishmacenulty.com/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Website</a> <br /><a href="https://twitter.com/pmacenulty" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100055362621397" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><br />Facebook</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/trishmac_historicalfiction/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><br />Instagram</a><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/Trish-MacEnulty/author/B01G4A797G" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a> <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/trish-macenulty" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><br />BookBub</a> <br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15085884.Trish_MacEnulty" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITeNG7r3Zg0P3CUKVxwaIZMNYG_glA72P3nlB44Fxv36VFVqABb5FY9rXNEGBhAliGQwo6JY9NiU7cu_BWXQiG5EaO22A0ZmuEvpkftWMnTqFX9jJz3LvdMRsIG9Y1s6R5ujFfCMOnpa6UkAfDh_KoCF3mJzcvewxCrXUKHcHoHfb49dLFaxTK-6TfU4/s640/Cinnamon%20Girl%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITeNG7r3Zg0P3CUKVxwaIZMNYG_glA72P3nlB44Fxv36VFVqABb5FY9rXNEGBhAliGQwo6JY9NiU7cu_BWXQiG5EaO22A0ZmuEvpkftWMnTqFX9jJz3LvdMRsIG9Y1s6R5ujFfCMOnpa6UkAfDh_KoCF3mJzcvewxCrXUKHcHoHfb49dLFaxTK-6TfU4/w640-h360/Cinnamon%20Girl%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"> </p>Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931756400990380483.post-33781641294878430072024-02-22T10:56:00.001+01:002024-02-22T10:56:44.111+01:00Promo: Steel Valley by Jerry Madden<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, I'm delighted to welcome author and practicing lawyer, <b><i>Jerry Madden</i></b>, to Ruins & Reading. We're shining a spotlight on his fascinating novel, <b>Steel Valley</b>. Do check it out!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Steel Valley</b> is on Blog Tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club today. Find more details <a href="https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2024/01/blog-tour-steel-valley-by-jerry-madden.html" target="_blank">here</a>!<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKKvCpkduFn-VEWfW5FKEMG2bVCt36qfbaCPWpXN2JCS881RGFm8FaZgriHkpvtpXw1LTbNrQF9VTvrr4aKpKmqDtx2zazhfQmtP8wDs8g6oUAjI2dEBgmNNBpljsPkiLnt6h2boaArCuoN1WNjq5NRBAUNGcuRG2qI15NlYBYH4Enc3b5Vk2VeW3j1Q/s640/Steel%20Valley%20Blog%20Tour%20Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKKvCpkduFn-VEWfW5FKEMG2bVCt36qfbaCPWpXN2JCS881RGFm8FaZgriHkpvtpXw1LTbNrQF9VTvrr4aKpKmqDtx2zazhfQmtP8wDs8g6oUAjI2dEBgmNNBpljsPkiLnt6h2boaArCuoN1WNjq5NRBAUNGcuRG2qI15NlYBYH4Enc3b5Vk2VeW3j1Q/w640-h360/Steel%20Valley%20Blog%20Tour%20Banner.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Steel Valley</b></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /><br /><i><span>Coming of Age in the Ohio Valley in the 1960s</span></i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">by Jerry Madden</span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cOIKAYBBIEK-i6pZYZ-k-Ip0hifvsn92xAzILlehHi0N7H93cebSx79mZcyl1jklVzpiv1IZmKwHEMh4bg5cZScxwJw4R5oUbgnWb9SXf-LsWU3EBbigHQoti5MwkY7szc9fkI3MNmD5DYAst3K6hUZnY8xH7VdpzY0_cDhk_2DSBfs2o7A2Jg4s1tC1/s445/Steel%20Valley%20cover.jpg" style="clear: right; color: black; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cOIKAYBBIEK-i6pZYZ-k-Ip0hifvsn92xAzILlehHi0N7H93cebSx79mZcyl1jklVzpiv1IZmKwHEMh4bg5cZScxwJw4R5oUbgnWb9SXf-LsWU3EBbigHQoti5MwkY7szc9fkI3MNmD5DYAst3K6hUZnY8xH7VdpzY0_cDhk_2DSBfs2o7A2Jg4s1tC1/w213-h320/Steel%20Valley%20cover.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="213" /></a></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>For readers of<span> </span><i>The World Played Chess</i><span> </span>by Robert Dugoni and<span> </span><i>Last Summer Boys</i><span> </span>by Bill Rivers</b></span></div><div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Love is never easy...even in easier times, like the 1950s and 1960s in the Ohio Valley with the steel industry booming.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Second-generation immigrant families were reaching for the American middle class. And Catholic schools-made feasible by selfless Catholic nuns-promised bigger lives for everyone, including Jack Clark and Laurie Carmine. As they spent years searching for their separate futures, though, they were also stumbling toward love just as their world came crashing down.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Steel Valley depicts a story of love longed for, lost, and perhaps still within reach, just as our nation's mythic yesterday became our troubled today, our last summer of innocence.</span></div></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAx8v3Ukp2ai5034Qg4nRUq1rpdOkumE80ZMYMblbxFR1uZP76dw6p8ToSsnqpVSW6DocTerqgy1WOlrVWE2sEWWZRdKVKrqBpq3VDR38R3p7kmni-kv7fQGgWlW0o-zu4T-PMhJT5BQNxHK-q86770FdpI9CDNWvr7Al9DXI88KJGbwabXk8gxrujX8E/s1080/IG%20banner%202%20Steel%20Valley.png" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAx8v3Ukp2ai5034Qg4nRUq1rpdOkumE80ZMYMblbxFR1uZP76dw6p8ToSsnqpVSW6DocTerqgy1WOlrVWE2sEWWZRdKVKrqBpq3VDR38R3p7kmni-kv7fQGgWlW0o-zu4T-PMhJT5BQNxHK-q86770FdpI9CDNWvr7Al9DXI88KJGbwabXk8gxrujX8E/w200-h200/IG%20banner%202%20Steel%20Valley.png" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Buy Link:</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://books2read.com/u/3nGw5K" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Universal Buy Link</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~~~<br /></span></div><p style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>About the Author:<br /></b></span></p><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Jerry Madden</i></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Jerry Madden grew up in the Upper Ohio Valley in the 1960s. He holds a B.A. from the College of Steubenville and law degrees from the University of Dayton School of Law and the Georgetown University Law Center. After law school, Jerry served as the sole law clerk to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio, C. William O'Neill. He served in the United States Marine Corps (R) between 1970 and 1976. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwpyD_YwjNWhHGCan_QBzIfuY0CZqs-GFIPgey8VJt8utpaR91dBrH-Ndpmvs7BnVRWXoewSFtp6Iv2hUxO6PDiqmwGUkrVbof0QcNkPZhL6vDHEuvKmuP7g4HvK2dDN2ZX1bnOkCjcgMlg7Vtapq7GxWbX-_7ckY9gfzNF1B0EdArxZaX114Z0upYtH8/s256/Jerry%20Madden%20author.png" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="256" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwpyD_YwjNWhHGCan_QBzIfuY0CZqs-GFIPgey8VJt8utpaR91dBrH-Ndpmvs7BnVRWXoewSFtp6Iv2hUxO6PDiqmwGUkrVbof0QcNkPZhL6vDHEuvKmuP7g4HvK2dDN2ZX1bnOkCjcgMlg7Vtapq7GxWbX-_7ckY9gfzNF1B0EdArxZaX114Z0upYtH8/w200-h200/Jerry%20Madden%20author.png" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Jerry has practiced law in Washington, D.C., since 1979, including fourteen years at the Department of Justice as a trial and appellate attorney. He is the principal of The Madden Law Group PLLC in Washington, D.C.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, Cyndi, a retired educator. They have two children, Kelsey and Jack, both of whom hold M.Ed. degrees. They have one grandchild, Jamie Maclennan.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><p style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Connect with Jerry:</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://steelvalleymadden.com/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Website</a><br /> <a href="https://twitter.com/JerryMadden1948" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter</a><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jerry-Madden/author/B0BV19VM3F" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a> <br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199752995-steel-valley" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span></p><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_-AME2qSKdNno6YCzL57nYloofAmUInVFRAmJj-iZwY4YdOTcSQDnMWIgwyfG8s1tpUN8VqRCXPaTZXgHB70t72cdYwC6RalUZJP3W0HUqY5eWSYdBKuuaAo343CH8fWcuUdl-bCXnqxaOfQ8Q8RUoy7YQmh3nEdGNb_5sQVGRvcac43Si_MfoCGsuGp/s640/Steel%20Valley%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_-AME2qSKdNno6YCzL57nYloofAmUInVFRAmJj-iZwY4YdOTcSQDnMWIgwyfG8s1tpUN8VqRCXPaTZXgHB70t72cdYwC6RalUZJP3W0HUqY5eWSYdBKuuaAo343CH8fWcuUdl-bCXnqxaOfQ8Q8RUoy7YQmh3nEdGNb_5sQVGRvcac43Si_MfoCGsuGp/w640-h360/Steel%20Valley%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span><br /></div><p> </p>Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931756400990380483.post-74849377789437300582024-02-21T14:05:00.002+01:002024-02-21T14:05:51.800+01:00Review: Murder in the Library by Anita Davison<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, I'm delighted to share my review of <b>Murder in the Library</b> by <b><i>Anita Davison</i></b>. Last year, I read the first book in this new series, <b>Murder in the Bookshop,</b> which I loved. Find my review of that novel <a href="https://ruinsandreading.blogspot.com/2023/08/review-murder-in-the-bookshop.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">My thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books for a copy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSnLI7AO9wGpuKB11S472zRi55Itj8Ou2SYOXOjFxEsuW2-lqHPKYNph5y6JOU5scSRJEKHkKOL8GllMF28ejCdKgJhhl8iKtj3bO5zKv_W1Zqhu4w52RT43qC9CSxm7tzvm9oz4V6vLNL17TSvfsKbWAxyOO8htaWPuBPwknX9-8RO-T3Q86_M-WcLM/s700/Murder%20in%20the%20Library.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="700" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSnLI7AO9wGpuKB11S472zRi55Itj8Ou2SYOXOjFxEsuW2-lqHPKYNph5y6JOU5scSRJEKHkKOL8GllMF28ejCdKgJhhl8iKtj3bO5zKv_W1Zqhu4w52RT43qC9CSxm7tzvm9oz4V6vLNL17TSvfsKbWAxyOO8htaWPuBPwknX9-8RO-T3Q86_M-WcLM/w640-h252/Murder%20in%20the%20Library.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Murder in the Library</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Anita Davison</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Several months after having found her best friend, Lily-Anne, dead in Aunt Violet's bookshop – and after having to rebuild it following bombardment – Hannah volunteers part-time at a local hospital library, coordinating the lending of books to recuperating soldiers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When she arrives one morning to find the large auditorium, from where the library is run, locked, she wonders why but thinks nothing much of it. As she tidies up the shelves, she notices that the curtain of the stage in the room is drawn. But when she opens it, she comes across the dead body of a soldier, lying in a pool of blood. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When Detective Inspector Farrell arrives, he pretends not to know her, and this suits Hannah well as she volunteers to snoop around a bit, listening in to conversations. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">She soon discovers that the dead man, Sergeant Tillman, was hugely unpopular amongst the other patients, and had run-ins with a number of staff and fellow injured soldiers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But when a young nurse, Alice, who had confided in her that she fears she was being followed, suddenly disappears, Hannah is set on discovering what happened – and if the girl's disappearance is somehow linked to the murder. But in doing so, she finds herself in the killer's sights!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Can she avoid a tragic fate and help save Alice? Or has Hannah gone too far this time? Well, read the novel!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxD7zDBVV_SB8sDPVAann8bMUD4i3EhptRB8ldChoy-XnRyIMfz2JbWCYb-bR6yHoPx1nHE3I9HzDBPzf_pjxvF25pqLyrNMmKBcvMNAfz2EGsHKqMAH21e5o_SMP73Omuy5KoruU4-hKHVsEhanPIKWEaI41Pc-Hjx1yuREbr4LLDJtMH3Q-ibQQ7uM/s1080/9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxD7zDBVV_SB8sDPVAann8bMUD4i3EhptRB8ldChoy-XnRyIMfz2JbWCYb-bR6yHoPx1nHE3I9HzDBPzf_pjxvF25pqLyrNMmKBcvMNAfz2EGsHKqMAH21e5o_SMP73Omuy5KoruU4-hKHVsEhanPIKWEaI41Pc-Hjx1yuREbr4LLDJtMH3Q-ibQQ7uM/s320/9.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Murder in the Library</i> is full of clever twists and unexpected turns. We have several suspects, and there is a growing sense of tension as the story progresses. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The setting is, again, expertly researched, and the author gives us a real glimpse at everyday life in London during WWI. Life didn't grind to a halt because there was a war on, so it's fascinating to read about how ordinary people coped with the daily threats. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Hannah is a fabulous character, with an open mind and a curious nature. And Aunt Violet is delightfully eccentric. Their characters really make the story.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Murder in the Library</i> is a worthy sequel to <i>Murder in the Bookshop</i>, and I'm looking forward to the next novel in the series. Clearly, Hannah shouldn't be anywhere near a bookshelf, or more bodies will turn up... In truth, hope so!<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Murder in the Library</i> reads well as a standalone story, but I think the introductions to the characters and their relationships with each other provided in <i>Murder in the Bookshop</i> will help get a clear image from the start.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Another exciting murder mystery by Anita Davison. Do check it out!<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~~~</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Blurb:</b></span>
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 11.0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6mWBosdgtCgII-0wvq-lxLupWZrMcGMOc-ovRuHuTcp6Sm2efk4ntJY1ZHjgYOjmmDDp7Ra2r1mSiA5X4gfCZgKJylqOpqVBaKzae9HEwsuEp3SS4NMVkdwzLOycjS4curxXek4WKr3O_2b5I3dggHIYIc1gsRNxKDBsI-yiecodOqNNf8R9qx-9548/s2729/Murder%20in%20the%20library%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2729" data-original-width="1778" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6mWBosdgtCgII-0wvq-lxLupWZrMcGMOc-ovRuHuTcp6Sm2efk4ntJY1ZHjgYOjmmDDp7Ra2r1mSiA5X4gfCZgKJylqOpqVBaKzae9HEwsuEp3SS4NMVkdwzLOycjS4curxXek4WKr3O_2b5I3dggHIYIc1gsRNxKDBsI-yiecodOqNNf8R9qx-9548/s320/Murder%20in%20the%20library%20cover.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #0f1111; line-height: 150%;"><b>A body in a hospital isn’t so unusual. Unless they’ve been
murdered! </b></span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #0f1111; line-height: 150%;">1916, London: Keen to support the war effort, bookshop
manager and sometime amateur sleuth Hannah Merrill has taken a volunteer role
in the library of the nearby military hospital. But arriving at the hospital
one cold winter’s morning, she is horrified to find the body of a dead soldier
in the library.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #0f1111; line-height: 150%;">What’s more, a beautiful young nurse confides in Hannah
that she thinks she’s being followed, and then she abruptly disappears. Hannah
can’t shake the suspicion that the two cases are connected, but she can’t solve
the case alone. She’ll once again need to call upon her delightful, demanding,
only-occasionally devious aunt, Violet. The two women know they must find the
missing nurse before it’s too late… but they don’t realise they’re now both in
the killer’s sights.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #0f1111; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Buy Link: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://mybook.to/MurderLibrarySocial"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">https://mybook.to/MurderLibrarySocial</span></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">~~~</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; line-height: 115%;">About the </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;">Author: </span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;">Anita Davison </span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;"> </span></b></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;">Anita is the author of Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet Mysteries set in WWI from Boldwood Books. Murder in the Bookshop was released in August 2023, and the second in the series, Murder in the Library, in February 2024.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG90HT16Th-pM7QiRcxCxfjc5LL2au3tjrfIN2gXI7EEVoeeMgGYCNx9MAH5QLrjvCa5wBBvRGlc6Yp2k-itmv40uBAaMb9xwEqhlnDOD9QxAGYM7c8QvwwMHYrgNPpGG6VWZrfX4NUZeFHAoz_iTqfJwdeQoW-fDU_TGYUy4Cgpdm9S2ow36MUQOqe7M/s4016/Anita%20S%20Davison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="4016" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG90HT16Th-pM7QiRcxCxfjc5LL2au3tjrfIN2gXI7EEVoeeMgGYCNx9MAH5QLrjvCa5wBBvRGlc6Yp2k-itmv40uBAaMb9xwEqhlnDOD9QxAGYM7c8QvwwMHYrgNPpGG6VWZrfX4NUZeFHAoz_iTqfJwdeQoW-fDU_TGYUy4Cgpdm9S2ow36MUQOqe7M/w200-h200/Anita%20S%20Davison.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; line-height: 150%;"></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; line-height: 150%;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;">Connect with Anita: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;"><span> <br /></span></span></span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</style></p>Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931756400990380483.post-56311986982499426762024-02-15T11:32:00.001+01:002024-02-15T11:33:30.961+01:00Promo: A Grave Every Mile by David Fitz-Gerald<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I'm delighted to welcome back US author, <i><b>David Fitz-Gerald</b></i>. He has written a fascinating new series, <i>Ghosts along the Oregon Trail</i>, and today, we're sharing an excerpt from book 1 in the series, <b>A Grave Every Mile</b>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Do check it out!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>A Grave Every Mile</b> is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. You'll find other enticing extracts from the novel <a href="https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2024/01/blog-tour-a-grave-every-mile-by-david-fitzgerald.html" target="_blank">here</a>!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uzsQSxpEKiZosblVrlJpqTtpKr664eNDNS3kZoaAvRbzOpQkVgFt1fFzTkAcMTeTaTACh01DV_MIbhisYuCVy5HDy5P8Is0deUIfsuM1Z3hQ26lzG51ApJSz-9CRZnTf8XUS06HLlHVRgUx_4fQL4LmyUfwMaaegKgCskKdPFPIIvpW4DtiUieGkcV0/s640/A%20Grave%20Every%20Mile%20Blog%20Tour%20Banner.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uzsQSxpEKiZosblVrlJpqTtpKr664eNDNS3kZoaAvRbzOpQkVgFt1fFzTkAcMTeTaTACh01DV_MIbhisYuCVy5HDy5P8Is0deUIfsuM1Z3hQ26lzG51ApJSz-9CRZnTf8XUS06HLlHVRgUx_4fQL4LmyUfwMaaegKgCskKdPFPIIvpW4DtiUieGkcV0/w640-h360/A%20Grave%20Every%20Mile%20Blog%20Tour%20Banner.png" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">A Grave Every Mile</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">David Fitz-Gerald</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Excerpt:</b></span></p><p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span color="windowtext">Excerpt</span><span color="windowtext"> </span><span color="windowtext">from Chapter 1</span><span color="windowtext" lang="EN-GB">:</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span color="windowtext" lang="EN-GB"> </span><span lang="EN-GB"> <br /></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span color="windowtext"><i>Independence, Missouri, April 13, 1850</i></span><span> <br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">It is late afternoon by the time everyone
has completed and stowed their purchases. We’re about to climb into our wagons
when we notice townspeople scurrying from the streets and boardwalks, taking
cover indoors.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">A couple of tough-looking men appear on
the street, facing each other, hands hovering at their sides, guns in their
holsters. This isn’t like the young men throwing fists a few hours earlier. The
air feels thick with tension. I swallow hard and realize that one of the two
men is about to die. We hasten around the corner onto Liberty Street just as
the sound of gunfire explodes in the air.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">I was the last to make it safely around
the bend and the first to peek back around the corner.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">One man stands, leaning backward, arms
stretched and laughing menacingly. The other has dropped where he stood, limbs
akimbo, in a heap on the muddy street.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">People who had ducked for cover moments
earlier return to get a closer look. A thin man in a brown vest steps into the
street. Two men follow closely behind him, amble toward the dead body, lift the
man from the road, and carry him away like doing so is an everyday occurrence.
This town is nothing like the ones back home. Though I don't know them, I'm
curious about the quarrel that compelled their duel.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Larkin steps forward, Dahlia Jane in his
arms, and says, “Let’s go now. If we survive Independence, the rest of the
trail should be easy.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">A shiver halts me briefly, as Larkin’s
prediction of smooth sailing ahead disappears into the air. We climb into the
wagon and I turn, notice that Rose is missing, glancing about, hoping to spot
her. She’s halfway to the place where the gunfighter fell in the mud. I shout
for her to come back, but she doesn’t seem to hear me. I leap from the wagon.
More mud splatters my dress, but I run to find her.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">When I catch up to Rose, she’s rounding
the corner, seemingly following the men who carried the dead body. Where are
they now?</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">I’m right beside Rose, yet she still
doesn’t happen to hear me. I reach for her shoulders, shake her gently, and
repeat her name. She glances at me quickly, then looks back up the street,
directly at a building with a sign that reads, “Undertaker.” The foul air reeks
of rotten eggs, moldy bread, and hot manure. I guess that’s what decaying human
bodies smell like. As the carried corpse disappears within the structure, Rose
turns back toward our wagon without a word.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">When I catch up to her again, I ask,
“Rose, honey. Is there something the matter? Do you want to talk about it?”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">She shrugs. “No. Why, Mama?”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">I’m confused. It’s like nothing has
happened, or she has already forgotten about following the cadaver. I shake my
head and wonder where her mind goes sometimes.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Usually, we walk alongside the wagon but
this evening, we ride as passengers while Larkin walks beside our team of six
oxen, in three teams of two, led by Hardtack, our gentle giant, and Scrapple,
his partner.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Larkin never rides in the wagon, because
he says it makes him seasick. An hour later, we join a dozen wagons, already
settled into an encampment.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Our boys, Andrew and Christopher, who are
eleven and nine, tend the oxen, and Larkin pitches a tent beside the wagon. It
is harder than usual to make sleeping space among our belongings with extra
provisions crowding our confined footage. With limited space inside the
vehicle, Larkin and the boys will sleep in a tent, while the girls and I
slumber under the cover of a canvas wagon bonnet, crowded by cargo.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Last fall, we left our home, in the
Adirondack Mountains of New York State, moving as swiftly as oxen can go,
arriving in Missouri before the worst of winter’s weather. We rented a vacant
cabin with our friends for a couple of months, living together in tight
quarters before striking out again, arriving in Independence early this
morning. It's hard to complain about all the things we left behind when
everything we own is packed into such a small space. I almost wish we'd left
more things behind.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">When I finish tucking the girls in, I
nestle myself among sacks of provisions and inhale deeply. The rich, sweet
smell of cornmeal fills my nostrils and I close my eyes. I should be thinking
about rolling forward into the future with my family, but all I can think about
is the dashing assistant wagon master, Agapito Huerta Delgado. What kind of a
name is that? Where we’re from, nobody has such musical sounding names.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">Even if I were unmarried, it would be
foolish to think about such a handsome man. My mother always told me that the
good-looking ones are nothing but trouble. I tell myself that I am happily
married, but sometimes, I am not a good listener.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;">~~~<br /></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></p><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Blurb:</b></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Embark on a harrowing trek across the rugged American frontier in 1850. Your wagon awaits, and the untamed wilderness calls. This epic western adventure will test the mettle of even the bravest souls.</b></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Dorcas Moon and her family set forth in search of opportunity and a brighter future. Yet, what awaits them is a relentless gauntlet of life-threatening challenges: miserable weather, ravenous insects, scorching sunburns, and unforgiving terrain. It's not merely a battle for survival but a test of their unity and sanity.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Amidst the chaos, Dorcas faces ceaseless trials: her husband's unending bickering, her daughter's descent into madness, and the ever-present danger of lethal rattlesnakes, intensifying the peril with each step. The specter of death looms large, with diseases spreading and the eerie howls of rabid wolves piercing the night. Will the haunting image of wolves desecrating a grave push Dorcas over the edge?</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">With each mile, the migration poses a haunting question: Who will endure the relentless quest to cross the continent, and who will leave their bones to rest beside the trail? The pathway is bordered by graves, a chilling reminder of the steep cost of dreams.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>A Grave Every Mile</i><span> </span>marks the commencement of an unforgettable saga. Start reading Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail now to immerse yourself in an expedition where every decision carries the weight of life, death, and the pursuit of a brighter future along the Oregon Trail.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></b></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: transparent;">Watch the Series Trailer:</b></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://youtu.be/sWvp6dtbXvA" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/sWvp6dtbXvA</a></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VbwssLKr9nDrJWttbCp661zYJuvFe2veQUn2Wh07sP38m8N5Y9DJjVlhgMitlkDWqhQN37BCeYM34NnDKlENLo4TxZ1B6bA3bwXYi2JncxhpYjMNa1FU1bOovnsL86QDx6JYcIejdst5IvW0HGs6jaLvkRFu0S899erBqUn8X7iAupL91fsc3PyAnooR/s1080/IG%20banner%202%20A%20Grave%20Every%20Mile.png" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VbwssLKr9nDrJWttbCp661zYJuvFe2veQUn2Wh07sP38m8N5Y9DJjVlhgMitlkDWqhQN37BCeYM34NnDKlENLo4TxZ1B6bA3bwXYi2JncxhpYjMNa1FU1bOovnsL86QDx6JYcIejdst5IvW0HGs6jaLvkRFu0S899erBqUn8X7iAupL91fsc3PyAnooR/w200-h200/IG%20banner%202%20A%20Grave%20Every%20Mile.png" style="border: medium; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></span></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Buy Link: </span></span><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://books2read.com/agem" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Universal Buy Link</a></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.</span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">~~~<br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></span><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>About the Author:</b></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b> </b></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>David Fitz-Gerald</i></span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">David Fitz-Gerald writes westerns and historical fiction. He is the author of twelve books, including the brand-new series, Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail set in 1850. Dave is a multiple Laramie Award, first place, best in category winner; a Blue Ribbon Chanticleerian; a member of Western Writers of America; and a member of the Historical Novel Society.</span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4epL1EqxhGszVIgWe0xqSxE-eE47-00D7ntj4Sc5zjODcTF3mk2-m49324gU6smMy5eGdLKq7FKnooAeUOG_OwaX4LdGlPITrwUu4a8vt494X0vSpzBltqXotEdEJ38wIMDHi3QiINlbd8bzEI0weyNEBq-6ntS8t93BuPDCo6XmKGzP-xwu3_7Opa089/s1080/David%20Fitz-Gerald.jpg" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4epL1EqxhGszVIgWe0xqSxE-eE47-00D7ntj4Sc5zjODcTF3mk2-m49324gU6smMy5eGdLKq7FKnooAeUOG_OwaX4LdGlPITrwUu4a8vt494X0vSpzBltqXotEdEJ38wIMDHi3QiINlbd8bzEI0weyNEBq-6ntS8t93BuPDCo6XmKGzP-xwu3_7Opa089/w200-h200/David%20Fitz-Gerald.jpg" style="border: medium; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></span></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Alpine landscapes and flashy horses always catch Dave’s eye and turn his head. He is also an Adirondack 46-er, which means that he has hiked to the summit of the range’s highest peaks. As a mountaineer, he’s happiest at an elevation of over four thousand feet above sea level.</span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Dave is a lifelong fan of western fiction, landscapes, movies, and music. It should be no surprise that Dave delights in placing memorable characters on treacherous trails, mountain tops, and on the backs of wild horses<span style="background-color: transparent;">.</span></span></div></div></div></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWU_LNxBcnYlmlIf79zg12nCuHTWjqM7_zRqjBYdRJlylXGqDh-kbTAzrXBxJgrm5Stromkr5oDgJuRXx23brRWOoqVu4-0O1g5_dQjBt4h0EEMmtLHWhLEtOFWt46TwRPQ3Iyv_ynNV8m7meGfZeFhkLA1TUqiGFZu_AuZ8MZuktIA170j65oO7UDh0/w640-h360/A%20Grave%20Every%20Mile%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p> </p><p> </p>Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931756400990380483.post-71909601770983731242024-02-14T10:39:00.000+01:002024-02-14T10:39:25.429+01:00Promo: Anywhere But Schuylkill by Michael Dunn<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, I'm thrilled to welcome author <b>Michael Dunn</b>. He's sharing an excerpt from his new novel, <i><b>Anywhere But Schuylkill</b></i>. Based on real events, it makes for fascinating reading. Have a look! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Anywhere But Schuylkill</i></b> is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Find other interesting posts <a href="https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2023/12/blog-tour-anywhere-but-schuylkill-by-michael-dunn.html" target="_blank">here</a>!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw46OYsprtufr9hfJPMpzxwyw0dy_Hsh5hym4wBPDg5C6fWF7uq1dhOdtGEejYdpPL1prBaTa3ySWqRYJ57f0_5vKf837q-r7fwd1c-JpkH8OVHOZEbQWY-1MB_spQMkuoiGa96OyXv60W9fmC3QML3cM4MRYD7SMCvY0hLqdtlcy8IrlUZz6X9OwtEX8/s640/Anywhere%20but%20Schuylkill%20Tour%20Banner%202.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw46OYsprtufr9hfJPMpzxwyw0dy_Hsh5hym4wBPDg5C6fWF7uq1dhOdtGEejYdpPL1prBaTa3ySWqRYJ57f0_5vKf837q-r7fwd1c-JpkH8OVHOZEbQWY-1MB_spQMkuoiGa96OyXv60W9fmC3QML3cM4MRYD7SMCvY0hLqdtlcy8IrlUZz6X9OwtEX8/w640-h360/Anywhere%20but%20Schuylkill%20Tour%20Banner%202.png" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Anywhere But Schuylkill</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Michael Dunn</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Excerpt:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span lang="EN-US">Robbing the
Pillars</span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">“Two
hundred fifty tons!” Tom said, sweeping his hands in front of him to indicate
how little coal was left in their breast. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">“I
don’t know,” said Coyne. “Two fifty’s a lot for a coupla beginners.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">Mike
sloshed closer, examining the face. Tiny cascades trickled from cracks in the
ribs and ceiling. Droplets plunked his head and frigid water seeped into his
boots. The musty odor of black powder lingered in the air. One mistake now and
they could hit a pocket, flood themselves, bring the overburden down on their
heads. He wished they had already moved on to a new breast, far away, and were
finished here forever. His old fear of riding the cage seemed absurd, pathetic,
in comparison.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">“Ye
think that little of us?” Tom flexed his biceps. “Feel
that? Solid steel!”</span></span></p>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; tab-stops: 315.0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; tab-stops: 315.0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">“Alright.” Coyne laughed. “So ye got some
guns on ye. Just keep </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">em to
yourself or you’ll wind up in jail with McKenna. Every time he gets soaked, he
nearly kills someone.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">“Don’t
worry.” Tom patted his biceps. “We ain’t like McKenna.
We only use ours for good. Right, Mikey? Ten buggy-loads a day for the past
month.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">“Psst.”
Mike grabbed a spade and started shoveling. “Look who’s coming.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">Rhys
emerged from the crossheading, hunched over, his face knotted up as though he
was trying not to puke. “Dag blame you, Coyne! How long you been shirking here
with the kids?”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">“Seconds.”
Coyne frowned. “Shoofly just left.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">“I’ve
already been at it for hours, ye scoundrel. Plenty of coal for you to load. And
when you’re done, I want you to finish her off.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">“Rob
the pillars?”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">Rhys
moved closer, until he was inches from Coyne’s face. “Exactly.” </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">Mike
dropped his spade. Tom had backed into the face, as if
that would save him from the coming disaster.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">“You’re
mad!” Coyne protested. “Side pillars are already too thin. Won’t be able to
bear the extra weight. It’s suicide!”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">Rhys
pushed even closer to Coyne, until their chests were nearly bumping. “Gotta be
done.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">Coyne
took a step back. “Remember what happened last time? Want two more dead lads on
your conscience?”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">“Your
choice, Coyne. Plenty of men would gladly take your job if you don’t want it.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">Mike
had known this time would come; he just wasn’t expecting it so soon. Every day,
as they burrowed deeper, the pillars got thinner and they had to add more
timbers and props to support the roof. Cutting away a pillar was like removing
a wall of a house while still inside, just to recover a few nails. A good miner
could sometimes pull it off. Other times there’d be a chain reaction.
Neighboring breasts would collapse, crushing everyone in the vicinity. Coyne
always said the owners should just abandon the breasts when they reached this
point, but they seldom did, especially not in desperate little coll’ries like
Plank Ridge, where the process had been on the rise ever since the Depression
began.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">“Tell
ye what,” Coyne said. “<span>If</span><i> ye</i> do it, I’ll haul the entire load
myself. If it collapses on your head, I’ll dig ye out first, then load it all
up.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">“I’ll
tell <i>you</i> what. You can follow orders or leave. But don’t bother coming
back.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">Coyne
picked up a spade. Mike thought he was going to bash Rhys over the head, but he
just tossed it to him. “Better unemployed than dead.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">“Blast
it, Coyne!” Rhys threw the spade back at his feet and stomped away. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">Coyne
leaned closer to Mike and Tom, stone-faced. “Keep your eyes and ears open,
lads. If the overburden comes down next door, ye could still get it on the
noggin in here.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">Mike’s
fingers were ice cold. He wanted to leave. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">“What
about Jimmy? He in any danger?”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">“Don’t
think so.” Coyne cleared his throat. “But I’ll warn him on my way out.” </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a name="_Hlk105663019" style="font-family: georgia;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span lang="EN-US">Tom took a chew of
tobacco and passed it to Mike. “This don’t feel right.”</span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">“No,
it doesn’t.” Mike’s mouth filled with saliva and he spat. His skin itched with
sweat, even though they hadn’t started working. He reached for a pick, but
knocked all the spades over. “Dammit! Let’s just leave. Coyne wouldn’t’ve quit
if the risk wasn’t serious.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">“Ye
think we’ll still have jobs tomorrow?”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">“Probably
not.” </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">
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box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>In 1877, twenty Irish coal miners hanged for a terrorist conspiracy that never occurred.</b></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Anywhere But Schuylkill</i><span> </span>is the story of one who escaped, Mike Doyle, a teenager trying to keep his family alive during the worst depression the nation has ever faced. Banks and railroads are going under.</span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Children are dying of hunger. The Reading Railroad has slashed wages and hired Pinkerton spies to infiltrate the miners’ union. And there is a sectarian war between rival gangs.</span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But none of this compares with the threat at home.</span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Praise for Anywhere but Schuylkill:</b></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>"In the tradition of Upton Sinclair and Jack London, Michael Dunn gives us a gritty portrait of working-class life and activism during one of the most violent eras in U.S. labor history. Anywhere but Schuylkill is a social novel built out of passion and the textures of historical research. It is both a tale of 1870s labor unrest and a tale for the inequalities and injustices of the twenty-first century."</i></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~ Russ Castronovo, author of Beautiful Democracy and Propaganda 1776.</span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>"Michael Dunn has created the characters that bring the 19th Century's Mine Wars to life for today's readers. Anywhere but Schuylkill will remind readers of John Sayles and Tillie Olsen and the best in the long tradition of labor literature."</i></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~ James Tracy, co-author of Hillbilly Nationalists, Urban Race Rebels, and Black Power: Interracial Solidarity in 1960s-70s New Left Organizing </span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>"The Banshees of Inisherin and 1917 are two of the best historical films I've seen in recent years, particularly the cinematography. Yet the visuals Michael Dunn creates in Anywhere But Schuylkill, are richer, more vivid, more imaginative, and more haunting and indelible than what I recall in those brilliant films. It's like the author transports himself to each scene and brings to life each physical detail, each expression, each emotion, and each word of dialogue with the care of a Renaissance painter."</i></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~ David Aretha, award-winning author of Malala Yousafzai and the Girls of Pakistan, and Martin Luther King Jr. and the 1963 March on Washington. </span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCUw9-6RY8bW5ud8tlzyAMhJciz2QcmnEIYtf4kQtOMH_spkIaOveLas7U-ZnTd9yy8kX7zKRphtWggLILBH8iCHZoqiTOteZkD9x_5-_t_epCAAaWp7Cn8Y4lOpaqazy6Asmqqldhmmum53m5RblqhAIt34o7eHHR0c2YN0eo0mdHerUX5EqKTkWqQMl/s1080/IG%20banner%20Anywhere%20but%20Schuylkill.png" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCUw9-6RY8bW5ud8tlzyAMhJciz2QcmnEIYtf4kQtOMH_spkIaOveLas7U-ZnTd9yy8kX7zKRphtWggLILBH8iCHZoqiTOteZkD9x_5-_t_epCAAaWp7Cn8Y4lOpaqazy6Asmqqldhmmum53m5RblqhAIt34o7eHHR0c2YN0eo0mdHerUX5EqKTkWqQMl/w200-h200/IG%20banner%20Anywhere%20but%20Schuylkill.png" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Buy Link: </span></span><a href="https://books2read.com/u/496Ag0" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Universal Buy Link</a></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">~~~<br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">About the Author:</span></span></span></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></span><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Michael Dunn</i></span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></span><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Michael Dunn writes Working-Class Fiction from the Not So Gilded Age.<span> </span><i>Anywhere But Schuylkill</i><span> </span>is the first in his Great Upheaval trilogy.</span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyBPGhybqdd0V-zeHTIYlze3zNPqw2w7INIYRB2tPjUwIxtD03HyKVZB8GUTV1MC9iW2At5RWrwCmy_ujVk75vPPtKzOEZDm6qoX94rieCanUgalto4_6Y_kQ6hCOiq1cpNu9viaPp6xNH9QE8bQYHqqbXyXK8yf5hgSLHJQWI36jURwN46ilX9te1jhV1/s635/Michael%20Dunn.jpg" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="610" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyBPGhybqdd0V-zeHTIYlze3zNPqw2w7INIYRB2tPjUwIxtD03HyKVZB8GUTV1MC9iW2At5RWrwCmy_ujVk75vPPtKzOEZDm6qoX94rieCanUgalto4_6Y_kQ6hCOiq1cpNu9viaPp6xNH9QE8bQYHqqbXyXK8yf5hgSLHJQWI36jURwN46ilX9te1jhV1/w192-h200/Michael%20Dunn.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="192" /></a></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A lifelong union activist, he has always been drawn to stories of the past, particularly those of regular working people, struggling to make a better life for themselves and their families. Stories most people do not know, or have forgotten, because history is written by the victors, the robber barons and plutocrats, not the workers and immigrants. Yet their stories are among the most compelling in America. They resonate today because they are the stories of our own ancestors, because their passions and desires, struggles and tragedies, were so similar to our own.</span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When Michael Dunn is not writing historical fiction, he teaches high school, and writes about labor history and culture.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Connect with Michael:</b></span></span></p></div></div></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://michaeldunnauthor.com/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Website</a> <br /></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; 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text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter</a> </span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; 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font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/michaeldunnauthor/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; 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outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/45063197.Michael_Dunn" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; clear: both; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCkGKPZSxauP5N1klauT0bRgZqe7d8lh_phCnRahNqKMJhTeQLsyMPGFUoWEwwzx-ALzYeiT5QBwTMzCXOWKKitkOMmyxp3qStV1XwGZpEBSfRlm8ds7QhwK-oxtK_xzGejJ2FqrMRECe43LQYcHd2JrUg944dRH8BJHqZBm22pYpaPnPoecjuJUkRnvo/s640/Anywhere%20but%20Schuylkill%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCkGKPZSxauP5N1klauT0bRgZqe7d8lh_phCnRahNqKMJhTeQLsyMPGFUoWEwwzx-ALzYeiT5QBwTMzCXOWKKitkOMmyxp3qStV1XwGZpEBSfRlm8ds7QhwK-oxtK_xzGejJ2FqrMRECe43LQYcHd2JrUg944dRH8BJHqZBm22pYpaPnPoecjuJUkRnvo/w640-h360/Anywhere%20but%20Schuylkill%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><p> </p>Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931756400990380483.post-83664062126524308312024-02-01T17:09:00.001+01:002024-02-01T17:09:14.300+01:00Vote for Love Lost in Time as Cover of the Month<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Hello, lovely followers!<br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">They say not to judge a book by its cover but I need you to do just that. If you liked the cover of my book, <b>Love Lost in Time: A compelling dual-timeline tale of discovery and redemption</b>, please vote for it for the Cover of the Month contest on AllAuthor.com! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I’m getting closer to clinch the "Cover of the Month" contest on AllAuthor! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I’d need as much support from you guys. Please take a short moment to vote for my book cover here: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://allauthor.com/cover-of-the-month/17230/" rel="dofollow"><img src="https://allauthor.com/book/big/20240130190435.jpg" /> Click to Vote!</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Your help is much appreciated. Thank you! 💖 <br /></span></p><p> </p>
Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931756400990380483.post-85955867638515958352024-01-31T10:22:00.001+01:002024-01-31T10:22:30.434+01:00Promo: Imperatrix by S.P. Somtow<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, I'm delighted to welcome renowned author and composer <b><i>S.P. Somtow</i></b> to Ruins & Reading. We're sharing a snippet from his new release, <b>Imperatrix</b>. It's Book 2 in his Nero and Sporus series, based on the true story of a young man abducted and sold as a sex slave in ancient Rome, where he comes to the emperor's attention. Well worth checking out!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Imperatrix is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Check out all the other fascinating posts <a href="https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2024/01/blog-tour-imperatrix-by-sp-somtow.html" target="_blank">here</a>! <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkElGdI5jLje6ghJd2I1Zi4kkEf_6i0UYVYSfwiTygoHCgi8UxPmdio71Y2cF_6ZUawstogcnoyYDNqo5-4zvswfm4JR1Gqfw5j9lgYn2RSiOkTgcs1XVxCY4UmUhApsol_bUVGvHO744vzTdTE9X-XXVbn38GzfVM_dOJaslZxtx7Jrysot63u0lChc/s640/Imperatrix%20Tour%20Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkElGdI5jLje6ghJd2I1Zi4kkEf_6i0UYVYSfwiTygoHCgi8UxPmdio71Y2cF_6ZUawstogcnoyYDNqo5-4zvswfm4JR1Gqfw5j9lgYn2RSiOkTgcs1XVxCY4UmUhApsol_bUVGvHO744vzTdTE9X-XXVbn38GzfVM_dOJaslZxtx7Jrysot63u0lChc/w640-h360/Imperatrix%20Tour%20Banner.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Imperatrix</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Nero and Sporus, Book 2</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">S.P. Somtow </span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Snippet:</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;">
</p><p class="Body"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">I</span></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 290.0pt 290.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 11.25pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="color: #353535;"><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span>“</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535;">Have
another brain,” said the Emperor, feeding me Himself.</span><span lang="EN-US"></span></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 290.0pt 290.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 11.25pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="color: #353535;"><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span>“</span><span lang="ES-TRAD" style="color: #353535;">Divinitas,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535;">” I said, </span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="color: #353535;"><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span>“</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535;">how
many peacocks does it take to make such a platter?”</span><span lang="EN-US"></span></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 290.0pt 290.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 11.25pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="color: #353535;"><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span>“</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535;">Wonderful!”
said Himself.<span> </span></span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="color: #353535;"><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span>“</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535;">Poppaea never takes an interest in how
the world runs.<span> </span>For her, the brains just
appear by magic.<span> </span>The answer to question
is — why — we have our own, private little — to coin a word — <i>pavonarium</i>.<span> </span>Would you like to see peacocks — a veritable
ocean of peacocks — more bird-brains than even in the Senate?”<span> </span>He clapped hands, dropping a brain onto the
grass, though Hercules quickly disposed of it.<span>
</span></span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="color: #353535;"><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span>“</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535;">Come!”</span><span lang="EN-US"></span></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 290.0pt 290.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 11.25pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535;">He took me by the hand and started to pull me in toward the far
side of the garden, where there was a fountain cunningly designed like a pair
of dolphins.<span> </span>I turned to look at the
Lady Poppaea, terrified that I would soon be alone with the God.</span><span lang="EN-US"></span></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 252.0pt 280.0pt 290.0pt 290.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 11.25pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="color: #353535;"><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span>“</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535;">This
could be your fortune,” she said to me.<span> </span></span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="color: #353535;"><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span>“</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535;">You</span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="color: #353535;"><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span>’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535;">ve insulted, you</span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA" style="color: #353535;"><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span>’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535;">ve appeased.<span> </span>Now, Sporus,
you must seduce.”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #353535;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US">~~~ <br /></span></span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</font></style></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Blurb: </b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrB_ez8b60L1zlia8ftFkGtEpY9B559jcja3sIaaS9HMUE4LWuGNjreeWwACjNJzy-iZFscPfE2fWdr4oTIeJKwMnlDQ3j2H0RhWIsCr2Fs27F9djA98mqJYdP4I16tgJ_N_q1fU1nHUSJReTu2INhGkwJdO7Ip_CSCuX7BojQ44aQs39SxGrhhldCI4/s2700/Imperatrix%20Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrB_ez8b60L1zlia8ftFkGtEpY9B559jcja3sIaaS9HMUE4LWuGNjreeWwACjNJzy-iZFscPfE2fWdr4oTIeJKwMnlDQ3j2H0RhWIsCr2Fs27F9djA98mqJYdP4I16tgJ_N_q1fU1nHUSJReTu2INhGkwJdO7Ip_CSCuX7BojQ44aQs39SxGrhhldCI4/s320/Imperatrix%20Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></b></span></div><p></p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Captured by pirates and sold to a Roman aristocrat as a sex slave, Sporus attracted the attention of no less a personage than the Emperor Nero, ruler of the known world. Would-be poet, patron of the arts, aesthete, and brutal autocrat, the Divine Nero saw in the boy a startling resemblance to the Empress Poppaea - and made him an empress as well. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Suetonius, Tacitus, and other Roman historians have given tantalizing glimpses into the incredible life story of the boy who became twice an empress to two emperors, and was condemned to die in the arena by a third. In this meticulously researched trilogy, World Fantasy Award winning author lays bare the darkest secrets of Imperial Rome - its triumphs and its nadirs, its beauty and its cruelty. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Through this chaos, a contorted mirror of our contemporary world, this figure of Sporus moves, all too knowing yet all too innocent, providing a worm's eye view of one of the wildest periods in ancient history.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Imperatrix, the second volume of the tale, takes us into the heart of the Imperial palace with all its intrigue, depravity, and splendor.</span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjVRBgmqb7fr6nQCNy8GlRQdhY9Ob8eAdvaVnWE3fZ9Qv7gUzdHFwD5aOlso24MJGA-LpSu20sy9UXGNuPNGzSQfTfwMCEeWtI-aA2ilTykUMiq1dOvO9faZaIQ_VoJeYDK4uwONIvyOUOiFk9A0B_-MbTzM_-gnvH4rNv5PAl-GY1gmHb2A6wxdD2Js/s1080/IG%20banner%202%20Imperatrix.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjVRBgmqb7fr6nQCNy8GlRQdhY9Ob8eAdvaVnWE3fZ9Qv7gUzdHFwD5aOlso24MJGA-LpSu20sy9UXGNuPNGzSQfTfwMCEeWtI-aA2ilTykUMiq1dOvO9faZaIQ_VoJeYDK4uwONIvyOUOiFk9A0B_-MbTzM_-gnvH4rNv5PAl-GY1gmHb2A6wxdD2Js/w200-h200/IG%20banner%202%20Imperatrix.png" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Buy Link:</b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://books2read.com/u/mV2EaJ" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">International Buy Link</a></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~~~<br /></span></div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>About the Author:<br /></b></span></p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>S.P. Somtow</i></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Once referred to by the International Herald Tribune as 'the most well-known expatriate Thai in the world,' Somtow Sucharitkul is no longer an expatriate, since he has returned to Thailand after five decades of wandering the world. He is best known as an award-winning novelist and a composer of operas.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWECordiB42nsEuKGxkeksDbUw3d_HbHBCfIWbLyTZad7ySBf9pa5fhSLo0fDQnqCa-f4ARZxZvEbd-Pp6wLjbnrCznnbR6VWmP02xVejeFZDk6Bc4aPUtwoievulL14iWOp2hYAAF61-xeXnMiFXRWSHhAVg5DMSm2tEam0Ewn-GH09FO8etcy1luN9mO/s1094/somtownat%20larger%20copy.jpg" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="1024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWECordiB42nsEuKGxkeksDbUw3d_HbHBCfIWbLyTZad7ySBf9pa5fhSLo0fDQnqCa-f4ARZxZvEbd-Pp6wLjbnrCznnbR6VWmP02xVejeFZDk6Bc4aPUtwoievulL14iWOp2hYAAF61-xeXnMiFXRWSHhAVg5DMSm2tEam0Ewn-GH09FO8etcy1luN9mO/w188-h200/somtownat%20larger%20copy.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="188" /></a></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Born in Bangkok, Somtow grew up in Europe and was educated at Eton and Cambridge. His first career was in music and in the 1970s, his first return to Asia, he acquired a reputation as a revolutionary composer, the first to combine Thai and Western instruments in radical new sonorities. Conditions in the arts in the region at the time proved so traumatic for the young composer that he suffered a major burnout, emigrated to the United States, and reinvented himself as a novelist.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">His earliest novels were in the science fiction field and he soon won the John W. Campbell for Best New Writer as well as being nominated for and winning numerous other awards in the field. But science fiction was not able to contain him and he began to cross into other genres. In his 1984 novel Vampire Junction, he injected a new literary inventiveness into the horror genre, in the words of Robert Bloch, author of Psycho, 'skillfully combining the styles of Stephen King, William Burroughs, and the author of the Revelation to John.' Vampire Junction was voted one of the forty all-time greatest horror books by the Horror Writers' Association.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In the 1990s Somtow became increasingly identified as a uniquely Asian writer with novels such as the semi-autobiographical Jasmine Nights and a series of stories noted for a peculiarly Asian brand of magic realism, such as Dragon's Fin Soup, which is currently being made into a film directed by Takashi Miike. He recently won the World Fantasy Award, the highest accolade given in the world of fantastic literature, for his novella The Bird Catcher. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Returning to Thailand in 2001, he became artistic director of Opera Siam and has had more than a dozen operas produced around the world including<span> </span><i>The Snow Dragon</i><span> </span>and<span> </span><i>The Silent Prince</i>, premiered in the United States,<span> </span><i>Helena Citronova</i>, an opera set during the Holocaust, and the ten-part<span> </span><i>DasJati: Ten Lives of the Buddha</i>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In the last few years he has made a return to writing novels with the<span> </span><i>Nero and Sporus</i><span> </span>trilogy and the young adult series,<span> </span><i>Club X</i>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In 2021 the film he produced and wrote,<span> </span><i>The Maestro: Symphony of Terror</i><span> </span>received over forty awards at international festivals and in 2023 the Thai government officially elevated him to the status of National Artist.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Author Links:</b></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.somtow.com/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Website</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/somtow" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><br />Twitter</a> <a href="http://facebook.com/somtow" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><br />Facebook</a><a href="http://instagram.com/somtow" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><br />Instagram</a><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B000APBJXC" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a> <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/profile/s-p-somtow" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><br />BookBub</a> <br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/81037.S_P_Somtow" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqmGWjGqd2YM1Iv1lV5b9I0louFwtnrnz3F8LUsSh7t8yEtM0iQRHIeSp4JTRWvgMXZtMjVdKtaqQToRAhbByVj8ebdQMWomH-b5TKOWpaeJJHTvMYAIWY5Rt6kFk6nWokWb2MaWYaimVGilizh2bPCMoP8wvSsuLqNW6oDYibWKY1m7kWIw2msJ_90U/s640/Imperatrix%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqmGWjGqd2YM1Iv1lV5b9I0louFwtnrnz3F8LUsSh7t8yEtM0iQRHIeSp4JTRWvgMXZtMjVdKtaqQToRAhbByVj8ebdQMWomH-b5TKOWpaeJJHTvMYAIWY5Rt6kFk6nWokWb2MaWYaimVGilizh2bPCMoP8wvSsuLqNW6oDYibWKY1m7kWIw2msJ_90U/w640-h360/Imperatrix%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" width="640" /></a></div><p> </p>Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931756400990380483.post-55215244887497613602024-01-30T11:18:00.001+01:002024-01-30T11:18:35.489+01:00Review: The Low Road by Katharine Quarmby<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, I welcome historical fiction author <b><i>Katharine Quarmby</i></b> to Ruins & Reading. I've read her new book, <b>The Low Road</b>, and it's a fascinating story of two women trying to survive at a time of hardship and danger. Have a look! <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>The Low Road</b> is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Make sure to check out all the other fabulous posts <a href="https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2023/12/blog-tour-the-low-road-by-katharine-quarmby.html" target="_blank">here</a>!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerRoQmQoEnQRXUyEIl7bfnS-A9ZzZiAQJvvji3LErn6efZvrbsp3FFbAQwdtMVgFqzz1HAgiBkAbEglmjBI9wDUb3rQjxKkQIG0QyabCLfvsNUwKgmkH2efU-8szSda3ME_9jkCNa0Vt2tZoD5EaCQo1EhX1lzO8K1rXcLRblYjtnTO4Vj8aDWt1MfKc/s640/The%20Low%20Road%20Tour%20Banner%202.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerRoQmQoEnQRXUyEIl7bfnS-A9ZzZiAQJvvji3LErn6efZvrbsp3FFbAQwdtMVgFqzz1HAgiBkAbEglmjBI9wDUb3rQjxKkQIG0QyabCLfvsNUwKgmkH2efU-8szSda3ME_9jkCNa0Vt2tZoD5EaCQo1EhX1lzO8K1rXcLRblYjtnTO4Vj8aDWt1MfKc/w640-h360/The%20Low%20Road%20Tour%20Banner%202.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: georgia;">The Low Road</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: georgia;">Katharine Quarmby</b></span></p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When Katharine Quarmby submitted <i>The Low Road</i> to The Coffee Pot Book Club Book of the Year Awards 2023 (it won Silver in one category and an Honourable Mention in another), I was immediately intrigued by the premise of this novel, based on a true story: two young women thrown together by circumstance, with a strong will to survive in a society where where the fight for everyday survival – against starvation, abuse, rape – never stopped.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In the early 19th century, young Hannah lives with her mother, a midwife, on a farm in rural Norfolk. When her mother is accused of infanticide, and to be put on trial, she takes poison to avoid the horrors of trial by torture that so often blighted those legal processes. Judged a suicide, her mother is then staked through the heart, in what caused anxiety in the young girl. And with folk being superstitious – like mother, like daughter – Hannah is sent to a home for the destitute in London. A bleak place for any child to end up in.<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Over time, she forges a friendship with Annie, which slowly grows into affection and love. This is an aspect rarely written about, and while some may find it not very credible, I think the opposite. But more of that later.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When the girls are accused of stealing from the institution, they are condemned to Australia, but it still takes six years before they finally head southwards. Separated from her friend and lover, Hannah must forge her own future. But in the vastness of Australia, dangers lurk, and she has to look out for herself. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Will she ever see Annie again? Well, read the book!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>The Low Road</i> is a fascinating tale of survival in the early 19th century. Women, particularly those from poor backgrounds, are treated woefully, and are easy prey for those with an agenda. They have no rights. The rich and powerful make the laws, and girls like Hannah and Annie find themselves at the bottom of the food chain. Starvation is accepted by the rich and the emerging middle classes, blaming the poor for their own fate – but do everything they can to maintain the status quo.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It's a tough read at times, as Ms Quarmby describes the cruel treatment in great (but never sordid) detail. She does not shy away from showing us the relentless dangers young women faced wherever they went. Very well-researched, Ms Quarmby delves into the dark underbelly of society, showing up the class system for what it was. Yet we also see kindness and affection, sometimes from unexpected quarters. Two sides of a coin – or two sides of a city, if you will.<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The author takes us on a vivid journey through rural Norfolk, the streets of London (grimy or genteel) and the vast Australian territories, and we can see each location through Hannah's eyes. We get a strong sense of her thoughts, and how her actions affect each step in her life. Her love for Annie remains strong throughout, and I think that is her strongest attribute. Grown out of desperation and loneliness, I find it completely believable that two women would form a loving relationship, beyond that of a close friendship, even in a society throttled by a strict moral code (which usually applied to women only, anyway, not men!). <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But despite depicting the darkest side of society, <i>The Low Road</i> is a compelling novel that shows how there is always a glimmer of hope, even when everything seems stacked against you. It shows up society for what it was, and proves that resilience, love, and a strong survival instinct can help you in forging a life out of misery. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Highly recommended.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~~~ <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Blurb: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSp_qX9wr1pF9J86K8C-nw8xcM1CMUfRTN_f0abOvDruXhwypp3tvh0fuXubYTF6126LcTdT_TLJ9027eEl25NB20lWTaIj-92kazaQEkPzrFkX3yYjh791sapM7GGAO-uPqiqidEzgMYdJRWc3Z5t1AOhxrNjPG1RLQMpwHIFkEb48QkxrCMO4rDYi8/s2622/The%20Low%20Road%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2622" data-original-width="1630" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSp_qX9wr1pF9J86K8C-nw8xcM1CMUfRTN_f0abOvDruXhwypp3tvh0fuXubYTF6126LcTdT_TLJ9027eEl25NB20lWTaIj-92kazaQEkPzrFkX3yYjh791sapM7GGAO-uPqiqidEzgMYdJRWc3Z5t1AOhxrNjPG1RLQMpwHIFkEb48QkxrCMO4rDYi8/s320/The%20Low%20Road%20cover.jpg" width="199" /></a></div></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />In 1828, two young women were torn apart as they were sentenced to transportation to Botany Bay. Will they ever meet again? <br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Norfolk, 1813. In the quiet Waveney Valley, the body of a woman – Mary Tyrell – is staked through the heart after her death by suicide. She had been under arrest for the suspected murder of her newborn child. Mary leaves behind a young daughter, Hannah, who is later sent away to the Refuge for the Destitute in London, where she will be trained for a life of domestic service.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It is at the Refuge that Hannah meets Annie Simpkins, a fellow resident, and together they forge a friendship that deepens into passionate love. But the strength of this bond is put to the test when the girls are caught stealing from the Refuge's laundry, and they are sentenced to transportation to Botany Bay, setting them on separate paths that may never cross again.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Drawing on real events, The Low Road is a gripping, atmospheric tale that brings to life the forgotten voices of the past – convicts, servants, the rural poor – as well as a moving evocation of love that blossomed in the face of prejudice and ill fortune.</span></div></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Buy Link: </b><a href="https://books2read.com/u/mg5RAD" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">International Buy Link</a></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~~~<br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>About the Author:<br /></b></span></p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Katharine Quarmby</i></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Katharine Quarmby has written non-fiction, short stories and books for children and her debut novel, The Low Road, is published by Unbound in 2023. Her non-fiction works include Scapegoat: Why We Are Failing Disabled People (Portobello Books, 2011) and No Place to Call Home: Inside the Real Lives of Gypsies and Travellers (Oneworld, 2013). She has also written picture books and shorter e-books.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqeWceycNzFp1_ydzdaIjOj9k95A7ndMB_brUV3BBTm7E7BHUVDRXXMT50-XQCCdc12MSrGMPrW8yumnAqae_9d5wpQCVqCgrJ9JVDVLq5r28XNoojvxBAF1HNhIpJD-M-HZPX5a3m_SlYGNUYadQ-FjN1WTSBWF-Bije6GXhh76FlG-NrxrP1Ul3kZ1Uc/s4272/KQuarmby_Hay.jpeg" style="color: black; font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4272" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqeWceycNzFp1_ydzdaIjOj9k95A7ndMB_brUV3BBTm7E7BHUVDRXXMT50-XQCCdc12MSrGMPrW8yumnAqae_9d5wpQCVqCgrJ9JVDVLq5r28XNoojvxBAF1HNhIpJD-M-HZPX5a3m_SlYGNUYadQ-FjN1WTSBWF-Bije6GXhh76FlG-NrxrP1Ul3kZ1Uc/w320-h213/KQuarmby_Hay.jpeg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">She is an investigative journalist and editor, with particular interests in disability, the environment, race and ethnicity, and the care system. Her reporting has appeared in outlets including the Guardian, The Economist, The Atlantic, The Times of London, the Telegraph, New Statesman and The Spectator. Katharine lives in London.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Katharine also works as an editor for investigative journalism outlets, including Investigative Reporting Denmark and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism.</span></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Connect with Katharine:<br /></b></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.katharinequarmby.com/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Website</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/KatharineQ" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><br />Twitter</a> <br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/katharinequarmbywriter/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <br /><a href="https://uk.linkedin.com/in/katharinequarmby12345" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> <br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/katharinequarmby_/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a> <br /><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Katharine-Quarmby/author/B004GH8LS6" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a> <br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2082356.Katharine_Quarmby" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span></p><div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgWvcJq6MO87Ot1hER_jyMNj7R1MVtkljxCFzU_HoXChtfHK4sBRZD2Y6RgYBe1l5_CYzrTMLwhbBasAXsCsG6Pp2RiIVgEAWoJ0vw4lcgT0BH77uOQZ97ITmdegJ9RYch1EVNWN36IBxRRjRNNDcLVNQ4-bmNlNHjdQpf4t4phNJc0clDwQ8PWhZrDI/s640/The%20Low%20Road%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgWvcJq6MO87Ot1hER_jyMNj7R1MVtkljxCFzU_HoXChtfHK4sBRZD2Y6RgYBe1l5_CYzrTMLwhbBasAXsCsG6Pp2RiIVgEAWoJ0vw4lcgT0BH77uOQZ97ITmdegJ9RYch1EVNWN36IBxRRjRNNDcLVNQ4-bmNlNHjdQpf4t4phNJc0clDwQ8PWhZrDI/w640-h360/The%20Low%20Road%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931756400990380483.post-49823752305313413522024-01-25T11:04:00.002+01:002024-01-25T11:04:52.510+01:00Promo: Signatures in Stone by Linda Lappin<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, I'm delighted to welcome author <i><b>Linda Lappin</b></i> to Ruins & Reading. She presents her fascinating mystery, <b>Signatures in Stone</b>. Check out this intriguing snippet!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Signatures in Stone</b> is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Find other fascinating snippets <a href="https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2023/12/blog-tour-signatures-in-stone-by-linda-lappin.html" target="_blank">here</a>!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBmBjowFrlAEWQWJG2-DhxL7WzZrHXcwc_aiQyCrQv6uxbaHixNChNMAZQStBV4XejBJV480bsfB2_Z36Vj3gmaVN5n0LOLPw3qYG_dUSBMPXo3lPUYFcJR738otqxU1ZGN74Xq3vHwAaNltJT95232c-55eSZuUYrY-4_FmhJCOWuglCpL2AtrhSBIg/s640/Signatures%20in%20Stone%20Tour%20Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBmBjowFrlAEWQWJG2-DhxL7WzZrHXcwc_aiQyCrQv6uxbaHixNChNMAZQStBV4XejBJV480bsfB2_Z36Vj3gmaVN5n0LOLPw3qYG_dUSBMPXo3lPUYFcJR738otqxU1ZGN74Xq3vHwAaNltJT95232c-55eSZuUYrY-4_FmhJCOWuglCpL2AtrhSBIg/w640-h360/Signatures%20in%20Stone%20Tour%20Banner.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Signatures in Stone</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>A Bomarzo Mystery</i></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Linda Lappin</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Snippet:</b></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Finestone
paused on the threshold, as if waiting to see my reaction, then stepped in
behind me, seized my arm, and began my guided tour: “In the mid-sixteenth
century,” he began, “when this place was created, parks and gardens were meant
to offer more than just an aesthetic experience, a pleasant promenade in the
shade or a showcase for flowerbeds. They were models of the cosmos and also
tools for altering one’s consciousness, possibly for changing one’s destiny.
Entering a place like this was like succumbing to a dream. Every detail was
intended to produce a specific effect on the mind and body, to excite and
soothe the senses like a drug. To awaken the unconscious self.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The
sculptures came at you helter skelter, truly like images in a dream. Wherever a
crest of rock or boulder protruded from the ground, there had the sculptor’s
chisel captured another frenzied spirit of the underworld.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0E3j6k41OHkfgLsUG9r9o4RFGfoJ-beyfNODWawJnFKl4sORYBW1MrjnDFOc2c4l0tIXZSzuhiRRHWnUlPrOqRDB2jYG6FPbLGp3RJ9A0zRrF5ApWaf3Ofo0bJYUPiWJFqPzpWGosyHm4ku_NFasJZjq55LJpCfT8b-99BDA1EnnAgo8raUu-ZYQRWk/s1080/IG%20banner%201%20Signatures%20in%20Stone.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0E3j6k41OHkfgLsUG9r9o4RFGfoJ-beyfNODWawJnFKl4sORYBW1MrjnDFOc2c4l0tIXZSzuhiRRHWnUlPrOqRDB2jYG6FPbLGp3RJ9A0zRrF5ApWaf3Ofo0bJYUPiWJFqPzpWGosyHm4ku_NFasJZjq55LJpCfT8b-99BDA1EnnAgo8raUu-ZYQRWk/w200-h200/IG%20banner%201%20Signatures%20in%20Stone.png" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Strewn
around us were river gods, pouting putti, lustful Pans; ogres, nymphs and
beasties; creatures shaken free from the bowels of the earth by some cataclysm,
ready to sink back in at a moment’s notice if the earth should heave again.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">“The park
may conceivably contain an encoded message. Its statues and sculptures may
spell out a formula for making gold, or for what gold symbolized to the
alchemists: Immortality. Redemption. Eternal Love. Wisdom. Something of a sort
dissimulated by private pictograms,” said Finestone. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">“So the
Monster Park is a sort of book,” I ventured, “a book of emblems hewn in stone,
conveying a message, telling a story, revealing an enigma. “</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">“You
mean,” he said, “concealing one.”<span lang="EN-GB"></span></span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</font></style></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~~~<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Blurb:<br /></b></span></p><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Captivating critics and readers, SIGNATURES IN STONE, was the OVERALL WINNER in the DAPHNE DU MAURIER AWARDS for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense Writing - best mystery of 2013</b></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Rome, Italy - November 2023 - Pleasure Boat Studio is thrilled to announce the release of the second edition of Linda Lappin's celebrated novel, SIGNATURES IN STONE: A BOMARZO MYSTERY. This captivating suspense tale takes readers on a thrilling journey through the enigmatic Monster Park of Bomarzo, also known as the Sacred Wood, an extraordinary Baroque sculpture garden in Italy. With the 500th anniversary of the park's creation, this edition is accompanied by a magnificent new cover and a series of Tarot card illustrations by Santa Fe artist Carolyn Florek.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In SIGNATURES IN STONE, readers are transported to the atmospheric setting of the Monster Park of Bomarzo, a sixteenth-century garden adorned with mythical creatures believed to represent a terrifying journey into the realm of nightmares. Against this backdrop, four travelers find themselves intertwined in a fate-driven Italian holiday. Daphne, a British writer of occult mysteries, her down-on-his-luck aristocratic publisher Nigel, the aspiring artist and American gigolo Clive, and the art historian Professor Finestone, all converge in a dilapidated villa near the park. They are attended by rustic servants who harbor secrets of their own.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Professor Finestone has made a groundbreaking discovery, revealing that the garden was designed by one of Italy's greatest artists as a transformative experience that delves into the shadow side of life. Over the centuries, the park's meanders continue to influence the minds and destinies of those who venture within. As the group explores their heart's desires amidst the haunting sculptures, they become entangled in a web of intrigue and danger. When Daphne, renowned for writing cozy murder tales, becomes the prime suspect in a shocking homicide, she must confront her own darkness and rely on her sleuthing skills to uncover the terrifying truth.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Linda Lappin's gripping tale presents an intriguing exploration of gardens in Renaissance Italy, where they were regarded as tools for altering consciousness and changing destiny. The Monster Park of Bomarzo becomes the backdrop for a "Gothic-in-Wonderland" phantasmagoria, immersing readers in a suspenseful and thrilling journey.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>New Edition of Linda Lappin's Award-Winning SIGNATURES IN STONE: A BOMARZO MYSTERY Commemorates the 500th Anniversary of the Monster Park.</i></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; 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box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Praise for Signatures in Stone:</b></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>"Layers of mystery are woven into Linda Lappin's beautifully written and atmospheric historical novel set in Bomarzo, Italy's enigmatic park of stone monsters."</i></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~ Gigi Pandian, author of The Accidental Alchemist.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>"Deftly mixing fascinating art history and murder with an exotic atmospheric setting (the Bomarzo garden actually exists), dramatic historical period (1928 fascist Italy), and fully fleshed characters, Lappin (The Etruscan) has written a hallucinatory gothic mystery in which no one is as they appear. Daphne is a most memorable, if a bit unreliable narrator. Readers looking for an intelligent summer mystery will find much to savor here."</i></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~ Wilda Williams, Library Journal </span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Buy Link: </span></span><a href="https://books2read.com/u/mYDWvd" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Universal Buy Link</a></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">~~~</span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Giveaway on TripFiction!</b></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.tripfiction.com/giveaway-signatures-in-stone-bomarzo/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.tripfiction.com/giveaway-signatures-in-stone-bomarzo/</a></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>This link will be accessible from January 28th!</b></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~~~<span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">About the Author:</span></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></span><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Linda Lappin</i></span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></span><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Linda Lappin, poet, translator, novelist, and travel writer is the prize-winning author of four novels:<span> </span><i>The Etruscan</i><span> </span>(Wynkin deWorde, 2004);<span> </span><i>Katherine’s Wish</i><span> </span>(Wordcraft, 2008), dealing with the last five years of Katherine Mansfield’s life;<span> </span><i>Signatures in Stone: A Bomarzo Mystery</i><span> </span>(Pleasure Boat Studio, 2013, 2023), overall winner of the Daphne Du Maurier award for best mystery novel of 2013; and<span> </span><i>Loving Modigliani: The Afterlife of Jeanne Hébuterne</i><span> </span>(Serving House Books, 2020), 2021 Daphne Du Maurier award finalist and shortlisted for the 2021 Montaigne Medal for Books of Distinction. </span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">She is also the author of<span> </span><i>The Soul of Place: Ideas and Exercises for Conjuring the Genius Loci</i> (Travelers Tales, 2015), winner of a Nautilus Award in the category of creativity in 2015.</span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnPJoqMYNblGJxa2odDmB-VwzaWEmc5ZKoBduyg7I1590u0hOXs_HdnlFQDLPFaBZMj7oManc_wb1DXrIJgVJP11TmLeMHaWM4-VvR8LZGh-vmqd0t48AoJ2jHYDREtVNLqnS_e3pK96SdmewNRVzE-5lqwQI9zPLrYuUcVKCSJROheFpQvRoQV9op5Ts/s480/Linda%20Lappin.png" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnPJoqMYNblGJxa2odDmB-VwzaWEmc5ZKoBduyg7I1590u0hOXs_HdnlFQDLPFaBZMj7oManc_wb1DXrIJgVJP11TmLeMHaWM4-VvR8LZGh-vmqd0t48AoJ2jHYDREtVNLqnS_e3pK96SdmewNRVzE-5lqwQI9zPLrYuUcVKCSJROheFpQvRoQV9op5Ts/w200-h200/Linda%20Lappin.png" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A former Fulbright scholar to Italy, she has lived mainly in Rome for over thirty years. She is at work on a second Daphne Dublanc mystery novel,<span> </span><i>Melusine</i>, set in Bolsena. The second edition of<span> </span><i>Signatures in Stone</i><span> </span>(2023) has been issued to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Monster Park.</span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Author Links:</b></span></span></p></div></div></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.lindalappin.net/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Website</a> </span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LindaLappin1" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter</a> </span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; 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--tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /></span><br /></div></span></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUZ6C1-HjI-BWNbiOrnmkez-wjJffp4xORmNkXbIQ_zyX2Lz73bdUrhPD7SIwVWv3dVdk2tNT3prI_HuuOHM6a0PVUDbTTmY5_6uDDNbcGxk47A0Nu7NIj5BZAGbqyIz8WUzjdv2SJN1f2ErQegcHPezOF1AhZ_K2HMiElvFhxJwB2yuITq71kqwW9Tw/s640/Signatures%20in%20Stone%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUZ6C1-HjI-BWNbiOrnmkez-wjJffp4xORmNkXbIQ_zyX2Lz73bdUrhPD7SIwVWv3dVdk2tNT3prI_HuuOHM6a0PVUDbTTmY5_6uDDNbcGxk47A0Nu7NIj5BZAGbqyIz8WUzjdv2SJN1f2ErQegcHPezOF1AhZ_K2HMiElvFhxJwB2yuITq71kqwW9Tw/w640-h360/Signatures%20in%20Stone%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span><p></p><p><br /></p>Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931756400990380483.post-49793539910425675842024-01-24T14:37:00.000+01:002024-01-24T14:37:03.913+01:00Review: Shadows in the Ashes by Christina Courtenay<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, I'm thrilled to share my review of <b><i>Christina Courtenay</i></b>'s moving new novel: <b>Shadows in the Ashes</b>! And yes – we have another fabulous novel for your reading lists. Read on!</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">My thanks to Rachel's Random Resources, and the publisher, for an ARC copy. <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9taSS2ZcNY29_FUeHQwpWwpgPVSeGadBCKreMikBheLcRn_slYzM_oyh82k0VXo2JcfPFb-eUKBc1tFvF3O1AQhCcQj9QHHdOGZGdxK1gcb0PsVGjoeDtmOfHp5GalB0EHQPwCzhqXrYdxnbhwNTiUUPQBnLSQ4vVfAQrggcNsLgLNKpBkrg7eQEMT0/s700/Shadows%20In%20The%20Ashes.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="700" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9taSS2ZcNY29_FUeHQwpWwpgPVSeGadBCKreMikBheLcRn_slYzM_oyh82k0VXo2JcfPFb-eUKBc1tFvF3O1AQhCcQj9QHHdOGZGdxK1gcb0PsVGjoeDtmOfHp5GalB0EHQPwCzhqXrYdxnbhwNTiUUPQBnLSQ4vVfAQrggcNsLgLNKpBkrg7eQEMT0/w640-h252/Shadows%20In%20The%20Ashes.png" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Shadows in the Ashes</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Christina Courtenay<br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As a fan of Christina Courtenay's timeslip and dual-timeline novels, and of the tragedy in ancient Pompeii, I was very excited when I first heard about <i>Shadows in the Ashes</i>. And I was not to be disappointed. It's a riveting, but also thought-provoking read. Let me explain...<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In the present, we have Cat, a married stay-at-home mum of a three-year-old girl. But Cat is not a confident, outgoing woman – she is married to an abusive, manipulative husband, whose actions and demands have eroded any confidence she had prior to her marriage. This made an interesting change, and it added a strong sense of urgency and danger. Finding excuses to describe her husband's physical abuse, she has been caught in a tight net from which there seemed no escape. But she must find a way, not only for her own sake but also that of her child, when Derek does the unforgivable and threatens their daughter. He always wanted a son, and her fear finally leads her to flee to Italy – to Naples. There, she meets volcanologist Connor. Then she begins to have visions...<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In a parallel situation in Pompeii in the tragic year of 79AD, we have Aemilia - heiress wife to a Patrician husband addicted to gaming, who turns increasingly desperate, and cruel, as his debts grow out of control – and there's nothing left to pawn (well, so he thinks...). To keep himself and his family safe from the creditors, he hires Raedwald, a Germanic slave captured through the treachery of his younger half-brother, and forced into a life as a Gladiator. Soon, a bond begins to grow between the bodyguard and the Roman lady. But will there be a future for them, with her husband growing suspicious and Vesuvius about to erupt? Read the novel to find out!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I found it very brave of the author to use the theme of domestic violence, often overlooked or airbrushed in fiction. And the parallel fates of Cat and Aemilia make for gripping reading. You go with them through their emotions and pain, and you feel their love for their daughters. All these are evocatively described by Ms Courtenay, and the scenes are in no way gratuitous. It shows the skill of a fine writer if you are able to describe the horror inflicted on the women in such a sensitive, but still realistic manner. Their emotional turmoil and their journey out of pain and misery are also shown sensitively. Neither woman is suddenly 'cured', but they stay aware of their psychological dilemma. It's very well done.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As always, Ms Courtenay's research is impeccable, and in Pompeii, we can see the settlement in its splendour, and its darker side unveiled, and as the tension grows, we can smell the volcanic gases in the air. The residents were ignorant of what was going on, as we see in Aemilia who doesn't understand why the land she has inherited on the slope of Vesuvius doesn't yield any produce. Until later. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I found this a very emotional read, mainly because of the women having escaped such personal terror, only for Aemilia to experience a terror of a different kind altogether as the volcano begins its eruption. The novel begins on a more serious note than, for example, Ms Courtenay's Viking timeslip romances, and in my view, this made a welcome, if a little harrowing change. <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Shadows in the Ashes</i> is a wonderful novel about the bravery of two women to find the courage to face their dire situation when they need to. Despite living in different eras, there is a delicate bond between Cat and Aemilia that runs like a thread through the centuries. Cudos to Ms Courtenay for tackling this subject, and for giving us two brilliant, strong female leads who, despite their fears, show the courage to move on. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Highly recommended. <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~~~ <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Blurb: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWV29Qd7w9y667pI22owd5L_azI5V1tP3fcblG-j3ykAM8-Kkfd2-XhnqYTU6QM7vDraGIg-MnmdQsl6ypBsFL3Ofy507hap64Yh4E4_mPkwqHa30Gzc8RtbVvbtHcKJkVTnE6rcuRQPfc5tjCVOK5wAsvh6DrBW-zgGbyn07ljRseoe-O-HDFb3I8jo/s2339/Shadows%20in%20the%20Ashes%20FINAL%20large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="1524" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWV29Qd7w9y667pI22owd5L_azI5V1tP3fcblG-j3ykAM8-Kkfd2-XhnqYTU6QM7vDraGIg-MnmdQsl6ypBsFL3Ofy507hap64Yh4E4_mPkwqHa30Gzc8RtbVvbtHcKJkVTnE6rcuRQPfc5tjCVOK5wAsvh6DrBW-zgGbyn07ljRseoe-O-HDFb3I8jo/s320/Shadows%20in%20the%20Ashes%20FINAL%20large.jpg" width="208" /></a></div></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Brimming with romance, adventure and vivid historical detail, Christina Courtenay's gripping dual-time novel travels from the present day to the fires of ancient Pompeii.</b><br /><br /><i>The sunlight caught her gold bracelet, sending a flash that almost blinded her.<br /><br />She closed her eyes, but jumped when the earth started shaking and there was an almighty boom behind her.</i><br /><br /><i>Present Day</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br />Finally escaping an abusive marriage, Caterina Rossi takes her three-year-old daughter and flees to Italy. There she's drawn to research scientist Connor, who needs her translation help for his work on volcanology. Together they visit the ruins of Pompeii and, standing where Mount Vesuvius unleashed its fire on the city centuries before, Cat begins to see startling visions. Visions that appear to come from the antique bracelet handed down through her family's generations...<br /><br /><i>AD 79</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br />Sold by his half-brother and enslaved as a gladiator in Roman Pompeii, Raedwald dreams only of surviving each fight, making the coin needed to return to his homeland and taking his revenge. That is, until he is hired to guard beautiful Aemilia. As their forbidden love grows, Raedwald's dreams shift like the ever more violent tremors of the earth beneath his feet.<br /><br /><b>The present starts eerily to mirror the past as Cat must fight to protect her safety, and to forge a new path from the ashes of her old life...</b><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Buy Links:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br />Amazon UK: <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shadows-Ashes-breathtaking-dual-time-author-ebook/dp/B0C42YW7W9/">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shadows-Ashes-breathtaking-dual-time-author-ebook/dp/B0C42YW7W9/</a><br />Amazon US: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Ashes-breathtaking-dual-time-author-ebook/dp/B0C42YW7W9/">https://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Ashes-breathtaking-dual-time-author-ebook/dp/B0C42YW7W9/</a><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~~~<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>About the Author:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Christina Courtenay</i><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Christina Courtenay writes historical romance, time slip and time travel stories, and lives in Herefordshire (near the Welsh border) in the UK. Although born in England, she has a Swedish mother and was brought up in Sweden – hence her abiding interest in the Vikings. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMruvus3VlSc5DeofIwDmAj_MJtljlmas3W_Fl1CoGLuB6VTIDi0E616jEXoflic-A6bTo6ZH3-wOzOxtfZDwboYb6iBVMmSY4wrYHVkTLRU4ynqmxXfyKQz-ItmkK_4FO9VMOCnrTQUfK7xu-sXgE-axQpSG6R3eEV8vvicCvs4-pjrvR705iRtd8HM/s800/Shadows%20Christina%20Courtenay%20719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMruvus3VlSc5DeofIwDmAj_MJtljlmas3W_Fl1CoGLuB6VTIDi0E616jEXoflic-A6bTo6ZH3-wOzOxtfZDwboYb6iBVMmSY4wrYHVkTLRU4ynqmxXfyKQz-ItmkK_4FO9VMOCnrTQUfK7xu-sXgE-axQpSG6R3eEV8vvicCvs4-pjrvR705iRtd8HM/s320/Shadows%20Christina%20Courtenay%20719.jpg" width="214" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Christina is a former chairman of the UK’s Romantic Novelists’ Association, now a Vice President, and has won several awards, including the RoNA for Best Historical Romantic Novel twice with Highland Storms (2012) and The Gilded Fan (2014) and the RNA Fantasy Romantic Novel of the year 2021 with Echoes of the Runes. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">SHADOWS IN THE ASHES (dual time/timeslip romance published by Headline Review 18th January 2024) is her latest novel. Christina is a keen amateur genealogist and loves history and archaeology (the armchair variety).<br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Connect with Christina:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /><a href="http://www.christinacourtenay.com" target="_blank">Website</a><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/christinacourtenayauthor?fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook </a><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/PiaCCourtenay" target="_blank">Twitter </a><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ChristinaCourtenayAuthor/" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYWA0ZyWEoRmiwPhcWJGTGstTGETUFNIUvlP-GGPMSkBAwE4sg1mdL5dNb4-QrkYvEiqZry_e74bqpcVLBXviGlz30-lGja1YGr8Ki9BYFr_2r7W-EsMUixbOek4Kqnfy_GE_iBsSlGpl1SWKkmFkKe2Z8NdrjT9Ktrn9Ju2GtLmh87t3rM-D7uxuckY/s2643/Shadows%20In%20The%20Ashes%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2643" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYWA0ZyWEoRmiwPhcWJGTGstTGETUFNIUvlP-GGPMSkBAwE4sg1mdL5dNb4-QrkYvEiqZry_e74bqpcVLBXviGlz30-lGja1YGr8Ki9BYFr_2r7W-EsMUixbOek4Kqnfy_GE_iBsSlGpl1SWKkmFkKe2Z8NdrjT9Ktrn9Ju2GtLmh87t3rM-D7uxuckY/w640-h302/Shadows%20In%20The%20Ashes%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div>Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931756400990380483.post-86780374609134535892024-01-24T12:12:00.003+01:002024-01-24T12:12:50.564+01:00Promo: Bound in Roses by Katherine Kayne<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, I'm delighted to welcome romantic fiction author, Katherine Kayne, to Ruins & Reading. We're shining a bright spotlight on her new novel, <i>Bound in Roses</i>. It's a fabulous romance set in Hawaii! </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Bound in Roses</i> is on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club today. Find other fabulous posts <a href="https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2024/01/blog-tour-bound-in-roses-by-katherine-kayne.html" target="_blank">here</a>!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmbQKitT-mE_swqIAVxnoqBoQcpNilqEt9BjBgsS2vpJtWDQ73RW4nVmD1VKqIEec5vkUT1QZr28kEZjIExQQlCH2QT6Gws29QLP38pqu0h-PEjuUfivKIGXdXNVS4OJlre2dExd5Qf5y5VV0Y-EwB4Com7IAnHL6PMKEri2yaH7TnVzJSwvAmeqkJgA/s640/Bound%20in%20Roses%20Tour%20Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmbQKitT-mE_swqIAVxnoqBoQcpNilqEt9BjBgsS2vpJtWDQ73RW4nVmD1VKqIEec5vkUT1QZr28kEZjIExQQlCH2QT6Gws29QLP38pqu0h-PEjuUfivKIGXdXNVS4OJlre2dExd5Qf5y5VV0Y-EwB4Com7IAnHL6PMKEri2yaH7TnVzJSwvAmeqkJgA/w640-h360/Bound%20in%20Roses%20Tour%20Banner.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bound in Roses</span></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Hawaiian Ladies Riding Society</i></span></b></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">by Katherine Kayne</span></span></b></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Blurb: </b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVmbNp7JjMn6IIRLSFtazMRiE19kduUl4S_tk70Ni6hJGbVGLPYJdCsQVfmhC4tBQgdbrKKG5sclfSNTb4Guda8MqbJl5VeSESuvRJQDmw56pvrL2RdxhVAV8HyRvHqtrXlpXygb9dw0ky_gxgK77VABiaF9ofyeYaPPkQg3BDIB6ygiVzE7pMf8mKwI/s1500/Bound%20in%20Roses%20cover.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="971" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVmbNp7JjMn6IIRLSFtazMRiE19kduUl4S_tk70Ni6hJGbVGLPYJdCsQVfmhC4tBQgdbrKKG5sclfSNTb4Guda8MqbJl5VeSESuvRJQDmw56pvrL2RdxhVAV8HyRvHqtrXlpXygb9dw0ky_gxgK77VABiaF9ofyeYaPPkQg3BDIB6ygiVzE7pMf8mKwI/s320/Bound%20in%20Roses%20cover.jpeg" width="207" /></a></b></span></div><p></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A red-hot Hawaiian romance blooms for a buttoned-up botanist who must learn to let go and embrace the ancient voice within her.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">After a failed engagement to a high-society suitor in San Francisco, Lokelani "Lucky" Letwin returns home to Hawaii, leaving her beloved rosebushes behind. She's desperate to establish a life of her own-a daunting task for any unmarried female in the early twentieth century but particularly for one passionate about the science of plants. A stubborn, song-filled girl now grown into an accomplished woman Lokelani is haunted by a family tragedy. She is as reluctant to acknowledge her past as she is to accept the supernatural force building inside her, strong and inevitable. She is a<span> </span><i>mākāhā</i>, a Gate, ever connected to the power of the islands . . . if only she will admit it.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In her quest to retrieve her roses, Lokelani is reunited with Artemus Chang, a childhood friend, who's now a handsome and successful lawyer. As the spark between them grows, Artemus agrees to help her recover her roses, only to discover her kisses leave him literally breathless. When a mystical teacher enters her life, Lokelani's embrace of the voice of ancient power bubbling up within her takes on new urgency and new apprehensions.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Will Lokelani continue to be bound by guilt and fear? Or will she learn to reconcile her gifts - as both a practical botanist and a mystical Gate - to sing once more and claim her love?</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dKF5t7yGTVFen2HmFiX3kAHUUGql2TqgoJcesoNe0cxAAG-FXFN7xhRDYZH_jCPEyM-u0FF7NYDsbg0it1crr1WEuNaaOzjJ7HGKXLGD45OsoPE3xsYtBxh6to4tPE4gm9HuRGjosmSpfe7uf6lSCYV0uQBQXUE4iglj7uCUDHYPanfJfNg6Dc5Cv1U/s1080/IG%20banner%202%20Bound%20in%20Roses.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dKF5t7yGTVFen2HmFiX3kAHUUGql2TqgoJcesoNe0cxAAG-FXFN7xhRDYZH_jCPEyM-u0FF7NYDsbg0it1crr1WEuNaaOzjJ7HGKXLGD45OsoPE3xsYtBxh6to4tPE4gm9HuRGjosmSpfe7uf6lSCYV0uQBQXUE4iglj7uCUDHYPanfJfNg6Dc5Cv1U/w200-h200/IG%20banner%202%20Bound%20in%20Roses.png" width="200" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Buy Link:</span></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://books2read.com/u/47R5VL" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Universal Buy Link</a></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~~~<br /></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; 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border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">About the Author:<br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></span><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Katherine Kayne</i></span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></span><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Award winning author Katherine Kayne writes deeply romantic historical fantasy set in old Hawaii. Her critically acclaimed debut novel BOUND IN FLAME delivers myth, magic and all the sparks promised by the title. The next installment in her Hawaiian Ladies' Riding Society series, BOUND IN ROSES, is available for preorder now. </span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1t64mwNxNMo67uVSs-SeBq0BdIUJhc-mj_LQcIjxAs3FZEQhpHnsUnSwcsSzqgcIh7JVCXFAOxQWIv7o0sCNgOyycHgnBWaocYn31Ym70Qw5iHeVyIm0CcuU6VUUEoHVbM0RnnYOJkiyx0-lMUGxVfCy3hpIKJnyp4FiU27UTeBq5Ozfw7l6i94yxgkGV/s945/Katherine%20Kayne%20author.jpg" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="945" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1t64mwNxNMo67uVSs-SeBq0BdIUJhc-mj_LQcIjxAs3FZEQhpHnsUnSwcsSzqgcIh7JVCXFAOxQWIv7o0sCNgOyycHgnBWaocYn31Ym70Qw5iHeVyIm0CcuU6VUUEoHVbM0RnnYOJkiyx0-lMUGxVfCy3hpIKJnyp4FiU27UTeBq5Ozfw7l6i94yxgkGV/w200-h200/Katherine%20Kayne%20author.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Katherine's novels are filled with horses and history and happily ever after . . . and heroes strong enough to follow their heroine's lead. She spends a part of each year on Hawaii Island immersing herself in Hawaii's past. Aided of course by the occasional mai tai. Katherine created the world of the Hawaiian Ladies Riding Society to tell the stories of the fearless horsewomen of the islands' ranches. Because who doesn't love a suffragist on horseback? With a bullwhip? Wearing flowers? If you come along for the ride, be prepared for almost anything to happen.</span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Katherine can promise you fiery kisses, charming cowboys, women who ride like the rainbow to save the day, and that rarest of beasts-handsome men who like to dance.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Connect with Katherine:</b></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p></div></div></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.katherinekayne.com/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Website</a></span><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/KatherineKayneAuthor" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> </span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; 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margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07WTQR9V5" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a> </span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/profile/katherine-kayne" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">BookBub</a> </span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19231806.Katherine_Kayne" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">GoodReads</a></span></span></div><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinehmftztH2eccM-9_BZtJRvrRHHLFNjjugeaVoCjVR1en4b36_KIbS8rio1skESuVkcmJbymaZoiCKywSfBBqxpTudvKLcHN4Fwtnq1s5yGlkQedogTGeNW7YpWy5Ab62w9CRy8l5Xlv5cN_dE9uLdki6XyYHEACHhGOYwKmjkPC7IkEVL2LnSprNDU8/s640/Bound%20in%20Roses%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinehmftztH2eccM-9_BZtJRvrRHHLFNjjugeaVoCjVR1en4b36_KIbS8rio1skESuVkcmJbymaZoiCKywSfBBqxpTudvKLcHN4Fwtnq1s5yGlkQedogTGeNW7YpWy5Ab62w9CRy8l5Xlv5cN_dE9uLdki6XyYHEACHhGOYwKmjkPC7IkEVL2LnSprNDU8/w640-h360/Bound%20in%20Roses%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></div></div>Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931756400990380483.post-58861432322600057522024-01-18T13:59:00.001+01:002024-01-18T13:59:42.400+01:00Review: Clash of Kings by MJ Porter<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, I'm thrilled to share my review of <i>Clash of Kings</i>, the third book in <i><b>MJ Porter</b></i>'s gripping series surrounding the decisive battle of Brunanburgh that forged the idea of a united kingdom. Well worth checking out!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Clash of Kings</i> is currently on Blog Tour with Rachel's Random Resources. Make sure to check out all the other posts and reviews!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjaEZyKuCoQulXBFbZWAowHJp3K4FpYrg1xUanSyofOcH-xa8FehaxnO7CdFDZ_6VRSMrAu1-yw81fsGyGYBNhVqtJjaYm7gYPxFuwvAzEp1RulnJjHm69RP1zSdqp9QvtB5VmcjWvchsH_mzqe3Lr58rHuxBMh8GtzGeZcCznbP3UHbo01JtsyvL0pU/s700/Clash%20of%20Kings.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="700" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjaEZyKuCoQulXBFbZWAowHJp3K4FpYrg1xUanSyofOcH-xa8FehaxnO7CdFDZ_6VRSMrAu1-yw81fsGyGYBNhVqtJjaYm7gYPxFuwvAzEp1RulnJjHm69RP1zSdqp9QvtB5VmcjWvchsH_mzqe3Lr58rHuxBMh8GtzGeZcCznbP3UHbo01JtsyvL0pU/w640-h252/Clash%20of%20Kings.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Clash of Kings</b></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br /><br />MJ Porter<br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">After having read and reviewed <i>King of Kings</i> and <i>Kings of War</i>, I was excited to continue reading this fascinating series. And the tension and intrigues continue unabated...</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /><i>Clash of Kings</i> begins with the aftermath of Brunanburgh – a brutal battle that saw the English forces win a decisive victory over the Scots, Irish Norse, and several Welsh kingdoms. The battle was a slaughter of men on all sides, but with important heirs vanquished for good, King Constantine of the Scots and Olaf, the Norse king of Dublin have retreated into misery. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br />Athelstan, victorious king of the English, has gained control over large tracts of the British Isles, and Constantine and the Welsh kings are forced into submission. The sheer manpower and decisive leadership of the newly united English kingdom left no wriggle room following the bloody battle, and Athelstan is keen to use this to his advantage, imagining himself as ruler of all the various little kingdoms. An Emperor of the Isles. But for now, submission is the only way forward. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br />In Scotland and Ireland, rivals are snapping at Constantine's and Olaf's heels, keen to wound the already subdued kings. Political intrigues abound as each man seeks his own path to become ruler. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br />It all seems to go well for Athelstan, praised in glorious victory by the same scop who'd before sowed discontent in the courts on order of Constantine. But then, tragedy strikes, and Athelstan's younger half-brother, Edmund, is crowned King of the English, and at barely 18 years of age, he soon finds himself confronted by the reinvigorated ambition of the Scots, Irish, and several Welsh 'rebels'. <br /><br />Will his youth turn into an advantage, or will he lose all Athelstan had gained? Find out in the novel!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtQRBm6AnG5_26hS485tX4dj49Qb-mzs7nqTws_Eb_t1aXe5624f4ecwS6LNaCW4ZhpcP2jNTECbfIlMKXsuxXlAK9idHui4uGwR7KxNG5ngwGXG0F08W4su0RVHtQckKVT02oE0dc9HMkGNEMOyYpk6sBVXk-HNP_LPjWBCOQjbDQVKmMe2nl_Ftezc/s1080/UK_historicaladventure_brown_no_flatlay%20(2).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtQRBm6AnG5_26hS485tX4dj49Qb-mzs7nqTws_Eb_t1aXe5624f4ecwS6LNaCW4ZhpcP2jNTECbfIlMKXsuxXlAK9idHui4uGwR7KxNG5ngwGXG0F08W4su0RVHtQckKVT02oE0dc9HMkGNEMOyYpk6sBVXk-HNP_LPjWBCOQjbDQVKmMe2nl_Ftezc/w200-h200/UK_historicaladventure_brown_no_flatlay%20(2).png" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /><i>Clash of Kings </i>continues in the same manner as the first two books in this gripping series: we have political intrigues galore, as various rulers rush to take advantage of a supposedly weakened England following Athelstan's untimely death. Olaf, king of Dublin, manages to retake Jorvik, but the naked ambition also makes the other players vulnerable. </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br />As the kings' loyalties changed (bouncing back and forth at times), the author gives us an in-depth glimpse at their thoughts and actions. Again, this novel is told by several points of view, which, I think, adds valuable personal detail to the story. We see each king's ambition – and at times that of the females of the family, such as King Edward the Elder's last wife's. <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This first-person, personal touch works very well, as it shows the raw emotions, the joys and pains, the pure ambition, hatred, and the occasional glimpse of reluctant admiration. It is an aspect you normally don't get in limited, often third-person points of view of other historical novels. The spectrum shown is wider, and it reveals a rare glimpse into every ruler's actions and thoughts.<br /><br />Of course, as with the previous books, it means that certain events are mentioned again and again, but given the different backgrounds of the rulers, I still feel that this provides us with valuable detail into enemies' minds. Well worth exploring!<br /><br /><i>Clash of Kings</i> is an exciting, utterly compelling tale of ambition, loss, recovery, and early medieval political shenanigans that would leave every modern-day soap opera way behind.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br />Another highly recommended read by MJ Porter.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~~~<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /><b>Blurb:</b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbfXwDrdsApv9vY8MMiWcPxoNED5OQQy3eY-RoROzBDBmUs1hdOZd7k9Mm0b9HGwm0tZ8NO8XvsiR6ZPeX8Fjoa2dIagkhcLyUjKIoCPLpgElMzELfxWYjqSVpvARF5hADTzfGzlfXq8MmLz6wJYrI1AmZH5IuTQM09k_ltE0dG-UU9YkoTMHRj4Wq1w/s2339/CLASH-KINGS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="1524" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbfXwDrdsApv9vY8MMiWcPxoNED5OQQy3eY-RoROzBDBmUs1hdOZd7k9Mm0b9HGwm0tZ8NO8XvsiR6ZPeX8Fjoa2dIagkhcLyUjKIoCPLpgElMzELfxWYjqSVpvARF5hADTzfGzlfXq8MmLz6wJYrI1AmZH5IuTQM09k_ltE0dG-UU9YkoTMHRj4Wq1w/s320/CLASH-KINGS.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><br />The next bloody and thrilling instalment in MJ Porter's The Brunanburh Series. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br />Can the Norse and the Scots exact their revenge over the mighty King Athelstan of the English? <br /><br /><i>AD937</i> <br /><br />After the slaughter field of Brunanburh, a defeated Olaf Gothfrithson of the Dublin Norse and Constantin of the Scots narrowly escaped with their lives. In their kingdoms, failure has left them demoralised and weak. <br /><br />Olaf licks his wounds in Dublin, whilst Constantin and the Welsh kingdoms who defied King Athelstan, are once more forced to bend the knee. As Athelstan’s reputation grows stronger day by day, their need to exact revenge on the overmighty and triumphant Athelstan has never been greater. <br /><br />Olaf sets his sights on reclaiming the lost kingdom of Jorvik only for tragedy to strike at the heart of England and a reluctant new King, Edmund steps in the fray. <br /><br />While England mourns the death of their warrior King, her enemies gather on her borders and England stands alone against the might of the Norse, Welsh and Scots. <br /><br />Can the new King be victorious and banish her enemies once and for all or will England, and its king lose all that’s been gained and succumb to a new pretender? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <br />An epic tale of kinsmanship, greed and power, perfect for the fans of Bernard Cornwell's The Last Kingdom series.<br /><br /><br />Universal Buy Link: <a href="https://mybook.to/clashkingssocial">https://mybook.to/clashkingssocial</a> <br /></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uj9OSh7XW2vN6wV4HwXwjtP4IhermWOEgyGPGVcxYFGe65kYRJuOO1LdlVZWymJxQDlSeXmUcN0KlbmOaq8yrphtacwsQpLFVhKs1NGOly45pIrukQKCEYeewIT_L4QeaZSLpP1fKtWCwaJjd_eyTbmFX9K8sIpEyd0EiCdWP3fjrm6OUiiZ76HCEVk/s1080/5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uj9OSh7XW2vN6wV4HwXwjtP4IhermWOEgyGPGVcxYFGe65kYRJuOO1LdlVZWymJxQDlSeXmUcN0KlbmOaq8yrphtacwsQpLFVhKs1NGOly45pIrukQKCEYeewIT_L4QeaZSLpP1fKtWCwaJjd_eyTbmFX9K8sIpEyd0EiCdWP3fjrm6OUiiZ76HCEVk/w200-h200/5.png" width="200" /></a></div> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~~~<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>About the Author:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>MJ Porter</i><br /><br />MJ Porter is the author of many historical novels set predominantly in Seventh to Eleventh-Century England, and in Viking Age Denmark. They were raised in the shadow of a building that they believed housed the bones of long-dead Kings of Mercia – so their writing destiny was set. <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The first novel in their new Anglo-Saxon series for Boldwood, <i>Son of Mercia</i>, was published in February 2022. </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /><br /><br /><b>Connect with MJ:</b><br /><br />Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MJPorterauthor">https://www.facebook.com/MJPorterauthor</a> <br /><br />Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/coloursofunison">https://twitter.com/coloursofunison</a> <br /><br />Instagram<a href="https://www.instagram.com/janet_hoggarth_author/"> </a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/m_j_porter/">https://www.instagram.com/m_j_porter/</a> <br /><br />Newsletter Sign Up:<a href="https://bit.ly/JanetHoggarthnews"> </a><a href="https://bit.ly/MJPorterNews">https://bit.ly/MJPorterNews</a> <br /><br />Bookbub profile: <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mj-porter">MJ Porter Books - BookBub</a> <br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvSxGFaQCaNY3zeD5qIPopE3SnMeYxclO0juZT0O4oZauvS3f64-kk4N1PSLRfyJDbI9uOjkrPzAFTImIMO4mWI534nzJc8rvKA19qjV-xZWA9VTPkkRPIBRk0IGXGQDll50KOZHUPiKX2SfxFV-Mw7FUsgcDwcnGe2_8g42en95vynhycyiZzWxvQSk/s2015/Clash%20of%20Kings%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="2015" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvSxGFaQCaNY3zeD5qIPopE3SnMeYxclO0juZT0O4oZauvS3f64-kk4N1PSLRfyJDbI9uOjkrPzAFTImIMO4mWI534nzJc8rvKA19qjV-xZWA9VTPkkRPIBRk0IGXGQDll50KOZHUPiKX2SfxFV-Mw7FUsgcDwcnGe2_8g42en95vynhycyiZzWxvQSk/w640-h398/Clash%20of%20Kings%20Full%20Tour%20Banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div>Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931756400990380483.post-45666825733484375312024-01-15T11:10:00.005+01:002024-01-15T14:05:35.033+01:00Promo: The Beauty Doctor by Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I'm thrilled to welcome historical fiction author <i><b>Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard</b></i> back to Ruins & Reading. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, we're sharing an excerpt from her intriguing novel which I've now added to my reading list: <b>The Beauty Doctor</b>. It's well worth checking out! <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Beauty Doctor is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Find other enticing excerpts <a href="https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2023/12/blog-tour-the-beauty-doctor-by-elizabeth-hutchison-bernard.html" target="_blank">here</a>! <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5tZVHaXnX1ssu4KmjoRykUkSu-rwmtn6_CIVTa1_VL8_QpAw2hw0ZxjdrlEojfSAoIIJqYNDGYZNvYAdxkdBEh_fhOnSUih4Cq0V6C6Vd3W0le8pDA_xOS2BN3ZV_AmeMj6mW6XC8WrT3-BRQsix-ixpIv0vUeTyhaEsvgJkRMuB0c_yUnasIIuuQ3c/s640/The%20Beauty%20Doctor%20Tour%20Banner.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5tZVHaXnX1ssu4KmjoRykUkSu-rwmtn6_CIVTa1_VL8_QpAw2hw0ZxjdrlEojfSAoIIJqYNDGYZNvYAdxkdBEh_fhOnSUih4Cq0V6C6Vd3W0le8pDA_xOS2BN3ZV_AmeMj6mW6XC8WrT3-BRQsix-ixpIv0vUeTyhaEsvgJkRMuB0c_yUnasIIuuQ3c/w640-h360/The%20Beauty%20Doctor%20Tour%20Banner.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>The Beauty Doctor</b><br /><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">by Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Excerpt:<br /></b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">From Chapter Nine:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Stretched
out before them was an open field of tall, reedy grass. At the far end,
partially hidden by a tangle of trees and overgrown shrubbery, an immense
structure was silhouetted against the cloudless blue sky. The three-story
Gothic-style building was constructed of blood-red brick, with tall, arched
windows and a circular tower capped by a domed peak. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">“There’s
something spooky about it, don’t you think?” Ronnie said, having caught up with
them. She raised an arm, using her shirtsleeve to wipe her sweaty forehead. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">“Ronnie
knows the story. The reason the workers won’t come out here. When Dr. Schwann
passed away suddenly, there was a rumor that he’d hung himself from the tower.
Completely false, but you know how those kinds of tall tales get passed along.
Maybe that’s one reason Joe could buy the property for a bargain price.”
Lillian gave Ronnie a questioning look. “Would you mind if we take Abigail for
a closer look?” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">“Fine
with me.” Ronnie started off, tramping through the high grass with her heavy
boots, like the leader of a jungle safari. Lillian fell in behind her, and
Abigail brought up the rear, taking advantage of the flattened path forged by
the others. The closer they drew to the asylum, the more foreboding it
appeared. Abigail had once read the journalist Nellie Bly’s 1887 exposé on the
Blackwell’s Island Insane Asylum. The horrors had made a lasting impression.
She recalled how dozens of women inmates were forced to bathe in the same
filthy tub of water, one towel to share among them. They were fed rotten food,
forced to endure the freezing cold, condemned to torturous punishments. If they
were sane—and some clearly were—it didn’t matter. The authorities decided their
mental status. These women, abandoned by family and society, were utterly
powerless. She shivered to think of their fate and the suffering of so many
others like them. Thankfully, in the last twenty years, people had become a
great deal more enlightened about mental illnesses. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As
for the legacy of the imposing structure before her, apparently there wasn’t
one. Lillian said that Dr. Schwann died just after the construction of his
hospital was completed. This asylum had never housed a single patient. There
was no history of abuse here. It was and always had been only an empty shell. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Hot
and weary, they finally reached a driveway that wound in a circle in front of
the building. Weeds had overtaken it, and everything else as well. A rusty
wheelbarrow, rake, and hoe were tossed off to the side as if someone had
thought to make a start at cleaning the place up. But nothing had been done
here for a very long time. Lillian said the workers were afraid. Staring up at
the massive edifice, Abigail could understand why they felt intimidated by its
looming presence. It seemed like a relic from another age, a monstrosity. All
the windows were boarded up. The massive double doors at the entrance were
secured with a heavy chain. And the tower … her eyes were drawn to the peaked
dome, the black spiral. Yes, one might easily conjure up the image of Dr.
Schwann’s lifeless body swinging back and forth in the breeze. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Abigail
was just about to make a comment about the power of imagination when she heard
an automobile. A black Stoddard Dayton touring car came lurching around the
curve of a dirt road off to the right, barreling toward them at top speed. Joe
was at the wheel. Franklin was with him. Her pulse quickened. She’d been
waiting all morning for the reunion that now was just a few moments away. How
would it feel when their eyes met? What secret message would she read in his
smile? Reassurance? The promise of pleasures to come? Perhaps something more? </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Joe
pulled up in a flurry of dust and shut down the engine. As he and Franklin
disembarked, they exchanged a few words, and Joe let out a hearty laugh.
Abigail’s attention was all on Franklin, handsome in his stylish suit, the
jacket left open to reveal a smart burgundy-and-gray striped waistcoat. She
waited, breathless, for his approach. What would he say to her? Would they
touch—a brush of the hand that no one else would notice? </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">“Ladies,
if I may have everyone’s attention,” Joe shouted, hurrying toward the three
women as if they’d been expecting him and he was late. The exertion made his
face even redder than usual. When he reached them, he paused only long enough
to plant a swift kiss on Lillian’s cheek before clapping his hands like an
excited child. “Listen up, everybody! I have big news! Are you ready for this?”
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">“Go
on, Joe,” Lillian prodded. “Don’t keep us in suspense.” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">“All
right, all right! I’m delighted to announce that Dr. Franklin Rome and I have
just consummated the deal of the century.” He turned to Franklin, who was just
a few steps behind him. “I trust I’m not overstating it, am I, Frank?” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">“Not
in the least.” Coming up beside Joe, smiling broadly, Franklin acknowledged
Abigail with an indifferent nod. His gaze was fixed on the building rising to
the sky behind her, casting its giant shadow over them all. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Joe
raised his eyes to the peak of the circular tower, placing a hand over his
heart with a look of reverence. “Dr. Schwann, I know things didn’t turn out as
you planned, but all is not lost. Meet Dr. Franklin Rome, my new partner and
the proprietor of your little hospital, henceforth to be called the Rome
Institute of Transformative Surgery!”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> ~~~</span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</font></style></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Blurb:</b><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiHn4qeK3GHLlY0mlfspkHuQwpvOh_J33sCPEWOei-ZtQTtmir6Q82JBo0vrGQREsrupxBrBAE6UIvzZ5ZFAPQWECJYUl0lYSRTXxeUq4RS_xpgU9pD9VkXWxHHKgdt0nU8iTh3w_MQ-aq6duk4GE5hA7tVkABbnsh0YTaE-v7t7gtRcgIDZxLI1VnatX/s1500/The%20Beauty%20Doctor.jpeg" style="clear: right; color: black; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="929" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiHn4qeK3GHLlY0mlfspkHuQwpvOh_J33sCPEWOei-ZtQTtmir6Q82JBo0vrGQREsrupxBrBAE6UIvzZ5ZFAPQWECJYUl0lYSRTXxeUq4RS_xpgU9pD9VkXWxHHKgdt0nU8iTh3w_MQ-aq6duk4GE5hA7tVkABbnsh0YTaE-v7t7gtRcgIDZxLI1VnatX/w198-h320/The%20Beauty%20Doctor.jpeg" style="border: medium; position: relative;" width="198" /></a></span></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>A Bone-Chilling Mystery-Suspense-Thriller Set in the Edwardian Era</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Finalist, Eric Hoffer Book Award</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">"Beauty is power," Dr. Rome told her. "And with enough power, one can achieve anything."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Straightening noses, trimming eyelids, lifting jowls . . . In the year 1907, his revolutionary beauty surgery is considered daring, perhaps dangerous. Still, women want what Dr. Rome promises. Neither is his young assistant Abigail Platford immune to Dr. Rome's persuasive charm.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Abigail once dreamed of becoming a doctor, though of a much different sort. That dream ended with her father's tragic death from a medical error for which she holds herself responsible. Dr. Rome, who proudly displays his medical degree from Johns Hopkins, seems to believe in her. If he were willing to act as her mentor, might there still be a chance to realize her dream of someday becoming a doctor serving New York City's poor?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But something feels terribly wrong, as though an insidious evil is closing in. Broken promises, lies, and intrigues abound. The powerful are threatening to destroy the weak, and a doctor's sacred duty hangs in the balance. Abigail no longer knows who to believe; but with Dr. Rome now her mentor and her lover, she desperately wants to trust him.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Even when she discovers that one of their patients has mysteriously disappeared.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">From bestselling author Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard, a suspenseful work of historical fiction grounded in the social and moral issues of the Edwardian era in America. Second Edition with Author's Preface.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Praise for The Beauty Doctor:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; text-align: start;">"A fantastic work of historical fiction. If I could have scored it higher than five stars, I would have."<br />~ </span><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-style: italic; text-align: start;">ReaderViews.com</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkOWa09FX48gvK6EJaf01b7q01aksMDrHigbCaOz6-ZXiHrtgqs38Y4YfHXhbHezAJYzfj461JhFyPRz7UGadiMfv_KHUcgX_joL4PXFVCvqqeyaRWfpj0Z4JJgtevUFCBhfaKBSNllUVCFG-JSlOMznHg-F2Zwr8hsTYoVl2609eT5_8hwftlWS0Jvo/s1080/IG%20banner%201%20The%20Beauty%20Doctor.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkOWa09FX48gvK6EJaf01b7q01aksMDrHigbCaOz6-ZXiHrtgqs38Y4YfHXhbHezAJYzfj461JhFyPRz7UGadiMfv_KHUcgX_joL4PXFVCvqqeyaRWfpj0Z4JJgtevUFCBhfaKBSNllUVCFG-JSlOMznHg-F2Zwr8hsTYoVl2609eT5_8hwftlWS0Jvo/w200-h200/IG%20banner%201%20The%20Beauty%20Doctor.png" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Buy Link:</b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://books2read.com/u/316BAr" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Universal Buy Link</a></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Watch the beautiful book trailer here: <br /></b></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #800180;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1W42B-A6HSIe_MCKqD50OK8Sbzz0b_nEu?usp=drive_link">https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1W42B-A6HSIe_MCKqD50OK8Sbzz0b_nEu?usp=drive_link</a></span>
</span></span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</span></font></style></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~~~<br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZbX8ZjiHaWYtvus48abtXFR4u7vSNJctGzwnyki3_VwnzZUTVEgd8cfgtGJFNUPDYgXhCrBXezBbfQrAtAEkxNbGHouhMSBtTtHkZM-DOL0GjTKHqSUfd6uzxP1xLCoM5bAuHJvAXXOJTlUWPL3ID9pp4ziLQ75njTP6339LmXf40lFk_WTenjAtXg/s398/Page%20divider.png" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><br /></a></span></div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>About the Author:<br /></b></span></p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard</i></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard is the author of bestselling historical novels. Her 2023 release,<span> </span><i>Sisters of Castle Leod</i>, is an Amazon Kindle #1 Bestseller (Historical Biographical Fiction, Historical Literary Fiction), winner of the 2023 Maxy Award for Historical and Adventure Fiction, and an Editors’ Choice of the Historical Novel Society. Her biographical novel<span> </span><i>Temptation Rag</i><span> </span>(2018) was hailed by Publishers Weekly as a “resonant novel . . . about the birth and demise of ragtime . . . in which romance and creative passions abound.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyWHy2lj8is-Hy6x_cXfehntW6JazEBouKr-T_ClJosKEfgllsIl10GrUGPDGEc8c_UcStpMvPJ0KF9UMhX6VjTu7Njv47A4TvMWtODXeXEahfAfJFuON3JxreWJkXPCuJOw5A9XE1O5o9q5IRsxshxSmbwFJ_F_zB78LbcQmLScdbOYGdQ2ONN61R4ct/s4755/Elizabeth%20Hutchison%20Bernard%20photo.jpg" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4755" data-original-width="3396" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyWHy2lj8is-Hy6x_cXfehntW6JazEBouKr-T_ClJosKEfgllsIl10GrUGPDGEc8c_UcStpMvPJ0KF9UMhX6VjTu7Njv47A4TvMWtODXeXEahfAfJFuON3JxreWJkXPCuJOw5A9XE1O5o9q5IRsxshxSmbwFJ_F_zB78LbcQmLScdbOYGdQ2ONN61R4ct/w143-h200/Elizabeth%20Hutchison%20Bernard%20photo.jpg" style="border: medium; position: relative;" width="143" /></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Elizabeth’s 2017 historical mystery-suspense-thriller,<span> </span><i>The Beauty Doctor</i>, was a finalist for the prestigious Eric Hoffer Book Award. The book’s re-release (Jan. 4, 2024) features a stunning new cover and an Author Preface with insights into social and moral issues of the Edwardian era that frame this shocking fictional story set in the early days of cosmetic surgery.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Before becoming a full-time author, Elizabeth was executive editor of an international aesthetic surgery journal, and senior consultant to the National Cosmetic Network in conjunction with Johns Hopkins University’s plastic surgery educational program.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Learn more about Elizabeth and her books at www.EHBernard.com.</span></div></div><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Connect with Elizabeth</b>:</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.ehbernard.com/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Websit</a>e<br /><a href="https://www.x.com/EHBernardAuthor" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitte</a>r<br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/EHBernardAuthor" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Faceboo</a>k<br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/EHBernardAuthor" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a> <br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/Elizabeth-Hutchison-Bernard/author/B072N681MZ" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a> <br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16953486.Elizabeth_Hutchison_Bernard" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></span></p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTGIjf-47S7uA5Mfn0QJVPTXkoSn3b-gtTT395V5PzwL6nSSNDn9JjLawR3bG1xaVUbKVt938FusI-ZMHowamtOoywzPeEnOtVNtYH0RMi2EzMKlV4j0ke6UlIXxWUbIa3SWdpm9qnyUovl90yVcTlzc-JWxi6t6H8xsH5GUIRSK1rdm7GeNDavus2xo/s640/The%20Beauty%20Doctor%20Tour%20Schedule.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTGIjf-47S7uA5Mfn0QJVPTXkoSn3b-gtTT395V5PzwL6nSSNDn9JjLawR3bG1xaVUbKVt938FusI-ZMHowamtOoywzPeEnOtVNtYH0RMi2EzMKlV4j0ke6UlIXxWUbIa3SWdpm9qnyUovl90yVcTlzc-JWxi6t6H8xsH5GUIRSK1rdm7GeNDavus2xo/w640-h360/The%20Beauty%20Doctor%20Tour%20Schedule.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span><div><p> </p></div>Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931756400990380483.post-10242595195851930552024-01-08T12:03:00.003+01:002024-01-08T15:59:13.485+01:00Promo: The Dream Collector (Book 1: Sabrine & Sigmund Freud) by R.w. Meek<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, I'm delighted to welcome Historium Press author, R.w. Meek to Ruins & Reading. We're sharing an excerpt from his fascinating novel, <i>The Dream Collector (Book 1: Sabrine & Sigmund Freud)</i>. Have a look!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>The Dream Collector</i> is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Check out the other fabulous posts <a href="https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2023/12/blog-tour-the-dream-collector-by-rw-meek.html" target="_blank">here</a>!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBg28AB3D9ze7mNVkVe5C4woQpFpISnIMs5BFp9OmVK1VeefU7ISGym_7NfVwqO_iOPUOl4Ul_naJKCMZkOc3QlVh7xDlEKJABvIX_cDmcrE8T-DxMRhjMEMKn1OIBa3iX3ZqBZrzCL7GVnFnsGJzUpYueVmDolOa01av_uv01j4lPvChYybc3WLYwCOA/s640/The%20Dream%20Collector%20Tour%20Banner.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBg28AB3D9ze7mNVkVe5C4woQpFpISnIMs5BFp9OmVK1VeefU7ISGym_7NfVwqO_iOPUOl4Ul_naJKCMZkOc3QlVh7xDlEKJABvIX_cDmcrE8T-DxMRhjMEMKn1OIBa3iX3ZqBZrzCL7GVnFnsGJzUpYueVmDolOa01av_uv01j4lPvChYybc3WLYwCOA/w640-h360/The%20Dream%20Collector%20Tour%20Banner.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>The Dream Collector</b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Book 1: Sabrine & Sigmund Freud</i></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">by R.w. Meek</span></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; clear: both; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Excerpt:</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“Tour
of the Temple of Science”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span> </span><a name="_Hlk119078314"></a></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span> </span>The first door we entered brought us
to stunned confusion; instantly engulfed in dense swirls of mist, we became
lost to each other. Dr. Charcot, as well, disappeared into a thick miasma of
steam. The disembodied voice of our leader called out a warning: “Do not
wander, stay close!” </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span> </span>Everyone invisible, immersed in a
white fog, our ears were filled with the strident shouts and shrill screams of
unseen women. It was such a frightful cacophony of tortured shrieks that my
heart chilled. I imagined myself in a vaporous netherworld where bands of
spectral harpies were in dreadful flight. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span> </span><span> </span>Through the rolling clouds came Charcot’s
assurance: “Be patient.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span> </span>I strained to see. There were vague
shapes ghostly walking and as the white veils began to lift, the steam
shredding, they became Salpêtrière’s nursing assistants, male and female. We
were in an enormous room, a hippodrome, amidst a vast scattering of iron tubs.
Charcot emerged, distinct in the dark suit and chimney hat, as though etched in
ink upon vellum. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span> </span>“Salpêtrière's Hydrotherapy
Department!” he thundered. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span> </span><span> </span>Submerged in the
hundreds of tubs were women, glisteningly naked, madly screaming or struggling
to escape the waters, but burly male attendants forcibly held them down. Some
in the tubs simply wept or whimpered, some behaved like playful children,
slapping the water and jabbering gentle nonsense.<span> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;"><span> </span><span> </span>I
waited with Freud and every other intern for Charcot to make sense of the chaos
spread before us— </span></span></p>
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{page:WordSection1;}</font></style><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b> ~~~</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Blurb: </b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEx_8dAfbCALSy9ru1VcwNcTh2WTYTyvLiu7F7m-HNnFMZoIh7XvCkEZbSTKDgalqPOT-Wf8T8ykzoruhvFT_Li1xCq5avmHA-ybzhTI4_6mNKwWjB3ifVBsJ14IbxdHakQlukCqeCkdwMCYv_5msOUhhiSjQeVu6w9mdtI5pL50zq_Sqvh-CksYsExQ/s1296/The%20Dream%20Collector%20Ebook%20Cover.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="864" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEx_8dAfbCALSy9ru1VcwNcTh2WTYTyvLiu7F7m-HNnFMZoIh7XvCkEZbSTKDgalqPOT-Wf8T8ykzoruhvFT_Li1xCq5avmHA-ybzhTI4_6mNKwWjB3ifVBsJ14IbxdHakQlukCqeCkdwMCYv_5msOUhhiSjQeVu6w9mdtI5pL50zq_Sqvh-CksYsExQ/s320/The%20Dream%20Collector%20Ebook%20Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></b></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>The Dream Collector</i><span> </span>immerses the reader into the exciting milieu of late 19th Century Paris when art and medicine were in the throes of revolution, art turning to Impressionism, medicine turning to psychology. In 1885, Julie Forette, a self-educated woman from Marseilles, finds employment at the infamous Salpêtrière, hospital and asylum to over five thousand disabled, demented and abandoned women, a walled city ruled by the famed neurologist and arrogant director, Dr. Jean-Martin Charcot. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Julie Forette forms a friendship with the young, visiting intern Sigmund Freud who introduces her to the altering-conscious power of cocaine. Together they pursue the hidden potential of hypnotism and dream interpretation. After Freud receives the baffling case of the star hysteric, Sabrine Weiss, he is encouraged by Julie to experiment with different modes of treatment, including “talking sessions.” Their urgent quest is to find a cure for Sabrine, Princess of the Hysterics, before Dr. Charcot resorts to the radical removal of her ovaries. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In Paris, Julie finds a passion for the new art emerging, Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, and forms friendships with the major artists of the period, including Pissarro, Monet, and Degas. Julie becomes intimately involved with the reclusive Cezanne only to be seduced by the “Peruvian Savage” Paul Gauguin. Julie is the eponymous ‘Dream Collector’ collecting the one unforgettable, soul-defining dream of the major historical figures of the period.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHvD0NjML3LnGVsLrtak4m1aaKvCjqhUdGHOW5F9emtO20dQ5dEXP3Heuu40d1LNaG1fx2Vo1bIME_TSmP_um3MRQ7jYhRAHbE2ayUHJsJEX1qV4pq9A3512vXDwtvU6C0YgR8e1YGcOrXnh9-RjTgbof2zvvvL6QVvWmSDLnjJhPdfoDrbQ1oTKdrrE/s1080/IG%20banner%201%20The%20Dream%20Collector.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHvD0NjML3LnGVsLrtak4m1aaKvCjqhUdGHOW5F9emtO20dQ5dEXP3Heuu40d1LNaG1fx2Vo1bIME_TSmP_um3MRQ7jYhRAHbE2ayUHJsJEX1qV4pq9A3512vXDwtvU6C0YgR8e1YGcOrXnh9-RjTgbof2zvvvL6QVvWmSDLnjJhPdfoDrbQ1oTKdrrE/w200-h200/IG%20banner%201%20The%20Dream%20Collector.png" width="200" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Buy Link: </b><a href="https://books2read.com/u/4jE52j" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Universal Buy Link</a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">~~~</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>About the Author:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>R.w. Meek</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">R.w. Meek has a Master’s degree in Art History from the American University in Washington, D.C., his areas of expertise are Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, with a particular interest in Vincent van Gogh. He has interned and conducted tours at the National Museum of American and the National Gallery of Art. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguK3W3dy44n5zIwEqqSI2-RNAh7cvO5hOy3gP6vxpCwa9AmlhdTWWvImhUhgEutUBV8CoHAjEEB_7CeOleWC8XpMaOZWOLR_rXHMVA-63RBI1kr0a17jgTDA8gYVrVQGySJUOC3oNDMiUxZaTPF4ZvFDyWO-X8P8_jdT8tTsLLjuC3hr0MO5B1_yH2Y0s/s2749/R.w.%20Meek.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2749" data-original-width="1696" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguK3W3dy44n5zIwEqqSI2-RNAh7cvO5hOy3gP6vxpCwa9AmlhdTWWvImhUhgEutUBV8CoHAjEEB_7CeOleWC8XpMaOZWOLR_rXHMVA-63RBI1kr0a17jgTDA8gYVrVQGySJUOC3oNDMiUxZaTPF4ZvFDyWO-X8P8_jdT8tTsLLjuC3hr0MO5B1_yH2Y0s/w123-h200/R.w.%20Meek.JPG" width="123" /></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In 2022 and 2023 five of his chapter excerpts from his soon to be published novel “The Dream Collector” were either finalists or published in various literary journals. The author has also won the Palm Beach Book Festival Competition for “Best Writer in Palm Beach’ his manuscript judged by a panel of NYT Best Selling authors. “The Dream Collector” also received gold and silver medals in the Historical Fiction Company literary contest and earned runner-up for the “Best Historical Fiction Novel’ of 2022. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The author was born in Baltimore, adventured in Europe for many years, and recently moved from Delray Beach, Florida to Santa Clarita, California. His wife is a psychologist, sculptress, playwright and stand-up story teller. His daughter Nora is a story board artist in the animation world and resides in Hollywood, California. His favorite writers are Dostoevsky, John Fowles, and Antoine de Saint-Exupery.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Connect with the author:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.ronmeekauthor.com/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Website</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010220437381" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rYOkM1DdfPazp63O-x-efgpCeEMoIInlmnve_9mqOcl6SpFMggRdAhmsZG9GP9i0g49dKAtqe-iZYw0jwQJ177lL6VyVj8T-UOZckonyMlI4EllWJj8rUALm-psJZrUFdF9wVnsUI-arohtM__edzRP32beCsEeANELCUM-sxOjxE17n15qahn5tnY12/s640/The%20Dream%20Collector%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rYOkM1DdfPazp63O-x-efgpCeEMoIInlmnve_9mqOcl6SpFMggRdAhmsZG9GP9i0g49dKAtqe-iZYw0jwQJ177lL6VyVj8T-UOZckonyMlI4EllWJj8rUALm-psJZrUFdF9wVnsUI-arohtM__edzRP32beCsEeANELCUM-sxOjxE17n15qahn5tnY12/w640-h360/The%20Dream%20Collector%20Tour%20Schedule%20Banner.png" style="border: medium; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p> </p>Cathie Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08537946350336674340noreply@blogger.com0