C.M. Brown's Blog, page 51

May 25, 2012

Wilde's Fire Editor-Judged Contest - Blog Hop

Sharon Baylis, (Sci-fi and fantasy author) and Krystal Wade, (Curiosity Quills Acquisition Editor for Young Adult) have teamed up to host a Blog Hop where there is a prize or prized, depending on quality of submissions, for a chance at a publishing contract with Curiosity Quills.

Wilde's Fire, by Krystal Wade - Cover  


All of this is to celebrate Krytal Wade's book release "Wilde's Fire"!










Under the YA and NA umbrella, Curiosity Quills is most interested in the following genres:

Fantasy
Speculative Fiction / Dark Sci-Fi / Traditional Sci-Fi
Paranormal and Urban Fantasy
Steampunk / NeoVictorian
Mystery / Crime Thrillers
Quirky/Humorous Fiction (in any of the above genres)
1) Sign up at the linky on Sharon Baylis site.

2) By 5/25, post your query and first 500 words on your blog. I recommend that you refer to Curiosity Quill's submission guidelines when crafting your query. They don't need the bio section, they like to judge a work by its merits only. You can go slightly more or less than 500 words so you're not stopping in the middle of a sentence.

3) From 5/25-5/28, pop over to the other blogs and comment on entries. Contests like this are a great way to get useful feedback from a lot of people. So let's make it useful! Please post meaningful and helpful feedback that we can use to improve our work. Constructive criticism is encouraged but of course, unhelpful meanness will not be tolerated. If you're lucky, you may even find comments from Curiosity Quills editors themselves.

4) On 5/28 I will post again asking you to email me your revised, final entries for consideration by Krystal. From these entries, she will choose winners (assuming entries are strong enough, she will choose more than one winner!). These winners will get a full request from Curiosity Quills.

On the very last day of submissions, I have decided to submit an entry. Click here to find out the details of the Blog Hop and visit the other participants!
MY QUERY:
Dear  Krystal,

Courtney has just finished university and has landed a job in Melbourne, as an advertising editor for a new fashion magazine called 'TINT'.  

She leaves her country life, family and friends to move to Melbourne, engulfing herself in her new city lifestyle. But, this fashion mag isn't all it seems to be....

Courtney finds herself attracted to one of the many gorgeous models on staff, Slater and discovers a very different world beneath the surface of the fashion magazine and big city life.

She is changed forever as she sinks deeper into a relationship with the very sexy, attractive Slater. 


'TINT' is a New Adult Paranormal Romance, set in modern day Melbourne, Australia. As it stands it is an incomplete story which may have possibilities to become a series.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Brown



Here is my first 500 words of 'TINT'
Shadows crept across the wall as the room swam and the figures in front of me merged and swirled into one.  I felt as if I would not be able to stand up straight for long.  The orange tablet they had made me swallow was taking effect and my mind was beginning to become foggy and unfocused.  I knew I was in trouble when I felt my heart beat faster and droplets of sweat formed upon my skin!
Slater walked into the room, I knew it was him even though my senses had begun to wane.  The others in the room parted as he strode past them, giving him a wide berth to move towards me.  I did not expect him to hit me, but he did, with the full force of his giant fist smashing into my cheekbone, sending me down towards the floor. 
Droplets of blood escaped from my mouth, dripping down my chin, but I was unable to wipe them off as my hands were bound behind my back.  I tried to gain some composure as I struggled to stand again, defiantly looking my once vampire lover in the eyes!  He hit me again and everything faded….


Chapter One
“Hey you! What are you doing lying around here?” Came the familiar voice.
I was lying amongst a field of clover, listening to the bees buzzing around me, collecting nectar to make honey, the birds singing to each other amongst the trees and the trickling sound of the nearby stream as it meandered past the field I was resting in.
Ali had been my friend since primary school and we had never spent much time apart.  She lived nearby on one of the neighbouring properties that adjoined this one.Together we had learned to ride our bikes, played with our dolls and chased the local boys.  When we were a lot younger we had spent almost every waking hour together exploring our neighbourhood.
Feeling the warm sun on my skin, I shielded my eyes as I moved to greet her, a smile spreading across my face when I saw the pack she carried in her arms.  Knowing Ali, she would have packed my favourite olives, pate´s and cheeses.  I could feel my mouth begin to water.
“I was just enjoying the sunshine!  Can never get too much of just laying around, you know!" I paused before continuing, "Actually, I just wanted to reinforce my memories of this place, just once more before I leave for the big city in the morning.”
“Yeah!  I’m going to miss you, ya know.”
“Me, you as well!” I answered and walked over to give her a huge hug.
We sat down together, she opened up her bag, and I was right, she had packed it full of my favourite delights.  Even those special chocolate balls her grandmother used to make us when we were kids.
We spent a couple of hours together just enjoying each others  company before we separated and headed back to our respective homes.
 ****


I hope you enjoyed it. Feel welcome to comment or make critiques below, (be nice though). Please be aware as I am Australian, some words may not be spelled the way you are accustomed. I was inspired to continue writing this story after entering a challenge earlier this year.
 Carolyn
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Published on May 25, 2012 06:05

May 24, 2012

WEIGHTED - COVER DESIGN RELEASE FOR CIARA KNIGHT

MY FRIEND CIARA KNIGHT HAS JUST RELEASED HER COVER DESIGN FOR HER NEXT BOOK,  ‘WEIGHTED’
Weighted is a young adult post-apocalyptic with paranormal elements. It is a prequel novelette to The Neumarian Chronicles, and will be released August 2012. Book I, Escapement, will be released in 2013.

ADD 'WEIGHTED' TO YOUR GOODREADS SHELFBLURB: 
The Great War of 2185 is over, but my nightmare has just begun. I am being held captive in the Queen’s ship awaiting interrogation. My only possible ally is the princess, but I’m unsure if she is really my friend or a trap set by the Queen to fool me into sharing the secret of my gift. A gift I keep hidden even from myself.  It swirls inside my body begging for release, but it is the one thing the Queen can never discover. Will I have the strength to keep the secret? I’ll know the answer soon. If the stories are true about the interrogators, I’ll either be dead or a traitor to my people by morning.

 "I wish Ciara great success with this novel and I must say, I really do love the cover design!"   Carolyn



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Published on May 24, 2012 13:51

May 21, 2012

TEASER TUESDAY



Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by

http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/of Should Be Reading.Anyone can play along!Just do the followingGrab your current readOpen to a random pageShare two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that pageBE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE ANY SPOILERS!
Make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away!

You don't want to ruin the book for others!


Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Balthazar Balthazar (Evernight) byClaudia Gray
 Haunted by memories from his first days as a vampire, Balthazar has spent hundreds of years alone—without allies, without love. When he emerges from his isolation to help Skye Tierney, a human girl who once attended Evernight Academy, Balthazar has no idea how dangerous it will be. Skye’s psychic powers have caught the attention of Redgrave, the cruel master vampire responsible for murdering Balthazar and his family four centuries ago. Having learned of Skye’s powers and the remarkable effect her blood has on vampires, he plans to use her for his own evil purposes. As they stand together to fight the evil vampire, Balthazar realizes his lonely world could finally be changed by Skye...just as Redgrave realizes that he can destroy Balthazar once and for all by taking her for his own.

In a story filled with forbidden love and dark suspense, one of the most beloved characters in Claudia Gray’s New York Times bestselling Evernight series will captivate readers with his battle to overcome his past and follow his heart.

MY TEASER: 

Redgrave smiled. "Don't worry. You haven't hurt my feelings by failing to know my face." His accent was odd, not exactly British, not exactly American, hints of something else, too. Hard to place. "You saw me only in the dark, and only with human eyes. My question was sincere." He tapped his finger on the board, just beneath remember me.

 
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Published on May 21, 2012 13:41

May 15, 2012

TEASER TUESDAY




Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by

http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/of Should Be Reading.Anyone can play along!Just do the followingGrab your current readOpen to a random pageShare two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that pageBE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE ANY SPOILERS!(make sure that what you share doesn't give too much aw
ay!

You don't want to ruin the book for others!Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
This week I have chosen my Teaser from 
UNEARTHLYbyCynthia Hand
Blurb: Unearthly (Unearthly, #1)  In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . . Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.
Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.
As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?
Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.

Teaser:



 I'm in the middle of the burning forest.  It's not like a dream. It's like I'm physically there. I don't stay long, maybe all of thirty seconds, and then I'm back in the kitchen, standing in a puddle of water because the glass has fallen from my hand.
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Published on May 15, 2012 05:18

May 14, 2012

MY FIRST FOUR LOVESAlex J. Cavanaugh (Captain Ninja) is t...




MY FIRST FOUR LOVES
Alex J. Cavanaugh (Captain Ninja) is the host to this very interesting Blog Hop. 
Visit Alex and join in and have some fun! 
http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com.au/

1. MOVIE:  I was trying to think of something really cool, but after some thought deciding to be honest, I would have to say: Dirty Dancing starring Patrick Swayze!

2. BAND:      SWEET
  Original Members - Steve Priest, Brian Connolly, Mick Tucker, and Andy Scott.


  

HERE IS THE SONG I LOVED OF THEIRS - THE BALLROOM BLITZ
BECAUSE I LIKE ANIMA - THIS IS THE DEATHNOTE VERSION - ENJOY!!!

<p><p>mmmm <br></p></p> 
 3.  BOOK
 IT HAS TO BE  -  The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy By: Douglas Adams        I still have one of the original copies packed away somewhere in the house. I have read this book an amazing amount of times and just never get sick of it. My favourite character in the story: Zaphod Beeblbrox     4. PERSON:  I could say my husband (Paul), who has been the love of my life, but the very first boy I thought that I loved was Lennox. I was in third year high school and I had his name written everywhere - on my books, my shoes, me .... I was lucky, he went to a private boys school the other side of town, so he never saw his name plastered on everything I owned. After school finished the relationship just petered out! I walked into a bakery one day up here on the coast, just after delivering my second child, low and behold there he was standing in front of me! At least he recognized me and stopped to chat! 
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Published on May 14, 2012 01:48

May 10, 2012

FIRST REVIEW OF HE CAME FOR ME


Emily of Doodle's Book Blog has posted a review of   on her site:

Doodle's Book Blog http://doodlesbookblog.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/review-giveaway-he-came-for-me-by-cm.html

If any of you are interested - visit Emily's site to read the review.  While you are there enter the competition she is hosting to win a free copy of He Came For Me!

This is the first review of my work and I must say, I am glad I got the nerve up to request one. 

Thank goodness the result was more than good, 
to quote Emily - 'I LOVED IT'

One cannot ask for more than that!
 Thank you Emily!
Your review was very much appreciated!

Doodle's Book Blog IS A  SUPPORTER of






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Published on May 10, 2012 04:06

May 9, 2012

MY GOALS FOR MAY

Are You Writing Now?  
Host Patricia Lynne
 http://plbjourney.blogspot.com.au/p/a...

Being caught up in the A-Z Challenge and  also being totally exhausted from the effort, I forgot to post my goals for this month!
So here they are:Continue writing my WIP.Finish the first draft.Complete editing of the first draft.Finish the critique of partner's work.Write to five review blogs to ask for a book review of first book.Contact all followers of my Blog. 
 


Product Details  JUST TO LET EVERYONE KNOW - I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTACT VALERIE N. TODAY AND SHE HAS RECEIVED HER $10 AMAZON GIFT CARD. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK EVERYONE WHO TOOK PART IN MY 10,000 PAGE VIEW COMPETITION!
AND 
CONGRATULATIONS VALERIE!

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Published on May 09, 2012 04:54

May 7, 2012

TEASER TUESDAY

I AM STILL TRYING TO LOCATE VALERIE N.
THE WINNER OF
MY 10000 VIEWS
COMPETITION
PLEASE CONTACT HER IF YOU HAPPEN TO KNOW HER
I WILL RE-DRAW AT THE END OF THE WEEK IF I RECEIVE NO RESPONSE BY THEN



Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by

http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/of Should Be Reading.Anyone can play along!Just do the followingGrab your current readOpen to a random pageShare two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that pageBE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE ANY SPOILERS!(make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away!

You don't want to ruin the book for others!Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! This week I have started reading a Paranormal Fantasy titled:
STORM The first book to be released by Brigid Kemmererin the 'Elementals' Series!

BLURB:

Four brothers, four powerful elements, and one girl caught in the middle.
When Becca Chandler saves Chris Merrick from being beaten up in the school parking lot, she has no idea how dramatically this one action will change her life. Because Chris Merrick is no ordinary guy and neither are his three older brothers. The Merrick boys are Elementals. Hot. Powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death. And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.
 MY TEASER:
"Jesus, could you sound more dramatic? I already told you, she's got nothing to do with Tyler. she's just a girl in my class."
'Average girls don't jump into the middle of a fight between guys.  Stay away from her.'
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Published on May 07, 2012 13:51

May 6, 2012

A-Z REFLECTIONS POST


I HOPE YOU DIDN'T THINK I HAD ABANDONED ANY OF YOU!
I HAVE BEEN AWAY CAMPING UP IN THE HINTERLAND OF THE SUNSHINE COAST FOR  A FEW DAYS - RECHARGING THE BATTERIES! 
I ATTENDED A MUSIC FESTIVAL CALLED THE 'PLANTING FESTIVAL' - WHERE YOU HELP RE-VEGETATE THE FESTIVAL SITE BY HELPING TO PLANT TREES!  
IT IS A NICE PLACE TO RELAX - I EVEN HAD SOME TIME TO WRITE!


I would only be able to say great things about the A-Z Challenge for 2012. 
As this was my first time taking part in the challenge I do not have others to compare to, but if they were anything like this challenge then they must have been great too!
A VERY BIG THANKS GOES TO THE HARD WORKING TEAM WHO MADE IT ALL POSSIBLE:


Tossing It Out (Arlee Bird)Amlokiblogs (Damyanti Biswas)Alex J. Cavanaugh (Alex J. Cavanaugh)Life is Good (Tina Downey)Cruising Altitude 2.0 (DL Hammons)Retro-Zombie (Jeremy Hawkins)The Warrior Muse (Shannon Lawrence)The QQQE (Matthew MacNish)Author Elizabeth Mueller(Elizabeth Mueller)Pearson Report (Jenny Pearson)No Thought 2 Small (Konstanz Silverbow)Breakthrough Blogs (Stephen Tremp)Coming Down The Mountain(Karen Jones Gowen)
DURING THE A-Z CHALLENGE - NINJA CAPTAIN ALEX ASKED IF I COULD PIECE TOGETHER  THE PROGRESSIVE STORY I POSTED FOR THE CHALLENGE AND POST IT AGAIN ON MY SITE FOR ALL TO READ  - WELL HERE IT IS:

Abe bailed ‘cause Dave engaged Fran Griggs, he intended just killing Liam Miles, never ordering past quotas, realizing that united vantages wove xtreemly yielding zaps.
****
Bending carefully down enthusiastically, Fran gathered her identity jargon kits, leaving many notes offering prior quests refunds, selflessly thinking undisclosed voids would xplain yearly zine accountability.
****
Calculating delivery, engaging FBI goons, Hanson instead justified keeping large machinates, noting other prospects queried rates, so they ultimately veered when xtra yobos zoomed across boundaries!


****
Defying end figures, Griggs helped intended joint kickbacks leave mainland niches, opposing packaged quibs, resuming standard tolls under very well xplained yields, zoning accountability before calculations.

****
Examining final goals, he identified joint KGB limitations,motivating new objectives perhaps querying results, since tallies unmarked ventured west, xtending yearly zones acquired better carnage development.
Final guarantees had involved joining key liaisons, motivating normal opponents, positioning quantities, rationally selecting targets under visually wide xtremities, yielding 
zealous attacks because combatants demanded engagement.
Government hierarchy indicated joint knowledge levelled many notorious opponents, promising quick results. Together unlimited verdicts would xclude young Zionists’ assimilating behind credentials delivered electronically forever!
Hanson investigated jurisdictions, knowing limited manoeuvres now opened private questions regarding several types under various widened xeno yarded zones and built careful details, establishing final goals.
Indecision jaded key liaisons, meaning no one purpose qualified. Regardless, systematic tactical undergoing’s ventured with xtreeme youthful zest, apparently before correct devices engineered for guile, happened.
Joining KGB liaisons meant new openings, pertaining quite respectable situations, taking unique varying windows, xcluding young Zionists after beginning correct diplomatic engagements for governing healthy interactions.
Keenly limiting many notifications, over proper queries resulted, so terrorist undergoing’s veered westward. Xtraditing young Zionist’s after benign companies defaulted, ending further gangs having influential jurisdiction.
****
Liam Miles never officiated production quotas, risking substantial tactical undertakings. Viewing WASP xtremist’s yielding zero altercations before calling division, endearing 
‘friends’ gain help investigating justified kudos.
Miles never opposed personal quests, restricting services to underhand vendettas, which xpertly yanked zealous accountants better clients, deferring endeavours for gains, helping industries join keen liaisons
Never opposing personal quests, restricting services to underhand vendettas, which xpertly yanked zines, allowed better cliental different endeavours for greatness. However, investigative journalists' keenly located manoeuvres.
****
Opposing personal qualms, regarding systematic trials, underlying verdicts weren't xempt, yet Zionist actionists’ began circulating documentation endorsing funds, granting hefty interests, jamming key limits, measuring nets.
Preparing quickly, risking severe treatment under various wicked xtremists, yanking
zippers and boots carefully, devising engagements, Fran gathered hordes including 
jodhpurs, knowing limited manoeuvres needed operatives.
****
Quickly removing suspect targets, under visas which xcluded young Zionist’s, Abe began calculating demands, endorsing Fran, gathering healthy intelligence, justifying Kremlin liaisons, monitoring nearby organised profiteers.
Restricting serious treachery, underhandedly venturing wider xtremities, youthful Zionists' actually became controllable. Diplomatic endorsements fondly gained hardened injustices, juggling known latent militants not obsessively proving quiescent.
Serious terrorist undercurrants, verified warnings xeno estalishments yeilded zonal acquisitions bought cleverly during Easter festivities. Gaining high insight journalist Karen Leighton made news opposing perplexities, quashing rumours.
Tough underlying videos were xradited, yanking Zionist activity before campaign damage effected favoured generous handouts. Intelligence jocks knowingly locked many new operatives previously questioned, retracting safeguards.
Undoing vendettas with xtra yearly zines, Abe busily completed demands, ensuring Fran got her intelligence joining Kremlin involvement, making numerous operational prerequisites, quickly restricting several threats.
****
Various windows xtinguishing yankee Zionnist's after beneficiaries carefully disclosed endeavours. Fran Griggs handled interests, judged key links, maintained normal operations previously questioned. Resrictions somehow tolerated undesirables.
Without xamples young Zionist’s again began clever demonstrations, endorsing fear! Griggs having intelligence jargon, killed Liam Miles, never opposing personal questions regarding serious terrorist units.
****
Xterminating Zionist’s, Abe believed could determine endgame figures, giving higher 
interrogation judgements keen lengthy measures, not opposing periodical questioning 
regarding serious testaments, unleashing verified watchdogs!
Yearly zealous accounts began cleverly debating efficient fundamental gains. Higher invasive jurisdictions knowingly left militant networks odious, promising quick results, stopping technically undetermined vanquished warrant xclusions. 
Zionist’s allowed bureaucratic countermeasures diplomatically ending feuds. Griggs, Hanson, Ingham jointly kindled long manoeuvres. New organised payments quickly resulted, surprising troubled units, vanishing weaker xtremist youth.




The Backworlds is here!
The first story in the Backworlds series by M. Pax. A vision of how humanity might colonize the galaxy some day in the distant future.
                                          The Backworlds


After the war with Earth, bioengineered humans scatter across the Backworlds. Competition is fierce and pickings are scant. Scant enough that Craze’s father decides to hoard his fortune by destroying his son. Cut off from family and friends, with little money, and even less knowledge of the worlds beyond his own, Craze heads into an uncertain future. Boarding the transport to Elstwhere, he vows to make his father regret this day.


Available from: Amazon / AmazonUK / Smashwords / FeedbooksOther links to more outlets can be found at either Wistful Nebulae or MPax
The Backworlds is an ebook and a free read. All formats can be found at Smashwords and Feedbooks.
It’ll take a few weeks to work its way down to free on Amazon Kindle. It will also be available on B&N and iTunes. Sign up for M. Pax’s mailing list to be notified the day it does go free on Amazon, and when the book becomes available at other outlets. You’ll also receive coupons for discounts on future publications. NEWSLETTER
M. Pax’s inspiration comes from the wilds of Oregon, especially the high desert where she shares her home with two cats and a husband unit. Creative sparks also come from Pine Mountain Observatory where she spend her summers working as a star guide. She writes mostly science fiction and fantasy, but confesses to an obsession with Jane Austen. She blogs at her website, www.mpaxauthor.com and at Wistful Nebuae. You’ll find links there to connect on Twitter, Goodread, FB and other sites.
The sequel, Stopover at the Backworlds’ Edge, will be released in July 2012. It will be available in all ebook formats and paperback.


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Published on May 06, 2012 23:54

May 2, 2012

INSECURE WRITER'S SUPPORT GROUP



FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH 
IT IS TIME FOR 
INSECURE WRITER'S SUPPORT GROUP
To find out more about this group,visit:Alex J. Cavanaugh (The Ninja Captain)http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com.au/p/insecure-writers-support-group.html



It has been a huge month for me being part of the A-Z Challenge,  as I am sure it was for a lot of others out there!  But it was so worth it!  I am glad that I decided to participate, I contemplated it for a while before signing up though.
I am a bit late posting this today, I apologise, I am just really spent!
This month I was also hoping to complete my WIP ready for critique, but I got to the end and decided it needed more so I have extended the story on. Somehow amongst the challenge I was inspired and the extended version of the story just came to me.
So now I need to really settle down and concentrate on writing and complete the task. I have given myself a deadline of October for publication so I need to focus and stay on task!!!!

NOTE: PLEASE HELP!!!
 IF ANYONE OUT THERE KNOWS THE PERSON WHO HAS WON THE $10 AMAZON GIFT VOUCHER SHOWN ABOVE, CAN THEY PLEASE CONTACT HER AS SHE HAS NOT RESPONDED TO MY EMAIL!!
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Published on May 02, 2012 02:29