tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76186459095381727092024-03-13T07:37:48.832-05:00Knitted by God's PlanThe blog of a girl who's looking for God's plan for her life. In the mean-time, she's knitting books and writing scarves ... or something like that.Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.comBlogger1112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-47622662080699515442022-09-25T02:34:00.002-05:002022-09-25T02:34:40.804-05:00Emmazel - Chapter 1<p> Emmazel is written! <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09YTVFDR4?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_2&storeType=ebooks">It releases on Wednesday</a>, and I hope you enjoy this first chapter enough to go check it out. Paperback might be available sooner. We shall see. </p><p>Emmazel's chapter 1 contains no spoilers for the previous books.</p><div class="WordSection1">
<div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggS1uoEFFAksqjP6VF5qBhMUaA3GM3808Dlc9MLOBZYsmxXi4yQOGNnlN3xqlWEGpOjqyL8_ihydClt7WwYAJsuGcbZ9flZXqpJiV_4bgDuG0mS3YBr_F8ikM9a_D3uJKeCTAN24AMuHfwcZcAoCmAZO1ZndBQHG-ID49I2oBC9y_Zld17znDpZp5jFg/s2553/Emmazella4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2553" data-original-width="1653" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggS1uoEFFAksqjP6VF5qBhMUaA3GM3808Dlc9MLOBZYsmxXi4yQOGNnlN3xqlWEGpOjqyL8_ihydClt7WwYAJsuGcbZ9flZXqpJiV_4bgDuG0mS3YBr_F8ikM9a_D3uJKeCTAN24AMuHfwcZcAoCmAZO1ZndBQHG-ID49I2oBC9y_Zld17znDpZp5jFg/s320/Emmazella4.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"> Chapter 1</h2></div><div><br /></div><div>Despite having lived her whole life in a tower, Emmazel had made it to maturity with a reputation of being clever and accomplished. Too clever, if one asked her father. And too fond of love potions.</div></div>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Thirty-two companions,
she’d had during her tenure in the tower, and nearly every one of them was now
married into the country’s nobility. Anna was the latest, an older woman who
had been a decided old maid. Emmazel had considered her an especial challenge
but had still prevailed in the end.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Emma! Emmazel,
child, where are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She sighed at her father’s
call, sending one last surge of magic into the coriander she was tending, and
then she stood. He had just returned home and clearly wasn’t happy with what
he’d found.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m in my garden, Father!”
she shouted down the stairs. “It was such a beautiful day. I just <i>had</i> to
do some gardening.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The winds swirled,
and suddenly he stood beside her in the room. Her garden was the most
remarkable room – for though she couldn’t go outside herself, the roof was made
of the clearest crystal, allowing light to pass through and her plants thrived.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Emmazel, where is
your companion?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emmazel blinked and
glanced about herself, as though surprised that he should ask such a question.
“Well, not here, obviously. Did you misplace her?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Emmazel, child,
you are being meddlesome again, aren’t you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It was another lord,
sir,” she declared. “He’d been bothering us for weeks, convinced that I was
here against my will, and I just <i>had </i>to do something about it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You used a love
potion on the pair,” piped up the black cat who lay sunning himself among her
roses. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Again, child?” Father
twisted away, throwing up his hands in frustration, and the wind that followed
him rustled through the room with particular agitation. A few of Emmazel’s
plants complained, but most were used to his outbursts. “I go to so much
trouble to find companions for you, here in your tower, and all you do is trick
the poor girls into falling in love with lords and dukes and running away with
them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emmazel shook her
head, kneeling to tend her plants. “Papa, you’ve forbidden me to leave this
tower, so you can’t possibly expect me to have run off with him in her place.
What else was I to do?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Turn him away!
Make it clear that neither one of you is a damsel in distress and that his
services are unneeded and unwanted.” Father shook his head in disappointment.
“Love is not to be trifled with.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“And young men who
have it in their heads that there’s a helpless young maiden for them to rescue
aren’t to be trifled with, either,” Emmazel countered. “You underestimate the
power of love, Papa.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You meddle with
things you don’t understand,” said Father. “Stop herding these poor fellows to
marriage with your potions.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You do know that
the entire reason that girls agree to come live with me is because I’ll help
them find a husband of rank?” Emmazel raised an eyebrow. “Night can attest!
None would be so brazen to admit it outright when you’re recruiting them, but
most have said as much to me. And I make sure to let them know the risks of a
love potion, and each is instructed to delay the marriage for at least the six
months that it takes for a love potion to wear off. And I hear that most of my
girls are quite happy with their lives since. Why, Lady Bellflower sent me a
necklace just last month as a thank-you for my help. I assure you, I know what
I’m about.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Father threw up his
hands. “As always, you won’t listen to me, thinking instead that you know best.
Mark my words, dear Emmazel, and stop all this bothersome trouble before you
regret it all.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emmazel tilted her
head to the side as she considered her father. How old and frail he looked
these days! Perhaps she really ought to pay more attention to him, for it
seemed unfair for a man to slip away this quickly, and he’d been strong and
hale for as long as she could remember.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I think,” she said
at length, “that you’re out of sorts because it’s dinnertime. Why don’t we
retreat to the kitchen? Anna didn’t leave us without supper. You, too, Night.
Come along!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She scooped up the
black cat and headed down the stairs, knowing that her father would follow. He
would also continue his protests, despite the futility.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You don’t have to
bother yourself, good lady,” said Night, squirming in her arms. “I have four
legs that work perfectly well, in case you didn’t realize.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emmazel laughed and
hugged him closer. “But then you might get lost, and just think how distraught
I’ll be!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Selima; font-size: 18pt;">~<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They sat down
around the table, and Emmazel passed around the night’s dinner of vegetables
and chicken. All were mindful of the empty chair.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Or, at least,
Emmazel and her father were. Night hopped up to his seat and made himself quite
comfortable, paying it no mind.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“There’s no
question about it; I’ll just have to find another girl to stay with you.”
Father tsked and shook his head. “It’s no good, leaving you here alone. No, you
need a new companion, and I’ll just have to find one entirely disinterested in
marrying above her station.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Good luck with
that,” said Emmazel. “There’s no one in the land who wouldn’t like to improve
their lives, and marriage is the best way for a woman to do that. Why, even as
content as </span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">am, I might be tempted
myself if Prince Christian were to stumble upon my tower and suit for my hand.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Emma! Emmazel,
child!” Father shook his head in distress. “Put such a thought from your mind!
You have no need of anything outside the tower. And why would the prince have
reason to visit you? I’m certain he’s far too busy doing the things that
princes do.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emmazel just
wiggled her eyebrows as she took a sip of her tea. “You’re quite likely
correct,” she acquiesced. “Though, Anna’s husband-to-be is the Duke of
Westbrook, Prince Christian’s own cousin. So you might never know.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Father’s frown
grew.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Perhaps, sir, you
ought not to worry so much about what Emma does with the girls,” Night
suggested. “A fool she might be; at least it keeps her in the tower.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Father harumphed.
“The tower is for her own good, as she well knows. Emmazel is too delicate a
flower for the outside world, and I don’t know if my nerves could take it,
should she ever leave.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emmazel reached
over and patted her father’s hand to comfort him. “And with the stories you
tell, I shudder at such exposure. So put your mind quite at ease, Papa, and
know that I have no intention of leaving the home you built for me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So long as he
lived, Emmazel could never leave her father. Not when he sat there before her,
so frail and old. She was all he had, and she couldn’t leave him adrift.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You’re a good
daughter,” said Night. “A veritable model of perfection. Isn’t that right,
sir?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emmazel sat up
straighter, simpering under the praise, even if she had no idea how serious the
cat was. He </span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">did </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">love to
tease her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“She has flaws
enough – which she would do well to remember,” said Father. “Don’t go filling
her head with idle praise, cat.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Idle? Never!” Night
licked his paw as though offended. “But if I puff up her head enough, it might well
actually be able to match that braid of hers.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emmazel gave the
cat an offended huff. She was quite proud of her golden braid, which had never
been cut and was nearly twice as long as she was tall, despite her height. She
had an idea that the length would be unmanageable if she had to move about
outside, but in the tower, it was nothing to worry over. Brushing and braiding
it kept her occupied for a good hour each day, besides, and she prided herself
on always staying busy despite her confinement. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“She doesn’t need
your help with that,” said Father, shaking his head. “Now, I don’t want any of
that cake, sitting there under the towel, so I am off to bed. If you want my
advice, you would leave that thing alone yourself, my dear. It’s far too rich
for this late in the evening. But, of course, you won’t listen to me – ah, Night,
is this how children are these days? Always thinking they know best.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Night paused, a
curious expression crossing his face as he sat up straight. “I wouldn’t know,
but it certainly seems true of your daughter, sir. I think it comes of her
confinement in this tower. It gives her ideas that she knows everything about
the world.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Father stared at
Emmazel for a long moment, then turned away. “There’s nothing to be done about
that. Alas.” With that, he disappeared from the room, taking his unruly winds
with him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emmazel narrowed
her gaze on Night. “You infuriating cat! You know better than to upset him like
that!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“And so do you, yet
you still persist in making your love potions.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s hardly my
fault that men are so obsessed with rescuing maidens trapped in towers.”
Emmazel shook her head. “Neither is it my fault that they are so easily swayed </span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">by </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">a potion. Why, it’s really only a precaution to keep
them from fixating on me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“As you’ve said.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“And I’m quite
aware that I don’t know everything – how can I when there’s a whole world out
there that I have never experienced for myself? But I do know what I know, and
you can’t take </span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">that </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">away
from me, you disagreeable cat!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“So you say.” Night
was done eating, so he jumped down from the table. “Now, you seem to be on your
own to clean up tonight. Such a pity. I’d offer to help, but I lack hands.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emmazel pursed her
lips as she stared after Night. Shaking herself, she wrapped up the cake and
put it away. It had been meant as a peace offering for her father, and since
that had failed – well, it was better off as breakfast tomorrow.</span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxX7bSyCJEfS9oJrXA4BNqjqTLXsU_e4C_-xqegUMI4S8rIL7e8iZrsROOLHQ7p9zRtZ1HjWB6VRyUuvnOpoTEZQ7hABQ2L-XGxroxCFSpxAjOsFufJr2ID4_25WK7Q4bzN0T02PoC92kXQiGlWKSnlAVGN4Z8MC1fnmJFyBctV2AGcumoLBJCk8a_ow/s2552/SnowyPalace3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2552" data-original-width="1648" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxX7bSyCJEfS9oJrXA4BNqjqTLXsU_e4C_-xqegUMI4S8rIL7e8iZrsROOLHQ7p9zRtZ1HjWB6VRyUuvnOpoTEZQ7hABQ2L-XGxroxCFSpxAjOsFufJr2ID4_25WK7Q4bzN0T02PoC92kXQiGlWKSnlAVGN4Z8MC1fnmJFyBctV2AGcumoLBJCk8a_ow/w259-h400/SnowyPalace3.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And check out this lovely cover for book 4! It's scheduled for release in December, <a href="https://aristasdirectory.blogspot.com/p/broken-mirrors.html">as part of the Broken Mirrors, which you can check out here</a> - including a sneak peek at the first chapter for anyone who preorders all six mirrors or shares the covers on their social media. It and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09GXDLZQP">Rose Petals & Snowflakes</a> are both on sale this week for only 99 cents, so grab 'em while you can!</span><p></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">If you click through links, you may also see that the preorder link is live for Thornrose Estate with a temporary cover. My current plan is to design its cover live when <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09B4DG79B?">Crown & Cinder</a> hits 100 ratings on Amazon, and it's halfway there, so if you've read it, do pop over and tell people how you enjoyed it, if you can. (I don't know yet on what platform I'll be designing the cover, but it will likely be my Discord server, <a href="https://discord.gg/FJzUt68">which you really should join if you haven't yet</a>.)</p></div>Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-60591223911275168792021-11-26T01:49:00.003-06:002024-01-25T11:01:11.993-06:00Crown & Cinder Chapter 1<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5X8mVITaE3-XcnwPaA-syrYCKJAMFHJm63JTEqLN_7BzoJOE9eF2E4dWkCOugEBN1Ao2Z3mrJl1FOTEyseoGPXLujLXWAor0FR4lVyyUicnYEGfoGs9BhFEe9f9uwygJWeTn1nGF-Kn3FCW5DtsJ_27zaLyIXOXsFO2wmqM4C6P5VY_UbL-HP7XQPyeX0/s2544/CinderCrown3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2544" data-original-width="1653" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5X8mVITaE3-XcnwPaA-syrYCKJAMFHJm63JTEqLN_7BzoJOE9eF2E4dWkCOugEBN1Ao2Z3mrJl1FOTEyseoGPXLujLXWAor0FR4lVyyUicnYEGfoGs9BhFEe9f9uwygJWeTn1nGF-Kn3FCW5DtsJ_27zaLyIXOXsFO2wmqM4C6P5VY_UbL-HP7XQPyeX0/s320/CinderCrown3.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Chapter 1</b></p><p>It is a fact universally acknowledged that a girl, in possession of stepmother and stepsisters, must be in want of a fairy godmother to come whisk her away to some ball, where she might fall in love with a prince and live happily ever after.</p><p>Lizzy hated facts universally acknowledged. Far too often – and as in
this case – they were the furthest thing from the truth. Yes, she had a
stepmother, and, yes, Lady Benne <i>did</i>
keep her away from polite society, but she’d never felt oppressed in her life.
At best, “polite” society bored her, and she was glad to have an excuse to
avoid it.</p><p>Besides which, fairies were, on the whole, a pesky folk who could rarely be relied on for anything. She had certainly never heard tell of any of them with enough self-awareness to <i>godmother </i>anyone. And who would ask that of a creature that would barely live a decade.</p><p>No, she was quite happy with her life. She knew her place in society, and she was glad of it. She had a roof over her head, a family that loved her, each in their own way, and she didn't have to listen to people whisper about her behind her back.</p><p>"Watch out for the Cinder!" she knew they would say. "Thinks she can be one of us - but it doesn't matter who her father is, it doesn't change the fire that runs through her veins!"</p><p>As though she would want to change one whit about herself! No, she was much better off acting as a servant in their household, where Cinders were supposed to be. Her best friend, cousin, and fellow Cinder, Charrie, was among the servants, and they didn't need anyone's approval.</p><p>And, so, Lizzy naturally thought it no consequence at all to herself when her younger half-sister rushed into the room, waving a sheet of paper, crying at the top of her considerably powerful lungs.</p><p>"Oh, Mother! Mother! Janet! You won't believe it! Oh, no, you won't believe it at all - I was just talking to the knights, and they had the most delightful news. Mother!"</p><p>Lizzy twisted the rag in her hand and rolled her eyes towards Charrie with a tired sigh. They <i>had </i>been sharing a very stimulating conversation, as they discussed Janet's latest insufferable beau, who had been to dinner last night. Janet was far too polite to him, in Lizzy's opinion, but she was far too polite to everyone. Why, if he'd been there to court Lizzy, she would have already turned him out on his ear.</p><p>But, then, when he eventually found out that Janet's real father had been nothing but a farmer, and that Lizzy herself was Lord Benne's true eldest daughter ... well, he'd be soon on his way, the same as all the other beaus. Not even Janet's sweet spirit and quiet beauty could entice a man who was truly after a title and connections. Perhaps Janet did well enough with her politeness. But she deserved better.</p><p>"Mother!" Lavinia shrieked again, and threw up her hands in frustration as she spun around and her eye fell on Lizzy. "Oh! Lizzy! Is Mother abed with another of her headaches? Oh, but she would so unreasonable at a time like this."</p><p>Lizzy stood, giving Charrie a regretful smile as she dropped her rag in the dirty water. She chose to not comment on Lady Benne being unreasonable, be it in agreement or otherwise. She hated agreeing with her half-sister for anything, and yet ... well, she was far too familiar with Lady Benne’s headaches. </p><p>"Perhaps your marvelous news shall do mother good enough to cure her headache," Lizzy suggested, straightening the kerchief she kept tied around her otherwise unruly black curls. "She’s in her room with Janet. We may as well take the news to her."</p><p>Of course, given that this news apparently came from the knights, Lizzy didn't know how far she trusted it, but she knew that Lady Benne would want to hear it. Much as she tried, Lizzy couldn't convince her stepmother how improper it was for a young lady to spend as much time with the knights as Lavinia did. Truly, she had no idea why her father had married the woman - but she also had no idea why he'd married her own mother. </p><p>Her father was a man who defied understanding. </p><p>Perhaps there was a reason that Janet compensated by being far <i>too </i>polite. Lizzy would be the first to admit that it was probably the only thing that saved their family's respectability among their peers.</p><p>If only she <i>were </i>Lord Benne's real daughter. Letting people live on assumptions was dangerous business.</p><p>Lavinia was practically bouncing on her toes as they walked to her mother's room, and Lizzy was pretty sure that her younger sister was going to burst into pieces if she didn't tell her news at once. At least she wouldn't burst into flames. Lavinia's outbursts and foolishness only hurt her dignity and caused natural damage.</p><p>Lizzy couldn't imagine the terror and disgrace her sister would have been if <i>she </i>were the Cinder instead. Oh, but if only her father could have had a proper heir!</p><p>They could hear Lady Benne's moans and tears a full hallway before they reached her room, and Lizzy released a pained sigh. She was never quite sure how much of her stepmother's "headaches" were real, and how much she affected in a bid for sympathy. She had her guesses, though.</p><p>But she wasn't about to agree with Lavinia and call the woman "unreasonable." </p><p>Lavinia burst into the room with a shriek of triumph. "Mother! You can stop this right now! I have the best of news, and even your worst headache can't compare to it, I promise. So quiet up and listen." She waved a sheet of paper about that. As Lizzy slunk into the room and leaned against the wall, she wondered if she should have taken note of this piece of paper sooner. But how important could it really be, coming from the knights the way it did. </p><p>Lavinia was sixteen - far too young to be spending as much time as she did with the knights. And far too old to be acting like a child, the way she did.</p><p>But no one would listen to Lizzy's concerns about her youngest sister. Lady Benne was nearly as childish and silly as her daughter, Janet was sure that Lavinia would grow up in time - though where she got that idea, Lizzy had no clue - and their father would only smile indulgently and say that Lavinia was only making use of her youth while she had it. </p><p>But, really, what use was it listening to the reclusive Cinder who preferred to spend time with the servants over her own peers? But who really were her peers? As far as she was concerned, servants were far less complicated, and far less concerned over the fact that Lizzy could toss sparks from her fingertips. </p><p>"It's Prince Liam! He's finally coming home again, after all these years away!" Lavinia announced gleefully, as she shoved the paper into her mother's eager hands. "They're going to throw three balls to celebrate - and they're inviting every eligible maiden in all of Binfield to attend!"</p><p>"<i>Every</i> eligible maiden?" repeated Janet, glancing towards Lizzy, as though for help. Lizzy just shrugged. After all, she was just learning this information herself.</p><p>"Well, that's what the proclamation says." Lavinia gave a small shrug. "Though, it's an exaggeration to make them sound more benevolent, or at least, that's what Sir Owen said. The actual truth is that to actually attend, Father will have to register us, and then they'll let us know if we're selected - but we're the first to know! Sir Noah promised me so! If Father makes sure to register us at once, then we're sure to be chosen!"</p><p>Mother sat up straight and then fell back against the pillows with a cry of despair. "Oh, but then we are doomed! That man will neglect his duty just to vex me, I swear he will. He cares naught a wit for the fates of his daughters, only that I am the most miserable woman in all the land! And this is such an opportunity, too! Why, a royal ball! Think of the husbands you could find there! Perhaps even the prince himself!"</p><p>"It's a royal ball, after all," said Lavinia, nodding sagely as though she knew what she was talking about. "In the prince's honor, where they're making a specific point to invite <i>maidens</i>. Sir Nathaniel says that means only one thing."</p><p>Mother gave a massive sigh and glanced towards her eldest daughter. "Of course - if they have our crown prince safely home again, it's high time that he take a wife." She suddenly pushed herself out of bed, clutching the paper to her heart. "And shouldn't that wife be one of our own, not some foreign princess - we were all sure that he was going to take a foreign wife, you know. Ah, but love is never sensible." She shook her head with a passion and called for a servant to help her out of her nightdress and into something practical. "I shall take this to Lord Benne, and I <i>will </i>have him send it in, as he ought. Troublesome man he might be, he <i>shall </i>do his duty, or I won't let him hear the end of it."</p><p>Lizzy, though servant in all but name, wasn't allowed to handle clothing - fire was too much of a liability with cloth. So, she quietly slipped out of the room, wishing that this would be the end of the matter, but knowing that, no matter the outcome, it most certainly <i>wouldn't</i>. No, they would be hearing about this ball for the end of their days, their mother forever lamenting how Janet could have won the prince.</p><p>"The proclamation says <i>every </i>maiden," came Janet's quiet voice, as she stepped out into the hallway with her.</p><p>Lizzy shrugged. "Even farmers' daughters, I suppose. I doubt you have much of a chance, no matter what your mother might think, but I suppose you can let yourself dream. If anyone deserves love, it's you. And, surely, someday, some man will look past your birth to see that."</p><p>"I was thinking more along the lines of a certain Cinder's daughter." Janet laid a hand on Lizzy's arm. "You deserve love just as much as I do." </p><p>Lizzy drew in a deep breath and shrugged. "I have all the love I need right here in this house, though. Besides, I'm not just a Cinder's daughter, but a Cinder myself - there's no arguing about that." She held up a hand and let a small flame lick at her fingertips. "I don't know why my father married my mother, but he was always an eccentric. I'm not an easy person to fall in love with - and I will only accept the purest and most ardent affection in marriage. And I know that my noble birth is the only thing attractive about me."</p><p>Janet pressed her lips into a line and shook her head. "I think you care too much about what others think of you."</p><p>"I don't care a whit what others think, but I'm not going to put myself in a position that I'm at their mercy." Lizzy balled her hand into a fist, extinguishing the flame. "And I left Charrie alone, cleaning the entry hall, and you know how intimidating that entry hall can be. Or, if you don't know, take my word for it. It's intimidating."</p><p>Janet shook her head. "Lizzy, the only reason that people will never accept you is because you've decided in advance that they can't."</p><p>"That and the fact that I'm a Cinder." Lizzy glanced over her shoulder at Lady Benne's bedroom door. "You know, for someone who ran away from duty to marry a farmer in her youth, your mother is terribly determined to see both you and our sister in a high-ranking marriage."</p><p>Janet glanced down and heaved a heavy sigh. "She loved and lost and learned the error of her ways. Mother doesn't talk about it, but I know the hardships she faced because of her marriage to my father proved more than she could bear. She just wants to see Lavinia and I taken care of. We don't have fire magic to protect us, after all."</p><p>"Well, I hope you find only the truest love, too," said Lizzy, shrugging. "Maybe this ball will change things. Maybe you can find true love."</p><p>She pulled away from her stepsister and hurried down the hall.</p><p style="text-align: center;">~</p><p>True to Lady Benne's prediction, Lord Benne proved reluctant to send in the registration that, supposedly, would secure his daughters' futures and fortunes. As Lizzy expected, this boiled into an ongoing argument between them, Lady Benne pestering him to send it every moment they were together, and Father egging her on with his silence and stubbornness.</p><p>"I don't see how you say you care about them, when you won't do even this small thing for them!" Lady Benne declared one day, as Father sat in the sitting room, reading a book with Lizzy. She wasn't allowed to handle paper, so would read over his shoulder for an hour at least, every day. "Think of the opportunity, my Lord! Why, I was just talking with Lady Kalis, and her husband is filling out the application as we speak! And when we could have sent it in a full week ago! Oh, but if the prince choses their Birdie, I don't know what I'll do. A more brainless girl, their never was."</p><p>Lizzy had to agree with that statement. Lavinia's best friend was harmless enough on her own, but wouldn't even think twice about following Lavinia into the worst of her schemes. It was truly embarrassing.</p><p>"If he choses Birdie, then I will pity the kingdom, but isn't the girl's only purpose to look pretty on his arm and charm his guests?" Lord Benne gave a long, tired sigh. </p><p>"Oh, but the brainless fool will mess even that up! Ah, and to think that he could have my Jane, but, no, you insist on sitting there, letting this opportunity slip through our fingers! I swear, I married the most unreasonable man alive!"</p><p>"Well, given that I haven't died yet, like your last one did, I think you could have done worse, my dear." Father turned the page of the book without even glancing her way.</p><p>Lady Benne gave a huff as she sauntered further into the room. "How can you deny the girls such an opportunity! It would take but seconds of your day, and yet there you still sit."</p><p>"This is a good book, and my Lizzy is enjoying it." Father finally glanced up. "You should know better than to interrupt our reading time, by now, though you're welcome to claim your own book and join us."</p><p>"You know what, I'm tired of all this! I don't want to talk about it anymore! If I hear another word about our prince and his balls, I swear I shall scream. I am going to lock myself away in my rooms, and I shan't emerge until this whole foolishness is over. I don't even want to know what poor girl he choses! If he chooses one at all."</p><p>"Well, that really is too bad, given that this came today, and you're expected to chaperone the girls." Father pulled a letter from the pile of papers next to him and held it out to her. "The crown expects to see the girls there, so there will be no avoiding it. Perhaps Lady Kalis will receive an invitation, and the girls can attend with her..."</p><p>Lady Benne gave a shriek that liked to have turned every soul in the house deaf, and she rushed forward to snatch the letter from his hands.</p><p>"You vexing, vexing man!" she cried in triumph, as she greedily read the official document within the envelope. "All this time, and you had sent it in all along."</p><p>She rushed from the room, calling for her daughters, once again leaving Lizzy and her father to their book.</p><p>"You could have told her from the start and saved yourself a week of grief," said Lizzy, wrinkling her nose as she stared after her stepmother.</p><p>"Saved myself, perhaps, but what grief would she have wrecked if today's invitation had never come?" Father glanced up at Lizzy with a conspiratorial smile. "No, it was best that I remain the sole villain in this crime. Besides, in a life as dull as mine, I have to take my entertainment where I can."</p><p>Lizzy frowned over the fact that Father considered <i>this </i>to<i> </i>be entertainment. "Well, she's happy now, at least. I doubt we'll still have any peace, but at least she's happy."</p><p>"The invitation is for all three of my daughters," said Father.</p><p>Lizzy tensed, and she smelled smoke from where she gripped the back of his chair. "Would they really miss one girl? I'm a Cinder, Father. You know I can't..."</p><p>"Things haven't been as cruel to people of your type, not as they were when your mother lived."</p><p>But Lizzy just shook her head, folding her hands together as she glared at the fingerprint scorches that she'd just left on his chair. "I can't, anyway. Not that night. I have to attend the hazel tree."</p>Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-60076430084795362532021-08-26T21:32:00.001-05:002021-08-26T21:36:36.947-05:00Rose Petals & Snowflakes - Chapter 1<p> Okay, first off ... a bit of a statement - I am semi-retiring this blog. I mean, I have been posting less and less over here, you may have noticed, but I'm going to go ahead and say that posting here is no longer a priority. I will still post first chapters here and the occasional announcement, but mostly because this is the blog tied to my Amazon page and is thus the easiest way for me to put announcements there.</p><p>To properly keep up with me, I highly recommend being subscribed to my <a href="http://eepurl.com/cmhWX9">newsletter</a> (which will give you access to Ardnek Afterthoughts, my blog with sneak peeks and bonus content) and/or joining my <a href="https://discord.gg/FJzUt68">Discord Server</a> (which is where you need to be if you're interested in betaing my books in the future). </p><p>And now the first chapter of <i>Rose Petals & Snowflakes</i>!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://aristasdirectory.blogspot.com/p/six-frosted-roses.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xIlQwtEiYjc/YShNoa0PYNI/AAAAAAAAI40/aZ1x_Ak-umsb5io1MIknhW8DIUpYx1EBQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/RosePetalSnowflakePromo.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Click the pretty picture!!!)</div><br /><p></p><div class="WordSection1">
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<h1><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> 1</span></h1></td></tr></tbody></table></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The king of the North Country lay dying. Even his wife and younger
daughter, who’d been optimistic to the end, were forced to concede to reality,
and they now took turns in a constant vigil at his bedside. His elder daughter,
ever the pragmatist, applied herself to matters of state so that their kingdom
not fall into ruin.</span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Of course, the most
pressing matter was finding their elder half-brother, on whose shoulders the
affairs of state ought to fall. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She had sent
messengers to all corners of the land and beyond, and, one by one, they had
only returned in vain. Today, however, a man had finally returned with news –
and it was troubling news indeed. If he was right – and the uncomfortable knot
in the princess’s stomach said he was – then they were in trouble indeed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And so she tucked
the matter away and went in search of her sister. She needed a distraction and
figured that her sister, who’d been at their father’s bedside the whole day,
could use the same. By the time she’d reached his bedchamber, she’d settled the
knot of nerves in her stomach – after she’d nearly worried off her lower lip.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Knocking lightly at
the door, she stepped into the room and sighed as she sat down at her sister’s
side. “How is he, Mari?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Snowmari blinked and
sat up straight. “Asleep. Keep quiet and don’t wake him – you know that he
doesn’t like to hear us talking about him.” She took her sister’s hand. “Oh,
Elin! Just look at him! Does he even </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">resemble</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> the
father we know and love? And if James – Elin, have you found </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">any</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> news of James?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Elinrose released a
sigh. “I have a lead, and that’s why I need to talk to you. This … it’ll be
best if I personally pursue this. I’m leaving in the morning, and I don’t know
when I’ll be back, but I’ll return with James when I do. I promise.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Snowmari sucked in
a breath. “Very well. Where is he?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Nowhere good,
which is why I’ll have to retrieve him myself.” Elinrose put a hand on
Snowmari’s shoulder. “Also, it’s Mayblossom’s bedtime, and I think she would
like it if we both tucked her in.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Snowmari frowned,
her gaze flicking to their father. “Very well. We can leave a servant with him
for a few minutes.” She shook her head. “Oh! But to see him like this, when he
was always so strong and…” She took a deep breath and stood. “Let’s go find Mayblossom,
yes?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes,” agreed
Elinrose, hooking her arm through her sister’s and guiding her out of the room.
“Now, I just want to let you know that I’ve already spoken with Chancellor
Markim. You won’t need to worry about affairs of state while I’m away, as he
will handle them. I hope to not be gone long … but if I don’t return with James
before … well, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">you know</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> happens,
don’t hesitate to hold a coronation for Mayblossom and take the position of
regent.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“But…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Only if I don’t
return.” Elinrose held up a hand. “I</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> plan</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> to
return with James before the inevitable and not leave you in this position. I
just want to make sure that we have the backup plan in place.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Right.” Snowmari
gave an exaggerated sigh. “It’s just, the way you’re talking … I’m worried, that’s
all.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Of course, but
I’ve already told you that you have </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">nothing</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> to
worry about.” Elinrose patted Snowmari’s hand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She didn’t like
patronizing her sister, but Snowmari could overreact with such melodrama over
the most minor issues … and that was the last thing that Elinrose wanted right
now.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Snowmari released a
sigh. “If you say so. You’d better return with him – I don’t know what I’ll do
if you don’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Chancellor Markim
will take care of affairs – whether until my return or until Mayblossom comes
of age. You will be her regent officially, but he will be your chief advisor. Use
him.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“But shouldn’t
you…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Elinrose pulled
them up short as they had reached Mayblossom’s room. “I plan to return with
James. Now, no more of this – we don’t want to upset Mayblossom. She may well
have the world on her shoulders before long.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“And yet you stand
there, upsetting me!” Snowmari shook her head and pulled away from Elinrose.
“Now, look at me! I’m a ball of nerves – how do you expect me to </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">not </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">upset Mayblossom when I have </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">this </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">weighing on my mind?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hey!” Elinrose bit
down her frustration, knowing that one of them had to remain calm. “Everything
will be fine. But if you don’t want to give Mayblossom her good-night kiss,
then, by all means, run back to Father’s side and worry yourself away.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Snowmari folded her
arms over her chest, drawing in a breath. “Fine. Where is James?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Elinrose took
Snowmari by the arm again and pulled her into Mayblossom’s room, where their
eight-year-old niece sat on her bed, playing with her dolls. Mayblossom smiled
at first, but it melted into a frown as she glanced between her aunts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Is something
wrong?” Mayblossom hugged one of the dolls to her chest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, Aunt Mari and
I are just so regretful that we have to come put an end to your game!” Elinrose
slipped into a smile as she swept over to the bed and sat down at Mayblossom’s side.
“Bedtime, you know.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mayblossom gave a
slow nod as she reluctantly set her dolls to the side. “All right. I thought
Grandpa…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Grandpa’s still
with us,” said Snowmari, rushing over to sit down on Mayblossom’s other side.
“Don’t worry – he’s stubborn and will cling to life as long as he can.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Daddy needs to
come back home soon.” Mayblossom gave a huge sigh. “I know he doesn’t like to be
around me ‘cause I remind him of Momma, but with Grandpa so sick…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Your daddy loves
you plenty well!” Elinrose countered, tapping Mayblossom’s nose. “He’s just
silly and likes to adventure instead of staying here with us. Now, sweet dreams,
and don’t worry yourself about it. I’ve already made up my mind that I will be
going to find him myself this time and let him know that it’s more than time
for him to move on and come home.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mayblossom wrinkled
her nose but nodded as she tucked herself under the covers. “Good. I just
wish…” Here she gave a colossal sigh. “I hope I don’t scare him away once he’s
the king. It won’t be any good if he runs away then.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I think you
eavesdrop more than any little girl ought.” Elinrose pulled the blankets up to
the girl’s chin, pressed a kiss to her niece’s forehead, and then stood,
shaking her head. “As I said, there’s no reason for you to worry.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She nodded to
Snowmari, who launched into a quiet lullaby. Mayblossom gave a slow sigh,
closing her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Elinrose pinched
her lips together as she listened. Mayblossom’s fears weren’t unfounded. Perhaps
if Raine, her mother, had survived her birth, then things would have been
different, but she hadn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">James loved his
daughter, Elinrose had no doubt about that, but the truth was, he was
sentimental, and Mayblossom was the image of her mother. James had adored
Raine, and while that affection did extend to their daughter, the pain of loss still
drove him away after only a few weeks with the child.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Indeed, the problem
only got worse the older Mayblossom got. The more she looked like her mother.
No, the girl had a right to worry. James wouldn’t have the liberty to wander
away for adventures once he was king. If he returned home at all in order to
become king…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Elinrose balled her
hands into fists. Her brother was sentimental </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">and </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">an idiot, and tomorrow she was going to risk her own life and freedom
to get him out of the trouble he’d found himself in </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">this </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">But that
sentimental idiot </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">was </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">her
older brother, and even though it was only by half-blood, she loved him as much
as though it were full-blood. She would save his sorry backside, and she would
see him on the throne. And then she would face the issue of how to keep him on
that throne, rather than gallivanting across the countryside as was his
princely wont.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Snowmari’s song
ended, and with a few whispered words of comfort, she stood and retreated to Elinrose’s
side.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Good night May-dearest,”
she said, twisting into a smile, and Elinrose pried herself out of her thoughts
to repeat the words, and two sisters stepped out of the bedroom together.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Do you have to go
find James yourself?” Snowmari protested, hooking an arm through Elinrose’s, as
though she could physically anchor her sister to the castle. “Surely some
messenger could do just as well. Or … maybe I could go in your place! You know that
I can’t do half the things that you do for the kingdom. Let me go! Let me be useful!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Elinrose bit back a
sigh and shook her head. “I wish, but I’ve already considered all of our
options. Alas, Mari, but you and James are too much alike, and the trouble he’s
in is … tricky. Mayblossom might be able to free him, were she older, but she’s
not, and as his only heir, we can’t risk her. No, it has to be me. I leave in
the morning, and there will be no further argument.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Snowmari released a
long sigh, tightening her hold of her sister’s arm. “Fine. I … I guess I’ll
just stay here. And worry. Do what you can.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Elinrose forced a
smile. “Austere willing, I’ll be back before you even realize I’m gone.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> ~~~~~</o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Of course, Elinrose
knew even then that her words were but a cheerful exaggeration. Though she left
at the first light of dawn the next morning, she had a journey of two days on
horseback before she arrived at the mysterious Forest that formed their
country’s border. Rarely had anyone ever stepped into that wood and returned
afterward. She couldn’t imagine what had possessed her brother to take the
risk, but here she was now.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“None of you are to
follow me,” she instructed the soldiers that had accompanied her this far. “You
can wait for me a week, but then return to the castle if I haven’t emerged
again.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Of course, your
highness,” said the captain. “Are you sure you want to go in there yourself?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Elinrose shook her
head. “I have to, but thank you for your concern.” With that, she spurred her horse
forward into the ominous wood.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Despite the
temperature rising as she threaded through the trees, a chill settled over
Elinrose. This forest was oddly lit. No sunbeam seemed to penetrate the foliage
above, yet a green glow was everywhere, casting shadows at odd angles. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The plant life was
odd here as well – though, having grown up in an ice-locked kingdom, Elinrose supposed
that the large, leafy trees, vines, and bushes could be perfectly normal in a
warmer clime. Still, it set her nerves on end, especially as she stared at the
jagged leaves and thorny stems. The very air hung with a sense of foreboding,
and the constant rustling in the undergrowth didn’t help.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She tightened her
grip on her horse’s reigns. If she could just see what were making the noises…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">No, she had to
focus. She had to find James, do what she had to do to get him out of here, and
then see him back to the castle. If she didn’t escape herself, if she had to
remain behind to buy his freedom, then so be it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">But she really
hoped that it wouldn’t come to that.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And, first, she had
to find him. Elinrose hardly knew how to begin. The Forest was huge. How was
she to even know </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">where</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> to
begin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Well, there was
nothing to do but to press forward and pray to Austere that she was going in
the right direction. People lived here – or so the legends said. She didn’t
know how much faith to put into those legends, but what else did she have?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And then it started
raining.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It didn’t rain in
the North Country; it snowed. And while the canopy of leaves over her helped,
it also made for solid streams of water that dumped on her head at the most
inopportune moments. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Still, Elinrose
pressed forward. She had to find James. She was in the Forest. She’d made her
decision. There was no turning back now.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The rain subsided,
and a thick mist took its place. The light was fading, so Elinrose decided that
it wasn’t worth it to press any further that day. She dismounted, and, not
knowing where better to set up camp, she opened her saddlebags to retrieve some
jerky and sat down dejectedly on a rock.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What was she doing?
Her country was in a critical state, she was the best to lead it, and here she
was, chasing after her idiot of a brother who clearly had no respect for the
power that was due him. And she was pretty sure that it was too late for her to
turn back.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">An unexpected crack
of thunder tore the air, and her unsecured horse bolted. Elinrose hadn’t even
time to leap up and grab the reigns. The mare was gone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The day was getting
worse by the minute. Now she was alone in this Forest without her supplies and
little practical knowledge for survival. She wanted to curl up under a rock and
cry … but there were no rocks at hand to serve such a purpose. No, she had to
press forward and … well, she honestly didn’t know what she was going to do.
She didn’t do things on whim and without a plan … but this Forest defied plans.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was growing
dark, so she knew that she needed to find somewhere to sleep for the night. But
the ground was wet, a chill had settled into the air, and her horse had taken
her blanket and tarp. What was she to do now?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The trees shifted,
and another chill shuddered down her spine as they formed into an arching path
ahead of her. She dared not take this path, and yet, as she glanced about
herself, she found that the Forest had closed on her every other side.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Foul magic,” she
swore under her breath, and then she stood. She had no recourse but forward.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Was this why no one
returned from the Forest? She hadn’t even found James yet!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hiking up her
riding skirts, she took one step forward, then another. Then she broke into a
run.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She was already
lost. Why not follow the path before her?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Then, just as
suddenly, she was at a dead end. The trees closed into a curtain before her,
and she drew up short.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What now?” she
breathed, gaze darting about, and she drew back in muffled surprise as she saw
a pair of eyes glowing from the darkness before her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Are you lost,
princess?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elinrose swallowed down fear at the rough,
growling voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Who’s there?” The
question came out at a higher pitch than she liked. “How do you know that I’m a
princess?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The answer was a
low chuckle that sounded even more like a growl. “I smell the nobility in your
blood, and you reek of purpose and quest besides. Are you related to one of the
princes we have wandering about? Perhaps you’ve chased after your lover?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Princes? The
thought lodged in her throat.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m looking for my
brother,” she admitted. “Our father is dying. Do you know where I might find
him … sir?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There was a sound
of crunching and crackling as the mysterious figure drew near. The shadow … did
not seem human.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I may be able to
take you to the foolhardy fellow who shares your scent,” the man answered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">But then, he burst
out from the tree line, and Elinrose saw that it was, indeed, no man at all,
but a great, shaggy bear. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She took another
step back, but held her composure in an iron fist.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You’re a talking
bear.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“And you’re an
observant princess.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Elinrose nodded
sharply. “Will you help me find my brother?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If legend and lore
were to be believed, then this bear was as likely to be friend as foe. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I might,” he
answered, with another growling chuckle. “How desperately do you wish to find
him?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He was bargaining.
Elinrose knew better than to give in to such a scheme – yet what else could she
do? Her brother had to be found, and she was without a horse now. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m afraid that my
horse ran off with everything I had of value,” she answered noncommittally.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Did he, now?”
asked the bear, tilting his head to the side. “How unfortunate.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Elinrose lifted her
chin. “Are you patronizing me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The bear took a
step towards her, giving a growl that sounded strangely – and terrifyingly –
like a chuckle. “You have courage, princess. Perhaps I shall take pity on you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I don’t need your
pity.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Ah, but you do –
and your brother as well,” the bear answered. “So does every mortal soul that
steps foot inside this Forest. Pity, for they are fools. Come, mount upon my
back, and I will take you to your brother, though what good it shall do, I
don’t know. Every soul who steps foot in this Forest entangles themselves in a
web that is not easily undone.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He took another
step towards her, and every muscle in her body screamed to run, but she held
her ground.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“How can I trust
you?” she asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He gave another
growling chuckle. “You already trusted yourself to this forest, and it is a
thousand times more dangerous than I could ever be,” he answered. “You will trust
me because you must. Without my help, you have no hope of finding your brother
– no hope of finding your way out of this Forest.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“And you’re doing
this out of pity?” she asked. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Does it surprise
you that a bear can possess a heart?” he asked. “Did you not know that our
hearts are the largest in the Forest? Come now, let us find your brother. If I
have heard correctly, your father’s life drains away as we speak. There is no
time to waste.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He was upon her
now. Even on his all-fours, he stared her in the eye. And yet, that seemed to
reassure her, for though his mouth was filled with teeth sharp indeed, those
eyes were strangely gentle. Human, even.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You’re a trifle
large for me to mount,” she pointed out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“True enough, but
we must manage,” he answered. He turned from her and crouched down so his belly
was against the forest floor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She grimaced as she
took hold of a large clump of his fur, hoping that she wasn’t hurting him, and
climbed onto the beast’s back in a heartbeat. In the rain, the bear smelled
strongly of wet dog, and Elinrose knew that her dress was ruined for good.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Well, that was why
she was wearing an old dress.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hold tight,” the bear
instructed, and then he took off at a bounding run.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Forest blurred
into a streak of gray-green, and she held tightly to two fistfuls of his fur,
not knowing what else to cling to. He didn’t protest, so she supposed it must
be all right. At length, the bear slowed to a walk, pausing every few moments to
sniff the air.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“So, what is your
name?” she asked after a moment. When he didn’t answer, she continued. “Come
now, I can’t just call you ‘bear,’ now can I?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Bear will do,” he
answered. “Now, quiet, princess. We’re near your brother.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Elinrose clamped
her mouth closed in a frown.</span></p></div><p></p>Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-5994853503395732242021-04-23T14:18:00.004-05:002021-04-23T14:18:46.505-05:00Rizkaland #4 Title Reveal!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLIBsAauJAM/YC8lKt7er-I/AAAAAAAAIYs/FYoE4ily30MgQIh_lwK2s2VOkjPrpNOKgCPcBGAYYCw/s1279/LaMBlogTour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1279" height="250" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLIBsAauJAM/YC8lKt7er-I/AAAAAAAAIYs/FYoE4ily30MgQIh_lwK2s2VOkjPrpNOKgCPcBGAYYCw/w400-h250/LaMBlogTour.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>So ... um, hello! I've not fallen off the face of the earth this blog tour! (I just feel like I have). This book's release has been CRAZY. Hands down, no questions. But it's here now, guys. All shiny, exciting, and ready for all of you to read. </p><p>So, um, go read it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3ngEjMf" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1331" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oQ8MEIgcK0c/X8VlxU6GvqI/AAAAAAAAIFc/h9WjnSjD1pE9hgdUVzCy0nMwm7oASmfsgCPcBGAYYCw/w416-h640/LaMCoverFinal.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/2021/04/tour-of-love-and-memory-slight-change.html">(And don't forget to check out the giveaway if and when you purchase it!)</a></div><br /><p>And now it's time to reveal something that you guys have surely been anticipating forever. Book #4!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pBWrYqrsIBg/YIMYQMJ77MI/AAAAAAAAIfg/c2i6rOr2YSsnlmkcCl5qfjmgClGTqla7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/TIoTBplaceholder.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pBWrYqrsIBg/YIMYQMJ77MI/AAAAAAAAIfg/c2i6rOr2YSsnlmkcCl5qfjmgClGTqla7ACLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/TIoTBplaceholder.png" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p>That's right, <i>The Isle of Talking Beasts.</i> Yes, I decided to name it after the setting, but, guys, a LOT goes down in this book. </p><p>So, first off, you can add it to your <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57824357-the-isle-of-talking-beasts">Goodreads TBR here</a>, and all check out its <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kladybug/storyboard-rizkaland-legends/book-4-the-isle-of-talking-beasts/">inspiration board on Pinterest</a>. </p><p>Yes, I've got it marked for 2025 for the release date. It's pretty up in the air when I'll actually get to write it, but I have the next two years of releases booked (cough), and I know I need to get <i>The Cost of a Queen </i>and <i>The Song of a Dragon</i> both out before this one. I would love to move it up sooner, but it's still very nebulous as a story, so I really don't know. (Though, I'm hoping, after this one, the rest of the series will follow quickly enough).</p><p>Some things that will go down:</p><p>The POV characters are Eden (whose name was very recently changed from Edna, who you'll see on the board and if you'll remember I called her by that name in <i>Lady Dragon, Tela Du</i>), Alex, Louise, and Quinton. And possibly Wyn. (The possibility is whether or not she'll be a POV. She's <i>in </i>the book)</p><p>If you've read the end of <i>Love and Memory, </i>you'll have heard a few allusions to this book. As I said, things go down, and Wyn is carrying a biiiiit of trauma from it.</p><p>It's about a year after <i>LaM's </i>epilogue, and it does feature a few weddings.</p><p>Eden is obsessed with fairy tales, Alex is into video games, and the book will feature a bit of a wake-up for both of them. Louise is deaf, and I <i>really </i>look forward to working with that. Quinton is based on my cousin. Um ... I don't know what more to say about that for him. </p><p>Eden is, by the way, the blonde.</p><p>So ... yeah. This is going to be a ton of fun, and I can't wait to share it with you in another half of a decade!</p><p>Blog Tour Stops 'cause I missed the last couple days:</p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">April 21<sup>st</sup> – Wednesday<br /></span></b><a href="https://madismusingsblog.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Madi’s
Musings:</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Interview – Kendra<br />
</span><a href="https://lovewhatyourreading.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Live.
Love. Read</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">: Review<br />
</span><a href="http://jenelleschmidt.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Safe Return Doubtful</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">: Portal
Fantasy and the Doorkeeper</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">April 22<sup>nd</sup> – Thursday
*Release Date*<br /></span></b><a href="http://www.landsuncharted.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Lands Uncharted</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">: Interview – Kendra<br />
</span><a href="https://www.brielleandela.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Fantastical Notions</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">: Review<br />
</span><a href="https://www.rachelrossano.com/blog"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Rachel Rossano’s Words</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">: Motherhood
in Fiction</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">April
23<sup>rd</sup> – Friday </span></b><br /><a href="https://dreams-dragons.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Dreams
& Dragons</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">:
Interview – Kendra</span><br />
<a href="http://www.arsilverberry.com/blog"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">A.
R. Silverberry</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">:
Interview – Andrew</span><br />
<a href="https://tpssarahlightshadows.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Light & Shadows</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">: Review<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-57195227995835464332021-04-20T23:57:00.006-05:002021-04-20T23:57:58.911-05:00Love and Memory - Chapter 1<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLIBsAauJAM/YC8lKt7er-I/AAAAAAAAIYs/FYoE4ily30MgQIh_lwK2s2VOkjPrpNOKgCPcBGAYYCw/s1279/LaMBlogTour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1279" height="250" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLIBsAauJAM/YC8lKt7er-I/AAAAAAAAIYs/FYoE4ily30MgQIh_lwK2s2VOkjPrpNOKgCPcBGAYYCw/w400-h250/LaMBlogTour.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>So ... I've been holding out on posting this as I wait for Amazon to declare <i>Love and Memory </i>published, but it's late and it still hasn't happened. Hopefully, come tomorrow morning, but ... anywho. </p><p>I just realized that I've never shared the first chapter of the book to this blog. So I'm going to do it now. Because I don't have time to type about the PoV's, and I like having first chapters posted so I can link them on my website. </p><p>*wanders away for a moment to glare at Amazon again*</p><p>Oh, and feel free to check out today's other stops on the tour:<br /><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://madismusingsblog.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Madi’s Musings:</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Interview – Petra<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.mrskat2014.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Katherine
A. Massengill</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">: Review</span></p><p>Now for the chapter (by the way, it does contain spoilers for the previous books, but not as badly as the second book, so there's that...):</p><h1>Chapter 1
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 6.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></h1><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">“</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Rainwood;">I</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">can do this.”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">At least, that’s what Clara tried to tell herself as
she climbed the ladder to the diving board.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“I can do this.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">There was no reason why she couldn’t, why she <i>shouldn’t</i> just march to the end of the
board and execute a perfect backflip into the water below.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">And yet she didn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">She just stood there, staring at the end of the board,
her mind playing in loop the last dive she’d made into the pool below. A memory
of but a month before … that was also twenty-five years old.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Clara, the end of the diving board is just down
there. Did you get lost? Again?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Rhodes, hush!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Clara twisted around to see her best friends – former best
friends? – standing on the ground below her. Rhoda was scowling, and Kath was
trying to balance that with a grin too big for her face.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Neither was helping.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“I can do this.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">All she had to do was run down the board and plunge
hands-first into the water below. She’d done this a thousand times. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Twenty-five years before.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">A month ago.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">She’d promised herself last night that she would get
on this board. She’d succeeded. She could turn away now and be fully satisfied
with herself. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">No. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“I can do this.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">She knew that she could. She <i>would.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The promise had merely been for taking the first step.
If Clara didn’t take the second one now, she never would.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">That’s just what she <i>did</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“I can do this.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">She didn’t let herself wait another moment. She ran,
raising her hands over her head, sucking in a lung-full of oxygen. Then she was
at the end of the board, her body taking over as she leaped into the air and
curled downward into the water below. It was a perfect dive, if she could
believe the cheers of her observers, just before she submerged.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">She’d done it. Now all that was left was to swim
upwards and…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Swim upwards and…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Swim upwards…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Her lungs burned, screaming for her to return to the
world above.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The world she didn’t belong in anymore. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">She balled her left hand into a fist, glaring at the
sapphire ring that she wore on her third finger. A ring that she’d worn for the
last month. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The last twenty-five years.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">She was the Water Princess. She should have control of
this situation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">But that had been Rizkaland. Here, it seemed, water
had command of her.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Hands closed around her arms. Kath was on her one
side, Rhoda on the other, both hauling her upwards. Clara didn’t fight them,
even as they pulled her head into the air again. Her lungs were too grateful
for the oxygen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Clara!” Rhoda was shouting. “Clara! What was that?
Are you trying to drown yourself? Clara!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Hush, Rhoda,” Kath shoved Rhoda away, putting herself
straight into Clara’s line of sight. “Clara, deep breaths. Are you okay? Clara,
you did it!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Neither was helping.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Clara pushed away from both of her friends, swimming
to the side of the pool. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">She’d <i>not</i>
done it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">She’d taken the first step and the second, but she’d
failed the third. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">And the third had been the most important.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“That was good, Clara. I’m proud of you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">She looked up to see Mrs. Gimmons, Rhoda’s mom,
standing over her as she reached the side of the pool.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“What do you mean, ‘that was good,’ Mom?” Rhoda
protested before Clara could answer herself. “That was the most basic dive
ever, and then Kath and I had to go rescue her. We’re used to better than that
from her. Clara, what has gotten <i>into</i>
you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Leave her alone, Rhodes!” Kath again sprang to
Clara’s defense. “Don’t you remember how I was last year?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“<i>You</i> were
recovering from a head injury,” Rhoda returned. “And also not acting like <i>this</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Hush, both of you, you’re not helping,” Mrs. Gimmons
chided. She crouched down and held out a hand to Clara. “Would you like to come
with me and talk about it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Clara accepted the offered hand but didn’t say anything.
Did she want to talk about it? She didn’t even know.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Come with me to my office,” Mrs. Gimmons instructed.
“Rhoda, you’re in charge until I get back. Be helpful.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Clara remained mute as she followed the woman into her
office. Her gaze dropped to her ring again.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Don’t let Rhoda get to you – she doesn’t understand,”
Mrs. Gimmons stated, as she shut the door behind them. “And, frankly, I don’t
think that Kath does, either. <i>I’m</i>
proud of you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“I couldn’t come back up,” Clara finally stated, her
voice barely above a whisper.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“But you got on the board and dove. That’s progress.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“I couldn’t come back up,” Clara repeated. “I stared
up at the surface of the water, and all I could think of was that the last time
I did that, I … I left everything behind.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Of course.” There was no judgment in Mrs. Gimmons’
voice. “The last time you dove into that pool, you went to Rizkaland.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“And I <i>left</i>
through that pool,” Clara exclaimed. “I spent twenty-five years in Rizkaland,
and then, one day, I was told that it was time for me to leave, so what did I
do? I <i>left</i>. Walked right back through
the waterfall. Leaving behind my own children! Staring up at the surface of the
water, it was like I was leaving them all over again – and this time, I just <i>couldn’t</i> do it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Mrs. Gimmons put a hand on Clara’s shoulder. “I wish I
could say that it gets easier…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“I don’t <i>want</i>
it to get easier!” Clara protested, turning away. “I want … I want to go back.
But I can’t. And diving into that pool is just a slap-in-the-face to remind me
of that fact.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Yet you did it,” Mrs. Gimmons pointed out.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Clara swung her head to meet the woman’s eyes – green
eyes that filled her with another wave of longing. Her mouth fell open, but no
sound emerged.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“I can’t say that it gets easier,” Mrs. Gimmons
continued. “You’re going to go your whole life, longing for what you left
behind in Rizkaland, just as you left so much here. That was why you were <i>able</i> to leave. Right now, your ties to
Rizkaland feel stronger because they’re fresh…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“I left my <i>children</i>,”
Clara cut in. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Mrs. Gimmons glanced down, fingering the locket around
her neck. “We all did – except Kath and Rich.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Clara swallowed. “Timothea was only eight. No child
should lose their mother that young – and I just left her standing on the edge
of the Ri! I should’ve … why did I leave? Why couldn’t I have brought her back
with me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Clara…” Mrs. Gimmons took a deep breath. “I <i>know</i> that it’s hard. I can tell you,
standing here, after twenty years, you still ask those questions every day. But
what you did today was the first step. You confronted those questions.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“I couldn’t make it to the surface. I would have
drowned myself!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“I was watching and didn’t let it happen.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Clara hugged herself. “Thanks. I guess.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Clara, it doesn’t get easier, but as you find more
reasons to anchor yourself here, it does get less hard.” The woman stood and
retrieved Clara’s cell phone from her bag. “I’ve got to get back to class, but
why don’t you reward yourself for your progress today?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">With that, she was gone.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk69845405"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">***<o:p></o:p></span></a></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Would you look at this? Kevin, your cousin just got
engaged!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Andrew looked up from his laptop at Mrs. Eaglechaser’s
remark.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Really?” Kevin answered from his side of the room.
“Petra’s finally caved and said yes?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">A grin curled the corner of his mother’s mouth. “Oh,
no, they’re still in the air. Summer and Tyler are the happy couple.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“<i>Summer</i>
and…” Kevin repeated, taken aback. Andrew didn’t really blame him. “You’re <i>kidding</i>, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">But Mrs. Eaglechaser just shook her head. “It seems
that he had meant to merely ask her out on a date, but it came out as a
marriage proposal, and she just decided to go along with it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Andrew frowned, knowing that this could only be half
of the story – if that. However, this wasn’t the time or place for the full
story. He’d have to ask Mrs. Eaglechaser later, one-on-one.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“That does sound like just the sort of thing that
Tyler would do,” Kevin admitted. “But … Summer playing along with it? I do hope
she’s not doing it to break his heart. It’d be just like her, and he <i>doesn’t</i> deserve that.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Oh, hush,” inserted Tina, Kevin’s younger sister.
“It’s <i>romantic</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“I’m going to call Summer,” Kevin declared, standing
up. “I need to hear this from her.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">With that, he left the room in search of a telephone.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Andrew met Mrs. Eaglechaser’s eye. “They’re going to
be just fine, aren’t they?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Mrs. Eaglechaser nodded, turning back to the computer
again. “Everyone has to sort themselves out in their own way, and if this is
the step that they feel that they have to take, then I wish them all the best.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Andrew frowned, a question dangling at the tip of his
tongue, but he couldn’t ask it, thanks to their audience. Kevin might have gone,
but Tina and Andrew’s own younger brothers were still in the room, and they…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">They didn’t know about Rizkaland.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Andrew’s cell phone interrupted his trail of thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Is that Clara?” Mrs. Eaglechaser asked. “You’d better
answer.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">It was. Andrew flipped the phone open as he retreated
to the hallway. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Hey there,” he said. “Long time, no talk. How are
you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">He frowned as he considered what she’d told him last
night of her plans for today.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Oh, Andrew.” Her voice came out in a breathy rush. “I
miss you so much.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Andrew swallowed before answering, knowing from the
pitch in her voice that if he didn’t keep himself calm, <i>she</i> might break entirely. It always amazed him how she could be so
strong and yet so fragile all at the same time. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Like a diamond.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Hey, at least we have phones to call each other with.
We didn’t have that … before.” In Rizkaland.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Our separations never felt <i>pointless</i> before,” she answered, her words a forced hiss.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“So, um, you said that you were doing a class with my
Aunt Leah today,” he prompted, not quite sure that he wanted to poke the beast
– so to speak – but suspecting that this was the reason for her call. There was
no use beating around the bush, and he knew that she was trying to do just
that.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">She gave a heavy sigh, and Andrew could almost hear
the shuffle of her feet as she tried to evade the question. He knew her too
well. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Yeah,” she finally admitted.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“And?” he prompted.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">She hesitated again, no doubt with more
foot-shuffling. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“It’s over.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Ah,” he said when it was clear that that was all she
would offer. “So, how did it go?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Her answer hesitated a third time, and he might have
wondered why she’d called at all if he hadn’t known her so well.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“It’s not <i>fair</i>,”
she finally blurted. “You went through to Rizkaland at a campsite that you
won’t have to visit ever again. I went through that <i>stupid</i> pool that I have to look at every single horrid day!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Andrew had to pull the phone a few inches away from
his ear to keep her outburst from blowing out his eardrum. He still heard her
clearly, despite the distance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“I agree, it stinks,” he finally said, once he was
confident that she’d finished. “But you faced it today. Didn’t you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“I tried.” Her voice dropped to a growl. “I dove into
that horrid pool and nearly drowned myself because I couldn’t come back up.
Kath and your cousin had to come rescue me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“You … nearly drowned?” Andrew’s heart constricted at
the thought. Sure, he’d come close to losing her before, but in a pool that she
used to swim in every day? When <i>he </i>was
so far away?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“It was all in my head, psychological.” Her growl cut
back into his thoughts. “I somehow thought that if … if I didn’t come up, I might
go back. Completely bonkers. I <i>know</i>
better, but it didn’t stop me from staring up at the surface of the pool and
feeling that leaving would be leaving … all that, all over again.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The last few words came out in a jumbled torrent that
threatened tears. Tears that he heard her swallow down with shaky breaths as
she tried to regain control of herself. He ached to be there at her side, to
gather her into his arms, to tell her to let go, and then to kiss away the
tears when she was done.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">But there were miles and miles between them. Three
days by car.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“You’re amazing, Alice,” he told her instead. It was
all that he <i>could</i> do. But words felt
hollow and empty when sent across that much distance. Why couldn’t he do more
for her?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">But, somehow, those words were enough, as her sniffles
died, and her tone was brighter when she spoke again.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Not half as amazing as you, Tom Canty,” she answered.
“I’m just sitting here, wallowing in myself. You’ve gone back to taking care of
your brothers and being useful.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Andrew opened his mouth, glancing behind him to the
room where his brothers were. “They’re easing me back into it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“I know, the big history project that Mrs. Eaglechaser
is doing.” Her voice pitched again. “But at least you have <i>something</i> in this world. I just … I just feel so lost!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“I wish…” Andrew trailed off, honestly not sure <i>what</i> he wished. “What about your goal of
the Olympics? Aren’t you working towards that?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">There followed another silence and inaudible foot
shuffle. “I … I’m struggling to get excited about it the way that I used to.
Not when all I want is to be with you, helping shoulder your burdens.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">It was Andrew’s turn to fall silent as he carefully
considered how to answer that. Finally, he took a deep breath. “Clara, I’d love
to have you here with me, but we both know that it’s not going to happen right
now. Right now, I need you to help me focus. I need you to be working towards
your goal of the Olympics because then I’ll know that you’re doing something
with your life.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Yes, but…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Clara, please. It may seem silly to you now, but it
once meant everything to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">She gave a heavy sigh. “I’m not that girl anymore,
Andrew.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“I know,” he said. “But I’ve been discovering that I’m
no longer the boy whose world revolved around his younger brothers.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Clara sucked in a sharp breath. “Oh, Andrew…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Silence hung between them again. This was when she’d
usually take his hand, cup her other hand to his cheek, and force him to look
past all of his doubts and focus solely on her. But she wasn’t there. All he
had to focus on was a family photograph of the Eaglechasers, hanging on the
wall in front of him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Okay,” she finally said. “If me fitting myself back
into my old life will help you that much, I’ll do it. Just … don’t hesitate to
let me know if there’s anything else that I can possibly do. I know you, Tom
Canty, the way that you can get it into your head that you’re all on your own
and have to put the world onto your shoulders, but you don’t. I know there
can’t be much that I can do, but … if there’s anything, let me know.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“As long as you’re not afraid to ask me,” he returned,
wanting nothing more than to gather her into his arms and just hold her. <i>That </i>was what he needed from her. He
glanced down the hallway to see Kevin headed towards him. “Hey, I’ve got to get
back to work now, so I’m going to let you go. Let you get back to whatever it
was you were doing.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“I <i>was</i>
diving, but I think I’m going to pull out some schoolwork now. Maybe science.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Andrew gave a small chuckle. Her science curriculum
was his dad’s website – a site that <i>he </i>moderated.
“Let me know if I can help you at all. I love you, Clara.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Love you, too. Bye.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Her line clicked off with a hollow buzz. Woodenly,
Andrew shut his own phone, lowering it from his ear and balling a fist around
it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Clara again?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Kevin’s question cut into his thoughts. Andrew nodded
distantly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Yeah.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Must be difficult, a long-distance relationship like
that.” Kevin shook his head. “I don’t envy you, Andrew.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Andrew gave a grudging grin. Kevin didn’t know the
half of it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“We’re making it work,” he said, as much to convince
himself as his best friend.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Kevin smiled encouragingly. “I’m just glad that you’ve
found a girl. You’ve been so wrapped up in your brothers since you were twelve,
but since meeting her, you’ve been focusing more on yourself. Whatever anyone
else might say, she’s been good for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Andrew nodded. “So, did you get ahold of your cousin?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Kevin frowned. “I did.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“And?” Andrew had a good idea of the conversation’s
likely result, but he needed to hear it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“I can’t talk her out of it.” Kevin threw up his hands.
“She swears up one side and down the other that she’s serious. Tyler’s the last
person whose heart she’d want to break. Apparently, she’s scared of his
sisters.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Well, they’ve known each other their whole lives,”
Andrew pointed out. “I think he knows what he’s getting into with her, and I
think she could use a good influence.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Kevin gave a bark of laughter. “I guess, but … Andrew,
you’ve met Summer. You know what she’s like.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Andrew rubbed the back of his neck at the memory.
Summer had been most of the reason that Clara’s early attempts at flirting had
terrified him so thoroughly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Tyler’s worse than you, when it comes to trying to
fade into the background. At least you can get started on tangent about
science. If I’ve heard him say more than three words together, I’d be
surprised. The thought of them together feels all wrong, but,” Kevin paused to
shrug, “talking to Summer just now, I’ve never heard her sound so mature. I
can’t help the foreboding in the pit of my stomach, but if he’s had this influence
on her already…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“She’s got three older brothers who can keep her in
line,” said Andrew. “And he has younger sisters who won’t let her get away with
anything. I really don’t think that you need to worry about it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">***<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Clara lowered the phone from her ear and just stared
at it, heart hammering in her chest. Everything in her screamed to redial his
number and get him back. Did she have more that she wanted to say to him? No.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">She just wanted to hear his breathing, close her eyes,
and pretend that he was there beside her, physically. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Her backpack lay on the other side of the room, with
the day’s assortment of homework inside. She’d told Andrew that she was going
to do some science. She’d also promised him that she’d get her head back in the
game and focus on her goals.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Clara! What was that? You tried to drown yourself out
there!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Clara’s head snapped up to see Rhoda standing in the
office doorway, Kath hovering behind her. But what was there to say that
Andrew’s cousin would understand? Clara just shrugged.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Is that your cell phone?” Rhoda continued, storming
forward. “Did you seriously just ditch the rest of class just to talk to your <i>boyfriend, </i>Clara?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Clara just shrugged again. There was no use denying
it. “He just hung up.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Rhoda gave a violent roll of her eyes. “This isn’t <i>cute</i>, Clara. What’s gotten into you? A
month ago, a boyfriend was the last thing on your mind, but you meet Andrew and
– bam! You can’t even breathe without needing to call him.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">She had a point.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Oh, hush,” said Kath, stepping forward. “She’s in
love, and love can change a person. You know that.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Rhoda rolled her eyes to Kath and shook her head. “I
don’t even <i>know</i> this new Clara.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Kath’s gaze drifted to Clara, and then her eyes fell.
Her answer was a mumble. “Then we need to take the time to get to know this new
Clara.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Rhoda stared at her a long moment before rolling her
eyes again. “Honestly, though, what’s gotten into her? Falling in love
shouldn’t produce a one-eighty personality change like this.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">No, but falling into another world and being <i>married</i> for twenty-five years would.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“It’s like…” Rhoda’s gaze drifted to Clara’s stomach.
“Clara, please tell me you’re not…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“No!” Clara took a sharp breath and hugged her arms
over her stomach, defensively. “I – no. I don’t … know Andrew that well.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The lie tasted awful on her tongue, but it was the
should-be truth of this world. In Rizkaland, she’d known Andrew, mind, soul,
and body. She’d borne six of his children. But here, they were supposed to be
near-strangers. That was the act that they <i>tried</i>
to put on, though they hadn’t waited to plunge into a romantic relationship
again. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">She wasn’t carrying his child now. Her mother had
already made sure to check that.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Oh, come now,” said Kath. “Do you <i>really</i> think that little of Clair? <i>And</i> your own cousin.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“The Clara that we grew up with, never,” Rhoda
declared. “But this new Clara who has possessed her body? I <i>really</i> don’t know. As for Andrew, I
would think that he knows better, but…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Your cousin is a perfect gentleman,” Clara cut in.
“We’ve never even kissed.” Not since coming back. <i>That</i> was the truth, at least.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“They have this distance between them,” Kath declared.
“Really puts some hampers on their relationship.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Rhoda rolled her eyes again – she was going to roll
them right out of her head if she kept this up. “I guess that has to explain
why she has to call him every five minutes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“I try to limit it to three times a day,” Clara
inserted. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Well, texting him every five minutes.” Rhoda waved a
dismissive hand. “Clara, I don’t think you realize this, but Andrew has a lot
of responsibilities in his day-to-day life. He…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“He lost his mother at twelve, and he’s been the
primary caretaker for his younger brothers ever since, yes, I’m <i>quite</i> aware of his struggles,” Clara cut
in, leaping to her feet and flashing Rhoda a glare. “He’s been defined by his <i>responsibilities </i>since he was twelve.
That’s not healthy for a kid. Do you want to know what half of our
conversations are about? His brothers.” The other half were about how much they
missed Rizkaland. “That guy was desperate for human connection. I’m just happy
to provide that for him.” Clara shoved her phone into her backpack, shouldered
it, and stormed out of the office, trembling as she tried to swallow down
tears.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Life just wasn’t fair.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 2.25pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 21.7pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"> </span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="page-break-before: always;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calligrapher; text-transform: uppercase;"> </span></b></p><p><br /></p>Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-68193393202948967412021-04-19T15:39:00.004-05:002021-05-05T14:04:31.144-05:00Tour of Love and Memory - Slight Change of Plans<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLIBsAauJAM/YC8lKt7er-I/AAAAAAAAIYs/FYoE4ily30MgQIh_lwK2s2VOkjPrpNOKgCPcBGAYYCw/s1279/LaMBlogTour.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1279" height="250" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLIBsAauJAM/YC8lKt7er-I/AAAAAAAAIYs/FYoE4ily30MgQIh_lwK2s2VOkjPrpNOKgCPcBGAYYCw/w400-h250/LaMBlogTour.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Edit: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0934JNXLN">It's now available for purchase HERE!</a> Carry on to hear about the new giveaway. </div><br /><p></p><p>So ... <i>Love and Memory </i>didn't release today, and the listing is down. I wasn't close enough to done on the deadline, so delayed it, and then just barely missed the upload deadline last night. I was literally in the process of uploading it when it closed. </p><p>*sigh*</p><p>So, if you preordered, you've probably received a refund. Currently, I'm in the process of finishing a proper polish on the book and I'll be manually publishing it tomorrow. </p><p>What this means for the preorder giveaway - well, since those orders were refunded, I can't *afford* to hold the giveaway as-is. THEREFORE, for the first couple days of release, if you purchase it and send me a receipt, I will put it in the new drawing. People who also send me a preorder receipt (or who have already done so) AKA, the people who did preorder (And, now, the 99 cent preorders DO qualify, as long as they're), will receive a double entry. To clarify: Preorders no longer qualify for the giveaway, as you have been refunded, but having made one will double your chances of winning if you chose to enter now.</p><p>I had 28 preorders, and I will honor that by giving away 3 paperback copies of the book, hands down. If we can get to 40 purchases, then more books will be added to the pile. </p><p>I would also like to honor Kindle Unlimited reads (as I'll get paid around as much as an outright purchase), though I'm not entirely sure how to verify these. I THINK, if you send me a shot of the book on your shelf and tell me what time you read it, so I can confirm that I had a matching read, it will work? While I won't insist on a verified review to match it, one would be appreciated. And, yes, having made a preorder receipt will help here. (If, for some reason, you made a preorder, then you read it with unlimited, then you purchase it, that would totally qualify as a triple entry, even if the purchase is made while on sale, see below. So ... anywho.)</p><p>If you're not interested in the giveaway, I will also be holding a Countdown sale May 25th-31st. Once the price drops to 99 cents, the giveaway will be CLOSED, as those purchases will not qualify. I will give the KU readers a full week to get it read, though ('cause I know it's Thicc). It will be an incremental Countdown, though so jump fast if you want to get the best price.</p><p>I was going to post some snippets today, but I don't have time to fight blogger with the formatting (Because blogger has decided it now wants to be nasty with them), and so, instead, I've posted the first chapter of Part 2 to the Ardnek Afterthoughts. which, as a reminder, is an exclusive blog available to subscribers of <a href="http://eepurl.com/cmhWX9">my Newsletter</a>. </p><p>Oh, and you can check out today's blog tour stops, because the party's going even with the train wreck:<br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.brielleandela.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Fantastical
Notions</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">: Interview – Kendra<br />
</span><a href="http://www.writtenrest.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Resting Life</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">: Review</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><br /><p></p>Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-4129083524051268172021-02-19T06:00:00.004-06:002021-03-31T13:56:12.314-05:00Change of Plans? - Blog Tour Open for Sign-up!<p> So ... I've not been getting the interaction I was hoping for with the Rizkaland Readalong. Furthermore, I am ... not as close to finished as I want to be with Love and Memory, and so ... well, the time investment that this Readalong is taking is not worth it. </p><p>Guys, I have TWO MONTHS LEFT. And I still have to write all of part five.</p><p>And so, instead, let's have this:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLIBsAauJAM/YC8lKt7er-I/AAAAAAAAIYo/PaZJ1HZqIXQCySlJCo2YTEXEL0iga0VXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1279/LaMBlogTour.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1279" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLIBsAauJAM/YC8lKt7er-I/AAAAAAAAIYo/PaZJ1HZqIXQCySlJCo2YTEXEL0iga0VXQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h400/LaMBlogTour.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>That's right! Signup for Love and Memory's blog tour is now open! Click <a href="https://forms.gle/oQzhJyu8mN8Sa2zD9">here to sign up</a>, and <a href="https://forms.gle/KhmgPongRQu53h588">here to request an ARC</a>. </p><p>If you're interested in spotlighting the book on your blog, newsletter, or other social media, without being part of the official tour, that is an option on the blog tour form. Just check the box, and I'll send you the info packet when I mail it out to everyone else.</p><p>And, yes, you probably ought to have read Water Princess, Fire Prince and Lady Dragon, Tela Du, first, which is why both have their prices reduced until release. </p><p>Also, I have this for Instagram.</p><p>For the record, I am funneling the Readalong entries into the giveaway below.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PyoK3ENo9X4/YC9WsUafbbI/AAAAAAAAIY0/bn7iGNiVR0I75FkaPBd2uKi9CurSB17xgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/LaMInstaChallenge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="798" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PyoK3ENo9X4/YC9WsUafbbI/AAAAAAAAIY0/bn7iGNiVR0I75FkaPBd2uKi9CurSB17xgCLcBGAsYHQ/w638-h640/LaMInstaChallenge.jpg" width="638" /></a></div><br /><p>But, as a peace offering, how about a snippet?<br /></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Petra, this wasn’t the way.</i> Reuben’s thought was stern, and his
grip on her arm tightened.</span></p><p></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She twisted back to stare
at him, preparing to defend herself, but his lips crushed against hers, and his
anger and disappointment blazed through her.</span></p><p></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Petra didn’t fight him,
but this kiss was an argument. She threw up every defense she had, but he
shattered them. It didn’t help that a memory of three little girls with green
scales and hopeful eyes made them weak to begin with.</span></p><p></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When he pulled away, she
was trembling.</span></p><p></p></blockquote></blockquote><p></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></p>Also, did you know that I have a <a href="https://discord.gg/brC7Z3u">Discord Server for my readers</a>? It's actually where I most consistently post writing updates and other goodies, so I highly recommend checking it out.<p></p>Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-57082514322621040672021-02-12T11:53:00.002-06:002021-02-12T12:06:16.806-06:00Rizkaland Readalong: Water Princess, Fire Prince Part 5 - The War<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSrlhI64Ea4/X_85YeL83sI/AAAAAAAAIPA/lNfsbFjuqPozpU58vSvfaRn6mj_NTzZGQCPcBGAYYCw/s1279/RizkalandReadalong.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1279" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSrlhI64Ea4/X_85YeL83sI/AAAAAAAAIPA/lNfsbFjuqPozpU58vSvfaRn6mj_NTzZGQCPcBGAYYCw/w640-h400/RizkalandReadalong.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">First off, if you missed part 1, you can check it out <a href="https://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/2021/01/rizkaland-readalong-water-princess-fire.html" style="color: #b76dff; text-decoration-line: none;">here</a>.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Second off, if you don't have your own copy of <i><a href="https://amzn.to/39XAmWA" style="color: #df2589; text-decoration-line: none;">Water Princess, Fire Prince</a></i>, you can nab it today only free on Kindle! And, since next week begins <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2N1BoJf">Lady Dragon, Tela Du</a></i>, you can go ahead and grab it for free, as well! ALSO, today is the last day to preorder Love and Memory for just $0.99! So go nab up the whole series. Don't worry. I'll not go anywhere while you're off grabbing them!</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Third off, there's a giveaway at the end, so do stick around!</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Let's get into it.</p><p> <b>Summary:</b><br />Andrew has been in Amber's prison for two weeks, Clara's still an ice statue. Granite shows up and reveals how to break the ice magic and how to get out of the prison, and Andrew follows the instructions, and they make their way out of the abandoned city ... only to be attacked by cat-like creatures called etrinas and Andrew goes down for the count. Clara stays to fight them off, but it's only when Kath, Rich, Stephan, and Kiona show up on hinequa-back that they're rescued. Then it's into full-swing for war, though there's a quick detour to get Essua, since she didn't melt, and then it's battle time. Amber attacks, they spend the day fighting, and then Andrew gets the brilliant idea to chase Amber out of town with fire AND water (y'know, the stuff they found inside the Mountain), and lo and behold! It works, everyone lives happily ever after. At least for the next twenty-five years, when it's time for Clara and Andrew to return to their own world.</p><p>Things of note:<br />There are four kisses in this section. The first is when Andrew has to defrost Clara, then she returns the favor moments later 'cause fire down her throat wasn't comfortable and she wants to have a first kiss worth remembering, and then they share another one that night as they're talking over their relationship, and then the final one is right after they chase Amber out and win the war. *happy sighs*<br />No, he did not actually pour fire down her throat. It just felt that way to her because she was so cold.<br />It's revealed in this section that Bugslayers, due to the poison in their system, can't have children.<br />So that kiiiinda puts a wrench in Jill Anna's relationship.<br />But then she dumps a bunch of Ia beetles onto Amber's head and Amber has to completely destroy the poison to get out of her system. I don't completely state in-book that it cures her of her inability to have kids ... but it does.<br />It's revealed here that Amber's offer to Andrew - about how she'll give him "the life he always dreamed of - was also offered to Princess Renee ... who turns out to have been Andrew's mother. Hmmm... weird.<br />Andrew's pretty badly scratched up after the etrina attack, so Clara insists that they wait until he's healed before they counterattack. <br />Andrew breaks a vase the night before Amber's attack, which results in him and Clara falling asleep cuddling on a couch and !!!!!<br />Rich and Kath skip town in the middle of the fight.<br />In the epilogue, their youngest daughter seems a bit fixed on a story about Rich. Hmmm...<br />Oh, and yes, it turns out that their parents are the Ten. <br />And Clara gets given a locket that has pics of all their children, after they leave.<br />Andrew realizes why Granite seemed familiar - he looks just like his friend's cousin, Reuben. Who has a best friend who looks just like Amber. (dun dun duuuuuun). Yes, this realization was added in the revision.</p><b>Favorite scenes/other stuff in this part:</b><br />Andrew just has noooooo idea what to do with a Clara that isn't hostile. It's adorable. And also him being all embarrassed when Rich finds them asleep together on the couch and everyone else is like ... yeah, you're Tied to her. It's FINE.<br /><br /><div>But Clara's just gone in heart-whole for Andrew. Also, random thing that just occurred to me ... her fear of falling ... may have extended to falling in love? I dunno, but it does line up with her personality? Which is why she'd have fought it so hard, but then he just represents security to her, it never felt like falling, 'cause it was so gradual and here she is!!! </div><div><br /></div><div>The convo between Clara and Rich was great. Because, like, he's happy for her that she's happy in her relationship now, but also ... well, he's still in love with her and now he's lost her completely.</div><div><br /></div><div>Parker finding a schwazle in his bag of animals was ... cute. <br /><div><div><br /></div><div><b>I'm going to skip favorite quotes, as this is going out late, and blogger's being nasty about formatting with these. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Behind the scenes:</b><br />I am aware that the war was a rather ... abrupt ending. I have a ... very good explanation for that. See, the first draft was written by hand, and I was running out of pages on my third notebook, and I just didn't want to get a fourth, so I just put the story out of its misery? Okay, not a good excuse ... but I'm not good at wars, 'kay? </div><div><br /></div><div>I kiiiinda feel like I needed to have a Clara/Jakob/Essua scene where he askes Clara about Jill Anna, and Essua's just like, bro! Go ahead and pursue your lady-love. If she can't give you kids, then you can just hand the crown over to me and I'll just have to go find myself a husband. Just ... chill out. Because that's actually 100% what happened, and how Jakob finally convinced Jill Anna to marry him because she was just this insecure bean who didn't want to take the risk. (They did have kids, though. Their eldest daughter actually married Clara and Andrew's eldest son and became queen. And I don't think Essua ever did marry)<div><br /></div></div><div>So, fun fact ... the kiss on the beach was going to be their first kiss, during plotting, but then Clara just had her balcony moment (like, I have a reviewer say I forced the balcony, but ... that was Clair. I'd plotted for her to keep fighting to the end), and she just fell into his arms and !!!<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Shortly before writing their first kiss, I'd just done CPR/artificial respiration training, which is why it happened. My certification has long-since expired ... but I do still carry the card in my purse 'cause, y'know, if it comes down to it and I'm the difference between life and death for someone, at least I <i>have </i>had the training.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, randomly, while writing that scene, I was at my aunt's watching a Barbie movie (Princess Charm School, I believe), and my uncle joked about getting all those ideas about romance from said movie, and I just fell out of my chair laughing because I'd just written "You kissed me!"</div><div><br /></div><div>I tried to cut their third kiss, 'cause I wasn't sure if it was necessary (Four kisses were waaaaay too much for one book, right????), but then the scene got better and I kept it. (And, joke's on me, six years later, as I'm writing Love and Memory, I've had a good 20+ kisses and no regrets.)</div><div><br /></div><div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Discussion Questions<br /></b></p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">(Every question you answer in the comments below is an entry to win one of the Rizkaland Legends in paperback, or all four - for a total of five winners. Giveaway is U.S. only.)</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1. Thoughts on Clara being afraid of "falling" in love?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2. Have you ever had CPR training/certification?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3. Anything you're excited about happening in the sequels?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4. Any favorite quotes?<br />5. Would you mind, pretty please, leaving a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or anywhere else?</span></div></div></div></div>Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-30641639134374657002021-02-05T11:22:00.001-06:002021-02-05T11:22:25.719-06:00Rizkaland Readalong: Water Princess, Fire Prince Part 4 - The Kastle<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSrlhI64Ea4/X_85YeL83sI/AAAAAAAAIPA/lNfsbFjuqPozpU58vSvfaRn6mj_NTzZGQCPcBGAYYCw/s1279/RizkalandReadalong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1279" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSrlhI64Ea4/X_85YeL83sI/AAAAAAAAIPA/lNfsbFjuqPozpU58vSvfaRn6mj_NTzZGQCPcBGAYYCw/w640-h400/RizkalandReadalong.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">First off, if you missed part 1, you can check it out <a href="https://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/2021/01/rizkaland-readalong-water-princess-fire.html" style="color: #b76dff; text-decoration-line: none;">here</a>.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Second off, if you don't have your own copy of <i><a href="https://amzn.to/39XAmWA" style="color: #df2589; text-decoration-line: none;">Water Princess, Fire Prince</a></i>, you can nab it today only free on Kindle!</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Third off, there's a giveaway at the end, so do stick around!</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Let's get into it.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Summary:</b><br />They are now in the Kastle where they meet up with the Wind Prince and Leaf Princess, who turns out to be Kath and Rich. Clara is not impressed. Then, the next night, they have a ceremony where Clara and Andrew are knighted, crowned, and Tied. I.e. Rizkan equivalent of married. She is even more not impressed. They spend the night together on the Hill, get a tour of the Kastle the next day while their hands continue to be stuck together, and then the next day get shipped off to Rizkaland proper. There they recruit allies, mostly in the form of the energetic Queen Kiona and her quiet husband, King Stephan. They then go have a ball, where Clara and Andrew are kidnapped by the Dragon.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Things of note:<br />This section covers the least amount of time of the book (about three and a half days), but it's also the longest section of the book!<br />We finally find out why Kath was teasing Clara about redheads in the beginning! And singling out Andrew in particular!<br />Laura the Doorkeeper finally joins the party to stay in this section, and offers her help on condition. In the original published version of the book, we didn't find out what the condition was, but when I I rereleased a revised version in 2017, I was able to add it in: basically, she wants Clara and Andrew to name a kid after her.<br />Other thing that I added in the revision: Expanded end to the last chapter. It's still a nasty cliffhanger, but it used to end with Amber merely snatching them off the balcony. Now she deposits them in their prison and has a bit of a chat with Andrew.<br />Kath and Rich came to Rizkaland in a hang glider crash about a year before the opening of the book. Said hang glider crash is one of the things that aggravated Clara's fear of falling.<br />Clara spends most of this section at war with herself. As we'll recall, she'd been on the brink of accepting the situation with Andrew, but with Rich and Kath's appearance as the Wind Prince and Leaf Princess, it's a sudden, blatant reminder that she's been railroaded into the relationship and her inclination is to rebel. Except that he's won her trust and became her safe zone, and ... well, she's in a state of imminent implosion.<br />Kiona and Stephan are of the line of Violet, her gift is excellent aim, and his is commanding speech, and that's why he's so quiet. Because what he does say has power.<br />Jill Anna meets up with the Bugslayers in the castle and she's promoted to third-in-command of the company.<br />Them getting Tied meant that Kath and Rich bound their upper arms from fist to elbow in a special cord that their arms absorbed over the course of the next ten to eighteen hours. </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Favorite scenes/other stuff in this part:</b><br />Ugh! All the flirting! Having seen her at her most vulnerable, Andrew's growing more comfortable with Clara in this section, and she, well ... since she's Tied to the guy, she may as well have some fun with it. I especially enjoyed the scene where they're duling in chapter 9, and then her coaching him in how to ask her to dance.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Clara's chat first with Jill Anna and then with Kath, in chapter 8. All the feels. Kath just wants her best friend back, but Clara feels that Kath snatched away her last bit of control in her life, and !!! </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">TBH, all of chapter 10 was gold. It was such a teetering, trembling bubble of tension to write. Andrew's speech, then their talk in the stairwell, then the dancing, then the balcony!!!</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">I also freakin' love the encounter Andrew has with Amber in the hallway. It's a fun testament to the fact that no one actually knows what Amber looks like that she's able to wander through the halls with no one noticing her. (Though, I think she might have been invisible for a good chunk of the time). And then Clara sees them and she's all like "BACK OFF, THAT'S MY MAAAAAAN." And it's such a turning point, and my heart!!!!</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">While we're at it, her crying herself to sleep in his arms after they're Tied, 'cause that's her last remnant of control gone, and he's just determined to be there for her as much as he can, even as he knows that it's his very existence that's her problem. </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Am I a flaming bundle of fangirl over my own characters in this part of the book? Why yes! Yes, I am!</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Favorite Quotes:</b></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"> “So, this is your
boyfriend?” Rich asked.<br /> “Ah, no,” said the Fire
Prince, immediately dropping his hand.<br /> “He’s just the Fire
Prince,” said Clara.<br /> “And you’re the Water
Princess.” As though that meant anything. Which it did, but Clara wanted to
conveniently forget that part.</p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"> Andrew knew the question
was a dangerous one, but he couldn’t help but ask it, and hope she wouldn’t
react too … violently. “I’m a … match for you?”<br /> She stiffened, and almost
pulled her hand from his arm – but his hand was over hers. He wasn’t trying to
restrain her hand, and she could have gotten free if she fought, but the fight
went out the moment she hit resistance. “Well, I had to say something to her to
shut her up,” she countered, stiffly. “Besides, if she is working for Amber, it
wouldn’t be good for her to take back a report that we stand divided. <br /> Andrew found he had no
answer for that, but instead found himself falling, drowning in that pair of
blue, blue eyes that stared up at him. It was a strange sensation, one he found
he didn’t mind.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Behind the Scenes:</b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Parts two and three were written together in about seventeen days during NaNo. Then, right as I was getting into this meaty section of the book, our whole household got hit by a naaaaasty cold. I'm talking, lungs full of crud, every nerve of my body on fire, what is breathing anymore???? type of cold. As a result, the Tying/crowning/knighting ceremony wound up lifted pretty much wholesale from the original notebook (the words of it, the surrounding actions were rewritten), 'cause I had no energy whatsoever to do anything creative for a good solid week. (Actually, the fact that I was able to rebound so quickly and still had the book finished by the end of December was legit amazing.)</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">I channeled Clara hard while writing this book, and I believe it was in the middle of this section that my aunt was like "I get being upset over a book you're reading, but when you're writing it??? Aren't you the one in control???" and I was just like noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. My feels were all over the place.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">As stated, there were portions added to this part's last chapter in the revised edition. The convo between Amber and Andrew in the village after their capture wasn't written until after the book was initially released, and I wrote it in back drive thru in a fit of inspiration, then posted it to the AA blog. If you'd like access to the AA blog, all you have to do is sign up for my newsletter! (points to blog sidebar) But yeah, I posted it, and the AA readers were like "this should have been in the boooook," and I was like, yeah, you're right, it should have been, so when I had a chance in the rerelease, I added it.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Rich actually has a crush on Clara! This is actually one of the things that tilts her over the edge once they get into the Kastle, because it's something she's aware of, even if neither of them had ever discussed it, and she was just starting to consider reciprocating when he pulled back after the hang glider crash. Now she knows why he pulled back and she's just ... not having it. (And, yes, fun fact, had Andrew not entered the picture, she and Rich would have probably wound up together, though it wouldn't have worked out as well. She needed Andrew's quiet stability and Rich ... well, you'll see when you meet his lovely lady ... eventually.)</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">I made the mistake of letting Laura mention parents in this part, which was kiiiinda a Doctor Who/River Song reference (As Laura exists as a Doctor Who/River Song reference, though her initial concept predates my knowledge of the show), and now all my readers are obsessed with figuring out who those parents are. *tsktsk* </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Discussion Questions<br /></b></p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">(Every question you answer in the comments below is an entry to win one of the Rizkaland Legends in paperback, or all four - for a total of five winners. Giveaway is U.S. only. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2783376245?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1" style="color: #b76dff; text-decoration-line: none;">Don't forget, you could also win a copy of LaM by preordering the kindle edition!</a>)</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1. How would you react to finding out that your best friend is suddenly thirty years older than you thought?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2. So, did you catch that the mystery girl was Amber? What do you think she wants Andrew for?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3. What are your favorite romance tropes?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4. If you were to attend a fancy ball, what dress would you wear?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">5. Any favorite quotes?</span></div>Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-37563770667045996802021-01-29T09:13:00.003-06:002021-01-29T09:13:33.509-06:00Rizkaland Readalong: Water Princess, Fire Prince Part 3 - The Mountain<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSrlhI64Ea4/X_85YeL83sI/AAAAAAAAIPA/lNfsbFjuqPozpU58vSvfaRn6mj_NTzZGQCPcBGAYYCw/s1279/RizkalandReadalong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1279" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSrlhI64Ea4/X_85YeL83sI/AAAAAAAAIPA/lNfsbFjuqPozpU58vSvfaRn6mj_NTzZGQCPcBGAYYCw/w640-h400/RizkalandReadalong.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">First off, if you missed part 1, you can check it out <a href="https://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/2021/01/rizkaland-readalong-water-princess-fire.html">here</a>.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Second off, if you don't have your own copy of <i><a href="https://amzn.to/39XAmWA" style="color: #df2589; text-decoration-line: none;">Water Princess, Fire Prince</a></i>, you can nab it today only free on Kindle!</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Third off, there's a giveaway at the end, so do stick around!</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Let's get into it.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Summary:</b><br />Clara has arrived at the Mountain, and eventually finds Andrew hunting in "her" clearing and challenges him to a duel. He loses until her mask gets knocked off, revealing that she's a girl, and she's not happy that he's her Fire Prince. They then spend a night together rescuing Jasmine and Karlos from a cliff. After a few more days of not knowing what next to do, Andrew has a dream about Alphego, and he and Clara then begin having alternating dreams that gives them riddles and challenges that get them through a system of caves.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Things of note:<br />Clara and Jill Anna chose to "summon" the Fire Prince with mistletoe muffins, because it's said, if you sleep with one under you pillow, you will meet the person you'll marry over the course of the next day.<br />There are five challenges. The first and last are puzzles. The second involves finding a lever, and third and fourth involve letting someone take a more dangerous route ahead of the rest of the party. (The first also involves rock climbing).<br />Clara and Andrew quickly realize that they have ... connections. I.e. - remember Rhoda's cousin that Kath was teasing her about at the start of the book? Yup, that's Andrew. What a weird coinkydink.<br />His mom was also in the circus with her parents. <br />It is in this section that we learn about the trauma that shaped both of them as people - her, falling from a trapeze when she was four, giving her an intense fear of falling - and failing - and he reveals a truth about the accident where they lost his mother: They never found her body because she vanished into thin air before the crash even happened. Weird.<br />Clara and Andrew make an agreement pretty much from the start that they aren't going to rush their relationship, and this section sees them gradually opening up to each other + learning to trust and depend on each other. Clara isn't quite ready to call it love by the end of this section, but ... shippyshipship, anyone?<br />This is also the part where we find out that Jill Anna likes Jakob. And also that he harbors secret feelings for her as well. Ahhhhh, forbidden love...<br />Laura makes another appearance in this section. This time she comes from a wedding and mentions a Lucy.<br />Here we also find out an interesting tidbit about Jill Anna's past - she's a Bug Child. As in, she was given immunity to a poisonous beetle as a kid, and now it's her job to seek out and kill these beetles. <br />For some weird reason, that I cannot understand, before she lost her mask, Andrew thought that Clara was a giraffe. Why he thought this, even though she was so very short--</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">(CLARA, GET OUT OF MY NOTES. ANDREW DID NOT THINK YOU WERE A GIRAFFE)</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Favorite scenes/other stuff in this part:</b><br />Fun fact! The "our adventurers must face a series of challenges before reaching their goal, and each challenge seems tailored to the talents/weaknesses/whathaveyou of one or another adventurer" happens to be one of my favorite fantasy tropes, and I'm honestly kiiiinda sad that this is the closest I've come to it 'cause, with seven adventurers that make it into the Mountain, and only five challenges, I kinda missed some of them? (Mostly I missed Abraham, but ... there was only so much mountain.) Still, this was one of my favorite parts of the book to write.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Clara and Andrew do establish some recurring inside jokes between them, such as "I see" (Which actually gets a revisit in LaM!) and Dihydrogen monixide (which may get a revisit, for though it hasn't happened yet, I do have an entire section of the book left to write.)</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">I get a lot of people complaining about how Clara initially dislikes Andrew for no reason ... and that's kinda the point? She was so upset by the fact that she was in this fated romance with a guy she'd not met, that she was prepared to find every reason to dislike him from the start. She didn't go into the relationship looking for the positives, she went in looking for the negatives. And Andrew, being the shy, nonconfrontational boi that he is, does the exact thing that disarms her - he steps back and gives her space to figure herself out. And, honestly, given where things end, I think they're in shape to continue a trend of trust and interdependence as the rest of the book goes. 'Twould be a shame if something were to happen to ... derail that.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Andrew's attraction to Clara is a bit more of a "oh, pretty girl, and apparently she's supposed to be mine?" He'd never really given much thought to romance until this point, and so he's mostly just stumbling through just trying to make the most of the situation he's been thrust into. He's attracted to her, but she also scares him. But, from that first night, he gets to see a softer side of her, and, well ... the way to his heart is through the kids that he cares about, and the fact that their first team project was "rescue Jasmine and Karlos" was intentional.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Favorite Quotes:<br /></b></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"> “I think you’re going to wear a groove into the floor,” Andrew observed, the third day they’d been stuck there. He was so tired of watching and hearing her, he was willing to take her snap.<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"> “Maybe that’s the way out,” she informed him, whirling around and leaning against the wall. “Wear a hole in the ground until we fall through. I mean, do you have anything better for me to do?”<br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"> “Ah, maybe sit down and give your legs a break,” Andrew suggested. “Wearing grooves has to be a tiring business.”<br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"> She shrugged. “I’m bored right now. Moving makes me less so.”</span></p><div><p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="line-height: 110%;"> Here, at last, were
answers, a way into the Mountain. A
thrill of excitement ran through Clara, and without thinking, she threw her
arms around the Fire Prince’s chest.<br /> He drew back, raising
both hands uncomfortably. Realizing whom she was hugging, she drew back as
well, folding her arms over her chest. “That was an ‘I’m glad we’re finally
headed somewhere,’ hug, not an ‘I like you’ hug, by the way,” she pointed out.<br /> “Ah. Thanks for the …
clarification.”</p><p style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">“So,” she continued, as he pulled out a package of beef jerky, “how’d
a guy like you end up with the choice position of <i>Fire Prince?</i>” she asked, “beyond the obvious fact that you have
matches.”<br /></span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; text-indent: 13.5pt;"> Andrew shrugged. “I’m still not sure. We were on a road trip, I was
getting the car packed, and then there was a forest fire, and then I was here.
I didn’t want to come here and be the Fire </span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; text-indent: 13.5pt;">Prince</span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
if that’s what you’re asking. So, what about you? How’d you get to be the Water
Princess? Beyond the obvious fact that you can fight.”<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;"> She snorted again, clearly amused by his decision to imitate her
phrasing. “I froze to death,” she answered.<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;"> Andrew blinked. “Um … you…”<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;"> “Really?” asked Karlos.</span></p></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Behind the Scenes:</b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">The scene where Clara and Andrew meet and duel for the first time was probably my most prewritten scene (aka, I wrote it ahead of time to help pin down the feel of the characters, conflicts, and goals of the book) in <i>Water Princess, Fire Prince</i>. It went through a number of changes to pin down exactly how I wanted them to meet and it's actually the reason Clara became classics-obsessed and started quoting everywhere. </p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">I stole the dihydrogen monoxide joke from my english workbook. #shameless</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">The scene where Clara becomes self-aware and comments on them being in a book is based on something I, myself, said, one day when I passed my younger siblings watching some sort of cheesy CGI movie. I don't remember what the movie was, only that I knew, then and there, that Clara would have to comment on movie magic at some point in the book.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Clara being in a circus was inspired by a real-life family that my mother read about at some point and told me about. I don't remember much about said family, except that they would take their kid with them onto the trapeze and toss her between themselves. Her being terrified of falling happened after a RP I let her play in, where she and Andrew got to go watch the circus due to some weird time funkiness, and she was freaking out. When I asked her why, later, she told me about the fall.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Andrew has resting frown-face. Like, straight-up. A lot of people comment on him being stern, scary, always frowning (not necessarily in this book, but Clara does mention it when she observes him asleep), but that's his face.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Also ... <a href="https://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-difference-between-robin-and-clara.html">this is a thing</a>. I don't know why people let me get away with it, but it's one of my favorite comparisons and contrasts between Robin and Clara.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Discussion Questions<br /></b></p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">(Every question you answer in the comments below is an entry to win one of the Rizkaland Legends in paperback, or all four - for a total of five winners. Giveaway is U.S. only. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2783376245?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1">Don't forget, you could also win a copy of LaM by preordering the kindle edition!</a>)</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1. What are some of your favorite fantasy tropes?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2. If you're an ardent Clarand shipper ... at what moment do you think the ship sailed?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3. What's your favorite "old wives' tale" regarding romance (or any such stuff)?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4. Do you like it when characters lean on the fourth wall?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">5. Any favorite quotes?</span></div>Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-71704965096535490532021-01-22T08:00:00.001-06:002021-01-22T08:00:00.519-06:00Rizkaland Readalong: Water Princess, Fire Prince Part 2 - The Fire<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSrlhI64Ea4/X_85YeL83sI/AAAAAAAAIPA/lNfsbFjuqPozpU58vSvfaRn6mj_NTzZGQCPcBGAYYCw/s1279/RizkalandReadalong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1279" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSrlhI64Ea4/X_85YeL83sI/AAAAAAAAIPA/lNfsbFjuqPozpU58vSvfaRn6mj_NTzZGQCPcBGAYYCw/w640-h400/RizkalandReadalong.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>First off, if you missed part 1, you can check it out here.</p><p>Second off, if you don't have your own copy of <i><a href="https://amzn.to/39XAmWA">Water Princess, Fire Prince</a></i>, you can nab it today only free on Kindle!</p><p>Third off, there's a giveaway at the end, so do stick around!</p><p>Let's get into it.</p><p><b>Summary</b><br />TLDR:<br />Andrew's busy corraling his brothers and organizing a camping trip when he sees a swirling vortex of fire, thinks he hears his youngest brother inside, and runs into it. He emerges in Rizkaland, where he's promptly proclaimed the Fire Prince, much to his annoyance. He's a pretty typical, non-athletic, brainy type, so none of the men are very impressed with him, though Lord Abraham seems to think he can make something of the boy. And Lord Abraham's young son, Karlos, latches onto Andrew as a surrogate younger brother. One day, they get attacked by a kirat, Karlos almost gets caught, Andrew risks himself to free him, and then one of the older men rescues them. Andrew is shaken and decides that it's time for him to own up and be the Fire Prince. They then head Up to meet the Water Princess.<br /><br />Things of note:<br />Like Clara, he only gets told about half of his prophecy until after a moment of crisis, but while, for her, it was their reign that was withheld, for him it was the fact that there's a Dragon.<br />His counterpart to her room of stuff is a cave of weapons, where he has a chat with Laura, the Doorkeeper, which is a mysterious girl who's apparently responsible for bringing him and Clara to this world.<br />Karlos is Lord Abraham's oldest son, but not his heir, because Rizkan law requires that the heir be the child of the Lord AND Lady, and Karlos' mother died before Abraham became Lord, and thus was never Lady. <br />He also gets a pretty sweet sword.<br />Andrew finds his mysterious stranger a little bit familiar...</p><div><b>Favorite scenes/other stuff in this part:</b></div><div>Every scene with Karlos was awesome, but most notably the one where he gets into Andrew's bag.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Kirat scene was so thrilling to write, and I really liked how it drew out Andrew's determined nobility that </div><div><br /></div><div>I actually plotted Andrew's section to parallel Clara's structurally with a few reversals, though his last two chapters got combined. The major reversal is that his Action chapter happened in #8, while hers was #10. Meanwhile, she had a chat with a mysterious stranger in #10 and she had one #8.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So ... small thing that some people notice in part 1 is Jakob/Essua, but I packed in a number of references to the Patriarchs in this book. Abraham's daughter is named Iska, and he has an older son who isn't his heir due to having a different mother. And then the twelve men of the hunting trip were all each given a name corresponding to one of the twelve sons of Jacob. I didn't get to refer to all of the men (I tried though, and I actually did have names for them all written down on the back of a bulletin), and Rhodan/Reuben is a bit of a stretch, but I didn't want him getting confused with Reuben in the next book, so...</div><div><br /></div><p><b>Favorite Quotes:</b><br /><br /></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 2.25pt; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">“</span><span style="font-family: Rainwood; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 110%; mso-bidi-font-family: Gaze; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Y</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">es, Kyle, you may
take Josh and Parker for a hike before we leave,” said Andrew, without looking
up from the map he was examining. “Just don’t push them off of any cliffs. We
don’t have time to call 911 right now.”</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">“That wasn’t
what I was going to ask, Andrew,” said Kyle, with a groan. “I—”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">“Well, it
happens to be what I just gave you permission to do, unless you want to stay
and help me pack up the tent. On second thought…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">“I’ll take
them hiking,” Kyle quickly amended, before Andrew could finish the thought.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><div style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">“People aren’t the only ones to fall through doors, not always.”</span></div><div style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">Andrew spun around, waving his flashlight’s beam violently until it
fell on a girl seated on a rock, dressed
in a tank top and jeans, her hair pulled back in a ponytail. Her hand went up
to shield her eyes.</span></div><div style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">“Didn’t your parents teach you not to shine those things in people’s
eyes?” she protested.</span></div><div style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">Andrew lowered the flashlight, frowning. “Who are you and what are
you doing here?” he asked.</span></div><div style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">“The name’s Laura, though most people call me the Doorkeeper,” she
answered. “As for what I’m doing here – well, it’s a room full of powerful
weapons from all sorts of worlds. I sorta belong here.”</span></div><div style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><div style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">“You said you’d never held a sword before in your life,” Karlos
continued, seemingly oblivious to Andrew’s foul mood, so much like Parker it
almost hurt. “I can’t imagine what it would be like if I didn’t have a sword,
but I suppose you get used to it.”</span></div><div style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">“You can’t get used to something if you’ve never experienced anything
different,” Andrew pointed out. “You’re just used to it.”</span></div></div><p><b>Behind The Scenes</b><br />As with Clara, I wrote Andrew to be the opposite of the conventional view of fire, but still 100% fire. He's not angry (as long as you don't hurt someone he cares about) and impulsive. He's more of the hearth. He's warmth and home. But, yeah, if you hurt those he cares about ... watch out.</p><p>Those who have followed me for a while know that Andrew was originally not the oldest, but the youngest of his family. If you're new here ... well, now you know. I don't know what I was thinking with that plotline, but eventually, I got it straight and it made the character so much easier to write. Mostly 'cause I myself an oldest child and I very much knew his mentality. </p><p>Also, random thing, in the original draft of the book, Karlos wasn't there at all. He was a character I added for my cousin to play while we were acting out the story in the backyard ('cause letting him play Andrew when I was Clara was ... awkward), and the original draft doesn't have the kid join the party until they reached the Lower Kastle. This cousin also inspired Quintin, who will have a major role in book 4 of the series.</p><p>The scary creature that nearly eats them was called a Kirat because I'd been watching too much Reader Rabbit and had Pi-rats stuck in my head. Very glorious, I know.</p><p>There's not a lot that I would rewrite on this section, but there is a lot of exposition and sum-up that I think could have been tighter.</p><p><b>Discussion Questions<br /></b></p><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">(Every question you answer in the comments below is an entry to win one of the Rizkaland Legends in paperback, or all four - for a total of five winners. Giveaway is U.S. only.)</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1. How would you personify fire?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2. What was your favorite one of the creatures that they encounter/hunt/hunts them?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">3. Are you an oldest? Youngest? In the middle? Only child?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4. What's a fantasy world that you find incredibly interesting?</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">5. Any favorite quotes?</span></div><p><br /></p>Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-46731654185701501422021-01-15T07:00:00.038-06:002021-01-15T08:58:45.278-06:00Rizkaland Readalong: Water Princess, Fire Prince - Part 1: The Water<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSrlhI64Ea4/X_85YeL83sI/AAAAAAAAIO8/BG99AwEVMYco4X7r20SqL40Pi41D6CMeACLcBGAsYHQ/s1279/RizkalandReadalong.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1279" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSrlhI64Ea4/X_85YeL83sI/AAAAAAAAIO8/BG99AwEVMYco4X7r20SqL40Pi41D6CMeACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h400/RizkalandReadalong.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Welcome, one and all, and I'm so glad to have you join us for this adventure through Rizkaland. </div><div><br /></div><div>First off, if you don't have the book already, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Water-Princess-Prince-Rizkaland-Legends-ebook/dp/B07LFQXPW1/">Water Princess, Fire Prince</a> </i>is free TODAY ONLY so you have a chance to pick it up and jump right in. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><i>Water Princess, Fire Prince</i> started with a crazy random idea I had one evening when I was stepping into my shower, utterly done with my life, and wondered if I closed my eyes long enough, could I maybe open them again to find that I'd transported myself underneath a waterfall in another world where I could be a Waterfall Princess and my life would be so much better.</div><div><br /></div><div>That never happened, but the idea stayed with me, growing and evolving. The shower turned into a water curtain thing that we have at our local swimming pool, then a water slide in Hawaii, and then it went back to the swimming pool, but this time it involved the diving board. The Waterfall Princess became the Water Princess, and she gained ... a personality. </div><div><br /></div><div>I will say, one of the biggest surprises about WPFP's reception by readers is how universally disliked that personality is? I mean, she is pretty opinionated, and she gets pretty prickly in her powerlessness, but it all made sense to me?</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, it's been about two years since I read the book straight through (not since my overhaul in 2018), so how has the book held up? Let's get into it.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Ze Summary</b></div><div>Why am I trying to be French??? I don't know. Let's keep moving. </div><div><br /></div><div>TLDR: <br />Clara, the daughter of a martial arts instructor and a fencing instructor, falls into another world while diving and is declared the Water Princess. Supposedly, she's supposed to fight a Lady Dragon, but she doesn't trust these people and thus decides to not tell them that she's a tae quon do blackbelt, pretty good with a sword, and not half-bad with a bow. Meanwhile, she befriends her handmaid, Jasmine, a seamstress, Jill Anna, and the Lord's son, Lor'Son Jakob. Slowly, she falls in love with this world, but now she's feeling trapped in her lie and doesn't know how to come clean about the fact that she's actually a decent fighter. Jakob has found out, though, and takes her to visit his sister, who the Lady Dragon had turned into an ice statue. While there, they're attacked by the Lady Dragon's minions, and she's spurred into action. Now that the cat's out of the bag, all that's left is to wait for spring so they can travel Down to meet with the Fire Prince!</div><div><br /></div><div>*Down being the Rizkan equivalent of South.</div><div><br /></div><div>Other things of note:</div><div>Clara has two friends in our world, and one of them, Kath, has it in her head that Clara likes redheads, and she specifically points out Rhoda's redheaded cousin. (Rhoda being the other friend.) As a result, Clara is determined to not like redheads. I'm sure this won't be at all relevant.</div><div>There is a prophecy that says that she's supposed to marry the Fire Prince. She is not keen on this idea.</div><div>Jasmine and Jill Anna are sisters, but for some reason, I decided to hold that back until halfway through? I really don't know why I did this, but Jasmine didn't feel the need to tell us about their relationship!</div><div>Jill Anna apparently likes a nobleman, but won't tell us who it is.</div><div>Clara gets a pretty sweet sword from an elf.</div><div>She also has a chat with a woman who may or may not be Amber. </div><div>TBH, I think, reading back, the problem with readers connecting with Clara is that the first couple chapters are kinda rushed? I was trying to cram a lot in. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Favorite scenes/other stuff in this part:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>All of the scenes where Clara quotes, and especially when she uses them to deflect comments.</div><div><br /></div><div>Whatever anyone might say, I loved writing the chapter where they tried to teach her swordplay, martial arts, and archery, and she just would have nothing of it, and it's one of my favorites to read. Like, she's not malicious about it. She's just spent her whole life boxed in, trying to live up to expectations, and suddenly, she threw a switch in her head and said "Nope, not going to do that. I do not need to be what these people expect of me!" and she just had fun. </div><div><br /></div><div>The room of stuff was fun, but - confession here - I didn't originally plot the book with the room of stuff in mind, and so I wound up introducing a lot of stuff there that didn't get a payoff. But <i>Fairly Fun Short Stories</i> was a fun nod to a certain other book of mine. Does this confirm connection to Bookania? I mean, most of my stuff is connected on some level...</div><div><br /></div><div>Clara gradually growing more and more protective of Jasmine. She definitely adopted the girl as the younger sister she never had and was more than willing to take Jill Anna as the packaged set. </div><div><br /></div><div>The fight with the Eir is one of my favorite battles I've written. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Favorite Quotes:</b></div><div><p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">Oh, please. “Do
you really expect me, a young girl, to know how to use a weapon?” she asked. “Besides,
where I come from, we barely even use those sorts of weapons anymore.” She
paused a moment, then added, “I can throw my shoe at mouse kings, but that’s
probably about it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">“Unfortunately,
our problem is a bit bigger than a mouse king,” said Lord Erik, sounding a
trifle confused as he narrowed his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">“Really?
Because mouse kings can be huge problems, eating all of the sweets and chewing
holes in dresses,” said Clara in her best
shocked voice, layering in plenty of concern. “What could be worse than
that?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 4.0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">“Oh, Water Princess!” cried Jasmine, as soon as everyone else had
left the room. “Are you all right?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 4.0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">Clara sat up, dropping the pathetic damsel act all at once. “I think
so,” she assured the girl. “I only cut myself just hard enough to draw blood.
It’ll heal soon.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 4.0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">“Oh.” The girl looked thoughtful for a moment. “Did it hurt, Water
Princess?” she asked. “It must have since
you fainted.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 4.0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">“No worse than cutting one’s finger usually is,” Clara stared at her
finger a moment, and then shrugged. “I’m not sure why I fainted. I never have
before. Then again, I’ve never cut my finger as a princess before. That might
change things.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 4.0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">“Does it?” asked Jasmine.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">“Of course,” Clara
answered.</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">The girl set
the box on the table. “But do hurry. Dinner will be starting soon, and if we
don’t hurry, all the mistletoe muffins will be gone.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">Clara
glanced up from the jewels. “The <i>what</i>?
Isn’t mistletoe, like, poisonous?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">“Oh, of
course,” the girl admitted. “But not if they’re specially prepared – and don’t
ask me how, because that’s something kitchen girls learn, and I’m a <i>lady’s maid.</i>” She was clearly quite
proud of her position.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;"><span style="text-indent: 13.5pt;">“You learn
how to do hair instead?” Clara asked.</span> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 4.0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">“Time to start believing impossible things. I’ve a ways to go if I’m to
catch up to six.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 4.0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">An uncomfortable scratch rose in the back of her throat, and she felt
the unmistakable prick of tears. Swallowing and taking several deep breaths,
she squeezed her eyes shut. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 4.0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">“Get ahold of yourself, Clair!” she scolded herself. “Winners don’t cry.
Olympic champions <i>don’t</i> cry. A true
master is in control of her emotions at all times.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 4.0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">She lay there, repeating those words for several minutes, and then
sat up.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">
</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 110%; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 4.0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;">“I’ve got to get back home.”<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Behind the Scenes and Other Thoughts</b></div><div>I wrote Clara to be the opposite of what people expect of Water, and yet still personify it. When she likes her path, she goes with the flow, but when something is against her/flares her temper, she's a rushing typhoon that will crash through all boundaries. </div><div><br /></div><div>Her becoming a quarter Chinese was a convoluted series of events, plotting wise, that no longer even make sense due to other things that changed in the plotting. But I can't imagine her any other way. </div><div><br /></div><div>The term Li'Daughter happened because I forgot how you spell Lady when I was writing my name on a cup for a party. (Because I can never write just my name on a cup). And I didn't like the look of La'Daughter, so I stuck with it. </div><div><br /></div><div>The one thing I would change if I could go back and completely rewrite this book is to make it clearer the loyalty that Clara has to the people she cares about and the drive she has to meet their expectations. Because, tbh, that's what drives most of her conflict in this book. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the flipside of that, she takes it very hard when her trust is betrayed, which ... will be coming into play. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Discussion Questions:</b></div><div>(Every question you answer in the comments below is an entry to win one of the Rizkaland Legends in paperback, or all four - for a total of five winners. Giveaway is U.S. only.)</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">1. How would you personify water?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">2. What was your favorite thing that Clara found in the Room of Stuff?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">3. What's the weirdest thought you ever had in the shower? (Keep it clean!)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">4. How would you react to being torn from your life and being tossed into another world?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">5. Any favorite quotes?</span></div>Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-56011394118677228842020-11-30T15:54:00.003-06:002020-11-30T16:48:25.313-06:00Love and Memory Has a Cover!<p> This post ... is incredibly late.</p><p>It's been a week, and I've finally stopped long enough to catch my breath. </p><p>But! I revealed the cover for <i>Love and Memory</i> on Thursday! And now I'm finally now blogging about it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oQ8MEIgcK0c/X8VlxU6GvqI/AAAAAAAAIFY/KF8xqGXmzw8NXVxbP5g6zs85bgcKOOVugCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/LaMCoverFinal.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1331" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oQ8MEIgcK0c/X8VlxU6GvqI/AAAAAAAAIFY/KF8xqGXmzw8NXVxbP5g6zs85bgcKOOVugCLcBGAsYHQ/w416-h640/LaMCoverFinal.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW2148218 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW2148218 BCX0" paraeid="{2579094e-c9b1-4a6d-9401-fc292a9a6f5c}{67}" paraid="480553947" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; 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background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Purchace</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW2148218 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> Link</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW2148218 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">:</span><span class="TextRun SCXW2148218 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW2148218 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW2148218 BCX0" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CSYSSXS/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW2148218 BCX0" data-contrast="none" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #0563c1; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; 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-webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW2148218 BCX0" paraeid="{2579094e-c9b1-4a6d-9401-fc292a9a6f5c}{78}" paraid="184798740" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW2148218 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Add Book on Goodreads:</span><span class="TextRun SCXW2148218 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW2148218 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW2148218 BCX0" href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32674009-love-and-memory" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW2148218 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #0563c1; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW2148218 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32674009-love-and-memory</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW2148218 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span><span class="EOP SCXW2148218 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><p>I am ridiculously proud of this thing, because I actually designed it myself. I was going to commission Alea, and she had even sent me a mock waaaaaaay back when LDTD was still newly-released, but then we were getting close to the crunch, her schedule was full, and I had a vision click into my head that I wanted to make happen. </p><p>And so I made it happen. There was a lot of back-and-forth between Alea and I - and I am thoroughly grateful for her advice - and I am so pleased with how it came together. It may just be my favorite cover that I have designed to date ... except there's another that I put together since that I'll be revealing next June, and it also makes me incredibly happy. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, alongside this reveal, <span class="TextRun SCXW234458294 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW234458294 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">I am offering book one, </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW234458294 BCX0" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07LFQXPW1" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW234458294 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #0563c1; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW234458294 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Water Princess, Fire Prince</span></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW234458294 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; 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background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">ebook</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW234458294 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> on Amazon, and book 2, </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW234458294 BCX0" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07LFPJY14" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW234458294 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #0563c1; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW234458294 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Lady Dragon, Tela Du</span></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW234458294 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW234458294 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW234458294 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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"); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">is</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW234458294 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> just 99 cents! And, furthermore, I am offering </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW234458294 BCX0" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08KGYTHRW/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW234458294 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #0563c1; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW234458294 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Broken</span></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW234458294 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW234458294 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, which is part 1 of </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW234458294 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW234458294 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Love and Memory</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW234458294 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW234458294 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, for free as well as an early read! This sale is part of Perry Kirkpatrick’s </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW234458294 BCX0" href="https://sale.perrykirkpatrick.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW234458294 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #0563c1; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW234458294 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Black Friday Sale</span></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW234458294 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW234458294 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW234458294 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW234458294 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> so do go check out all of the other books on offer for 99 cents or less!</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW234458294 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="EOP SCXW234458294 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Admittedly ... because I am so late with this post, today is the last day of the main sale, only my freebies actually end today, so ... do rush over and go score some savings while they're still there!</span></span></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW140132000" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; 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font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW140132000" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW140132000 BCX0" paraeid="{6752cab1-c422-43e9-b98e-29023d4df96b}{126}" paraid="250170063" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW140132000 BCX0" href="https://tpssarahlightshadows.wordpress.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #0563c1; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Light and Shadows</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW140132000 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW140132000 BCX0" paraeid="{6752cab1-c422-43e9-b98e-29023d4df96b}{134}" paraid="1337361317" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW140132000 BCX0" href="http://briedonning.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #0563c1; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Reality Reflected</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW140132000 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW140132000 BCX0" paraeid="{6752cab1-c422-43e9-b98e-29023d4df96b}{142}" paraid="26366003" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW140132000 BCX0" href="http://anniedouglasslima.blogspot.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #0563c1; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Letters From Annie</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW140132000 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW140132000 BCX0" paraeid="{6752cab1-c422-43e9-b98e-29023d4df96b}{154}" paraid="534461873" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW140132000 BCX0" href="https://cobonham.com/blog-posts/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #0563c1; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">C.O. Bonham</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW140132000 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW140132000 BCX0" paraeid="{ae8041d0-9706-4596-b85d-a7e0cbf862a6}{73}" paraid="217286951" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW140132000 BCX0" href="https://kelseysnotebookblog.blogspot.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #0563c1; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Kelsey’s Notebook</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW140132000 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW140132000 BCX0" paraeid="{ae8041d0-9706-4596-b85d-a7e0cbf862a6}{81}" paraid="16196599" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW140132000 BCX0" href="http://rachelrossano.com/blog" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #0563c1; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Rachel Rossano</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW140132000 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW140132000 BCX0" paraeid="{ae8041d0-9706-4596-b85d-a7e0cbf862a6}{91}" paraid="426630559" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW140132000 BCX0" href="https://livingoutsidethelinesfindingthewritelife.wordpress.com/blog/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #0563c1; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Living Outside the Lines</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW140132000 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW140132000 BCX0" paraeid="{71f47d17-1633-405a-b5db-ae4216ae1722}{137}" paraid="1218692901" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW140132000 BCX0" href="http://wildroseleblonde.blogspot.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #0563c1; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">The Rambling Rose</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW140132000 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW140132000 BCX0" paraeid="{0dd5bb3c-c20b-4876-a0e9-6e6393cebe5a}{91}" paraid="1417015394" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW140132000 BCX0" href="http://www.writtenrest.wordpress.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #0563c1; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Written Rest</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW140132000 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW140132000 BCX0" paraeid="{0dd5bb3c-c20b-4876-a0e9-6e6393cebe5a}{99}" paraid="1577746542" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW140132000 BCX0" href="https://madismusingsblog.wordpress.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #0563c1; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Madi’s Musings</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW140132000 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW140132000 BCX0" paraeid="{0dd5bb3c-c20b-4876-a0e9-6e6393cebe5a}{107}" paraid="820051282" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" face="Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW140132000 BCX0" href="https://onceuponanordinary.wordpress.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #0563c1; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Once Upon an Ordinary</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW140132000 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW140132000 BCX0" paraeid="{105741e4-60c1-49a5-8bc2-54736e7dbac2}{42}" paraid="382650826" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW140132000 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW140132000 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW140132000 BCX0" paraeid="{105741e4-60c1-49a5-8bc2-54736e7dbac2}{42}" paraid="382650826" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont, Times New Roman_MSFontService, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Here are all the blogs that have helped me out on this cover reveal - do go click through and comment on all of them, as each was given an exclusive interview, snippet, pinterest inspiration, or all three, and I may or may not have a prize for whoever comments on all of them. Not sure what that prize is, yet, but ... there you go.</span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW140132000 BCX0" paraeid="{105741e4-60c1-49a5-8bc2-54736e7dbac2}{42}" paraid="382650826" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont, Times New Roman_MSFontService, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW140132000 BCX0" paraeid="{105741e4-60c1-49a5-8bc2-54736e7dbac2}{42}" paraid="382650826" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh, and a small bit of an announcement - because I'm aware that there's such a gap between releases, I do plan to host something of a readalong leading up to LaM's release. It will be a weekly event, each week focusing on one part of the book, starting with The Water of <i>Water Princess, Fire Prince</i>, and ending with Broken of <i>Love and Memory</i>. I maaaaay also toss in <i>The Worth of a King</i>, taking it from 11 weeks to 14, but I still need to stare at a calendar and figure out which weeks this will be happening. For now, just go grab all the books while they're on sale and strap in for the fun. I look forward to sharing with you folk all my favorite scenes of these books, and seeing what you guys loved about them. </p><p class="Paragraph SCXW140132000 BCX0" paraeid="{105741e4-60c1-49a5-8bc2-54736e7dbac2}{42}" paraid="382650826" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW140132000 BCX0" paraeid="{105741e4-60c1-49a5-8bc2-54736e7dbac2}{42}" paraid="382650826" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">(Edit: I have consulted the calendar and have decided that yes, I will be including Worth, and the readalong will begin Jan 15th, and the posts will post on Fridays.)</p><p class="Paragraph SCXW140132000 BCX0" paraeid="{105741e4-60c1-49a5-8bc2-54736e7dbac2}{42}" paraid="382650826" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW140132000 BCX0" paraeid="{105741e4-60c1-49a5-8bc2-54736e7dbac2}{42}" paraid="382650826" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh, and to play a game - <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kladybug/storyboard-rizkaland-legends/book-3-love-and-memory/">Here's the Pinterest Board for </a><i><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kladybug/storyboard-rizkaland-legends/book-3-love-and-memory/">Love and Memory.</a> </i>If you comment below with a pin from it, I may or may not tell you what the pin represents/inspired. So ... let's have some fun!</p></div>Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-19053462988734234652020-10-30T12:30:00.001-05:002020-10-30T12:30:49.719-05:00Know The Novel - Love and Memory<p> I've not done one of these in a while, and I'm out of the blogging loop, but ... why not? </p><p>My NaNo goal is to finish Love and Memory. I have about 140K written, and ... just over two parts left to write. Um, yes, it did acquire a Part 5 in the last few days. I thought it was just going to be four parts to this one, but the wrap-up chapters were getting busy, and I decided to pull them out, give each POV pair have their own, and then let the climax have space to breath and be properly epic. </p><p>There is soooooo much going on in this book. I don't ... I don't even know. </p><p>Also, if you're interested, sign-up for the cover reveal is currently open, so if you'd like to see the shiny early, you can fill out <a href="https://forms.gle/81ewMZ9isKfeiFdF9">the form here</a>!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://christinesmithauthor.com/2020/10/know-the-novel-part-one-introduction-a-writers-linkup-2/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lmB1Ni1DoZI/X5xIGtEp7rI/AAAAAAAAH6M/BQXRNs6DYj8pc5YFmCa_1Xz4zx5O9kIYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Know%2Bthe%2BNovel%2BPart%2BOne%2B%25282019%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora; font-size: large;">1. What first sparked the idea for this novel?</span></p><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So, after I published <i>Water Princess, Fire Prince</i>, I was telling people hints about the following books, and Morgan was horrified when I mentioned that Clara and Andrew weren't going to be major characters again until book #5, and she promptly demanded that I fix the problem. So the then-current book #3 got shifted over to <i>Fall of a Star, </i>and I pulled an old plot out of my hat to creat <i>Love and Memory. </i>And then it just kept adopting plots and conflicts until it became a monster.</p><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora; font-size: large;">2. Share a blurb (or just an overall summary if you’d prefer)!</span></p><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I need to write a blurb. Um, for now, enjoy a prophecy! </p><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><i>When a Queen forgets,<br /></i></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora;"><i><span style="text-align: left;">Her enemies rejoice in her weakness.<br /></span><span style="text-align: left;">But when the Queen remembers,<br /></span><span style="text-align: left;">They tremble in fear.<br /></span><span style="text-align: left;">When a king loves,<br /></span><span style="text-align: left;">His country rejoices with him.<br /></span><span style="text-align: left;">But when that love is broken. <br /></span><span style="text-align: left;">The land is broken, too.<br /></span><span style="text-align: left;">Can Water and Fire join again?<br /></span><span style="text-align: left;">Can Love and Memory be restored?</span></i></span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora; font-size: large;">3. Where does the story take place? What are some of your favorite aspects about the setting?</span></p><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So, Part 1 and Part 5 take place in our own world, mostly at the Arden's house, which is in my stomping ground of East Texas, though we do get some glimpses into Clara's and Andrew's households.</p><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Parts 2-4 take place predominately on the Isle of Rintae, (though part 4 does shift the focus a bit more to Rizkaland proper), which is a desert country that was populated by some refuges from pre-Islamic Arabia. </p><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So, yeah, lots of fun, lots of culture clashing, and lots of sand. Really enjoying mixing stuff up for this book.</p><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora; font-size: large;">4. Tell us about your protagonist(s).</span></p><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">There are 12/14 (I honestly can't remember) POV characters. Some of them are spoilers from LDTD, but they do include Petra and Reuben, Clara and Andrew, Ashna and Noraeto, and newcomers, Ali and Sorei. Most pairs are romantic couples, buuuuuut, one isn't. </p><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora; font-size: large;">5. Who (or what) is the antagonist?</span></p><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Aye, isn't that what everyone wants to know? There are a couple theories being bantered, but no one's quite sure who's at the bottom this mess this time.</p><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora; font-size: large;">6. What excites you the most about this novel?</span></p><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">All the fluff, all the pain, and I can't wait to finally finish this monster. Seriously, I was doing an edit on part 1 yesterday (so I can send it off to betas in advance of Part 1's early release), and I was fangirlling so hard over my own characters.</p><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It is a bit ridiculous.</p><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora; font-size: large;">7. Is this going to be a series? standalone? something else?</span></p><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It's #3 of the Rizkaland Legends.</p><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora; font-size: large;">8. Are you plotting? pantsing? plansting?</span></p><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Plantsing. I still need to sit down and write up the outline/attack plan/table of contents for the final two parts, but it's mostly a rough gameplan for the characters to tell me the story.</p><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora; font-size: large;">9. Name a few unique elements about this story.</span></p><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It's a story that deals with repercussions. We romanticise the trip to the other world, but what's it like to come back? It's not easy to transplant yourself.</p><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Also there's Wyn. Um, not sure how much she qualifies as "unique," but she's adorable and must be PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS. (No, we're not discussing her role in #4 at the moment. Or in <i>The Cost of a Queen</i>...)</p><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora; font-size: medium;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: large;">10. Share some fun “extras” of the story (a song or full playlist, some aesthetics, a collage, a Pinterest board, a map you’ve made, a special theme you’re going to incorporate, ANYTHING you want to share!).</span></span></p><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/kladybug/storyboard-rizkaland-legends/book-3-love-and-memory/">Have a Pinterest board!</a></p><p align="justify" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Lora; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And now I need to run off to work. </p>Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-78384995590332429882020-08-24T23:28:00.000-05:002020-08-24T23:28:00.326-05:00Five Reasons to Read The Dancing Princess<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNksbqlUPx4/X0QJ0nygxzI/AAAAAAAAHfg/iQOJBDgw3CgcXWA9r3etHpSUInopa_a9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s900/TheDancingPrincessPromo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNksbqlUPx4/X0QJ0nygxzI/AAAAAAAAHfg/iQOJBDgw3CgcXWA9r3etHpSUInopa_a9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/TheDancingPrincessPromo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And the day is here! <i>The Dancing Princess,</i> the last <i>Twist of Adventure</i>, has made its way onto the internet, and you can read it at your leisure. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here's why you'll want to. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. It's a twist of adventure, which means that everything's different, but it's still the story we all know and love. This one's edging more into epic fantasy, despite its small package, with ancient feuds, cursed princes, and dance-off showdowns. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. It went Russian. Wasn't my initial plan, but my dad had been listening to War and Peace when I started it, and that Russian flavor just edged in ... and then I decided that it needed Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the brave. Russian folklore has long facinated me, especially the tale of those two, and I was thrilled to finally bring them into one of my stories.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. One princess, not twelve. Much as I love sibling stories, 12DP retellings can get overwhelming with the number of names that one has to keep track of. Now, I did include eleven cursed princes and their kingly eldest brother, said brothers really aren't the point? You will get to meet all of them, but you don't have to keep track of them. Instead, you can focus on the awesome music magic and the sweet romance between Katrine and the king.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4. Speaking of ... yes, you heard me right when I said dance-off showdown. This 12DP focuses completely on the power of song - it's literally the fabric of reality in this world, and some people have the power to hear and meddle with it. It's a more serious magic system than I've written in a long time ... but you've actually seen it before in <i>Hair We Go Again. </i>But, yes, music. Because music is awesome. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5. Finally ... well, we all know I love a good arranged marriage/marriage of convenience, and this couple was brought together through circumstance and tangled songs. They were so sweet to write, uuuuugh, I love them so much. Katrine may be quieter than a lot of my heroines, but she has a spine of steel, and the king, well ... he's made some mistakes in the past that he needs her to fix for him, but he also doesn't want to lose her because the magic woven into the curse is dangerous, sooooooo...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yeah. Love this little story to bits, and I hope all of you guys will, too. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08B8Z6CLW/">Go buy it now!</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This post was part of the Tattered Slippers release. To find out more about the other books, <a href="https://kendrasgiraffecrafts.blogspot.com/p/tattered-slippers-blog-tour.html">visit this page here ... and enter the giveaway for a chance to win four of them in paperbacks!</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-63183347710054258562020-07-05T00:19:00.001-05:002020-07-05T00:19:52.030-05:00Interview with R.R. Goodwill<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LyWm1NEFQuA/XvzFw8mNn4I/AAAAAAAAHP8/PX6JE2WskqQviW_sqq4xW0SwXdzMAlKmACK4BGAsYHg/s640/PNPromo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LyWm1NEFQuA/XvzFw8mNn4I/AAAAAAAAHP8/PX6JE2WskqQviW_sqq4xW0SwXdzMAlKmACK4BGAsYHg/s320/PNPromo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had a ten-hour shift today, and it's left me pretty much braindead (especially as I find having my mouth covered for any reason to be incredibly agitating, though whether it's claustrophobia, overstimulation, or a combination thereof, I'm not sure - I just know that I'm left a ball of nerves at end of the day). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anywho, let's bring in Goodwill and let us tell us all about herself. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #9900ff; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hail and well-met, Anka Kendra, and thank you for having me here today.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">1. Tell us a bit about yourself!</span><span class="gmail_default" style="color: #9900ff; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> Hello, my name is R.R. Goodwill, and I'm a chocoholic. 😜 I may be a wee bit obsessed with red hair, and I've developed an affinity for Dragons over the past decade or so. Costume/fashion analysis and design fascinate me, although I lack the skills and budget to try my hand at it myself. I actually considered becoming a fashion designer at one point ... but writing is my first love and strongest calling, so I weave the fashion bits into my worldbuilding instead, where appropriate. 😁 I enjoy finding new recipes, and dream of the day I can actually try them out.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="gmail_default" style="color: #9900ff; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">2. Your book, <i>Prince Nacil. </i>Tell me why my readers need to run over to the nearest Amazon and buy it right <i>now</i>.<span class="gmail_default" style="color: #9900ff; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"> (Oh gosh, I hate tooting my own horn, but here goes ....) Because it's the best of my finished works to date. Because, while it <i>is</i> in the Fantasy genre, I make a clear distinction between good and evil, and God is referred to as a Person, not just a concept. Because, while there is some conflict and a few fights, I keep the carnage to a minimum, and even then, I try to describe it a briefly and delicately as possible. While there's a romantic subplot, there's nothing "spicy" about it in almost 500 pages. And the worst things out of anybody's mouth are insults like "fool" and "imbecile." In other words, if you, future reader(s), have strong scruples or convictions about such things, my book should be easy on them. Plus who doesn't love the old reliable royal-heir-reclaiming-his-<wbr></wbr>throne-from-an-evil-usurper and True-Love-saves-the-day tropes? 😉<br /></span></div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span class="gmail_default" style="color: #9900ff; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">3. What part of the book was your favorite to write?<span class="gmail_default" style="color: #9900ff; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"> I'm going to be totally sappy here and say the Victüriel scenes. I loved how their chemistry ended up (even though parts of their story are admittedly a bit head-banging). And the Mind-speaking scenes were such fun to explore and develop. Also Jane and Victor's relationship. It reminds me a lot of the bond between Sophy and the BFG, which has always had a special place in my heart.<br /></span></div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span class="gmail_default" style="color: #9900ff; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">4. If you could spend a day in your world, what would you do?<span class="gmail_default" style="color: #9900ff; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"> Hmmm ... I'd probably choose a time either prior to the Revolution or well after it. If prior, I'd probably join the House of Othniel on a picnic holiday to Silver Lake. If after, I'd either spend a few hours making shinies with Lady Cambria (more on that in Book Two!), and just explore Omphálos in general ... or I'd travel to the land of the Brynikins (my version of Hobbits) for a barn-dance or other type of celebration.<br /></span></div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span class="gmail_default" style="color: #9900ff; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">5. Which three books would you recommend to everyone and their dog?<span class="gmail_default" style="color: #9900ff; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"> For everyone: <i>The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen</i> by Lloyd Alexander (classic Quest, Coming-of-Age, and Magical Objects tropes set in fictionalized ancient China, plus a tiger as one of the heroes!), <i>The Little White Horse</i> by Elizabeth Goudge (basically <i>The Secret Garden</i> meets <i>Narnia.</i> I LOVE THIS BOOK!), and <i>The Adventures of Robin Hood</i> by Rodger Lancelyn Green (classic Robin Hood lore with slightly updated language, plus Maid Marian as "one of the boys"). For their dog (to use as a chew-toy): <i>Stepping Heavenward</i> by Elizabeth Prentiss. Don't kill me! I tried to read this book, but the conflict and body-count got to a point where I just couldn't stomach it anymore. 😝<br /></span></div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span class="gmail_default" style="color: #9900ff; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">6. If you were given a dragon that matched your personality perfectly, what sort of dragon would it be?<span class="gmail_default" style="color: #9900ff; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"> Personality-wise, my hypothetical Dragon would be pleasant and friendly (for a Dragon), but respect others' personal space. It would be perceptive and sensitive to others' thoughts and feelings, but fiercely loyal to and protective of its "special people." Appearance-wise, it would definitely be a Purple Dragon--perhaps with iridescent scales and black accents. *Blink* Methinks I just described <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.pinterest.com/pin/490681321884455856/&source=gmail&ust=1593935320943000&usg=AFQjCNHm0TEmvUQ86n8U5_uk8VFzApwvSg" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/490681321884455856/" rel="noreferrer" style="color: #4285f4; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Ámethýstos</a> ....<br /></span></div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span class="gmail_default" style="color: #9900ff; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">7. What do you do when not writing?<span class="gmail_default" style="color: #9900ff; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"> *Sheepish goofy grin* Er ... usually surfing the 'net, "Windows-shopping" on Etsy or eBay, and/or watching YouTube videos by way of unwinding. That is, when I'm not helping my mother with the housework, grocery shopping, or yardwork. Sometimes we go thrift-shopping, though; that's fun. *Shrug* Basically waiting for my life to begin, really. I intend to schedule specific times to pursue my other creative hobbies, for variety.<br /></span></div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span class="gmail_default" style="color: #9900ff; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">8. What do you have next on your horizon?<span class="gmail_default" style="color: #9900ff; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"> The sequel to <i>Prince Nácil,</i> christened <i>The White Birds.</i> I'm also hoping (Lord willing) to have my stand-alone novella, <i>Princess Starflower</i> launched in time for Christmas this year. Plus a wagonload of other books set in the Ýdära Multiverse ... but I'll talk about that on Day Seven ....</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yijoaT_RHOs/Xv0_tWDYZHI/AAAAAAAAHQs/VZU2jKotQ1ovTOqrugDS8U6hQFWPUIEfQCK4BGAsYHg/s2567/PrinceNacil5_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2567" data-original-width="1626" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yijoaT_RHOs/Xv0_tWDYZHI/AAAAAAAAHQs/VZU2jKotQ1ovTOqrugDS8U6hQFWPUIEfQCK4BGAsYHg/s320/PrinceNacil5_edited.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Book Description:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br />
From the moment Victor Greenwood sets foot in the old farmhouse of Willowmere,
Mrs. Whitaker and her family take the friendless drifter under their wings as
one of their own. Deeply touched by their kindness, Victor delights them with
his stories about the Elven-king Othniel and Jael his queen, forming a special
bond with Mrs. Whitaker’s nine-year-old granddaughter, Jane.<br />
<br />
But several odd occurrences indicate that Victor is more than he admits to.
When the secret of his heritage threatens Jane’s safety, he sets out for the
homeland he has long been banished from, to find Jane and return her home.<br />
<br />
Unbeknownst to his friends, Victor is doomed to die thirty days after setting
foot on his native soil, with only one hope of breaking the curse. But surely
thirty days is far too short a time to find True Love...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Purchase Link: </span></b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0896R3JK2/">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0896R3JK2/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Add Book on Goodreads:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53486569-prince-n-cil">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53486569-prince-n-cil</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XA5bXJDZnwA/Xv1ASH_csAI/AAAAAAAAHRA/teHxlFAnl4ssbHsq_81we0czQ1tSoPtYQCK4BGAsYHg/s712/RRG_May2012.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="712" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XA5bXJDZnwA/Xv1ASH_csAI/AAAAAAAAHRA/teHxlFAnl4ssbHsq_81we0czQ1tSoPtYQCK4BGAsYHg/s320/RRG_May2012.JPG" width="320" /></a></b></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About the Author:<o:p></o:p></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk523086727"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">R.R.
Goodwill began writing at the age of eight, eventually finding her niche in the
fascinating realm of fantasy. Taking inspiration from J.R.R Tolkien, C.S.
Lewis, Faerie-tales, and folklore, Goodwill uses her God-given talents and
active imagination to weave a bit of Truth among her works of fiction.<br />
<i>Find her online at: </i></span> </a><a href="https://wildroseleblonde.blogspot.com/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Blog</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> || </span></span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20322891.R_R_Goodwill"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Goodreads</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">
|| </span></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/fionawildrose/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Instagram</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">
|| </span></span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/rebekahgoodwill/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Pinterest</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">
|| </span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kendra-E.-Ardnek/e/B005GGULBQ/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Amazon</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> </span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>July 4th</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wildroseleblonde.blogspot.com/">Rambling Rose</a>: Interview - Lady Müriel</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/">Knitted By God's Plan</a>: Interview - R.R. Goodwill</div>Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-80376321505900355892020-07-01T21:03:00.002-05:002020-07-01T21:06:26.326-05:005 Reasons to Read Prince Nácil <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LyWm1NEFQuA/XvzFw8mNn4I/AAAAAAAAHP8/PX6JE2WskqQviW_sqq4xW0SwXdzMAlKmACK4BGAsYHg/s640/PNPromo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LyWm1NEFQuA/XvzFw8mNn4I/AAAAAAAAHP8/PX6JE2WskqQviW_sqq4xW0SwXdzMAlKmACK4BGAsYHg/s320/PNPromo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So ... I was supposed to post this yesterday and didn't. For ... reasons. I need to stop being late with these posts, but ... anywho.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yesterday, my good friend R.R. Goodwill published her debut novel <i>Prince Nácil, </i>an exciting historical fiction portal fantasy that you need to go read right now, and I'll tell you why.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. The worldbuilding is gorgeous. An interesting take on the fae and elves, I'm quite in love with it. There's a lot of lore packed into this world, and we've only gotten a first glimpse at it. Honestly, this author is one to watch, and I look forward to reading more about this wonderful world.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. It feels like you're reading a classic novel. It's that rich and poetic. I'd 100% recommend this book to any fan of E. Nesbit or Elizabeth Goudge, or even Lewis or Tolkien! Goodwill is also an author who does not shy away from her faith, so I'm also down to recommend this book to fans of Martha Finley as well!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. Adorable kids. One of my favorite things in books is when kids are involved, and they're actually important to the plot - and this book has Jane and Howard. They're both radically different in personalities, but they're both awesome, and their friendship was such fun. Also, the day could not have been saved without them, so kids, let no one decry your youth!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4. Also, elderly ladies helping save the day. Now, Mrs. Whitaker, Jane's Grandmother, was awesome, but who I fell in love with was Miss Prescott, Mrs. Whitaker's sister. Miss Prescott was the girl who spent her time in books, she was even a librarian, if I remember right, and it's left her quite genre savvy. Since an adventure has finally fallen into her lap after all these years - you'd better believe she's making the most of it! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5. The saving power of love. So ... something neither Goodwill or I realized until I was discussing the book in a forum, but ... it's a very subtle Sleeping Beauty retelling! After ... things ... went down, Victor/Nacil was banished from his home country with a curse that he would die if he ever returned. BUT, the person delivering the curse added the modifier (ala Sleeping Beauty) that if he won the heart of an Elven maiden within thirty days of his return, it would break said curse. And then he's gone a hundred years before he gets tempted into returning. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I do want to put in a caveat that the romance is the one place where the book almost fell apart for me, as I spent a good while yelling at a certain Elven maiden that she needs to just speak up and communicate. Whatever she thinks he thinks of her, I think he would prefer to live, but ... communication is one of the points of the book, and they wind up quite adorable, so... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anywho, caveat aside, go read this gorgeous book. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yijoaT_RHOs/Xv0_tWDYZHI/AAAAAAAAHQs/VZU2jKotQ1ovTOqrugDS8U6hQFWPUIEfQCK4BGAsYHg/s2567/PrinceNacil5_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2567" data-original-width="1626" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yijoaT_RHOs/Xv0_tWDYZHI/AAAAAAAAHQs/VZU2jKotQ1ovTOqrugDS8U6hQFWPUIEfQCK4BGAsYHg/s320/PrinceNacil5_edited.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Book Description:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
From the moment Victor Greenwood sets foot in the old farmhouse of Willowmere,
Mrs. Whitaker and her family take the friendless drifter under their wings as
one of their own. Deeply touched by their kindness, Victor delights them with
his stories about the Elven-king Othniel and Jael his queen, forming a special
bond with Mrs. Whitaker’s nine-year-old granddaughter, Jane.<br />
<br />
But several odd occurrences indicate that Victor is more than he admits to.
When the secret of his heritage threatens Jane’s safety, he sets out for the
homeland he has long been banished from, to find Jane and return her home.<br />
<br />
Unbeknownst to his friends, Victor is doomed to die thirty days after setting
foot on his native soil, with only one hope of breaking the curse. But surely
thirty days is far too short a time to find True Love...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Purchase Link: </span></b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0896R3JK2/">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0896R3JK2/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Add Book on Goodreads:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53486569-prince-n-cil">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53486569-prince-n-cil</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XA5bXJDZnwA/Xv1ASH_csAI/AAAAAAAAHRA/teHxlFAnl4ssbHsq_81we0czQ1tSoPtYQCK4BGAsYHg/s712/RRG_May2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="712" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XA5bXJDZnwA/Xv1ASH_csAI/AAAAAAAAHRA/teHxlFAnl4ssbHsq_81we0czQ1tSoPtYQCK4BGAsYHg/s320/RRG_May2012.JPG" width="320" /></a></b></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">About the Author:<o:p></o:p></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk523086727"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">R.R.
Goodwill began writing at the age of eight, eventually finding her niche in the
fascinating realm of fantasy. Taking inspiration from J.R.R Tolkien, C.S.
Lewis, Faerie-tales, and folklore, Goodwill uses her God-given talents and
active imagination to weave a bit of Truth among her works of fiction.<br />
<i>Find her online at: </i></span> </a><a href="https://wildroseleblonde.blogspot.com/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Blog</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> || </span></span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20322891.R_R_Goodwill"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Goodreads</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">
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|| </span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kendra-E.-Ardnek/e/B005GGULBQ/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Amazon</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>July 1st</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wildroseleblonde.blogspot.com/">Rambling Rose</a>: Meet the Author</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://briedonning.com/">Reality Reflected</a>: Interview - Jane Foster</div>Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-47958872511276953572020-06-01T18:56:00.001-05:002020-06-01T18:56:48.665-05:00Cover Reveal - Prince Nacil!!So, yes, folks, I'm pounding you guys hard and fast with as many awesome new books as I can - but this one's not mine. It's a friends. Tom Wildrose's, to be specific, though she shall henseforth be known as R.R. Goodwill.<div><br /></div><div>She came to me in a chat about a month ago talking about her new release. And ... admitted that she was printing the book out herself and emailing people PDF's. Not trying to be elitest or anything, I asked if she had plans of releasing on Amazon. </div><div><br /></div><div>And she admitted that she had no idea how to do so.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've helped her get everything set up, including designing a cover that doesn't look like it came out of paint (I really loved the idea of it, but it screamed novice), and today I'm sharing that gorgeous thing with all of you guys. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QoLuTkwugAs/XtV40VKcxMI/AAAAAAAAHCw/zPFDWaw5kK4y_jsCJk--286rjDpeoLPAwCK4BGAsYHg/PrinceNacil5_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2567" data-original-width="1626" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QoLuTkwugAs/XtV40VKcxMI/AAAAAAAAHCw/zPFDWaw5kK4y_jsCJk--286rjDpeoLPAwCK4BGAsYHg/w406-h640/PrinceNacil5_edited.jpg" width="406" /></a></div><div><br /><div><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Book Description:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
From the moment Victor Greenwood sets foot in the old farmhouse of Willowmere,
Mrs. Whitaker and her family take the friendless drifter under their wings as
one of their own. Deeply touched by their kindness, Victor delights them with
his stories about the Elven-king Othniel and Jael his queen, forming a special
bond with Mrs. Whitaker’s nine-year-old granddaughter, Jane.<br />
<br />
But several odd occurrences indicate that Victor is more than he admits to.
When the secret of his heritage threatens Jane’s safety, he sets out for the
homeland he has long been banished from, to find Jane and return her home.<br />
<br />
Unbeknownst to his friends, Victor is doomed to die thirty days after setting
foot on his native soil, with only one hope of breaking the curse. But surely
thirty days is far too short a time to find True Love...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2Xp37qa">Preorder Link</a></span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53486569-prince-n-cil">Add Book on Goodreads</a></span></b><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><br /></div></div><div>The book is releasing June 30th, so preorder now and mark your calendars, because, folks, this is one heartfelt story that you won't want to miss. And if you're interested in taking part in the blog tour, I will be by shortly to give you all the details for that.</div><div><br /></div><div>And, also, go follow Goodwill on all of her platforms! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GEh-3WZe7BY/XtWVNg8W-eI/AAAAAAAAHDM/c-THbnktxKwSMXdZIs2RPMMZZeTz5SUeQCK4BGAsYHg/RRG_May2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="712" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GEh-3WZe7BY/XtWVNg8W-eI/AAAAAAAAHDM/c-THbnktxKwSMXdZIs2RPMMZZeTz5SUeQCK4BGAsYHg/s320/RRG_May2012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk523086727"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">R.R.
Goodwill began writing at the age of eight, eventually finding her niche in the
fascinating realm of fantasy. Taking inspiration from J.R.R Tolkien, C.S.
Lewis, Faerie-tales, and folklore, Goodwill uses her God-given talents and
active imagination to weave a bit of Truth among her works of fiction.<br />
<i>Find her online at: </i></span> </a><a href="https://wildroseleblonde.blogspot.com/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Blog</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> || </span></span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20322891.R_R_Goodwill"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Goodreads</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">
|| </span></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/fionawildrose/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Instagram</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">
|| </span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kendra-E.-Ardnek/e/B005GGULBQ/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Amazon</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk523086727;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div><div><br /></div>Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-74523449529754121662020-05-26T17:42:00.000-05:002020-05-26T17:42:32.101-05:00The Merchant of Menace - Chapter 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9dorP907vdI/Xs2YNwn0VBI/AAAAAAAAHBo/GSyJI83qKZkHjU4cEwUXytqQqXcQ8YgJwCK4BGAsYHg/Merchanting2_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2719" data-original-width="1756" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9dorP907vdI/Xs2YNwn0VBI/AAAAAAAAHBo/GSyJI83qKZkHjU4cEwUXytqQqXcQ8YgJwCK4BGAsYHg/s320/Merchanting2_edited.jpg" /></a></div>I posted about this the other day, buuuut, <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2TGxUfU" target="_blank">The Merchant of Menace</a> </i>is up for preorder! This rollicking tale of Cinderella, Shakespeare, and pirates will be bursting upon the internet on October 19th.<br /><br />Also, I'm giving away a signed paperback copy for every ten kindle preorders I receive. All you have to do to enter is (1) preorder the book (2) forward the receipt to me at kendraeardnek(at)Gmail(dot)com and (3) have a U.S. address that I can ship it to.<br /><br />Furthermore, if 100 preorders somehow happen, I will be sending an additional four people a signed set of all six books!<br /><br />Now, on to what you came here for. The shiny first chapter that will tell you yessirree, you want this book on your kindle October 19th, no questions asked.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><h1><i><font face="times">1 – Wherein Royal Guests are Too Good to be
True</font></i><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">O</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">nce upon a time, in a land called Bookania, there
lived a girl who was a servant in her own household. Her stepmother and
stepsisters kept her busy the whole day long with cooking, cleaning, sewing,
running errands … and pretty much anything else they could think of to occupy
her time.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">And so he was doing at the start of my story. Her
stepsisters had made a disaster of the sitting room the night before, having
had a party without their mother’s permission, but, of course, they’d not been
punished for it. It was still the girl’s job to clean up after it, all on her
own.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">It wasn’t fair, but there was nothing that the
girl could do about it. She could only keep her head down and work until the
day she could break free. But, days like this, it felt like freedom would never
come.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">A pounding sounded at the door, interrupting her
thoughts. Her breath caught. Should she answer? The knock came again, and she
scrambled to her feet. She couldn’t know if anyone else had heard, and she was
close enough to done with the cleaning. Perhaps she’d be punished later for the
presumption, but, for a moment’s chance to pretend she was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">someone</i> in her own house … it’d be worth it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Author knew how rarely that happened.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">A young man stood on the other side of the door,
with a bright smile, golden hair, and a flourished bow.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Is your mistress in?” he asked. “I’m afraid that
the heat has gotten to the princess, and she begs the sanctuary of your roof
for but a few minutes while she recovers.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“The princess?” the girl repeated, blushing in fear
of appearing ignorant. “What princess? Has Prince Edward finally…” She snapped
her mouth shut. It wasn’t her place to comment on royal matters. It wasn’t even
her place to answer this door.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Princess Robin of Locksley,” the man clarified,
looking a bit ashamed, himself. “I apologize for the confusion. She is visiting
her cousin and doesn’t think that she can make it the rest of the way to the
palace.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">He gave a conspiratorial grin.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">The grin blinked and then dipped into a deep
curtsey. “Let me go get my Stepmother.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">She heard a small gasp from the young man, his
smile melting to surprise as she turned away. She gave it little mind as she
hurried to find her Stepmother. Lady Aurane hated to be disturbed for any
reason – and she was especially testy of late – but she’d want this chance to
show off before royalty.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">She steeled herself before knocking at the door to
what had once been her father’s office.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Cinderella!” came her stepmother’s shriek, as she
opened the door. “Are you done cleaning yet? I swear, child, if you’re
bothering me without finishing your chores, you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">will</i> be punished for it!”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Ella swallowed down frustration at the hateful
nickname that had clung to her just lie that had earned it. All she’d wanted
was to stay warm in the winter!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“We have guests, Stepmother,” she answered,
keeping her voice as calm and as confident as she could manage. “The Princess
Robin is suffering in the heat on her way to visit her cousin and wishes to
stay a moment under the sanctuary of our roof. I just thought you would want to
know.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">The door flew open and there stood her stepmother
– a tower of intimidation in her black widow’s silks. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Did you let them in already?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Ella quickly shook her head. “I…”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Foolish girl!” Lady Aurane declared. “Well, no
matter – I shall go invite her in myself. Go wake my daughters. It’s past noon,
and they should be up by now.” She pushed past Ell and paused to preen before a
mirror. “Well, hurry along! Don’t just stand there, gawking.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Ella turned and rushed away. It would never do to
make her stepmother angry.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Eveleth Icons"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">5</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">It took every ounce of Meg’s concentration to
neither burst into laughter at Robin’s performance, nor burst apart at the
seams at he proximity to her sister. Dear little Elsie – Ella! Solomon had seen
her, he’d said, and she gripped his hand tightly now, as they followed Robin
into the house where Meg had been born and spent her childhood.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Oh, I do thank you for your hospitality,” Robin
gushed, as they entered the house. “And this is such a charming place! I’ve
admired it often, whenever I’ve visited my uncle.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“It is a fine house,” Lady Aurane agreed. “My
second husband left it to me – ah, but even such a home is a pale substitute to
having him here with me again. I hear that you’re newly married, Princess
Robin. I do hope that you never have to face the pain of losing him. I’ve had
to bury two husbands.” Here she paused for a dramatic sigh. “It never gets
easier.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">It took every ounce of Meg’s fortitude to keep
from rushing forward to strangle the woman. Fortitude, Solomon’s hold of her
hand, and the bundle that she carried in the crook of her other arm. Peter was
sleeping soundly – for once – and they were all determined to keep him that
way. He’d been the complete opposite from his easygoing, easily-contented older
sister, and Robin had remarked on multiple occasions how glad she was that
there’d only been one of him.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Lady Aurane was a monster who had torn Meg’s
family apart piece by piece. To hear her speak of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">grief…</i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Meg didn’t know how Robin could stand there and
carry on a civil conversation with the woman. Especially after that jab at
loss, given the events of a year before.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“I really don’t know what I’d do without Eric.”
Robin shook her head with a controlled sigh. “My condolences for your loss –
have you any children to console you?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Two daughters by my first husband,” Lady Aurane
answered. “Bright, clever girls, both of them – and of marriageable age, too.
With beauty like theirs, I’m sure they’ll secure only the most advantageous of
marriages.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“They … sound charming.” Robin glanced over her
shoulder and sought Meg’s eye.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“I’ve already summoned them to meet you,” said
Lady Aurane. “Perhaps you’ll wish to mention them to your cousin? I hear that
Prince Edward has been remarkably stubborn when it comes to the married state…”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Edward and I took a vow to not meddle in each
other’s romantic affairs,” Robin admitted, as she sat down on a sofa that Lady
Aurane indicated. “But, perhaps. Greta, can you bring me Peter?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Meg rushed forward at Robin’s bidding and laid the
bundle in her mistress’s arms. It then took every ounce of her forbearance to
retreat again to Solomon’s side without slapping her stepmother. She wasn’t
naturally a violent person, but there were things that one picked up when they
lived with Robin for over ten years. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Well, she’s a piece of work,” Solomon whispered
in her ear. “What do you say we slip away and seek out your sister?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Meg glanced up and nodded silently. She needed out
of this room before she destroyed the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">plan</i>
completely.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">If one asked her, the plan was entirely too
complicated, but it’d been mostly Solomon’s idea, and who was she to argue with
him? That crazy, amazing prince who’d inexplicably fallen in love with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">her</i>, a mere servant. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Besides, his sister had not argued the plan, and
Serendipity was very hard to please.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">She led him through a door – if there was one good
thing that she could say about her stepmother, it was that she was so obsessed
with furthering her own political position that she usually failed to take note
of those beneath her, and … that really wasn’t a compliment. Meg’s heart ached
as she surveyed the hall they found themselves in – so achingly familiar and
yet different, all at the same time.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Are you okay?” Solomon gave her hand a squeeze.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Just taking a moment to adjust.” Meg shook her
head. “It’s been ten years, after all.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Imagine how I felt when we found Alion’s castle,”
said Solomon. “It’s been a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hundred </i>years,
after all. The place is in ruins!”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Meg managed a smile as she pulled him down the
hall. “I haven’t a clue where Ella might be. I mean, I know what room used to
be hers, but Lady Aurane has clearly done remodeling, and I doubt that she
would let her keep such a choice accommodation – not when she has her own
daughters to think of.” She sucked in a deep breath and shook her head.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Well, she was dressed as a servant when I saw
her,” Solomon admitted. “Wasn’t until she said ‘stepmother’ that I realized she
was Ella. I don’t know if anyone has told you this, but she doesn’t look a
thing like you.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Just wait until you meet Penny.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">And he would meet Penny. As much as her logic
screamed for reality – she couldn’t let go of the hope that had sustained her
for the last ten years. The hope that, even now, had brought her here, to the
house of her childhood.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="CSP-ChapterBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Eveleth Icons"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">5</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Judith and Editha were the worst of tempers if
they thought were awakened before they’d had their proper allowance of twelve
hours of beauty sleep. Not that they were shining examples of grace if they <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">did</i>, but at least Ella wasn’t a villain
for waking them if they were allowed to rise on their own.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“I don’t see why it’s all-fire important that we
meet Princess Robin,” Judith whined as Ella forced her into her best dress, a
brilliant green that brought out her eyes.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Yes, everyone knows that she’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">strange</i>,” Editha agreed, collapsed in
her bed again since Ella could only focus on one at a time. “And then now she’s
married with children, that means that she’s old and boring.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Your mother insists, and I only obey orders,”
Ella answered. “I think she hopes that such a connection will put you within
nobler circles – you know that she only wants the best of marriages for the two
of you.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Mother doesn’t care a whit for what we think of
the matter,” Judith protested.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“We’ll end up promised to some baron or something
three times our age,” Editha added.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“I doubt that you’ll both marry the same baron,”
Ella pointed out, fastening the last button and reaching for a cream sash to
tie around Judith’s waist.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Well, two barons, then.” Editha pressed the back
of her hand to her forehead. “But they’ll both be old and ugly and that will be
the end of all of our fun!”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“It’s your turn, Editha.” There was nothing more
that Ella wanted to say on the subject, so she released Judith and retrieved an
orange dress from the closet. “Judith, don’t crumple your dress or your mother
will be livid.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Ella really didn’t blame them for the way they
were – how could they be otherwise with a mother like theirs? Lady Aurane
spoiled them with one hand and condemned them with the other. Ella was glad
that she only got one – and rather suspected that the contempt was the better
end of the deal.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Oh, you just wouldn’t understand, Cinderella,”
Judith declared. “I bet that you won’t ever have to marry. You know what? I
think I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">will </i>crumple my dress – and
tell mother that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you </i>did it.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Of course, it was very hard to feel sorry for them
when they pulled stunts like this.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Princess Robin is cousin to our own Prince
Edward,” Ella quickly pointed out. “And I hear that he’s young, handsome, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">very </i>single. Don’t you want to make the
best impression.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Editha snorted. “Like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">she</i> would care about a crumpled skirt.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Perhaps, and perhaps not.” Ella forced a careless
shrug. “But there’s only one Prince Edward, and do either of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> wish to disadvantage yourselves? It
might be your only opportunity to avoid marrying an old, ugly baron.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Editha and Judith shared a glance, eyes suddenly
alight. Nothing motivated these girls quicker than the thought of competing
against each other.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Why are you bothering with her?” Judith cried,
running a hand through her tangles. “My hair is still a mess!”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Ella bit her lip and said nothing as she continued
to button Editha’s dress. Her duties were to both sisters equally, no matter
how possessive they both tried to be.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Cinderella!”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Buttons … buttons … more buttons…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Oh, you grab a hairbrush and start brushing your
own hair, if you’re so impatient,” Editha snarled. “You know that I can’t do
these buttons on my own!”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Judith’s lip twisted nastily, displaying just how
much she wished to inconvenience her sister, but she was interrupted by a knock
at the door.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Oh, who could be so disagreeable!” Judith declared,
turning a stink-eye towards the door, as though it was the offender all on its
own. “Answer that, Cinderella, and be quick about it!”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Glancing warily towards Editha, Ella scampered
quickly to the door and slipped outside, careful to close the door again behind
her to preserve the half-dressed dignity of her stepsisters. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“We meet again, Miss Ella,” he declared. “I must
apologize – I rather suspect that we’re not where we’re supposed to be – but we
heard the commotion and wondered what might be the matter.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“We?” Ella repeated, and the word caught in her
throat as her attention arrested on the dark-haired woman who accompanied the
footman – a woman that Ella didn’t recognize, but something in her screamed
familiarity.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Ella…” the woman breathed, and Ella didn’t even
have time to flinch before she was caught in a tight hug. A hug that she didn’t
even think to fight, but melted into as the weight of loneliness drained out of
her.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">The woman drew back and took Ella’s face between
her hands. “Look at you, Ella – all grown up! You’re the image of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mutti</i>.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Meg!” Ella stifled her squeak of surprise. “What
are you doing here?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“I wanted to see you,” Meg answered. “And it’s
Greta.” She winked. “We’re undercover.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Ella quickly nodded. “Greta, right.” She glanced
over her shoulders. “I’m trying to get Judith and Editha ready, but there’s two
of them, and only one of me. Can you help me with their hair?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Meg tilted her head to the side. “Well, I left my
box in the carriage, but I can see what magic I can work.” She flexed her
fingers unconsciously.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Thank you.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Meg was amazing with hair, thanks to a fair’s gift
that they’d somehow managed to keep a secret from Lady Aurane. Ella wished that
her own had bene half as useful.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“You’re my sister,” Meg declared. “Anything for
you. Lead the way.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">The footman caught Meg’s hand and pressed a kiss
to her knuckles. “Some courage before you plunge into the fray.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Meg paused to stare at him with red-tinged cheeks,
and then twisted around with a half-grin and a shake of her head. “Thank you.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Ella didn’t know what to say, so pushed open the
bedroom door and tugged Meg in after her.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“The princess sent her own maid, Greta, to do your
hair,” she announced, gesturing to her sister.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“The princess’s time is not to be wasted,” Meg
announced, the German accent falling from her voice. “If you wish to meet her,
then you need to cooperate and not dally. You—” she pointed to Judith. “You
look like you’re ready. Come here and let me see if I can make any form of
order out of that tangled pile of string that you seem to call hair.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Judith’s mouth fell open, but she said nothing as
she hastened to sit down before the vanity table. Meg immediately stepped up,
picked up the hairbrush, and attacked.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Ella bit her lip to keep from laughing to Editha
to finish with her buttons. She could appreciate Meg’s abuse later, in privacy.
Right now, she had to protect her own skin.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Oh, but she just couldn’t believe that her sister
stood in this very room. All the years that Ella had been alone at the mercy of
her stepmother and stepsisters – to have her <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real </i>sister standing there, and it was too good to be true. If she
blinked for even a moment, would Meg disappear.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">With her sister’s help, Editha and Judith were
soon presentable, and they hurried off without so much as a “thank you,”
leaving Meg and Ella to each other.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Ella picked up the discarded nightdresses and
hugged them to her chest as she regarded her sister. Meg fidgeted the
hairbrush, clearly just as nervous.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“We don’t have long,” Meg admitted, the German returning
to her voice. “Robin promised to give us as much time as possible, but we’ve
already used a lot of it. How have you been, Ella? Have you seen any of the
money that I’ve sent back to you?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Ella bit her lip and shook her head. “Lady Aurane
keeps it with the claim that it’s her fee for supporting me, but I still only
get leftovers and am forced into the role of a servant – says that as the
daughter of a mere merchant, that’s all I’m good for. What about you? Has your princess
treated you well?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">A self-conscious grin played on Meg’s lips. “Robin
… Robin is not your typical princess.” She shrugged.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Oh?” Ella frowned as she surveyed her sister’s
rosy cheeks and plump figure. “Well, you look all right, at any rate. They
don’t starve you.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">She hugged the nightgown closer, as though that
could her own too-thin form.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Robin adopted me,” Meg admitted. “I mean, nothing
official, and I’m still her servant, but she sees me as a friend and a sister –
she didn’t have a lot of friends growing up, and I wasn’t in a position to
judge her. I’ve told her all about you. And Penny. She can’t wait to meet you.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Oh.” Ella could smack herself for how stupid she
sounded. “I’m glad that you’ve been happy.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“A day hasn’t passed that I haven’t thought of
you. And Penny.” Meg set down the brush and rushed forward to place her hands
on Ella’s shoulders. “You’re eighteen now – I can get you out of here. We have
a plan.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">A knock interrupted the moment, and Ella ducked
out of her sister’s hold to get the door. It proved to be the footman, once
again, but he wasn’t smiling this time. Instead, he shook his head in apology.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“I’m sorry to cut this reunion short, but Robin’s
drawn things out as long as possible. Meg, we’re leaving now.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Meg gave a heavy sigh as she stepped past Ella to
take the man’s arm. “Of course.” She glanced back and stared Ella in the eye.
“I will be back, I promise. You’re not alone anymore.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“It’s been a pleasure to meet you, Ella,” the
footman declared, a grin creeping back onto his face – it was clearly his
natural state.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Oh!” Meg gave a small gasp, glanced up at him,
and then back at Ella. “I completely forgot to introduce you to my fiancé. This
is Solomon. He—” She blushed again, and her voice dropped. “He’s the lost
prince of Alion.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Ella’s eyes widened. “Really?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Yes, I finally woke up, and when I met the lovely
creature that is your sister, of course I fell head over heels for her and
couldn’t rest until I’d won her as my own.” He gave a small bow and a wink.
“Keep heart, Ella. They called my mother Cinderella, too, and she became a
queen.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Meg glanced up at him again, and then tore herself
from his arm to envelop Ella in another hug. “I’m so sorry that I couldn’t be
here to protect you … I’ve missed so much!”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Ella couldn’t speak, and so released a small squeak
instead.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“You still have your shoes, don’t you?” Meg asked,
in a breathless whisper.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Ella nodded. “They’re hidden, and Lady Aurane has
never found them.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">“Good.” Meg reluctantly pulled back, but still
just stood there, staring at Ella longingly.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Solomon put his hand on her shoulder. “I really
hate to do this, but we have to go, Meg. Lady Aurane is probably already
wondering why we’re taking so long.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">Meg woodenly nodded and reluctantly returned to
his arm and allowed him to lead her away. Ella just stood there, desperately
trying to hold herself together as she watched them go. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="CSP-ChapterBodyText">And then she ran to the kitchen, tucked herself
under her single blanket, and cried.<o:p></o:p></p><br /></div>Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-52857438950586454422020-05-19T14:27:00.004-05:002020-05-22T10:45:50.789-05:00Special Announcemnt!So ... I kinda dropped off the internet this weekend. I don't know how my boss always picks my book release weeks to change my schedule on me, but it's starting to get annoying? I had been working Sunday/Monday, but then I looked at my schedule and saw that I was down for Friday/Saturday/Sunday - and also, all 6AM shifts. I am not a morning person, and this was suddenly two days of expected prep gone. <div><br /></div><div>So, yeah, I did sacrifice sleep to get the video up Saturday, but I had no energy to come over and post it over here, and then I never even bothered to do Sunday's post. I do apologize. Here's the video if you haven't had a chance to see it yet.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7-5H9981IcU" width="320" youtube-src-id="7-5H9981IcU"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Now, for that awesome announcement we all were waiting for - actually, it's several announcements, so let's go in ascending order of awesome.</div><div><br /></div><div>1. The final Twist of Adventure will be coming out later this year. It's <i>The Dancing Princess, </i>a sort of genderswapped 12DP retelling a serious B&B undervibe that I did not expect to show up, but I am totally down for. I'm currently sitting at about the halfway mark of the story with nearly 6,000 words, and so it's going to be a decent length for these stories. My alpha readers already ship Katrine and the king so hard, it's adorable.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. I'm actually in the process of shifting <i>CinderEddy </i>and <i>Poison Kiss </i>from my mother's Amazon account to my own. This has been a gradual process of moving my books over, especially as with the short stories, I want to run them through a good edit first, and most of them are getting new covers.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. Once <i>The Dancing Princess</i> is out, I will be releasing all five stories in a single edition, and this one WILL have a paperback edition. So, soon, you will be able to have these five charming little stories on your actual shelf. And I will, too. It's gonna be awesome. I'm not sure how quickly I'll have it up after TDP's release, but it will be September at the latest.</div><div><br /></div><div>4. I'm in the process of helping Tom Wildrose release her debut! I was going to have the cover reveal sign-up live here today, but with my weekend wipeout, it didn't happen. It'll be here, soon though. </div><div><br /></div><div>5. And here's the biggest one ...</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088KTX3WP/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&linkCode=li3&tag=weshmoupwiwi-20&linkId=c19f35eaf031ee46922d5a7fd639ca69&language=en_US" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B088KTX3WP&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=weshmoupwiwi-20&language=en_US" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click for Amazon link<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><i>The Merchant of Menace </i>is up for preorder! It's actually been up for several days now, but I wanted it all linked up and proper for this announcement. It's due for release October 19th, and I'm really looking forward to sharing this exiting story with all of you. Cinderella, the Odessey, pirates, and Shakespeare, this book is packed and I can't be more excited. There's been so many adorable moments that I've had so much fun writing, and, ugh!!! I love that cover and can't wait to have it on my shelf....</div><div><br /></div><div>Which brings me to the giveaway.</div><div><br /></div><div>See, Amazon only lets indie authors set up kindle preorders (which I'm fine with), but I thought you guys might be interested in winning a paperback edition. I can't give one away to every preorder, but I will be doing one for every ten. Currently, I'm sitting at two preorders, so that's only eight to go before I can add the first book to the stack, BUT, I have faith in all of you and your desire to have a signed paperback edition on your shelf. <br /><br />Furthermore, if and when I hit a hundred preorders, I will select an ADDITIONAL four people to win a complete set of the series. All six books, shiny and signed.</div><div><br /></div><div>(Disclaimers:</div><div>U.S. only - I can't at this time, afford international shipping.</div><div>In order to enter for the giveaway, you MUST <a href="mailto:kendraeardnek@gmail.com">email me</a> your preorder receipt, though all preorders count towards the tally. Amazon only shows me that a sale was made, not who you are.)</div><div><br /></div><div>If you're wondering how accessible the book is for readers who want to start here - it is a story that builds on plots established in the previous books, but it does establish itself quite quickly as a good number of the POV characters we're following are new. There are a lot of nuances to the characters and world that you may miss out on, but it wouldn't be the worst book of the series to start with.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, yeah, go pick up the book now, and share the news with your friends. You might wind up with a paperback in your mailbox for the price of the kindle!</div><div><br /></div><div>Explore the rest of the tour:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://asynesthetewriter.wordpress.com/">Kirsten Fichter</a> – Easter Eggs in Diamond </div><div style="text-align: center;">Interviews: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://dreams-dragons.blogspot.com/">Dreams and Dragons</a> – Kirsten Fichter </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://bookslifeandchrist.wordpress.com/">Books, Life, and Christ</a> – Kendra E. Ardnek </div><div style="text-align: center;">Reviews: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://worldofchronicles.wordpress.com/">World of Chronicles</a> – Diamond<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=weshmoupwiwi-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=B088KTX3WP" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://kendrasgiraffecrafts.blogspot.com/p/a-twist-of-rapunzel.html">View the full tour here!</a></div>Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-59020654212272149082020-05-14T22:14:00.002-05:002020-05-14T22:18:49.461-05:00Five Reasons to Read Diamond<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RfoXByDtVOA/Xr2QQa9CkXI/AAAAAAAAG_U/KuugvpnQQCsGv3ApAw6T1iAmd5hlaEPHgCK4BGAsYHg/mock-00727.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RfoXByDtVOA/Xr2QQa9CkXI/AAAAAAAAG_U/KuugvpnQQCsGv3ApAw6T1iAmd5hlaEPHgCK4BGAsYHg/s320/mock-00727.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So I told you guys that I didn't release <i>Misfortune </i>on my own, and here's my partner in crime book today! <i>Diamond</i> by Kirsten Fichter. </div><div><br /></div><div>And now I'm going to tell you exactly why you need to read it. Now.</div><div><br /></div><div>1. It's a delightfully twisted retelling as Seth is the one who gets trapped in a tower, not dearest Rapunzel -<i>cough</i>- Diamond. She's still the one with eighteen feet of hair, though, and an oppressive "mother" who only wants her out of revenge. </div><div><br /></div><div>2. Seth is an Alchemist! A successful-ish, one, too. Mostly because he isn't trying to make gold. He's also adorable as he tries to function despite a language barrier. He speaks the native tongue, but not well, so ... frustration for him, but amusement for us. Also, his sister is awesome.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. Diamond is adorable. Kept away from people her whole life, she's so naive and precious. Someone give this girl a friend. A real friend, not a rabbit. (Not offense to rabbits, though.)</div><div><br /></div><div>4. Non-magic retelling. Except for a small stretching of science with the alchemy, the book is 100% realistic, and I do love it when retellings go in that direction.</div><div><br /></div><div>5. All of the references to the original tale. There's so many, and it's awesome - and even the Disney references aren't too obtuse, </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, yes, go get it and read it RIGHT now. No hesitation, no questions asked. Go read. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Rapunzel-Story-Twist-Tales-ebook/dp/B0872MC72P/ref=as_li_ss_il?dchild=1&keywords=Diamond+Kirsten+Fichter&qid=1589512220&s=digital-text&sr=1-1&linkCode=li3&tag=weshmoupwiwi-20&linkId=348d9c40ae629427291c0b1af406224a&language=en_US" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0872MC72P&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=weshmoupwiwi-20&language=en_US" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=weshmoupwiwi-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=B0872MC72P" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />
</div><pre style="text-align: center;">Click for purchase link.</pre><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>May 14 </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/">Kendra E. Ardnek</a> – Five Reasons to Read Diamond </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Interviews: </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lovewhatyourreading.blogspot.com/">Live. Love. Read</a> – Diamond </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Reviews: </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.tangledupinwriting.com/">Tangled Up in Writing</a> – Misfortune </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://cobonham.com/">C.O. Bonham</a> – Misfortune</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://kendrasgiraffecrafts.blogspot.com/p/a-twist-of-rapunzel.html">Check out the rest of the tour here!</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And sorry that this post has taken so long to get up. Blogger changed its post set up format and it's taken me a while to find some features. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-1152665265513508172020-05-13T16:11:00.002-05:002020-05-13T16:11:49.427-05:00Five Reasons to Read Misfortune!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RqmvT7K72KM/Xrw9c4Wz3pI/AAAAAAAAG-c/hWEU2hEAdS8SBSC_-uQRSxfpUv2Vd-qdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/mock-00432%2B%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RqmvT7K72KM/Xrw9c4Wz3pI/AAAAAAAAG-c/hWEU2hEAdS8SBSC_-uQRSxfpUv2Vd-qdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/mock-00432%2B%25281%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span id="goog_935316296"></span><span id="goog_935316297"></span>Friends! It's here! Misfortune, at long last!<br />
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It wasn't quite ready for the Golden Braids release, but I found another Rapunzel retelling to team up with, and it's been grand. I'll be posting a review of Diamond tomorrow, but for now let me tell you exactly why you need to run and pick up this book and read it IMMEDIATELY.<br />
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1. It's Rapunzel set in the book of Daniel. Not a 100% historical Daniel, as I've shifted a lot of things to work for my narrative, but more on that Sunday.<br />
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2. It's nearly nonmagical. I mean, there is a dragon, and there is a thing that happens at the end, but if this is too much for you, then I'm not sure how you read the Bible?<br />
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3. The poor heroine. The daughter of blood and misfortune - she was never even given the dignity of a name, and she's just such a broken little bundle of self-depreciation, and it huuuurt so much to write.<br />
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4. Delshad. Such a noble young man trapped in such an impossible situation. Does he obey his father? How is he supposed to save both his kingdom and the girl? Also, his mentorship from Misha was awesome.<br />
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5. You don't have to read the other Twists of Adventure to enjoy this one. Each book stands 100% on its own, and they're all twisted and awesome.<br />
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So, what are you waiting for, go pick up the book on Amazon today, and be sure to enjoy it!<br />
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Check out the rest of the tour:</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>May 13 </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/">Kendra E. Ardnek</a> – Five Reasons to Read Misfortune </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://asynesthetewriter.wordpress.com/2020/05/13/diamond-the-first-chapter/">Kirsten Fichter</a> – Diamond: The First Chapter </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Interviews:</b> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.tangledupinwriting.com/2020/05/blog-tour-interview-with-seth-from.html">Tangled Up in Writing</a> – Seth </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Reviews: </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://madismusingsblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/13/misfortune-book-review-a-twist-of-rapunzel-blog-tour">Madi’s Musings</a> – Misfortune </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://briedonning.com/">Reality Reflected</a> – Diamond</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://kendrasgiraffecrafts.blogspot.com/p/a-twist-of-rapunzel.html">Full Schedule</a></div>
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=weshmoupwiwi-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=B0872QTZ4N" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-89357573701866474472020-04-19T13:07:00.002-05:002020-04-19T13:07:55.574-05:00Misfortune - Chapter the First<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0872QTZ4N/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&linkCode=li3&tag=weshmoupwiwi-20&linkId=7de71907390bc70bc050003fe6a32c32&language=en_US" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0872QTZ4N&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=weshmoupwiwi-20&language=en_US" /></a></div>
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=weshmoupwiwi-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=B0872QTZ4N" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<br />
Just wanted to let you guys know that blog tour sign up for Misfortune is now live - <a href="https://kendrasgiraffecrafts.blogspot.com/p/a-twist-of-rapunzel.html">click here to sign up!!</a><br />
<br />
And now you can enjoy Misfortune's exciting first chapter!<br />
<br />
<h1>
Chapter 1<o:p></o:p></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They said that the kingdom of Ablon would never fall – right
up until the night that it did. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It should have been a night of rejoicing. It began so – as
the queen lay in labor to bring her seventh child into the world and the kingdom
collectively hoped that it would be a seventh son, who would embody good luck
and prosperity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
None even dreamed that their enemy lurked just outside the
city, waiting for workmen to stop the flow of the mighty Ablon river, for which
the country was named. When the river was filled with mud, and its old path ran
dry, then the soldiers would march along that dry riverbed and into the city.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The city, so wrapped up in its rejoicing, never knew what
hit it. And it was hit with slaughter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The invaders tore through the city, making no distinction
between man, woman, or child. Their young king led the march, straight to the
palace.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The guards were not prepared for such a force and melted
under the attackers’ swords. They reached the banquet hall, where the king of
Ablon was raising another toast in honor of the son he hoped his wife would
give him that night. His six elder sons were seated at the table together.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They died together.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The conquering king went alone to deal with the queen and
her child. It was only a baby. He had nothing to fear from one just born.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A servant had clearly run ahead to warn the queen, for maids
stood in position to bar his way. They were easily dealt with. When the king
pushed past them, he found the queen seated on the bed, the swaddled newborn in
her arms. She glared at him with the fury of a thousand warriors. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But she was only a woman, and weak from childbirth. The king
stepped forward with impunity, his sword raised…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You come to pluck this one from my arms, even as you slew my
husband and six sons?” she asked. “And will you slay me as well?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The king drew short, for something in her tone unsettled
him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If you surrender the child, then I will let you live,” he
promised her. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Her face twisted, but she pushed the child away from her
with no hesitation. “Take her. It’s nothing but a worthless girl-child. A
daughter of blood and misfortune. She no doubt brought this evil upon us this
night. Go ahead. Kill her. It is said that whoso harms a daughter of misfortune
brings the misfortune upon themselves.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The king drew back. Though not a superstitious man, he still
held respect for the higher powers. He would test the woman’s words. Raising
his sword again, he stepped forward with renewed purpose. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She didn’t even flinch, merely laid the child on the bed in
front of her. Even with the blade’s tip pressed against the bundle of blanket,
she just stared at the king with that determined calm. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why do you hesitate?” she asked. “You’ve killed thousands
already this night. What’s one more? A mere babe – a girl-child. Quick now, and
run her through. She has been born in blood. Why should she live when her
brothers do not?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The king had never met such a woman – a mother so calloused
to the child she’d just birthed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He withdrew his sword and sheathed it. “A girl-child is no
threat to me. I will show her mercy, as well as yourself.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
No emotion crossed the queen’s face, even now. “Very well.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-4467568290750888292020-04-15T18:12:00.001-05:002020-04-15T18:12:44.852-05:00A Twist of Rapunzel - Cover Reveal!So this post is late in the day. I probably should have scheduled it last night but ... I had a mess of a weekend and I don't have many brain cells left.<br />
<br />
Anywho ... I HAVE A BOOK RELEASING NEXT MONTH!!!! (I know, shocker, me releasing a book...)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ejeB08AqGFo/XpeQVF4OcJI/AAAAAAAAG7E/IvlGiK-1JH87zeYpYX7Gu55kw0_y5jSQACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Rapunzel%2BRetold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ejeB08AqGFo/XpeQVF4OcJI/AAAAAAAAG7E/IvlGiK-1JH87zeYpYX7Gu55kw0_y5jSQACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Rapunzel%2BRetold.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Misfortune, the fourth Twist of Adventure, this one a Rapunzel inspired by the Book of Daniel. It's a super sweet and heartbreaking story that hurt so much to write, and I'm so excited to share it with all of you.<br />
<br />
Mwahaha.<br />
<br />
Not only that, but I'm not releasing it on its own, but I found a fellow Rapunzel reteller who wanted to join the party - Kirsten Fichter with #3 of her Once Upon a Twist Tales - <i>Diamond.</i> I haven't read Diamond yet, but I'm looking forward to it as it's directly connected to the previous tale <i>Spindle Dreams </i>and Eep, was that a story.<br />
<br />
Anywho. Awesomeness is awesome, and we have a cover reveal today!!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vqy9VFvg3ec/XpeRjD70nFI/AAAAAAAAG7Q/XdTSJu6rhEYaW1ov2-8YPmDcVXuwQLfBACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Diamondcoverjpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1509" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vqy9VFvg3ec/XpeRjD70nFI/AAAAAAAAG7Q/XdTSJu6rhEYaW1ov2-8YPmDcVXuwQLfBACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Diamondcoverjpg.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0872MC72P/">Amazon</a> || <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48984508-diamond">Goodreads</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW14332910 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW14332910 BCX0" paraeid="{cff7dd1a-4645-407f-b56e-5f5d26913fc4}{142}" paraid="1589972403" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW14332910 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Georgia_EmbeddedFont, Georgia_MSFontService, serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW14332910 BCX0" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Diamond leads a quiet life with the woman she calls Mother. There isn’t much to pass the time save for excursions in the forest and one-sided conversations with her pet rabbit, Hobie. Men are cruel beings who care only for themselves and must be avoided at any cost. After all, Diamond’s own father gambled her away once. What other terrible fates might await her if people knew she existed? </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW14332910 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Georgia, Georgia_EmbeddedFont, Georgia_MSFontService, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW14332910 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW14332910 BCX0" paraeid="{cff7dd1a-4645-407f-b56e-5f5d26913fc4}{154}" paraid="1219191442" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW14332910 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW14332910 BCX0" paraeid="{cff7dd1a-4645-407f-b56e-5f5d26913fc4}{158}" paraid="1911639298" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW14332910 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Georgia_EmbeddedFont, Georgia_MSFontService, serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW14332910 BCX0" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Seth </span><span class="SpellingError SCXW14332910 BCX0" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Stendahl</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW14332910 BCX0" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> is an alchemist with a middling proficiency in the </span><span class="SpellingError SCXW14332910 BCX0" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Rohesian</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW14332910 BCX0" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> tongue. After growing up with and surviving six sisters, there shouldn’t be anything too difficult for him to master – except maybe breaking his leg and being locked in the top of a ruined watchtower. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW14332910 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Georgia, Georgia_EmbeddedFont, Georgia_MSFontService, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW14332910 BCX0" paraeid="{cff7dd1a-4645-407f-b56e-5f5d26913fc4}{158}" paraid="1911639298" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="EOP SCXW14332910 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Georgia, Georgia_EmbeddedFont, Georgia_MSFontService, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW14332910 BCX0" paraeid="{cff7dd1a-4645-407f-b56e-5f5d26913fc4}{158}" paraid="1911639298" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RnQN9LVrJyA/XpeSAwaRSVI/AAAAAAAAG7Y/wajIcSAvDCACr1FBIealQROiOT9rExq_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Misfortune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1582" data-original-width="1170" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RnQN9LVrJyA/XpeSAwaRSVI/AAAAAAAAG7Y/wajIcSAvDCACr1FBIealQROiOT9rExq_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Misfortune.jpg" width="472" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0872QTZ4N/">Amazon </a>|| <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50512526-misfortune">Goodreads</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW264145676 BCX0" paraeid="{9d5981a7-58ff-4b7a-b364-ef58055f57ed}{221}" paraid="1052011725" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW264145676 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Georgia_EmbeddedFont, Georgia_MSFontService, serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW264145676 BCX0" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">The day she was born, her kingdom fell, and so she was branded the daughter of blood and misfortune and locked away. Now a dragon plagues the land and her curse may be the only thing that stops it.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW264145676 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Georgia, Georgia_EmbeddedFont, Georgia_MSFontService, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW264145676 BCX0" paraeid="{9d5981a7-58ff-4b7a-b364-ef58055f57ed}{221}" paraid="1052011725" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="EOP SCXW264145676 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Georgia, Georgia_EmbeddedFont, Georgia_MSFontService, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW264145676 BCX0" paraeid="{9d5981a7-58ff-4b7a-b364-ef58055f57ed}{233}" paraid="2066031625" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW264145676 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Georgia_EmbeddedFont, Georgia_MSFontService, serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW264145676 BCX0" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">But is she really cursed?</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW264145676 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Georgia, Georgia_EmbeddedFont, Georgia_MSFontService, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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Both books will be releasing on May 13th, and I can't wait. Blog tour signup will be opening soon, and I will come back later and editing in a link to it. In the meantime, feel free to add both books to your Goodreads TBR and even preorder them!<br />
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<span class="TextRun SCXW191623706 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW191623706 BCX0" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Kendra E. </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW191623706 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW191623706 BCX0" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Ardnek</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW191623706 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW191623706 BCX0" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> is the self-proclaimed Arista of Fairy Tales. She lives in the Piney Woods of East Texas with her dragon babies and massive herd of mini-giraffes, and she is still waiting for one of </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW191623706 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW191623706 BCX0" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">of</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW191623706 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW191623706 BCX0" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> her fifty nutcrackers to come to life and marry her. When not writing, you can usually find her sitting in a random box, and she’s frequently known to act before she thinks. </span></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW191623706 BCX0" data-wac-het="2" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW191623706 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre !important;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW191623706 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW191623706 BCX0" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Find her online at: </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW191623706 BCX0" href="http://kendraeardnek.weebly.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW191623706 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #0563c1; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW191623706 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Website</span></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW191623706 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW191623706 BCX0" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> || </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW191623706 BCX0" href="http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW191623706 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #0563c1; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW191623706 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Blog</span></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW191623706 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW191623706 BCX0" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> || </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW191623706 BCX0" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5321999.Kendra_E_Ardnek" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; 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-webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">YouTube</span></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW191623706 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW191623706 BCX0" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> || </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW191623706 BCX0" href="http://eepurl.com/cmhWX9" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; 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<span class="TextRun SCXW182629409 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kirsten Fichter is a twenty-something Christian writer who loves being the wife to her favorite person ever, mommy to two precious blessings, a piano enthusiast, a dragon buff, a serious bookworm, and an INFP synesthete. Fairytales have always fascinated her, and she has made it her goal to rewrite as many as possible and become known as the “Grimm Dickens” (i.e. mixing Grimm fairytales with a Dickens style). </span><span class="TextRun SCXW182629409 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Diamond: A Rapunzel Story </span><span class="TextRun SCXW182629409 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">is her third published fairytale retelling. You can find out more about her on her blog, A Synesthete Writer. </span><span class="EOP SCXW182629409 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCXW191623706 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span><br />
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW182629409 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW182629409 BCX0" paraeid="{cff7dd1a-4645-407f-b56e-5f5d26913fc4}{219}" paraid="1760688672" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW182629409 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Find her online at:</span><span class="TextRun SCXW182629409 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW182629409 BCX0" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW182629409 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW182629409 BCX0" href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48984508-diamond" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW182629409 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #0563c1; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW182629409 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Blog</span></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW182629409 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> || </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW182629409 BCX0" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8333555.Kirsten_Fichter" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; 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font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> || </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW182629409 BCX0" href="https://www.facebook.com/kirstenfichter/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW182629409 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #0563c1; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW182629409 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Facebook</span></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW182629409 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW182629409 BCX0" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW182629409 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">||</span><span class="TextRun SCXW182629409 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW182629409 BCX0" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW182629409 BCX0" href="https://www.instagram.com/synesthetewriter/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW182629409 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #0563c1; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW182629409 BCX0" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Instagram</span></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW182629409 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW182629409 BCX0" data-wac-het="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW182629409 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: "Times New Roman", "Times New Roman_EmbeddedFont", "Times New Roman_MSFontService", serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">|| </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW182629409 BCX0" href="https://www.amazon.com/Kirsten-Fichter/e/B07N4CC5BH" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; 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Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7618645909538172709.post-30908139040243526042019-10-15T11:33:00.002-05:002020-07-17T11:57:45.417-05:00Lookit this Shiny!!!!So, I'm not sure yet when book 6 of Bookania will be ready for publication - I'm still in the very early stages of writing it (it has a table of contents though!). However, I do have a cover for it, and it's a very gorgeous cover ... and I just don't like sitting on my covers. <div>
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So ... I'm going to share it with you now, and let you ooh and ahh, and add it to your Goodreads shelf. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MD7OxvI2f30/XaXvjZukiWI/AAAAAAAAGQo/GYkyvX12raIp9ddxTaoP_eCCBOR9Kb-lQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Merchanting2_edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1034" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MD7OxvI2f30/XaXvjZukiWI/AAAAAAAAGQo/GYkyvX12raIp9ddxTaoP_eCCBOR9Kb-lQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Merchanting2_edited.jpg" width="412" /></a></div>
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<i>Once upon a time, in a land called Bookania, there lived a girl who was a servant in her own household.</i></div>
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This, for the record, is my favorite Bookania cover thus far. It's exactly how I envisioned it before building it, and that shadow!! Shadows are fun to make. </div>
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What's the book about? Well, as you can gather, <i>The Merchant of Venice</i> will be playing a large role. I'll also be paying off a lot of hints and mentions that I've been littering through the previous books (as well as planting more plots, because that's just how I am). There will be Cinderella. There will be the Oddessey. And there will also be pirates. This is a book that I've been wanting to write for a long time, and I really can't wait to share it with all of you. </div>
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It's also probably the most low-key on the magic scale for Bookania. There's the existing magic, of course - everyone's gifts will have a part to play, and there may be the granting of new ones - but as far as I'm aware thus far, there will be no flashy curses or other displays of magic as there has been in previous or will be in upcoming books. </div>
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No promises on the release date - though I'm going to try to have it written within the year. I've also put <i>Love and Memory </i>at the top of my priority list, and that's an intense book there. (I just started the second notebook, and haven't even finished part 1. Fully expecting 150K-200K out of this baby).</div>
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That said, if anyone wants to alpha Merchant for me, I'm looking for 2-3 readers who are willing to read photographed pages in Hangouts and cheer me on. If you're willing (and you've read all previous books of the series), message me at kendraeardnek(at)gmail(dot)com and let me know.</div>
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So, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/47554325-the-merchant-of-menace">go add it to your TBR</a>, and if you haven't yet, download <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KJPT4CN/">book 1 for FREE</a> (also available on most major ebook platforms, as it's the one book I have wide). I'm trying to get Sew to 50 reviews on Amazon. Not sure what sort of party I'll throw when that happens, but there will be a party.<br /><br />***Edit***<br />Now Available! </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B08CSYSSXS&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=kendraeardnek-20&language=en_US" /><br />(Click cover for purchase link)<br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32674009-love-and-memory?">Add on Goodreads! </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I just want to let you guys know that I'm going to be running the exact same giveaway with Love and Memory as I am with the Merchant of Menace. One free paperback for every ten kindle preorders (U.S. Only), just email me your receipt to enter!</div>
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=kendraeardnek-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=B08CSYSSXS" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />Kendra E. Ardnekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593051552921296108noreply@blogger.com8