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Showing posts from January, 2011

Fatal Judgment

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Being a U.S. Marshal, Jake Taylor should be used to the lack of downtime but that does not mean that he has to like it. Jake is barely off the airplane, when his phone rings. It is his boss. He wants Jake to watch over Federal Judge, Elizabeth Michaels. Someone has shot Liz’s sister. Jake reluctantly accepts the job. Jake has ill feelings towards Liz. She was married to his best friend Doug until he took his own life. Jake blames Liz for Doug’s death. When Jake learns the real truth about Liz and Doug, will Jake’s feelings towards Liz change? Fatal Judgment is book one in the Guardians of Justice series. A new series from author, Irene Hannon. I have read a few prior novels from this author and liked them. Just like the others, I know that I can expect a quick paced story line, plenty of drama, action and some romance thrown into the mix. Though, I did like this book, I never fully committed to the characters. I don’t know if it was because I was suppose to believe Jake didn’t like Liz

Win Autographed books for you and a friend!

INVITE A FRIEND TO: * 'Like' Bring It On! Communications on Facebook! * Follow BringItOnComm on Twitter! * Follow Us on our Blog! * 'Like' Deep River Books on Facebook! * Follow Deep River Books on Twitter! OBVIOUSLY, if You haven't already done these things, you should too! IMPORTANT! AS SOON AS you and your friend have followed us and liked us on these pages, please comment once on our blog, Tell Us The Truth Reviews saying "Followed You, Liked You, We Wanna Win!" Winners will be selected randomly out of a hat on February 11, 2011

Probability Angels

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Matthew Huntington can not seem to catch a break. His mentor, Epp is displeased with Matthew. Epp thinks Matthew has been slacking off too long now and wants him to really get into the game. As if that was not bad enough, Matthew’s wife is lying in a pool of blood, dying in a park. Matthew can’t do anything as it just so happens that Matthew is an angel. Probability Angels is one of those books that you are glad you picked it up and gave it a chance. I thought this book was unique and a nice change from all the vampires, werewolves, wizards and other creatures of the night. Though, if you are expecting a mushy story and weak characters than you will be in for a surprise. In fact, as I was reading this book, there were a few times that the movie; City of Angels would flash into my head. What I most liked about this book was that Matthew was not your typical angel. He had a cynical attitude about him but at the same time it showed that he may be an angel but he is just a normal guy tryin

Scrapping B&N's Nook 3G

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The rumor mill is spinning regarding Barnes & Noble's Nook 3G e-reader. Based on "hard evidence from within B&N," Engadget reported the device "is being discontinued, with sales to seemingly continue until stock is exhausted," and noted the company "is encouraging retail partners to not send out any bulk orders for the Nook 3G, as there simply won't be sufficient quantities to fulfill those orders." While such a move would reduce B&N's Nook line to two models--the Nook Wi-FI and the Nook Color--PC magazine wrote that the "news comes just after Barnes & Noble announced it has sold 650,000 subscriptions on the Nook Newsstand, and an earlier boast that the Nook (all models) is the company's best-selling product ever. If the Engadget report is true, presumably both developments were due to the Nook Color, announced in October." A B&N spokesperson wouldn't comment on Engadget's claim, but told PC magazine &q

The Lincoln Lawyer Movie Giveaway

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I am offering 5 movie posters and 5 copies of The Lincoln Lawyer to 5 lucky winners. To enter share with me your favorite Michael Connelly book (1 entry), Tweet about this and post the link here (+1 entry), Share on Facebook or any other site for additional 1 entry for every place you post about it. If you are a old follower of my blog (3 extra entries for you), New follower (1 extra entry). Open to US and Canada only. No PO Boxes. Ends February 12th Don't forget to go see The Lincoln Lawyer when it comes out March 18th Characters and Cast Mickey Haller - Matthew McConaughey Louis Roulet - Ryan Phillippe Maggie McPherson - Marisa Tomei Frank Levin - William H. Macy Ted Minton - Josh Lucas Earl - Laurence Mason Mary Windsor - Frances Fisher Val Valenzuela - John Leguizamo Jesus Martinez - Michael Pena Reggie Campo - Margarita Levieva Cecil Dobbs - Bob Gunton Judge Fullbright - Reggie Baker Hayley Haller - Mackenzie Aladjem Detective Sobel - Michaela Conlin Detective Lankford - Brya

Your Teen Can Own a Micro Business

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How to Launch It in Ten Simple Steps by Carol Topp, CPA “I want to walk dogs; what do I need to do to get started?” asked a teen boy. I had inspired him to think about starting a micro business and he was ready to get going! I encourage teenagers to start very small businesses—micro businesses. A micro business is a one-person business that can be started easily, usually without any up-front cash, using what a teenager already owns. Micro businesses are usually home-based and very flexible so a busy student can keep up with homework, sports and a social life. Teenagers can use their skills to develop businesses such as teaching guitar lessons, doing web design or caring for children. Other teenagers have started micro businesses by offering services such as house cleaning, pet care, and lawn mowing. One easy-to-start micro business is tutoring. Some students tutor math, Spanish or computer programs such as Photoshop. After your teenager has an idea, he or she can launch a micro busines

Amazon.com takes on the state of Texas

I read this article in Shelf Awareness and thought I would share. Last fall, Texas assessed Amazon $269 million in uncollected sales tax, interest and penalties for the four years running from December 2005 to December 2009 (Shelf Awareness, October 25, 2010). Last week, Amazon filed a lawsuit in Travis County District Court that argues "the documents must be made public under the Texas Public Information Act and seeks a court order forcing their release. The suit also seeks recovery of attorneys' fees and other legal costs," the Austin American-Statesman reported. Amazon's lawsuit contends it sent letters in September and October to the comptroller's office requesting "information related to the audit and the assessment" and an explanation of the basis for the assessment, but "auditors were not forthcoming with an explanation." The comptroller's office refused to provide that information, arguing that it was protected by attorney-client pr

Never Been Kissed

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Elise has moved to a new town. This means a new school and new friends. I is hard being the new girl in town. When Stacie asks Elise what she is going to do for her upcoming sixteenth birthday, Elise hopes that for her birthday she realizes her first kiss. When the popular boy in school, Asher shows Elise interest, she becomes excited. Will Elise finally receive her first kiss? Never Been Kissed is not just a cute read but it also tackles two topics that all teenagers are facing currently…peer pressure to be experienced (not a virgin) and sex-texting. I thought Ms. Carlson did a fine job incorporating these topics into the story. It goes to show you how easy it is to get caught up in material things and find yourself doing things that you would not normally do, if you were not pressured. While I did like this book, I found Elise to be moderate. There was not really anything memorable about Elise. I understood she felt the pressure to fit in at a new school but when she was communicatin

Down the Road

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All George Zaragosa wants to do is get home safely to San Uvalda. The world around him has gone mad. A deadly plague has turned most of the human population into flesh eating zombies. George has two choices…he could either sit in his apartment as he does have enough food to last him for at least three weeks or he can make an attempt to go down the road to San Uvalda. George decides to risk it and travel home. It will be a dangerous trek. One that George will by lucky to survive. I recently became obsessed with reading zombie books. When I first start reading books in this genre, I could not get enough. Lately, I have been reading some duds. I was starting to re-think, if I had made a mistake and needed to take a break from the genre. This all changed when I read…Down the Road by Mr. Ibarra. What I liked about this book is that the zombies were what you would imagine zombies to be and act like. They were not modified versions. I was rooting for George the whole time. The ending was a su

Tapestry of Love

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Review by Nancy (my friend) Tapestry of Love by Rosy Thornton Catherine Parkstone's family may feel she is a bit "off" as they say. She gives up her home in England, buys a small cottage in the Cevannes region of France and relocates. Just like that. She is a needlewoman, making cushions, drapes, and designing beautiful tapestries to sell. She moves in to no lights, not heat, a lonely stone house on a hillside and is immediately happier than she has been in years. This is her time. Neighbors are close-mouthed but friendly. She meets dogs, sheep, pigs and Patrick Castagnol. He is not close-mouthed but expresses himself quite nicely, thank you. he has a collection of wine to rival any restaurant, makes his own as well and can cook like a dream. There might be something there but the arrival of Catherine's younger sister spoils everything. Byrony of the law degree takes what she wants. Until she herself gets taken. But things have been ruined by then and nothing to be do

Mystery Writers of America Announce Nominees for 2011 Edgar Awards

Mystery Writers of America is proud to announce on the 202nd anniversary of the birth of Edgar Allan Poe, its Nominees for the 2011 Edgar Allan Poe Awards, honoring the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction and television published or produced in 2010. The Edgar® Awards will be presented to the winners at our 65th Gala Banquet, April 28, 2011 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, New York City. BEST NOVEL Caught by Harlan Coben (Penguin Group USA - Dutton) Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin (HarperCollins ­ William Morrow) Faithful Place by Tana French (Penguin Group USA - Viking) The Queen of Patpong by Timothy Hallinan (HarperCollins ­ William Morrow) The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton (Minotaur/Thomas Dunne Books) I¹d Know You Anywhere by Laura Lippman (HarperCollins ­ William Morrow) BEST FIRST NOVEL BY AN AMERICAN AUTHOR Rogue Island by Bruce DeSilva (Tom Doherty Associates ­ Forge Books) The Poacher¹s Son by Paul Doiron (Minotaur Books) The Serialist: A Novel by David Gordon (Sim

The Search

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Lainey O’Toole has a plan that she is ready to put into motion. She has saved every penny to attend the Culinary Institute of America. Things were looking promising for Lainey, until her car broke down. Luckily for Lainey, her car breaks down in front of a bakery called Sweet Tooth. The owner, Mrs. Stroot offers Lainey a job. Lainey accepts as she desperately needs the money and she has no where else to go until her car is fixed. Being back in Stoney Ridge brings back memories. What deep, dark secret is Lainey hiding? Bess Reihl has come to Rose Hill Farm to help out her grandmother, Bertha. Her grandmother is recovering. When Bess arrives she learns to Bertha lied just to get Bess to come down to the farm. Billy Lapp is a neighbor of Bertha’s and a hired hand. Billy and Bess share a spark. Will this spark between Bess and Billy turn into something? The Search is book three in the Lancaster County Secrets series. This book can be read as a stand alone novel. To admit, I was not in love

Ghost of a Flea

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Review by my friend, Nancy The Ghost of Flea should have been written by Alfred Hitchcock. It seems as though it would have made a splendid movie with all of it's twists and turns of plot. The main character could have been Cary Grant. Roger Davis is a good, loyal workerbee. He is on time, stays late, is married to Natalie who may or may not have slept with half of his office prior to the wedding. Roger has a friend in Gideon whom he sees once a week. Gideon browbeats Roger mercilessly and, one night shows Roger his newest treasure. A painting by Blake entitled The Ghost of a Flea. The painting is hideous but Gideon is much taken with it. After his show and tell he brings out the pipe and, this time for some reason; Roger smokes with him. And everything about Roger's life changes in that instant. He is lied to by his wife, his co-workers, Gideon and probably even the painting. He loves Natalie but she denies ever telling him she wants children. Then she lies about denying the d

Wind and Fire mixes the best of both worlds with fantasy and young adult.

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The year is 2310. The place is Tellaron. Tenya experiences vivid dreams of fire and a mysterious hooded man. What could these dreams mean? When Tenya was a little three years old, her mother disappeared. Her father does not say much about Tenya’s mother. Tenya’s father and step mother leave for the evening. Tenya is awaken by a noise. Standing over Tenya is an old hag. The woman kidnaps Tenya. The old hag tells Tenya that she is bring her to Zardonne, Master of the Dark Rift and that neither she nor Elea can stop Zardonne from taking ultimate control of Tellaron. Can Tenya escape and stop Zardonne before it is too late? I read this full length novel on my computer. I usually try to avoid reading full length novels for the plain fact that I don’t like sitting staring at a computer monitor for long period of time. With Wind and Fire, it didn’t feel like I made an exception as I was caught up in this book. Though, it did take me a while to finish this book. This was due to me and not the

The Crack in the Lens

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Brothers, Otto “Big Red” and Gustav “Old Red” Amlingmeyer are back. This time things are personal. A long time ago, Old Red’s fiancée, Adeline was murdered. Old Red has carried regret with him that he was not in town, when Adeline was killed. Big and Old Red does some investigating to finally get justice for Adeline. What they uncover just may be more than the brothers can handle. The Crack in the Lens is the fourth book Holmes on the Range mystery. I have not read any of the prior three novels. This book can be read as a stand alone novel. I am a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes, which I believe is probably a common theme with mystery readers. This book kind of reminded me of the old Sherlock Holmes stories. The characters talked in simple terms but there were plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing. Big and Old Red makes a great team. Old Red is more of the beat them up type, whereas; Big Red is the thinker and can calm Old. I was cheering for Big and Old to get their man. Though a

The new wave of the book industry?

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I saw this brief article in the Shelf Awareness newsletter and thought this was funny and would share. A glimpse of the future? Ion Audio's "venture into the book-digitizing business," the $149 Book Saver, "promises one-second color scans of both pages of a book" and is scheduled to be available in June "at places like Barnes & Noble, Staples, and Office Depot," according to Engadget, which cautioned that the "big problem here is that there's no automation for page turning, and worse yet, you'll need to lift the entire, somewhat fragile, scanner in order to flip to the next page." Cnet News observed that "publishing has wrestled with piracy for years, but one of the reasons the sector hasn't been hit as hard by illegal file sharing as much as the music or film industries is that there isn't an easy way to digitize books. Scanning them is typically labor intensive.... Book publishers should know that eventually someone

Easy as Pie at Bobby's Diner

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Since the death of her husband, Bobby five years ago, Georgette has been running Bobby’s Diner by herself. It was rough at first between Georgette and Bobby’s grown daughter, Roberta but as the years passed, they became close. Georgette has found herself a new man. His name is Hawthorne Biggs. He is dashing and in love with Georgette. Georgette’s good friend, Helen returns. Helen and Hawthorne do not get along very well. Helen suspects something is not quite right with Hawthorne. Before Helen can find out if she is right, she disappears. Now it is up to Georgette and Roberts to uncover the truth, even if it hurts. Easy as Pie at Bobby’s Diner is the second book to Bobby’s Diner. I did not read Bobby’s Diner. Though I had no issues jumping right into this book. I liked Georgette. I thought she was nice but I do admit that she did get on my nerves at first. She was almost too nice that she let people take advantage of her. Though, once you pissed Georgette off, you had better watch yours

Coping with Aging parents

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Q&A with Missy Buchanan Even when age creeps up on the body and mind, and life changes from what it once was, is it still possible to have a purpose in life? When it is no longer possible to venture out and do the things you once loved, can you still find a reason to look forward to each day? Missy Buchanan, a leading expert and advocate for senior adults, believes that you can. Buchanan wants to encourage older adults to find their purpose, share their stories, and make an impact on those around them. Q: What made you decide to start ministering to and writing books for older adults? Well, as a middle-aged adult, I never had any intention of becoming an author of books for older adults. But because of the journey that my own aging parents were on, I realized how they had become disconnected from their church as their lives changed. They started off as active older adults and then that circle got smaller as they had more needs and physical limitations. As I would visit them at thei

Lunch Dates, Road Trips, and Overcoming Inertia + Giveaway

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Lunch Dates, Road Trips, and Overcoming Inertia Call it a mid-life crisis, a reinvention of myself, or just plain restlessness, but I’m gearing up for big changes in my life. I don’t know what they are yet, but I know I need them. It’s not that I’m unhappy, it’s just that I feel stagnation choking me like scum on a pond. OK, maybe I am unhappy. If I were a man, I’d probably be thinking about buying a sports car, something red, curvy, and low to the ground. Instead my list of possibilities goes like this: Graduate school? Get a dog? Volunteer at a school in Ecuador? Take ukelele lessons? Move to a bigger city? Get a new job, maybe at a museum? Fall in love with a single dad with small children at home? (Which, as one friend pointed out, is the same thing as getting a new job). In other words, I don’t care where the change arrives—career, work, home, love, hobby—just bring it on. Shake me up. I’ll consider anything. Oh, I talk big. But the other day, when my friend Susan invited me on a

My Fair Succubi is a bewitching, fangtastic, angelic, rip-roaring good time!

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Being a succubus is never boring. Just ask…Jackie Brighton. Jackie and Noah are enjoying a nice evening together, when they are interrupted. The Serim council has summons Jackie and Noah to appear before them. Jackie is being charged with immortal behavior. Jackie is in big trouble. The charges against her spell…death. The only way Jackie can escape death is to destroy her friend and fellow succubus, Remy. It seems that Remy has been possessed by Joachim. Joachim is a powerful archangel. Gabriel wants the halo as it contains the power. If Jackie brings him the halo than she will be spared her life. The one good thing to come out of all this is that Jackie is reunited with her creator, Zane. My Fair Succubi is book three in The Succubus Diaries. If you have not read this series yet than you have got to check it out and start with Gentlemen Prefer Succubi. Jackie is my favorite succubus. She is sassy, not afraid to speak her mind and looks good in anything she wears. I adore both Noah an

Be warned…Kiss at Your Own Risk is addicting, hilarious, and will have you craving more!

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Blaine Underhill has been Angelica, the Black Witch’s prisoner for one hundred and fifty years. There is only so much womanly domination that Blaine can take. I mean Angelica has forced Blaine and his friends to take on women tasks. This is her way of taming the men. Blaine and his friends have been plotting to escape for a long time. They will only get one chance at trying to gain their freedom again. Almost everyone escapes. Blaine’s friend, Christian is left behind. Blaine vows to find a way to rescue him from the black witch. Trinity Harpswell is the Black Widow, a deadly assassin. Trinity is ready to hang it all up. All Trinity has to do is just keep from killing anyone for at least one more week. If she can do this than she will be free. When Blaine enters into Trinity’s life and asks for her help. Trinity will have to choose between helping Blaine or her freedom. I have never read anything by Stephanie Rowe until now. I have to say that now that I have discovered Mrs. Rowe, I wi

The Naperville White House is a innovate, stimulating, book that is worth every penny!

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The year is 2018. Al Queda terrorists are holding hostage a bus load of Americans. In exchange for their release, the terrorists want information on an anti-terrorist bio weapon. Jay Weise works as an insurance adjustor for NetHealth. Though, Jay has another life. He is the President of the United States. Jay and a bunch of other people from across the world are all part of what is known as The International Organization of Fantasy Governments. Weise is always looking for someone new to add to his cabinet. So when Weise sees a note from a John Sykes, Weise decides to interview him. Sykes studied counterintelligence. Weise hires him as chief of counterintelligence. Soon Sykes is writing Weise telling him that he has a mole and that there is a plot to kidnap a member of the President’s cabinet. Sykes tells the President that the threats are real and that he will be in contact with him with more information. Weise thinks Sykes is crazy and taking his job too seriously. When Sykes does not

Book of Days

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Eight years ago, as Cameron Vaux’s father was dying, he told instructed Cameron to find the book. The book of all days. Cameron didn’t spend much thought on his father’s incoherent words. Now, eight years later, Cameron is forgetting things. It is like Alzheimer’s. Though Cameron is too young to have Alzheimer’s yet. It is like someone has taken an easer to Cameron’s past. No matter how hard Cameron tries to remember events it is getting harder and harder to remember. Cameron does have a flash back about a loved one named Jessie dying. In his dream, Jessie tells Cameron that she has seen “The Book” and that he must find it. Cameron awakens determined to find “The Book” if it exists. Cameron calls Ann. Ann used to be an investigative reporter. Cameron’s investigation leads him to Three Peaks, Oregon. There Cameron finds he is not welcome. What are the people of Three Peaks hiding? I read Rooms by Mr. Rubart. It was an intriguing book that really made you think. Mr. Rubart’s newest relea

The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball

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Erin Channing is a perfect A student. Erin’s friends are always telling Erin to think outside of the box or other words…quit being boring! When Erin’s kooky Aunt Kiki dies; Erin’s world is about to get a lot more exciting. Kiki leaves Erin a plastic, pink, crystal ball. With the crystal ball comes some odd instructions. Things like…”Absolute knowledge is not unlimited; let the planets be your guide to the number”. Or something like…”There are sixteen ways to die, but four of them you will never see.” After reading what her Aunt Kiki wrote, Erin is now convinced that her Aunt really was kooky. Erin’s friends, Samantha and Lindsay, believe that the crystal ball is magical. Erin doesn’t believe until some strange things start happening that she can not explain. Can Erin unlock the secret of the pink, crystal ball before her world is completely turned upside down? The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball is a fun, magical read. I have not read anything by Risa Green until now. After rea

Meet the Radleys

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Meet the Radleys. They are your next door neighbors, your friends, etc. In addition to being all of these things; did I forget to mention…The Radleys are vampires! Yep, the Radleys are vampires but you would not really suspect anything. You would however find this family odd. The Radleys are just fine with being considered a bit different. It means that they have accomplished their goal of blending in. Things are going just fine until, Clara has an incident. Now the Radleys are calling in reinforcements…Uncle Will. Will is an active vampire. This means that he does not hide what he is and drinks from humans. With Will’s arrival comes a huge surprise. The Radleys is the first novel I have read by author, Matt Haig. This book was easy to get into. I read it almost all the way through. I connected with the Radleys. They made you see where they were coming from and why they did the things they did. The Radleys reminded me of the Adams Family. They are kooky, crazy and peculiar. It did move

Come be Awakened by P.C. and Kristin Cast and Win a giveaway

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The lucky winner will receive a 3-day, 2-night trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma for two people which includes airfare, hotel accommodations, a tour of Tulsa and lunch on Saturday, April 30th, 2011 at the Chalkboard Restaurant with the authors. In order to enter the promo, they must answer three questions about the series. http://bit.ly/fO0Jnp http://houseofnightseries.com/pages/tourtulsaofficialrules.html Also, St. Martin's is also holding a contest via the House of Night Facebook fan page. Fans can enter for a chance to win 1 of 30 complete sets of House of Night books. http://on.fb.me/i9W8cZ

Book Giveaway

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This handbook helps families in every emergency situation. Arthur defines a "disaster" as: “A calamitous event, especially one occurring suddenly and causing great loss of life, damage, or hardship.” This broad definition encompasses many potential threats, including hurricanes, earthquakes, pandemics, financial collapse, and even more personal events such as the loss of a job. Leave a comment at http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com/

Who is Lou Aronica?

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Please share with readers who Lou Aronica is? I’ve been hanging around the book publishing world for more than thirty years now. I started at Bantam Books, ultimately becoming Deputy Publisher there. Then I moved to Berkley Books to become Publisher and then took the same title at Avon Books. About ten years ago, I left New York publishing to focus on my own writing and working with other writers. Blue is my sixteenth book, though it is only the third that I’ve published under my own name (the others were published pseudonymously or with me as a ghostwriter). When I first started writing, I wanted a bit of anonymity because many people in the publishing world knew me and I wanted to stay under the radar. Last year, though, I had my first New York Times bestseller as a writer and it was a book that I published under my real name. I think I’ll only be using my real name on books in the future. On the personal side, I’m married and have four children ranging in ages from twenty-two to fiv

I Dream of Genies is a dream come true!

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Eden has learned the hard way what happens when you piss off the High Master. She has had two thousand years to ponder on it. The only bright spot in this whole situation is that at least Eden has a window view of the world and she has a companion in Obo. One moment Eden was sitting in her bottle minding her business and the next moment she awakes to find her dream has come true. Matt Ewing is having a bad day. To make matters worse, he bumps into a woman. She lands in his lap. Matt didn’t know what a huge upheaval his life was about to receive when he brought Eden home. I Dream of Genies is the first book in a brand new series from author, Judi Fennell. I have been waiting to read this new series since; I finished reading the last series. Just like the last series, Mrs. Fennell brings the charm, humor, exciting characters and a fun story line to I Dream of Genie. I found it funny that Eden’s first name was the last name of Barbara Eden, the actor that played the Original Genie in the