tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13809367674033861582024-03-12T21:23:45.234-04:00Tongue In Cheeka blog that doesn't quite take itself seriouslyAva Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.comBlogger570125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1380936767403386158.post-25408700665454809722016-12-24T17:16:00.001-05:002016-12-24T17:16:25.546-05:00Merry Christmas to AllAnd to all a good night.<br />
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Here are some tiny tots with their eyes all aglow. Hope your holidays are spectacular!Ava Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1380936767403386158.post-20236155191624370432016-05-08T12:50:00.001-04:002016-05-08T12:50:43.525-04:00Happy Mothers Day!!To all the moms out there! (Especially mine.)<br />
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Ava Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1380936767403386158.post-76041031778146692922016-05-01T20:11:00.001-04:002016-05-01T20:57:14.082-04:00The Diagnosis Is InAnd it's the best I could ask for.<br />
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I saw a neurologist on Friday, and she said I had that one non-fatal item on my family doctor's terrifying list.<br />
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I will neither confirm nor deny that this was my face when I got the news.<br />
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I have essential tremor at a very young age. It usually manifests in people in their 60s. It will most likely progress to my other hand, neck and head, but won't kill me. There are drugs I can take to help "once it becomes handicapping".<br />
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Still a lot to process. But I'm so thankful it's not one of the ones that were a death sentence.<br />
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So now I will whole heartedly confirm that this is my face:<br />
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So thanks for all your well wishes. I'll hopefully be back to the crazy here that is Tongue In Cheek soon. Until then, Citizens!Ava Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1380936767403386158.post-4719566694775323822016-04-08T09:03:00.000-04:002016-04-08T09:03:11.171-04:00Who'd Believe My Brain Was Normal?But it is. I have medical proof. After seeing my doctor about my hand tremor, and other crazy symptoms from the last post, she prepped me for possibilities. MS, brain tumor, Parkinson's, ALS. And ordered an MRI. Which was a little slice of hell unto itself. But I got the results back, and my brain is "perfectly normal". <br />
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Though I don't know how many of you who've read my blog would agree.<br />
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It's been a severely nerve wracking wait. I'm unbelievably glad the big heavy hitters are off the table, but now I'm down the rabbit hole of "what is this?". And am still waiting. For a neurologist appointment.<br />
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Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. They definitely helped sustain me.<br />
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Until next time, Citizens.Ava Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1380936767403386158.post-82875293975957297082016-03-23T12:23:00.001-04:002016-03-23T12:23:52.800-04:00Tipping Over that First Big HillYou know how on most roller coasters you gingerly crest that first hill. Like a deep breath holding back a hurricane? Well, that's where I am right now.<br />
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For the past two months my left hand has been shaking noticeably. Kinda like this.<br />
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Not quite that bad, but pretty close. I finally go tonight to speak to my doctor about it. I've been having trouble recalling words and finishing my sentences. And I've been exhausted. As in taking-somewhat-involuntary-naps-in-the-middle-of-the-afternoon exhausted.<br />
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Those things could be from the stress. Or the worry. Or the depression as my brain spins every worst case scenario it can imagine. Which, as writers, we know we can make it really bad.<br />
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So I'm poised at the top of this hill, hoping like hell this will be a kiddie sized ride instead of the screaming, tear your face off with g-forces twist and turns variety.<br />
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I've taken a break from writing and this blog. I miss visiting you guys and the camaraderie you all so easily share.<br />
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I'll be back when I can. I know you'll all be here because you've been such an awesome, supportive group.<br />
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Until then, Citizens.Ava Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1380936767403386158.post-17360442378256511312016-02-28T08:14:00.000-05:002016-02-28T08:14:18.994-05:00A Brief Life UpdateHi everybody. This has been my life for the past few months.<br />
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Thus, no posts for the longest stretch in the eight years I've been blogging. Wanted to wish all the A to Zers a fun blog hop. I'll hopefully be stopping in to comment.<br />
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Sending you all the good mojo and hoping you're doing great. Miss you guys!!!!Ava Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1380936767403386158.post-70979829942304231842015-12-31T09:37:00.002-05:002015-12-31T09:37:43.121-05:00Happy New Year, Guys! I'm off to talent show practice number one for my Urchins. It should prove to be interesting, if not headache inducing.<br />
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The Breeches fall tonight at midnight. Five foot tall yellow pants. From a flag pole. A good time will be had by all I'm sure.<br />
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I hope you guys have a safe and happy new years eve!<br />
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See you in 2016!!Ava Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1380936767403386158.post-2913100571062865302015-12-21T18:19:00.000-05:002015-12-21T18:19:40.819-05:00What? Another Update?The Man had a stress test done a couple weeks ago. Family doctor looked over the results last week and found some abnormalities in his EKG. So he'll be seeing a cardiologist on Christmas Eve day. Hoping for the best case scenario that can be had.<br />
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All good mojo accepted here in all its forms if you feel like sending it.<br />
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Have a wonderful holiday. Hug your honeys tight!<br />
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Ava Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1380936767403386158.post-65164298206702530072015-11-29T09:04:00.000-05:002015-11-29T09:04:43.608-05:00Updating the Updated UpdateSo, on black Friday I drove The Man to the E.R., and we spent most of the day at the hospital. He was complaining of chest tightness, and considering just Tuesday his dad was discharged from a week long stay in the hospital for heart issues, we took it very seriously.<br />
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All tests were run--E.K.G. blood work, chest x-rays--and everything came out normal. Thank God. So it was chalked up to either heart burn or stress. Which at Chez Quinn, with all that The Man does, it's definitely stress.<br />
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So now we're looking at ways to reduce the load for The Man and make some changes. We'll see if he agrees. Love that man dearly and desperately, but he's got a majorly over developed sense of responsibility. Getting him to let some stuff go may take a pry bar of epic proportions.<br />
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While he was in the hospital bed hooked up to all kinds of crazy contraptions I told him he needed a shokabuku. (See below for definition.)<br />
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I'm gonna do my damnedest to get it done.<br />
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Which again means a hiatus from here. **sigh**<br />
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So I'll see you in a while. How long depends probably on the size of the pry bar I'll be wielding and if I'll need a chiropractor following its usage.<br />
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Wishing you and yours all the best life has to offer.<br />
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Until next time, Citizens.Ava Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1380936767403386158.post-58885338468959503802015-11-26T08:49:00.000-05:002015-11-26T09:08:06.493-05:00I'm ThankfulHappy Thanksgiving, everyone.<br />
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I'm thankful for The Man who puts up with my shenanigans and conspiracy theories and even plays along on occasion.<br />
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I'm thankful for my Urchins and how fun, kind and crazy they are. And how they still play along with my craziness, even though Oldest Urchin is starting to get that eye roll down pat.<br />
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I'm thankful that my father-in-law was released from the hospital a day and a half ago and is improving.<br />
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And I'm thankful for all of you and for finding such an amazing blogging community. You guys are awesome--especially since you don't publicly judge me in my comments for all my crazy. lol!<br />
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Have a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving full of fun, family and food. <br />
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~Ava<br />
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Hope you all are doing well... 'cause, this is me right about now.<br />
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<br />Ava Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1380936767403386158.post-81513362668985245132015-11-11T07:42:00.000-05:002015-11-11T07:42:46.589-05:00Thank You, VeteransI know I've stated this before on the blog: my father and both of my grandfathers were war veterans. And I'm very proud of their service. Thank you to all the service men and women who have worked for our country. <br />
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<br />Ava Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1380936767403386158.post-5700976651195668292015-11-04T13:02:00.000-05:002015-11-16T15:12:08.052-05:00When Did I Say The Crazy Would Die Down?Ok, this post is all <strike>excuses</strike> reasons I've been away.<br />
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1. My father-in-law was back in the hospital for his heart last week. They released him, but didn't solve the issue, so he's been weak and I've been trying to help out as much as possible.<br />
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2. One of my blue-haired-old ladies went into the hospital this week. She's the one who runs the Britches meetings. You remember. <a href="http://readavaquinn.blogspot.com/2014/12/happy-new-year-citizens.html" target="_blank">The meetings that go on forever about the party we throw on New Year's and drop a gigantic pair of yellow breeches from a huge flagpole</a>? Yeah, those britches meetings.<br />
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Well apparently, I'm now in charge. God save us all!!!! This is more proof that little old ladies are truly my kryptonite. <br />
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3. Pitch Wars. It's finally wrapping up, but I've been working like a fiend to improve, and I've definitely seen some strides in my writing. <a href="http://www.brenda-drake.com/2015/11/pw-415-adult-romance-a-shot-at-forever/" target="_blank">My manuscript</a> is so much better, and I'm ready to send it out. After one last nit-picky-completely-obsessive read through. Which I'm still working on.<br />
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Then it's getting sent out. To several places that requested it.<br />
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Some of said requests came from pitching at the NJ Romance Writer's conference I attended last month.<br />
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Then my mom was in visiting from Montana.<br />
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And the Urchins are still alive. Which, as you know means I had to take them places. All. The. Time. Still do as a matter of fact.<br />
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And the whole time in the back of my head I'm whimpering, But, but, my blogging friends. I wanna go see what they're up to and tweet about them and possibly friend them on Facebook since that massive regime finally broke me and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010040293688" target="_blank">I joined their evil ranks. </a><br />
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So this is what I feel like at the moment. Me against all that stuff.<br />
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I'm probably not making much of an impression, but I'm not getting taken down by the tentacled monster that is life at the moment.<br />
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I'm calling that a win.<br />
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So how have you guys been? Catch me up in the comments! Ava Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1380936767403386158.post-50079712684965284642015-10-22T12:34:00.000-04:002015-10-22T12:34:34.201-04:00I'm Not Dead...YetHey guys! My mom is in from Montana, visiting. Since I only get to see her once a year, I''ve been mostly ignoring the internet.<br />
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I'm also down to the wire for Pitch Wars. The agent round is November 2. All my stuff has to be in on Halloween. And I'm still working. Every spare second.<br />
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So in case you never hear from me again, it's because revisions actually <i>do</i> kill. I will forevermore be a cautionary tale to all writers.<br />
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Until next time, Citizens! Ava Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1380936767403386158.post-20820468848367004662015-10-06T14:50:00.000-04:002015-10-06T14:50:00.804-04:00Tooth Fairy Motels and Other Happenings<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GZYhDMCOyww?rel=0" width="420"></iframe><br />
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So there's too much to tell. #PitchWars has been a phenomenal experience. But edits and revising is taking up every spare minute I have. The agent round is November 2nd. And I still have so much to do. (Excuse me a moment while I hyperventilate........Ok, I'm back.)<br />
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One of the things that happened a little while back is that Youngest Urchin finally lost a tooth--albeit somewhat unwillingly--that had been hanging on for months. Mostly because she refused to wiggle it, eat on it , breathe on it or otherwise touch it in any way, shape or form.<br />
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So the dentist pulled it out at her cleaning. She kept it together. No sobbing. Or biting.<br />
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Translation: Win!<br />
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So then the real craziness begins. Because the girls don't just put their teeth under their pillow for the tooth fairy. No. They have an entire Tooth Fairy Motel. It's set up 24/7 under Youngest's bottom bunk.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xEspWB38j4Q/VhO6gpYzvWI/AAAAAAAAAZo/Io00qhVjwUQ/s1600/IMG_20150817_210812_479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ava Quinn, Romance author, tooth fairy, Conemporary Romance, Western romance, humor blog, hot romance" border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xEspWB38j4Q/VhO6gpYzvWI/AAAAAAAAAZo/Io00qhVjwUQ/s320/IMG_20150817_210812_479.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's even labeled, just in case the Tooth Fairy doesn't know it's for her.</td></tr>
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<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Au6dt3C-AI0/VhQU7h6qk3I/AAAAAAAAAaA/Q78jz8cUsYs/s1600/IMG_20150817_210613_594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ava Quinn, Contemporary romance, contemporary western romance, humor blog, tooth fairy, hot romance" border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Au6dt3C-AI0/VhQU7h6qk3I/AAAAAAAAAaA/Q78jz8cUsYs/s320/IMG_20150817_210613_594.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To get to the bed, just slip past the elephant and giraffe on the right.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CGO25AO-amY/VhQViREmD1I/AAAAAAAAAaE/1ezbHrC4SPk/s1600/IMG_20150817_210445_910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ava Quinn, Contemporary romance, contemporary western romance, romance author, tooth fairy, humor blog " border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CGO25AO-amY/VhQViREmD1I/AAAAAAAAAaE/1ezbHrC4SPk/s320/IMG_20150817_210445_910.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is also a tooth pedestal. Again, properly labeled, just in case the Tooth Fairy might have questions.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3UEAh-37UpA/VhQWCzF-drI/AAAAAAAAAaM/aaS42JMPJ4w/s1600/IMG_20150817_210912_382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ava Quinn, Contemporary romance, contemporary western romance, romance author, tooth fairy, humor blog " border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3UEAh-37UpA/VhQWCzF-drI/AAAAAAAAAaM/aaS42JMPJ4w/s320/IMG_20150817_210912_382.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And of course, there's a note.</td></tr>
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It's the note that leads to more work, because the Tooth Fairy writes back. In 5 pt. font. And it's always from a different Tooth Fairy, since there are loads of them. Personalized with a picture of themselves.<br />
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You see, I do it to myself. I can't say no to little old ladies or toothless children. It's part of why I'm always over extended.<br />
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Like now.<br />
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Hope you all are doing well. I'll be trying to hop around to your blogs soon. Once I train myself to write and revise faster. (I'm such a slow writer, it's ridiculous!!)<br />
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Until next time, Citizens!!Ava Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1380936767403386158.post-5647890803435047582015-09-15T14:32:00.001-04:002015-09-15T14:32:57.217-04:00I Love The BluesA few years ago I wrote a small post on <a href="http://readavaquinn.blogspot.com/2009/03/writers-of-blues.html" target="_blank">my admiration for the blues and their creative turns of phrases</a>. But the storytelling that goes on in those songs always astounds me. The vivid descriptions with few words is something I hope to come close to some day in my own writing.<br />
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Here's Shemekia Copeland, an outstanding blues singer whom I've admired for years, performing Never Going Back to Memphis.<br />
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The full version of this song on her album is a little over seven minutes and well worth it.<br />
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My favorite lines-<br />
There wasn't a thing that man couldn't sell ya.<br />
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Cops walked in<br />
Dog pullin' on a chain<br />
Lookin' for a woman ran in from the rain<br />
They sat out front eating fried chicken<br />
While I sat shivering in a shed out behind the kitchen.<br />
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And that final verse gives me goosebumps<br />
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The river is risin'<br />
Sky's gettin' darker<br />
My mind keeps playin'<br />
some old Junior Parker<br />
Three days waitin'<br />
All alone by the tracks<br />
Lyin' to myself that man's coming back<br />
He said he'd come around unless he was dead<br />
guess he took another woman or a bullet in the head<br />
I'm never goin' back to Memphis.<br />
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I love to listen to the lyrics of a song. The Man usually disregards most of the lyrics and focuses in on the melody. What do you primarily tune in to when listening to music? Are there any songs right now that you're really into? I'd love to expand my repertoire. So lay them on me in the comments.<br />
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<br />Ava Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1380936767403386158.post-31168720436903774802015-09-03T05:00:00.000-04:002015-09-03T05:00:02.773-04:00The Cover for STATIC by S.K. Anthony Is Here!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hi, everybody! S. K. Anthony, author extraordinaire and fun blogger has a new book coming out! And I get to reveal the cover! Woot! Let's get to it.</span><b> <i><br /></i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>STATIC</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>The Luminaries</i></b></span></div>
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Book Two</div>
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<b>Title: </b>STATIC<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Genre:</b> Urban Fantasy<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Release Date:</b> September 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Cover Design:</b> Regina Wamba of <span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MaeIDesignandPhotography?fref=ts" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Mae I Design</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Synopsis:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kevin Pierce is a teleporter, a ladies’ man, and a loyal friend . . . or so he thought.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As a genetically altered Luminary, he helps the government bring down some of the most dangerous criminals. Not very challenging if you have his special abilities. But when a group of rebel Luminaries attacks his Organization the fight for survival begins. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One shattering event after another tests the depth of his relationships, his sanity, and his powers. Emotionally torn, Kevin must choose carefully where his loyalty lies. In the middle of all the unexpected chaos he gets the biggest shock of his life when he’s faced by a betrayal he never saw coming. Angry, injured, and ready to even the score, Kevin goes Static . . .</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Add it to your Goodreads<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26118589-static" target="_blank"> *here*</a></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">About the Author:</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">S. K. Anthony is a writer, a reader and a make-stuff-up-er who lives in New York with her husband and toddler twins. She is a wine connoisseur, which just really means she knows she loves it, and a caffeine addict. When she isn’t busy with her family she finds herself being transported into the world of imagination. Well, either that or running away from spiders…she is convinced they are out to get her!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Stalk S.K. Anthony here:</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.skanthony.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a> ~ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/skanthony.author" target="_blank">Facebook</a> ~ <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7133166.S_K_Anthony" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/SKathAnthony" target="_blank">Twitter</a> ~ <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/108410963044949736135/posts" target="_blank">Google +</a> ~ <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/skanthony1/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>You can find Book One here:</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kinetic-The-Luminaries-ebook/dp/B00FAWI2QM/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_tnr_2" style="color: black; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> ~ </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kinetic-sk-anthony/1116875167?ean=9781492128755" style="color: black; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.createspace.com/4397811" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Createspace</a> ~ <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Kinetic-The-Luminaries-ebook/dp/B00FAWI2QM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379773791&sr=8-1&keywords=kinetic+sk+anthony" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon Ca </a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kinetic-The-Luminaries-S-Anthony/dp/1492128759/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379773841&sr=8-1&keywords=kinetic+sk+anthony" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> ~ <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18072566-kinetic" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Goodreads</span></a><br />
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The book sounds great! Do you know S. K.? Have you helped with cover reveals and book launches? Until next time, Citizens! </div>
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Ava Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1380936767403386158.post-75912451598280670052015-09-02T08:36:00.004-04:002015-09-07T11:02:18.290-04:00Quick UpdateHey guys! I know I don't talk a lot about writing on here, so some of you may have forgotten that I actually do write things other than <a href="http://readavaquinn.blogspot.com/2014/10/a-trek-to-unholy-land-of-hideous-mumus.html" target="_blank">ridiculous Muumuu quests</a>.<br />
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So I entered a Twitter contest called #Pitchwars sponsored by <a href="https://twitter.com/brendadrake" target="_blank">@brendadrake</a>. She's amazing, guys. Totally follow her on Twitter. She's amazingly supportive of the writing community and so, so generous.<br />
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Anywho, gushing aside, I was chosen to have a mentor to work on my pool hustler manuscript last night. When I found out, I was all like...<br />
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My mentor's name is Natasha Raulerson, and she's awesome, y'all. You can find her on Twitter here <a href="https://twitter.com/RaulersonWrites" target="_blank">@RaulersonWrites.</a><br />
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So I just wanted to share with you all, because you're such a fantastic writing community. Soon there will be more craziness around here on the blog, and tomorrow I'm revealing S. K. Anthony's cover for her upcoming release! So back to your regularly scheduled lives, Citizens!Ava Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1380936767403386158.post-9636596018535324712015-08-24T14:23:00.001-04:002015-08-24T14:23:13.272-04:00I Survived The Birthday Party!Oldest Urchin's pool birthday party was last Saturday night, and I did not walk away unscathed. (Shocking, I know.)<br />
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First, as we came to a stop at the end of our street on our way to the pool, the crockpot containing hotdogs that I'd been cooking most of the day, tipped over and spilled its entire contents--greasy water and all--onto the floor of the minivan. (Our beleaguered van is over a dozen years old, and apparently angers the local deer population as its been attacked by one deer and had numerous near misses.)<br />
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Based on smell, and yes, a little on appearance, I am now the pilot of the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile.<br />
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Ahh, the glory of my life.<br />
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Since the hot dogs and mac-n-cheese were the main staples of what I was serving that night, we had to stop and buy emergency pizzas on the way. Little Caesar's was the only place en route. I'll just say here, I'm not a fan. <br />
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In the over-exuberance of Oldest Urchin and her friends, the beginning of the party resembled the caddy swim in Caddyshack. Thankfully minus the doody.<br />
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And what is it with giving cash to an eleven year old? At least 3 of the kids gave Oldest a card with five bucks inside as their present. Totally weird.<br />
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In the end though, a good time was had by all. And as we drove away into the sunset, the smell of overcooked hot dogs wafting from our open windows, the girls declared it a rollicking good time. So for my sanity and the sake of the photo album, I'm calling it a total win.<br />
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So. How was your weekend? <br />
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<br />Ava Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1380936767403386158.post-7726242885963801062015-08-12T10:00:00.001-04:002015-08-12T10:00:50.685-04:00This Isn't A PostReally. Go to the previous post. Or click on the topic appropriate re-runs below. This is just a post about how I'm going to post soon.<br />
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I'm home from vacation. The <a href="http://readavaquinn.blogspot.com/2011/08/carny-in-t-minus-two-hours.html" target="_blank">back</a> <a href="http://readavaquinn.blogspot.com/2011/08/first-carny-report.html" target="_blank">yard</a> <a href="http://readavaquinn.blogspot.com/2010/08/lid-for-every-pot.html" target="_blank">carnival</a> is over, and <a href="http://readavaquinn.blogspot.com/2013/08/now-her-eyes-have-it.html" target="_blank">Oldest</a> Urchin's <a href="http://readavaquinn.blogspot.com/2009/08/target-acquired.html" target="_blank">birthday</a> is coming up. Which means, not only am I getting around to your blogs again, Tongue In Cheek will be chock full of epic craziness soon.<br />
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But for now, you can enjoy an epic craziness post from last summer's vacation to tide you over involving <a href="http://readavaquinn.blogspot.com/2014/10/a-trek-to-unholy-land-of-hideous-mumus.html" target="_blank">dueling banjos and a crazed muumuu search</a>. <br />
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And new posts will be coming soon. (You've been warned.)Ava Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1380936767403386158.post-5158356459635179312015-08-07T19:11:00.000-04:002015-08-07T19:11:00.237-04:00I Dig Them UpIt's up to you to decide whether or not to watch them. Here are some ca-RAAA-zy videos. Warning: you will never get the time back that you spent watching them. Plus, you may never get over it. Tongue In Cheek and its affiliates are not responsible for loss of time or brain cells in the watching of these videos. Watch at your own risk.<br />
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First--Charo<br />
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Next--Hasselhoff<br />
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I share with love. Truly. You needed to know these things existed. You're now a better person.<br />
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You're welcome.Ava Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1380936767403386158.post-45023194734986626512015-08-03T21:53:00.000-04:002015-08-03T21:53:00.305-04:00A Vacation Re-RunThe Quinns are on vacation. So feel for me. I'm camping. At the beach. To some this sounds great. To me? Not so much. Anywho...I'm embarrassed to tell you how long ago this re-run is from. So just sit back and enjoy my country music song writer envy.<br />
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Country music song writers are great storytellers. As you may have read a few posts back, redneck seems to be rubbing off on me because I recently started listening to country music. But I have to say that I've gained a great deal of respect for them this year. <br />
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In the past I thought of country music as some kind of twisted joke. I was convinced the old saying was true. What do you get when you play a country song backwards? You get your car back, your wife back, your heart back, your old hound dog back, your house back, etc. I never for a second thought that I'd be appreciative of their skill in setting scenes and evoking emotion with only a few lines. Lines that rhyme to boot! As a writer this fascinates me. These authors create an evocative story that can be told in three minutes. For instance, here's one of my recent favorites penned and sung by Dierks Bentley--<i>What Was I Thinking</i>. Check out this beginning.<br />
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Becky was a beauty from south Alabama.<br />
Her Daddy had a heart like a nine pound hammer.<br />
I think he even did a little time in the slammer.<br />
What was I thinkin'?<br />
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Those are the first four lines of his hit What Was I Thinkin'? The second line is awesome! Such description! Definite use of hook in my opinion.<br />
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Tim McGraw and The Warren Brothers wrote this next one. It's a fictionalized letter prepared by a soldier in case he dies in the line of duty. It's called <i>If You're Reading This</i>, and I can't listen to it because it makes me cry every time, but that doesn't mean I don't love it. Here's a section out of the middle.<br />
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If you’re reading this<br />
Half way around the world<br />
I won’t be there to see the birth of our little girl<br />
I hope she looks like you<br />
I hope she fights like me<br />
Stands up for the innocent and the weak<br />
I’m laying down my gun<br />
I’m hanging up my boots<br />
Tell dad I don’t regret that I followed in his shoes<br />
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So lay me down<br />
In that open field out on the edge of town<br />
And know my soul<br />
Is where my momma always prayed that it would go<br />
And if you’re reading this<br />
I’m already home<br />
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The emotion evoked is stellar. Something I feel that I don't go far enough with in my writing. I can't seem to open up enough, or be courageous enough, to pour my emotions into my writing, which inevitably, I believe, will hold it back.<br />
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Here's some great setting and character description from <i>Redneck Yacht Club</i> by Craig Morgan.<br />
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Bass-trackers, Bayliners and a party barge,<br />
Strung together like a floating trailer park,<br />
Anchored out and gettin' loud all summer long.<br />
Side by side, there's five houseboat front porches,<br />
Astroturf, lawn chairs and tiki torches.<br />
Regular Joes rocking the boat, that's us:<br />
The Redneck Yacht Club.<br />
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Bermuda's, flip-flops and a tank-top tan:<br />
He popped his first top at ten a.m.: that's Bob,<br />
He's our president.<br />
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I love the description of their president. Nineteen words, and he's captured. I can completely visualize him.<br />
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And as a romance writer, I have to put some sweet stuff in too. Here's the last verse of Little Moments by Brad Paisley.<br />
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When she's layin' on my shoulder on the sofa in the dark<br />
And about the time she falls asleep so does my right arm<br />
And I want so bad to move it 'cause it's tinglin' and it's numb<br />
But she looks so much like an angel that I don't wanna wake her up<br />
Yeah I live for little moments<br />
When she steals my heart again and doesn't even know it<br />
Yeah I live for little moments like that<br />
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So there's a few examples, all done with an economy of well-chosen words, perfectly strung together. Man, that's something as a writer I definitely am trying to aspire to. <br />
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No one who knew me in the past would ever believe that I'd become a country fan. It's got to be that <a href="http://readavaquinn.blogspot.com/2008/10/is-redneck-contagious.html" target="_blank">redneck really is contagious</a>. I refuse to believe anything else.Ava Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1380936767403386158.post-77586789997374902552015-07-29T05:30:00.000-04:002015-07-29T05:30:00.967-04:00I'm Scared I Might Grow A ChrysalisAnd I can't figure it out. I want to watch Hee Haw re-runs and eat lemon Jello. I want to wear my Slayer concert tee shirt with fuzzy bunny slippers. I want to eat shrimp puffs while downing tequila shots. <br />
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I'm in a mood. <br />
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But what I'm really afraid of is that it's a metamorphosis. I'll fall asleep and somehow grow a chrysalis. <br />
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Or like Gregor, awake to find myself a cockroach. What does a person feel like before taking on some hideous physical transformation? Do they crave Ho Ho's and tomato juice? <br />
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I guess I'm just not feeling like myself. <br />
<br />
It doesn't help that where ever I go, people look at me like this:<br />
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<a href="http://thebloodtheatre.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/BodySnatchers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://thebloodtheatre.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/BodySnatchers.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hold on while I consult the Magic Eight Ball to see how this will turn out. Hmmmmmmmmm. "Outlook not so good". <br />
<br />
Not what I was hoping to hear. Seems strange things are afoot at the Circle K, I mean Chez Quinn. Let's hope it straightens itself out soon. But if you happen to look out your window and see something like this:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6wS50241dic?rel=0" width="420"></iframe><br />
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You may want to run too.Ava Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1380936767403386158.post-69310299371828399362015-07-25T07:48:00.001-04:002015-07-25T09:11:46.966-04:00Melissa Maygrove Has A New Release!!<div style="text-align: center;">
Hi Everybody! Did you know that Melissa Maygrove has a new book? Her second novel, <i>Precious Atonement</i>, is now available! Check it out!!</div>
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<i>Precious Atonement</i> is a companion novel to her highly-rated debut titled <i>Come Back</i>. <br />
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(You can read her Tongue In Cheek Sea Monkey interview for her first book <a href="http://readavaquinn.blogspot.com/2014/05/melissa-maygrove-author-interview-sea.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.)</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ruined women don’t hope, </span></i></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">killers don’t dream, </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">and
the dead don’t feel pain</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymA7050YFYM/VbEGEHHgnbI/AAAAAAAAFq8/t4A8pPe6ZrA/s1600/Precious%2BAtonement%2Bebook%2Bfinal%2B%25282%2529%2B%2528512x800%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymA7050YFYM/VbEGEHHgnbI/AAAAAAAAFq8/t4A8pPe6ZrA/s400/Precious%2BAtonement%2Bebook%2Bfinal%2B%25282%2529%2B%2528512x800%2529.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Cover image designed by Carrie Butler</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Forward Authority Design Services</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Rachel
Emerson is resigned to live as a spinster. Her parents keep her shameful
secret, and her only brother, Seth, vanished mere days after witnessing her
rape, taking her dishonor with him and giving them all an alibi for their
grief. But none of that matters. Appearances are useless if she can’t bear the
touch of a man.</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>
</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>
</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Jacob
Evans welcomes pain as much as he seeks to escape it. The graves of his wife and
child remind him of his sins every day. When Lawrence Emerson offers him a job
and a chance to move west, Jacob permits himself a fresh start. But letting go
of his past is only an illusion. Lawrence’s sweet, shy daughter captures
Jacob’s heart and provides him a perfect tool for self-torment. </span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>
</i></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>
</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Despite
painful lessons of the past, history soon threatens to repeat itself, and as
Jacob’s love for Rachel grows, so does his agony. Giving his precious new wife
the life she deserves might cost him the very thing he values most—her.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> ~~~</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span><i>Precious Atonement</i> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by Melissa Maygrove</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Genre: Western Historical Romance</div>
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Category: Adult </div>
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Heat level: Hot in places</div>
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Released by Truelove Press July 22, 2015 </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Content warning: Although the moral context of the
story is old fashioned, </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Precious
Atonement</i> contains descriptions of physical intimacy, adult themes
including rape, </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">and violence including sexual violence. It is intended for
mature readers</span></span>.</span> </div>
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You can find the book here:<br />
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Precious-Atonement-Companion-Novel-Come-ebook/dp/B012B591DI" target="_blank">Kindle</a> ~ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Precious-Atonement-Companion-Novel-Come/dp/0996039732" target="_blank">Paperback</a> ~ <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/precious-atonement-melissa-maygrove/1122367432?ean=2940151172943" target="_blank">Nook</a></b><br />
<br />
And you can find Melissa here:<br />
<b><a href="http://www.melissamaygrove.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> ~ <a href="http://www.melissamaygrove.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Blog </a>~ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MelissaMaygrove" target="_blank">Facebook </a></b><br />
Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/MelissaMaygrove" target="_blank">@MelissaMaygrove</a><br />
<br />
Don't forget to add <i>Precious Atonement</i> to your <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/8103285.Melissa_Maygrove" target="_blank"><b>Goodreads</b></a>.<br />
<br />
To be notified of news and future new releases, <a href="http://eepurl.com/P2EWL" target="_blank">sign up for Melissa's newsletter</a>.<br />
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Thanks for stopping by the blog, Melissa! Do you know Melissa? Have you participated in her awesome Follow Fest in the past?<br />
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Until next time, Citizens!<br />
<br />Ava Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1380936767403386158.post-52181650358163334712015-07-15T14:27:00.000-04:002015-07-15T14:27:08.780-04:00I'm ImpatientImpatience, thy name is Ava.<br />
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This is me right now.<br />
About everything.<br />
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With sporadic upgrades to this:<br />
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I occasionally want to say things like this to my email inbox:<br />
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And this is a new thing for me. I'm usually very patient, but my well has run dry. For the past year I've been doing too much volunteering and not taking any time for myself. I also seem to be surrounded by people (in the real world, not on the internets, and not The Man or Urchins) that only want to be bothered with me if I'm doing something for them.<br />
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So, I'm reacting poorly. If anyone asks something from me, I want to do this:<br />
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Of course I reign it in. A bit. But I'm not biting when people hint around that they want me to do something. Which is completely out of character for me. So, I'm coming to grips with this whole new feeling.<br />
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How are you guys doing? Any tips on how to elegantly or effectively say no?<br />
Ava Quinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09404716744982870650noreply@blogger.com22