D.E. Haggerty's Blog, page 22

April 6, 2018

Once you discover “The art of fully Living”, there is no going back ~ #selfhelp from Tal Gur

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Book title: The Art of Fully Living

Author: Tal Gur

Genre: Self Help

Published: Oct 2017

~ Blurb ~

In this stirring book, author, blogger and lifestyle entrepreneur, Tal Gur offers his own transformational journey as an inspiring example and practical guide to implementing the art of fully living to its fullest potential. You’ll learn how to actualize your potential by forging all aspects of your life through the process built into your life goals.

Once you discover “the art of fully living,” there is no going back; it will feel unacceptable to settle for less than your dreams—and what’s more, you’ll dream even more wildly, aspiring to action with greater clarity of purpose, broader horizons of possibility, and holistic vision across all areas of your life.

The very structure of this book models Tal’s immersive approach to goal-driven living: each chapter of The Art of Fully Living is dedicated to a year of focus—socializing, fitness, freedom, contribution, love, adventure, wealth, relationship, spirituality, and creativity—and follows Tal’s endeavors as he works toward fulfilling 100 life goals in only 10 years.

This daunting ambition, springing from one late-night conversation among friends and a gnawing discontentment within the typical “success” story, becomes extremely relatable through Tal’s bold storytelling; what’s more, the deep lessons learned become immediately applicable for your own purposes as Tal thoughtfully extracts the actionable wisdom from his own experiences to articulate the principles and techniques of “the art of fully living.”

The Art of Fully Living takes you along the exhilarating ride of Tal’s journey while illuminating your own possible life-goal trajectory: as Tal relates how he socialized nonstop in vibrant Melbourne to master English and trained intensively to complete Ironman New Zealand and practice ancient Thai martial arts, you’ll learn how to apply immersion to achieve your own life goals; as Tal describes how he eliminated his crushing student debt in one year and attained financial and location independence, you’ll learn how to simplify your life, recognize your own present wealth, and turn your passions into a living; and as Tal animates his experiences learning to surf and salsa, to drum in a troupe and compose electronic music, and to write this very book, you’ll learn how to let your intuition be your guide, reveal your authentic core, and achieve flow—among the myriad other adventures and take-aways that fill this book.

Tal not only introduces the idea that the art of fully living is another skill to master but also guides you through honing this skill with chapter lessons and actionable key takeaways.

Grab a copy!

Amazon

~ Excerpt ~

Master the art of fully living, one life goal at a time. Do you want to experience your one life—your whole life—to its fullest measure? Can you imagine what the world would be like if everyone discovered and did what made them feel fully alive?

This book is especially for you if you find yourself frustrated often, feeling low, or if you’re struggling while asking yourself “What do I REALLY want?”

You will find your calling.
You will define your life goals.
You will discover how to leverage your strengths to achieve your dreams.
You will know what it means to be truly free.
You will be fulfilled by the path you have chosen to take from this point on.

~ About the author ~

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Tal Gur, a blogger, entrepreneur, and devoted adventurer, has spent a decade pursuing 100 major goals around the globe. But his journey had its challenges. Like most people, he faced crippling self-doubt and struggled for a sense of purpose. Behind every difficulty he discovered a life-changing gift, and now he’s passing what he learned onto others. Find out more about Tal and his 100 life goals project at http://www.FullyLived.com

~Author links~

http://www.FullyLived.com

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Published on April 06, 2018 01:11

April 4, 2018

How can I tell if a blog is worth writing a guest post for? #WriterWednesday #AmWriting

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One of my goals for 2018 is to write more guest blogs. (In case you’re wondering, I’m failing spectacularly with this goal.) As I’ve talked about this goal, I’ve received a question I hadn’t expected: How can I tell if a blog is worth writing a guest post for? Initially, my answer was Who cares? Any publicity at all is good! I’ve since grown up a bit and realized that there are only twenty-four hours in day and, therefore, writers (and whoever else is writing a guest blog to gain exposure) can’t afford to spend their time writing guest blog posts for just anyone. So, how do you pick and choose blogs to query for a possible guest blog spot?

[image error]The first step, after assuring the blog is accepting requests for blog posts, is a numbers game. How many followers does the blog have? This number can be deceiving, however. Just because a blog has a large following doesn’t mean that the followers are actually reading the blog posts. Check out a few recent posts. Are there several likes? How many comments are there? In this way, you can make sure the blog’s following is an active following.

Not all blogs indicate the number of followers. My blog doesn’t. So, how do you determine if the blog is worth spending the time and energy on writing a guest blog for? You can determine how often the blog is visited by reviewing its page views and unique visitors. Many blogs that solicit guest blogs will provide this statistical information. Page views refers to the number of pages viewed on a blog during a given time period. But page views can be misleading. The same person can visit the blog multiple times in a day making it look as if the blog is frequently visited. Unique visitors is often a better measurement. A unique visitor refers to a person who visits a site during the reporting period. Each visitor to the site is only counted once during the reporting period.

[image error]So, you’ve reviewed the statistics and determined the blog has an active following and/or is frequently visited. You’re done, right? Not quite. You should also check out the social media following of the blog. How many twitter and/or Instagram followers does the blog have? Even if the blog has a large following, it’s important to ensure your guest blog post will be shared on such social media. After all, you can’t create buzz for your post (and certainly not your book or product) without social media.

Now that you’ve determined which blogs you want to write a guest post for, it’s time to start writing that guest post. Ready, set, go!

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Published on April 04, 2018 03:07

April 3, 2018

My #bookreview of the enemies-to-lovers novel The Last King ~ a new #romance from @katee_robert #giveaway

THE LAST KING

Beckett and Samara’s story is now available!

Ultra wealthy and super powerful, the King family is like royalty in Texas. But who will keep the throne? New York Times bestselling author Katee Robert introduces a red-hot new series.

Keep reading to get a sneak peek excerpt and enter the giveaway for one of ten (10) print copies of THE LAST KING!

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Title: The Last King

Author: Katee Robert

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: April 3, 2018

Publisher: Forever

Series: The Kings

Page Count: 336 pages

Format: Digital

ASIN: B074M69QLF

ISBN: 978-1455597109

~ Blurb ~

THE MAN SHE HATES TO LOVE

Beckett King just inherited his father’s fortune, his company-and all his enemies. If he’s going to stay on top, he needs someone he can trust beside him. And though they’ve been rivals for years, there’s no one he trusts more than Samara Mallick.

The rebel. That’s how Samara has always thought of Beckett. And he’s absolutely living up to his unpredictable ways when he strides into her office and asks for help. She can’t help wondering if it’s a legit request or just a ploy to get her into bed. Not that she’d mind either one. After all, she likes to live on the edge too.

But soon the threats to the King empire are mounting, and the two find family secrets darker than they ever imagined and dangerous enough to get them both killed.

Praise for The Last King:

“Top Pick! Beckett and Samara are a fantastic, modern couple. They clash in the boardroom and the bedroom, are total equals, and their bring-it-on spirit makes every interaction lively and exciting — whether clothes are on or off. … The heart of this romance is the development of trust between Beckett and Samara, and Robert expertly unfolds it, revealing the emotional connection on both sides under the flash and fire of their irresistible chemistry. 4 1/2 stars.”—RT Book Reviews

Grab a copy now!

Amazon: http://bit.ly/TheLastKingAmazon

B&N: http://bit.ly/TheLastKingBN

iTunes: http://bit.ly/TheLastKingiTunes

Kobo: http://bit.ly/TheLastKingKobo

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~ Giveaway ~

Enter to win one of ten (10) print copies of THE LAST KING !

ENTER HERE: http://bit.ly/2unJYbK

~ Excerpt ~

Copyright © 2018 Katee Robert

Heaven was Samara in a little green dress.

Beckett watched her walk across the lobby, her mile-long legs eating up the distance with ease. That glimpse of wildness she’d given him last night was in full effect today, her hair a mass of black waves that seemed to curl and snap around her shoulders with each step. Her dress fitted her like a second skin, sloping down over her breasts, her stomach, to her hips and thighs.

But it was her dark eyes that drew and held him. Anger and desire and something like guilt lingered there, and she held his gaze as she stopped in front of him. “Do I meet your expectation?”

“You’re beautiful.”

She arched a single eyebrow. “I know.”

That surprised a laugh out of him. Beckett turned to the elevator bank and offered his elbow. The gentlemanly move was over-the-top for their current circumstances, but he couldn’t be this close to her without touching her. Kissing her now, here, was a terrible damn idea, so he’d settle for the small touch. “No false modesty. I like that.”

“I think we’ve established that I don’t operate based on what you like.” Despite her words, amusement pulled at the edges of her lips, and she set her hand carefully on his forearm. “Every time I think I have your number down, you surprise me. Most guys get pissy pants if a woman doesn’t fall at their feet when they call her beautiful.”

“I’m not most guys.” He waited for the elevator door to open and led her onto it. “You can’t fit me into a box and write me off, Samara.”

“I’m beginning to see that.” She shook her head, her hair brushing against his shoulder. “My life would be a whole lot easier if I could.”

He couldn’t argue that, so he didn’t bother. Beckett took them up to the executive level. He noted the way she studied everything, obviously filing away every bit of information she could lay her eyes on. “What does Lydia pay you these days?”

She dropped her arm and stepped back. “Oh no. I don’t think so.” She pointed at him. “We went over this last night. I’m not for sale.”

“It’s an innocent question.”

“It is most definitely not an innocent question.” She looked like she wanted to take off her shoe and throw it at his head. “I don’t care what issue you and your aunt have. I’m not part of it. You don’t get to use me as leverage. I’m not a pawn for either of you to sacrifice in this pissing match you have going on.”

Shame tried to take hold, but he wouldn’t let it. Samara knew the game, no matter how much it apparently offended her. “I’m the bad guy for trying to offer you a job, but I’m sure you agreed to show up here solely out of the goodness of your heart.” He pretended to think about it. “Wait, no you didn’t—which you already admitted. You’re here because Lydia wants to do whatever it takes to sink Morningstar. Full stop.” He motioned at the offices behind him. “Wake up, Samara. I’m only playing the game she made the rules for.”

She took in the empty COO office on the other side of the glass wall. “She poached your employees.”

“Convenient timing, don’t you think?”

“You’re not still harping on that paranoid talk about Lydia meeting Nathaniel.” Samara hesitated and then moved to stand in front of him. She pressed her lips together and then very gently said, “Do you think maybe it’s a good idea for you to talk to someone?”

Beckett jerked back. “What?”

There was nothing but sympathy in her dark eyes. “I’m serious, Beckett. I’ve known you a long time, at least by reputation, and this delusion you have going isn’t like you. Is it possible that Nathaniel’s death is hitting you harder than you realize? That you’re fixating on Lydia instead of your own grief because it’s easier to deal with an enemy than face the fact you can never make things right with your father?”

Every word flayed him, cutting to the quick. Beckett gritted his teeth against the need to tell Samara that she was the one who wasn’t thinking clearly. To yell. To expel some of the ugliness that had been brewing in him for a very, very long time. “I didn’t call you here to offer you a job, and I sure as hell don’t need a shrink.”

She stood her ground as he advanced. Her heels put them at the same height and she still managed to look down her nose at him. “Then why did you call me here?”

Because I can’t spend another moment alone without going out of my mind.

He didn’t say it. To admit how long it had been since he’d felt a connection with another person was to hand Samara—Lydia—a loaded gun and invite her to point it directly at him. He didn’t answer her verbally at all. Beckett cupped her waist and slowly pulled her against him, giving her plenty of time to register his intentions.

“Beckett.” Despair colored her tone and she gave a desperate laugh. “What are we doing?”

“I don’t know.” Using a hand on the small of her back, he pressed her firmly against him. “I don’t want to stop.”

Samara hesitated, but finally placed her hands gingerly against his chest. He waited, letting her decide. Yes or no. Push or pull. Stay or go. She hitched a breath. “I don’t want to stop, either.”

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~ My Review ~

I’m always happy to be offered a copy of a new release from Katee Robert. Her books are usually well-written and properly written. The Last King is no exception. I fell in love with Beckett from the beginning. He seems to be the only member of the King family with a conscious, and he’s hot to boot! I didn’t like Samara at the start. She’s trying so hard to prove herself that she’s forgotten that she’s more than just a worker. But once we learn about Samara’s past, I could sympathize and understand her better.

Although I enjoyed the novel, the constant powerplays were exhausting. If you are unsure as to why pride is a sin, pick up this book and you’ll quickly figure it out. I also felt there was too much introspection and not enough action. The action picks up at the end, however, and will have you flipping the pages as quick as your fingers allow.

If you love an enemy to lovers story with drama with a capital D, this book’s for you.

~ About the author ~

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New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Katee Robert learned to tell her stories at her grandpa’s knee. Her 2015 title, The Marriage Contract, was a RITA finalist, and RT Book Reviews named it ‘a compulsively readable book with just the right amount of suspense and tension.” When not writing sexy contemporary and romantic suspense, she spends her time playing imaginary games with her children, driving her husband batty with what-if questions, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.

Stalk the author!

Website | Facebook | Twitter| GoodReads | Instagram

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Published on April 03, 2018 03:08

March 30, 2018

Celebrating holidays in foreign countries ~ Easter in Holland #ExpatLife #EasterHolidays

When I made a doctor’s appointment for today, my husband was confused. “But isn’t it some holiday?” Yes, he said some holiday. (He’s not completely clueless, I swear. He just doesn’t pay much attention to bank holidays as his job as a pilot doesn’t give him these days off.) I responded that “Yes, it’s Good Friday, which you Dutch don’t celebrate.” Whenever the Dutch do something weird or – shock – bad, I’m suddenly not Dutch. (If the dog’s is bad, he’s also the hubby’s dog. When he’s good, he’s mine.)

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Instead of celebrating Good Friday, the Dutch celebrate Easter Monday. Growing up in the US, I was not aware of Easter Monday. As a historian (or at least someone with a history degree), I pride myself on being aware of the majority of religious holidays, because you can’t study history without religion. (Seriously, you can’t.) Apparently, I’m a product of my culture, because Easter Monday is an important religious holiday in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

[image error]Easter Monday, according to the Eastern Orthodox Church, is Bright Monday – the first day of Bright Week. Bright Week is the week following Easter during which the Resurrection is celebrated. Services during the week are similar to Easter Sunday and often include outdoor processions. Services are sung, and the Holy Doors on the Iconostasis are kept open. The open doors represent the stone rolled away from the Tomb of Christ.

Having grown up in the American Midwest, I can be somewhat excused for not being aware of Easter Monday celebrations for the Eastern Orthodox Church. Even after a year of high school in Germany and five years of the military, I didn’t personally meet anyone who proclaimed to be Orthodox until law school. But many European countries celebrate Easter Monday as well. Germany, The Netherlands, France, Luxembourg, Belgium (just to name a few) all celebrate the holiday. Can I just blame the American educational system for my lack of knowledge? NO?

[image error]Now, that we’ve established my education regarding Easter Monday is abysmal, the question remains – how do the Dutch celebrate Easter Monday? According to Wikipedia, “in the Netherlands, people eat a festive breakfast and go hiking or cycling in the countryside”. While I hate to dispute Wikipedia’s knowledge (not really), they obviously haven’t updated the page since Ikea came to town. Yes, you heard me right, Ikea. I’m only being slightly facetious when I say the Dutch like to spend Easter Monday shopping at Ikea. Furniture stores are concentrated together in malls called “meubelboulevards”, which are open on Easter Monday whereas most shops are closed. You are taking your life in your own hands if you go furniture shopping on Easter Monday. Trust me, I’m speaking from experience.

[image error]For those who don’t need another Ikea gadget (or who haven’t skipped town completely for the long weekend), you may indeed find them hiking or cycling. The beach and tulip fields are also popular destinations for Easter Monday, as are movie theaters. In my experience, however, the festive breakfast usually happens on Easter Sunday itself. Fancy restaurants and hotels – like Hotel Des Indes here in The Hague – will have an Easter brunch, which is often accompanied by Easter egg hunting for the little ones.

If you’re an expat, how are celebrations in your adopted country different from home? Let me know in the comments.

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Published on March 30, 2018 00:20

March 27, 2018

How to get the writing done despite 10,000 distractions #WriterWednesday #AmWriting

There is a lot of talk about making time to write, fitting writing into our busy schedules. But what if you’ve made time, you’re literally sat at your computer, fingers poised above the keyboard, but you can’t get the first word written because the phone rings, an email notification pings, your WhatsApp beeps, etc., etc. You are simply too distracted to get further than the first sentence of a new chapter, which you find yourself writing over and over. What then?

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This is a problem near and dear to my heart. In addition to writing (and marketing and all that comes with being an indie author) full-time, I have a business in Germany and am on the board of a local non-profit. I am constantly bombarded by distractions during my ‘writing time’. I haven’t figured it all out yet – not by a long shot – but I have found some tricks to help me get my ‘real’ work done of writing.

Establish writing hours. Just like working hours, I’ve established writing hours. I am not one of those persons who can write wherever, whenever. Nope, not I. I am a morning writer. I’ve tried to vary my schedule – especially when I have board meetings, which always happen in the morning. After much trying and some really crappy writing, I’ve discovered morning is it for me. Although it’s not always possible, I try not to schedule any other work or meetings in the morning. And if I have a lunch meeting? I’ll get up an hour or two early to ensure I get in six hours of work before lunch, because lord knows I won’t be returning to work after a boozy lunch.

Set limits. Tell everyone with whom you work or deal with in any sort of capacity, you are unavailable for the hours you’ve established as your writing hours. Naturally, this isn’t always possible. But if you pick up your phone during your writing hours, people will continue to call you during those hours. Don’t pick it up! You have to be a hardliner about your limits. Respect your writing and others will too.

Enforce limits. It’s all fine and dandy that you’ve established writing hours and set your limits, but what if no one respects them? Then, it’s time to pull out the big guns. You can make your phone quiet, but that’s often not enough. You’ll still see the light change when a notification comes in or feel the faint buzz. You can turn your phone on airplane mode, but what if there’s an emergency? The solution my husband came up with is the ‘do not disturb’ mode on your phone. You can use the mode in such a way that certain calls will come through anyway. This is a lifesaver.

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Discipline yourself. Even if all of the above is applied, you still have the problem – assuming you write on a computer – of the distractions of social media and all that is the internet. What about those??? I actually don’t have much of a problem with those types of distractions. But when I do – because a chapter isn’t going well or I’m frustrated with the plot or whatever – then the temptation that is the internet creeps in. In those extreme cases, I set a timer for thirty minutes. During those thirty minutes, I absolutely do not allow myself to go online. If I do, the timer starts all over again. I find that if I keep my mind on writing for thirty minutes straight, I usually find my groove and can continue to write without distraction after the timer goes off.

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What about you? How do you deal with distractions? Please share in the comments below.

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Published on March 27, 2018 23:10

March 23, 2018

Making voting easy. Voting in your home away from home #ExpatLife #Vote

On Wednesday, municipal elections (as well as a referendum) were held in the Netherlands. Each time I vote in this country, I fall deeper in love with the place. I may in fact announce that very thought at the polling station when I vote (and on social media just so I can spread the love around). Why do I get embarrassingly excited every time elections roll around? Because I believe voting is essential in maintaining a democratic society, and the Dutch, ever pragmatic, make it easy for everyone to vote. How, you ask? Let me count the ways:

[image error]Registering to vote. Citizens and residents of the Netherlands do not need to register to vote. If you are registered in any municipality in the Netherlands, you automatically receive a stempas (voting pass). This pass, along with an accepted form of identification, is all you need to vote. The identification can actually be expired – as long as it did not expire more than five years ago.

Confusing ballots. The parliamentary election of 2017 saw an unbelievable increase in the number of political parties participating in the election. Something like 26 political parties were on the ballot! Talk about confusing. So, what did the government do? They printed out the ballot in advance and sent it to voters with the stempas.

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The ballot was so large it didn’t fit on my coffee table. Voting in a booth with this ballot was the definition of complicated.

Convenient polling stations. As long as you have your voting pass and ID, you can vote at any polling station. Obviously, with regard to the municipality elections, you need to vote in your own municipality. But with the nationwide parliamentary elections, you can wherever you want. And there are some seriously cool voting locations! There are trams and boats, fancy hotels, train stations, and even the parliament itself. I was running around like a crazed chicken on Wednesday and ended up voting at the train station. Talk about convenient!

[image error]Long hours at polling stations. The polls are open from 7:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. in the Netherlands. You have to have a pretty crazy day to not be able to fit voting into your schedule with those opening hours. With one polling station per 1,700 Dutch voters, you’re bound to find a polling station open near wherever you find yourself on election day.

Voting for non-citizens. Naturally, EU citizens can vote in various elections in any EU country. But what about permanent residents? Don’t they have something to say as well? Sure! Even if you’re not a Dutch citizen, you can vote in the municipal elections. You just need a valid residence permit and to have lived in the Netherlands for a minimum of five years.

This, folks, is how you ensure 81,9% of eligible voters get their butts to the polls!

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Published on March 23, 2018 03:26

March 22, 2018

Steamy, paranormal romance from @RhennaMorgan Read my #BookReview Enter the #Giveaway #paranormalromance

For decades, Priest Rahandras has been alone. Now, Kateri Falsen is here. His fated mate. His to win, his to protect. Fans of Kerry Adrienne’s Shifter Wars will love this steamy paranormal release coming March 2018 from Carina Press.

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Title: Guardian’s Bond

Author: Rhenna Morgan

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Release Date: March 27th, 2018

Publisher: Carina Press

Series: Ancient Ink

Format: Digital eBook / Print

Digital ISBN: B076ZQP3MR

Print ISBN: 9781335016553

~ Blurb ~

Priest Rahandras has lived with the darkness trapped inside himself for years. Betrayed by his own brother and forced to watch his clan’s brutal annihilation, the only thing Priest wants more than to escape the curse that haunts him—as both man and beast—is to rebuild.

Until the mate he’s longed for walks into his life with an elder from his past. She’s everything he’s wished for, and the key to the clan’s very survival.

Kateri Falsen is a woman of logic and facts. While Priest’s cat can sense her arousal, telling her they’re fated won’t be enough. He’ll have to show her his love: with his words, with his actions, and with his body.

Protecting Kateri from the evil trapped inside him is paramount. But when lost clan members are systematically murdered, he’ll have to choose between exposing his mate to his black magic, or risking her as the next victim.

Add to your TBR list: Goodreads

Grab a copy!

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | iTunes

~ Excerpt ~

Copyright© 2018 Guardian’s Bond

Rhenna Morgan

Warmth blossomed beneath Katy’s skin, the all-too-vivid memory of how Priest’s muscles had felt beneath her palms and how his presence had enveloped her in a protective cocoon lifting to the height of her awareness.

And his scent. She pressed her knees together under the table and fought back a groan. She could still smell him on her. A mix of summer storm, leather and the deepest woods. Her voice came out softer, when she answered. Deep and husky. “That’s just attraction. A chemical response in the body.”

Jade grinned. “Is it?”

She’s mine.

The remembered words sluiced through her in the most exotic caress. Possessive at a level she both craved and railed against. She cleared her throat and laced her fingers together on the table, forcing a detached expression. “Priest said I was his before we left. What did he mean by that?”

Jade looked to Tate, a request for guidance without a word spoken.

Tate shook his head. “I can’t know for sure.”

“But you think you know.”

He hesitated, glanced at Alek as if gauging how well his temper was holding, then shifted his compassionate amber gaze back to Katy. “It’s not up to me to share. Priest will tell you.”

“But the way he acted…how he lost control,” Katy pressed. “Surely, you can see why I want answers.”

For the longest time, Tate merely studied her, consideration and concern marking his handsome features. “I do. It’s still something he should talk to you about, but I will tell you this.” He paused as though carefully considering his words, not just for her but for her brother who’d drawn scarily motionless beside her. “Of all the people who walk this Earth, there is no one safer than you.”

~ My Review ~

Wham! This novel started with a bang – lots of characters and information. I dove right on in! Morgan seamlessly worked the information regarding the Volán tribe into the novel. In stops and starts, we learn about this fantastical tribe without ever having the feeling the information is merely dumped upon the reader.

I loved Priest. Too bad you can’t order one of him from some catalogue somewhere. I’d sign right up! He was everything you expect in a book boyfriend: hot, demanding, and in control but at times sweet. I loved that he never wavered in what he wanted. He wanted his mate and he set about making that happen. Swoon! Katy was okay. I didn’t see the personality traits Priest clearly loved. I feel her character could have been better developed.

Although the romance aspect takes the forefront in the novel, there is intrigue and suspense brewing in the background. I’m hoping we get more than just glimpses and foreshadowing in the next story, because the intrigue was only beginning when this story ended.

I can’t wait for Tate’s story (which is obviously up next – yeah!).

~ About the author ~

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A native Oklahoman, Rhenna Morgan is a certified romance junkie. Whether it’s contemporary, paranormal, or fantasy you’re after, Rhenna’s stories pack romantic escape full of new, exciting worlds, and strong, intuitive men who fight to keep the women they want. For advance release news and exclusive content, sign up for her newsletter at http://RhennaMorgan.com. You’ll also find all of her social links there, along with her smoking hot inspiration boards.

Stalk the author!

~ Giveaway ~

Carina Press is offering five (5) lucky winners a free book from Harlequin Books care of Carina Press! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Published on March 22, 2018 03:37

March 20, 2018

Race against time to stop a killer before he strikes again! Uneasy Prey #cozymystery from @Annette_Dashofy #giveaway

Uneasy Prey (A Zoe Chambers Mystery) by Annette Dashofy

This one is a real page-turner and unexpected surprises that ends with a bang. ~Texas Bookaholic

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Uneasy Prey (A Zoe Chambers Mystery)

Cozy Mystery 6th in Series Setting –

Pennsylvania Henery Press (March 27, 2018) P

aperback: 286 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1635113204

Digital ASIN: B078RWM8S1

~ Blurb ~

On the way to the emergency room, an elderly woman regains consciousness long enough to inform paramedic Zoe Chambers that her fall down the basement steps was no accident. Before she can say more, she succumbs to her injuries, launching Zoe and Police Chief Pete Adams into the investigation of a burglary ring targeting the area’s vulnerable senior citizens.

Zoe—in spite of Pete’s objections—takes it upon herself to act as protection detail after the con men, disguised as water company employees, set their sights on Zoe’s beloved former landlady. It’s a decision that eventually puts Zoe in harm’s way.

With Zoe already recovering from one close call, Pete must race against time to stop the crime ring—and a dangerous killer—before they strike again.

Grab a copy!

Amazon ~ B&N ~ Kobo

~ About the Author ~

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Annette Dashofy is the USA Today best-selling author of the Zoe Chambers mystery series about a paramedic and deputy coroner in rural Pennsylvania’s tight-knit Vance Township. CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE was a finalist for the Agatha Award for Best First Novel of 2014 and BRIDGES BURNED was nominated for the 2015 Agatha for Best Contemporary Novel. UNEASY PREY, the sixth in the series, is set for release on March 27.

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Published on March 20, 2018 23:10

March 19, 2018

Did I screw my writing career by switching genres? #MondayBlogs #AmWriting

The title is a bit harsh, but I’m feeling somewhat raw this morning. Let me explain. I recently published Searching for Gertrude, a historical romance. My previous eight books were either romantic comedies or funny, cozy mysteries. With six of those novels being part of two series, I’d built up a teensy-weensy following. But then I decided to write a novel about wartime Istanbul. There isn’t a joke to be found in Searching for Gertrude – even though being funny is the reason I’d finally started selling a book or two.

What happened when I switched genres? The first backlash occurred when I approached my list of readers and bloggers who normally agree to read and review my novels. A good portion weren’t interested in this novel. They wanted another romantic comedy or light mystery – not something serious and even somewhat depressing at times.

And then there are those reviewers who decided to give Searching for Gertrude a try as they normally like my writing. Unfortunately, several of them gave the book a big ‘ol DNF. Although they were sweet about it, saying the book just wasn’t their thing, it’s still upsetting when a reader you like and have worked with cannot finish your book (because you know they gave it more than a cursory try).

Considering the above, why in the world did I abandon a genre (well, two genres) in which I was finally gaining some momentum to write an historical novel? The first (and for us writers most obvious) answer is because I had to write this story. The story had been rolling around in my head, waking me up at inappropriate times, for more than two years. It simply demanded I wrote it! Despite all the problems I endured while writing Searching for Gertrude, I did enjoy writing it. I loved the research – especially the events vastly unknown by the West making me feel like I was ‘discovering’ new facts.

And also, let’s be perfectly honest here, I don’t make a bunch of money from selling my novels. Sure, I make some and that amount was growing at a steady rate with my romcoms and funny, cozy mysteries. But the amount is not enough (at least as long as the hubby has a good job!) for me to abandon a book idea that I absolutely loved and felt compelled to research and then write.

Although some of my steady reviewers have abandoned me, most have not. In fact, one reviewer wrote this:

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As I’ve been forced to search for new readers, I’ve also found new bloggers and readers for my novels. Granted, I should be searching for new readers to review my books all the time, but there are only so many hours in a day. In the end, the overall reviews for the novel are good (currently averaging 4.6), and that’s what is important. (I know I shouldn’t care too much about reviews, but I’m human. Of course, I care!)

I’ve also been pushed into finding new ways to advertise the novel. Considering how fluid the market is – pushing indie writers to constantly search for new promotion possibilities – that’s not a bad thing, although it is time consuming. I’m currently working on a few different ideas. I’ll let you know how that goes.

What about other writers? Have you experienced any backlash from switching genres? Or are you too afraid to try? (Yes, that’s me daring you.)

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Published on March 19, 2018 01:50

March 18, 2018

Things were finally on the upswing—until she comes face-to-face with a murderer #cozymystery The Uninvited Corpse from Debra Sennefelder

The Uninvited Corpse (Food Blogger Mysteries)

by Debra Sennefelder
About the Book

The Uninvited Corpse (Food Blogger Mysteries)

Cozy Mystery

1st in Series

Kensington (March 27, 2018)

Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1496715920

Digital ASIN: B073NNPM7G

Leaving behind a failed career as a magazine editor and an embarrassing stint on a reality baking show, newly divorced lifestyle entrepreneur Hope Early thought things were finally on the upswing—until she comes face-to-face with a murderer . . .

Hope’s schedule is already jam packed with recipe testing and shameless plugs for her food blog as she rushes off to attend a spring garden tour in the charming town of Jefferson, Connecticut. Unfortunately, it isn’t the perfectly arranged potted plants that grab her attention—it’s the bloody body of reviled real estate agent Peaches McCoy . . .

One of the tour guests committed murder, and all eyes are on Hope’s older sister, Claire Dixon—who, at best, saw Peaches as a professional rival. And suspicions really heat up when another murder occurs the following night. Now, with two messy murders shaking Jefferson and all evidence pointing to Claire, Hope must set aside her burgeoning brand to prove her sister’s innocence. But the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she gets to a killer intent on making sure her life goes permanently out of style . . .

Includes Recipes from Hope’s Kitchen!

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About the Author

Debra Sennefelder, the author of the Food Blogger Mystery series and the Resale Boutique Mystery series, is an avid reader who reads across a range of genres, but mystery fiction is her obsession. Her interest in people and relationships is channeled into her novels against a backdrop of crime and mystery. When she’s not reading, she enjoys cooking and baking and as a former food blogger, she is constantly taking photographs of her food. Yeah, she’s that person.

Born and raised in New York City, she now lives and writes in Connecticut with her family. She’s worked in pre-hospital care, retail and publishing. Her writing companions are her adorable and slightly spoiled Shih-Tzus, Susie and Billy.

She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, Women’s Fiction Writers Association and Romance Writers of America.

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